Advice & Info Wanted for Mum!
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:14 pm
Hello guys,
Again sorry if I've put this in the wrong section!
But not only am I thinking about buying a Subi (yes still, just let me get a job that pays!), but mums thinking of getting one as well.
She is looking for a tow-car. She wants to buy a 15 (or less) foot caravan, that will weight around 1200kg fully loaded, maybe more.
Mum is open to looking at various cars, but I told her she should stick with what she knows, which is midsize sedans...
But she did say she would "prefer" AWD, so thats when I suggested she buy a Subaru of some description, and immediately we are looking at Liberties.
I want a 3rd Gen, and she is open to those, but I think she would rather the 4th Gen (the face lifted model) as that will overall be a nicer car, plus you can get a 6 in a sedan. I think an Outback will be too big for her (note: Currently drives a KH Laser), she will probably never need that much space.
Now I've seen a range topper 4 GEN facelift Liberty Sedan with the H6 motor, auto transmission, cream leather, fully loaded with sat nav and everything, in blue and just under 100000kays for $20,000, is that reasonable price for this car? Im assuming that the engine needs a timing belt change or some major service at 100,000kays (Most cars do)?
And she is also wondering, according to carsales that Liberty can tow up to 1800kgs braked, which if we get a 1200kg van should leave us with a bit of room, but she is still concerned what will the car be like if it is towing 1800kg with a few suitcases in the back and maybe a few people on board. Will the H6 be okay. Obviously mum is not looking for a racecar, and she is not overly concerned about fuel economy as her work is only 6 kays away, so its not exactly arduous. And when she isnt driving to work shes on the highway anyway, but she would like something that is able to easily pull the caravan on the open roads and won't be too challenged on hills and such.
She has looked at a VE Calais (V6 and V8-AFM) for obvious enough reasons but I think it is just so big, a Liberty is a good size smaller and I think this will make the difference between mum being confident in parking and not being confident and having to find a bigger spot (which when you live this close to the CBD is a rarity).
She is also looking for a "nice" car, something that is bright inside (she does not like black interiors), and will be quiet, refined and comfortable. It will need to handle reasonably well, be reasonably good on fuel (about the same as her Laser would be good) and perform reasonably well. But an absolute must is it must be able to easily pull a van!
I suggested the Liberty mainly because I'm thinking of buying one, and I think it fits the bill fine, particularly the fourth generation is overall a nicer and more luxurios car than the 3rd gen (i still like the 3rd gens more chunky styling for some reason).
So, the main questions my mum has are:
-Is the car easily capable of pulling a 15-foot caravan weighing around 1200kg or more, and what will the car be like if we really push it (1800kg van, boot full of suitcases and 5 adults on board)?
-What experiences have people had pulling caravans with a Liberty or similar?
-How is the car when not towing a van, just using it as a car? (Think I already know the answer to that one), as in, is it cheap(ish) to run, and maintain, what problems should she expect or what maintenance items need doing at services?
-What are things she needs to look out for when purchasing a Subaru?
-If she buys a car that does not have a tow-bar (and then gets one fitted), does she need to modify the car in any other way (such as fitting a transmission cooler?) or any suspension changes?
-Carsales sometimes quotes the towing capacity as 1500, 1800 and 2000, is this an error or are there different tow bars with different capacities? What is the actual capacity of the car? If she buys a car with no tow bar and gets one fitted, will the tow capacity depend on the car or the tow-bar she chooses? is it better to purchase a Subi with a tow-bar already fitted?
Thankyou guys so much for any help! This will be my mums first new (well not new but you get me) car in about 20 years, the Laser doesnt count that was only $2000. This will be her new "nice" car that will last her...Well probably the next 20 years, so for obvious reasons she wants to make sure it is perfect!! Thanks!!
Oh and if mum buys a Subi then I will too! Like mother like son hahahaa!
Again sorry if I've put this in the wrong section!
But not only am I thinking about buying a Subi (yes still, just let me get a job that pays!), but mums thinking of getting one as well.
She is looking for a tow-car. She wants to buy a 15 (or less) foot caravan, that will weight around 1200kg fully loaded, maybe more.
Mum is open to looking at various cars, but I told her she should stick with what she knows, which is midsize sedans...
But she did say she would "prefer" AWD, so thats when I suggested she buy a Subaru of some description, and immediately we are looking at Liberties.
I want a 3rd Gen, and she is open to those, but I think she would rather the 4th Gen (the face lifted model) as that will overall be a nicer car, plus you can get a 6 in a sedan. I think an Outback will be too big for her (note: Currently drives a KH Laser), she will probably never need that much space.
Now I've seen a range topper 4 GEN facelift Liberty Sedan with the H6 motor, auto transmission, cream leather, fully loaded with sat nav and everything, in blue and just under 100000kays for $20,000, is that reasonable price for this car? Im assuming that the engine needs a timing belt change or some major service at 100,000kays (Most cars do)?
And she is also wondering, according to carsales that Liberty can tow up to 1800kgs braked, which if we get a 1200kg van should leave us with a bit of room, but she is still concerned what will the car be like if it is towing 1800kg with a few suitcases in the back and maybe a few people on board. Will the H6 be okay. Obviously mum is not looking for a racecar, and she is not overly concerned about fuel economy as her work is only 6 kays away, so its not exactly arduous. And when she isnt driving to work shes on the highway anyway, but she would like something that is able to easily pull the caravan on the open roads and won't be too challenged on hills and such.
She has looked at a VE Calais (V6 and V8-AFM) for obvious enough reasons but I think it is just so big, a Liberty is a good size smaller and I think this will make the difference between mum being confident in parking and not being confident and having to find a bigger spot (which when you live this close to the CBD is a rarity).
She is also looking for a "nice" car, something that is bright inside (she does not like black interiors), and will be quiet, refined and comfortable. It will need to handle reasonably well, be reasonably good on fuel (about the same as her Laser would be good) and perform reasonably well. But an absolute must is it must be able to easily pull a van!
I suggested the Liberty mainly because I'm thinking of buying one, and I think it fits the bill fine, particularly the fourth generation is overall a nicer and more luxurios car than the 3rd gen (i still like the 3rd gens more chunky styling for some reason).
So, the main questions my mum has are:
-Is the car easily capable of pulling a 15-foot caravan weighing around 1200kg or more, and what will the car be like if we really push it (1800kg van, boot full of suitcases and 5 adults on board)?
-What experiences have people had pulling caravans with a Liberty or similar?
-How is the car when not towing a van, just using it as a car? (Think I already know the answer to that one), as in, is it cheap(ish) to run, and maintain, what problems should she expect or what maintenance items need doing at services?
-What are things she needs to look out for when purchasing a Subaru?
-If she buys a car that does not have a tow-bar (and then gets one fitted), does she need to modify the car in any other way (such as fitting a transmission cooler?) or any suspension changes?
-Carsales sometimes quotes the towing capacity as 1500, 1800 and 2000, is this an error or are there different tow bars with different capacities? What is the actual capacity of the car? If she buys a car with no tow bar and gets one fitted, will the tow capacity depend on the car or the tow-bar she chooses? is it better to purchase a Subi with a tow-bar already fitted?
Thankyou guys so much for any help! This will be my mums first new (well not new but you get me) car in about 20 years, the Laser doesnt count that was only $2000. This will be her new "nice" car that will last her...Well probably the next 20 years, so for obvious reasons she wants to make sure it is perfect!! Thanks!!
Oh and if mum buys a Subi then I will too! Like mother like son hahahaa!
