People movers...suggestions!!
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Topic: People movers...suggestions!!
Posted By: minik8e
Subject: People movers...suggestions!!
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 6:58pm
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So we are looking at possibly moving to a people mover...and I would like some feedback.
At the moment, we are looking at a Toyota Granvia...we need something that can fit at least 3 children (in carseats) and 3 adults, that can easily tow a (heavy) trailer without doing 80km up a hill....does anyone else have any suggestions?? We would also prefer a diesel...but I'm open to suggestions! |
Replies:
Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:22pm
I love our Honda Odyssey ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:40pm
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I like them too...but how economical is it on fuel, seeing as it's petrol???
This is the one we are looking at for the moment... http://www.thecaryard.co.nz/vehicle_detail.asp?site=http://rossthurstoncars.thecaryard.net.nz/the5thdimension/vehiclelistings.asp?vehicleID=247&m=4&l=191&y=1997&p=12995.0000&r=6 - Toyota Granvia |
Posted By: MissAngel
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:43pm
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theres also the Estima.. I think it's mazda? ------------- Alex, Thomas and Lily http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:48pm
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I thought diesel ended up being about the same as petrol, once you pay for road user charges, etc? I actually have no clue, that's just what I've always been told. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:54pm
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It does, but diesel works out cheaper under load - a petrol powered car, towing a trailer weighing around 3 tonne, will easily chew through a tank of petrol, whereas a diesel is more economical in those circumstances (and for 6 months of the year we tow the trailer with the race car on it most weekends for speedway).
Estima is a Toyota...will have a look at those as well. |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:56pm
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We just got a Mazda MPV today!!
SOOO much boot space, heaps more than any of the others we looked at. Also lots of leg room which is important for a 6ft 2" 14 year old! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mazda/MPV/auction-261942355.htm - Car ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 7:59pm
| Ooooooh Mel....pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do the back seats slide forward and back at all?? |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 8:14pm
The middle row can be two separate seats (which will be for the boys. Or if you want you can slide them together to make a bench seat. The back row is just a bench seat, which can be moved, or taken down.. Just not 100% sure of the moving back and forwards.. will check that.... 
I was in my friends one a few weeks back, we had 5 kids, 3 bikes, beach toys and boogie boards.. with still lots of room. Goooo the Mumbus! 
------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
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Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 8:22pm
We got an Estima a month or so ago and I really like it (2.4l petrol though). It's taken me a little while to get used to the size (used to have a Honda Integra). One thing that surprised me is how much power they actually have, I had to giggle going over the Kaimai's overtaking people in cars  It's also got a reversing camera, which I love.
It's an 8 seater and the middle seats can spin around and face the back. The back seat can fold up and be pushed forward. If you've got a car full of people though the boot space can be a bit small. HTH ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: noisybaby
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 9:06pm
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I wouldn't agree with a diesel being more economical to tow with. My mate has a diesel van that he tows with and it can drink more fuel than a petrol vehicle. You need to do your research and finds whats best for you. Just remember diesels cost more to service and repair than petrols but are cheaper to fill. I would work out for yourself what the costs of a diesel or petrol when it comes to a vehicle.Don't forget rego is dearer for a diesel too and road user charges increase for the size of the tonnage of the vehicle also. Also if towing I would check to to see how much it can actually tow legally too. Good luck with your search. We are looking at buying a new vehicle too and its soo hard to find something that ticks all the boxes ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 9:57pm
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We need boot space...purely to fit the double MB in!!
The size thing isn't an issue (as in getting used to a big car)....I'm going from a Toyota Landcruiser, which is blardy huge, so a people mover will actually be a downsize for me LOL I'm liking the MPV lots.... |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 10:01pm
| noisybaby - we're well used to the costs of a diesel....the Landcruiser is a 4.2L turbo diesel, and the Granvia that we have looked at it is a 3L turbo diesel....so most things are really going to be more economical than the Landcruiser hehehe |
Posted By: KH25
Date Posted: 31 January 2010 at 10:10pm
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I have a couple of friends with MPV's. They look really cool and my friends are stoked with theirs - but I personally don't think the boot space is very big? I really don't think you would fit a double MB in there with the back seats in use. This one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mazda/MPV/auction-248890250.htm - here shows a pic of the boot... ------------- Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 01 February 2010 at 9:46am
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Hvent read all the answers but Toyota Estima all the way we actually have 4 at the moment all of which are for sale because i want something smaller but as ugly as i think they have been they have been damn good vans.
MUST be the 2.4 petrol the others just dont seem to have as much power. We have towed over 3 tonne Invercargill to CHC and again from Nelson to CHC which is really hilly. We brought the first one to sell as it was really cheap and ended up keeping it the past almost 4 years as it towed the racecar so well over all the hills to nelson. Its not too bad on gas and suprisingly manages to go a lot of places off road as DP and his mates have used it as a shooting wagon a few times (can get 2 guys out moonroof 2 hanging out tailgate one out the slider as the chair swivels and one out the passenger window). Seats all fold flat and make not a bad sized bed and they all fold up to fit a lot of crap in the back. We generally have the back seats folded up since we hardly use them and DP normally has his car crap in the back (joys of living with a mechanic) -------------   
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 01 February 2010 at 9:52am
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Kelly - I asked on TM, as there is one for sale here in NP, and the lady said that it does fit, as it's the pram that they have.
Will have another look at the Estima...it's good to hear from someone who tows with one!!! |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 10:26am
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DP has certainly tested the towing to the limit. The trip to chch we had a hiace van on the car trailer thats bigger than the estima and the trip back from nelson was a smaller van on the trailer loaded with 7 motors and we had 1 in the back of the van as well as 3 adults 1 child and all our crap to stay the night up there. That was a slower trip (it was snowing) but nowhere near as slow as i expected - they werent the most legal trips as we would have been over weight but the van handled it fine. With our racecar up the back of it (toyota startet) and loaded with tools and our gear (so probably not as heavy as your car) we hardly notice it on the back havent had any problems passing other cars etc. Poor van has had a hard life but hasnt had any problems at all - DPs a mechanic and WOF inspector and we have no big problems with it -------------
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Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 10:51am
| My parents had an Odyssey, it was a good car. We regularly had 6-7 adults in it (well, teens, but adult sized!), and it would tow as well (small trailer when full of people, horse float full of furniture and scooter with 4 adults in it from top of the south to Dunedin). It seemed to be reasonably economical to run petrol wise too, but I'm not totally sure. |
Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 2:02pm
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This is a great thread. And I'm going to HIghjack it. We need to upgrade possibly sooner rather than later. I know we haven't even got number 2 out yet. But the value of our current car is decreasing and we know we'll never fit 3 car seats across the back of what we have now (its a honda accord) I love my honda. I will miss it dearly, we are thinking of just going to an odessy but I'm a bit worried about the boot space. The seats do fold up and down but will it fit a weeks holidays worth of sutff without having to get a trailor. I like the sound of a van. But NOT a people mover van. I more a toyota hiace person. My DH is a serious boy racer and I can't even get a van past him, he will only bend at an odessy. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel  07/08/2014
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 2:34pm
We have a Previa. I think it's an ugly car but we love it 
The back row folds up easily and there's enough space to fit 2 sets of dive gear & tanks and everything else we need to pack for a holiday away with the kids. I'm pretty sure 3 carseats would fit in the middle row. I have one by each door but there have been some trips that we put them side by side. |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 2:51pm
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sarahbetha....that's why my DH likes the Granvia - it's more like a van than an actual people mover.
On a side note....those of you who do have one and have carseats, do you put them in the middle row or the back row?? |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 3:17pm
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Ok spoke to DP and to tow 3 tonne legally you wont be able to buy a van/people mover none are rated to that but in saying that we have never been weighed.
He hated Toyota estimas/lucindas/previas etc (could they have anymore names for the same thing???) until he towed with our now he loves them. i know a fair few boy racers that have switched to caldinas but cant tell you if 3 carseats will fit in one until i get mine. -------------
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 3:30pm
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Caldina is out as they only have 5 seats...so we'd be in the same position as we are now (taking 2 cars to speedway in particular).
Technically I know the weight thing...a lot of stockcar drivers have been caught out as a result... With the Landcruiser though, we can cruise along at 105km easy (yes, over the speed limit) and pass cars etc with the trailer on the back...so something that tows at about 100km would be perfect!! That's what we are more looking at. |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 3:47pm
Caldina comment was for sarahbetha 
The Estima tows fine at 100k (use to be 120ish but DP is running low on demerits silly boy) Normally about $70-80 to fill and a tank will get us almost right to chch although we normally fill up again at ashburton to be safe so i dont think its too bad to run. Around Dunedin is pretty hilly and steep and we usually keep up with the rest of traffic. -------------
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 4:15pm
| Wow, that's really not bad!!! The cruiser is a diesel guzzler - a tank from here to Hamilton, and that costs about $100 to fill (plus the RUCs). Have to admit I'm looking forward to a smaller engine, so a cheaper fuel bill!!! |
Posted By: nannyabbey
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 7:11pm
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We bought our 'people mover' a couple of months ago when we needed to update one of our cars. Pregnant with number one so was thinking ahead while we could afford it. we also do alot of youth work so always in need of some seats!
We didn't want a van or a people mover bubble car and after much research we bought a Nissan Bassara (same as a nissan prestage) bigger than a station wagon but not too big. Seats 8 people. We looked at the oddessy and MPV etc but went for the Nissan because it has 3 seats in the middle row (so it would function like a station wagon when back seats up) and the back seats also folded up to the windows instead of tucking behind the middle row (this means alot more space!) Such a comfy ride and will help my lower back when lifting babies etc in and out. Good luck on the hunt! |
Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 8:35pm
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We need more than 5 seats too. We'd just get a wagon if we were only having 3 kids. but it's not legal to put 4 along a backseat, or put some in the boot. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel 07/08/2014
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 9:40pm
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ugh after driving the chrysler grand voyager in usa and refusing to have a people mover I think we are headed in that direction at number two also....we spent the summer with my mum and aunty and ella in my truck which converts easy to 7 seats...and tried her car seat in middle and back rows...what a flippin hassle if she had to get out....take out head rest, fold back, then fold again if a total removal of her and other stuff...I heard words come out of my mouth I never thought possible " I think we need to get a people mover" ugh....
good luck with your search...i am headed towards a KIA or Chrysler I think....ugh! 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 10:14pm
| You mean a Kia Carnival Ro??? They look TINY!! I do very very much like the Chrysler Voyager....HUGE boot space, lots of leg room....DH is down on it because it's petrol but I'm the one that has to drive it, not him!!! |
Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 10:17pm
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We have a Mitsubishi Grandis but we picked that as it didn't seem like such a big people mover. We fit the double MB in the boot but do take the rear wheels off. We've also driven a Kia Carnival and quite liked that...very roomy inside and big boot space. But as for towing, diesel etc I have no idea...sorry! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 02 February 2010 at 11:00pm
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yep the carnival is suprisingly roomy - damnit!!!!!!!!
we have to fit dogs in too...ugh! one day I will have my chrysler sebring convertible...one day!!!
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Posted By: mrsturtle
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 12:13am
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We have a mazda MPV V6 goes great and is much better than we thought it would be fuel wise. I would recomend it i love it!
Both my mum and sil have honda oddesys they are quite a bit smaller than the mpv. |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 8:16am
We picked up ours yesterday! The amount of boot space and leg room is a god send. The power too is and added bonus!! ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
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shannon wrote:Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 10:48am
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Hi Minik8.
We don't have a people mover, but with four kids and towing our stock car and all the other rubbish that goes with it!!
We have got a Holden Monterey, was a diesel but we changed it to a V8 Lexus. But prior to that it was fantastic for towing, could go up the kaimais nicely and wasn't too costly on the pocket, and it looks nice. Is 7 seats, the two rear seats fold up when not in use. It fits my twin pram in and all our rubbish as well. Anyway hope you are able to find something soon. ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 11:21am
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We want a dodge ram (when we win lotto) but for towing our dragcar we are building a camper and DP is making sure it will be powerful enough to tow anything and keep a good speed. At least this way accomodation will never be an issue and handling the kids at the track will be easier too if they need a sleep etc.
Wow we have a lot of motorsport families on here -------------
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Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 11:40am
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I so know what you mean about letting the kids sleep when they are at the track. We have done a fair few tracks over the last couple of years. It is ok when they are younger, they just sleep in the pram but as they get older it gets harder. Our trailer has heaps of stuff in it to make my life easier and when it is finished it will be heaps better.
Oh man there are lots of things that we want when we win lotto too hahaha, but at the moment we are selling our Stock car and are buying a Saloon car!!. More fun fun fun to come haha. ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 11:45am
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Ohhhh big change from a stock car to a saloon!!!!! I would love to drive a stockcar *wistful sigh*
If we ever won Lotto, DH wants a bus that we can load the two midgets into the back of, and have the front set up with a creche area, including beds where the kids can sleep. He figures that if we can afford a bus like that, then we can afford to stay in an actual motel overnight though LOL Malcolm Ngatai has one for his superstock (1NZ)...it's droolworthy... With the Monterey....how do you get to the back seats? Do you fold the middle ones forward? Trying to figure out what would be easier with the carseats....have found a 3L intercooled turbo diesel one on TM so I can show DH...I like it, and he'll like the motor LOL |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 11:59am
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Kate - Speaking from my mechanical background I think you've hit the nail on the head with the Granvia. Being a Toyota, it's tough and reliable. It has the space you need as well as the ecomony needed for a larger family. They're pretty safe to drive as well. Personally I'd stick with that choice. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 12:27pm
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We were going to convert a bus but none came up without the engine at the back and DP doesnt have his HT which although it wouldnt worry him id insist on him getting it. He has talked about it for the past 4yrs but never done anything about it.
A mate was selling his old camper so we brought that and put the back on a bedford jumbo. Its a slow process since its in a different city and our priorities changed when josh arrived. DP cant measure so when he rebuilt the front bed its actually king size bed. We are building a huge covered in trailer to go with it that can be used for sleeping as well and were planning on a shower in the front of it. Its working out heaps cheaper so far doing it this way and would recommend it if you have the connections for getting the work done. This way it doesnt matter as much what we will have for day to day cars. I hate to think how much money we would have if DP didnt race hahaha. Everyone has to have a 'in case we win lotto' plan Although we would have to win more than just a mill with some of the plans we have come up with hehehe -------------
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 1:06pm
We already have a closed in trailer....
Not big enough to have the shower etc in it. We have another trailer which isn't covered which has the second midget, and the quad bike on it (to push/pull the cars onto the track). I would LOVE a camper...but DH wants a caravan. The vehicle we get needs to pull that as well. He does have his HT though, so we're not too restricted that way (he drives diggers, so has to be able to drive the digger to where he's working). |
Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 1:24pm
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With our monterey, it is a isuzu chassis. So in order to find parts etc it is easy as!!! And as you can see the Toyota Lexus fitted just nicely into the engine mount!! Not cheap to do mind you!,
I put the two carseats in the middle block of seats. It has two parts... one that is two seats and one that is a single seat. When we need to get to the back I just put down the single seat in the middle or fold up one of the back seats. We have a partially covered trailer, but when we get the saloon we may be enclosing the rest of the trailer. My husband built the trailer from scratch so I am sure he can do the renovations to it.... He wants Ngatai's bus also, especially with the flame thrower!!! He has always wanted a bus... especially while one of our sponsers is a bus company!!!! We will see if Lotto works for us this weekend? If that is the case, we might just go and buy Ngatai's bus all together, at least there is no work needing done on it hahaha!!! ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 1:31pm
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Here is a photo of our trailer and car....
whoops didn't add the right photo!!! Sorry ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 1:38pm
try again
 ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 1:39pm
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whoopsy sorry about that.... how do you resize photos?
------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 2:46pm
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I'm sure I've seen your stockcar...did you come down for the North Island Champs the other week? Or the NZs last year???
Photobucket has a "resize" option when you go in to edit it (I think your photo is on photobucket??)...you can usually choose small, medium or large - I usually go medium. The Monterey is pretty similar to the Isuzu Bighorn isn't it? We have friends who have one, and their seats do the same thing and it's a VERY similar body...do your middle row of seats recline as well??? |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 2:58pm
Here is our projects
and the view out my window the other day  -------------
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 3:05pm
| Woah, check out those Estimas!! How big is your driveway!! Your trailer is about the same size as our second one, but ours has a shorter drawbar I think... |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 3:25pm
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I know and there is a green one in the backyard. Our drive is not big enough we knocked a hole in back wall of garage so we could use the backyard as well. Once we build our new garage it will be better.
I think the trailer is 7m long in total cant quite remember tho we intended on building one from scratch but that one come up already started and pretty similar to what we had planned so has been altered a little since that photo -------------
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Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 4:28pm
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Steve didn't enter any champs this year... so it wasn't us in at North Islands.....
We have only owned the car for 2 seasons... was the old Stephen Hermanson car #58, I sao know what you mean about not having enough back yard WRX. When we moved in we had to do some minor altervations just so we could house the race car and trailer and all the spares!!! ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |