Chinese cars, are they as bad as everyone thinks?

ChrisThomas

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So I don't own a Chinese car, nor would I, but when I went for test drives a while back when looking for cars, I pretty much drove everything I could, and I drove a Geely Cross or whatever it is and it was actually decent to drive, I then drove a Chery QQ (horrid machine) and there was obviously a massive difference. For example, the Chery that I drove (to be honest, I drove it just to see how bad it was) had only 600km on the clock, and the entire speedo cluster didn't work, neither did the electric windows, or the central locking, and the fan belt was screeching like no other. Horrid little machine....

Anyways, I was just wondering, if anyone has any hands-on experience with Chinese cars, just out of interests sake, are they really THAT bad?
 
Not bad as such, but 2 or 3 generations behind. They just copy older cars so if you are happy with a new "old" car then go for it haha... also craftsmanship is not of stellar quality in all cases.

Just my opinion...
 
Yes they are that bad and not something you want to risk your family in. Look at the crash tests on YouTube and see for yourself.
 
The QQ is a low end car, even in China. Heck, in China its cheaper than the licence plate in some cities.
Don't drive a Chevy Spark if you don't like the QQ, its about 80-90% the same car.

Some Chinese cars are ok, some are garbage, and some are good. Depends what you spend, much like most things.
The NCAP ratings are improving as China exports more vehicles, and they start to move towards western requirements.

eg http://www.euroncap.com/en/press-me...hining-star-qoros-gets-maximum-safety-rating/


I've driven and been driven in a fair amount of Chinese cars, ranging from the ubiquitous Santana (which was all you would see on the road in Shanghai at one point) [ http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/01/15/the-volkswagen-santana-in-china-a-history/ ] through to newer stuff.


Chinese and Indian cars are cheaper, but you get what you pay for still.
Personally I'd go for a Korean car if price was the issue, quality is just as good as Japanese cars, but typically with better pricing.


My daily is a german auto though..
 
I drive a '14 Fiesta and it's pretty rad, I've had a couple of issues with the sound system though which were all sorted out quite easily. I just find that other cars are over-priced in this country with all the added tax we pay. I do find that Chinese cars have the most asthmatic and rubbish engines though, I mean the 1.5 Geely I drove felt slower than my 72 Beetle! You really have to rev them within an inch of their life to make decent progress. No low-down torque whatsoever. I think if a more reputable Chinese brand, such as GWM, brought out a safe, reliable turbocharged city runabout with all the nice-to-have features it would do reasonably well, granted the dealer networks are up to the task of delivering a good level of service. Get this, I went to the Geely dealership in Midrand, this is about a year ago when I drove it, I told the salesman my price range, I wasn't serious about buying the car so I made up a number, something like 130k and he (honest to god) says to me "why don't you buy a Hyundai i20, their dealership is just down the road" !!!! What kind of a car salesman does that?!
 
http://gwm.co.za/steed6.html

I'm actually quite impressed.

I know 1 person that had a GWM double cab. Engine completely seized after 2 years. I know of a ton of people that drive Toyota's, and have never heard of a engine seize.

So even if the initial impression is good, they cut costs wherever they can and it's going to show in the longevity of the vehicle.
 
I know 1 person that had a GWM double cab. Engine completely seized after 2 years. I know of a ton of people that drive Toyota's, and have never heard of a engine seize.

So even if the initial impression is good, they cut costs wherever they can and it's going to show in the longevity of the vehicle.

I would be so pissed! That's the problem I think with Chinese cars, they look great on paper but in practice they are below par still. I think it will take them a few years to work out all the kinks. Surely the car should have still been under warranty?
 
They might not be good yet, but they are improving. When the Toyota first came to SA it was considered "Jap crap". The first people buy Hyundais were called crazy for buying Korean cars. Today these are respected car companies.
 
They might not be good yet, but they are improving. When the Toyota first came to SA it was considered "Jap crap". The first people buy Hyundais were called crazy for buying Korean cars. Today these are respected car companies.

What did people like to buy back then? I'm assuming strictly German?
 
If chinese cars are copies of japanese cars, surely the parts should be interchangable,

Maybe not the outside, but the mechanical bits?

Anybody try the geely c10, looks very interesting, and if you find a well enough screwed together example, might be worth it

Chinese always had bad quality control, sometimes youll get lucky.....
 
Yesterday I drove a Hyundai Atos Auto with 90k km on the clock and a Chery Tiggo with 50k km on the clock.

The driving experience of the Atos was miles ahead of the Chinese POS. My word, how anyone can pay money for those cars is beyond me.
 
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