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Hi we are looking on upgrading our family vehicle and trying to find a reliable 7-seater within $16k range. We are currently thinking of a newer model of either Nissan Lafesta or Mazda MPV. Which one would you recommend or should we consider something entirely different instead?

Hi there,
Both are common Japanese imports that have the potential to be reliable if well serviced and not rusty underneath. Safety may be a it of an unknown but is very important when purchasing a vehicle- make sure you are able to get the newest and safety vehicle your budget allows. This is where NZ new vehicles perform better as they has an ANCAP crash test rating. Some imports are listed on the UCSR list. https://rightcar.govt.nz/used-car-safety-ratings.html

Thank you for that.
Would you recommend Mazda MPV with a turbo engine or is it better to get a non-turbo one?

Hi there, I have heard that the turbo ones can give a few issues, so I would look at the non-turbo.