[~Nic~]

Looking at getting a new car in the next month or two, but no idea what to get. DH keeps talking about a diesel Toyota Hilux, but I am thinking it's going to be just out of the price range, and I really don't want to go over budget. He isn't interested in any of the other dual cab ute options (Triton / Navara etc), but would be willing to go for a Hilux that is a couple of years old instead of brand new. We do need something with a large boot area as we scuba dive and the gear and tanks take up a lot of space - we have a Falcon XR6 which has a pretty big boot and we wouldn't want too much smaller. I like the look of things like the Ford Territory / Subaru Forrester / Huyandi Santa Fe type of shape (SUV), but the boot probably isn't as big as we need. FTR, it will be DH's car, so it has to be something he likes. He also likes things like the Pajero, but that just seems too big to me.

We have three kids - DS1 doesn't use a car seat anymore, DS2 will be out of his probably by the end of the year if he keeps growing at this rate and DS3 still has a good 4 years left in his.

So, any suggestions for either a new car, or up to about a 2010 model for less than $35K - $40K.

[bakesgirls]

We had a 2011 Toyota Hilux 4WD and it was great. We didn't have the cabin on the back though, so I can't comment on size. The inside though gets a bit small for fitting 3 kids in the back. We recently got a Toyota Kluger when we traded in the Hilux. Fantastic car. Heaps of room in the boot-heaps (with the 3rd row folded down). You also have the option of folding the third row out to make it a 7 seat car if you want.

[Illiterati]

Doesn't the hilux have just a lap seat belt for the centre back seat?

[~Nic~]

Doesn't the hilux have just a lap seat belt for the centre back seat?

Bugger... hadn't even thought of that. I just assumed that all newer cars had a proper seat belt??? If it's only got a lap belt it's off the list... DH is not going to be happy...

[threetimesblesse...]

We have just bought our 2nd Territory.
The 3 children fit across the back comfortably.
The boot space is big enough for my large pram and groceries.

[2girlsraising2bo...]

Toyota Pruis V.

Doesn't have a lot of guts but is great to drive.

Moveable middle row for either extra leg space or extra boot space.
I has 7 seats if you need to take extra passengers. You can also configure 2 in the middle row and one in the back and have the length of the car as boot space for long items.

huge boot even with the centre row all the way back.

New onroad for about $37,000

The best bit is that it cost less than $50 to fill (premium fuel) and I get 850km city driving to a tank



This post has been edited by 2girlsraising2boys: 02/02/2013, 05:28 PM

[Custard]

I think the Honda Odyssey is about $40,000 and it can seat 7. Or you can fold down the back row and have a huge boot space. It's a station wagon shape though, not SUV.

[bakesgirls]

Toyota Pruis V.

Doesn't have a lot of guts but is great to drive.

Moveable middle row for either extra leg space or extra boot space.
I has 7 seats if you need to take extra passengers. You can also configure 2 in the middle row and one in the back and have the length of the car as boot space for long items.

huge boot even with the centre row all the way back.

New onroad for about $37,000

The best bit is that it cost less than $50 to fill (premium fuel) and I get 850km city driving to a tank

I just had a look at this online after reading your post. Very nice! I'd certainly consider it

[elizabethany]

I have a gas falcon wagon, they stopped making them in 2009, but you can get them second hand for about 20k.

Giant boot space, good fuel economy, easily fits three kids.

I also have a subaru outback (2011), and I was disappointed about the size of the boot compared to the Ford. It is not tiny, but not huge either.

[my3beautifulboys]

We are a family of 5 and we have a Vw Multivan, we bought it new last year for $45,000, but we love it its great to travel in and has plenty of boot/luggage space. Good luck in deciding.