What car would you buy?

[DrDamage]

Was keeping an eye out for a new family car. Currently own a Ford Territory 2006. It's been great but fuel economy doesn't seem that great.

So just a quick question. With fuel economy in mind, what family car would you buy under $50,000? Wagon, SUV, or Van. Preferably ford but doesn't have to be...

Thanks!

[Ratmick]

Late-model Turbo-diesel Ford Territory

[xr6-FTW]

my brother mentioned to me about the new skoda octavia rs wagon, it looks pretty good, has plenty of room and it is quite well reviewed.

[Yellow_Festiva]

My 7 seat outlander diesel is a good rig. Economical, powerful and versatile.

Top of the range model (Aspire) will give you a lot of change from $50k as well.

[Suvo]

+1 for the outlander. The mrs will be upgrading to a new ZK exceed (now the top of the range) later this yr

[deadfish2]

Cx5 mazdas rate really highly with me, had heaps at my last job and never had any issues with them, got my parents to get one and they love it too. Awesome fit and finish and really comfy and roomy, interior of the GT spec is good with the leather interior

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Ratmick

Late-model Turbo-diesel Ford Territory

+1.

SZII Territory TS TDCi can be had for under 50k.

[fps_grandma]

Originally Posted by DrDamage

Was keeping an eye out for a new family car. Currently own a Ford Territory 2006. It's been great but fuel economy doesn't seem that great.

So just a quick question. With fuel economy in mind, what family car would you buy under $50,000? Wagon, SUV, or Van. Preferably ford but doesn't have to be...

Thanks!

Toyota Camry Hybrid

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by NX74205

+1.

SZII Territory TS TDCi can be had for under 50k.

+2.

It's what I did and never looked back.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by DrDamage

Was keeping an eye out for a new family car. Currently own a Ford Territory 2006. It's been great but fuel economy doesn't seem that great.

So just a quick question. With fuel economy in mind, what family car would you buy under $50,000? Wagon, SUV, or Van. Preferably ford but doesn't have to be...

Thanks!

New or secondhand?

[minheim]

With that budget I agree it would be between a diesel territory or diesel outlander in the SUV category. If looking at a wagon then I'd look at the high spec diesel Mondeo or a diesel Hyundai I40 in premium spec.

[Lewy950]

I looked at the skoda wagon and passat but when I added everything up I went with the Territory Diesel.

14500kms and the avg fuel is 8.33l/100kms

[Brazen]

If I was you I would budget another 10k or so, get a Mercedes C Class estate. I'm basing this on someone who picked one up for 64. I'm sure you could look for a demo for cheaper.

In the long run you will get great fuel economy and resale, and you would probably keep it for an extra 5 years as the German wagons age so well.








If the C Class is a stretch, then a Calais V Sportwagon, Octavia RS or Mondeo Titanium.

[Sabantien]

Diesel Mondeo would be my choice. If you haggle you might even get the Titanium in under 50k.

[arronm]

SV6 sportwagon

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by NX74205

+1.

SZII Territory TS TDCi can be had for under 50k.

Or alternatively, if you don't need something as big as a Territory, the Kuga Titanium is also a good bet for under 50k.

[Bez F6]

I would consider a Subaru Outback turbo-diesel or Territory turbo-diesel. I'm not sure what the auto (CVT) is like in the outback though. Only CVT I've ever driven was a Nissan X-Trail, and I thought that CVT was awful.

[Big_Daz]

Mazda 6 Diesel in sedan or wagon.. One of the best diesel engines around, great economy, build quality and classy interior. PLus the MY15 upgrade look brilliant..

Ive had my 2015 6 Touring Diesel for a few months and its just passed 3000km's... Been averaging 6.something for every tank.. and im driving it pretty hard... You could get the GT under 50k which has some more toys than mine...

CX-5 isn't too bad either.. Same engine as the 6 but SUV...

Mondeo would have to get a look in as well... Would get a Trend for that sort of cash...

[DJM83]

Ecoboost titanium Kuga.

[zilo]

Another big tick for the Mercedes C-class diesel wagon from me.

Gets about 4-5L/100km and a 30,000k service interval.

No slouch either 500nm off the line at 150kw...not bad at all.

You can find a C250 around $45k these days.

Better than most of the new cars mentioned in this thread.

[The Yeti]

Another + for the outlander

[Polyal]

Completed depends on what you intend to do with it? C Class is fine for the city but your not really going to take it even slightly off road?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Completed depends on what you intend to do with it? C Class is fine for the city but your not really going to take it even slightly off road?

I would have no problem taking a Mercedes on dirt or rural tracks as they are built very well and are big sellers in the Middle East and African continent.

Really consider if you will go off road, most people are so busy on the weekends that they never have the time and most states are closing off more and more tracks. But if you have the time and the passion then it's worth bearing in mind.

I go out to my parents farming properties, cross creeks and take very rutted roads and I do it in a Camry hybrid. But if I was to go proper 4wding I would definitely take something else

[Polyal]

Im not saying you cant do it, but I would be cringing the whole way.

[new2ford]

BMW 3 series is a C class alternative. Mondeo and Skoda Superb are nearer Territory size than Octavia.

[HULK_I6T]

I think for under $50k the only real options for a legitimate family car are

Ford territory
Commodore sportswagon
Toyota Kluger

As a family car outlander is just way too small. Even with 2 kids it's just too cramped. I've driven heaps of them.

Wagon or suv is a far better option than any sedan for family duties. So falcon or commodore or aurion isn't the best for family duties.

The only other option remotely possible is skoda superb.. It looks like a sedan but whole back of it lifts up like a wagon.

[Raptor]

I'm in the same situation.

The Territory has been great but being an '04 with 250+kms on it now I need to move on.
The kids now have their own cars and I don't need something this big but do love the versatility it provides and I still want to be able to seat at least 4 adults comfortably when required

Shopping new I too am looking at Skoda's (my eyes have been opened to VAG products since we picked up a VW EOS for Mrs Raptor)

I was waiting for the Scout (vs the VRS) but now it's here I can't decide and while dithering have also discovered used Merc C class wagons for similar money and only a few yrs old and modest kms. Not quite as off-roady but do I really need it to be ?

[new2ford]

BMW X3, Raptor. Only the tiniest downsize but in terms of design, practicality and driving experience its the only exact Territory replacement, albeit a little more posh! Forget the X5 (if you could afford it), it's grown to the size of an ocean liner, though still handles better than any popular cheaper SUV.

Otherwise wait for the new larger Skoda SUV. The new Superb in wagon form should be impressive too although you'd compare that against Mondeo. If you're going over to VAG, stick to Skoda. VW has too many reliability and reputation issues. Kinghorn at Nowra handles Ford, VW and Skoda. If you get to know the service guys well they'll give you a candid opinion on which is least trouble-free. Hint: not VW!

I would have loved to stick to Ford because on balance its been a good experience but they're just stuffing themselves with this One Ford thing. It all seems to be run by Americans (who have no understanding of what a good car is), the best models have been removed and almost everything else is dumbed down. The Australian designed Everest and Ranger are the only ones I'd have time for if I was buying in those sectors. Mondeo is probably OK. Focus and Fiesta I reckon they've stuffed two once-fine cars.

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by new2ford

BMW X3, Raptor...

I thought you'd chime in with that.

Yes, thought about X3's too - a guy at work has one.
Even X1's are under consideration.

I agree an X3 is best Territory replacement (or another Territory, or the new LR Discovery Sport), but I no longer really need anything this large.

Besides the X3's still don't look as good as the original E53 X5's, they're a classic
(I don't rate the bloated next generation E70 X5).

It's a dilemma - guess that's why I'm still driving my 11yr old original Territory

Rob

[Vesper Martini]

Unless you're like Raptor and the kids have moved on, you will probably find most of the cars mentioned too small after having a Territory.
yes the design has aged but you cant get better for the price..
If you want to move to a car/wagon the coming Mondeo actually looks pretty spacious.