My Next Car... Opinion Poll?

[physh]

OK guys, I'm in a dilemma....

I'm in the market for a new car, after ditching the new MkI T after just 18 months due to annoying issues with brakes, diff, gearbox and engine...

Having had a slow 4WD for a while now... I've come to a realisation.

I have a 1997 GXL HZJ80 Landcruiser, a big diesel beast which is sensational off road and touring, but I really NEED my fast car back...

(Oh and blatant plug, the landcruiser is for sale! Anyone interested contact me.

I've been offered a pretty good price on a brand new MkII FPV F6 Typhoon, to be able to be picked up next week - it's on the dealer lot at the moment with 45 km on it... I've been offered a fair whack off the RRP, and I'm pretty sure theres even room for movement...

BUT, I know that the MkIII (or MkII update or whatever they're going to call it) is being released in October.

The MkIII will have the 6 speed auto option, which I'm seriously considering - my first EVER automatic car.

However, the MkIII will NOT be discounted for me for at least 6 months (damn fleet discounts), so I'm concerned that my not knowing the MkIII story is going to affect me badly...

Can anyone offer some sound advice for me buying the next car, should I wait until October to see what happens, and take the chance that I won't be able to get the F6 I want cheaply (relative term I know)...???

My options at this stage are broad, and I'm having difficulty separating them all appropriately...

- 2005 FPV F6 Typhoon, MkII 6M (stock standard)

- 2005 Ford XR6 Turbo, MkII 6M (with the options I want incl lux pack etc)

- 2005 Subaru Liberty GT 5M (standard)

- 2005 Subaru Liberty 3.0RB 6M (standard)

or wait for:

- (October) 2005 FPV F6 Typhoon, MkIII 6A (stock standard)

- (October) 2005 Mazda6 MPS 6M 2.3 turbo (standard)

So it's broad I know, and I'm having serious issues with "analysis paralysis"...

Somebody, anybody, give me some opinions about MkII vs MkIII vs Subaru vs Mazda...

Look forward to the fun...

[-carty]

go the 05 mk2 f6!

hell, if you get a good price, take it, youll have both the power and the looks!

[harvyk]

I'd go the F6 (manual of course)

Also are you for real you really considering a Mazda 6??? I took one for a test drive all I can say is It probably didn't help that the sales person was a complete tosser whom didn't really want to give me the time of the day (he had more important things to do rather than make a sale....)

[physh]

Well in October the Mazda6 MPS is coming out, it's an AWD 2.3 litre turbo, with 6 speed manual...

It's in the running simply because it's a natural competitor to the Subaru Liberty...

But the FPV is just so... neat...

[turbomuz]

I think you should wait until October to test the 6-spd auto Typhoon and the Mazda 6 MPS. You will kick yourself if these turn out to be gems and you missed out because you couldn't wait 2 months.

Come October take them all for a good drive and it will be fairly clear which is best for you.

Scratch the Liberty 3.0R-B from your list. Beautiful car but slow in comparison with the others.

Muz

[markxr6t]

Hmmmm - if you had annoying issues with your MkI T there's every chance you'll have them with a Phoon.

I've got a 03 XR6T and an 03 Forester and often wish the T was built half as well as the Subie.

Just to confuse your analysis even more - test drive a newly released Forester XT - 2.5 litre, 169kw, 320Nm, 1500kg, same turbo as STi, easily tuneable with ECUTEK and more linear performance than Liberty GT at $10k less.

I do love my T, though and my current perfect garage (for wife and 3 kids, and not including Porsches and BMWs) would contain an edited 6spd auto XR6T AND a Forester XT - probably manual.

Just my opinion

Mark

[XR06T]

my old man jus got an 05 liberty RB an its a beautiful car, but not fast.

build quality is top notch but..

they are a lovely car but I cant go past the phoon

Edited 11/08/05 07:34 AM by XR06T

[physh]

Thanks guys, any more input?

Mark - Funny thing that...

I've been trying to convince the lady that she needs a Forester for the last 6 months... lol.

I think many of the issues I had with the MkI will not really apply here.

Brakes on FPV are better, gearbox is better, only thing I'm not sure of for the FPV is the driveline shunt that I had on the MkI...

The chance of me putting an Edit on a T/F6 are slim to none, until factory warranty has expired...

Cheers

[markxr6t]

Yeah - if speed wasn't important to me the Forester would be the perfect car. Well built, practical reliable and awesome resale. (Paid $32k driveaway in Jan 2003, offered $24k with 50k kms on clock by a large dealer in Jan 2005)

Every service I try to find something wrong with it that can be checked under warranty and can never find anything.

Always a few things on the warranty list for the T but it makes me grin every time I drive it so I forgive it.

Mark

[IH8TOADS]

Well there arnt many fords I have not driven and I must say typhoon. Clutch is much lighter than my 6sp turbo and the typhoon is darn sexy.