Need help with choosing a car :)

bindi · 23-02-2005, 04:42 PM

Hi all,

Later this year the lesser half is going to get a novated lease and buy another car. This means I get to have the EA (woohoo, mods here I come!)

We need help deciding, can you help? Remember, it can only be new or close to new (low k's).

These are his requirements:
1) auto (stop-start traffic is bad on the clutch foot)
2) fuel efficient
3) 4 cylinder, but enough grunt to cope with being an auto
4) not too big (eg. AU) but not too small (eg. Mazda 2 - ugh!)
5) reliable
6) nice to look at (no fkn Daewoos, and those new corollas are mank!)
7) FUN to drive
8) no more than $30,000 (although if it is damn fine we might consider $35,000)

Ideas are so welcome! Thanks

**Mechan1k** · 23-02-2005, 04:47 PM

Current Lancer VR-X
Mazda 3 (would gave to be one of the lower models)

bindi · 23-02-2005, 04:51 PM

Can't do the AU, too big just for him to drive to work in.

Was considering doing a Darth Vader and defecting to the Dark Side, Vectras look like fun

Lancer in an auto? hmmm see now that's a seriously FUN car and would be ruined without those gears to play with on dirt roads.

Mazda 3... I reckon that'd be good.

Ta!

au-steve · 23-02-2005, 04:47 PM

what about an AU fairmont of some description? they aint too bad on the fuel given its a six, and they drive awsome. nice to look at if your into AUs.

or the holden vectras are nice to look at IMO, i understand they go alright, and they aint THAT small.
or a barina, i love barinas.

XplosiveR6 · 23-02-2005, 04:55 PM

mazda3 or 6, very nice and sporty cars

BlueRaven · 23-02-2005, 05:01 PM

I'd go a Mazda 6 sedan. I just had a look at the website, for rrp $29,690, you can get a Mazda 6 Limited Sedan automatic.

They have air-con, power steering, tinting, power windows, roof rail mounting points, tacho w/ electric odometer, map lights, halogen headlights, single disc 4 speaker cd player with am/fm, far too many airbags, ABS brakes and lots and lots more.

For all these wacky wacky features, go here: http://www.mazda.com.au/features_pl.cgi?ID=19&x=23&y=4

Personally, i'd spend the extra few grand and get the classic model which has alloy wheels and a bunch of other cool things (like foglamps, climate control, 6 stacker cd player etc)

..and it looks like this: http://www.mazda.com.au/articles/ima..._sedan_lrg.jpg

Edit: Actually on second thought... if you wanted a mazda3, just about every model is under $30k, so you can get the SP23 from the mazda3 range more features than you could poke a stick at for the same price.. go that one.

T3man · 23-02-2005, 05:06 PM

Yep the Mazda 6 is the go - please DO NOT buy a Vectra - trouble on wheels - no sorry, VERY EXPENSIVE trouble on wheels I should have said.

bindi · 23-02-2005, 05:54 PM

Ok I am warned on the Vectra, thanks

The Mazda 3 DOES look like it'll fit the bill, actually, rather cool!

Hmmm, but other suggestions are welcome, we have time to decide and time to test drive (I'm doing the WRX just for the hell of it, not going to buy one lol).

AdzT3-146 · 23-02-2005, 05:57 PM

What about a Focus?

rob_o · 23-02-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ef_classic

What about a Focus?

The new ones coming out are supposed to be excellent and much more powerful than the current one. And they look god too

bindi · 23-02-2005, 07:10 PM

Hmmm ok I'll have a looksie at the focus... might be a little small though?

I'll do most things for a guy named Rob (have a thing for that name)! Sad but true.

Kryton · 23-02-2005, 07:17 PM

i wouldnt look past the Mazda 6 myself. nice looking car, it is a 6 but from what i hear its pretty fuel effecient yet has balls when required. oh if you wait till late this year (i think) there will be a factory TURBO version that is pumpin out some pretty big KWs for a Mazda 6. will cost more but damn youll enjoy it.
MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6. MAZDA 6.
which one was it again?

:

bindi · 23-02-2005, 07:33 PM

For some reason I assumed the Mazda 6 was going to be more expensive... but in reality it's not that much more.

Hmmm, even MORE to think about

It's actually NOT a 6, it's a 2.3 4cyl like the Maxda 3 sr23 (very very nice with leather interior, Bose equipment, and 205/50R17's). The Mazda 3 Neo is a 2.0.

Kryton · 23-02-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

It's actually NOT a 6, it's a 2.3 4cyl

: who looks stupid now!!!!

:

AUIII XR8 MAN · 23-02-2005, 07:42 PM

The Lancer is a nice looking car. Take them all out for a test drive & see which one feels the best. Good luck.

Envious · 23-02-2005, 08:08 PM

nissan pulsars are good, trust me, i had a 2003 model before the XR. Quick, good torque for a little car, fuel efficient, good auto. Too bad you werent looking for one a few months ago, u coulda bought mine....

: :1syellow1

Kenaz · 23-02-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envious

nissan pulsars are good, trust me, i had a 2003 model before the XR. Quick, good torque for a little car, fuel efficient, good auto. Too bad you werent looking for one a few months ago, u coulda bought mine....

: :1syellow1

I drove one of these around when I was on holidays a few weeks ago. It was an ok sort of car, but not great by any means. In the hatch the rear visibility is terrible. Economy was not too bad and performance is alright for what the car is.

lukey · 23-02-2005, 10:31 PM

I would say Mazda 6

XRated · 23-02-2005, 10:44 PM

Some form of Subaru?

New generation Focus?

4.0i_SiX · 23-02-2005, 10:50 PM

Mazda 6 is the go, Very classy looking car, comfortable, unfortunately they dont have the performance to match to exterior styling, but you want efficiency anyway. Ther ehave been a couple that have had problems with the belt tensioners failing. My friend got a new engine under warranty so its all good!

bindi · 24-02-2005, 06:57 AM

Ok so not as powerful as they look then? And belt tensioners? Hmmmm...

What about the subaru, any good? I know they are beating ovlov in the crash tests.

Also the Focus is out - hubby is a 110kg, 6 foot tall, Greek love machine - god he wouldn't fit in the thing!

The reasoning behind this too is cos the kids and I would get in it on the weekends so we need a bit of space.

And Davway darlin', is it really that hard???

:

FRDGAL · 24-02-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Also the Focus is out - hubby is a 110kg, 6 foot tall, Greek love machine

Greek love machine?

(Hmmm I'll have to try that one on Peter lol)

Ummm don't go Vectra - tooooooo many problems. Go the Mazda!

bindi · 24-02-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairmont_Krissy

Greek love machine?

(Hmmm I'll have to try that one on Peter lol)

Ummm don't go Vectra - tooooooo many problems. Go the Mazda!

LOL he's not the greasy-fully-schick-maaate-2-billion-kilos-of-bling-bling-beauty-therapists-need-5-tubs-of-wax-to-ungorilla-my-back kind either :ymca:

In fact, you wouldn't know he was Greek - it's only the last name that does it.

And yes, the Mazda seems to be the go so far... depends on how it drives

AdzT3-146 · 24-02-2005, 04:39 PM

Yep, if the Focus is out go the Mazda

4lex · 24-02-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Also the Focus is out - hubby is a 110kg, 6 foot tall, Greek love machine - god he wouldn't fit in the thing!

I'm 6'1" and 105kg and fit easily into a focus. The RS focus is arguably the most capable front drive car built in terms of handling and dynamics, and pretty brisk to boot, sadly a good bit over budget I suspect - plus no auto on that model.

I'm not familiar with the focus line-up here, but the 2.0 four TDCi as sold in Europe has plenty of grunt, 0-100 in 9, 134bhp 220km/h and being a diesel sips fuel - 5.5l per 100km. The 2.0 petrol is marginally quicker with a bit more power (but less torque) and also pretty good on fuel.

Definitely worth at least trying to get in it!

parawolf · 24-02-2005, 07:56 AM

Mazda 3 SP23... same engine as the Mazda 6, but in a smaller sexy hatch... Actually I don't know which I prefer, the hatch or the sedan....

Smoke Pursuit · 24-02-2005, 10:53 AM

Subaru Liberty would be my pick....

Mazda 6's are ok to, but the Liberty does look a little better in the sedan.

davocol · 24-02-2005, 11:24 AM

Yes definitely between the subaru and the mazda, personal preference on styling. Subarus just seem to be bullet proof reliability wise though. Tough choice.

bindi · 24-02-2005, 11:34 AM

Oh decisions decisions!

Thanks for all the advice so far... I suppose I'm just gonna have to test drive them now

Woe is me, such a hard job, but someone has to do it

:

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-02-2005, 02:14 PM

Not sure, having only had experience with an Auto 2004 model Lancer. I can't exactly say I was impressed with it, but I guess comparing it to a 2L manual Mk II Escort & a auto EB GLi was never going to be a fair comparison.

I guess the Lancer wasn't too bad, just not as good IMO as the Escort or Falcon.