Pick My Next Car ($15k – $20k, 4 door, must be able to tow)

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Blake

Blake

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haswell00
Hey GTP,

The 323 is starting to get a little old and I'm starting to need different things from a car so I figure it's time for something new.

My budget is around $15,000 – $20,000 (used is fine). I'm looking for a 4 door, preferably a sedan. One of my new requirements is that is needs to be able to tow a kart trailer, so it needs a bit of pull. I don't object to diesels, in fact it would probably make a lot of sense.

The first thing that comes to mind is something like a reasonably recent VW Passat, but I'd love to see what suggestions you guys can come up with.

Cheers. 👍




The Shortlist
Audi A6
Ford Falcon
Holden Commodore
Mitsubishi 380
Subaru Liberty
Toyota Aurion
VW Passat
 
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Hmmm.. All that I can come up with is a Proton Persona and you can get it for at least $20k with Manual and crap interior. Maybe you should go for a used car.

Maybe a used E46 323i but, it's already looks old. But later I came up with this!!

EDIT : well it might have some additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges. So you can confirm with the seller first ;) Good luck!!
 
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Do you guys get full size four door trucks down under? If so, that's the route to go. I've never considered towing something with a car before, aren't they geared differently than a truck which would be set up to tow? Or I guess I mean, wouldn't it be hard on the transmission of the car? Though I guess if it's just a jet ski or a SMALL boat you could probably get away with it. Why not one of those Hilux trucks?
 
VW Passat, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Holden VY-VZ Commodore, Ford Falcon, Audi A6 (pre-2004), Honda CR-V, Land Rover Discovery I and II and Freelander I, Subaru Legacy/Liberty and Outback, Mitsubishi 380, Toyota Aurion, Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota RAV 3 and 4.
 
I was about to suggest an MA/MB diesel Mondeo since it's diesel and a very good, quite reliable 4 door sedan, but you won't get a new one for that price, and now I think about it towbars on them are quite rare so you'd have to buy a bar yourself most likely.
Commodores and Falcons will do the job easily and well, as will 380s and Aurions.
 
GT Pro
Go for the 380- I feel sorry for it.
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I agree, it's sad but true.:lol: It was an alright looking car which supposedly handled nicely, well nicely for a FWD V6 sedan anyway. It had a reasonable amount of torque for towing, will be cheap, and was unfortunately rather overlooked by the Australian public in general.
 
I'd personally be inclined to go for a small SUV like a CR-V, RAV4 etc rather than knackering the suspension on a regular car. Plus, it'd be more practical than a saloon anyway thanks to the hatchback tailgate.
 
Turbo Lag
He'd prefer a sedan as he stated in the first post, if not, what was wrong with a wagon?
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I'm aware he'd prefer a sedan, but by the looks of things it wouldn't be the best thing for the job, so I suggested something else.
 
KidrauhlM5
Hmmm.. All that I can come up with is a Proton Persona and you can get it for at least $20k with Manual and crap interior. Maybe you should go for a used car.
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So much for Persona...Proton only export their cars as far as at UK, but not at Australia when I think again.

KidrauhlM5
Maybe a used E46 323i but, it's already looks old. But later I came up with this!!
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Good choice, but I still hate the aeroback-looking shape on newest Lancer:yuck:. Hope this will change in the next evolution.

GT Pro
VW Passat, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Holden VY-VZ Commodore, Ford Falcon, Audi A6 (pre-2004), Honda CR-V, Land Rover Discovery I and II and Freelander I, Subaru Legacy/Liberty and Outback, Mitsubishi 380, Toyota Aurion, Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota RAV 3 and 4.
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Most of these is 4X4 SUVs and SUVs:boggled:, so it's quite far from his choice.
 
AtD94-[GT];3662272
So much for Persona...Proton only export their cars as far as at UK, but not at Australia when I think again.
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Yups.. Proton did export their cars to Australia. Try to look at it for yourself ;) They also export the new Proton Saga there!!
 
Cool ideas on the Audi, the 380, the Subie and the Aurion. The Commodore or Falcon is pretty common and quite a lot are already fitted out to tow, so that's definitely worth considering too.

KidrauhlM5
Maybe you should go for a used car.
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Sorry, this probably wasn't clear. Used is fine. I've updated the first post.

LSX
Do you guys get full size four door trucks down under? If so, that's the route to go. I've never considered towing something with a car before, aren't they geared differently than a truck which would be set up to tow? Or I guess I mean, wouldn't it be hard on the transmission of the car? Though I guess if it's just a jet ski or a SMALL boat you could probably get away with it. Why not one of those Hilux trucks?
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It's only a kart trailer, so it's not that bad. I think a lot of larger sedans would be quite capable of towing without too many problems. Maybe I'm a bit naive about that though?
 
Nearly all large sedans with either a diesel, V6 or better will be plenty capable of towing, don't you worry, especially if it's just a go-kart trailer.:) A petrol 4cyl though, mmm, I dunno, might be capable but would be very slow and over-stressed.
 
I'd be careful with the Passat, as I imagine (but not sure) that parts would be quite expensive to get a hold of.
I'd actually also think about a 380, there's nothing "wrong" with the car, it has a reasonable pull and is quite nice inside. It should tow the trailer easily.
 
I went test driving today. I drove 4 cars:

Mitsubishi 380 👍 👍 👍 👍

I liked this. I drove the tiptronic, and it was a little jerky and slow to respond but it was okay. Apparently the manual version is impossible to find, but I'd probably be happy to own the tiptronic anyway. The power was decent, plenty enough for what I need and the handling felt good. Also there were plenty of gadgets to keep me comfy so overall it was pretty much what I'm looking for.


Honda Civic Sedan 👎

Was rubbish. The car rolled way too much and just didn't feel responsive. I was really disappointed, I was expecting great things but it just didn't drive well. It was pretty and the interior was funky but the drive was a let down.


Hyundai Tiburon 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

This thing is fantastic. Totally didn't expect it. The steering is really direct and responsive and you can really feel what the car is doing. The engine was decent and sounded fantastic. That said, it's really not the sort of car I'm looking for.


Holden Cruze 👍 👍

I drove the diesel (manual) and it was okay. Handling was decent, a bit too much roll but it was okay. The diesel had a fair bit of pull, but it was let down by a rubbish clutch with no feel. Overall the car had some nice features but you can tell that it's been made on a budget.

So far the 380 is winning then. I visited an Audi dealership as well and they've got an A4 which wasn't in at the time but I'll hopefully drive that next week and see how that compares.
 
There were manual transmission 380s?! WHOA, I never knew that, that'd be awesome.:D I don't suppose you'd do a few mods given a 380? Like sports exhaust, CAI, better plugs and leads and maybe a power chip?

Isn't a new A4 really expensive?

Edit: If you do end up deciding on getting a 380, try and get the VRX or GT model with the lip spoiler integrated into the tail lights as they look awesome, plus they get the much nicer looking sports body kit and grills.:) I'm just looking on Trading Post, and finding a manual should be possible, I seriously recommend it.:sly:
 
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Paulie
There were manual transmission 380s?! WHOA, I never knew that, that'd be awesome.:D
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The dealer we talked to about it said he's only seen 2. :p

Paulie
I don't suppose you'd do a few mods given a 380? Like sports exhaust, CAI, better plugs and leads and maybe a power chip?
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Yeah, would definitely a few small things but I haven't had a huge think about that yet.

Paulie
Isn't a new A4 really expensive?
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Yes, but a used one from ~2004 is in the ball-park.
 
No-one has mentioned Saab yet, why has no-one mentioned saab?

All this talk of needing something bigger than a sedan is stupid. Lots of people in the UK pull caravans and small trailers full of earth in small sedans. Hell I know a guy that tows gardening tools in a small trailer with a Suzuki Wagon R.
 
ExigeEvan
All this talk of needing something bigger than a sedan is stupid. Lots of people in the UK pull caravans and small trailers full of earth in small sedans. Hell I know a guy that tows gardening tools in a small trailer with a Suzuki Wagon R.
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...none of which you'd want to buy second hand without budgeting for new rear springs and shocks, and a new clutch. Simple facts really, towing causes much more suspension and drivetrain stress. SUVs and the like are much more naturally suited to towing than normal cars. It's why manufacturers quote higher towing weights for them...

That said - at the sort of size of sedan Blake seems to be looking at, it wouldn't be as much of a problem, especially if he's only planning on towing a small trailer.
 
KidrauhlM5
Yups.. Proton did export their cars to Australia. Try to look at it for yourself ;) They also export the new Proton Saga there!!
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Oh yeah...I guess I'm too far from the fact now.

Paulie
Isn't a new A4 really expensive?
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Not really, and I was about to suggest new A4 too. Maybe the used one sold between $18K-$24K.
 
Kart trailer...as in go kart, ATV's, or those things with the sideways tipped wings on them? cause at gokart/lawn tractor level, an american 4 banger can actually handle those...
 

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