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Thread ID: 68646 2006-05-06 07:52:00 Cars - your thoughts? Lizard (2409) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
452627 2006-05-06 07:52:00 Have been looking at cars, to replace a rapidly ageing and decaying Honda. Perhaps you can offer some thoughts and wisdom on the following examples:

1999 Mazda Capella S/W, 2.5L V6, 76,000 KMS, 16" factory mags, auto, ABS, airbags, $13,995

2000 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, 63,000 KMS, 16" factory mags, auto, ABS, airbags, $14,995

2002 Mitsubishi Galant GLS S/W, 2.0L, tiptronic, 86,214 KMs, ABS, airbags, $13,990

1998 Nissan Bluebird SSS CVT M6, 2.0L, 67,772 KMS, tiptronic, sunroof, ABS, airbags, $10,990

2001 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, tiptronic, ABS, airbags, 59636 KMS, $16,990

2000 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, 16" factory alloys, 89,718 KMS, tiptronic, ABS, airbags, $13,990

1999 Toyota Altezza AS200, 2.0L BEAMS engine, ABS, airbags, auto, 15" factory alloys, $15,990

2002 Peugot 307, 2.0L, auto, 16" factory alloys, 90,487 KMS, $15,990.

I've driven most of them, and have my own ideas, but would be interested in any experiences you may have had with these models, or similar models. Or if you have alternatives to suggest along similar lines.

Cheers

Lizard
Lizard (2409)
452628 2006-05-06 08:31:00 The Altezza or the Mazda SP20's would be my only picks.

Go to any PaperPlus store and buy a $20 copy of "The Dog & Lemon Guide" before you decide. It's quite candid and accurate.
godfather (25)
452629 2006-05-06 08:43:00 Beats me, never having paid more than $5000 for any car and never more than $1500 for anything Japanese. pctek (84)
452630 2006-05-06 09:05:00 While you get what you pay for, it is hard with secondhand cars. Newer and lower kms might have been thrashed or simply not a good model. I'm biased towards Toyota but Peugeot make good cars too. Echo GF's "Dog and Lemon guide" too. I'll have a look and see if Consumer have anything helpful. Winston001 (3612)
452631 2006-05-06 09:13:00 I can sell ya a 1995 Falcon Fairmont for 4 grand, More style then all those ladies cars put together. Metla (12)
452632 2006-05-06 09:40:00 I'm with Metla - get a decent car. A Fairmont would be beaut.



Consumer say that the top brands for reliability 1995 - 2005 are Toyota and Honda.
Winston001 (3612)
452633 2006-05-06 10:49:00 Fairmont? Uhhhh....okay. /looks sideways, backs away slowly/

:D
Lizard (2409)
452634 2006-05-06 10:53:00 Have been looking at cars, to replace a rapidly ageing and decaying Honda. Perhaps you can offer some thoughts and wisdom on the following examples:

1999 Mazda Capella S/W, 2.5L V6, 76,000 KMS, 16" factory mags, auto, ABS, airbags, $13,995

2000 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, 63,000 KMS, 16" factory mags, auto, ABS, airbags, $14,995

2002 Mitsubishi Galant GLS S/W, 2.0L, tiptronic, 86,214 KMs, ABS, airbags, $13,990

1998 Nissan Bluebird SSS CVT M6, 2.0L, 67,772 KMS, tiptronic, sunroof, ABS, airbags, $10,990

2001 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, tiptronic, ABS, airbags, 59636 KMS, $16,990

2000 Mazda Familia SP20 Hatch, 2.0L, 16" factory alloys, 89,718 KMS, tiptronic, ABS, airbags, $13,990

1999 Toyota Altezza AS200, 2.0L BEAMS engine, ABS, airbags, auto, 15" factory alloys, $15,990

2002 Peugot 307, 2.0L, auto, 16" factory alloys, 90,487 KMS, $15,990.

I've driven most of them, and have my own ideas, but would be interested in any experiences you may have had with these models, or similar models. Or if you have alternatives to suggest along similar lines.

Cheers

Lizard

All exports and all autos? I reckon a NZ car of the same vintage should cost less, especially if it is a manual. Forget aircon unless you live in a hot, humid place. Airbags are good, but those exotic transmissions are a bit of a worry. Get a quote for a rebuild or an exchange whilst you are seated - you might fall over and bust your head.

Avoid the Pug. Call Repco or a Pug dealer and get a quote on simple stuff like brake pads, radiator hoses, filters, CVs and find out why. Ditto for the other exotic car parts.

Toyota Coronas and Camrys of that vintage have got a very good reputation for reliability. Camrys have more fruit, 2.2 4-cyl or 3.0 6-cyl, and have a very good crash rating. Honda Accords are too pricey in comparison, and too many people have had bad experiences with Mitsubishis Magnas and Lancers to ignore. Jap Fords/Mazdas are probably just as good as the Toyotas, but I have never owned one. A 6-cyl Ford or Holden should only be considered if they are on LPG and in really good nick.
vinref (6194)
452635 2006-05-06 10:57:00 LPG?

Why buy a mans car and then cut its nads off?, If your after a ladies car then buy one, but dont go de-balling the mighty Falcon.

Anyway, Im sure all those cars are fine, bound to get you a boyfreind.
Metla (12)
452636 2006-05-06 10:59:00 Altezza- friend has one, highly recommended by the D & L guide. Looking at one for my next car too...

NO to Peugeots (or anything else French or Italian for that matter), not that keen on Mitsis either. Other friends have the Mazda Capella and Nissan Bluebird- nice cars, but the 'tezza for me beats 'em every time...

As for Fairmonts, a certain billboard springs to mind... :)
Sick Puppy (6959)
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