Looking at a Nissan Wingroad, anyone have one!

Hi again,
The best thing I can suggest is that you go and drive some of these vehicles and compare the spec etc. Then talk to the likes of Qualitat regarding the VW's parts price etc.

As mentioned above you can't rely on the fuel economy ratings for vehicles like the Wingroad. Thats because those figures are unrealistic and incomparable because they are tested differently to how other nations do it. We are not just talking a little differently but a massive difference.

This information is available on the net if you need it regarding how the testing is done, this is not something I have made up.

Such a shame that everytime the Dealer types come out of the woodwork with their horror stories about anything other than Japanese cars that they can import easily in volume to make a profit.

Like I said its up to you, believe the wives tales and buy the much lesser vehicle or start doing some research that does not actually involve those who are biased.

Remember that reliability is not really a problem with the vast majority of modern cars. Also reliability is not just a function of the badge on the front like those peddling certain makes would have you believe.

Any objective person with mechanical understanding will tell you reliability is a function of what kind of running the car has done, how many km's on the clock, how well its been serviced, how sophisticated the vehicle is and lastly the particular make/model.

To get a reliable car you need to balance ALL those factors.

Now some Japanese cars like the Corolla when tested in reliability surveys are indeed more reliable than their counterparts. What you need to consider though is how this is achieved, especially when the quality of their construction and components is often less than their more expensive new European rivals.

The answer here lies in the sophistication part. Obviously if you have 2 airbags instead of 6 for example you are far less likely to have an airbag fault. The thing is though, do you really want to pay the same money for a car with just two airbags when the actual increase in reliability is really very small!

This same methodology exists right across the board. For example Toyota, Suzuki and others still use transmissions that are about 20 years out of date. It gives them only the tinyest advantage in reliability yet anyone driving one of those automatics is typically paying around $700 a year extra in fuel (based on average NZ milage).

Another way of considering things is why Toyota and Nissan would even be able to produce vehicles that are so much more reliable than the likes of VW who put more money into research and development than any other manufacturer and are famed for their quality control. (in any other country German cars areconsidered the pinicle of refinement and build quality)

Sorry to cause so much confusion. However I believe its much better to be awake to whats going on so at least you can make an informed decision. Its also good to at least be aware that some of those advising on here and "telling stories" are actually car dealers who rely solely on selling used Japanese imports for a living.

If you put yourself in their shoes and consider how you are going to sell a car that is less safe, less featured, less powerful, less comfortable, less economical for the same or more money than a car with a different badge its easy to understand the situation.

Incidentally, the likes of the Caldina etc have all the same sorts of disadvantages against the likes of the Golf. The only way to actually get an advantage is to consider the properly good cars that are less plentifully available and less profitable to dealers. That's where the better cars for less money hide.

You know the score, now its up to you.

So you have never replaced spark plugs, air filters or brake pads in 10 years then!

Wow these are an amazing cars!

My small fleet of actual work hacks (all Fiats) which were well used and purchased from between $600 - $1100 dollars had an equally spotless record during the collective 200'000km or so I owned them. These were driven by exuberant young guys who regularly did terrible things with them (drag racing against each other, offroading etc). Except of course I did change air filters and brake pads and we went through two clutch cables @ $45 each including fitting.

air filter yes it $12. brakes yes they $18 and tyres cheap to. Never changed the plugs cos they work good so no point.

Ahh so you paid about the same price as me for these parts then. Except I chose the more expensive brake pads although I could have bought the cheap and nasty ones if I wanted too.

Incidentally, if we had done the same milage in a Wingroad 1.8 Auto it would have cost us $25'000 in extra fuel. (and thats my most conservative estimate it would probably be more)

A couple of points I have just remembered in fairness though. I forgot we did do 5 timing belts at $30 each and 15 minutes fitting. Also the Wingroadis a larger car than what we were using. None the less though thats a LOT of cash saved.

Dare I ask what people think of the subaru stationwagons! lol. ironically I'm trying not to just go with a car I like the 'look' of and more weighing up all the factors. However the folks at the polytech apparently recommend staying away from those starting with a m. mitsi and mazda. which is a bit of a downer as I like models in both those makes.

So what I've gathered so far is any brand in the modern era is just as reliable as the next if you maintain them properly! I've never had issues with my current toyota but it has always had it's oil changed and brakes etc done when needed and it's never failed me yet. oh except when I hit a rock and buggered the gearbox but that wasn't the cars fault :/