Dreaming of an SUV

Agent_Smith

Agent_Smith

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What's your reason for anti-korean sentiment when it comes to cars? Is it perceived build quality issues? Kia's have come a LONG way in the last few years and I am seriously looking at the Cerato (hopefully the Koup). Which is why I agree with Snowwolf regarding the Sportage. Great car!
 
Acid0

Acid0

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Wifes got a IX35, well built and she carts her "little" great Dane around in the back of the boot or on the back seat depends on the mood of the dog ;) not humans.

Have allot of std stuff already included and the quality is awesome for the price.
 
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irBosOtter

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wiinuts said:
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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I suspect the reason for this is more to do with finding a secondhand one with low km's in the budget. These are good SUV's so people tend to keep them for 5 plus years before selling them. So not to many available with low km's, but that's just my opinion.
 
bwana

bwana

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Acid0 said:
Wifes got a IX35, well built and she carts her "little" great Dane around in the back of the boot or on the back seat depends on the mood of the dog ;) not humans.

Have allot of std stuff already included and the quality is awesome for the price.
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Thought about the IX35 but we've got two great danes… ended up with the Chevy Captiva instead :)
 
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Brenden_E

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Quantum Theory said:
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...
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There's very little difference in running cost between our car and our SUV. You should qualify that if you buy a SUV that is known to be heavy on Petrol and unreliable, IE a Jeep, it's most likely going to live up to it's reputation.

The VW Tiguan is great, but it's got a small boot. The new Mazda looks very good. The Forester will be too heavy on fuel and not really suited to your requirements.

But I implore you, go check out the new x-trail. It's larger than the Cashcow, if you go for the diesel it's very economical. It's not fast, but inside it looks extremely refined and felt well built.

Edit: The Korean options are still a bit heavy on fuel for my liking. They aren't quite there yet when it comes to engine efficiency.
 
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paul5186

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I would go for a demo Nissan Xtrail 1.6dCi XE, or the smaller Qashqai in the 1.2T petrol if you want to spend +- 300K or less
 
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IzZzy

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So many posts to reply to that I can't do it individually.

The Qashqai looks decent, but it doesn't move my cockles :) Neither does the Honda CRV (as the fiancé's parentals have one) nor the Kuga. It just seems bland.

I am moved by the Mazda CX-5, but I don't think it comes with xenons (at least I haven't found one).

I've had my fingers burnt with resale on my Alfa, so am not looking to go down the Volvo route (although some people might attest differently).

Must admit, I have never given a station wagon much thought. In my yoof I always questioned why one would buy such a car :)

Waiting for the Renegade is an option, but I doubt it would have much space?

Quantum Theory said:
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?
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I agree. The only redeeming feature of the SUV is ride height, which I quite enjoy. I must admit, it would be more of a pavement parker than experience any time in the bush - hence my moving away from the Cherokee Trailhawk to a normal SUV :D
 
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Sepeng

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Quantum Theory said:
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...
Click to expand...

Yup, this. Don't think you'll find an SUV as comfortable & classy as that car for that price.
 
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IzZzy

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Agent_Smith said:
What's your reason for anti-korean sentiment when it comes to cars? Is it perceived build quality issues? Kia's have come a LONG way in the last few years and I am seriously looking at the Cerato (hopefully the Koup). Which is why I agree with Snowwolf regarding the Sportage. Great car!
Click to expand...

Anti-Korean sentiment is based on (i) not liking the look of it; (ii) perceived resale values; and (iii) perceived build and efficiency issues.

OrbitalDawn said:
Why are xenons a non-negotiable?
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Personal preference hey. Currently have xenons and the light is just clearer, and easier to see in the dark compared to halogen.
 
OrbitalDawn

OrbitalDawn

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Brenden_E said:
There's very little difference in running cost between our car and our SUV. You should qualify that if you buy a SUV that is known to be heavy on Petrol and unreliable, IE a Jeep, it's most likely going to live up to it's reputation.

The VW Tiguan is great, but it's got a small boot. The new Mazda looks very good. The Forester will be too heavy on fuel and not really suited to your requirements.

But I implore you, go check out the new x-trail. It's larger than the Cashcow, if you go for the diesel it's very economical. It's not fast, but inside it looks extremely refined and felt well built.

Edit: The Korean options are still a bit heavy on fuel for my liking. They aren't quite there yet when it comes to engine efficiency.
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Only available in petrol if you want auto, which he does.
 
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Brenden_E

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Sepeng said:
Yup, this. Don't think you'll find an SUV as comfortable & classy as that car for that price.
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Have owned a Tiguan for 3 years now. Just as comfortable, classy and with similar running cost as a car. Not all SUVs are gas guzzlers. You have to do your research.
 
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IzZzy

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Brenden_E said:
Have owned a Tiguan for 3 years now. Just as comfortable, classy and with similar running cost as a car. Not all SUVs are gas guzzlers. You have to do your research.
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That's actually the only option I thought available which ticks all the right boxes.
 
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furpile

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You can also have a look at the Mitsubishi ASX, you should be able to get a quite new second hand CVT model for under R300k. I just don't think it gets the Xenons (have HID).

And for everybody talking about the maintenance cost of an SUV, the options OP is looking for are SUV's, so just bigger cars. Most of them are not 4x4's so the only thing that will cost more than a normal care is the tires (maybe).
 
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