Kilometres travelled
50,000 - 75,000 km
Did you buy this car new or used?
Used
If used, what year did you buy it used?
2022
How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs)
9000
What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs?
I wished to sell my 2005 Mazda 6 manual, as it was getting into the high 100 thousands, was fairly fuel hungry, and transmitted a lot of road noise into the cabin. The Toyota Crown has proved an excellent alternative.
What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you.
I liked the kit, comfort, quietness and power. The six-speed auto seemed to work beautifully with the 188kw 3.0 litre V6.
What have you discovered since owning the car?
It suits our needs very well. It is excellent for our regular journeys between Auckland and the Far North , but still satisfactory around town.
What do you like/dislike about the car?
I like its comfort and, despite its 3.0 litre performance, its economy. It is more economical than the Mazda 6 I previously owned, with almost 100hp more. It is quiet with appealing features - reversing camera, wifi central locking and ignition, electric rear window sunshade, choice of three different memory settings (seat and steering wheel) for three different drivers, front and rear radar parking sensors, dual zone aircon, rear seat audio and aircon controls. The CD player has a hard drive, so replays discs without the discs. The doors lock automatically at about 25km/h. A security feature is that touching the driver's door handle unlocks that door only. However, touching any other door handle unlocks all doors. The six-speed auto helps the economy, the steering is well weighted with good feel, and - big plus - it is rear wheel drive.
Any other comments on the car?
It would be nice to have a hatch from the boot to the interior, or to have at least one rear seat able to fold down. It has the Japanese radio setup, which is poor in New Zealand, although I've improved it a little with a band expander. As the first NZ owner, I've fitted a towbar.
Reliability
5
Features/technology
4
Performance/economy
5
Value for money
5
Overall rating
4
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
It offers almost everything I like in a vehicle - comfort, performance and reliability with reasonable economy and, though no sports car, certainty in cornering.