Choices for a family sized SUV - just sharing my search

[Ct3833]

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Edited August 22, 2023 by Ct3833

[Ct3833]

@Mkl22 @therock If the info below is correct, then the cost for  hybrid battery replacement is decent. 

Does anyone know what is the class 1, 2 , 3 about ? Does one have to replace all the 3 classes ? Even so still not too expensive other than the one for Lexus . 

https://www.stamfordtyres.com/Retail/hybrid-battery-faq/

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Ct3833

[therock]

Appreciate the info

i got costs from the AD for replacement costs and they are much higher 

I base it on these first even with potentially cheaper alternatives outside

the harrier is nice but significantly more 

the RAV4 has the same engine and a simpler system so it may be more reliable haha

[Mkl22]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:44 AM, Ct3833 said:

@Mkl22 @therock If the info below is correct, then the cost for  hybrid battery replacement is decent. 

Does anyone know what is the class 1, 2 , 3 about ? Does one have to replace all the 3 classes ? Even so still not too expensive other than the one for Lexus . 

https://www.stamfordtyres.com/Retail/hybrid-battery-faq/

 

I think the different class represent partial replacement of cells. Or a recondition battery. Ie not totally brand new. Can be seen by the different warranty periods as indicated. 
a totally brand new is approx $3k-$4k

i don’t think one needs to worry about batteries. Plenty of stock around. The PHV uses them so supply is ample. If one does not mind driving the same model as PHVs. Just go for common PHVs. Can be assured that minimal down time as time is money for such vehicles and parts will be plenty to keep the money wheel spinning and not let them idle waiting for parts. 
If all one needs is a “bus” to go around then an alphard is the best bus. Somewhat cheaper is the toyota Noah. 
Of course if one desires some driving pleasure the only toyota that I would buy is the GR86 or Supra. 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Mkl22

[Lala81]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:15 PM, therock said:

Then I walked over to Mazda and saw the CX 5

- great build quality, the fit and finish was something akin to a BMW

- only petrol only engine I could find with the power

- six speed auto, I like that more than a CVT

- good legroom, much better than the first version and the boot is generous too

- a real spare tire, wow

- the more basic version lacks auto brake, which is a bit stingy

under 190k

- very nice driver setup and ergonomics

- doors open widely for baby seats

- decent storage spaces

- very friendly and non pushy sales guy - Glen

I think this Glen guy sounds familiar. He maybe the guy who sold me my first car. He used to be in Borneo motors and moved to TEK. And he used to sell watches also. 

[Mkl22]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:48 AM, therock said:

Appreciate the info

i got costs from the AD for replacement costs and they are much higher 

I base it on these first even with potentially cheaper alternatives outside

the harrier is nice but significantly more 

the RAV4 has the same engine and a simpler system so it may be more reliable haha

Rav4 and harrier are exactly the same mechanical wise. Only the body and interior is different. 
you can google rav4 vs venza which is what it’s called in the US. Plenty of videos comparing the 2. 

[Ct3833]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:48 AM, therock said:

Appreciate the info

i got costs from the AD for replacement costs and they are much higher 

I base it on these first even with potentially cheaper alternatives outside

the harrier is nice but significantly more 

the RAV4 has the same engine and a simpler system so it may be more reliable haha

I would think any model that you like and  meet your requirement  would be above  $200k, so if you start comparing the incrmental from one model to another, it is not reallly a lot espeically if you spread the amount over the length of ownership.😄😄

[Lala81]

On 8/23/2023 at 6:48 AM, Mkl22 said:

Still more reliable than a conti turbo. See the countless Prius running around. Go speak to a few workshops about Prius maintenance and you will know that they typically can travel 300k km without  much work needed. I only heard of a coolant pump replacement. Even the brake pads don’t need any work done on them before 200k km. If you are looking for reliability they are best around. 
If you are after reliability then Japanese NA engines. But they lack power so you need a hybrid to boost the low end. Here is where the toyota 2.5 hybrid wins. I would say get the harrier if buying now. Cx5 is a nice car but dated. It’s already a 10year old car. 

The harrier has a small boot for it's size. It only has a 400+L/boot and the sloping rear door makes it very small for it's size. For comparison. A tiguan can fit 560L.

And unfortunately the tax benefit for a 2.5L hybrid isn't that great due to still having to pay road tax based on the 2.5l. 

[Mkl22]

On 8/23/2023 at 8:00 AM, Lala81 said:

The harrier has a small boot for it's size. It only has a 400+L/boot and the sloping rear door makes it very small for it's size. For comparison. A tiguan can fit 560L.

And unfortunately the tax benefit for a 2.5L hybrid isn't that great due to still having to pay road tax based on the 2.5l. 

For me not an issue as I almost never go on road trips. In my years of driving my boot was only full carrying the stroller and some duffel bags or backpacks. 

was always tempted by a vw product but knowing I will need be prepared to fix leaks or repairs as early as 2years into ownership, I quiet reluctant to commit. Don’t like the feeling of not knowing what else will break and the down time.

some say YOLO, just go for it. But for me I guess the stress of constant fixing irritates me more. I’m a tad OCD with regards to sounds and leaks on the car. Will need to drill down to fix it. Or at least know that the sound is normal or a simple spray some WD40 sort of fix. Which i know I can fix but can choose to ignore. It’s the not knowing and need to investigate that can drive me nuts. 
@ct3833, I know the feeling of the rattle in the engine. I too would try to resolve it. But know doing so will cause me to drop more hair then I already have! 😂

Edited August 23, 2023 by Mkl22

[Jamesc]

This one

Too bad no more turbos you would love it.

It's very safe because 4 wheel drive.

On 8/22/2023 at 9:19 PM, therock said:

The third showroom
The Subaru Forrester

- real SUV looks with AWD to add real offroad capabilities, but it's like tennis sneakers, how many of us really play tennis

- heavy body, high FC and not that spritely on the road despite the mini EV motor

- very attractive price under 185k

- generous legroom, big boot

- fit and finish very decent, Jap made with fittings done in Japan

- better safety features in this version

- you can also get the non hybrid version, which cost more ironically

- great seat adjustments again and easy to get out of, best of the lot so far

- good storage in the cabin

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by Jamesc

[therock]

Yeah I saw the new levorg-  nice engine but too long and hard to climb in

the harrier have the same mechanics but there are more electronics and with the added smaller boot size it’s just premium motoring for an aging man haha

anyway prices are way too high so I have to nurse my car for a year or two more I reckon 😅 

[Ct3833]

On 8/23/2023 at 8:19 AM, therock said:

Yeah I saw the new levorg-  nice engine but too long and hard to climb in

the harrier have the same mechanics but there are more electronics and with the added smaller boot size it’s just premium motoring for an aging man haha

anyway prices are way too high so I have to nurse my car for a year or two more I reckon 😅 

Hopefully in 1 to 2 years time  you can have different or even better options, meantime you get to enjoy the low depre of your current GLB. 

But COE wise, with the pull forward COE quota, there is little chance that COE price will decline much by then, so if you see happiness of yourself in a new car, just spend a little more to buy happiness ......NOW.  😄😄 the diff is you are pulling  forward  the higher  depre by 2 years, not 10 years😄😄

[therock]

My current car has set a certain standard in power or torque to be precise

storage and safety 

would have thought of GLB if not Mexican or equipped with a French engine

and the price now is 😮‍💨 

[13177]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:39 PM, therock said:

I have not gone over to the conti cars as much, as I'm getting older and I prefer reliability, which is why I made Toyota my first stop

I was a bit disappointed that I could not get as comfortable, and the prices were steeper

I don't mind the hard plastics as much nor the less than warm welcome, so let's see

I will go and check out the Skoda or even the Seat options, I've never owned these brands or even VW, so I don't know much about service and support and whether the external workshops will support them especially the Seat.

But the Seat Arona pricing is very attractive.

The Kodiaq was very impressive, and years back I went with bro @Carbon82 to try it, and I was highly impressed 

I don't know if current Toyota cars still reliable or not? I find Toyota cars many hard plastics and the interior design of the car still consider quite outdated. So buying Toyota is really just purely buying for the brand and not for the design.

In terms of design, exterior and interior, i quite like the CX5 and Kodiaq. Esp Kodiaq, this SUV looks good but can't comment on the drive since never drive one before and don't know if Skoda cars reliable or not.

[13177]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:53 AM, Mkl22 said:

Rav4 and harrier are exactly the same mechanical wise. Only the body and interior is different. 
you can google rav4 vs venza which is what it’s called in the US. Plenty of videos comparing the 2. 

I don't find the Rav4 design is nice, also find the gear lever position a bit weird and don't feel comfortable sitting on the driver seat.

[kobayashiGT]

A Toyota harrier? 

Classy from the outside, modern from the inside. 

A gentleman car If I would want to describe. 

[Soya]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:03 PM, therock said:

I've always wanted to own an SUV, with the commanding position, high hip point for entry and good boot size.

So I recently decided to take a walk around the showrooms, with a basic search and some requirements:

- five seats minimum, seven is a bonus, but basically a good size rather than a tiny one

- high hip point

- good boot size

- not too slow 0-100 (under 11)

- I'll need storage, good safety and things that a family with a young baby will appreciate 

I don't speed, but sometimes you need a bit of zoom to join traffic and drive up Genting or overtake and I do go to M'sia often. That also means EVs are a bit more tricky

My mileage is low, 10-12k a year on average.

Now, my car isn't due for another 3 plus years, but I wanted to see what's out there and I'm just sharing my findings here and my choices are purely personal, as YMMV..

I didn't have a specific budget, but I soon realised that most of the choices hover around the 200k mark, and this is almost twice what they used to cost due to the COE.

Hybrids aren't my first choice due to my low mileage, and the cost of a battery replacement is a big deal, so even EVs are a bit tricky, but the number of petrol only cars are limited. 

The EV motors are also not great for the Malaysia jaunts, and CVTs are less desirable than autos, but you have to be careful which DCT you choose.. 

Cheers

I was in your position 10 yrs ago

Look left look right, finally decided on the Sorento turbodiesel.  A proper SUV needs to be AWD w lots of torque. Forget the jacked up hatchbacks or the wheezy 2.0 or 2.4 NA SUVs

Read that you're considering the Rav4. I rented one for a week in NZ. 2.5L AWD model so kinda hv a feel what it's like beyond a 10-min test drive around Leng Kee. My friendly advice: Avoid. Poor NVH, underpowered, felt built down to a price

 

[Westin]

Mazda certainly punches above its weight as compared to all other Japanese makes. Go for CX5, you will definitely enjoy driving it as it ticks all your options.