manchu Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 I'm in the market for a new Wagon to replace my 2003 Mazda 6 hatch. I'm keen to hear opinions on what I'm currently considering or suggestions for alternatives. Budget < $30K, for new or near new (1-2yrs & <50,000km). Would like a manual transmission, but there's not many around so not a must. - Subaru Outback/Liberty: Pricey, and not sure about CVT - VW Passat: A little boring and concerned about DSG - VW Golf: Nice and cheap, but size and DSG concerns. - Skoda Superb: = Passat, but cheaper. Comes with an umbrella! If I was buying on name alone then superb would win! - Skoda Octavia: = Golf, but cheaper. 90TSI man. is tempting, but maybe too gutless. New one comes out soon and it looks brilliant. - Hyundai i40 tourer. Ticks a lot of boxes, but ugly as sin IMO. don't think I can do it. - Mazda 6 (new). Nice, but boot is smaller than my 6 hatch!!. - Mazda 6 (last gen). Top of my list currently...in diesel. Heaps of guts, efficient and manual!. cheers all. (ps. I started a thread a while ago about SUV's but have I've since decided a wagon is better)
Sir Triode Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) I'd add a used Skoda Roomster Diesel to your list (1.9L diesel donk). Under $20K for a used example with lots of interior space and they only come in manual transmission. The one listed below is $17500 with 20,000kms on the clock. http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Skoda-Roomster-2009/SSE-AD-181403/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1 Edited October 31, 2013 by triode12
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) I hear you mention boring and VW in the same sentence too easy... http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-159-2010/SSE-AD-2416722/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1 too sexy http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-159-2010/SSE-AD-2284344/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 (this ones the pick...and its in VIC) http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?silo=stock&q=%28%28%28%28%28Make{%3d}[Alfa+Romeo]%29{%26}%28Model{%3d}[159]%29%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3d[Private+seller+cars]%29|%28%28SiloType%3d[Dealer+used+cars]%29|%28%28SiloType%3d[brand+new+cars+in+stock]%29|%28SiloType%3d[Demo+and+near+new+cars]%29%29%29%29%26%28Service%3d[Carsales]%29%29%29%26%28Service%3d[Carsales]%29%29%26%28BodyStyle{%3d}[Wagon]%29%29&vertical=car&keywords=&tsrc=allcarhome&sortby=Year too good Edited October 31, 2013 by mello yello II
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) Alfa call them Sportswagon (for good reason) 2.4 Ti Diesel engine is a monster (400Nm torque) Edited October 31, 2013 by mello yello II
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 sorry, theres only two cars for me... Alfa and Romeo
manchu Posted October 31, 2013 Author Posted October 31, 2013 And here I was thinking the mazda is a good looker. Very tempting.
A J Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 sorry, theres only two cars for me... Alfa and Romeo Hairdresser?
A J Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Hairdresser? very 90's AJ Haha yeah well I had one in the 90s - most fun I ever had with my pants on - until I got a Ducati
Sir Triode Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 I hear you mention boring and VW in the same sentence too easy... http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-159-2010/SSE-AD-2416722/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1 too sexy http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-159-2010/SSE-AD-2284344/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 (this ones the pick...and its in VIC) http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?silo=stock&q=%28%28%28%28%28Make{%3d}[Alfa+Romeo]%29{%26}%28Model{%3d}[159]%29%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3d[Private+seller+cars]%29|%28%28SiloType%3d[Dealer+used+cars]%29|%28%28SiloType%3d[brand+new+cars+in+stock]%29|%28SiloType%3d[Demo+and+near+new+cars]%29%29%29%29%26%28Service%3d[Carsales]%29%29%29%26%28Service%3d[Carsales]%29%29%26%28BodyStyle{%3d}[Wagon]%29%29&vertical=car&keywords=&tsrc=allcarhome&sortby=Year too good Wow - they don't hold their resales values very well do they?
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Wow - they don't hold their resales values very well do they? No they dont, its a common complaint those i linked, in Ti trim with a sunroof and satnav would have been at least $62-65K new...i think the white one might still be under warranty
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Alfa's are a money pit. can be 30K service, which is the first major one is $850, oil filter and change only is $250 but you dont buy an Alfa for economical reasons either...horses for courses
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Haha yeah well I had one in the 90s - most fun I ever had with my pants on - until I got a Ducati "most fun I ever had" ...thats also the most common complaint with Alfas lol
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 And here I was thinking the mazda is a good looker. Very tempting. be sure of what you want... they can be expensive to maintain, as mentioned...just the wheels will set you back around $400-450 per corner (235/40/19) choices are Pirelli PZero Nero or Continental or Bridgestone Potenza RE50 will fit...thats in the 19inch Ti sports trim
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 brakes are Brembo in the Ti, you have to replace the whole disc when you need pads...i reckon those in the link are still with the original pads and discs, but they do last a long time...cost, i think $1k front (hopefully not each)
LogicprObe Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 can be 30K service, which is the first major one is $850, oil filter and change only is $250 but you dont buy an Alfa for economical reasons either...horses for courses Sure. A mate of mine always wanted one............it was his dream car. After a couple of years of it being in the shop as much time as it was on the road and much money later................he was over it. Much like buying a Jag.........but more fun to drive.
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Sure. A mate of mine always wanted one............it was his dream car. After a couple of years of it being in the shop as much time as it was on the road and much money later................he was over it. Much like buying a Jag.........but more fun to drive. they have come a long way in reliabilty since FIAT took control and the head CEO is an ex BMW honcho. The last wave of Giuliettas, Mitos and 159 ...excluding 156 selespeed attenuator problems...were nothing like the previous 90s problems. Rust? jurys still out on that one, but looking good so far 1
Sir Triode Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 They used to say..." on a quiet enough night, you can hear an Alfa rusting...."
mello yello Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 They used to say..." on a quiet enough night, you can hear an Alfa rusting...." the 4C should be right...they made it in carbon fibre lol 1
manchu Posted October 31, 2013 Author Posted October 31, 2013 be sure of what you want... Tempting, but don't think I'll be tempted. Reason for upgrade is extra space and the alfa doesn't tick that box.
Guest yamaha_man Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 I think you should get one of these with a twin carb 409 and 4 speed.
Phantom Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Nice museum pieces and great examples of mid century automotive style, but completely impractical for today's cities.
manchu Posted November 1, 2013 Author Posted November 1, 2013 I think I'll hold out on deciding anything until the new Skoda Octavia is released. If it's around 30K for the 118TSI manual then I reckon that'll be my pick. I was talking to a mate at work about Alfa's thismorning. He's selling his 2008 JTDm, 80,000km for $15,000. not a wagon though. 60K+ to 15K in 5 yrs!
Phantom Posted November 1, 2013 Posted November 1, 2013 I think I'll hold out on deciding anything until the new Skoda Octavia is released. If it's around 30K for the 118TSI manual then I reckon that'll be my pick. I was talking to a mate at work about Alfa's thismorning. He's selling his 2008 JTDm, 80,000km for $15,000. not a wagon though. 60K+ to 15K in 5 yrs! I wouldn't buy a Skoda if I were you. Their retained value over 5 years is unlikely to be any better than an Alfa. If I needed a wagon for practical reasons and I could live with a plain jane look, I would go for the Ford Mondeo wagon with the ECo boost or diesel engine. There is a new model due out mid next year and dealers will be doing very attractive deals on the current model from now on. I have driven them quite a lot and if you can get past the look they are surprisingly good to drive. Nice steering and handling, composed ride without being slushy, economical and absolutely huge in terms of cargo carrying volume and passenger space. Many people bag these without having driven one and IMHO they are a real sleeper and a great "family " vehicle
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