Looked at Small cars over the w/e

[maloo97]

Hey all.

My Girlfriend is buying a new car. Unfortunately She wants one of these new Barina's

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=1

obviously she has a budget & we have to try stick to it but shit

Went and had a look yesterday :yikes:
OMFG
3 Door Auto $17,000
5 Door Auto $19,000

Drive Away

Small car in auto you have got to be kidding!!!

I could rant and rave but i just am too tired to do it.

Tryed to get her a yarris or a astra 2nd hand, But once they have there mind set on something well as you all know thats it LOL

Also
Looked at the Kia Rio 5 door Auto $14,000 Drive away
Drove like a sack of shit, Road noise was terrible from inside the cabin List goes on.

Surly holden can move on those prices,
cause in my book thats bloody that's ridiculous.
If thats how it is i think id buy a Mazda 2.

I know there are a few members out there that work for holden dealer in sydney i just cant remember who! I thought Kurt but thought he went somewhere else this is why i post.

[Calibrated]

go look at the new fiesta. or the i30. both much better cars and better value for money. hell at 19k she could get an 08 demo Astra CD.

[EL BURITO]

go look at the new fiesta. or the i30. both much better cars and better value for money. hell at 19k she could get an 08 demo Astra CD.
or a 08 Fiesta as they are priced really low if you can find one, new ones are sexy though.

(http://www.opelaus.com/forums/member.php?u=1057)RED (http://www.opelaus.com/forums/member.php?u=1057) is in sales for Holden

[sooty]

Tryed to get her a yarris or a astra 2nd hand, But once they have there mind set on something well as you all know thats it LOL



All you have to do is find something she likes more than the new barina, then she'll completely forget about it...

[Greg K]

Mazda 2 Neo / Maxx with safety pack can be bought for around $18k.

try comparing the "value" to her, of say the Yaris, Mazda 2, Fiesta compared to the Barina... or tell her its like buying a really cheap pair of shoes and paying for them three times!!

[mania]

go look at the new fiesta. or the i30. both much better cars and better value for money. hell at 19k she could get an 08 demo Astra CD.
The i30 is a great car for the money.

[Wraith]

go look at the new fiesta. or the i30. both much better cars and better value for money. hell at 19k she could get an 08 demo Astra CD.

+1

Those 2 above or the Mazda 2 would be pick of the 'affordable' small car bunch ATM :)

If your gf wants to save money, go S/H or near new on any of the above.

With regards to those Holden prices above, have or did you try more than one dealer ???

They're doing it tough ATM so shop around and get the best price, you could also try a good or reputable new car broker, throw that in the mix and see how you go ;)

[maloo97]

Thanks for the feedback. If She had the money she would get a mazda 2 although isn't prepared to spend anymore than 15k that's why i think she i set on the barina! What i cant understand is that holden want so much when there car is basically shit compared to the others out there

[daaaaavek]

I think they are selling at that price based on the reputation the Barina name has built up by using Opel cars.

Also, if saving money is the objective don't go for something too new that will require expensive dealer servicing. Go for something 3-4 years older that can more likely be repaired by a local mechanic using widely available parts. Just my 2c.

[btm]

the yaris gets my vote in the small car catagory

[Snotty]

the yaris gets my vote in the small car catagory

+1


i30 if you can spend more money. best value.

[maloo97]

Yaris may be the winner
Can get a 2008 5 door auto
with 3000's on the clock!
2 years warranty
$15,000

[Calibrated]

swift?

[HappySlapper82]

What about a Colt? :p I just bought a vr-x for 16k on road. Also spotted a dealer advert for the ralliart model for 17k :eek:

[xplosv57]

One car that hasn't been mentioned is the Nissan Micra, ok the styling is a bit out there, but we paid 15k brand new, auto with heaps of gear ABS, 2 airbags, elec windows/mirrors, CD/MP3 etc!!!

[Jerram]

heck at 19k she could get a very nice Vectra CDXi 2005/6
or even a G SRi Turbo...

[maloo97]

One car that hasn't been mentioned is the Nissan Micra, ok the styling is a bit out there, but we paid 15k brand new, auto with heaps of gear ABS, 2 airbags, elec windows/mirrors, CD/MP3 etc!!!

The thought did cross my mind!
Although as said the styling is out there!
Looks like a London taxi lol

[Neeko]

she can have my barina :)

[MK]

One car that hasn't been mentioned is the Nissan Micra, ok the styling is a bit out there, but we paid 15k brand new, auto with heaps of gear ABS, 2 airbags, elec windows/mirrors, CD/MP3 etc!!!

yep, these are good value for money...

[Wraith]

heck at 19k she could get a very nice Vectra CDXi 2005/6
or even a G SRi Turbo...

Speaking myself, I wouldn't bother paying the better part of 20k on a S/H vehicle (in this category that we're discussing in this thread) with quite a few years and mileage on it, especially a forced inducted type like a TS turbo Astra, I'd only look at near new or new as what Maloo's doing, at least that way you've got piece of mind with full warranty term and it's always nicer to have a brand new car over someone elses S/H or 3rd or 4th hand car...

Afterall, it's Maloos' gf and I don't think she'd be interested in a turbo Astra or Vecce like most guys on here, sounds like she just wants something small, efficient, neat and new :)

I didn't think about it before but the Nissan Micra (as mentioned above) is also an excellent choice in terms of value for money, a good girlfriend of mine bought one not long ago, not my taste, but very good car none the less, only thing is they are available as an auto only :)

[maloo97]

Micra seems to have it all except the looks lol.
Discussed them and even looked at them but not a fan!
Any one know anything about the tida???

[Calibrated]

i've seen renault advertising '08 demo Megane Sedans for $17k drive away.

[Wraith]

Micra seems to have it all except the looks lol.
Discussed them and even looked at them but not a fan!
Any one know anything about the tida???

Don't know much about them technically, but I did drive a rented Tiida last year on and off for 2 weeks...

All I can say is that it drove fairly well and has heaps of room inside, it is actually a big small car, if that makes any sense :)

Outside view from all corners is excellent and it even has huge side mirrors, it would make for a very good choice of DD IMO, if you like the shape and size and you should get one on road for under 20k.

[rjastra]

The problem your GF will face is that she wants an AUTO. That automatically bumps up the price by nearly $2K

I assume the price you quoted also included the option pack of Alloy wheels and ABS. If so, then 17K on road for the 3 door seems quite reasonable.

To match that spec you would need to get a mid range Yaris (not the base spec 1.3L) or Mazda 2

http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/

[maloo97]

Yes has to be auto as has no idea or interest in driving manual. Im and quite aware it ads on 2k on the price of new car.
Prices quoted on barina's were base models no extras.

[HappySlapper82]

Yes has to be auto as has no idea or interest in driving manual. Im and quite aware it ads on 2k on the price of new car.
Prices quoted on barina's were base models no extras.
You can get an CVT auto Colt, Vr-x model with electric sunroof, elec windows, alloys, tint, sports seats, leather wheel, sports gauges, 6 Stack in-dash mp3/wma player, dual airbags, abs, asp, etc brand new for 16k easy

[Greg K]

not sure on the current pricing, but im sure they fit in the category are the Hyundai Getz or the Honda Jazz.

[Neeko]

not sure on the current pricing, but im sure they fit in the category are the Hyundai Getz or the Honda Jazz.

my sisters 08 getz is a great little car. Good as a daily commuter.

[btm]

i think the jazz is out of price range

[Snotty]

You can get an CVT auto Colt, Vr-x model with electric sunroof, elec windows, alloys, tint, sports seats, leather wheel, sports gauges, 6 Stack in-dash mp3/wma player, dual airbags, abs, asp, etc brand new for 16k easy
where?

[maloo97]

You can get an CVT auto Colt, Vr-x model with electric sunroof, elec windows, alloys, tint, sports seats, leather wheel, sports gauges, 6 Stack in-dash mp3/wma player, dual airbags, abs, asp, etc brand new for 16k easy

Is that what you got???

We just went and looked at the colts.
If she can get that deal she will most probs buy it

[HappySlapper82]

Is that what you got???

We just went and looked at the colts.
If she can get that deal she will most probs buy it

Yeah thats what I got except in manual. I didn't have to haggle for it though so if you couldn't spin a deal and get the auto, I'll eat one of it's tyres

[HappySlapper82]

here's one here http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/demo/details.aspx?R=6479883&keywords=vr-x&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr-x&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11FF1AEFC035&__N=1216%201246%201252%204294964597%204294964539&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=vr-x&trecs=16

[Taffy]

my sisters 08 getz is a great little car. Good as a daily commuter.

My g/f's Getz has done over 140,000kms in under two years and has been constantly thrashed. Nothing has gone wrong with it. Very reliable but not very exciting obviously.

[Neeko]

My g/f's Getz has done over 140,000kms in under two years and has been constantly thrashed. Nothing has gone wrong with it. Very reliable but not very exciting obviously.

thats an incredible amount of K's. My sisters car broke down first 500km she had it. Fuel gauge stopped working:(

[Snotty]

Yeah thats what I got except in manual. I didn't have to haggle for it though so if you couldn't spin a deal and get the auto, I'll eat one of it's tyres

still dont think you can get one with sunroof for 16k "easy" once you include orc?

[Snotty]

My g/f's Getz has done over 140,000kms in under two years and has been constantly thrashed. Nothing has gone wrong with it. Very reliable but not very exciting obviously.
my sisters excel is sitting on about 170k, had the transmission go at about 100k, other than that its been serviced no more than 3 times in its life of 10 years (oil and filter changes only + last service was a timing belt) it has had no problems and refuses to die.

[EL BURITO]

The thought did cross my mind!
Although as said the styling is out there!
Looks like a London taxi lol
but it has a draw for your heels under the passenger seat ;)

[Wraith]

thats an incredible amount of K's. My sisters car broke down first 500km she had it. Fuel gauge stopped working:(

That's just bad luck...unlucky lemon, happens with most brands, at least you'd have the new car warranty in such a case :)

[Wraith]

my sisters excel is sitting on about 170k, had the transmission go at about 100k, other than that its been serviced no more than 3 times in its life of 10 years (oil and filter changes only + last service was a timing belt) it has had no problems and refuses to die.

Whilst we're on this topic, I had an AE82 (1986 model) Toyota Corolla I purchased with 233,000km on it and drove it to over 350,000km over 6 years without a single service in all that time ! all I did was put petrol in it and top up coolant water and oil about 3 or 4 times a year and it never skipped a beat !

It eventually suffered a distributor breakdown, the engine and everything else was still good :)

This isn't an isolated case either and certainly proves the point that Toyotas' are amongst the most reliable cars out there :)

[Neeko]

That's just bad luck...unlucky lemon, happens with most brands, at least you'd have the new car warranty in such a case :)

guess what colour the car is :p it received its nick name in the first 500 km lol

[maloo97]

You can get an CVT auto Colt, Vr-x model with electric sunroof, elec windows, alloys, tint, sports seats, leather wheel, sports gauges, 6 Stack in-dash mp3/wma player, dual airbags, abs, asp, etc brand new for 16k easy

Well went back out today. Best price for a stock es colt - $17700.
Dont know how you did it.

[HappySlapper82]

Well went back out today. Best price for a stock es colt - $17700.
Dont know how you did it.

Is this one too far away? http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/demo/details.aspx?R=6479883&keywords=vr-x&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr-x&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11FF6C09D323&__N=1216%201246%201252%204294964597%204294964539&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=vr-x&trecs=16

[HappySlapper82]

Well went back out today. Best price for a stock es colt - $17700.
Dont know how you did it.

I rang the dealer before I even drove out to see the car and told him I had been quoted 16k for a Hyundai Getz SX (which is there equivelent in features) and if he could match that price I will buy it today. The guy on the phone didn't even hesitate and said yes. Whether he was desperate for a sale or not, I don't know.

[maloo97]

Thats plus onc.
They dont seem to be doing anything atm here. bastards

[ROCCO]

here's one here http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/demo/details.aspx?R=6479883&keywords=vr-x&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr-x&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11FF1AEFC035&__N=1216%201246%201252%204294964597%204294964539&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=vr-x&trecs=16 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/demo/details.aspx?R=6479883&keywords=vr-x&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=vr-x&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11FF1AEFC035&__N=1216%201246%201252%204294964597%204294964539&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_RankSort_Int 32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_Make_String%7C0%7C%7CpCar_Model_S tring%7C0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=vr-x&trecs=16)


Ha you just dug your own hole...name a place when and where I wanna see ya eat a tyre...hell I'll even provide a tyre for you

[HappySlapper82]

Ha you just dug your own hole...name a place when and where I wanna see ya eat a tyre...hell I'll even provide a tyre for you

No I didn't lol. I could buy that car for what they are asking and get them to include orc. If I was going to sign that day they'd be stupid not too

Ps. I know this is true because I'VE JUST BOUGHT ONE

[lee683]

even go at the end of the month u might get a good deal too.

i did with mine

[maloo97]

Yeh thats what im thinking about today.

So a brand new car in auto this is what she can getFor 15k Drive Away

5 Door kia rio.
5 Door Hyundai getz
3 Door Holden Barina

Or thinking about a holden cruze 04 model. 20k on the clock!

[xplosv57]

Yeh thats what im thinking about today.

So a brand new car in auto this is what she can getFor 15k Drive Away

5 Door kia rio.
5 Door Hyundai getz
3 Door Holden Barina

Or thinking about a holden cruze 04 model. 20k on the clock!

Still forgetting the Micra, 15k driveaway and more features than the 3 mentioned above!!

[maloo97]

Yes the micra. Drove on today, Fairly nice, smooth, has all the features but the looks are terrible

[btm]

Yeh thats what im thinking about today.

So a brand new car in auto this is what she can getFor 15k Drive Away

5 Door kia rio.
5 Door Hyundai getz
3 Door Holden Barina

Or thinking about a holden cruze 04 model. 20k on the clock!

out of those 3 i'd get the getz

[Wraith]

even go at the end of the month u might get a good deal too.

i did with mine

BINGO :clap:

For all those who don't know, end of the month is better than beginning or during the month !

End of year (December) is even better !

End of the financial year or last week or 2 of June is probably the best time to hit the dealers for a new car deal bargain !!!

And at the moment, they're mostly all struggling, I hear it on a weekly basis of people in the car selling business losing their jobs, because of poor sales and loss of revenue and commisions, if you know how to negotiate, you can get a ripper deal ATM - no doubts on that one ! ;)

[Neeko]

out of those 3 i'd get the getz

+1

[simmy]

get the cruze!

[rjastra]

I see that Getz start at 13000 on road for a 3 door 1.4 manual.

$17500 for a ES Colt CVT driveaway

[J]

It's a pity your girlfriend must have a new car, and her budget is only 15K.

Small cars and auto in general are not a good combo. Let's hope she doesn't drive around heaps, because in order to keep up with traffic, they often drink the same amount, if not more, than 1.8-2 litre cars. Heck, my chipped Corsa C auto does more than 9L/100km, which is almost the same as my Astra G (manual) Turbo at 9.5L/100km under the same conditions!

This issue can somewhat be resolved with a 5-speeder from the current Jazz (although tests from Wheels show it still drinks even with this arrangement!), a 6-speeder from a new Polo, and completely resolved with a CVT from the superseded Jazz and the current Colt. Choosing these cars instead will also bring a tangible increase in qualilty, reliability (perhaps not the Polo!), and crash safety. Sure, the latest Barina gets 4 stars, but I wouldn't trust that!

At this point, if I was in her position, I would do one of the following:
1) Provided I don't need a car like, right now, and that I've got a job, I can live on the cheap for a month or so, and end up raising my budget to 16-17K, to buy a car that will drive better and/or runs cheaper and/or last longer;
2) If I must have a car right now, then I may consider begging my BF for a temporary extra 1-2K to do the above, to pay back ASAP;
3) Convince myself that new isn't always better, and get a demo version of the above cars, or a near-new superseded Jazz, or even an older Mazda3/Corolla, for 15K.

I would only buy a Getz/Barina/Rio as a last resort, and roughly in that order.

[maloo97]

Thanks for that j.
If she had the money it would have been a Mazda 2 Genki,
Think the new car option is out i think she is keen on the 'holden' Cruze

[rjastra]

Thanks for that j.
If she had the money it would have been a Mazda 2 Genki,
Think the new car option is out i think she is keen on the 'holden' Cruze

God... from the frying pan into the fire. The old Cruze is nothing but a dressed up Suzuki Ignis. What is wrong with women and car purchases?

[Red AH SRI T]

Getting a price for you now!!

[maloo97]

Thanks Kurt.

And well a nother car has come into it.
Honda Jazz. 2nd hand 07 mod with 9k on the clock $15,500.

[lithium]

mate if it was me, i'd go one or two years old and get a better car than a getz/barina - the jazz you mentioned sounds good. or try to squeeze in a 2-3 year old base model mazda 3/mazda 2 on private sale

best of luck :cool:

[maloo97]

Thanks guys. She is all over the shop atm.
All she really needs is a small car low k's auto.
15k or under

[rjastra]

Thanks Kurt.

And well a nother car has come into it.
Honda Jazz. 2nd hand 07 mod with 9k on the clock $15,500.

Sounds good... 1.3l or 1.5L spec?

[cbrmale]

I noticed a few recomendations for the Hyundai i30. I had the Hyundai I30's predecessor, the XD Elantra hatch. It drove rather well and the 2 litre engine was much stronger than an equivalent Japanese engine. But overall it was a terrible car: it had several warranty issues that required endless trips to the dealer, it broke down on me a couple of times and when the $3,500 exhaust manifold cracked I had enough and sold it.

The biggest problem with Korean cars is the lack of quality from their suppliers, particularly suppliers of electrical equipment. Most of the failures of my Elantra were electrical: key fobs (twice), radio, indicator relay, fuel pump relay and some others I can't recall. Beyond electrical, the brake rotors warped three times (different rotors fitted each time but none of them any good) and the hatch struts failed. And, of course, the exhaust manifold, which was a known fault and was actually recalled in the US, but the Australian distributors didn't want to know about it.

I have owned several cars from new, and the Elantra had more faults and failures than all of my previous cars put together! I don't believe that Hyundai have significantly improved reliability in the iterim, the i30 has largely the same mechanical package as my XD, so even with the five year warranty they are nothing but trouble.

Look at the Hyundai forums and you will find the problems with the i30 are quite common, mostly electrical faults and some major issues with the rear suspension as well. So while they have improved the driveability of their cars, the XD was actually quite good, they still have a long way to go before they reach a complete package. It is a pity, because their cars do drive well and the major mechanical components (engine, gearbox) are quite sound, but they need to work much harder at overall reliability before they can be taken seriously.

These reliability issues obviously apply to other Hyundai models (Getz), and also to other Korean cars (for example the Daewoo-sourced Barina), because the majority of reliability problems come from poor quality control at the Korean component supplier level.

[USC]

Many european cars also have endless electrical problems. You must have bought a lemon...just bad luck I guess.

[Jerram]

Opels seem pretty good though; it seems to be the sensors themselves that go on our stuff.

I would say go for the Jazz, or something else made in Japan. The cars themselves may seem reasonably white-goodish, but they're made well, and no offence to women but in many cases reliability and ease of use are more important to female drivers then male ones.

[lee683]

theres been an add on tv all weekend here.
albion park mitsubishi are selling brand new proton satria's for $9,990

[rjastra]

I would say go for the Jazz, or something else made in Japan. The cars themselves may seem reasonably white-goodish, but they're made well, and no offence to women but in many cases reliability and ease of use are more important to female drivers then male ones.


I'll let you into a secret. The jazz was not built in Japan ;)


These reliability issues obviously apply to other Hyundai models (Getz), and also to other Korean cars (for example the Daewoo-sourced Barina), because the majority of reliability problems come from poor quality control at the Korean component supplier level.

You calmed down yet? Do you honestly believe that the fabulous Barina C was actually more reliable or better built than the current Daewoo sourced version? Do you have any proof?

[Keep'emRunning]

..also remember that whilst some of these small cars are equipped with all the modern gadgetry we all so much desire, some have a rather poor Crash & Safety Rating.

Check them out here http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au

[EL BURITO]

You calmed down yet? Do you honestly believe that the fabulous Barina C was actually more reliable or better built than the current Daewoo sourced version? Do you have any proof?


one star vs 5 think that says a fair bit

[rjastra]

one star vs 5 think that says a fair bit

If you care to look it up the current Barina has a similar or better rating than the Barina C.
Remember this discussion is about someone wanting to buying a NEW car.

[glider]

here's an interesting one for this discussion

2006 barina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCAoeFgiiWE

2008 updated model

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llCsf3x7RKA

side by side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YC6QP81CvU&feature=related

[Neeko]

thats terrible

[lee683]

yeah just a bit of damage