"First" car

Snyper564

Snyper564

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Reason im calling this "first" car thread is essentially its the first car im buying.

After many years and 270k on my Opel Corsa lite and somewhat of a return to the office a day or so a week, we put off buying a car and were likely gonna start looking just as covid hit. My wife said its time to look....

Do you want to die in a tin can >_< I assume she is referring to the Corsa Lite.

Anyway seems like the Toyota Corolla XS Hybrid is in the running for top spot and not looking for cars before seems like I am about to experience with delays etc others seem to have been plagued with.

Im not a car guy, dont want something that does 0-100 in 2 sec etc.

For me fuel efficiency and space seems to be the biggest factors at the moment. Fuel efficiency likely being the top one.

Budget is around R450k can go a little up if needed.

Dont care too much about secondhand/demo but would pref very low miles and a newer car.

So my question is am I missing something should I look elsewhere or is the XS Hybrid likely the best option.

No kids in the mix, I dont plan 4x4 etc. Just want a good run around car etc.

Other cars looked at were the Kiger and Tcross. Seems like the crossovers are the preferance. (please no 320d :p)
 
Snyper564 said:
Reason im calling this "first" car thread is essentially its the first car im buying.

After many years and 270k on my Opel Corsa lite and somewhat of a return to the office a day or so a week, we put off buying a car and were likely gonna start looking just as covid hit. My wife said its time to look....

Do you want to die in a tin can >_< I assume she is referring to the Corsa Lite.

Anyway seems like the Toyota Corolla XS Hybrid is in the running for top spot and not looking for cars before seems like I am about to experience with delays etc others seem to have been plagued with.

Im not a car guy, dont want something that does 0-100 in 2 sec etc.

For me fuel efficiency and space seems to be the biggest factors at the moment. Fuel efficiency likely being the top one.

Budget is around R450k can go a little up if needed.

Dont care too much about secondhand/demo but would pref very low miles and a newer car.

So my question is am I missing something should I look elsewhere or is the XS Hybrid likely the best option.

No kids in the mix, I dont plan 4x4 etc. Just want a good run around car etc.

Other cars looked at were the Kiger and Tcross. Seems like the crossovers are the preferance. (please no 320d :p)
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I'd personally look for something with a reasonable ground clearance and slightly larger wheels than a standard hatchback or sedan. The pothole situation isn't exactly getting better.

Apart from that, when I come to replacing my car the other factors that are important are a high NCAP safety rating, fuel efficiency, cruise control and good Bluetooth integration (for calls and music).
 
The Corolla Hybrid is hard to beat, and a lot of that hybrid tech has come from, and been paid for by Lexus buyers over the past 20 years.

Personally would not easily go for a hybrid today unless new, because the (dwindling) number of turbodiesels still make a lot of sense, and 450K+ is just far too much to spend in one go (on a car of all things). If hybrid is where you want to be, then supplement your shortlist with the Honda Fit Hybrid.

If turbodiesel is an option, consider anything with a 1.5 intercooled turbo diesel, like the Renault Duster 1.5dCi, Ford Ecosport TDCi, even maybe the Mahindra XUV300 W8 TD. Although the latter two are perhaps not in the same class, if class is a factor at all, then consider a late model (2017+) Lexus hybrid, they have a very strong reputation and will still look and perform well after 300,000km.
 
Snyper564 said:
For me fuel efficiency and space seems to be the biggest factors at the moment.
Click to expand...

Snyper564 said:
No kids in the mix, I dont plan 4x4 etc. Just want a good run around car etc.
Click to expand...

Space for what exactly?

One of the Corsa Lite's best attributes is its nippiness and ease of parking due to its size and short wheelbase. Oil tankers are cool for long trips, but try to park them...
 
RonSwanson said:
Space for what exactly?

One of the Corsa Lite's best attributes is its nippiness and ease of parking due to its size and short wheelbase. Oil tankers are cool for long trips, but try to park them...
Click to expand...
This whole consideration still seems to be early days. In no rush to pull the trigger. In all honesty something like the new polo is quite appealing too.

Wife has a polo too about 10 years or so now.

I guess bigger size to transport bags etc when going away on holiday but then again polo managed too till now.. But the bigger car is a bit more future proof if there were little ones in the mix...

Apologies if it seems like flip flopping...lots of thinking out loud.
 
Snyper564 said:
This whole consideration still seems to be early days. In no rush to pull the trigger. In all honesty something like the new polo is quite appealing too.

Wife has a polo too about 10 years or so now.

I guess bigger size to transport bags etc when going away on holiday but then again polo managed too till now.. But the bigger car is a bit more future proof if there were little ones in the mix...

Apologies if it seems like flip flopping...lots of thinking out loud.
Click to expand...
I hear you. Corsa Lite's boot space isn't great.
You can save a lot of frog kissing if you do some test driving. A few years ago I thought that I wanted a 3.2l B-series Mazda DC ( I had a few DCs before), until I tested one. Also a Ford Mustang, and a Mazda CX-5. Thing is that I always loved big cars when I was younger, but somehow the older I get, the smaller vehicle I prefer.
 
Avoid Kiger/Magnite. They are riddled with issues that dealership’s themselves aren’t even bothered to solve, or rather can’t solve. Not to mention they are just modern “tin cans”.

I won’t say anything about the Chinese coz I know you are smart enough to already know not to consider them.

Since you don’t care about oomph you could get a brand new/Demo Mazda 3 1.5 active for about R400k..

As much as I love diesels I don’t think you should consider one if you do low mileage. Rather stick with Petrol.

You can also consider a Corolla cross XR demo for about R400k- R430k. Since you mentioned that you will be using it for long distances, keep in mind that Hybrids only work great in town and they are not fuel efficient on long trips.

New Suzuki Grand Vitara is good too, However it will be very underpowered and might be frustrating to drive, and Suzuki after sales service is not that great, You could however work around this by getting the new Toyota Urban cruiser but the top of the range Urban Cruiser does not come with the 9”info screen like in the Suzuki. The Toyota only get the tiny 7” or something like that.

Another option is a New/Demo Honda HRV. Not sure if you are close to any dealers though.
 
Since you look like you keep your cars for longer the Corolla would be a good investment, it's properly put together.

There are cheaper options and the Urban Cruiser would be an option but I honestly don't trust their Indian made cars for longevity.
 
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TheChamp said:
Since you look like you keep your ars for longer the Corolla would be a good investment, it's properly put together.

There are cheaper options and the Urban Cruiser would be an option but I honestly don't trust their Indian made cars for longevity.
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Spot on im looking for something that I shouldnt have to worry about the next 10 years. I have zero plans to replace in the next 3-5 years.
 
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