Calling Belky dud an idiot is not on its insulting to all the idiots out there and I think idiot dosent cover what he is
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 2:31am
Hi Homestead, I have a suggestion for you but before we get to that, as others have mentioned small engines plus old fashioned 4 speed automatics are far from ideal.
There are two key problems with this combination. 1. Not enough gears, with a small engine you need as many gears as possible to get the most out of it. Its not just a lack of power with a small engine but a lack of flexibility. A big motor will cope better with less gears because it can deliver torque/power over a greater rev range.
2. Old fashioned Auto's have a torque converter instead of a clutch. This dosn't usually stop slipping until you are cruising close to open road speeds. When it is slipping you lose up to 30% of your power and economy. The annoying thing is the less gears you have the more it slips too.
This is not a matter of opinion BTW, its just the physics of the situation and is easily verifiable.
Anyhow, on to my suggestion.
Basically the best option in those smaller cheaper cars is a CVT as it does away with the problems mentioned above. But the trouble is if you buy one that hasn't been serviced properly or like the Honda one is designed without a filter they just don't last.
The good news is the Fiat Punto of 2000 - 2003 vintage has such a CVT which so long as its serviced when it is supposed to be has a reputation for lasting exceptionally well. Fiat had the jump on the other competitors because they had been using CVT's for about 20 years successfully before this Punto came out.
Anyhow, that is my suggestion. Give one a drive, the economy and power is far superior to those with the 4 speed auto's. The car as a whole is very reliable, its galvanised so it dosn't rust, its very well appointed and very safe with 4 Star NCAP rating, multiple airbags, pre-tensioners, abs etc. Parts are cheap and easy to get and they are simple to work on with long service intervals.
Once you are in the drivers seat you should easily see what I mean. I know these little cars quite well and have owned them myself. If you decide you would like to pursue one let me know and I can help you out with what to look for when buying one to make sure you are getting a good one.
Happy Shopping.
mugenb20b,
Aug 18, 2:36am
I totally agree.
extrayda,
Aug 18, 2:45am
I've only ever found Kaz to be helpful and suggest practical things.I've used Car Inspection Services myself a couple of times, Kaz doesn't work for them (I know that wasn't what was being suggested, but that was the only place he was promoting that I saw).I have seen other people recommend the place he works at, but would suggest that they are doing that because they believe it is a good place - why else would they!If I buy another car, I would certainly visit there myself (doesn't he specialise in Multipla's!).
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 2:49am
He specialises in taking taking the mickey out of Multipla's if that's what you mean!
extrayda,
Aug 18, 2:56am
Yup, thats what I meant !I know you two are yin and yang ;-) I don't usually comment on people, but occassionally feel the need. Some here are useful (or in your case, dangerous, as if I get another van, I would have to look at the later model non duck billed multipla!), others just seem to be trolls (knuckle dragging or not :-).
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 3:08am
Kaz and I are yin and yang and as you no doubt agree he deserves respect as he is a genuine guy. That and I can give him loads of stick and he will just give it back, no love lost.
He also does me a favor as he covers all the boring inefficient alternatives so I can just pitch the very best in the class. It wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun or informative without him.
As for the trolls, its a real shame. Things have really deteriorated in here this year, we seem to have the same handful of trolls ruining thread after thread and getting worse by the day.
I really wish trademe would just give them the boot as they are adding zero value to the community.
Glad to hear you comprehend the revolution in automobiles that is the Multipla. and don't worry now you have crossed the line to the dark side its only a short and painless transition before you appreciate the aesthetics of the original.
extrayda,
Aug 18, 3:20am
Agreed on Kaz and Trolls.I think a good system would be that **members** could vote off the Trolls (maybe just for a one week holiday once X members had voted).Basing/Weighting it on how long someone had been a member would avoid the rebirths causing issues.
As for the best in class comment - it seems I misjudged you - I thought you were a Fiat / Audi fan! Now it sounds like you must work for the automotive wonder that is Cherry! (sorry trolling myself !)
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 3:26am
That would be a good system, although I am not sure I would have survived it myself when I arrived. lets just say I am an acquired taste. which even now some are yet to acquire.
Oh, and while I have been accused of cherry picking before but never quite like that!
ratherbefishin,
Aug 18, 3:28am
Go for a Corolla or Nissan make and model, there is no successful good long term CVT transmission. Also thatToyota VVTi motor isn't that brilliant either so you have to be careful there as well.check check and double check. If I were you.go for a Pulsar, standard gearbox and you will have an austere but functional car.
As a car dealer I never do anything with a M.not the M word.and S as well.so now, No BMW, NO Mercedes, No Mitsubishi, no Mazda, NO NO NO.Subaru. Do that and you won't feel the pain. Stick to Nissan, Toyota, Holden and Ford, except Modeo. That's my philosophy and I don't get burnt.
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 3:39am
Based on what!
How many Punto CVT's which have been serviced properly have let you down!
There are several well made CVT's around that last well. Audi's Multitronic is another one.
The Punto's has everything going for it, good filtration, not too much power/torque running through it and a sensible service interval. I am yet to see a properly serviced one fail at any km's and I have seen plenty myself and have discussed this with the busiest Fiat garages in the country.
thejazzpianoma,
Aug 18, 3:44am
LMAO, you have edited and added to your post. This is hilarious considering that Mazda and Ford share some of the same platforms and componentry,and by your definition the likes of the Taurus would be a safe buy. Then of course there is Nissan using the same CVT as the Punto.
Thanks for the laugh, you are quite the comedian.
clark20,
Aug 18, 4:36am
kaz is a good guy, and I would have no problem sending someone to him to look at "boring" cars as you call them. However you are condescending towards him, and that is just not nice. If it wasn't for his extensive experience , your euro bullying would be all over the place.
countrypete,
Aug 18, 4:38am
Funny thing is, the poster who is the most patronising, is actually in the least position to be so.
homestead_tm,
Aug 18, 4:43am
never thought of that one at all - and actually quite like the way it looks - will investigate further and reread your post - thank you so much for your suggestion -
homestead_tm,
Aug 18, 5:00am
another question - have been adament about a 1300 but maybe a 1500 shouldn't be out of the question - am used to paying $70. a week to fill up on gas and don't want to go much higher - travel the motorway from southeastern to the city and back every day and then just round town - should I just stick to the 1300 in order to control finances! - am out again tomorrow trawling car yards and the more info the better -
richardmayes,
Aug 18, 5:13am
For what it's worth - Kaz and Jazz and mugenb20b are worth listening to.
If I was looking for a small city car in that price bracket, I would get a Jap import manual 1,000cc Toyota Yaris/Echo and make the effort to learn to drive a manual! Even if you burn out the clutch while learning, that's still a cheap compared to what awaits you if your CVT (or even your conventional automatic transmission) turns out to be one of the ones that doesn't live forever. You don't want a little commuter car to be some misguided labour of love, you want the most mechanically simple and conventional machine you can get. IMHO.
BTW there are a few very poor quality comments on this thread, that hopefully will get voted off, they are certainly worthy of it. You've probably figured out which ones I mean.
They are the three who noone should listen to. (Two salesmen and an idiot.)
splinter67,
Aug 18, 3:56pm
And you are the fourth
bellky,
Aug 18, 4:00pm
How much does he pay you.
gammelvind,
Aug 18, 4:05pm
+1 A sad angry man, probably very unhappy with his lot in life and only comes here to share his dissappointment. Pity if he thought he could probably contribute to the conversation, but chooses not to.
splinter67,
Aug 18, 4:12pm
Problem is when he tries to help he uses google instead of knowledge if he understood what he was reading he wouldn't leave stupid comments like rotas have lots of torque
mugenb20b,
Aug 18, 4:24pm
I live 7 odd hours away from them, in a small country town. Why would they pay me, when they can pay someone else who is closer to Auckland!
bellky,
Aug 18, 4:27pm
Why do you do it then, because you're a friendly mug! This whole kazbanz carsales thing is not healthy.
bellky,
Aug 18, 4:28pm
And the whole thejazzpianoma carsales thing is unhealthy too.
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