Hey all, need some serious advice here

[dnalunchie]

Hey all.

Sorry to post so many my "family member X is looking for XYZ car" but anyway.

Dad has has a nissan mistral for 6 years and its getting too long in tooth and getting unreliable.

He wants something 4wd and very reliable.

I have suggested a 2006 shape legacy or outback which he liked but the problem is because of his age he still views cars with over 100,000kms as being "too high in kms". I tried to convince him that modern cars are different but to no avail. His budget is 18k, could stretch to 20k MAX if it was SUPER good deal.

He lives in christchurch.

Serious suggestions only please as he almost brought something chinese called a cherry or something today..... the horror.

[tsoob]

Just put my missus mum into a 2001 legacy non turbo 98ks on the clock. Good little car..

Surely for your budget a decent 04-06 legacy or attenza would be the way forward..?

[dnalunchie]

Yeah problem is he is still in the mindset that petrols are gas guzzlers and that he should buy a diesel. its tough bringing him around. I think an impreza hatch or legacy/outback would be good.

Is either the 2.5l or 3.0l engine the one to go for?

[duddley]

I heard that the ej25 are just bored out ej20s and are well known for blowing headgaskets. My ez30 legacy does around 11l per 100km mixed driving with two ladders on the roof and a boot full of tools so its pretty decent actually.

[eskimo]

I get wicked ecomony out of my EZ30(I run it on 98 ) so wouldnt think the outback would use much more than the sedan if not the same.

[snwtoy]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 642340.htm

Something to consider

[Alex B]

^ Old lady has a rav identical to that, wouldn't own it if the company wasn't paying for the fuel it uses.

[snwtoy]

^ Old lady has a rav identical to that, wouldn't own it if the company wasn't paying for the fuel it uses.

Hmm I drove one as a rental around queenstown for a week and thought it was pretty good on gas.

[dnalunchie]

yeah I found the ravs can be pretty fuel heavy too when I rented one

[dnalunchie]

this was the list I sent him to look at. will steer him clear of the 2.5's tho.

I know in the impreza they were really bad according to my mechanic.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 811223.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 629647.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 110622.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 166297.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 748367.htm

[iOnic]

This or similar?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 980946.htm

[rollaholic]

whats he want 4wd for?

and why the big displacements, is he towing something?

[Lloyd]

Does he want a 4WD, or just something that has AWD? First though was why not just get a Surf if he is used to a Mistral.

Stop looking at Subarus

[touge_ae101]

Legacy/outback newer than 2003 or so. Get a 3l they go like snot. easy 200kw engine NA

[iOnic]

Stop looking at Subarus

[Mr.Phreak]

Stop looking at cars you want

[Dell'Orto]

Stop at cars you want

[Lloyd]

I just want to join in

[dnalunchie]

ok some to clear some things up, he wants awd or 4wd, he wants something decently powerful to tow. He has always liked outbacks and the legacys from the 2003-2007 shape.

He wants 4wd because he goes up the mountain a lot for skiing and he thinks their safer in bad weather. This isnt about what I want or like, simply about whats reliable with lowish kms and less than 6 years old. That really rules out surfs as they are too pricey for those kms or too many kms for that age. They hold their value too well lol. Also everyone I talk too seems to think the 3ltr subie engine is damn reliable.

[wde_bdy]

1. Check Subaru tow rating.
2. Check weight of trailer/load wanting to tow.
3. Start looking at other vehicles.
4. ???
5. Profit.