So the result of my Atenzas gearbox crapping out the other day is that once repaired we will be moving it on (had planned to in July regardless as we now need a 7 seater) I was originally keen on an MPV but not so much as they share a transmission with the Atenza. Ive been looking at 07ish Outlanders, part of my idea is to put a towbar on to be able to tow a light trailer when going camping, taking quads for servicing etc. Can anyone tell me anything good or bad about them or any other suggested options. Looking at the 17-18k range, preferably in the lower North Island as to busy to travel around right now.
edangus,
Feb 12, 1:53pm
Had the V6 - Great vehicle. Get a VRX model if you can. Seats in boot are very small and leave not much room for anything else. Tows well. Handles Well. Bit of road noise. Always drove mine in 4WD, didn't like the feel using just FWD. Don't get black its a pain to keep clean.
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 4:08pm
The four has a cvt box, generally not as solid and long lasting as conventional auto. Mazda has good rep so abandoning it due to one cars failure to Mitsubishi who generally don't have same reputation, is . Odd.
brapbrap8,
Feb 12, 4:20pm
You don't tend to hear of issues with Mitsi CVT boxes, they are one company who seem to have got them a bit more sorted out. That said, I'm not sure I would use one for towing on a regular basis.
edangus,
Feb 12, 4:29pm
I will add one more thing - Fuel tank is Painfully small (Well for the kms I was doing) from memory think its only 45ltrs.
tsjcf,
Feb 12, 5:20pm
We had 3 lease V6 Outlanders no problems over the 3 year lease term. Lot of fun to drive.
flossy64,
Feb 12, 5:47pm
yeah I was a bit wary of the CVT box. I have never had or dealt with any Mitsubishi's. We would most definitely be looking at the 4 cylinder not the 6 as well. Yeah our Mazda had served us really well and thats why we were set on the MPV. The auto specialist told me tho that the Mazda gearbox has a fault in the front of the housing that is known to go. I just dont know if I want to take the risk. I also thought that the Outlander would be better for towing.
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 6:03pm
Maybe be wary of comments like that. Lots of things have weakest point that tends to be the issue if there is a problem, doesn't mean to say they are a problem. Ultimately the box was likely made by aisean (spelling wrong) anyway and used by others too. Journos keep saying the Morgan three wheeler has a Mazda mx5 box, but it isn't made by Mazda, it just happens Mazda are one buyer of that box. I'd prefer conventional auto for towing. Sure someone will have a cvt that tows houses everyday, but that's my pence worth.
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 6:04pm
Ps, outlander four uses cvt whilst six uses conventional auto. Cvt don't seem to be used on bigger engines.
shorebee,
Feb 12, 6:35pm
id question the 7 seater usefulness of an outlander as the rear 2 are pretty flimsy with knees up around your ears and not good for trips, i would think a grandis for 8 grand is more suitable but not as exciting, same running gear just 4 speed auto, or you can get a citreon c4 picasso diesel 6 speed low ks for that money and a great drive.
monaro17,
Feb 12, 9:26pm
ahhhhhhhh. . yes they are. Numerous large engine cars nowadays have CVTs
jason18,
Feb 12, 9:43pm
CVT is everywhere now days. I think the time has come to stop worrying about them and keep them maintained and enjoy.
msigg,
Feb 12, 10:55pm
yes jason18 is correct, Large vehicles have these drivetrains and they are the way of the future, along with electric drives. Go with the flow.
lazzo,
Feb 13, 2:58am
Brilliant vehicle! Buy one, you will not regret it. Perfect all rounder and an absolute gem for the money.
These are popular for a good reason.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 3:44am
As a generalisation they are used on smaller engines when makers have choices. Audi for instance used them only on small engined versions of a model and used conventional autos (and later dsg) on bigger engines. Most cvt cars are smaller engined. Of course there are exceptions like big datsuns but even they don't use cvt on 370z and skylines etc. Subaru use cvt exclusivity except their biggest engined 6 cylinder cars! So, name me a maker who uses them on all their cars? Name me one who uses them on bigger engines but not smaller ones? You can't. My point was they generally get used on smaller engines and that holds true.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 3:51am
Really? Why then is Audi moving away from them? Why don't any European or American cars use them? I don't think Chinese use them either and they make an awful lot of cars. We forget that our market is unlike most anywhere else, we are dominated by jap cars but rest of world isn't. Japs started using them as cheap and easy way to compete with newer 6 plus geared autos the big transmission makers were puting out. The cvt is cheaper and easier for them to make in house.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 3:58am
Your point fails. Lexus only uses cvt on some models, and on bigger ones when hybrids. The IS you point to is a small Lexus. Since Lexus is Toyota you'll find Toyota do same, they move to conventional auto in more powerful models. Try again.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 4:01am
The way of the future? Eh no. The effort in research and development is in dual clutch autos and many geared conventional autos with lock ups, not cvt. Check out the big gearbox makers who supply most of the works autos, their efforts are not being wasted on cvt. Indeed some makers are moving away from them.
jmma,
Feb 13, 4:05am
Not going to try again, can't win with someone that knows everything :oP
rlr29,
Feb 13, 4:08am
CVT are being phased in for combining with electric motiv vehicles. CVT and electric are the way of the future.
westwyn,
Feb 13, 4:10am
Sooo. getting back on point. the Outlander is actually a very good and well-respected large SUV. NZ new or used ex-Japan, doesn't matter. In my opinion they are somewhat overlooked by many due to the "M" badge on the front, a reputation not deserved for these.
And yes, Mitsubishi Motors Corp seem to have figured out the CVT things pretty well. I don't know who their supplier is, but I'd keep them on, if I were them.
rovercitroen,
Feb 13, 10:09am
We have owned a NZ new 2006 Mitsi Outlander for a few years now. Bought at 41,000 kms, now at 113,000kms. Zero problems. It is a 2.4 CVT. Overall its a good package. Only criticism is a slight lack of power and highish road noise on coarse seal - although a new set of expensive Continental tyres did help in this regard. It is black and I wouldn't have another black one as they are a bastard to keep looking nice and every scratch and mark shows. Fuel economy is about 9 - 9.2 l/100kms on open road trips and about 11.5 l/100kms around the city. It has been well serviced including the CVT trans and feels like it will keep going for as long as it already has (at least).
monaro17,
Feb 14, 3:48am
oh dear. We have another one
next-to-normal,
Feb 14, 5:04am
$500 bucks to change the sparkplugs is enough to make the eyes water,,,,,,,,,,,manifolds need to come off.
rovercitroen,
Feb 15, 10:03pm
That must be in the V6 Outlander?
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