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Spoke to Hertz last week and they said they were expecting Territory hire cars by late Dec in QLD. However (obviously) I couldn't place a booking on one until they were present in the fleet by which time it would be risky to wait so late. Does anyone know of any hire company that definitiely has them on their fleet including in Melb or QLD.
To answer my own question, needed a hire car while our commercial van is in for service and as I headed through Hoppers Crossing towards Thrifty and a yard only containing 3 tonners and a Corolla, (yahoo..not) ) where I normally go as it's nearest my mechanic guess what, low and behold, across the road at Hertz was a green Territory TX with my drivers licence and credit card details begging to be presented at the counter. Just driven it back home, approx 40km and if I play my cards right I'll make sure tomorrow is spent "visiting" my clients in Cheltenham, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Tullamarine (lunch next to runway 16!!) and back to Hoppers Crossing if the van is ready...hopefully its not!
To answer my own question, needed a hire car while our commercial van is in for service and as I headed through Hoppers Crossing towards Thrifty and a yard only containing 3 tonners and a Corolla, (yahoo..not) ) where I normally go as it's nearest my mechanic guess what, low and behold, across the road at Hertz was a green Territory TX with my drivers licence and credit card details begging to be presented at the counter. Just driven it back home, approx 40km and if I play my cards right I'll make sure tomorrow is spent "visiting" my clients in Cheltenham, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Tullamarine (lunch next to runway 16!!) and back to Hoppers Crossing if the van is ready...hopefully its not!
Excellent! Sounds like a great opportunity for a decent test.
My next installment...
1st the bad news, van needs rear wheel bearing from Sydney so won't be on the road until Thurday at best.
2nd the good news, Territory is in my hands "as long as I like" (thanks Mr Hertz)
Now the best news, the T, even in TX AWD form is better then I last remembered.
Sure it lacks a little punch from the traffic lights compared to my BA wagon however it runs rings around it for drivability, smoothness and comfort. With just 2000km on the clock it feels like it's my own new car and I even did some "deliveries" in it.
The biggest immediate bonus is not hitting my head when getting in or out and a better placment of the sunvisor. My 2 year old cannot reach the front seats with her dirty shoes from her child seat, which she can in the Futura and she sits higher as well. Rear acess is so much better it actually shames the design of the BA LWB models. No rear axle steer/hop when hitting a small bump mid corner even at very tight right turn slow speeds.
One thing I would change is the power window switches, they are better placed in the BA as I have to move my hand backwards from the steering wheel to use them jamming my elbow only slightly, while in the BA they are more even with the wheel. I'm going to check with a measuring tape however I think I would miss the depth of the rear cargo area of a BA wagon and would not be able to put an "umbrella-style" stroller in lengthways (?).
Had much fun showing it off to a diehard Holden fan, all the power sockets, different designed storage pockets, covered storage spaces, drink holders everywhere and best of a great car-like driving feel.
I'm now looking for excuses to take a night-time trip and see what its like after dark.
Another thing is which colour do I eventually choose, this TX is green which sure does attract more glances them I've ever experienced in car before. I had a thought of white with dark tint and as I mentioned the wife definitely wants silver.
445km later I reluctantly handed back the keys to "my" TX. For a base model it is more then well equipped and I think the TS might be a better buy than a Ghia but will work this out when the time to trade occurs. One question I have regards the rear cargo cover, it seemed to rattle over some bumps and thought some one-sided adhesive foam/tape along the edges where it sits might stop this. This car had less then 2500km when I started and with driving that covered freeways, suburban side streets and major roadways averaged about 12.9km/l which seems perfectly reasonable compared to our BA wagon although I did more higher speed driving then is probably typical for me. The interest from customers I visited was amazing and one or two were saying that it was already car of the year and were keen to at least take one for a spin.
It took a while to finally remember I didn't need to be so cautious when getting in and not hitting my head as I often do in the BA which is mostly driven by my wife with me on the weekends only. I'll definitely miss that aspect for a while.
The engine seemed better isolated from the cabin compared to our BA wagon which combined with the smoothness while accelerating reminded me of the time I drove a V8 BA Fairmont which obviously although smoother again invoked that sort of memory.
A V8 T would be sensational, fuel economy aside, while a turbo would be a dream machine that would scare some 4.4 X5 drivers, not to mention those pissy drivers in their company hacks wearing their mobile phone ear pieces (which incidently I also wore for the 3 days).
445km later I reluctantly handed back the keys to "my" TX. For a base model it is more then well equipped and I think the TS might be a better buy than a Ghia but will work this out when the time to trade occurs. .......
Curls.
This is were I will have to disagree with you.
Go to the http://www.ford.com.au/territory/ list all possible options onto a TS AWD to try & bring it to Ghia specs and the final price is $51,839.
The standard Ghia AWD comes to $53,290 and there is still a lot more on it than the TS.
I checked it all out before buying, and depending what you want, the different models all had something for someone.
To me & my wife the Ghia was the best priced Prestige AWD on the market.
The leather was a must have for us.
Go to the http://www.ford.com.au/territory/ list all possible options onto a TS AWD to try & bring it to Ghia specs and the final price is $51,839.
The standard Ghia AWD comes to $53,290 and there is still a lot more on it than the TS.
I checked it all out before buying, and depending what you want, the different models all had something for someone.
To me & my wife the Ghia was the best priced Prestige AWD on the market.
The leather was a must have for us.
As you suggested I'll definitely do the sums although does anyone know if with a 2 year old child leather is the safer bet for keeping things clean over the fabric trim of a TX/TS? I also think I'd stick with RWD although a road test will settle this one.
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