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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
1395387	2015-03-01 05:16:00	I wouldn't recommend a recent corolla wagon personally - they are an entirely different car from the hatchback with a smaller 1.5l engine, narrower body, and a CVT transmission which I personally really don't like. I drive a 4 year old one for work, it's smooth, economical, and reliable and goes well enough. The rear seats do fold flat, but I just don't like the gearbox and find the drivers seat a bit cramped. The 1.8l hatchback is roomier in the front and much more fun to drive. I would own a hatchback over the wagon any day. It's not the worst car in the world but I wouldn't choose it given a choice. edit: looked at the ractis link and the specs seem like it may be based on the same platform as a corolla wagon. I also find 1.5 - 1.6l cars are often quite zippy when driven empty and by yourself but loaded up with 4 ppl and their luggage and going up hill you discover the limitations of the smaller engines. Still ok usually and depends on the model but I prefer 1.8 upwards myself. My work car does seem to sit at the speed limit easy enough going over the hill to rotorua with just me in it. So if you load your car up very often that could be a consideration. I drive a 2002 V6 camry - a large, old, and not very economical car (500-600km on 60l of premium depending on type of trips). When I come home from work and get out of the 2011 1.5l corolla and into my car it's such a huge improvement to drive the camry you wouldn't believe it. Better in almost every way imaginable, smoother, quieter, more powerful, more positive gearbox, more comfortable ride, better seats. Only real downsides are it's size in town, fuel economy, and cornering ability on tight windy roads - it's more of a cruiser. Point is, if you are used to a 2l car a 1.5l is sure to disappoint, modern improvements notwithstanding.	dugimodo (138)
1395388	2015-03-01 05:22:00	Have to remember that most new/newer cars have a CVT transmission,there were a lot of problems with earlier ones but don't know about now Even the new Corolla has a CVT transmission ,think the previous one has a conventional transmission A newer car with the maximum crash rating will help lower Rego	Lawrence (2987)
1395389	2015-03-01 07:09:00	I think the main things to look for are:- *Air Bags *If you live in town a 4 speed or more conventional Auto transmission, not CVT. Manual is a pain in stop start traffic and clutch wear is a problem. Ask any Taxi driver! Old automatics suffered from slip below about 50Kph, these days there is little or no slip. *Avoid motors with timing belts, some even have two. Most makes have now gone back to chains. *ABS brakes, you don't have to pulsate the brake pedal to avoid lock up. *Avoid electronic throttle control, cable operated is best. *If you are a bad driver choose stability control. If you like to be in charge don't. In most cars it can be switched off. *Choose a car with access to the fuel pump through the floor. If it hasn't, make sure that the tank has a drain plug. *Disc brakes front and rear. *Laminated windscreen, will not shatter. I am not mentioning all the extras and gadgets, most of them are the same.	mzee (3324)
1395390	2015-03-01 08:08:00	I'd run with either a Legacy or an Outback. Legacy is a bit smaller and more efficient, but the Outback is definitely a bit more spacious. Manual definitely if you can, just more fun to drive rather than letting the car drive itself! 2L Diesel Outback is also surprisingly light on the fuel, it's not too bad and still plenty of power. The Subaru range is pretty nice :thumbs:	Nick G (16709)
1395391	2015-03-01 08:17:00	I'd run with either a Legacy or an Outback. Legacy is a bit smaller and more efficient, but the Outback is definitely a bit more spacious. Manual definitely if you can, just more fun to drive rather than letting the car drive itself! 2L Diesel Outback is also surprisingly light on the fuel, it's not too bad and still plenty of power. The Subaru range is pretty nice :thumbs: There are bits of me that like the idea of a Legacy/Outback; I've always liked Subarus as well. It's just as I said before, they seem a bit chubby.	Tony (4941)
1395392	2015-03-01 08:20:00	Interesting about the CVT. It seems to me it ought to be an obvious choice, but I've certainly heard some grumbles about them. I'd been thinking about 2000cc as my current Lancer is 1800, but whoever said it is probably right - 1800cc in 1999 is probably 1600 these days. It will be mostly just me, with occasionally one and even more occasionally 2 passengers.	Tony (4941)
1395393	2015-03-01 08:23:00	BBCMicro: You make some good points, apart from your pointless stereotyping of women drivers. My own wife who died in 2006 was a good driver and drove nothing but a manual and was totally against the idea of an automatic.	Tony (4941)
1395394	2015-03-01 09:17:00	Well CVT might be great in some cars I don't know. In the 1500 corolla I drive though it feels like there's a rubber band between the throttle and the wheels. You put your foot down and all you are greeted with is a surge in revs and no apparent power until after a slight delay then the speed starts to pick up. It's a truly weird sensation. You need to put the car into "S" if you have a requirement to take off fast from a standing start or the same thing happens. I'd assume S means sport but all the manual helpfully tells you is to use S for more engine braking.	dugimodo (138)
1395395	2015-03-01 09:21:00	There are bits of me that like the idea of a Legacy/Outback; I've always liked Subarus as well. It's just as I said before, they seem a bit chubby. Well, speaking with a little experience here (Never owned one but friend has, used to have an older Legacy, and currently their family has a late model Legacy and Outback, and I've spent a lot of time in both!). If you're going mainly round town, Legacy is probably the way to go - a bit smaller, a hair more responsive, and still a lovely car. If you're planning on longer trips, the Outback is pretty much unbeatable - slightly higher ground clearance, and slightly larger. It'll just about go anywhere, though the legacy isn't far behind. They're great cars :)	Nick G (16709)
1395396	2015-03-01 09:32:00	Well, speaking with a little experience here (Never owned one but friend has, used to have an older Legacy, and currently their family has a late model Legacy and Outback, and I've spent a lot of time in both!). If you're going mainly round town, Legacy is probably the way to go - a bit smaller, a hair more responsive, and still a lovely car. If you're planning on longer trips, the Outback is pretty much unbeatable - slightly higher ground clearance, and slightly larger. It'll just about go anywhere, though the legacy isn't far behind. They're great cars :)High ground clearance is probably good on some of the driveways up here in the Waitaks. :)	Tony (4941)
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