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Messugga

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Hi guys,

So I'm starting the Pretoria/Sandton commute a couple of days a week, in a month or so and I'm looking for a new car. I currently drive a Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GLS CVT, but it's getting on in km and I should probably look at flogging it before something expensive goes.
So, I don't want to go overboard, even though the BMW 125i coupe's been calling my name for a while now. I hear the shape is approaching end of life in any case. I'm 26 and don't have kids yet, so something sporty or a hatchback is fine.

Anyway, so I'd like some input from you fine people as I'm struggling a bit to decide. I'd like a car that's fun and comfortable to drive as I may end up in traffic and will be putting a good amount of kilometers on the odo in any case. I've been thinking of a Golf TSI or Audi A1 1.4 TSI, but apparently that engine is proving to be somewhat unreliable, so it's probably best to skip it.
I see you can pick up Honda Civic 1.8VXi's from 2010 with low km on the clock, for under R200k, which is great. I just don't like the 3 year warranty you find on them, since, if memory serves, their parts are pretty damn expensive, although they're bulletproof in terms of reliability. I also don't know about maintenance costs?
Another option that is a bit more, is the new BMW 1-series. Not a big fan of the hatch but it's a fun drive. You can only pick up the 116i for under R250k though, which is 125i money (which I would go for if I wasn't afraid of its maintenance costs. I've never owned a BMW), unless you're a bit lucky, and frankly, I've never thought that it's particularly good value for money.

Now, I don't want to go for Kia or Hyundai and the like. I'm sure they're fine cars, I just prefer sticking to Japanese and German. Also, my dad would taunt me and kill me an idiot :p

So, what are your thoughts? Anything else I should consider?
 
Messugga said:
Hi guys,

So I'm starting the Pretoria/Sandton commute a couple of days a week, in a month or so and I'm looking for a new car. I currently drive a Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GLS CVT, but it's getting on in km and I should probably look at flogging it before something expensive goes.
So, I don't want to go overboard, even though the BMW 125i coupe's been calling my name for a while now. I hear the shape is approaching end of life in any case. I'm 26 and don't have kids yet, so something sporty or a hatchback is fine.

Anyway, so I'd like some input from you fine people as I'm struggling a bit to decide. I'd like a car that's fun and comfortable to drive as I may end up in traffic and will be putting a good amount of kilometers on the odo in any case. I've been thinking of a Golf TSI or Audi A1 1.4 TSI, but apparently that engine is proving to be somewhat unreliable, so it's probably best to skip it.
I see you can pick up Honda Civic 1.8VXi's from 2010 with low km on the clock, for under R200k, which is great. I just don't like the 3 year warranty you find on them, since, if memory serves, their parts are pretty damn expensive, although they're bulletproof in terms of reliability. I also don't know about maintenance costs?
Another option that is a bit more, is the new BMW 1-series. Not a big fan of the hatch but it's a fun drive. You can only pick up the 116i for under R250k though, which is 125i money (which I would go for if I wasn't afraid of its maintenance costs. I've never owned a BMW), unless you're a bit lucky, and frankly, I've never thought that it's particularly good value for money.

Now, I don't want to go for Kia or Hyundai and the like. I'm sure they're fine cars, I just prefer sticking to Japanese and German. Also, my dad would taunt me and kill me an idiot :p

So, what are your thoughts? Anything else I should consider?
Click to expand...

Reconsider those in bold.
If you were against buying GWM or Chery I could understand. But Hyundai and Kia are making phenomenal cars
 
+3 .

But if you are dead set on getting something else how about an Alfa Guilietta? Haven't seen many complaints ito reliability and they look fantastic.

There is a new Civic out so don't spend so much on the old shape. They are also pretty ugly (subjective) and parts are expensive however they are really well built so nothing should go wrong.

The new BMW 1 series is actually very good - just be careful when selecting options.
 
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I'm a huge fan of BMW's but for what you're looking for I'd advise you go for a Golf GTI. It's a brilliant car and VERY good value for money, plus it will kick the 125i in the nuts robot-to-robot ;-)
 
Brawler said:
+3 .

But if you are dead set on getting something else how about an Alfa Guilietta?

There is a new Civic out so don't spend so much on the old shape. They are also pretty ugly (subjective) and parts are expensive however they are really well built so nothing should go wrong.

The new BMW 1 series is actually very good - just be careful when selecting options.
Click to expand...

The new BMW 1 series is good, absolutely, but so pricey! Then again, when compared with its competitors, it's not that bad as of late. With regards to the Guilietta - I've looked at it and it's within price range, I'm just not sure how reliable they are. I know they come with a pretty good warranty in an attempt to put people's minds at ease, but I don't know anybody who owns one and actually drives it a good amount.
 
Messugga said:
Hi guys,

So I'm starting the Pretoria/Sandton commute a couple of days a week, in a month or so and I'm looking for a new car. I currently drive a Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GLS CVT, but it's getting on in km and I should probably look at flogging it before something expensive goes.
So, I don't want to go overboard, even though the BMW 125i coupe's been calling my name for a while now. I hear the shape is approaching end of life in any case. I'm 26 and don't have kids yet, so something sporty or a hatchback is fine.

Anyway, so I'd like some input from you fine people as I'm struggling a bit to decide. I'd like a car that's fun and comfortable to drive as I may end up in traffic and will be putting a good amount of kilometers on the odo in any case. I've been thinking of a Golf TSI or Audi A1 1.4 TSI, but apparently that engine is proving to be somewhat unreliable, so it's probably best to skip it.
I see you can pick up Honda Civic 1.8VXi's from 2010 with low km on the clock, for under R200k, which is great. I just don't like the 3 year warranty you find on them, since, if memory serves, their parts are pretty damn expensive, although they're bulletproof in terms of reliability. I also don't know about maintenance costs?
Another option that is a bit more, is the new BMW 1-series. Not a big fan of the hatch but it's a fun drive. You can only pick up the 116i for under R250k though, which is 125i money (which I would go for if I wasn't afraid of its maintenance costs. I've never owned a BMW), unless you're a bit lucky, and frankly, I've never thought that it's particularly good value for money.

Now, I don't want to go for Kia or Hyundai and the like. I'm sure they're fine cars, I just prefer sticking to Japanese and German. Also, my dad would taunt me and kill me an idiot :p

So, what are your thoughts? Anything else I should consider?
Click to expand...

Honda Civic Hatch is what I would recommend for your requirements.
 
VW Polo 1.6TDI or maybe wait for Toyota to launch the 86 in June?(although im unsure of price):)

Nissan Juke/Qashqai?
 
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Polo GTI is the best compromise between performance and fuel economy, especially if you're going to be using it for that commute.

I'd go for the 125i though. It may not be the fastest or the most fuel efficient, but you'll love getting into it and driving it, and that's a good feeling especially if you're going to be spending 2 hours of your day in it. As for the shape, it may be approaching end of life but I still think that it looks great and will age well.
KaMoS said:
I'm a huge fan of BMW's but for what you're looking for I'd advise you go for a Golf GTI. It's a brilliant car and VERY good value for money, plus it will kick the 125i in the nuts robot-to-robot ;-)
Click to expand...
I used to think along those lines as well, but owning a sporty car is so much more than just robot to robot or 0-100 times. There's just something about a rear wheel drive, straight six beemer that makes you feel like smiling whenever you step into it and start driving it.
 
Golf GTI is way overpriced, and the engine in the 125i is going to be more reliable than with the Golf. BMW parts are quite reasonably priced due to the popularity of the brand, so I wouldn't write it off.

Kia and Hyundai have some great looking cars - I don't pick them because their engines are powerful enough for my liking. Still great cars.
 
My friend recently bought the Polo GTI...and it moves. Really. You put your foot down and the DSG gearbox seamlessly gets you to very high and irresponsible speed levels. That said, the suspension is and ride is too hard for me. He says he got used to it but it's not for me.

Like OP I am 26 (almost) and drive through to PTA a couple of times a week. I'm most probably going tell the Hyundai salesman on Monday that I'm taking the Elantra (with leather seats etc). Costs about the same as the Polo GTI but I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it more.

Anyway, OP, you should really consider the Koreans. Although, if you are willing to go to R280k (it will probably end up closer to 300 by the time you are done) you should take a look at the Ford Focus TDCi or the slightly cheaper Focus Sport.
 
Hamster said:
My friend recently bought the Polo GTI...and it moves. Really. You put your foot down and the DSG gearbox seamlessly gets you to very high and irresponsible speed levels. That said, the suspension is and ride is too hard for me. He says he got used to it but it's not for me.

Like OP I am 26 (almost) and drive through to PTA a couple of times a week. I'm most probably going tell the Hyundai salesman on Monday that I'm taking the Elantra (with leather seats etc). Costs about the same as the Polo GTI but I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it more.

Anyway, OP, you should really consider the Koreans. Although, if you are willing to go to R280k (it will probably end up closer to 300 by the time you are done) you should take a look at the Ford Focus TDCi or the slightly cheaper Focus Sport.
Click to expand...

Elantra 1.8l GLS is R40k cheaper than Polo GTI..
 
Brawler said:
Elantra 1.8l GLS is R40k cheaper than Polo GTI..
Click to expand...

Polo goes for 270 while the Elantra (with the extras) go for 250. But yes, not as close as my post made it seem because when you start adding service/maintenance plans. The Hyundai gets you a full maintenance plan at R9k where's the equivalent goes for R24k...

So yeah, not that close if you want similar stuff on the Polo as you want on the Hyundai. Either way, the Polo GTI is one of those cars I never want to own :/ Ridiculous paying that much for a 1.4


EDIT: and can anyone tell me why VW does not add USB to the in car sound systems?!?!
 
Hamster said:
So yeah, not that close if you want similar stuff on the Polo as you want on the Hyundai. Either way, the Polo GTI is one of those cars I never want to own :/ Ridiculous paying that much for a 1.4
Click to expand...

The 1.4 is the reason why it gets the kind of fuel economy that it does. I can't think of a single vehicle past or present with comparable performance that is able to achieve the same level of fuel economy.

Anyway I'm actually about to face the same choice - Polo GTI or BMW 125i and I'm leaning towards the beemer.
 
If you're willing to spend that much and don't need a family csr why not look at the Honda cr-z?
 
I'd not buy anything, if current car is reliable and safe (airbags/abs) I would rather put those huge kilo's on that then on a car I am pumping money into.

Just IMO.
 
The new Polo GTi's are awesome but have an Oil Drinking problem - google for it.

The best car under R300k is still a Golf 6 Gti secondhand

You could pick up a Mazda 3 MPS, Auris TRD, Polo GTi demo for around R260k if you look around.
 
Thanks for the input guys! Been a tad busy to reply properly, but will do so tonight. A Golf 6 GTI would be nice, but it'd be stretching my budget a tad. I don't really want to spend significantly over R250k and that manages to get you only GTI's with a good 50k on the odo.

As for the financial aspect - R250k wouldn't require a significant amount of my salary in instalments, if I don't just buy cash. Besides, if I were to spend 6 hours a week in the thing, I'd like to spend that time in comfort, thank you very much!
 
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