u/Life-Insurance-29

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has encountered the following. We are looking at a replacement for our Mazda 3 for my Partner, and needs to be able to do the occasional long distance Melb to Sydney drive and general running about town.

We drove the following:

1. Zeekr 7X RWD

The Zeekr did feel Tech heavy, but i felt i would get used to it, my partner was overwhelmed. ADAS was ok and i feel you could get used it, plus easy to turn off. Its also software defined so OTA updates as bugs and improvements are made, bugs discovered.

2. Kia EV3

A bit plain, intrusive ADAS, but would be a reasonable like for like replacement for the Mazda.

3. Kia EV5

A bit bland, Handling was Meh, intrusive ADAS, but would be a good replacement for a Kluger.

4. Subaru Trailseeker

WOW! It felt like putting on my old favourite pair of runners. It just wrapped around us, and drove amazing, plus the ADAS systems were not intrusive. It just worked.

All very different vehicles for different uses i guess.

However, after looking into the Trailseeker, i discovered its based on the e-TNGA platform which is being phased out, and no connectivity or OTA updates. Am i right to be concerned about buying something that may depreciate enormously, and at $73k i feel it is well overpriced. 2 years ago, it would have been a great choice

Am i overthinking the Trailseeker?

I honestly think that had we not driven the Trailseeker we would have put a deposit on a 7X.

Looking to get a sanity check on my numbers, as I’m considering getting a Shark 6 performance. I’m trying to find a reason that this doesn’t stack up, I would love a new car, but need to make sure it makes a little bit of sense.

PX2 XLT (just clocked over 200000k) Ranger decked out for camping with long range tank, bullbar, drawers, canopy, base rack etc.... (Estimating about a $20k trade in)

2010 Mazda Hatch as a runabout (240000km)

I am starting to consider what the upcoming costs of running the ranger (plus potential diesel prices) will be and if we should keep investing money in it. I WFH 4 days a week drive Newcastle to Sydney return (300kms) and my partner does a commute of about 50ks per day. Our plan is to keep the Mazda for me to run around in if go out during the day, and the Shark for my Sydney trip and partners commute when i WFH.

We do about 5000kms per year towing our camper trailer (1800kg ATM). The Mazda is just a runabout and costs next to nothing in maintenance.

My calculations are as follows:

Ranger
14-15L/100 with the trailer (5000km Annual)
11L/100 general duties plus the regular Sydney trip. (15000km Annual)

Shark 6 Performance
15-18L/100 with the Trailer (5000km Annual)
8-9L/100 in HEV mode between Newcastle and Sydney (10000km Annual)
1-2L/100 in EV mode around town providing we charge at home every night. (12600km Annual) <— Includes my partners commute

I have a loan on the ranger with 2 months left at $750/month (haven’t paid it out yet to keep the cash in the offset)

My running cost estimates with a $1000/month loan on a Shark show that we will be between $60 and $350 per week better off than the than our total car running costs current situation even if we include the current $750/month. What am i missing?

If the Melted Traffic cone had not assaulted a certain country and fuel issues did not exist, i would probably keep the ranger and replace the Mazda. But IMHO the fuel situation has changed many assumptions, and only accelerated electrification. Plus i believe that depreciation on the diesel utes will start to increase from this point on as people start to realise it’s over for light diesels in most settings.

Hi Everyone,

Looking at a Shark 6 Performance. Currently have a ranger with a ARB Ascent Canopy.

Has anyone found a decent looking canopy that is equivalent to the ARB Ascent? Key feature being fully integrated central locking on all doors? I have seen the Razorback but it only has central locking on the back door.

I find it odd that ARB seems to be late to the game on the Shark.