Just another what car thread...

[unskinnybob]

Swallow your pride and get a new Korean car with 5 years warranty and maintenance plan. The Cerato Coups are pretty good looking, if you really need to substitute. 15 minutes of coolness in a car is hardly worth the risk/cost/agony of driving a car with no maintenance cover - especially older models with hard to source parts. My 5c.

 

[Tim182]

Swallow your pride and get a new Korean car with 5 years warranty and maintenance plan. The Cerato Coups are pretty good looking, if you really need to substitute. 15 minutes of coolness in a car is hardly worth the risk/cost/agony of driving a car with no maintenance cover - especially older models with hard to source parts. My 5c.

Not a chance. All these cars come with a maintenance plan.

 

[Brawler]

Thanks Mr Wiseguy...

whats with the attitude - you post on a public forum asking for advice and when someone gives their honest opinion you call them a wiseguy?

In any case, I have never owned a car for more than 2 years.

If this is the case then these cars won't be a problem. I said in my previous post, longterm these cars aren't good ideas as you did not mention you only wanted one for 2 years.

Service on these cars is generally less than on most little and affordable cars

Not trying to be funny but wtf are you on?

In anycase, while on motorplan it is included and won't cost you a single cent. If something expensive breaks, then its also covered under motorplan. All these cars listed have between 1 and 3 years of motorplan left which can then be extended further. The only cost on these cars, as long as they are on motorplan, are the tires which can get expensive. Once the motorplan has run out, it can get expensive which is fine.

I never doubted the motorplan cover, the issue for me is people buying a car like this on HP for 5 years with only 2 years of motorplan left. Again, as I said in my first post, if these cars are bought cash or aren't going to be kept for the longterm then it is a non-issue.

 

[Mosgi]

Would rather spend 40k on maintenance than lose 80k in depreciation, and another Rxk in interest during the same year... Just saying... 2nd hand cars make financial sense if you dont max out your available funds on financing.

Yes they may screw with your cashflow, but you will have a much healthier balance sheet.

 

[Mosgi]

Cerato Koup would be awesome if it had the power that matched its looks...

 

[Haldex]

Open to other ideas except:
- GTIs, hate them
- Hate most FWD hatches
- Boring cars, ie 320i, C180, Golf, A3 1.4T...
- Don't like most Asian cars

Silly reply. I never said I am after an economical car. The TT and SLK use under 9l/100km which is brilliant considering the power and engine size. Most others use around 10l, only the Nissan uses over 12l which can get quite expensive. I used to own a so-called "economical" small hatchback and never got under 8.5l with my driving style.

325i is awesome but not sure if I'd take it over a TT...

You do know a TT is a pretty dress on a FWD GTI that you seem to hate so much....

 

[AstroTurf]

I'd personally rather not buy someone else's problems.

Rather save more or buy new and in your price range.

 

[Tim182]

whats with the attitude - you post on a public forum asking for advice and when someone gives their honest opinion you call them a wiseguy?

If someone gives a stupid advise like that what I do. I have driven too many Kias and Hyundais and whatelse there is (rentals) and would rather walk or take a bike to work every day than own one. To me they are boring, ugly and unsporty and I cannot enjoy driving one of these. Of course they are the sensible choice for many as they use little fuel, are reliable and cheap and easy to maintain.

I do however love driving and need a car which I can enjoy, not one which just gets me from A to B which is why I am trying to find one

If this is the case then these cars won't be a problem. I said in my previous post, longterm these cars aren't good ideas as you did not mention you only wanted one for 2 years.

That's because I don't know how long I want to keep it for. If I like it and don't have any issues I may keep it for 5 years. If I get bored with it I will sell it after a year. In the past I sold my cars after 2 years but nothing is set in stone.

Not trying to be funny but wtf are you on?

Last time I checked a major service at Audi/BMW/Mercedes cost in the region of R800-R900 while an oil service cost R600. And that's out of motorplan. Within motorplan it costs R0. A friend just got his Polo serviced for R1200...

Would rather spend 40k on maintenance than lose 80k in depreciation, and another Rxk in interest during the same year... Just saying... 2nd hand cars make financial sense if you dont max out your available funds on financing.

Yes they may screw with your cashflow, but you will have a much healthier balance sheet.

I wasn't really looking for financing advice. Not sure why there are so many comments regarding budget. I am really just looking for people who own or have experience with these cars.

You do know a TT is a pretty dress on a FWD GTI that you seem to hate so much....

I really do and I am not sure if I could live with the FWD. The AWD would be the obvious choice but they're very hard to find. I really just love the looks of the TT. Guess I will have to take one for a long testdrive and see if I could live with the FWD and Golfplatform.

 

[unskinnybob]

Cerato Koup would be awesome if it had the power that matched its looks...

I believe the turbo motors are coming!!

 

[Gaz{M}]

Drive all of them. Buy the one you like the best. Disregard everyone else.

(But I would highly recommend at least a year of motorplan to cover any abused vehicles with a hard past)

 

[RaptorSA]

Drive all of them. Buy the one you like the best. Disregard everyone else.

Yup, don't listen to what people tell you, especially some of the characters here on MyBB.
Since you like driving so much I'd definitely look at RWD if I were you.

 

[Tim182]

Drive all of them. Buy the one you like the best. Disregard everyone else.

(But I would highly recommend at least a year of motorplan to cover any abused vehicles with a hard past)

Now there's finally a sensible comment . That's exactly what I have been doing in the past and never had any problems. I will definately try and get a car with 2 year motorplan.

 

[Dolby]

Drove one a couple of times and quite liked it. Do you have any experience with regards to reliability and maintenance costs? Also, how does a Volvo keep its resale value?

Reliabilty isn't an issue - they're almost bullet proof.

I'm not out of warranty, so I can't comment on the costs - but according to the guys that are, they're average. Nothing to scare you at all.

Resale and fuel consumption is a worry though

 

[Tim182]

Yup, don't listen to what people tell you, especially some of the characters here on MyBB.
Since you like driving so much I'd definitely look at RWD if I were you.

You're probably right. Good chance I may regret getting a FWD, no more oversteer or powerslides in the wet. Although I see there are some nice 3.2 V6 TTs with AWD. Those sound fun as well

 

[Tim182]

Reliabilty isn't an issue - they're almost bullet proof.

I'm not out of warranty, so I can't comment on the costs - but according to the guys that are, they're average. Nothing to scare you at all.

Resale and fuel consumption is a worry though

You've got the C30 T5 right? What consumption are you getting on yours and do you have much turbolag?

 

[RaptorSA]

You're probably right. Good chance I may regret getting a FWD, no more oversteer or powerslides in the wet. Although I see there are some nice 3.2 V6 TTs with AWD. Those sound fun as well

Yeah AWD could work but it depends on whether you want speed or fun, they're not necessarily the same thing.

Things to consider though:
Decide if you can live with a two-seater, if you can I'd suggest two-seater, RWD, good balance and suspension and awesome feedback on the steering. The TT looks nice but I just don't see it as a "driver's car".

What about a nice Hi Power RX-8? I also like that 350Z.. man that thing rocks and reliability wise it's supposed to be bulletproof.

 

[SaiyanZ]

I have the 2005 350z and all it has cost me since I bought it over a year ago is petrol and monthly instalments. I did take out a 2 year maintenance plan when I bought it which I haven't had to use. Service in a month, so will see how much that costs. I'll pay it off by the end of the year so the only costs thereafter will be service and maintenance. I'd rather spend R20k a year (this will only happen if something breaks) on this car than pay more for a new car without the looks and power. Even if I spend R20k I'll still save.

 

[Dolby]

You've got the C30 T5 right? What consumption are you getting on yours and do you have much turbolag?

According the reviews, with the standard intercooler there's little to no lag. My intercooler is twice the capacity of the original which, sadly, does introduce some lag.

I'm a strange sample to use as 90% of my driving is heavy start-stop traffic through on Witkoppen through Lonehill and Fouways. It's not even the s l o w type - it's literally start stop. That said, in this traffic I get between 15-16l/100km. In December without the traffic it was around 13l/100km and on the open road it was 8.6l/100km.

It's also deceptively quick for a 1475kg car

 

[Tim182]

Yeah AWD could work but it depends on whether you want speed or fun, they're not necessarily the same thing.

Things to consider though:
Decide if you can live with a two-seater, if you can I'd suggest two-seater, RWD, good balance and suspension and awesome feedback on the steering. The TT looks nice but I just don't see it as a "driver's car".

Happy with a 2 seater. Good point regarding the TT though, have you personally driven a 3.2 AWD before?

What about a nice Hi Power RX-8? I also like that 350Z.. man that thing rocks and reliability wise it's supposed to be bulletproof.

Not a fan of the RX-8 although I am sure it is a great car I just really don't like the looks. The 350Z on the other hand...

I have the 2005 350z and all it has cost me since I bought it over a year ago is petrol and monthly instalments. I did take out a 2 year maintenance plan when I bought it which I haven't had to use. Service in a month, so will see how much that costs. I'll pay it off by the end of the year so the only costs thereafter will be service and maintenance. I'd rather spend R20k a year (this will only happen if something breaks) on this car than pay more for a new car without the looks and power. Even if I spend R20k I'll still save.

Interesting! Have you got the Convertible or Coupe? Any tips on anything 350z specific to look out for when buying one of these? Also, the boot is seriously restricted with the strut bar, right?

According the reviews, with the standard intercooler there's little to no lag. My intercooler is twice the capacity of the original which, sadly, does introduce some lag.

I'm a strange sample to use as 90% of my driving is heavy start-stop traffic through on Witkoppen through Lonehill and Fouways. It's not even the s l o w type - it's literally start stop. That said, in this traffic I get between 15-16l/100km. In December without the traffic it was around 13l/100km and on the open road it was 8.6l/100km.

It's also deceptively quick for a 1475kg car

Ouch, 15-16l is quite a lot. I suspect its even more in the heavier S40.

 

[RaptorSA]

Happy with a 2 seater. Good point regarding the TT though, have you personally driven a 3.2 AWD before?

Not a fan of the RX-8 although I am sure it is a great car I just really don't like the looks. The 350Z on the other hand...

I haven't, which is why I would prefer not to make judgement.
My only issue with AWD is that while it's great for sticking to the road like snot on a scarf and you get your kicks out of g-forces etc. I prefer the feeling you get from RWD and it's ability to be tossed around at low speed while giving you a massive smile. Going fast sounds great on paper but it's not exactly funny when Mr. Metrocop is peeking through your window.

As for the RX-8, yeah, not everyone's cup of tea, but it does have that "special" feeling to it when you're driving around.
I'm sure something like the 350Z and S2000 does too, and then some.

Things that makes ME turn my head when looking at a "drivers" car:
50/50 weight distro.
Not TOO much traction (relative to the power delivery of course), it needs to let go at a certain point.
RWD, front engine, I haven't driven rear-engine but of course it's fantastic.
Double Wishbone suspension, or, front wishbone rear multilink.
Short shifting gearbox (gear ratios to fill a 6 speed box, yeah, I love shifting )
Not too much clutter in the interior that adds weight. Just basic gadgets and stuff (aircon, radio etc.)