Try hard

Thanks again guys for the advice. The second hand Kluger KX-S AWD has been dropping in price on carsales - down to $39,500 with <9,000 km, the guy offered he'd take $38,000 cash, which seemed too good to be true. It was of course, I checked the VIN by just googling it, and it showed up on Manheim Auctions as a past repairable write off, with airbags deployed, left front damage, left side damage, right front damage. And the guy stood there and told me with a straight face it had a minor sideswipe repaired under insurance that he had paperwork for. I guess I can't picture lying to someone's face like that, so human nature still surprises me from time to time. At least in the process I have really fallen in love with the KX-S Kluger features ... now trying to justify the full sticker price, or thereabouts :) Haven't been able to get a Toyota salesperson to give me any attention on Saturdays, but I did drive another Territory, which I still really like. Thanks again for your patience and bearing with the story so far :)

Thanks guys for all the feedback, and croco as owner of both my target vehicles :). Great advice, got some more test drives lined up tomorrow!

Thanks mate, was gonna head down the local Toyota stealer this weekend. Hope I don't get talked into a $50k car, although chances are high :)

Hi all First I have to confess I have originally been looking at Ford Territories because of price of the vehicle and the Diesel engine option. But then a mechanic mate said check out a Kluger, Japanese built Toyota beats Aussie built Ford any day. So, i found a 2012 KX-S AWD with 10,000 km for around $40k, which I recognised was a really good deal. But, I took it for a drive and the pops and rattles were nearly unbearable. It sounded like the dash clips, and also somewhere from under the driver seat and maybe 2nd row seat too. The seller had the radio turned up real loud, and I could still hear the noises, so when I turned it down, we were accompanied by a chorus of clicks and snaps :). The seller said it had been side swiped so both passenger side doors had been replaced (at least he was honest, at least if that's all that happened, and it was a pretty good repair, the panels and doors all seemed to line up fine). I was wondering if it had a larger share of rattles due to accident. The fit and finish of the Kluger was streets ahead of Territory, so my sums are $40k for a second hand petrol kluger or $45k for a brand new diesel Territory in the mid spec TS (the titanium is too expensive and ford version of luxury is rubbish compared to Toyota). But those noises worry me and I was wondering if there's any chance I'll be able to find the source and fix the noises (or better still if toyota warranty has ever been found to cover rattles). I loved everything else about the Kluger. I was also extremely surprised how well the Territory drove, I didn't expect that of a Ford. I didn't expect to be looking at the 2 brands as a comparison. At this stage I think I'd be happier for the first 6 months in the ford with a new car smell and very quiet drive, but that I'd much rather see a Kluger in my driveway for the next 3 years, but just dread hearing those noises every drive. I guess I just need someone to talk me into or out of one or the other! Thanks for allowing a tyre kicker to get those thoughts off his chest :) Cheers

Thanks heaps for the replies guys. I'll go and see some of these cars up close on the weekend and see what the go is. Cheers !

Hi guys Browsing Carsales site wondering what to buy I saw the run out Aurions. Unfortunately dealer is using the old bait and switch tactic, they are advertised at $22,888 drive away, but when you get to the deal these supposedly have hail damage, but you can have a non-hail version for $25,888. Still a good deal for a lot of car as far as I can see, but I'd now rather not use that dealer because I don't like their tactics. Looks like a dealer on the gold coast has the same vehicles for $24,888 so I'll probably take a drive down there. So was just wondering what you think of the deal, and if there are any other Aurion secrets I should know. I'm guessing I'd be better running on premium fuel for that engine? Would also hope to change to 18" wheels when the original tyres wear out, they'll fit comfortably? Was thinking of the grey metallic colour, but guess that might be impractical for scratches and marks, so white might be simpler safe choice? Any thoughts or advice on the AT-X model would be much appreciated :) Cheers Carl