Ok guys....here's the issue....thought I'd bounce it around. :bounce

I'm looking at spending up to $35k on a new / used car. It needs to be family friendly, and strong enough for the occasional country trip. I've tried to talk the missus in to:-
a/ investinging it into the cab
b/ buying a KG for her - and then putting the rest into a daily hack
....to no luck.

I'm thinking at the moment along the lines of a 99-01 V5 Bora, or Passat or A4 of similar vintage and price. BMW 3 series is an option [but ageworries me]. Alfa's drop price too quickly, and Falcon's and Commodores aren't my go [sorry to those who've got one]. A 99-01 Golf GTi would be nice as well, but of course boot space is a minor issue [may need to fit a pram in there in the future again....:jesus]

Ideally it would need to be European, and I really do lean to our VW roots.....

At the moment the V5 Bora with some 17 inch rims is at the top - now if only I could play around with he exhaust without letting the missus know.

Thoughts anyone?

Squiz......

How about a 21 window!!!! ONLY GAGGIN! C class Merc! set of 19's slammed, and is a family car!

N!

Hey Nectar! Yeah that's on the list too....she's got wine tastes on a beer budget though. I can't quite talk her into another project.....but she does love a KG!

Squiz.....

My choice would be a 5 series Beemer or a WRX MY99-2000...used/low k's...

Wine and dine your wife; cook a romantic dinner for two, make her a beautiful bath with rose petals and soft candles, all expence paid to a beautician/make-over...and most importantly...take her shopping! Then talk Karmann Ghia...

If this fails...ALCOHOL!!!

When I had the urge to buy a new car (got rid of the feeling quick smart though ) I looked @ the Bora and the Passat. Passat wins hands down. Bigger car, etc, etc. Bora felt dark, tight and depressing inside. I feel the Bora will end up like the Vento, just a Golf with a boot that after a few years no one wants them, which means massive depreciation. The Anniversary Passat model was a fanatastic car @ a great deal. Leather interior, woodgrain, alloys, sunroof, electric everything. If you end up with a V6, its even better. 2 yrs old Passat are great value now. Just my opinion
Raf

Just a thought 2.5litre Subaru libertyRS as close to europe as your gunna get but with jap build quality an safe too AWD,but the part i like most flat four engine.

Thanks to everyone who's passed on their thoughts. I forgot to mention I stepped out of a WRX a couple of years ago. Loved the power, hated the attention, and the insurance.

I saw a couple of nice Bora's and Passat's at Chatswood Classic Cars last night. Also saw a Subaru Liberty RX wagon too down the road. Keep em coming, and thanks for the ideas.

Squiz.....

[Edited on 8-5-2003 by squizy]

Try and find a Passat wagon. They're as rare as hen's teeth, but they'll suit you to the ground.

The Golf's boot is pretty large, and it has a 60/40 split, but if you have a baby pram (rather than a toddler pram) you will not have a great deal of room for anything else.

The Bora's boot may be useless for you - it's not much bigger than the Golf. Deeper yes, but the lack of height in a sedan's boot is just a waste and the reason I don't think I'll ever own a sedan. The Golf has 910 mm of clearance in the boot versus 467 mm in the Bora, the Golf has 558 mm of depth vs 865 mm in the Bora. Only way to find out is to take the pram and a few bags of baby crap and see how much is left in both cases.

There is a wagon version of the Bora... in Germany.

http://www.volkswagen.de/bora_va/oben_.htm 

Andrew

sqizzy if it was me , I'd go for an Audi TT coupe, a trailer and a 12 month bus pass.

Lucky its not me I spose

Seriously tho the Liberty GT Wagon is a nice option.

Take a step back from your prejuduces (remember, you're considering a Bora, Passat and BMW) and think about the Ford: Get an EF for a good price, add a front skirt and a nice warm engine package (turbo, if you like,) maybe even a suspension kit, then spend the change on another VW!

We bought a late 80's Merc wagon 230TE as our family car, the wife loves it. Has a huge load area, fits 2 strawbales, and also has the fold up seats in the back so seats 7 if needed.

Car was $100,000 when new and we bought it for under $20,000 3 years ago.

The build quality and safety are superb and we have had no problems with it it has 330,000 kays now, bought it with 240,000.

$35,000 would get you a nineties model.

Cheers
kurt

I work wit a company which has both vw and subaru...too many warranty problems with any new vw`s...id hate to own one in five years time, but subaru warranty is allmost nothing...super reliable and hold value really well....try the new forester i drove one for the day and i thought it was the ducks guts!:thumb

hmm...

i'd go the wagon route too (or maybe even the kombi :P)

in VAG land, that leave's:
- early A4 Avant (if you can find a '97 2.6 V6 Quattro avant or the fwd auto)
- a 100 V6/'94-'97 A6 Avant
- a Passat wagon
- a '98 Caravelle GLS

otherwise i'd go the subie forester/liberty/outback too.

my bro has a V6 camry wagon :puke (obviously she won in the purchasing decision) and it's not bad to drive... and get's taily when pushing the limits

or howabout a volvo 850/V70 T5 wagon? though it's a volvo, they can be picked up for around $30K. you might even find a 850 AWD wagon

personally i've got a Mk4 golf and i'm hoping it's big enough should some kids come along :o:P, so i hope i can keep it and at worst, add a luggage box if i really need it (or convince her to take the kids, and i'll sacrifice for the family and ride my motorcycle )

tho i have a soft spot for kombi's, since i grew up with a two of them and they were great fun.... a literal loungeroom on wheels

PS: re the kiddies thing, check the location of the kiddie restraints. having the mounts on the back of the seat makes it heaps easier loading stuff in and out

[Edited on 9-5-2003 by spritle]

Spend a little more and I will help you with a A6 Quattro or a late model BMW 3 or 5 series.

Can call me on 0419665725
or look at some of our cars http://www.motorline.com.au 

Thanks everyone for your ideas. :thumb

I got a few short listed favourites.....
- Passat / Audi V6 quattro
- Bora V5
- Falcon BA XR6 [not the turbo]
- Volvo 850R :thumb else a V70
- BMW 99-00 3 series
- Merc C class
- Liberty Wagon....hmmm or a B4
- hmmm and that Adelaide 55 Kombi for $30k looked sweeeeeeet!!!

So.....about another 4 months to go. I'll trying a few on for size before decision time.

Cheers all!

Squiz.....

Hey how did that Falcon BA rsted get in there with all those other sweet rides.:P

go the kombi!

Although new model VW's don't have the best quality unlike the old ones

The Liberty is being replaced in August / September, so I'd wait until then just so you can see the new one.

Subaru have rock solid resale (unlike the Ford, or even VW) as they do not do spiffs ... at all, and they don't negotiate on price.

Andrew

passat looks heaps better than a bora

my personal preference is a subi.
when i was in nz a few years back i was convinced that the best value and fun/$ ratio without reducing practicality was a liberty turbo wagon.

the only ones that the factory imported to aus was the liberty b4 which is twin turbo....
... awesome. get one of these with lo ks.
or start scouring the trading post and unique cars for a privatley imported earlier model.

better still, take a trip to nz, dont rent a car - buy one! they are all jap imports over there and cheap as chips.
then come back to aus with it.

i will do this one day.
makes for a cheap holiday and a great value car at the same time

if you are interested i have a copy of the nz 'car supermarket' or similar, which will give u an idea on prices

cheap as!

Just bought a H6 Outback today $43990 drive away,new model coming.

Ok found something...just need to twist my wifes arm a little harder. 1999 Passat V6 with low enough kms and all the bits.

Now then...does anyone know where I can get a nice [I said nice] body kit and exhaust setup??

Squiz.....

Lakemba :bounce

squizy,

Check this out before you buy the V6.

8-99 Passat SE 1.8turbo, Black/ Black leather, Sunroof, Wood trim, 48000klms
$37900 ono

Buy the V5 bora and you wont need an exhaust. They sound incredible, Especially the 125kw ones.

my sister has a subi forester
nice car to get around in

and flat four !!