Share your car reliability and service experiences

[Ancalagon]

Honda Civic, Ford Focus, VW Jetta all start under R250k. Much better options than the Kia/Hyundai competitors, which start at around the same price or more. The Koreans don't have a price advantage anymore and most of the other guys now also come with most things as standard.

I want to test drive a Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, Opel Astra, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Auris. That's all I can think of right now.

Not looking at the Renault Clio range because they dont have a combination that suits me. I would like a Clio with a little more power but I'm not willing to pay R291k for a Clio RS.

I haven't test driven anything yet. I'll probably take a few months to buy anything.

I'm not keen on Hyundai and Kia because their engines are so old.

EDIT: Regarding VW, hijack risk and insurance cost scares me a bit. But yes, I should probably test drive them too.

 

[Gulio]

I rate BMW as the best after sales service, they have the best motor plan.
Audi 2nd best.

VW is still the cheapest to maintain, parts are cheaper and readily available at most stores.

With your budget however, I think Hyundai is your best option.

 

[ahoudet]

I rate BMW as the best after sales service, they have the best motor plan.
Audi 2nd best.

VW is still the cheapest to maintain, parts are cheaper and readily available at most stores.

With your budget however, I think Hyundai is your best option.

+1 for the BMW service. It's really good. I've actually had as good, if not better, service from Audi so I'd rate them as the same. Merc on the other hand:erm:

I like Hyundai and Kia - OP should still test drive them before ruling them out (Same applies to the Clio)... The way I see it is that specs on paper vs. driving experience can be very different

 

[Georgios]

Suzuki Swift. Can't go wrong.

 

[DominionZA]

12 years and 4 Audi's. Zero issues, decent service. As soon as the cars motor plan expires I go to my local mechanic for services etc... Dealer will kill your wallet.

 

[Ancalagon]

+1 for the BMW service. It's really good. I've actually had as good, if not better, service from Audi so I'd rate them as the same. Merc on the other hand:erm:

I like Hyundai and Kia - OP should still test drive them before ruling them out (Same applies to the Clio)... The way I see it is that specs on paper vs. driving experience can be very different

I will test drive Hyundai and Kia. I just dont think I'd feel happy parting with all that money to get a 1.6 engine that produces say 73kW, when say Peugeot can produce a 1.6 engine that produces 88kW. I want good engineering in terms of technology (ie fuel efficiency and power), as well as good engineering in terms of safety and reliability.

Speaking of Peugeot, can anyone comment on reliability and service levels? Their 208 is looking quite attractive (on paper at least).

 

[Debeer165]

Can't talk about Peugeot myself, but if I were to get an efficient yet strong car I'd look at a small displacement turbo engine.

Like the 1.2 or 1.4 golf's, as it should have good low down torque which means you don't need to push the car as much as a larger naturally aspirated engine to get the same effect. One also loses much less power at altitude.

Lower down on price class, possibly an A1 (demo?), a Clio, the new Sandero, or the upcoming polo. No idea on if the Peugeot is a turbo.. But 1.6 at 88kw makes me think not

 

[Ancalagon]

No, its not a turbo. I can get the Opel Corsa 1.4T enjoy which also produces 88kW I think. The advantage of a non turbo charged engine is resale value - my thinking is that people would rather avoid buying a used turbo charged car because of the possibility of the turbo exploding.

My short list of candidates is: (in no particular order)
Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost Trend
Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure
VW Polo Comfortline 1.6
Opel Corsa 1.4T

That is all that comes to mind right now. I'll test drive the i20 and Kia Rio for comparison purposes, but they arent really in the running right now.

 

[ahoudet]

I will test drive Hyundai and Kia. I just dont think I'd feel happy parting with all that money to get a 1.6 engine that produces say 73kW, when say Peugeot can produce a 1.6 engine that produces 88kW. I want good engineering in terms of technology (ie fuel efficiency and power), as well as good engineering in terms of safety and reliability.

Speaking of Peugeot, can anyone comment on reliability and service levels? Their 208 is looking quite attractive (on paper at least).

I heard the 307 had bad clutch problems and that the 407 wasn't reliable... But rather someone that's owned a Peugeot gives you advice... I'd say still test drive the cars before ruling them out... It might just surprise you. The Clio on paper is quite a bit slower than the 208 but then rather look at the Megane (1.6 is 10k more than the 208 and it's one segment above)

 

[Ancalagon]

I heard the 307 had bad clutch problems and that the 407 wasn't reliable... But rather someone that's owned a Peugeot gives you advice... I'd say still test drive the cars before ruling them out... It might just surprise you. The Clio on paper is quite a bit slower than the 208 but then rather look at the Megane (1.6 is 10k more than the 208 and it's one segment above)

Thanks, I'll test drive that one too. Its actually decently priced, especially considering it has a 100 000km service plan as standard, compared to the 60 000km service plan which Peugeot offers.

 

[Debeer165]

I've heard of people complaining about the fuel consumption of their 1.0 Ecoboost strangely enough.

One note on the polo, if the other options don't appeal to you much then wait a while as the new polo is coming out around July. The new one has a range of turbo engines and newer tech etc. This would knock down the resale on the older polo models as well.

 

[creeper]

I've heard of people complaining about the fuel consumption of their 1.0 Ecoboost strangely enough.

One note on the polo, if the other options don't appeal to you much then wait a while as the new polo is coming out around July. The new one has a range of turbo engines and newer tech etc. This would knock down the resale on the older polo models as well.

Yes. Fuel consumption is higher than the 5.7l/100km claimed. I've just bought
one and is currently at 8.0. Mostly due to driving in the city. But it still better than my old car that was getting 9.0l/100km.

 

[Fazda]

Yes. Fuel consumption is higher than the 5.7l/100km claimed. I've just bought
one and is currently at 8.0. Mostly due to driving in the city. But it still better than my old car that was getting 9.0l/100km.

Quoted consumption figures and those found in the real world are two totally different things.

Quoted figures are done in the factory on a rolling road - if you get even vaguely close to them you can pat yourself on the back.

 

[creeper]

Quoted consumption figures and those found in the real world are two totally different things.

Quoted figures are done in the factory on a rolling road - if you get even vaguely close to them you can pat yourself on the back.

I know. There is a whole thread here somewhere on this. The interesting thing is that with a good maintained vehicle, driving style and traffic being nice, fuel consumption can be very close to the claimed. The best I ever got was my Clio III 1.6 was 6l/100km driving to the coast. Otherwise it was around 7l/100km.

 

[Debeer165]

Yes. Fuel consumption is higher than the 5.7l/100km claimed. I've just bought
one and is currently at 8.0. Mostly due to driving in the city. But it still better than my old car that was getting 9.0l/100km.

Not sure how busy your city driving is, but I get 8.5 to 9 on my 1.6 old model Sandero. 11 if it's really dead traffic the whole way. Would have expected better from the 1.0...

 

[Brenden_E]

Not sure how busy your city driving is, but I get 8.5 to 9 on my 1.6 old model Sandero. 11 if it's really dead traffic the whole way. Would have expected better from the 1.0...

Jeepers, I agree 8L/100km is high for such a small engine. Do you do robot racing?

 

[creeper]

Not sure how busy your city driving is, but I get 8.5 to 9 on my 1.6 old model Sandero. 11 if it's really dead traffic the whole way. Would have expected better from the 1.0...

A bit premature of me to state the fuel consumption. I've only filled it up once. Also, engines need to be driven in. But the 5.7l/100km claimed was always optimistic. The 1.0l doesn't have low down torque, so you need to rev it to accelerate. Driving in city traffic, logically this happens often.

Jeepers, I agree 8L/100km is high for such a small engine. Do you do robot racing?

Haha. No. But the engine doesn't warm up for I drive 7km to work (yeah, I should cycle or jog the distance, but I'm lazy in the mornings).

Regarding reliability. My Clio III has 237 000 km, on the original clutch. Only issues were exhaust, fixed on warranty, an odd ghost problem where the hazards would just activate, but sorted via a computer reset and the wiper motor broke.

Services: Serviced my car in Pretoria, N12 in Boksburg, Sandton (which is now in Cortlett drive). General service was good.

 

[GoB]

Honda Jazz 1.5 CVT 2006: 100'000 km
Service: Competent 1 day service but expensive, I reckon average 6k / year with consumables.

Issues:
Front shock mounts wore out recently (not essential)
Front brake pads last 12'000 km only. (cvt / maniac wife)

Pros:
Fits a dishwasher, recliner, 8 dining chairs or a 4.2m pine beam.

 

[Ancalagon]

Excuse the formatting, but below is a list of insurance values that I received from FNB insurance. Not sure who the underwriter is. All of the quotes include car hire and an excess waiver. I think they also assume my risk profile in terms of age, location etc.

Anyway, first I need to mention that the consultant made a special note that the VW Polo is a high hijack and theft risk. Second thing is look at the calculated rate! As soon as the insured value goes over R200k, the rate climbs. And that happens again at R300k. The premium seems to have less to do with the actual risk profile of the car and more to do with the replacement value of the car.

Car	Purchase price/insured value	Insurance premium	Insurance premium rate
2014 Peugeot 208 1.6 Vti Allure	215000	1090.94	197.0777495
2014 Peugoet 308 GTi	347500	1553.9	223.6308643
2014 Renault Megane 1.6 Expression	224900	1139.34	197.3949831
2014 Renault Clio RS 1.6 turbo	314900	1413.9	222.7173067
2014 Hyundai i20 1.4 Glide	193900	1101.04	176.1062268
2014 Opel Astra 1.4T Enjoy	265800	1334.15	199.2279729
2014 Opel Corsa 1.4T Enjoy	196000	1112.3	176.2114537
2014 VW Polo Comfortline 1.6	216300	1097.17	197.1435603
2014 Kia Rio 1.4	185005	1058.66	174.7539342
2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Trend	227230	1149.5	197.677251
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Powershift Trend	305300	1372.67	222.413253
2014 Audi A1 Sportback 1.2FSI Attraction	241500	1217.81	198.3067966

 

[ahoudet]

Snip

What exactly is insurance premium and insurance premium rate?? I'm a bit lost:erm: I only know what I pay monthly, the insured amount and excess... Can't see which one classifies to the two I mentioned above

Seems like the premium is the monthly cost so whats the insurance premium rate??