Toyota Mark-X 240F

We are looking for a family car with space to pack the boot up for long camping trips too. We are after an economical but not to weak an engine. Our budget is 10,000. Unfortunately most of the options available are big ugly people movers. The SUV's in that range aren't powerful enough, so we find ourselves looking at the Toyota Mark x. we love the way it drives, however it is hard to find info on reliability and possible issues. Does anyone have an experience/advice with these cars? Or an alternative suggestion? Cheers.

Im not a big fella by any means and I looked at one of these few years back and found it cramped and back seat had a hump in it from memory. And does the one you are looking at have adjustable suspension? From what I understand if this lets go its not cheap to repair, and the one I looked t had just had it done. I ended up with a Camry (love or hate them) and its been faultless (sorry two headlight bulbs over 4 years) and has a huge amount of space. If you want power to burn look at the Aurion version.
As for reliability I haven't read or heard anything untoward about them.

When I bought my 2008 Aurion (Camry with a 3.5l motor) I thought about Mark X but bought the Aurion instead. For 5 years I have done no more than a service every 10000 kms. The back brakes are coming up and will be the first actual repair I've had to do. It can go over 9l/100 in the stop start traffic I have going to work every day, but on the highway is 7.2-7.7l/100.

Did you take a look at the boot space?Im small and I found the rear cramped and the boot space was too small.
You thought of simply getting a stationwagon? There are lot more options out there that is more roomy with bigger boot space and powerful enough motors.

I own a mark X ZIO myself as a personal driver. There are effectively two versions being the 6 and 7 seat. Frankly the 6 seat is more comfortable in the middle row but is nowhere near as versatile .I took mine as a high mile (200k) trade in with some mechanical and cosmetic issues.almost all negligence on the part of the previous owner. Ive put about 40000km on my one.
I find it really comfortable to drive and as a station wagon its fantastic.
Mechanically it isn't an "orphan". It shares its drive train with the Toyota Estima,Toyota Alphard Toyota Camry 2.4 and sort of the Toyota Blade.
I needed a wagon big enough to toss my TT bicycle into and carry three adults at the same time. I also wanted a reasonable seat height front and rear which it has. Its great for my elderly mum and dad. On the very odd occasion I need a 6 seater and there is leg room in the back for baby kaz--aged 8 . layout wise its almost identical to the Toyota Wish or the Toyota isis. Its got a reasonable turn of speed.
Reliabliity wise its been fantastic once the damage was sorted.
negatives would be that the soft suspension -makes it really comfortable to drive but soft in the corners. Also ive found I need to add about 500ml of oil between services at 15000km.
The issues I had was horrible tracking and the headlights turned off at random . The headlight issue turned out to be dodgy bulbs. tracking was fixed by new tyres and alignment
I reckon they are a darn good jack of all trades.
ohh the brown seats. Really a total non issue. You don't see them sitting in your seat.

OP has made a booboo-they mean the ZIO not the mark X sedan. -totally different vehicle.

in full 7 seat mode I agree. BUT as a 5 seat or with seats folded into a 3 seat /2 seat its HUGE. Bigger than the Wish/isis or premacy/lafesta.
As I posted I travel with 3 people and my tri bike / tri gear on board no problem at all

A couple of other suggestions is to look at the Nisan lafesta or mazda premacy from 2012 on.
if you want to know anything about the zio feel free to ask as ive had mine nearly 4 years

Daughter just bought a Mark X Zio (wagon) 2.4 litre. They really love it. They found a nice low km one and it checked out fine.

Bugger, They did say car and I don't reckon the Zio is a car as we know it.

Op, do you mean the zio wagon or the mark X car?

I quite like the zio wagon with the 3.5. I have a workmate with a mark x and it has only had 1 fault since purchase, the transmission computer needed replacing. $1200 from my preferred specialist. He said it was uncommon to have one in for that repair. The first place quoted $3800 for a full rebuild but I sent him for a second opinion to the place that I always use.

Based on saying 2.4 and comparing to people movers points to zio not sedan