I need to change the family car for one that can fit 3 baby seats. Believe it or not most 'family' cars and people movers cannot accomodate this requirement. They will seat up to 7 but not 3 child seats.

The wife would prefer something that looks more like a car than a people mover so that narrows the field even more.

Amongst the obvious choices is the falcodore. They both can fit the 3 seats without a hassle.

My question to you guys is : Does anybody have a personal experience with either a commodore/falcon from a driving/maintenance/running costs/quality/recalls/safety point of view? Specifically the more recent models.

Replies appreciated. But not off topic ones ;-)

 

obviously not new, cos they depreciate really badly

 

My recommendation is buy one from an ex-government auction. It's pre-depreciated and probably well maintained.

 

whats your budget cashout ? and does it have to be brand new ?

 

My parents have a BA(?) falcon.

The rear brake hoses have twice been replaced because the poor design led to them being cut/breaking. Apparently Ford says this is OK as you can still stop with the front brakes (I'd like to see that excuse when you go for a blue slip).

The front drivers window got stuck recently. A bit of lube at the next service fixed this.

The heater broke - apparently quite a common problem. Some rod breaking? This cost a few hundred to fix.

Apart from that I don't know of any other problems. I think mum gets approx 12L/100Kms ?

Yes it fits 3 child seats across the back - as mum has this setup at the moment.

This car was ex-govenment. It was actually cheaper to buy a Falcon than it was to get a little hatchback.

 

It doesn't have to be brand new but we had horrid experiences buying used so we rather get something that still has some of the factory warranty left.

The budget is $40k or less. But we test drove the C4 Grand Picasso and liked it enough to consider paying the $50k they want for the diesel. So you could say the budget is out of the window if we buy with the heart... though not as far as buying a $120k Merc people mover :-)

 

That is what I found out last night looking at the government auctions.

 

3 baby seats!!!! :wow: You're a virile man cashout. I too am thinking of a family car soon but have the added problem of needing something to fit the dogs too, so a wagon or SUV is needed. Have you looked at the Liberty wagon? I was quite interested in that but found it to be lacking a little in character and style. Or maybe a Mazda 6 wagon. The Audi Q5 is coming soon which might be pretty good. Volvo XC70/90? V50?

 

in my opinion , stay away from Fords and Holdens.

as much as i love the new VE commodore, the finish of the interior turns me off a little . Plus you hear all the reliability issues with them.

If your in the ball park of $40k , you should consider a Subaru tribeca or the new Forrester . 2 sales managers at my work got one of each , i went for a ride and they are very nice cars . Really good finish on them . And roomy for a family like yours.

As for the diesel option, may want to re think that with prices for diesel hitting $1.75 and beyond atm .

 

Tribeca is dog ugly though. New one is less ugly. New Forester is ugly too. The only good looking car in the current Subaru line-up is the Liberty. However that's due for a model change next year, in which case Subaru will complete their goal to fully uglicise their entire line-up.