We have found out that we are having No 4 (i'm a little bit excited) but we now have the dilemma of what car to get. We currenlty drive a Commodore Wagon which I love.
We live on a farm so a round trip for me is 90km I would prefer diesel but DH isn't bothered by that.
My concerns with the Kluger is the middle seat in the 2nd row, how comfortable is it? And also you can't use the anchor points in the 3rd row seats is that correct. I currently have my 2 older boys in a Safe N Sound Hi Liner, that uses the anchor point, is this not allowed in the back row of the Kluger?
Would love peoples opinions on any of these cars please. I know that Ford are bringing out a new Territory with diesel which is tempting but I have heard mixed reviews on the territory.
Sorry for rambling, it is such a big purchase and I really want to made sure I consider everything.
We are expecting #4 in September which wil make it 4 under 3&1/2. We have a Kluger and love it. You can get anchor points fitted to the back row which we are doing as we have just purchased maxi riders for the twins. The come with front and curtain airbags as standard which was a huge point if purchase for us. We got the DVD player in the back which is great for the kids! It is roomy the only down fall is very little boot room and they dont make them in diesel YET! Prado are also great can you tell I am a Toyota fan?! Our last car was a Hilux diesel and I loved it only prob no where to put the 4th child! Good luck with your purchase!
We have an 04 Territory, and it's a great car. We moved up from a Toyota Rav 4 which had major issues, and got the Territory because we liked the look of it and it had good towing capacity. Ours is the AWD, and the 5 seater. I have had two car seats in it, with room for an adult to still sit between them. The boot is big enough to put my big three wheeler pram and high chair side by side, and still have room for bags and things. We get around 500kms to a tank, just normal driving, and we recently got 580kms when we did highway driving, while towing a campervan, so we were happy with that. We paid $17K for it.
I've seen people say that they've heard bad things about them, but I just don't know why. The ball joints on them can be an issue, but we got ours replaced at the time of purchase so we didn't have to fork out for that. Ours is the first model of it, and it just runs. It's just clocked over 166000kms. We've had it for a year and a half, services have cost us about $250 and we just got tyres for it for $170 per tyre. We really did our homework on this car, because we had such an issue with the RAV (it was only 6 years old and the transmission died - a common problem, we later found out) and it hasn't let us down. We also have a mate that works for Ford who said they're fine (he's a mechanic, not a salesman), and my dad works for a company who put ALL cars through their paces as they come out, and they have purchased several Territories on their fleet that they use for day to day.
Honestly, we wish it was a bit lighter on the fuel, so we will be looking at the diesel model in the next few years (advertising is saying it will give up to 1000kms for a tank), but other than that, I really can't complain.
Thanks so much guys, Zap its good to know that you can put the anchor point in for the 3rd row. At this point my DH is set on a Kluger but I'm still happy to shop around.
PacrakMG, thank for that on the Territory, I really like the look of the new model, just hope it comes out in the next few months so I can look into it, the fact that it is diesel is a real high point for me.
Early Kids, I do love the Prado DH isn't in love as much, but I would get one tomorrow if I could, I know they have some of the 10 models on clearout which makes them a bit cheaper.
Oh so many decisions. Can't wait to take some for a test drive
No worries, Megs. We really wanted a diesel when we bought the Territory, so we're really happy there is going to be one. I've seen a few people saying that they're bad but no reasons are ever given, although some was from a guy who had only ever driven commodores, will only ever buy commodores, and just slammed the territory because it was a ford
I also use a site called complaints corner when I'm car shopping. It's a forum specifically for makes and models of cars, so you can see what problems people are having and how they've been fixed. Have fun test driving!
I have the ford territory, its a 2008 model. Plenty of room for car seats, although I really dont think you would fit 3 across the 2nd row of seats & the back row is only a 2 seat but I'm pretty sure you could fit 2 in the back row & 2 in the 2nd row. Would be annoying to get to the back row though without being able to fold down the seat infront if that makes sense?
We looked at the turbo diesel when we were buying ours, is the new diesel different to the turbo diesel? XH really wanted the turbo but I just couldnt bring myself to spend the extra (ours was $60,000 as it was with the added extras we got put in!)
Good luck, it is a big decision, you're doing the right thing with researching before you buy
No idea about the Prado and Kluger but we got a Territory as a hire car once and we still shudder every time we see one. Putting aside the fact that Ford interiors are always awful, once we left the sealed roads the handling was an absolute nightmare. If your 90km drive includes a dirt/gravel road then I wouldn't go there unless you enjoy the sensation of ice-skating in a large metal box.
Thanks for that advice Onyx, there isn't gravel but a good portion of it is one lane only, so quite often you have to get off to the side of the road doing about 100km an hour, so that is something to consider. I am wanting a car with more clearance underneath because all the rain and floods has put so much debris on the sides of the roads that it makes it a bit rougher to drive.
It may depend on the year & model of territory?? As I said mine was a 2008 & its a GHIA AWD. I cant say I've ever had any problems on gravel roads & I've done a fair bit of driving on dodgy roads the past year! It may also depend on what model car seats you have to make them fit? I have a maxi rider AHR & a meridian AHR & I'm pretty sure you couldnt fit a 3rd seat in between those 2 but in saying that, I've never tried either
Mine is an 04, basic standard model, not 4wd and we don't have a problem with gravel/dirt either. Maybe you got a "special" one Onyx! Although, I do agree, the interiors are never fantastic. Ours is a basic grey! How excitement!
I currently fit 3 seats across the back of my commodore, I have the Meridan AHR in the middle and 2 Safe N Sound Hi Liner Boosters. For a while there I had one of the boosters, a Maxi Rider and the Meridian, they got across but it was a squeeze.
Too many decisions, and it is so hard to take cars for a test drive when you have small children but I think that might be the best way. I think then we would definitely only consider the territory if it was an AWD
Yay, they are out in May, that will give us plenty of time to fit in a test drive. You are correct Olive, this is the first Territory that has diesel. I don't know why Toyota won't do the Kluger in diesel and also the Mazda CX9 if they came in diesel I would be consider it also
Being in a 4wd shop will probably make you all think that I would choose the Prado. Only because that's the one I've had the most exposure to. Territory's are a nice vehicle, haven't had any come into our shop with dramas (only getting towbars fitted, etc), but I think their interior lets them down (not keen on the very plasticky, easy to mark finish). I don't know anything about the new diesel ones (I haven't read up on them), but even though they are diesel, they still may be underpowered (meaning you pedal it harder to go anywhere thus burning more fuel, or you will just be all-round dissatisfied with its performance - or rather lack of). Just a point to consider with any diesel vs. petrol vehicle choice.
Kluger's, I haven't had much to do with, so can't say much. Aside from a 'nice softroader'.
So, I might choose a Prado. Also the biggest of the lot. (And you can get more things for them like bullbars, lift kits, and off road tyres for them. Ever seen muddies on a Territory or Kluger? lol If that's what you want though!)
And yes, you can get extra child seat points fitted to vehicles. Some are more difficult than others, but often possible.
Lastly, have you looked into the safety ratings of these vehicles? Passing single lane at 100km/h, you may want to consider this. If you're looking for rollover protection, from what I last heard, the Porsche Cayenne is the only 4wd with it (don't we all wish we could have one of those!) This factor may help in your decision. Good luck!
Megs we have spent the last 3 months researching some of the cars you mentioned.
Firstly the Kluger - the middle seat in the 2nd row (behind the driver) is not good enough it is shorter than the seats either side and the carseat will sit out over it, so this was a no go option for us.
Territory - All great with space for 3 seats in a row and the back seat too, only thing for us is back seat is not split therefore not much luggage or pram can go in the car. Definately have a look at that.
Mazda CX9 - just looked at this this weekend. It has a split back seat so you can fit more luggage in, also you can fit 3 carseats in a row also we measured it to be 1400mm rim to rim so they can fit, maybe measure inside your commodore from the widest point when both doors are closed where the kids sit and see if it measures the same.
Regarding carseats and anchor points call Vic roads authority because in NSW the RTA says its the following rules - with the backrow of seats in Kluger, Mazda Cx9 and Territory none have anchor points, so legally all you are allowed in that back seat is a foam booster only with no anchor point or tether, and no H harness is allowed to be used either, only the normal seatbelt.
The only car we have found that has anchor points in back row is the Kia Carnival. Which Im not sure how will go on your dirt roads?
Have you looked at Chrysler Voyager? they are bit bigger and im not sure but they may have anchor points in back seat.
Prado/Kluger/Territory
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