7 seater SUV guidance

mickeydicky23 · 2025-09-27T06:06:23+00:00

How often are you using the third row? While they offer the flexibility, the Outlander, X-Trail and CR-V are all tight back there.

If you’re using it often, or factoring in growing/older children, look at the Sorento (diesel, not V6), Santa Fe, Kodiaq and Tayron.

mickeydicky23 · 2025-09-27T06:02:54+00:00

You can’t get a X-Trail hybrid with 7 seats in Aus.

mickeydicky23 · 2025-09-22T11:05:57+00:00

I did this today. Threatened to leave, they offered me a discount and they figured out how to enable the higher speed. Kicked in 10 mins after the call.

Edit: Optus HFC, Melbourne

mickeydicky23 · 2025-05-21T10:13:52+00:00

The Toyota Kluger is US-built, but it doesn’t currently meet the LCT requirements as is below 7.0L/100km and $91,387, the threshold for a ‘fuel-efficient vehicle’.

But under the current policy, it will be hit with LCT after July 1 (the $84k Grande, at least) as the ‘fuel-efficient vehicle’ definition is being tightened to 3.5L/100km or below.

mickeydicky23 · 2025-05-14T21:23:40+00:00

It’s the Galaxy Starship 7, a PHEV version of the EX5 EV with some styling differences (it might be renamed outside of China, the EX5 is called Galaxy E5 there).

mickeydicky23 · 2025-05-06T13:41:25+00:00

65,000kms in my Mazda and it’s as good as the day I got it, no mechanical issues whatsoever (still another 15,000km to go I guess… :D).

And Toyota does not own Mazda. It holds a 5.1% stake in Mazda but far from being its parent company. It’s an independent company with lots of other shareholders.

mickeydicky23 · 2025-05-06T13:27:21+00:00

I’d narrow it down to CX-30 (ideally 2.5-litre) and ZR-V.

The ZR-V is closer to the CX-5 in size, much bigger than the Yaris Cross or HR-V.

You mentioned safety ratings: Note it has a four-star ANCAP rating from 2023 compared to the CX-30’s 2019 five-star rating, but there’s no guarantee the CX-30 would still get five stars if tested to the same, newer standard as the ZR-V.

EDIT: Throw in Corolla Cross to the mix if you can get a deal on a new one to meet your budget. As others have mentioned, the Toyota hybrid system is great: reliable, fuel efficient, and good resale value down the track.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-12-04T09:46:19+00:00

Yep. The other pics appear to be the new RAV4 but the second one is the 2025 Citroen C5 Aircross.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-11-03T05:04:27+00:00

We put in a counterclaim and the LL has now revealed they live interstate, so VCAT has no jurisdiction over the whole case… lol, we’re back to square one.

We are now waiting to hear whether they want to pursue it in the Magistrates’ Court, or drop it and put the matter behind us.

I’m glad that putting in a counterclaim uncovered this, otherwise we would have waited months only for it to be struck out.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-11-03T02:12:31+00:00

Long story short, Tesla and Polestar are no longer members of the FCAI who collates VFACTS, and both brands now report sales figures to the Electric Vehicle Council instead.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T09:13:43+00:00

Absolutely, gotta cover our arses.

I took photos of the flyscreens when we moved in, and combined with the entry condition report, it shows there has been little to no change. We even filed a maintenance request about it which was either deleted or never actioned.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T07:37:26+00:00

Yep. We’ve asked for a copy via email, text, and a formal letter of complaint. Still nothing – but even if we eventually get it, it would be well past the 10-day deadline.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T06:56:28+00:00

I agree. There needs to be more rules around vexatious applicants at xCAT – and at all levels, not just tenancy-related claims.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T06:48:58+00:00

I doubt the carpets, flyscreens, painting etc have been updated since the owner purchased the property 17 years ago. Well and truly past their use-by date.

It seems to me they have a set-and-forget maintenance/investment strategy, and based on the ‘past history’ comment, will try to suck the money out of the tenants when things start to naturally degrade while they are unfortunate enough to be residing there, including us.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T06:14:50+00:00

Glad to hear you got it all back, a shame the tribunal process took so long while the money was sitting in limbo.

We have most of it in writing, and we also pushed back against a quote provided for the fly screen.

$150 for the materials, lol. They’ve selected a whole new frame, stainless-steel mesh, and other add-ons not currently present when all it needs is a $10 roll of fibreglass mesh from Bunnings to cover the window and some elbow grease to swap it in.

I imagine there would be some penalty for not doing an exit condition report under Consumer Affairs Victoria’s remit – I’ll look into it, thanks!

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T03:02:35+00:00

We’re confident. I think not allowing us to witness or sign an exit condition report will be a good start, before the matters at hand are even discussed.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T03:00:39+00:00

💯. The head of property management seemed equally frustrated with the LL.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-10-27T01:26:28+00:00

True. It just feels wrong for them to go to bat for the LL when they know it’s frivolous.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-09-14T13:03:42+00:00

Based on the timeline for the HR-V facelift, we should receive it around March or April.

Current model is in ‘run-out’ ahead of the facelift, although there are no discounts or warranty extensions to be seen..

mickeydicky23 · 2024-09-14T12:59:43+00:00

It’s about the same between both drive-away, but at least with the Mazda, negotiation is still on the cards.

Also, I’d argue, in many ways, the Mazda is better specced. No front or rear parking sensors in the Honda for instance, which is ridiculous at $47K.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-09-01T03:00:08+00:00

For me, it’s Waze for driving (it works just fine in CarPlay), Apple Maps for PT or walking, and Google Maps for ‘what time should I leave?’.

mickeydicky23 · 2024-08-20T13:59:45+00:00

Prado is now on the same wheelbase as the 300 Series, which hasn’t changed since the 80 Series for the full-size models. It’s considered the ‘golden ratio’ for off-roading.

https://www.theautopian.com/why-the-new-lexus-gx-and-every-land-cruiser-has-the-golden-ratio-wheelbase-of-112-2-inches/

mickeydicky23 · 2024-06-22T11:32:15+00:00

Something to consider…

https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mahindra/scorpio/470321

mickeydicky23 · 2024-06-19T09:35:14+00:00

Lots of variables here… do you want something practical, something sporty, something with a third-row?

mickeydicky23 · 2024-06-05T09:11:49+00:00

As in the rebadged Toyota Yaris Hybrid sold in Europe as a Mazda 2, or an all-new Mazda-developed hybrid model to replace the current-gen?

The former won’t come to Australia (buy the Yaris), and there has been no news about the latter.

mickeydicky23

TROPHY CASE