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I am looking at buying a station wagon. I guess I am looking at a 2007 model or newer with about 70,000 kms looking to spend between $15,000-20,000. I quite like the Mazda Atenza wagon but I am also interested in other wagons, i.e. from Toyotas, Hondas, Ford etc.

Reliability is important as is safety and relatively good fuel efficiency for a wagon. I intend to test drive a few. Am I missing other key cars? How do they compare against each other?

You are spoilt for choice in this price range. There is the Mazda 6, Mazda Atenza, Ford Mondeo and Focus, Toyota's Avansis or Caldina and possibly Hyundai's i30 wagon. Toyota have their proven reliability but lack fresh styling while Mazdas have the complete package of reliability, good fuel economy and practical. While the Fords and Hyundais are worth a look, my choice would be one of the Mazdas for the complete package they offer. All the above vehicle should have good safety rating from year 2007 and onwards. While the Honda Accord would also be a good choice, they will be out of the price range in the year models you are looking for.

Interestingly you are recommending Toyota Avensis & Caldina models.The AA has previously warned about these models due to their having the D4 engine.These engines apparently can suffer from uneven running and other problems due to their lean burn characteristics.

Thank you tjhull, we still stand by that. The Avensis and Caldina models are great cars, however, some of them do have the D4 engine, which has been known to give running problems. If buying one of these models, go for one without the D4 engine.

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I will avoid the D4 engine.

Also, I have had some advice from a friend to avoid Japanese imports. Am I correct in thinking that odometers are now checked and certified? and that buying a Japanese import is not that different to buying NZ new.

Thanks in advice.

Imports are now firmly a part of the New Zealand motoring fleet, and the quality of cars now coming in is generally very high. Border checks ensure damaged or prevoiusly repaired cars are unable to slip through undetected and a majority of cars are odometer verified. Even though odometer tampering is no longer the big problem it once was, it still pays to buy a car with the AA/Jevic odometer verification sticker on the windscreen and certificate in the glovebox.
A New Zealand new car with a full service history from new is perhaps still the preference, but there's no reason to avoid an import if it's a good car.