Considering an Alltrack

[SteveH]

Hi everyone. I currently drive a 2008 Honda Accord Euro and I am looking at upgrading as I need a larger car as baby number three is on the way. I like the looks and features of the Alltrack and just had a couple of questions about them that I am hoping I could get some answers to.

1. Does anyone have experience with fitting three baby seats in the back?
2. I know DSG issues are all in the news at the moment, but how bad are they really?
3. What sort of urban fuel economy figures are owners getting?
4. How flexible is the pricing on the Alltrack's? I know that this can come down to dealers, but are you lucky to get $1,000- off, or is a lot more achievable.

Thanks for your help.

[nyc863]

it uses a dsg6 so isn't part of the dsg7 fuss. I have had three dsg6 boxes on three cars in a row, no issues.

whether you can fit three seats across depends a lot on the seat types. It isn't as wide as a commodore sport wagon or skoda superb I imagine.

economy is good for long trips but poor for short trips. Fuelly says I am using about 9-10 l/100km for our 80% urban short trip use patterns. It has a big tank though. if you use it all in the country or all for longer trips it would do 6/100 average.

dealers should be negotiable eofy, I would imagine you can get free onroads (stamp duty, rego, gst) at least, and more, you just have to not listen to anything they say and wait for the special phone call.

[Transporter]

Hi everyone. I currently drive a 2008 Honda Accord Euro and I am looking at upgrading as I need a larger car as baby number three is on the way. I like the looks and features of the Alltrack and just had a couple of questions about them that I am hoping I could get some answers to.


2. I know DSG issues are all in the news at the moment, but how bad are they really?


Thanks for your help.

We have 4 cars in family with the DSG and no issue at all,
all of them are smooth, the best transmission we ever had. Our friends have Jetta with the 7 speed DSG and they are happy with theirs, also saying the smoother transmission they ever had - they always had the Jap cars before.

So, not all DSGs are bad.

[OilBurna]

No issues with my six speed either. Did stall a couple of times backing out of the driveway but they raised idle speed by all of 30rpm and hasn't happened since. Still quick of the mark and shifts as smooth as silk. You have to expect the occasional judder etc in slow manourvres or traffic etc. if you intend to keep for a while sign up for extended warranty.

[Wigspotter]

Car seats in the back are easy to put in but some seats are wider than others as you probably know. Rear doors open nice and wide for easy kid insertion.

Am only doing short urban trips mostly and getting 9ish. Stop start is effective.

We bought ours in December. Optioned the xenon pack and paid $51k on road. I think that was about $6k off. Was a better deal than the fleet guys could get. Mrs is a good negotiator!

[CaseySP]

Hi everyone. I currently drive a 2008 Honda Accord Euro and I am looking at upgrading as I need a larger car as baby number three is on the way. I like the looks and features of the Alltrack and just had a couple of questions about them that I am hoping I could get some answers to.

1. Does anyone have experience with fitting three baby seats in the back?

We have three across the back. Initially it was a baby capsule (Safe and Sound), a 6mth-4yo baby seat (Baby Love 6 point harness) and a 4yo+ booster (Safe n Sound 6 point harness).

Now we have 2x Britax Hi-Liner SGs boosters (lap sash) and a 6mth-4yo baby seat (Baby Love 6 point harness). A cosy fit, but can be done.

The only problem with the Britax Hi-Liner SGs using the adult seat belts is that you cannot get your hands down to the buckles, so you need short seat belt extenders. You can get these on-line or at places like Autobarn.

2. I know DSG issues are all in the news at the moment, but how bad are they really?

Just clicked over 10,000km in ours and no problems DSG wise (touch wood).

[Paul_R]

The only problem with the Britax Hi-Liner SGs using the adult seat belts is that you cannot get your hands down to the buckles, so you need short seat belt extenders.

For booster seats that use the lap sash and are tricky to plug in each time here's a tip: leave them plugged in permanently! The kids can pull some slack in the belt and climb into the seat through the belt and then pull it tight. Works a treat. No extension needed.

We have a CX-9 so can't answer other questions. I would get an Alltrack but wife insists on 7 seats. Which we never use...

[CaseySP]

For booster seats that use the lap sash and are tricky to plug in each time here's a tip: leave them plugged in permanently! The kids can pull some slack in the belt and climb into the seat through the belt and then pull it tight. Works a treat. No extension needed.

We have a CX-9 so can't answer other questions. I would get an Alltrack but wife insists on 7 seats. Which we never use...

Doesn't really work in the Passat (or Subarus or that matter) as the ratchet makes this difficult for little kids.

[greg32]

RE: Considering an Alltrack

The isofix attachments are now legal here so better kids seats should start to hit the shops and are easier to fit and safer.
Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_304 using Board Express

[SteveH]

For booster seats that use the lap sash and are tricky to plug in each time here's a tip: leave them plugged in permanently! The kids can pull some slack in the belt and climb into the seat through the belt and then pull it tight. Works a treat. No extension needed.

We have a CX-9 so can't answer other questions. I would get an Alltrack but wife insists on 7 seats. Which we never use...

My wife is exactly the same with the seven seats thing, trying to convince her that we don't need them is the hard part.

I will hopefully get out to a dealer tomorrow to have a look, so thanks for all of the help so far.

[CaseySP]

Something else i would add - do you really need the AWD/poofthenth extra ground clearance? If you don't, and are more concerned about economy/looks/handling, the High Line wagon with sports pack might be a better option for you.

[SteveH]

Something else i would add - do you really need the AWD/poofthenth extra ground clearance? If you don't, and are more concerned about economy/looks/handling, the High Line wagon with sports pack might be a better option for you.

I actually prefer the looks of the Alltrack to the regular Passat. Not sure why, but just do. Also, my wife, in her own words, hates the look of wagons. (She doesn't even have to look at them to know that apparently, but an SUV is ok for some reason.) I thought that the Alltrack was a good compromise between a wagon and SUV and this may sway her decision somewhat. I am also looking at a diesel Mazda 6 wagon, but she has ruled that one out.

[AllBlack]

I actually prefer the looks of the Alltrack to the regular Passat. Not sure why, but just do. Also, my wife, in her own words, hates the look of wagons. (She doesn't even have to look at them to know that apparently, but an SUV is ok for some reason.) I thought that the Alltrack was a good compromise between a wagon and SUV and this may sway her decision somewhat. I am also looking at a diesel Mazda 6 wagon, but she has ruled that one out.

I looked at the Mazda 6 deisel and was very impressed with its power and the way it drove. Interior is however a little dated. Given the price point was about the same as the VW it was a no brainer for me.

[drad81]

I went the Alltrack as our family car. We now have a 6 week only baby and use a capsule which very comfortable fits in the back and leaves enough room for 2 people in the back. Middle seat is a little squashy tough with the capsule.

I went the Alltrack because higher ride makes it a little easier to get the capsule in and out (not as much bending) and boot space is plentiful! I used to have an A4 quattro and LOVED the all wheel drive. This was the main reason why the Alltrack was a no brainer for me.

As for pricing, I opted the car with pano roof, sports pack, bike rack and a few other extras and managed to get close to $9k off the rrp

[CaseySP]

Ah well - would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing. Coming from a background of owning sport cars and taking them to the track, I prefer the handling advantages and hunkered down looks of the Highline with the lowered sports pack. But then again, not looking forwards to having to fit snow chains around those fat tyres .