Looking to buy Caddy maxi life

[Sammeka]

Hi, I'm hoping someone is driving the current model to share their experience. Just saw the vehicle this month & quite impressed with it - roomy & removal seats (that's a bonus feature). I got 2 toddlers n a baby so this 7 seaters layout seems to work well for my needs.

I never own a VW nor diesel vehicle & heard they can be expensive to maintain when it comes to service. Is this true ? I currently drive a rav4 2009.

Thx

[Lams]

hello
I have a current maxi life. It is good, pretty hard to fault. Does your RAV4 have 200 killer wasps? If so, then the caddy would probably feel slow.
It doesn't go as hard as my '06 manual 1.9TDI Caddy, but it's enough for daily use. My '06 is still in the family and has 80000km now, pretty cheap to run, but those who've missed a service or two, or used the wrong oil, the turbo is really sensitive to it and will quit if not looked after.

The maxi could cost a bit in brakes, I got a new set on the '06 and they weren't cheap.

the old DSG needed new oil at 60000km (expensive) but this new one uses dry clutches, I'm not sure what is required for maintenance??

I'm very happy with mine

[Sammeka]

Hi Lams, thanks for the response. I'm pretty happy with my rav4 but needed a 7 seaters cos mom has been missing out on a few outings.

Can you tell me if adults can seat comfortably in the back seat for a 2- 3hrs trip ? without getting pins & needles on their legs

Btw, what colour is your maxi ?

[Lams]

I have the toffee brown. It looks great in the sun



I haven't had people in the back for 2-3 hours yet, but I don't see it being a problem. But the people this caddy moves are all asian, we're comfortable in anything!

[Sammeka]

Hi, nice pic & thank you for posting it too. I was looking to get the same colour but had my doubt cos there wasn't one for me to see. Parramatta only had the black & silver. Your wheels look nice too, they r the 17" ?

[Lams]

There are a few toffee brown cars on carsales now.
The wheels are 18", and the bus is running KW V2 coilovers
I find most people like the colour but some think it's really ugly. Not as ugly as that solid light blue I think!
we call it the big poo bus

[Sammeka]

HAHAHA, that was my 2nd thought after walking out of the sale office looking at the brochure.... Poo ! However, looking at your pics bring me back to my 1st state if mind on the colour... I like it.

Btw, no idea what you mean by 'KW V2 coilovers', I take it not something standard.

[wai]

G'day,

I have just had a test drive of a TDI250 Caddy Maxi Life and was most impressed. I had heard some horror stories of the DSG being harsh at low speeds, but did not experience any of that. The left side indicator will take some getting used to. At least the windscreen will be clear

Colour seems to be an issue with white being the one available and others on a 4.5 month special order.

The other dilemma is whether to go with the TDI250 or TDI320 engine. I would prefer the TDI320 however the TDI250 seemed more than capable. My concern is when it has a full complement of passengers.

Any thoughts on which to go for?

Thanks.

[Lams]

Hi Wai, when I bought mine there was one TDI320 in the country. The Caddy was not built to be a fast car, and TDI250 was enough for me... when I am in the mood I can take my wife or my mother's Eos for a spin, both have the 2.0TSI with APR

I've never towed anything with mine, but have moved house with it - it took the bedroom suite, fridge, other furniture, general crap with no issues. I've never had enough weight in the back that the car felt underpowered. There's always enough torque, but just don't expect it to have great overtaking performance...

I see a lot of these things on carsales. Perhaps try another dealer? White is probably the least desirable colour, as it's the same as most delivery van Caddys. I couldn't justify the $3000 for the stronger engine, when it wasn't going to be a fast car anyway

After my mate and I did the paint protection, the toffee brown had a nice deep finish and it reminded us of tasty chocolate...

I've put 9000km on it in 4 months. Perhaps we enjoy driving it a bit too much

[Lams]

I'm also told the TDI320 4motion is coming...

[wai]

Thanks for that.

I will be going from a Hiace ABV that has 88 kW at 4,800 rpm and 220 Nm @ 3600 rpm. The thing about these figures is that they are developed at wide open throttle. In the 10 years I have had the Hiace, I have never ever had to operate it at wide open throttle and never at anywhere near the rpm. Also, as you say, it is $3000 more, and while it might be nice, it may be something that is never used, but gives you a nice warm feeling.

The other thing is that this is "equating" a normally aspirated petrol engine capacity with a turbocharged diesel engine.

I have some feelers out regarding the colour. The toffee brown is a nice colour. One Beluga Blue (solid) colour is quite nice as well.

I am going to head over to the VW web site to see if they have something like a stock locator to see if I can chase down stock.

By the way, I had the Hiace as I used it to transport my wheelchair bound father. He has passed away and my 91 year old mother is not in a wheelchair, but finds it more and more difficult to get into the Hiace, even with some steps - hence the Caddy Maxi Life. I need the carrying capacity because on occasions I have to carry bulky items in my job as a consulting engineer.

[jackmax]

Jackmax

I have the toffee brown. It looks great in the sun



I haven't had people in the back for 2-3 hours yet, but I don't see it being a problem. But the people this caddy moves are all asian, we're comfortable in anything!

Hi Lams
It is a very nice car under sun.
Jackmax

[wai]

Well, I ordered my new Caddy Maxi Life TDI250 with 7-speed DSG yesterday. Depending on availability, my first preference is for a metallic natural grey, otherwise a metallic reflex silver. Both of these are supposed to be in stock. I also asked for 2011 build and compliance plate dates. I don't care if it is 1/2011, just as long as it is 2011.

Got a great deal, and was very grateful that the sales rep found out that I could get 10% off the base price plus 50% off the dealer delivery charge just because I was a member of a professional association. I had not bothered to check, and NONE of the other dealers told me of this. The only extras I ordered (other than the paint) were a car alarm, and headlight covers. They also gave me the best price on my trade-in, taking into account its condition, service log, and the fact that I had all the original documentation (right down to the original tag for the keys). I also have kept a fuel consumption log from the day I bought it around 12 years ago.

I should have it before the end of the month. The wait is frustrating (we want everything immediately), but I am gathering a lot of information from this forum.

[Lams]

cool. Hope you get it soon.
Volkswagen Australia approved RPEQ for corporate discount a week after I picked mine up, the pricks!

[Sammeka]

I've yet to order mine. Tell me more of this 'discount' how do you eligible for such. I might know someone who could be in the industry.

Wai, can you tell me which dealership you've been to ?

I was going to opt for the 2.0 but only test drive the 1.6. It feels ok. I thought with 2.0 it might be better (with 3kids, 3 baby seats & in a hilly neighborhood). Are you guys saying not really ?