What car to get?

MIA7171 said:
Mazda3 Astina. Some of the Audi A4 or A3 navigation are optional, some comes in with as bonus.
Ford Focus navigation is optional. These 3 cars meets most of your requirements.
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Test drove the Mazda 3. I liked it until I test drove the Volvo V40, its just missing something.
 
tsume said:
Has the 2016 Megane been released? I thought it was only coming out in September.
I remember seeing the review of the GT Megane and it looked sexy.
Anyway, I've often gotten the impression from people that the French cars aren't as reliable as their competitors. Can anyone clear this up?
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History of Renaults we've had with the mileage when we sold them:

2001 Scenic - 288k km
2000 Megane - 280k km (we know the buyer, it's now on 340k)
2010 Koleos - 65k km
2007 Megane - 165k km
2000 Megane - 230k km (still own this one)
2000 Scenic - 100k km (still own this one)
2000 Megane - 150k km (bought it last week, taking delivery this week or next week)

The Koleos was a 2.5, 2007 Megane a 1.9 DCI and the rest were 1.6

Only one that gave a few issues was the 2007 Megane but it hadn't been looked after by the previous owner. The rest never gave trouble :)

The key is to make sure you use a good mechanic. In our experience, Renault dealers weren't very good in 2001 but improved significantly and became decent in about 2010.

I'd still use a private mechanic when out of plan though as they're cheap and easy cars to work on. Parts have never been an issue - longest we waited was 3 weeks for a footwell compartment cover that had to be ordered (something that should never need to be replaced - bought the car without it). Any service parts have always been available at any time over the counter. Parts are reasonable as well :)
 
Whats people opinion on the Audi A1 sportback? I know its considered a polo with an Audi badge. But I see quite a number of low mileage A1's available.
 
tsume said:
Whats people opinion on the Audi A1 sportback? I know its considered a polo with an Audi badge. But I see quite a number of low mileage A1's available.
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But there are low mileage A3s too.

If you were 100% buying new, I would understand why you are limiting yourself to entry cars. Buying second hand opens up many better options.
 
tsume said:
Whats people opinion on the Audi A1 sportback? I know its considered a polo with an Audi badge. But I see quite a number of low mileage A1's available.
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Won't it be a bit small for you?
 
PostmanPot said:
But there are low mileage A3s too.

If you were 100% buying new, I would understand why you are limiting yourself to entry cars. Buying second hand opens up many better options.
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This. Go for a one/two year old version of a model up from what you're currently looking at.
 
tsume said:
I've often gotten the impression from people that the French cars aren't as reliable as their competitors. Can anyone clear this up?
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I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, but my dad has a soft spot for Renault for some godforsaken reason. He's owned at least four I can recall, all from either brand new or fairly new condition. A TS and a Renault 9 back in the day and in modern times a Megane and he's now onto a Duster. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. Broke. Down. With. Electrical. Problems.

He's also had multiple Audi's and Isuzu's, never a problem. Brother in-law had a couple of different Peugeot and Citroen estates on lease in the Netherlands, all broken down with electrical problems, he's also had VW's and Audi's, never a problem.

Personally I've only had Mazda's and BMW's, always with impeccable reliability, but it will be a cold day in hell before you catch me buying a french car of any description ;)

EDIT: coincidentally spotted more lovely Renault reliability being discussed :D http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/807419-New-car-starting-to-act-up
 
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PostmanPot said:
But there are low mileage A3s too.

If you were 100% buying new, I would understand why you are limiting yourself to entry cars. Buying second hand opens up many better options.
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Think I'm feeling a bit discouraged cause I've been searching for so long.
I'm also having doubts if I should spend so much, was planning to buy a place next year but might do it for this year.
I've been looking for that car which is just right but I still haven't been able to find that one.
 
tsume said:
Think I'm feeling a bit discouraged cause I've been searching for so long.
I'm also having doubts if I should spend so much, was planning to buy a place next year but might do it for this year.
I've been looking for that car which is just right but I still haven't been able to find that one.
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Some words of advice when buying both consider interest rate hikes. The house purchase will be most affected by the jumps in the interest rate due to its large capital value.

Use online calculators with different scenarios to see if it still works in your budget.
 
tsume said:
Think I'm feeling a bit discouraged cause I've been searching for so long.
I'm also having doubts if I should spend so much, was planning to buy a place next year but might do it for this year.
I've been looking for that car which is just right but I still haven't been able to find that one.
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Trust me mate.. Looking for a place is just as painful.
 
tsume said:
Think I'm feeling a bit discouraged cause I've been searching for so long.
I'm also having doubts if I should spend so much, was planning to buy a place next year but might do it for this year.
I've been looking for that car which is just right but I still haven't been able to find that one.
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I would just spend R100,000 on a low mileage (+-100,000km) 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 or A3 8P, and call it a day. Or you could look at the A3 8P facelift with LED dot/strip lighting for R150,000. It's it more common in S-tronic too.

If you're worrying about a 10% fuel saving, then you might be biting off a bit more than you can chew.
 
So I've decided at getting an A3 sportback.
The 1.4T turbo seems to be the most common one which Audi dealerships seem to have stock on, but should I rather lean towards the 1.6?
 
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