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Thread ID: 139043	2015-03-01 02:54:00	Help me choose a new(ish) car	Tony (4941)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1395377	2015-03-01 02:54:00	As a change from VDSL and network problems, how about this? I'm thinking of changing my car, currently a 1999 Mitsi Lancer wagon, bought new. What should I get? I want a similar spec - wagon with about 2000cc engine, probably less than 5 years old. Questions 1 and 2 - Automatic or manual, and petrol or diesel? I've always driven a petrol manual car up till now, but both auto and diesel technologies are much better than when I bought the Lancer. Any reasons I should/shouldn't change? Makes? Mitsi don't do a Lancer wagon any more AFAIK, so that's out. At the top end there are things like the VW Passat, but also its sibling the Skoda Octavia, which has had some good write-ups. Ford has Focus and Mondeo wagons, both well-regarded I believe. The list goes on. Any personal experiences, recommendations gratefully received.	Tony (4941)
1395378	2015-03-01 03:11:00	Mazda 6 is very popular both with the public and car reviewers so that's an option. For boring and reliable maybe an avensis. Subaru legacy seems to be very popular as well. I've been thinking about these myself for next time round as my car while very good does not have very flexible load space like a wagon or hatchback. I recently discovered the toyota mark X (not to be confused with a zio) though and now I really want one en.wikipedia.org I can't understand why they don't sell it here and in Aus because I think it'd become a very popular model if they did. 1. Manual is becoming less and less common, larger overseas markets prefer automatics and it's influencing what we get here. I switched and have learned to like auto's. Main complaint is the slightly worse stopping distance. 2. personal choice really, I think diesel is slightly cheaper to run but more hassle and more expensive to maintain/repair. Personally I'd go petrol.	dugimodo (138)
1395379	2015-03-01 03:16:00	I have a Corolla car 2007 auto. There is a hatch and a wagon version also. 7.4L/100K spec, but I am averaging 7.2 after owning it for 4 years. 5 starANCAP rating. Great little bus! Saying that, any similar car Mitsi, Nissan, Ford etc. will do exactly the same for a similar spec/priced model. Ken	kenj (9738)
1395380	2015-03-01 03:59:00	I'd forgotten about the Mazda 6 - definitely should be a consideration. Also the Toyota Corolla, though that may be a little small. I always think the Legacy looks bloated somehow, though I know it is quite well regarded. One of the things I like about the Lancer is that the seats fold down to a perfectly flat floor, which was an important consideration when I was buying it, though not so much now. The thing that has always put me off diesels is the hassle of having to track/pay Road User Charges - a real PITA. I wonder how many people get caught out because they've forgotten to top up.	Tony (4941)
1395381	2015-03-01 04:12:00	May be a bit old for you but a friend has one of these and loves it. I have driven it and I can see why. Drives beautifully. One of the benefits is that the back seats fold down to give a completely flat floor, just like a commercial van. Say he gets round mid 6's for economy. Ken www.toyota.co.nz	kenj (9738)
1395382	2015-03-01 04:36:00	May be a bit old for you but a friend has one of these and loves it. I have driven it and I can see why. Drives beautifully. One of the benefits is that the back seats fold down to give a completely flat floor, just like a commercial van. Say he gets round mid 6's for economy. Ken www.toyota.co.nz never heard of the Ractis. Looks like a nice vehicle. Difficult to tell from the photos but the load space might be a little small for my needs.	Tony (4941)
1395383	2015-03-01 04:38:00	Unless you are a car enthusiast I would not go for 2 litres The average person is fine with 1.8L or less, probably 1.6L. Especially if you are replacing a 1999 model KenJ mentions a 2007 Corolla with official figure of 7.4 L/100km. Our 2008 Corolla wagon has an official figure of 5.8. It goes 600km before the orange light comes on. That car (1.5L) replaced a 2001 Corolla sedan (1.6L) which did 500 km before the orange light came on. Both cars with 50L tanks. That shows the difference between a modern car (last 6 or 7 years) and something earlier. So aim for 1.6L.... Regarding automatic versus manual, I would choose automatic for the following reasons: - all automatic controls are the same. So once [your wife] learns it you can change cars without problems. That's not the case with manual gearboxes - automatic allows parallel parking with your foot on the brake the whole time. Again, a good idea for [wives] - safety-wise, an automatic allows you to keep both hands on the wheel during gear changes. I was reminded of this today when I was changing gear on my manual. I was turning a sharp corner, my hand slipped, and I nearly ended up in the gutter	BBCmicro (15761)
1395384	2015-03-01 04:43:00	While I have a preference for a manual, it does not make sense when you come to sell it as the majority want an automatic. While I agree that a manual gives you much more control, it is a sad fact of life that you have to think of how easy or otherwise it will be to onsell. For that reason I would buy an automatic.	Roscoe (6288)
1395385	2015-03-01 04:51:00	Absolutely loved my Mazda 6. Fantastic vehicle to drive, not too bad economy wise, plenty spacious and handles fantastically. Didn't like the Mazda 3 so much. Wife got herself a BMW 118 though after test driving a few Mazda 3's vs the 118, so much nicer, similarly priced. Wasn't a fan of the Toyota Altezza / Lexus variants, felt like it was arguing with me too much when I was driving them... "I'd like to turn here please" and car goes "Hmm no I think you wanna keep going straight ahead". Definitely try a Mazda 6 out!	Chilling_Silence (9)
1395386	2015-03-01 04:59:00	I'd never heard of the Ractis. Looks like a nice vehicle. Difficult to tell from the photos but the load space might be a little small for my needs. Sister in law has a Ractis, all I'll say is drive one then see how horrible they are	gary67 (56)
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