Any car buffs out there?

[tor01doc]

We need a new people mover.

Don't laugh. Lots of kids so need 7 seats and space.

Have narrowed it down to 4.

Toyota Tarago Ultima

VW Multivan Highline

Chrysler Grand Voyager

Mercedes Viano.

Any sensible advice is welcome.

PS I am not going to drive it unless I have to.

[Bill Manspeaker]

buy a tank doc. not really the fastest vehicle but on the plus side you won't have to wait for traffic. everyone in the tank will feel safe.

is that sensible advice? :P

nah I got no idea about cars mate

[tor01doc]

Diesel or petrol tank?

US or Russian or Chinese?

Truth is, my lovely boss will get whatever colour she wants anyway.

[Bill Manspeaker]

gotta be diesel I think. maybe Chinese for easy to read instructions.

I'd go army colours, but if Mrs. Doc isn't down for that I guess it won't matter what colour.

a pink tank would look pretty funny

[JBs-Hawks]

Go the merc, might be a people mover but at least you can say its a merc :P

[nas]

Hey doc, currently drive a prado. No complaints diesel, 7 seater. Salary Sacrificed tho. Wife has a weak back & just done a road trip from Qld to SA for a FF Get together & no probs her end. So impressed I am looking at the Kakadu. Lot of coin but hey, if her indoors is comfortable > Happy wife, Happy Life. < So they say!

[tor01doc]

Cheers nas

3 non negotiables.

power slidey doors
leather
7 seats

[T Dog]

Hey Toro ..have you had a look at a Territory or perhaps a Pajero fitted as 7 seaters?

[nas]

Cheers nas

3 non negotiables.

power slidey doors
leather
7 seats

Kakadu 7 seats, leather seats. Tick.
Power slidey doors. Untick

[Capper]

Make sure if you get Diesel that the missus is aware that she needs to fill it with diesel. A mate of mine had his missus put petrol in stead of diesel and the car didnt really like it, plus not many diesel pumps at hte station to fill up at

[GCSkiwi]

Hey doc.

I'll preface my advice by saying I currently live in NZ, though I lived several years in Melbourne, and frankly found car rules there very puzzling. So I'm not well versed in what the car demographic over there is like currently. BUT:
I would expect the toyota to be much cheaper to run than the VW, Chrysler or Merc. Jap cars are a dime a dozen so any replacement parts you need should be easier and cheaper to come by. This may not fly if there's a huge european car market over there but from what I saw it was still very jap dominated.
Also from what I've heard from mechanics the german engines are well built but also you really need to know what you're doing when servicing them, so you would need to have yourself a mechanic you trust is experienced with german engines if considering the VW or Merc. Not sure about Chrysler there.
Of course, weigh this up against your budget and things such as comfort etc, if Mrs Doc will be doing the driving and feels significantly better in one of them that's something to look at. I know the stereotypical doctor is rolling in money but the reality is not always so, so the toyota mainly pertains to budget, especially if you plan on keeping it a while. If you regularly upgrade cars (as some do) it's a smaller consideration as realistically things shouldn't go wrong in the short term. But my mother used to own a little Rover hatchback, smashed the side indicator when she misjudged a supermarket trolley return pole, and it cost $65 just to buy the damn indicator and have it sent to NZ... Would practically have been a free giveaway on a corolla :P
If you've got a regular mechanic that you currently see for your vehicles ask them for their advice, they'll be able to tell you the ones they constantly see with problems or the ones that are virtually bulletproof...

[RaisyDaisy]

Get a Range Rover

They are BOSS  8)

[RaisyDaisy]

Just looking at those 4 cars - No offence but they are all butt ugly

There must be other options that don't look like that but can fit 6-7

[quinny88]

What's your budget?
Are you buying new or used?

[tor01doc]

Thanks for the input.

A few queries and comments so...

Butt ugly - will make my sauce look better so not fussed

No particular budget but don't want to spend unnecessarily - maybe $90.

New but would consider a little bit used.

She really needs those automatic sliding doors.

Service costs will be a bit more for German cars but we have a guy who does then and is cheaper.

Hard to get a test drive too because not many cars lying around in dealers.

Will let you know what colour I get.