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Hi SAU, Need your opinions. Shopping around for a small to medium SUV for the Mrs, she prefers to be higher up, and we also need space for future kids. Our range is around 12 to 15k, but happy to stretch the budget if the vehicle is good. I'll be doing all the general maintenance and upkeep, so highish (circa 200,000km) milage isn't really an issue, obviously the lower the milage the better. What we are looking for: - Little higher than a normal car's ride height. - Preference to a diesel, but not overly fussed if the vehicle is right. - Decent on fuel. - Must be automatic. - AWD, for boat ramps and regular snow trips. - Safe - Reliable - Not older than early 2000s - Must be capable of towing a small trailer/boat/jet ski. - Easy to use around town ie. parking I've been looking around and have come across two very polarising cars, that we seem to like - but not dead set on. Mercedes ML270 5cyl diesel and Toyota Caldina ST-246. Not in a major rush as she is still learning to drive. Planning to buy in roughly 12 to 14 months - this gives her time to learn and for us to save up and prices to come down. Open to everyone's suggestions. Cheers

Hi SAU, Need your opinions. Shopping around for a small to medium SUV for the Mrs, she prefers to be higher up, and we also need space for future kids. Our range is around 12 to 15k, but happy to stretch the budget if the vehicle is good. I'll be doing all the general maintenance and upkeep, so highish (circa 200,000km) milage isn't really an issue, obviously the lower the milage the better. What we are looking for: - Little higher than a normal car's ride height. - Preference to a diesel, but not overly fussed if the vehicle is right. - Decent on fuel. - Must be automatic. - AWD, for boat ramps and regular snow trips. - Safe - Reliable - Not older than early 2000s - Must be capable of towing a small trailer/boat/jet ski. - Easy to use around town ie. parking I've been looking around and have come across two very polarising cars, that we seem to like - but not dead set on. Mercedes ML270 5cyl diesel and Toyota Caldina ST-246. Not in a major rush as she is still learning to drive. Planning to buy in roughly 12 to 14 months - this gives her time to learn and for us to save up and prices to come down. Open to everyone's suggestions. Cheers