Dreaming of an SUV

I

IzZzy

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Feb 17, 2004
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So I am busy considering my options wrt replacing my car at some point this year. I'm in no rush, and happy to thoroughly consider all options.

My fiancé and I both currently drive hatchbacks. Hers is automatic, and mines a manual. Because of JHB traffic, I am longing for an automatic. We also have a number of dogs which require vets visits and walks etc.

So my car requirements have moved on from a hatchback to an SUV. A sedan would be fine but not practical for ferrying dogs, and I quite fancy the ride height of an SUV. An SUV is also easier for carting my mountain bike.

My budget is approximately R300 000, willing to consider R350 000 for the right car.

My non-negotiable requirements are that it must be an automatic and have xenons and Bluetooth. I'd really love a Q3 which ticks all the right boxes, but its an extra R60 000 on my top end budget. What I'm not a fan of is any Korean car.

Oh, and I don't mind a demo or used car so long as its low mileage and still under plan for a few years.

Any ideas?
 
W

web

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Feb 24, 2005
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5,327
IzZzy said:
So I am busy considering my options wrt replacing my car at some point this year. I'm in no rush, and happy to thoroughly consider all options.

My fiancé and I both currently drive hatchbacks. Hers is automatic, and mines a manual. Because of JHB traffic, I am longing for an automatic. We also have a number of dogs which require vets visits and walks etc.

So my car requirements have moved on from a hatchback to an SUV. A sedan would be fine but not practical for ferrying dogs, and I quite fancy the ride height of an SUV. An SUV is also easier for carting my mountain bike.

My budget is approximately R300 000, willing to consider R350 000 for the right car.

My non-negotiable requirements are that it must be an automatic and have xenons and Bluetooth. I'd really love a Q3 which ticks all the right boxes, but its an extra R60 000 on my top end budget. What I'm not a fan of is any Korean car.

Oh, and I don't mind a demo or used car so long as its low mileage and still under plan for a few years.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Come to Durban bring your mountain bike I will take you for a good ride in my Girly Korean Sportage :D
Had the same issue when i was looking, always had double cabs 4x4 and one Subaru, was looking for something smaller and lighter on the fuel bill. Q3 was brilliant but for the spec i got it was close to R100k more.

The new Qashqai looks nice but it is a Nissan.
I ended up getting the 2L Diesel AWD Sportage awesome little thing really otherwise look at a Forester carries all 4 bikes with ease, and my new MTB gets pride of place on the roof so i can show her off :) much to the 18 wheeler dismay.
 
V

Vegeta

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Easy one, Mazda CX-5 (will also get a facelift and more kit std soon)

/close thread
 
S

Sepeng

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I'm an openly big fan of station wagons, so first off I'd ask - how necessary is the SUV part? Volvo V60 would meet most if not all your needs, and would probably be more economical and an easier drive than an suv 95% of the time.

Else the ubiquitous Subaru Forester.

Or something like a Golf, and try keep the dogs in the boot?
 
GhostSixFour

GhostSixFour

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New Ford everest is launching this year. Looks quite epic.

2015-Ford-Everest-review.jpg

Otherwise, what about a Kuga? Or the Toyota Rav maybe?
 
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W

web

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Kuga is really nice, but stay away from the petrol automatic it hunts gears constantly rather look at the diesel. The new RAV is really not nice inside.
Honda CRV also a good buy but expensive. The new ford explorer will be in Fortuner territory price wise. A lot more than R350k
 
GhostSixFour

GhostSixFour

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Suzuki Grand Vitara is within budget, automatic, but no Bluetooth..
 
TehStranger

TehStranger

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Another contender is the Honda CRV, but make sure you go for the 2.4L Executive A/T model like this one.

Pros:
It's under your top end budget
It definitely has the space in buckets and then some
The executive model meets your requirements (Auto, Bluteef, Bi-xenons)
It's low mileage and will have the balance of the 5 year plan
It's AWD
The 2.4L motor is tried, tested and bulletproof (relatively spaeking), it's also not overly heavy on juice either
It's a Honda, so no one will want to steal it

You can read more about the detailed specs on Honda's Website as well as Unitrans Specifications.
 
Quantum Theory

Quantum Theory

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I went down this road. Had my SUV for just over 2 years. Just couldn't justify the additional costs involved any more (petrol, tyres etc), as well as possible repair costs out of warranty (CVT gearbox, AWD transfer case etc). Mine was used for a bit of off roading, during holidays and long weekends and it was fairly capable. I still miss it a lot, but I feel that going back to a normal car was the right decision. So the question here is, do you really need it?

Also, if you are buying one that is not really capable of going off road, why bother? Get one of these for the dogs, with a towbar and a bike rack...
 
S

snowwolf

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Sep 9, 2014
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Stay away from Ford. Its a nice looking SUV the Kuga, but Ford's after sales service is miserable...

The Sportage I have to admit is a very well built machine... was one of my options when I was looking... although I opted for a bakkie instead. And it's reasonably priced with a host of features. I wouldn't knock it just because its Korean.

The Volvo is also an amazing vehicle. The XC60 or even the V40 (station-wagon, not SUV) but both still very nice drives.
 
W

wiinuts

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Mar 5, 2009
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dont know why everyone just wants to write-off the Korean options :confused:

at least go drive the ix35 or sportage before writing them off ... the top end models are very decent considering what you get vs price.
 
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