Looking to buy Caddy maxi life

[wai]

Thanks for that.

I will be going from a Hiace ABV that has 88 kW at 4,800 rpm and 220 Nm @ 3600 rpm. The thing about these figures is that they are developed at wide open throttle. In the 10 years I have had the Hiace, I have never ever had to operate it at wide open throttle and never at anywhere near the rpm. Also, as you say, it is $3000 more, and while it might be nice, it may be something that is never used, but gives you a nice warm feeling.

The other thing is that this is "equating" a normally aspirated petrol engine capacity with a turbocharged diesel engine.

I have some feelers out regarding the colour. The toffee brown is a nice colour. One Beluga Blue (solid) colour is quite nice as well.

I am going to head over to the VW web site to see if they have something like a stock locator to see if I can chase down stock.

By the way, I had the Hiace as I used it to transport my wheelchair bound father. He has passed away and my 91 year old mother is not in a wheelchair, but finds it more and more difficult to get into the Hiace, even with some steps - hence the Caddy Maxi Life. I need the carrying capacity because on occasions I have to carry bulky items in my job as a consulting engineer.

[jackmax]

I have the toffee brown. It looks great in the sun



I haven't had people in the back for 2-3 hours yet, but I don't see it being a problem. But the people this caddy moves are all asian, we're comfortable in anything!

Hi Lams
It is a very nice car under sun.
Jackmax

[wai]

Well, I ordered my new Caddy Maxi Life TDI250 with 7-speed DSG yesterday. Depending on availability, my first preference is for a metallic natural grey, otherwise a metallic reflex silver. Both of these are supposed to be in stock. I also asked for 2011 build and compliance plate dates. I don't care if it is 1/2011, just as long as it is 2011.

Got a great deal, and was very grateful that the sales rep found out that I could get 10% off the base price plus 50% off the dealer delivery charge just because I was a member of a professional association. I had not bothered to check, and NONE of the other dealers told me of this. The only extras I ordered (other than the paint) were a car alarm, and headlight covers. They also gave me the best price on my trade-in, taking into account its condition, service log, and the fact that I had all the original documentation (right down to the original tag for the keys). I also have kept a fuel consumption log from the day I bought it around 12 years ago.

I should have it before the end of the month. The wait is frustrating (we want everything immediately), but I am gathering a lot of information from this forum.

[Lams]

cool. Hope you get it soon.
Volkswagen Australia approved RPEQ for corporate discount a week after I picked mine up, the pricks!

[Sammeka]

I've yet to order mine. Tell me more of this 'discount' how do you eligible for such. I might know someone who could be in the industry.

Wai, can you tell me which dealership you've been to ?

I was going to opt for the 2.0 but only test drive the 1.6. It feels ok. I thought with 2.0 it might be better (with 3kids, 3 baby seats & in a hilly neighborhood). Are you guys saying not really ?

[jackmax]

Can I ask how much?
thanks
Jackmax

[jackmax]

why not C4. $35990 on road. 2.0L TDI 7 seats. 5 start impact test. 7airbags

Regards
jackmax

[wai]

I've yet to order mine. Tell me more of this 'discount' how do you eligible for such. I might know someone who could be in the industry.

Wai, can you tell me which dealership you've been to ?

I was going to opt for the 2.0 but only test drive the 1.6. It feels ok. I thought with 2.0 it might be better (with 3kids, 3 baby seats & in a hilly neighborhood). Are you guys saying not really ?

The dealership is Volkswagen Penrith (NSW) (Nepean Motor Group).

The discount was because I am a Professional Engineer (CPEng and RPEQ) and a member of the Institution of Engineers Australia. As long as you have been a member for at least 3 months and are currently one, then the arrangement between Engineers Australia (IEAust trading name) and Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) is for members to get up to a 10% discount on the basic price of a new vehicle, and a dealer delivery cost of $1,645.00. This applies to Skoda and VW vehicles.

If you belong to another association, then you should check out the member benefits to see if they also have a similar arrangement with VGA. This is not a cost to the dealership as VGA are the ones who reimburse the dealer for the difference.

On the engine size you need to look at the torque and not the capacity when comparing a turbo diesel to a normally aspirated petrol engine.

My traded Hiace has a 2.4 litre petrol engine that has 220 Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm. On a petrol engine, this is achieved at wide open throttle; something rarely achieved in normal operation. The 1.6 litre TDI250 has 250 Nm of torque at 1500 to 2500 rpm. This is at a much more usable speed. The TDI320 has 320 Nm @ 1500 to 2500 rpm. It is better, but compare the torque specification of your current car against that of the TDI250.

At the end of the day, if you feel more comfortable with a 2 litre unit, then there is the cost factor (around $3,000), a 6 speed DSG transmission, and a slightly higher fuel consumption.

[wai]

why not C4. $35990 on road. 2.0L TDI 7 seats. 5 start impact test. 7airbags

Regards
jackmax

I considered the Citroen, but there were a number of reasons for not going that way. At the time of making the decision to go with a VW, I was not aware of the discount available.

I know that many who post in forums do so because they have a problem, and there were problems reported with general finish. I know that some such comments were made when the C4 Picasso was briefly viewed by Jason Plato on Fifth Gear. Top Gear had a comment that once all the bits had fallen off it would run perfectly for years! There were comments made to the effect that the HUGE windscreen that wraps onto the roof was a "stone magnet". Another was regarding the software controlling the transmission that would suddenly put you into service mode.

The other thing is that because the third row of seats folds into the floor, leg room is quite limited and really only suited to young children. There are of course many good things about it.

For me, there was one other thing. I might be relocating to Bendigo in the not too distant future, and there is no Cirtoen dealership in Bendigo. There is a service garage that specialises in Citroens, but the nearest dealership is in Ballarat. It is also the same across Australia if you feel you need dealership support.

I have seen one in the car park at the local supermarket, and it certainly looks nice.

[wai]

On the discount deals, if you do not know if your group has a an agreement with VGA, ask the sales rep at the dealership. It is no cost to them,and if that makes you buy there, then the sales rep gets his commission. There is no reason for the sales rep not to give you a discount that is available.