Hi all, looking for a new "daily use" car, will be doing a 50km round trip open road daily, so economy would be nice. Few questions.looking at Ractis/Tiida/Civic/Demio type of thing for around 10K. Most of these sorts of things have 1300-1500cc motors and autos, exception being the Tiida which comes in an 1800cc version, not many round though. Haven't owned a modern 1500cc car so how powerful are they! Can't see them being any more economical than anmodern 1800cc-2000cc car in everyday life! Maybe better to look towards a 2 litre! Also CVT trans.hate them, but are the modern ones better! Lastly I'm a big bloke, so appreciate easy access (higher roof).any other options of models anyone has experience with! (NO Euro trash sorry) Cheers all
curlcrown,
Nov 23, 8:01pm
If you are doing mostly open road driving a commodore or falcon my be worth a look. Surprisingly economical on the open road. I recently got better than 10 litres per 100km on a trip in an au falcon and you could expect slightly better from a more modern one.
robinm1,
Nov 24, 4:58am
My dad is a fairly big man, in his 80's with shot knees etc. He recently bought a new car. He looked at nearly everything available new in the 1600cc to 2 litre class of cars. He found the best on as far as getting in and out, for him, was a Suzuki SX4. Could be worth a look.
mugenb20b,
Nov 24, 6:07am
It's not the best or the nicest looking car in the world but have a look at a Hyundai Lavita / Matrix.
ambo11,
Nov 24, 6:38am
Cheers guys, never thought of an SX4, look good though, looking at a Toyota Isis today hopefully, more of a van but looks really roomy.
tuttyclan,
Nov 24, 6:41am
I used to own a 1997 Honda Civic 1600 manual and that was economical around town and great with plenty of power on the open road.Drove it on a 5500 km trip around the south island in four weeks.Only sold it as it was a 3 door hatch and now have a Accord 2200 Vtec auto.Both these cars I would recommend but for 10k you could get something newer unless you go for low milage older car or high milage younger car or spend around 3 to 5 k on a 1997 vintage and pocket the change.
tuttyclan,
Nov 24, 6:41am
I used to own a 1997 Honda Civic 1600 manual (85kw)and that was economical around town (7-8 litres per 100km)and great with plenty of power on the open road.(6-6.5 per 100km)Drove it on a 5500 km trip around the south island in four weeks.Only sold it as it was a 3 door hatch and growing family, now have a 1997 Accord 2200 Vtec auto.(107kw) that is ok around town (around 9 to 10 litres per 100km)but even more refined for the open road (as low as 6 litres per 100km average around 7-7.5 litres per 100km.Both these cars I would recommend but for 10k you could get something newer unless you go for low milage older car or high milage younger car or spend around 3 to 5 k on a 1997 vintage and pocket the change.
kandjaja,
Nov 24, 6:49am
I've heard from many that SX4's are quite thirsty on the go juice!
countrypete,
Nov 24, 6:55am
I've had two.Yes, the 4wd versions use more fuel than a 2wd car, but that's the price you pay for 4WD.They use less than any Subaru, and around the same as most other 4WD type sedans.But the fact is that in most cases, fuel cost isn't the biggest cost for motorists - compared to depreciation servicing etc.The difference between 8 litres per 100kms and 10 l/100 over 15,000kms annually is about $12 per week.
kazbanz,
Nov 24, 7:18am
Ambo--for a starter strike the 05-07 ractis off your list. You being a larger chap simply will not fit. The Demio 02-06 1500cc has either a normal 5 speed manual ,a 4 stage auto (normal) or a tiptronic.Getting in and out will be your only likely concern A 1500ccToyotaFuncargo will work for you A new kid on the block is the Toyota Porte -VERY easy to get into A suggestion that initially seems offbase is the Toyota ISIS Mechanically its a Toyota corolla/feilder/etc--so 1800cc engine with an auto box.Yes it is a 7 seater which its off base a bit. but if you leave the back row folded down you have a usefull size wagon which depending on how you are um "large" I think will suit your needs. Another possibility is the Toyota Raum--again its mechanically a corolla 1500but better headroom of them all my first suggestion is the 1500 funcargo because ev erybody fits into it
ambo11,
Nov 24, 7:44am
Thanks guys for your advice, and will look for a Porte to have a drive of, the Isis I realise is more of a van, but that's fine with me, and yep the back seats would be folded down all the time. A bonus of the Isis is maybe the ability to carry more gear. Hopefully with time permitting next weekend. I'll will be able to go round a few yards and have a sit in various models.leaning more towards an 1800cc as I feel 1500 may be a bit gutless.but then I may be surprised. Thanks for your time and advice!
kazbanz,
Nov 24, 8:01am
hey ambo--actually the Isis is the same wheelbase as the feilder so is only station wagon size
ambo11,
Nov 24, 8:33am
Thanks kabanz, that's good to know. Quite keen on trying an Isis actually, will try and find out fuel consumption etc for one.can't imagine them being particularly hungry.Have looked at a Feilder, little low and I was taken aback by the extreme amount of road noise there was in it.Even our 3.5 Maxima suffers from road/tyre noise.new tyres didn't help either. Must be a universal problem nowadays. Mind you down our way the roads are simply tar sealed got tracks.get on a "shiny' bit of road and it's quiet. Cheers
kazbanz,
Nov 24, 8:54am
Ambo the isis is rated at 4 out of 6 with about a $2100 rated fuel useage With tyre noise etc -I'd be checking the type of tyre fitted
the-lada-dude,
Nov 24, 12:52pm
well i'm suggesting a toyota ipsum. my boyhas a '96 model, he is 6'5" and 170 kgyep that's about 375 lbs he can get in/out ok, and there is just enough head room. brilliant car, ultra reliable. KAZBANZmight know more about the later model ones
rpvr,
Nov 24, 1:08pm
I know a guy with bad knees who recently bought a Funcargo, and raves about it. Very easy to get in and out of, with a great elevated seating position.They strike me as having had a lot of thought go into the design.
elect70,
Nov 24, 1:22pm
Bro isbig& has athritis in hipshe bought a demio & is happy with itregarding access& reliability .
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