MasterOfReality
After forever
Cheers, I'm just want to avoid a money pit with something euro if things start to break.Subarus can be expensive if things go wrong too. The plus side is that things rarely go wrong with them. The 100,000km timing belt job is more expensive than the same job on other cars because of the flat-four engine, which makes it a bit of a pig of a job. My '98 Outback has done over 330k km & is still going like a trooper.
A friend has had enormous troubles with a Renault (I think it was a Megane too, but the earlier one with the ugly arse, not sure if they're different under the skin now). Purely on his experience I'd be steering away from that one.
Mazdas are good; my parents have owned them for over 40 years (6 in that time), and none have had any major troubles.
We are trying to stick to a hatch. Missus isn't a fan of the Skoda look.I just got myself a Skoda Octavia VRS 2008 wagon, in a 2lt turbo manual. Theyre the same as you see in the TDF (I havnt looked at this years though). They go 7.3s/100k stock, 7.5L/100km, very deep boot and I think more space than a commy, even a vz. Has all the mad electronic stuff you take for granted like heated seats, mirror defrosters, in car tire pressure checker, front n back sensors also connected to the radio for auto mute, auto dimming rear view mirror, half leather bucket seats, etc. They really do seem like more of a luxury car than their reputation acheives. Cost me $16.5k @ 101,000km, which I reckon is really good. It seems a bit niche to me.
A work buddy who also rides heaps is now looking at the less sporty 2012 1.4 turbo auto, and is super keen. Not as many features, but runs about 5.8L/100km. Its brand new and hes found one for $22.8k :bounce:. Amazing from a wagon... They are more or less a Golf chassy, Passat looks, at general VW group engine.. Just have to look out for a handful of dsg engines that were recalled, but they are hard to come by with Skoda
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=skoda+octavia+wagon+vrs&qpvt=skoda+octavia+wagon+vrs&FORM=IGRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNunotJ14o8
This is a good laugh (if I got the right video! No flash player on this laptop......)
Corolla is pretty bland. Missus feels the Polo Gti is a bit small (she wants something larger). I'd like a Golf GTi but how is the reliability? Are all the horror stories on VW reliability justified?What about a Polo GTI or new Toyota Corolla?
I have a bias towards VW, not sure about the new ones (with costs of servicing and parts, etc) but that's a myth as far as old Golf's are concerned. The Polo GTI is more bang for your buck; as much fun as a Golf GTI for less.
Toyota Corolla is a sensible option, but pretty bland if you're looking for something different.
A friend's mum has a WRX hatch, she's not overly fond of it anymore, says the quality of the interior isn't up to scratch.
I also know someone with a new Ford Focus and they love it. Really solid car, drives wonderfully.
Interesting with the interior - my parents have a 2011 Forester and I thought interior wasn't bad, much better than the cars we have now. Perhaps my expectations are low
I don't mind paying for the timing belt service, it just that I don't want to pay that amount for every service like I seem to be doing now haha.125,000kms for a 2.5ltr turbo subaru now, was 100 for the 2.0ltr .. assuming that WRX have the same service intervals as a GTb and a XT. Being technicaly the same engine. but still, buying a second hand car which probaly has 20-30km on it, he is likly to have to pay for the major service in the time he owns the car!
Are you auto or manual bias, that will make your decision easier, its basicaly impossible to get a second hand auto WRX.
Manual only. We both hate autos.
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