Commodious SUV or Wagon

Crazy Dazz · 02-01-2025, 12:54 PM

I remember going camping, including a portable cot, with 3 kids under 4 (all in car seats) and packing everything into my 121 Hatchback. Times Change I guess.

When my daughter takes her son for coffee, she takes enough gear to invade Normandy. I think his pram was made by Lamborghini, it has more moving parts.

They also have 2 small dogs that they would prefer to stay in the cargo area when traveling.
So it's time to upgrade the Pug.

There are two main "options" under consideration:
Conventional car that won't break the bank; or
Novated Lease of a PHEV or EV.

Mainly looking for recommendations around space and cargo capacity

**kypez** · 02-01-2025, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

I remember going camping, including a portable cot, with 3 kids under 4 (all in car seats) and packing everything into my 121 Hatchback. Times Change I guess.

When my daughter takes her son for coffee, she takes enough gear to invade Normandy. I think his pram was made by Lamborghini, it has more moving parts.

They also have 2 small dogs that they would prefer to stay in the cargo area when traveling.

So it's time to upgrade the Pug.

There are two main "options" under consideration:

Conventional car that won't break the bank; or

Novated Lease of a PHEV or EV.

Mainly looking for recommendations around space and cargo capacity

If it's space, the model Y is hard to go past. At it's price point, you won't find a car with a bigger boot. Throw in that you can use Dog mode (locks doors but keeps the music and AC going) if you leave the pups in the car for Few minutes if you go to the shops, it's really convenient.

If you live in a home, it's a great value proposition.

Crazy Dazz · 02-01-2025, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

If it's space, the model Y is hard to go past.

I don't want to derail my own thread, but suffice to say that Teslas will not be considered.

**kypez** · 02-01-2025, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

yelrotflm

eek2

Did I mention she's a Millennial?

It's ok to buy cars from Chinese Trillionaires who enslave their people, murder their competitors, and habitually kill workers and dump their bodies in Landfill.

But you can't buy a Tesla because Elon's Trans-daughter says bad things about him.

I'm a millennial... I know that Elon isn't Tesla (and wasn't the founder). Heck our Nazi loving founder Henry Ford isn't a reflection of the brand itself.

Bah!

Hard to find a single brand these days that doesn't have an interesting history. I can't think of any.

**kypez** · 02-01-2025, 03:15 PM

Also, if you're going away from cities and camping, I wouldn't buy anything other than a Tesla. The infrastructure isn't there for other brands.

PHEV's just aren't great to drive but would be a choice if you don't want to get a Tesla. They are just compromised trying to have batteries and an ICE motor. Heavy slugs with complexity.

**DFB FGXR6** · 02-01-2025, 04:41 PM

What is the budget here?

If they are considering the electric, I'd wouldn't rule out the Mach-E. Ford are actually discounting them at the moment, no doubt because no one is buying them. Also...............they don't look like a Tesla. From what I have heard, the Mach-E is better than what many give it credit for.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ford/mustang-mach-e/

I'd also look at the Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country or V90 Cross Country wagons, spotted one today and they look so good in that restrained Swedish way.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=...ross%20Country.))
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/vol...cross-country/

**kypez** · 02-01-2025, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What is the budget here?

If they are considering the electric, I'd wouldn't rule out the Mach-E. Ford are actually discounting them at the moment, no doubt because no one is buying them. Also...............they don't look like a Tesla. From what I have heard, the Mach-E is better than what many give it credit for.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ford/mustang-mach-e/

I'd also look at the Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country or V90 Cross Country wagons, spotted one today and they look so good in that restrained Swedish way.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=...ross%20Country.))

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/vol...cross-country/

Mach E is great but doesn't have the cargo space of the Y. Similar issue with the Volvo's and their expensive for what they are.

Mach E at Y prices would be great!

Sprintey · 02-01-2025, 04:48 PM

Jeep Grand Cherokee L. 5.2m of space carrying SUV. Port injected reliable 6.

I don't know if that fits into 'conventional car that won't break the bank'? I do know we've been looking for a wagon or SUV that we can sleep in when we drive to travel (ie 1000km a day+ trips, carrying gear, all the way to campsite surfing trips, snow trips) and it's really wide open, from 15K cars up to about 40-50K which is about as much as I'd wish to spend. What's most important here is reliability of drivetrain.

**kypez** · 02-01-2025, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Jeep Grand Cherokee L. 5.2m of space carrying SUV. Port injected reliable 6.

I don't know if that fits into 'conventional car that won't break the bank'? I do know we've been looking for a wagon or SUV that we can sleep in when we drive to travel (ie 1000km a day+ trips, carrying gear, all the way to campsite surfing trips, snow trips) and it's really wide open, from 15K cars up to about 40-50K which is about as much as I'd wish to spend. What's most important here is reliability of drivetrain.

Hearing some horror stories out of the US about the new Jeeps. Not sure if it's all true but it was enough for us to not shortlist it. Personally waiting on the Y63

Franco Cozzo · 02-01-2025, 05:10 PM

+1 for Tesla Model Y

Best charging network Australia wide, most experience in the game.

Sprintey · 02-01-2025, 10:33 PM

The hybrid Jeeps are going up in flames a bit. Petrols seem OK. Electrics might be a chance. The brand will have the stigma and that's why 2 year old 75-80K cars are advertised at 54K.

BENT_8 · 03-01-2025, 12:01 AM

Kluger...

**kypez** · 03-01-2025, 12:18 AM

Forgot to add, Mach E doesn't have a heat pump yet in Australia. Should be part of the 2025 updates. Don't buy an EV without a heat pump.

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2025, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Forgot to add, Mach E doesn't have a heat pump yet in Australia. Should be part of the 2025 updates. Don't buy an EV without a heat pump.

What an oversight, I guess it has a resistive heater?

Crazy Dazz · 03-01-2025, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What is the budget here?

Either a conventional car, late model & very low kms, upto $40~50k.

Or, if they go don the path of Novated Lease for a EV or PHEV then probably upto $75~80k

**kypez** · 03-01-2025, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

What an oversight, I guess it has a resistive heater?

Yep. Resistive heater. Madness in an EV in this day and age. 5 years behind the competition.

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2025, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Yep. Resistive heater. Madness in an EV in this day and age. 5 years behind the competition.

I can't believe they did such an oversight, such a ridiculous way to generate heat in something that uses its battery to move the vehicle, how did that even get past engineering

**DFB FGXR6** · 03-01-2025, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I can't believe they did such an oversight, such a ridiculous way to generate heat in something that uses its battery to move the vehicle, how did that even get past engineering

It will be for the same reason their most profitable golden child (Ranger) comes with a prop rod for the bonnet, despite PX MK II and PX MK III having gas struts.....................it's cheaper.

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2025, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

It will be for the same reason their most profitable golden child (Ranger) comes with a prop rod for the bonnet, despite PX MK II and PX MK III having gas struts.....................it's cheaper.

Engineered for extreme reliability and endurance, we've upgraded to the heavy duty bonnet stand on the new generation Ranger, after receiving feedback from our customers, here at Ford, we listened and we implemented.

Or something along those lines

**kypez** · 03-01-2025, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

It will be for the same reason their most profitable golden child (Ranger) comes with a prop rod for the bonnet, despite PX MK II and PX MK III having gas struts.....................it's cheaper.

They're losing $3X,000 per car already. Add a heat pump and add an extra few thousand dollars to the losses.

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2025, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

They're losing $3X,000 per car already. Add a heat pump and add an extra few thousand dollars to the losses.

What shits me is it already has a heat pump - the AC compressor.

They just need to implement some changes to reverse the cycle and presto now you're heating the cabin rather than cooling it down, all it's doing is the inside part (evaporator) is now the condenser and gives off heat when you reverse the cycle.

90% of what you need for a heat pump setup is already there as part of the HVAC system, you need an extra couple things on top to implement but most is already there.

But no, let's put in an oven, get one of those shitty little plug in electric heaters that cost SFA and then heat your bedroom with it in winter, and see what the power bill costs - that's how they're heating the cabin of the car but taking away from the thing that stores the energy to turn the wheels.

Madness, and Ford had the audacity to try sell it for ~$20K more than the Model Y

OP - if no Tesla than forget going EV, buy Kia Carnival, will fit the kid and all the gear for June 6.

barra240t · 03-01-2025, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Forgot to add, Mach E doesn't have a heat pump yet in Australia. Should be part of the 2025 updates. Don't buy an EV without a heat pump.

You get a jacket with the performance pack though.

**kypez** · 03-01-2025, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barra240t

You get a jacket with the performance pack though.

Same one they gave out with Mustangs? With the GT Supercar model?

Citroënbender · 03-01-2025, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Yep. Resistive heater. Madness in an EV in this day and age. 5 years behind the competition.

Imagine sprinkling a little coolant on said heater, so when it warmed up you got leaky heater core anxiety from the smell.

**anobserver** · 03-01-2025, 06:49 PM

Subaru Outback touring xt.

Low mileage turbos are now appearing in the used market. They should all be 2023 models, so still another 3 years warranty on that cvt.

**DFB FGXR6** · 03-01-2025, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anobserver

Subaru Outback touring xt.

Low mileage turbos are now appearing in the used market. They should all be 2023 models, so still another 3 years warranty on that cvt.

Actually, that's a great idea. One of my clients had a couple of them, and my old boss has had three in a row. Nicely made, decent boot, lovely ride comfort. I also love the integrated roof cross bars, they unclip from the roof rails and swing across.

If it were me, I'd look at the previous generation model with the Flat-6 engine, such a nice sounding engine. You will find a couple of low km examples here and there -

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18337654/
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...G-AD-24064082/

simon varley · 03-01-2025, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

What shits me is it already has a heat pump - the AC compressor.

this. I really don't know why every single car on the road doesn't have this tech. It reduces overall cost and weight and the tech is proven (at least in a static environment) It gives instant heat in cold weather unlike coolant based systems and defrost/demist will be almost instantaneous for those markets that need it.

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2025, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon varley

this. I really don't know why every single car on the road doesn't have this tech. It reduces overall cost and weight and the tech is proven (at least in a static environment) It gives instant heat in cold weather unlike coolant based systems and defrost/demist will be almost instantaneous for those markets that need it.

The ones on the market in Australia, reverse cycle AC will happily provide heat down to -15C as well, so it's not like it can't provide heat in our climate either.

It's something I'd like to see, I guess with an internal combustion engine you've got a lot of waste heat to deal with and you have the hot coolant circulating around so it doesn't take much to use it for heating the cabin.

However resistive heater in an EV? My lord.

Swordie · 03-01-2025, 09:18 PM

I'll add low km Mazda CX-60 Inline-6 and Honda CRV. It depends how small the dogs are if they will fit.

Mazda CX-70 looks like it has a big luggage space, that is out of the budget.

Itsme · 04-01-2025, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Actually, that's a great idea. One of my clients had a couple of them, and my old boss has had three in a row. Nicely made, decent boot, lovely ride comfort. I also love the integrated roof cross bars, they unclip from the roof rails and swing across.

If it were me, I'd look at the previous generation model with the Flat-6 engine, such a nice sounding engine. You will find a couple of low km examples here and there -

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...E-AD-18337654/
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...G-AD-24064082/

image

Great car, just purchased MY24 XT Outback Touring, all it needs now is that sport exhaust.