Ask an expert


Brian.D

Hi!
It's my first time buying a wagon, have a budget of 10k and have narrowed my options to Toyota Mark X Zio and Toyota Wish. Can you advise which is better between these two and what are the stuffs I need to look out. Currently Im looking at:
A. 2.4 engine 2012 Toyota Mark X Zio
B. 1.8 engine Toyota Wish
C. 2.4 engine 2009 Toyota Mark X Zio.
All 3 are around 9k-10k and around 50-60k odometer. Appreciate your help.
Cheers

Anon

Hi there,
Both cars are Japanese Domestic imports and so information is not easy to come by. However I would recommend the newest and safest vehicle in your budget.
The 2.5 Mark X/ Lexus engine is the modern 6-cylinder D4 engine and I'm not yet sure if they are as troublesome as the 4-cylinder ones often complained about in the likes of some of the Avensis and Blade etc.

Brian.D

Im not much of a car person, Should I be worried on this this 2.5 mark x/lexus engine. I've read that D4 1AZ-FSE is a troublesome engine but I dont have much of an Idea on it. As much as possible I want to buy reliable and less maintenance wagon. Are there any reliable wagons you can recommend at under 10k.

Anon

Hi there,
A Subaru Legacy or Forester could be a choice. The Toyota Wish is very popular as is Honda Stream.
The Mark X engine looks to be the 4GR-FSE (FSE means the direct injection D4 variant), which seems to be a bit more reliable at this stage.
The Wish 1.8 engine is a 2ZR-FAE and doesn't seem to give issue.

Brian.D

Did dig a little on Mark X Zio, and it says it have an engine 2AZ-FE, is this something I should be wary? I like this Mark X Zio, however the more I dig feels like opening a a box of worms.

Anon

I've not heard of any issues with the Mark-X at this stage so I can't say if it's a good idea or not as yet. The 2AZ-FE engine seems to be a good one.

Brian.D

I've read in some article that it burns more fuel than the usual, is that normal?
I saw a 2012 Premacy 20S, Is it a good and reliable car? Highly Appreciate your expertise.

Anon

It's hard to know what can be considered normal when referring to a Japanese import- as there are not really any specs to go by.
Mazda build very good cars both NZ new and imports, the 2ltr engine and transmission combo in the Premacy seems to have been reliable.