A wheel and tyre change may help you is what I am saying. JDM cars also have weird spring rates that can have undesirable effects on our roads. You may find that an equivalent NZ new Corolla will drive quite differently on our highways even though its outwardly the same car.
cabrio1,
May 13, 5:09am
A BMW 5 series is an interesting option. I hadn't considered that before primarily because of concerns over long term reliability and high maintenance costs. Likewise Skoda.
Well, the 530i fits the brief. Mid 2000 for great value. Before all the extra tech gets involved, no one needs that sht. Personal experience , no mech failure on mine now at 205k. Bought it at 60k Fantastic mile eater, fuel economy superb. Quiet and comfortable. It's eager to overtake everything, not a driver habit, but is fun on occasions. Aim for the M sport models imo. I keep up with regular coolant/trans/engine fluid replacement. Plenty of great Indy parts suppliers, heaps of used parts. If I ever need them. All for less than 10k. If I replaced mine, I'd buy same car with lower ks.
tamarillo,
May 13, 6:00am
My daily driver a 2003 530i, 2003 being last year of best model. NZ new amd well serviced it regularly takes me Nelson to Christchurch amd beyond. So very comfortable, lovely power, quiet and comfy and great drive. I did radiator amd water pump etc when bought as preventative and it’s been 100% reliable. Need to get a good one but even great ones aren’t much money. Average 11.1 of 95
kazbanz,
May 13, 7:50pm
Im NOT being a smart alec but how big are you? The reason I ask is that I find the Blade seats really comfortable. In fairness Ive only done one LONG delivery drive in one being Auck to Wellington. Im Five 9 and 77kg mid build.
gumboot999,
May 13, 8:10pm
Interesting chat about the Blade. I have one essentially as a round town car but have taken it on a number of 6 hour trips and regularly to Auckland ( 5/6 hours return). It has 'regular' mid range Bridgestone tyres. The only minor criticism would be the seating which gets a bit hard after a couple of hours but a quick stop and leg stretch usually helps. Other than that I find it peppy, easy and fun to drive, reasonably economical and being Toyota cheap to service and parts if needed. I run another car on Toyo Proxes tyres ( fabulous)which I will put on the Blade next change.
socram,
May 13, 8:10pm
I rarely disagree with Tamarillo, but dispute the fact that all SUV's have poor handling. You'd need to be seriously stupid to roll any Range Rover/derivative driving on NZ roads.
Our diesel Evoque was quiet and comfortable, handling and especially economy, was just fine, particularly on a longer run. Same applied to the Freelanders that preceded it.
For a 5 hour drive, number 1 consideration for me would be decent seats!
Yes, tyres do make a huge difference but any tin can is going to be noisy unless well insulated.
aukaguy,
May 14, 4:28am
Fair question - I'm slightly shorter than yourself and a little lighter. Taking a break every few hours helps. Maybe that's not such a bad thing given I can't drive for too long.
trogedon,
May 14, 4:38am
socram wrote: I rarely disagree with Tamarillo,
I rarely eat a Tamarillo.
meow_mix,
May 14, 6:15am
Quite a few votes for a big Lexus, I agree particularly with s_nz's post at #14, if you can find an LS or GS for your $30,000 then that would be great buying. In my opinion the Euro stuff like BMWs should be avoided in that price range.
fishb8,
May 14, 7:42am
Might get laughed at here but I bought a Suzuki Vitara 1.4T 2 years ago and have been surprised at how good it is both in town and distance as regularly drive from Hamilton to Wellington. Having the up to date driving aids like adaptive cruise control is great. Went from Bulls to the Johnstonville turn off without touching the brake. Comfortable, economical, good handling and an excellent turn of speed for overtaking.
slarty45,
May 14, 5:01pm
I won`t laugh as I drive the same. Significant mid range oomph while using sod all fuel. The GripAll version is rather good when it snows.
houseofdad,
May 14, 6:13pm
The suspension settings nothing flash - my old 92 terrano has that.
houseofdad,
May 14, 6:17pm
Still peddling those unreliable mercs.
toenail,
May 15, 9:41pm
Yep. I have owned a Blade, while refined for it's class, its no match for a proper Lexus (GS/LS) at highway speeds with NVH.
The amount of sound deadening material that goes into these cars is significant, that's why they weight a lot too. 1800kg+
stevo2,
May 15, 11:16pm
I also wont laugh as I occasionally drive Mrs Stevo's. Good car around town but also good on a journey. Not as quiet or comfortable as a larger size sedan though but the turbo makes sure you have ample power for overtaking. A proper 6 speed auto rather than a cvt as well.
bazfan,
May 22, 10:39pm
Test drove mid 2013-16 Lexus RX range from the 280 to the 450h. Amazingly quiet and smooth. Would also recommend a Lexus
jhan,
May 25, 5:23am
The older Aurion 3.6ltr is a marvelous car, there are some reasonably priced 2017's on the market at the moment but I think they are 2.4ltr.
tamarillo,
May 25, 5:30am
My comment was comparative SUV over equivalent saloon and I said worse handling which is simply laws of physics. up higher has to roll more, add in more weight and worse. Usually stuffed suspension to offset but that makes ride worse. You’re right though that at lease LR a don’t try and make them stiffer. Easy comparison was Honda Accord wagon Against CRV with same engine etc but accord was noticeably better over twist the roads, quicker amd more economical. If you’ve use for SUV a all good and it’s not as if they’re bad Handlers these days.
jhan,
May 25, 5:32am
Add underpowered to weight ratio to that.
houseofdad,
May 28, 6:56pm
Tell that to somebody with an SRT Cherokee or Trackhawk.
You have generalized does not apply to all SUVs so makes your point null and void!
Most diesel turbo SUV's will leave petrol cars for dead off the lights just off idle as they are revving their tits off to keep up. Low down torque of a diesel is a great aspect of them.
tamarillo,
May 28, 9:59pm
Crickey compare apples with apples please. Take a car with a fixed set of running gear and platform. Now take all that and make it taller and higher and heavier. Call that an SUV. To combat centre of gravity being higher MOST makers stiffen suspension up. So it is heavier, higher, stiffer. Apple with apples it can't compete in everyday driving and a fang on a twisty road. Expensive ones have all sort of suspension stuff to help overcome and do damn good job. LR don't try in most of their stuff though I have to say my Brothers Evoque on big (factory wheels ) had the most appalling ride and he traded up to new Discovery Sport as he hated it on rural roads. Yes modern turbo diesels have great low down pick up but do same in sedan or hath or wagon.
SUVs have advantages and if they suit you go for it. But don't tell me they can beat a car all round.
kiwialan,
May 28, 11:58pm
I did have a mitsy s/w that started to wear out, brought a Volvo V70 s/w and on a regular 4 hour trip that we do, saved about 15 minutes on the usual time, and was extremely comfortable, no problem. Had it now for 5 years, only cost so far was for tyres and battery. Does go in for the yearly check every year. Does use a bit of petrol on small trips, but on distance very economical. Out of a variety of cars over many years can say it is the most comfortable. The only problem is that they are not the easiest to get into and out.
tamarillo,
Aug 2, 9:19pm
second that, most comfortable seats ever
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.