Large NZ new wagon?

unclejake, Sep 2, 11:18am
Team, what's out there in a full size wagon (NOT a SUV)?

I've got a BA Falcon wagon at the moment and am hoping to find something of similar size to cart stuff around in. 2010 or later. Up to $45k

The Commodore is too small (it's a sedan wheelbase), and the E class Mercedes doesn't appear much bigger.

What haven't I thought of? Ta.

richardmayes, Sep 2, 11:33am
My grandmother went on her way a few years ago in a hearse that was based on some kind of large late model Cadillac stationwagon.

At the time I obviously didn't pay much attention to the car, but my recollection is that it seemed longer and wider than my AU wagon I have now, though not necessarily much higher.

Is there an importer/ agent for those, or do funeral homes have to bring them in themselves?

(It seems like a difficult car to buy and maintain here in NZ. I don't know if the funeral home uses that car because local Aussie/Jap wagons are all a little bit too small. ? Or maybe it's just that you can order one built up as a hearse from the USA and that's easier/cheaper than buying a Falcon wagon and arranging to get it converted here in NZ yourself?)

clark20, Sep 2, 11:34am

unclejake, Sep 2, 11:39am
^ They're a good looking car, but I can fit 3,250mm lengths of timber in the Falcon (resting on the dash) and still close the tailgate.

I doubt I'll be able to equal that, but I'd like to get close if possible (without going to a SUV, people mover or a van)

clark20, Sep 2, 11:57am
At 4.9m long it may get bloody close

unclejake, Sep 2, 12:04pm
You could be right. It doesn't look like they're released in NZ yet? I'll keep an eye out for one.

trouser, Sep 2, 6:53pm
There are 10 of the previous model listed here on Trademe. The cheapest at $27990.

kazbanz, Sep 2, 8:03pm
unclejake--have you considered a van,a people carrier or a ute?
The only NZ new wagon I can think might be big enough would be the accord.

tamarillo, Sep 2, 8:18pm
Second that Skoda superb. There's some demo deals going on outgoing model. Gotta be biggest wagon around.
From left field a Volvo v70 wagon.
Or a commodore and trailer.

vtecintegra, Sep 2, 9:03pm
The Accord wagon has a tiny load area so I don't know how that came up (it's certainly smaller than even the downsized Commodore)

You said no SUVs but how about a people mover?

dublo, Sep 2, 9:25pm
Keep the Falcon and save your money! Depending upon its kms it may still have a lot of life left.

mopsy3, Sep 2, 10:41pm
Once you have had a Falcon wagon nothing else will match it. You would have to buy a covered trailer to replace the space in your wagon with any 'modern' wagon today.

nzdoug, Sep 2, 10:53pm
A nice hearse could be cool.

munchnz, Sep 2, 11:00pm
When I was looking for a sw I found heaps of them had small cargo space. A funeral director reckoned the ford falcon s/w was the biggest but it came down to a mazda 6 or honda odessy. I really wanted the commodore but it had one of the smallest cargo areas. The mazda won out in the end. If you want width go mazda, height go honda or get yourself a toyota van

3tomany, Sep 3, 12:30am
I might be wrong but I thought the later model Mondeo had similar load space

petal_91, Sep 3, 12:47am
GM Fleet does a Cadillac XTS custom hearse. You can import an LHD hearse as a Category C specialist vehicle.

http://www.gmfleet.com/coachbuilder_hearse.html

vtecintegra, Sep 3, 12:47am
Nah, it's way shorter and the opening is narrower

mopsy3, Sep 3, 12:57am
Until you try to load that space.

tamarillo, Sep 3, 4:17am
Who by? Had a few citreons honks ago but they're reputation for reliability and depreciation have hit them of late it seems.
So, out of interest, who voted it jap import car of year and what does that mean anyway?

petal_91, Sep 3, 5:27am
The Japan Car of the Year committee voted the C5 the top *import* car for 2008-09. The top Japanese car was the Toyota iQ.

The committee is comprised of automotive journalists.

don1751, Sep 3, 7:57am
Understand your problem. I am a wagon fan bt choice is limited these days. Currently driving a 2008 mazda 6. Max internal lenght to dash 2.7 m.

dr.doolittle, Sep 3, 8:22am
What about a c300 sw? Not a lot of height but may have the length.

unclejake, Sep 3, 9:01am
I hadn't thought of a Chrysler. Thanks for those that suggested it.

I hadn't thought of a Skoda either. and the AWD version of the yet to be released Superb might just do it (although ~ $15k over the budget)

tamarillo, Jul 31, 5:20pm
Wow! Japs liked a citreon!