can anyone recommend a compact SUV?

[Zedn]

leroy that 06 model looks like a good one.

Something like this looks pretty good also for and outlander http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=126768A079A7

I think i will line up a forester, RAV4, outlander and murano for the weekend and go test driving.

OZCOBRA thanks for the tip on the outlander. They look like a great value for money and have good reviews.

[leroy17]

Zedn, with a forester, make sure its a manual... the autos are a slug. I think that the 06 is a good piece..... Put it this way, if I was looking now I would be after something like this... no question.... plus the current owner has already taken the $20K depreciation hit.

All the best for the weekend.

[Zedn]

just checked insurance, turbo is out because my wife is under 30.

But this looks just as good a buy

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=126768A079A7

[greg schroeder]

A nice value and vehicle is the old version Kia Sorento. You could probably get one with about 20,000 miles in the 10K to 11K range of price.

One of the best cars I ever had. Quick, tight handling, quite, 20 mph, very useful and well designed, transferable 50,000 mile 5 year warranty, hard to break though.

[boxhead]

Mitsubishi quality is pretty good.
When I was back in dealership world, there was never many warranty claims.

The Rav is a great car as well, but a very short wheel base to be towing a car and trailer.
I know you said it would not be used much for doing this, but it only takes once to need heavy braking.

[Dimis]

Wife has a RAV (short wheelbase 2.4lt) and I can't fault it.
Before that we had a Subie and really couldn't fault that either.
Now we are in a similar boat tossing up b/w a Subie Forester or a VW Tiguan, both around 40-45K, so probably beyond a 25K budget.
Truth is they are all very competitive with each other, and will serve there purpose well. It will all come down to what's important to you.
EG: I like the Subie cos its less "pretentious" than the VW, but wife like the VW cos its "classier" it's a matter of opinion really.

Enjoy.
Anth

[nobby]

We have a 99model forrester done 270000k's now, still going strong. Not bad off road for an AWD car, low range comes in handy, interior has survived punishment from two kids from 0-6yrs old. pretty good on fuel and low height makes it easy to get kids and groceries and stuff in and out. Ours has a subu extreme bash plate and bull bar fitted and is slightly higher than normal which helps offroad, all in all it's been an excellent car.

[sambo]

This one's fairly compact.

[OZCOBRA]

Hey Sambo is that picture recent and yours??
I'm after 1 of those service bodies in the background!!!
Paul

[StewbieC]

Sorry for butting in but we've got one of these as a pool car and I've trailered the Cobra a few times with it.
Good fuel economy too.
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...s=68&silo=1011

[LT65]

Zedn,
I got the cook an 07 Outlander, very happy with the Mitsi product good on fuel, she wanted an auto I am pleased with its performance but haven't towed with it yet. Towing capacity is 1500kg braked and 1600kg with the V6 model. Very roomy inside also.

Lionel.

[Zedn]

Lionel,

Someone told me today that they have a problem with the braking. This was in reference to a 2005 model pulling towards the centre of the road under brakes. Apparently they bought 9 cars and 6 of them did it.

I am going to test drive and see for my self, i believe there was some changes between 05 and the 07 - 08 models i am looking at.

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Zedn

Lionel,

Someone told me today that they have a problem with the braking. This was in reference to a 2005 model pulling towards the centre of the road under brakes. Apparently they bought 9 cars and 6 of them did it.

I am going to test drive and see for my self, i believe there was some changes between 05 and the 07 - 08 models i am looking at.

Still have the '05 Outlander...I must have bought 1 of the 3 that didn't pull ......REALLY somebody bought 9 and 6 did it ...my next question to that person would be show me the reference to it and if it were the case a major fault like that "pulling to the center of the road "would have been some form of recall!!...or notification to all owners NONE of which has happened!!!!

[Zedn]

yes i am a bit sceptical of the story also. They were rep cars apparently and the ones that complained were the country reps on the open road. I dont know exactly what year model it was supposed to be, but i read the really early cars were a bit gutless. Maybe that was the real reason they were complaining.

I have read some reviews online both as a new and a used car and they all are positive. I havnt been able to find one bad review online. I am going to have a look at some low km 2007 models on the weekend, all in the low $20ks. We like the body shape of them and they appear to tick the boxes that we want, except for the towing, but i reckon they will be alright for short car trailer tows.

[sevenohms]

Go Territory!

Just buy one that has been put on Gas, or get the dealer to gas it for you.

Car supermarket in Vic is putting every car they sell on gas... theres an incentive also from the government, and you'll never think twice about filling up and whats the fuel price!

Nath

[OZCOBRA]

Value for money mate in the Outlander..Short car tow not too many hills you'll be right get it fitted well and **** i've towed the arse out of a Datsun 120Y.....

....Only did it once though!!!

[boxhead]

It only takes one accident while towing, and I am pretty sure that Cobra on a trailer weight will be over the recomendations of most of the cars listed.

If that is a chance your willing to take, then good luck.

[sambo]

That was kind of my point with the crushed SUV photo Boxhead. I'd be grabbing a "proper" 4WD for towing and put it on gas as mentioned above.

My folks have an 07 Forester and it's really just an Impreza with a higher centre of gravity.

[spookypt]

My 2 cents worth on towing..

I have towed with Oz's Courier ute and his enclosed trailer and my street cobra to the Nats.. NEVER AGAIN!

I have towed with my Range Rover (3500 cap) an enclosed trailer (cable/hydr brakes) with my street cobra inside in the rain and got cut off and turned a CAMRY into a CAN as he reduced my brake distance by 1/2. NEVER AGAIN.

I have towed with my SS ute (1600 cap) and open aluminium trailer (Electric braked and overide) and my street cobra and while OK I was still overated and would not advise. NEVER AGAIN.

I have towed with my VW TOERAG open aluminium trailer (electric brake/manual override) and race cobra and it was PERFECT.. But not everyone has that budget. I loved the TOERAG but preferred the V10 diesal over my v6 petrol.. Bloody exy though.

I'm now towing with a Ford Ranger Ute with aluminium trailer (electric brake) weighs 600kgs and my race cobra at 1050kg's and its nice and solid with weight in the ute and all the necessary bits for towing BUT I'd still prefer something with more size like an F TRUCK....

In summation, towings all about using the right equipement for the job and then setting it up correctly. Greg Quince turned his Ford Terri around at speed in the wet towing his GT on his open steel trailer because it started tank slapping and he didn't have an electric override to straighten it up!

Don't risk it! It ain't worth it. A trailer generally starts to dictate terms when either loaded incorrectly or being pulled (controlled) by a vehicle not compatable with what your wanting it to do...

Just my 2 cents worth... Drive safely all those towing too the Nats!

SpookyPT

[Merv and Sharon]

I have towed a 30 foot yacht to the Whitsundays with my Nissan Patrol - no dramas. But as Matt says - NEVER AGAIN.

It is all about the weigh and quality of the trailer, the tare, the brakes and the capacity and rating of the vehicle. I have also used Warwick's trailer with my fully built Cobra for 550kms for engineering behind my Nissan ST diesel Navarra and it was fine too.