Mitsubishi Outlander or Ford Territory

[Ian]

Besides Felch I've heard nothing good about the Territory.

I have never owned one but driven thousands of km's in both 2wd and Awd versions for work.

Pro's:
Very comfortable, I don't know of any other car with that many seating poition/steering column/pedal height adjustments available.
Built like a SUV (or tall wagon), handles like a sedan.
Great vision from the driver's position
Shit loads of power and torque.
Plenty of front and rear legroom if you have a family.
A ridiculous amount of storage spaces, there are places to hide/store everything imaginable, even wine bottle cradles next to both front seats (laying on the side).
Easy access/egress from vehicle.

Cons:
Could be considered a bit thirsty (particullary the Awd), improves after about 30-40,000km and using the accelerator wisely makes a massive difference.
As with a lot of today's vehicles, some of the interior trim clips leave a bit to be desired if the trim is knocked around.

[Mythical Creature]

Well, for those of you playing along at home I ended up with a Mitsubishi Outlander. The contract buyer (my father in-laws best mate) bought it for me about 2 weeks ago and I went and saw him last weekend to have a look at it. Ended up much cheaper than I originally expected and only paid $18,500 for it. Best of all the Mrs. is very happy.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice.

Now what to spend my left over money on TV?

[AFLflyer]

Nice work MC.

I have heard the best off road SUV in the medium price range is the Nissan X trail.. This is winning in the race to be our next car I think? i want to down size from the 4WD ute, but I still want a car that will handle well off road in sand or a rough dirt track. I want one which has some reaonable clearance. It would only be used off road rarely, but still want the option to use it now and again when we go camping, driving etc.

what do people think from their experiences or what they have heard?

[Ian]

Nice work MC.

I have heard the best off road SUV in the medium price range is the Nissan X trail.. This is winning in the race to be our next car I think? i want to down size from the 4WD ute, but I still want a car that will handle well off road in sand or a rough dirt track. I want one which has some reaonable clearance. It would only be used off road rarely, but still want the option to use it now and again when we go camping, driving etc.

what do people think from their experiences or what they have heard?

Is the X trail the wagon version of the Navara ute?

If it is I'd be wary, we have to diesel Navaras at work, very thirsty, over 13L/100km highway, they are very noisy as well.

[Psyber]

I've never even looked at one, but I was talking to the mechanic working on my old SSangyongg Musso [from 1996].
He is a car enthusiast himself and does up some unusual makes for customers.
He recommends keeping it going if possible, though parts are getting difficult.
In discussing where I'd go if I needed to replace it he suggested the Land Cruiser as number one, and, surprisingly, the Hyundai Terracan as a good contender.

[AFLflyer]

Nice work MC.

I have heard the best off road SUV in the medium price range is the Nissan X trail.. This is winning in the race to be our next car I think? i want to down size from the 4WD ute, but I still want a car that will handle well off road in sand or a rough dirt track. I want one which has some reaonable clearance. It would only be used off road rarely, but still want the option to use it now and again when we go camping, driving etc.

what do people think from their experiences or what they have heard?

Is the X trail the wagon version of the Navara ute?

If it is I'd be wary, we have to diesel Navaras at work, very thirsty, over 13L/100km highway, they are very noisy as well.

nah dont think so Ian
http://www.nissan.com.au/webpages/model ... ccessories
that is thirsty!!! i want atleat 7.5L/100 fuel economy

[Ian]

I was thinking of the Pathfinder which has the same 2.5L diesel as the Navara, the X Trail has the 2L diesel

[Strawb]

Thanks for what you have put up here Ian as Mrs. Strawbs and I wanted a new car and we were tossing up between a Kia Carnival and the Territory and we choose to buy a territory. I find the territory comfortable to drive noticed that I didn't need to put the foot down to get any power out of it. Good sized car with plenty of room for the family.

[Psyber]

Out of sheer curiosity, I stopped to look at a second hand Hummer H3 at Prestige Formula on Glen Osmond Rd the other day.
It's cute in a brutish sort of way, and apparently has good off-road capability in theory...
But they have a shocking reputation in the reliability department, and I gather are not good at cruising speeds on road.

[Ian]

But they have a shocking reputation in the reliability department,

And a well earned deserving reputation it is!!

I wouldn't but anything designed or built in he US after about 1970, in general their cars have poor finish quality and reliability certainly isn't one of their strong points.

[devilsadvocate]

Cheers ‘dev’,
I suppose you’re drooling over all the caravan and motorhome mags too mate.

Don’t forget the caravan & camping show coming up in February, though I’m probably preaching to the converted.
I haven’t quite got to the ‘counting the sleeps’ stage, but I’m not far off.

Might see ya’ at the show.

I'm miles away from doing my planned trip, but the thought of it keeps me pushing through the everyday monotony of life.

Thanks for the reminder re caravan and camping show. Will definitely try to get along and check it out.

SH!T - It's only open until 6pm each day. What rubbish!

Might have to head along on Sunday morning.

[Psyber]

Have you looked at the VW Tiguan?

I just had a look at one of them on the net. Nice cars. I might get one I reckon.

Today I test drove a 2005 Touareg with the works, and only 70,000 Km on the clock.
It works out a bit less than a new Tiguan with some of, but not all, the same features/options.