New car time...

[Willdat?]

It's time for a new car here, I've got a 1996 Corolla BZ Touring which I've put 65,000km on, but it's time to part ways. (It will also be for sale once I figure out what to get next! 5 speed C56, 120,000kms, cambelt done, 4 newish TGP shocks, and a pretty rough body since my wife learned to drive by feel...)

I love my wagon, but I need something a bit bigger, ideally that I could sleep in the back of, budget is about 12k, not too worried about economy, but I am a big fan of reliability...

My shortlist at the moment = Nissan Stagea, or maybe a Falcdaore, or I was hoping that there is something 1JZ/2JZ powered that I don't know about...any suggestions welcomed.

[Willdat?]

In case it's not obvious, only wagons need apply and Altezza wagons are too pricey/pretty...

[Bling]

Can you sleep in the back of a caldy?

[xsspeed]

12k would probably get you a BA falcon wagon, thats what I have as a daily. Not too bad economy wise as you can drive it all day at less than 2500rpm comfortably.

I got low kms 2004 futura wagon in 2007 for 16k, could probably get something around 12k now though, higher kms though. Mind you kms dont really affect the I6 motors too badly, look at taxi's.

Failing that, try find a lower kms ef falcon station wagon (my old car) they are going quite cheap now and also pretty reliable.

Failing that again get a caldina

[Emperor]

Stagea has sooooo much room!!

But do you like the look of them? Most people are thrown off. Plenty of torque aswell.

[scotty_ish]

What about a Toyota Mark II wagon? Just a pity it doesn't share the same engine as the sedan

[Snaps]

By what you've said... space to sleep, bigger vehicle you could always go with a Hiace van.. otherwise not really sure what else.

[bbq1988]

Stagea has sooooo much room!!

But do you like the look of them? Most people are thrown off. Plenty of torque aswell.

+1, i was impressed by the room in them!

[Mr Revhead]

falcons can be had real cheap....
and they a lot easier to get bits for than a stagea...
but they will use more gas, they can be surprisingly cheap on the motorway, but theres a lack of them in nelson!

of those two, if i was driving it daily, and fuel was likely to be an issue then id get the stagea, if fuel wasnt the issue, then the falcon hands down.
thats if you need the size of one, they are big!

[Lith]

and they a lot easier to get bits for than a stagea...
but they will use more gas, they can be surprisingly cheap on the motorway, but theres a lack of them in nelson!

What bits of the Stagea are you referring too? Lots of swappable stuff with Skylines on them.

[Timmo]

What about a Toyota Mark II wagon? Just a pity it doesn't share the same engine as the sedan

err yeah they do (Mark II Blit- they were the last bastion of the 1jz-gte)

There is one for sale on TM at the moment....but its a 1g version)

[xsspeed]

this one?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-199386655.htm

A few of the older ones too, eg
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-208778105.htm

[xsspeed]

BA futura wagon
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Ford/Falcon/auction-211254547.htm
Basically like mine except mine has lower kms, tinted windows, and xr6 wheels

[Mr Revhead]

and they a lot easier to get bits for than a stagea...
but they will use more gas, they can be surprisingly cheap on the motorway, but theres a lack of them in nelson!

What bits of the Stagea are you referring too? Lots of swappable stuff with Skylines on them.

yep. and lots that are not. some versions have unique suspension parts thats different from the skyline stuff. and a lot of places wont have listings, meaning you will need to match up parts to confirm. while not impossible, it makes it harder especilly when they have to come over night. its not nessicarily a reason not to buy a certain car.
but could be a factor for some ppl and something i think ppl should consider. sucks to have your car off the road for three weeks waiting for parts!

[rollaholic]

falcons are junk

[Timmo]

this one?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-199386655.htm

A few of the older ones too, eg
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-208778105.htm

Yep that is the one- Either came with a 1g or a 1jz-fse or 1jz-gte in the IR-V spec. They are nice cars inside....Im not too sure about their exterior styling though...not a good height to width ratio

This one looks OK though.

[Willdat?]

Wow that Blit thing is pretty impressively ugly...are the older Mark 2 wagons RWD, they look very similar to Camrys of a similar vintage...

The $12995 2005 BA Falcon is looking hard to beat,

I have done vans in the past and they're not really what I'm after. Around town I use my DR-Z400 SM, the new wagon will more or less just be for road trips ( I live next door to work...), and the occasional trip to Bunnings etc. to pick up stuff.

I like the look of the Stagea, kind of funtionally ugly, so you get a proper boot, in an RS4 (RB25DET) is the auto trans likely to be a problem?

[ROBODISCO_20v]

Here's an Altezza Gita thats might just be within your budget...
http://www.theredzone.co.nz/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=251

If you go for that Falcon wagon, make sure you get it thoroughly checked over. It's an ex Custom Fleet vehicle. They're really good at not doing repairs just before they come off lease.

[Willdat?]

IMO Altezzas are more of a 'shooting brake' than a wagon, certainly not a lot bigger than my Corolla inside

[Timmo]

Well there was a bit of chopping and changing around names and models

the wider Mark IIs are effectively upmarket Camrys, the Mark II Blit is not related mechanically at all (Transverse FWD compared with Inline RWD) then there is also the Crown wagon just to confuse things.

Have you considered the new shape Stageas? (VQ powered).....I like the look of them and they are a bit cheaper than the Gitas (Im in the same situation as you...looking at a larger car...but don't want anything too boring)

If you want to go nuts, there is the VQ25DET powered version too (I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how you plumb in a single turbo onto a V6!)