My hatchback isn't cutting it these days when I store 3/4 kites + board + foil.

Looking for recommendations on a car/van with:
- ample boot space
- good security/hard to break in
- fast enough on motorway
- reasonable ground clearance
- don't care about passengers (I'm single )

I was initially looking at Subaru Outback as they have a large boot and can sort of go on rough roads.

Or modify a Toyota Hiace?

Or?

Thanks

If your a single man get an old tradie bus, heaps of them around, old Telstra etc. I used to carry three kites, 2 surfboards, twinny, dive gear and spear, rods etc and still be able to sleep with me and the misses without having to shift a thing. The best part was you could park anywhere when doing a trip and no one knew you were in there. I pretty much lived out of that car for 3 yrs, was epic! Then kids came and ruined it all, if not for them ill still be in the back up the coast somewhere. Sold it for 6k in the end :(

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Alysum said..
My hatchback isn't cutting it these days when I store 3/4 kites + board + foil.

Looking for recommendations on a car/van with:
- ample boot space
- good security/hard to break in
- fast enough on motorway
- reasonable ground clearance
- don't care about passengers (I'm single )

I was initially looking at Subaru Outback as they have a large boot and can sort of go on rough roads.

Or modify a Toyota Hiace?

Or?

Thanks

If you have a decent budget mine works a treat

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Gazuki said..
If your a single man get an old tradie bus, heaps of them around, old Telstra etc. I used to carry three kites, 2 surfboards, twinny, dive gear and spear, rods etc and still be able to sleep with me and the misses without having to shift a thing. The best part was you could park anywhere when doing a trip and no one knew you were in there. I pretty much lived out of that car for 3 yrs, was epic! Then kids came and ruined it all, if not for them ill still be in the back up the coast somewhere. Sold it for 6k in the end :(

Mate a very capable vehicle my only question is where did you and your missus sleep??? i can see where you stowed your gear.....Nice and the dog box in the back for the pooch. Did you miss the shot of the roof top tent???

Ha - not so keen on a massive 4WD. Space more important !

At the moment I'm liking the VW Caddy. Not too big, not too small, good reviews...

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Alysum said..
Ha - not so keen on a massive 4WD. Space more important !

At the moment I'm liking the VW Caddy. Not too big, not too small, good reviews...

We've got a Caddy at the shop in Sydney, great little beast. I've driven it all the way up to Cairns and back, sleeping in it with a ton of gear too. I've seen them available in 4motion, Vw's 4wd system. Ours is diesel 1.6ltr 7sp auto, plenty of power but no race car off the line. Have not put windows in it so was easy to block out the light when sleeping.

Love Ford Custom Transit long wheel base All the room you need plus more And heated seats after a winter kite Sick

Feet. Definitely feet! Buy a house on the waterfront and just walk to the beach.

I have been driving Subarus for the past 20 years. Great cars ... but there's nothing really "special" about them.

AWD is great but not necessary. Safety features are great but all cars have them now. Room is good, but a station wagon is a station wagon. What you can fit and how you fit it is more up to how you configure and manage your gear.

I can fit all my kite gear in the boot, including kites and board (short foil board or TT) and all the stuff. I can put a couple more boards diagonally across the backseat. If I lay down the seats I can get my 9' SUP inside.

When I shop for a new car I take a board with me to try it on for size. I looked at SUV shaped cars (Kia, Hyundai, Jeep etc). While they have a lot of luggage volume the shape is all wrong. You have to stack things vertically. I couldn't fit a 5'4" surfboard in without laying down the seats. The Subaru will take two boards in the back seat up to 6' with not problems, and a 6'6" with a little bit of fiddling about.

The real benefit of a "car" style vehicle is fuel consumption. My car literally uses half the fuel of my mates' Landcruisers etc.

One particularly nice thing of the later model Outbacks is the pin pad entry. You can disable the key fob and lock it in the car. You get in by tapping a pin number on a button on the door. Much better than messing around with key safes or keys in a bag around your neck.

One for long trips one for short trips :-)

Here's mine. And just for your amusement bellied out in the sand.... hahahaha. Nothing that a spade and magic carpet cant fix.

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Ozone Kites Aus said..

Alysum said..
Ha - not so keen on a massive 4WD. Space more important !

At the moment I'm liking the VW Caddy. Not too big, not too small, good reviews...

We've got a Caddy at the shop in Sydney, great little beast. I've driven it all the way up to Cairns and back, sleeping in it with a ton of gear too. I've seen them available in 4motion, Vw's 4wd system. Ours is diesel 1.6ltr 7sp auto, plenty of power but no race car off the line. Have not put windows in it so was easy to block out the light when sleeping.

NO POWER WINDOWS!!! Sounds like your shop needs a Union!!

Thanks for all the tips.

Yeah the VW Caddy maxi is my current pick with some tinted back windows and lifting tailgate. They don't do 4motion/AWD anymore unfortunately.

Transitioning from a car/Subaru to a small van is like going back to the 90s with basic and more plastic feel dashboard etc... (no arm rest!) Makes it easier to clean out the sand I guess. Re keys/safety there's no small vans with push button start I'm aware of .

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Alysum said..
Ha - not so keen on a massive 4WD. Space more important !

At the moment I'm liking the VW Caddy. Not too big, not too small, good reviews...

I've had a caddy since 2010. We got the Caddy Maxi so long wheel base. Has been a fantastic car. I have two kids and windsurf and Kite and it fits it all. And great on fuel. Hasn't given us an ounce of trouble (yet) so would defiantly recommend.....

Boat, gets you into the most remote/pristine environment ,
you need a 4wd to get there, locally used my quad which is great if you've the spots







Esky is most important

But given the choice
VW transporter Terra 4 motion for a nice travel bus, the Mitsubishi delicia have a cult following in the Midwest, you can pick up some great low klm models ( imports)

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cauncy said..
But given the choice
VW transporter Terra 4 motion for a nice travel bus, the Mitsubishi delicia have a cult following in the Midwest, you can pick up some great low klm models ( imports)

Delica, or legendary hilux surf, or Tercel if you liked a smaller frugal wagon. Always favoured Subes for durability, but a bit small to sleep in. The ol' falcon wagon on gas was perfect for that. Just look at what the backpackers drive (they've gotta pack a lot in )

Same trusted 4wd as the Pajero in a V6 or diesel, a decent mix for general use and escape

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Weta said..

Gazuki said..
If your a single man get an old tradie bus, heaps of them around, old Telstra etc. I used to carry three kites, 2 surfboards, twinny, dive gear and spear, rods etc and still be able to sleep with me and the misses without having to shift a thing. The best part was you could park anywhere when doing a trip and no one knew you were in there. I pretty much lived out of that car for 3 yrs, was epic! Then kids came and ruined it all, if not for them ill still be in the back up the coast somewhere. Sold it for 6k in the end :(

Mate a very capable vehicle my only question is where did you and your missus sleep??? i can see where you stowed your gear.....Nice and the dog box in the back for the pooch. Did you miss the shot of the roof top tent???

He roots the dog

Dont talk about your wife like that Mick.

They don't seem to make those Mitsubishis or VW Transporter Terra anymore. Kinda "big" for an everyday car in Sydney

I am looking to buy new anyway

My mate has recommended Honda Odyssey if I want it to feel like a comfy car ?!

www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/boot-sizes-of-australias-best-selling-suvs

Get an r wagon Passat

Do not be retarded and buy a new car buy ex demo 20% saved instantly

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THE PIN PULLER said..
Do not be retarded and buy a new car buy ex demo 20% saved instantly

What if you could be a new car for less than the ex demo car? then whose retardation is worse?

If youre after something smaller but still bit capable I had a Ford escape V6 for about 10 years, nice and light so good on sand (Lanno / wedge / tracks in Marg's etc). Also good for storing gear and with a rear opening window on the 'boot' easy to get access to gear (actually selling this one now).

Replacement is a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2011 - V6 small 4x4 - only thing better is it has 4x4 Low Range which may be useful.

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Gazuki said..
If your a single man get an old tradie bus, heaps of them around, old Telstra etc. I used to carry three kites, 2 surfboards, twinny, dive gear and spear, rods etc and still be able to sleep with me and the misses without having to shift a thing. The best part was you could park anywhere when doing a trip and no one knew you were in there. I pretty much lived out of that car for 3 yrs, was epic! Then kids came and ruined it all, if not for them ill still be in the back up the coast somewhere. Sold it for 6k in the end :(

Once you sold it please tell me that Gazuki bought a Suzuki?

How about a second hand Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance. ~$30k, 3 years old, ~100k on the clock, bouncy truck seats.

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Plummet said..

Gazuki said..

Once you sold it please tell me that Gazuki bought a Suzuki?

Na, brought the same as you, good old D-max. Needed two dickie seats to carry the kids. Still has an 1800 long tray to roll a swag in and accommodate surfboards with ease. Biggest plus is fuel, halved the patrol, what I save on fuel pays the loan literally.

Im rollin in an iload van at the moment and its great for kite purposes. Fit in all the gear you want, don't have to take apart foils, can stealth urban camp in it anywhere and have a rest in the back on the bed when you're hungover waiting for the wind to come up. Parking can be a hassle but not as bad as I thought with the reversing camera. Can still be a bit hazardous driving around a city where it is tempting to weave through lanes. You are correct in saying that the commercial vehicles have a very basic plasticky interior and probably not as comfortable and nice to drive (if this is important to you).

Having said that I like the PINPULLER's suggestion of the R wagon Passat. Other suitable options I like are the Mazda 6 wagon which looks sweeeet and the subaru liberty or outback. I also like the look of the more economical Hyundai I30 wagon.

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THE PIN PULLER said..
Get an r wagon Passat

I have VW alltrack wagon petrol. It's a good vehicle. Fits everything in. Fully loaded. Couldn't have a car without apple play now. It has a sport style suspension ride which would be my only gripe. I found the diesel Skoda wagon I used to have had more of an estate smooth vehicle ride. Unbelievably economical as well. They're worth looking at. Also have a Volvo XC 60. They're nice