Sadly our much loved Kluger has been written off due to storm damage , although it has been a fantastic car, it probably doesnt fit our needs now, as we no longer need a 7 seater, a 4wd would be handy as we go away camping and something a bit smaller would be fine. We are looking at keeping the price under $40,000.

Any advice or recommendations would be gratefully received.

Thanks

SMH compared 7 4WD small SUVs and the verdict went for Honda CRV.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/s...0528-wjv4.html

We looked at this too when we first arrived and had a choice between 2nd hand honda crv, nissan xtrail and toyota rav4. We test drove them all, and for us the honda won - better design inside, more car for money, and handled better. I was also keen on having a side opening at the back rather than top opening, but the new ones have gone to a top opening

We've had the honda 6 months now and love it

Scotty

pajero all the way for me, had ours 6 months, love it, been beach and off roading and its been good as gold.

thanks everyone,

I think we are edging towards an outlander, but still finding it hard to part with the Kluger. Pajero is a great car but I think just too big to be driving down to the city an back every day, will look again at the Honda.

Thanks again

We've faced the same debate, our current choice is a Forester.

Toyota

Sanyong for $30K with Merc Diesel engine

Great Wall for $18K !!!

We bought a CR-V when we arrived - best car I've ever had (well, equal to a Saturn). Carries an enormous load, comfortable, easy to park and of course reliable.

(Well, sort of - it backed out through the closed garage door last month: bad design if you ask me....)

Design of the car or the garage?

BB

Whichever takes the blame away from the driver (who must remain nameless...)

I wanted a 4wd but never really go anywhere off road so I went for a used BMW X5

The Australians don't have the automatic 'hatred' response to BMWs that you get in the UK so driving can be quite relaxing, unless of course you're in a hurry because 'overtaking lane' is not a concept that most Ozzies would understand.

Good luck with your search

The X5 actually quite capable off road. Friends have one and they go off road, on the beach etc with it.

Must be something about the CRV comfort level! I tried to gain entry to my garage in the CRV with the bikes and bike rack still on the back. The garage door won and the car now has a new back door.

I love my CR-V, fab car. Mine's the old design though and I'm not so keen on the latest shape, not quite the room of the old one, still brilliant cars imo.

My CR-V won and we now have a new garage door.