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Time to pick a new car. Need thoughts as going into a brave new world

Jesterarts

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So it's time to pick a new car, as I am bored of the trusty X-trail I've had the last couple years.

Wifey has given me the green light to spent circa $30k of commission as a reward to myself. I will be looking at 2nd hand cars.

My criteria are:

1. Has to be Euro
2. Has to have a sunroof
3. Has to be a wagon or SUV (Two medium dogs or one large bike need to fit in the back)
4. Has to be auto (not CVT, I'm over that for a joke)
5. If someone suggests a Jeep I will create a new infraction for suggesting jeeps as a next car
6. If it can tow 2000kg, that would be lovely but not critical (Got a boat)

At the moment, I am looking at

Volvo XC60
Merc C200 or C250
Audi A4

All of these meet my criteria, though the volvo is the only one that has the towing.

My current issue is that I have no experience with any of these cars personally. I've known two people with Audi's of various vintages and both seemed to go 'boom' at one point or another. But reading online this seems to not be an issue with the new ones.

The merc I can't fault as such, but the interior is a bit boring. However I like the idea of owning a merc.

And the volvo, while being a volvo, is actually a really nice rig. On part for luxury with the merc and audi but I prefer the interior.

I'm looking for people to share their experiences with any of these brands, as I'm rather stuck on making up my mind at the moment.
 
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ya mum!
The Volvo is awesome. Had a fair bit of experience with these as an ex's Mum has had three XC60s in 6 years. Never a serious issue with any of them.

Rear leg room is a little on the low side, but that's the only gripe.

Would have bought one for the wife if we didn't need bigger for the Great Dane (and up coming family).
 

kiwicon

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couple of years to get over the x-trail.. that took way to long..

what about a BMW X5 as another option.. although the fronts look terrible ... then again so does the Volvo's imho..

wonder what infraction I will get for suggesting a Land Rover :)

what about a Volkswagen Touareg hahaha....
 

Jesterarts

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couple of years to get over the x-trail.. that took way to long..

what about a BMW X5 as another option.. although the fronts look terrible ... then again so does the Volvo's imho..

wonder what infraction I will get for suggesting a Land Rover :)

what about a Volkswagen Touareg hahaha....

X5, Toureg, Land Rover all fall outside my budget.

Plus I should mention one more criteria which is I regularly park in city lots. Even the x-trail is a squeeze!
 

Smitty

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So it's time to pick a new car, as I am bored of the trusty X-trail I've had the last couple years.

Wifey has given me the green light to spent circa $30k of commission as a reward to myself. I will be looking at 2nd hand cars.

My criteria are:

1. Has to be Euro
2. Has to have a sunroof
3. Has to be a wagon or SUV (Two medium dogs or one large bike need to fit in the back)
4. Has to be auto (not CVT, I'm over that for a joke)
5. If someone suggests a Jeep I will create a new infraction for suggesting jeeps as a next car
6. If it can tow 2000kg, that would be lovely but not critical (Got a boat)

At the moment, I am looking at

Volvo XC60
Merc C200 or C250
Audi A4
..............


none of those are worth a cracker if you want to tow 2000kg

ps.. $30k will not get you a good version of any of those
 

stockies

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Should be able to find a second hand one for $30,000
 
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ya mum!
none of those are worth a cracker if you want to tow 2000kg

ps.. $30k will not get you a good version of any of those

Do you realise how un-informed you are?

Quick search for diesel (420Nm will tow 2000kg without much effort), under $35,000 and sorted by lowest km and this is at the top of the results:
2009 Volvo XC60 D5 LE Auto AWD MY10

$27,500 with only 44,000km.
 

XUV

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read your criteria and will still say, based on your wants, spend <10k and buy an Adventra......... or chase an 2009, '10 OR '11 XC90 at auction.
 

Jesterarts

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none of those are worth a cracker if you want to tow 2000kg

ps.. $30k will not get you a good version of any of those

Carsales suggests otherwise.

2011 Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI Elegance Auto MY10

2010 Audi A4 Auto MY10

2010 Volvo XC60 LE Auto AWD MY10

The towing 2000kg is only in the XC60's capability. However 99% of the time I am taking the boat out, it is with my father in law so we just tow with his Hilux.

read your criteria and will still say, based on your wants, spend <10k and buy an Adventra......... or chase an 2009, '10 OR '11 XC90 at auction.

Holden is not an option. My wifes Peugeot put my VZ R8 to shame in terms of interior finish, build quality.

It also puts my friends VE calais to shame in all aspects aside from power.

The oldest I would go is 2010.
 

sleepa

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For what it's worth my girlfriends dad drives an older (2007-9 era) Merc C320 and having driven it myself is a pretty damn good car.
Also he hasn't had a single issue with it, and he usually finds faults with most cars he gets.

I would assume the C200 or C250 would be fairly similar.
Otherwise i'd say the Volvo.
 
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