Ok tell me what I should be looking at. Am in my 60's. I want a car that is easy to get in and out of. Each time I go out its 50k's there and the same back so not a nana car but not something that will guzzle the petrol. I want something thats economical. I intend it to last me out as I dont change my cars too often. I had tried out the Nissan Tiida Sedan. It was nice and roomy but have been told that out on the road its a bit weak so maybe not. I like the look of the Toyota Platz but there dont seem to be any around this area for me to test drive. I want something that if I have to take the two dogs to the vets they will fit on the back seat. It has to be something that is nice to drive and is comfortable. I would appreciate any ideas as I am so undecided. Thanks.
berg,
Nov 23, 5:12am
Mum and Dad are slightly older and were looking for the same sort of car. Tried several and settled on a 1owner, low kms, 2ltr Suzuki SX4. Dad has had hips and knees replaced yet finds the Suzuki easy to get into due to wide opening doors and a high roofline.
msigg,
Nov 23, 7:04am
Hard to beat a corolla for you, slightly bigger than the platz, last forever, easy to drive, easy seating position. Can't go wrong.
daryl14,
Nov 23, 7:10am
Vw golf plus. A slightly taller golf for folk with bad legs.
snapperheadrkp,
Nov 23, 8:07am
Stick with a NissanTiida. Easy to get in and out of, and according to a recent NZ Herald article the Nissan Tiida was the most popular second hand Jap import for the past 2 years.(i.e. more Tiida's than any other car)
tamarillo,
Nov 23, 2:30pm
Suggest their popular because they're cheap. Both for dealers to buy and they can buy so cheap and still turn a profit selling cheap. And why are they cheap? Not known for lasting and not very nice to drive. CVT box is said to be weak point.
kazbanz,
Nov 23, 2:34pm
Grouch-The Platz would be good for you but not so good for the dogs. I'd suggest a Toyota Raum or a Toyota Ractis as possible solutions for you. a DY series demio 1500cc (2002-2007) will be great for the dogs-Im not certain good for you. -They are roomy inside. I can tell you that the Verisa monaro is suggesting is a really GOOD car I suspect you will have difficulty getting in and out -based entirely on your comment that getting in easily is important.
tamarillo,
Nov 23, 2:36pm
Corolla, or Ford Focus, which is good car on open road. There are also Corolla based cars from the Japanese market, and I'll let Kas or another expert advise on those. Smaller than that and they are not great on open road and don't necessarily offer much feul saving. Things like vitz and plaza are frankly awful on open road and whist they can do it, if open road is majority of your drive best get something that's better at it. Assume your looking up to $10,000? Does your local mechanic have any specialisation? You mention sedan, do you want sedan only?
grouch,
Nov 23, 3:19pm
Firstly thank you all for the helpful comments. Its more about me than the dogs but the occasional trip to the vets but that doesnt happen much. I want comfort, economical and doesnt struggle with the travelling which I do at least once a week. I drove a Mazda Axela hatch yesterday and did like it but it was black and I dont want black as I would always be cleaning it. If I am going to be spending up to 10k I think I should at least get a colour that I would like. LOL.
grouch,
Nov 23, 3:26pm
No it doesnt have to be a sedan. Would the parts on the Golf be expensive?
berg,
Nov 23, 3:53pm
I would be interested to see how he drives it. Checked Mum and Dad's last week when I was driving it and it's currently averaging 7.1ltrs per 100km. Mum uses it for work and they use it to go places over the weekend
kazbanz,
Nov 23, 4:06pm
If you like the axella then try a corolla/alex/runx -I think you will like the fit
monaro17,
Nov 23, 4:48pm
He sold it about two years ago having done 18000kms so granted Iit may not have been totally run in yet. I drove it a number of times to take them to a relative out of town and i would reset the trip computer each time and the best i could get was 9L/100kms when on the ssame trip my commodore of the time could do low 8s. A very hoppy and jittery ride with one of the world's worst cruise control systems.
Also remember the sx4 trip computer oddly reads in km per liter- so the higher the number the better. So I wouldn'tbe surprised if it was actually 7.1 km/L.
berg,
Nov 23, 5:10pm
If you push the buttons right, changes to ltrs per 100km.
tamarillo,
Nov 23, 6:40pm
Shouldn't be. There are plenty of suppliers outside the main VW network. If you have a local mechanic ask them if they're happy about it. Some mechanics here have funny ideas about anything European. Mazda 3 (axela when jap import) is good choice, similar size as focus. Mazda is known to be noisy though so check on open road that you're ok with that. Sometimes imports have harsher suspension too so make sure it feels comfortable over bumps.
tsjcf,
Nov 23, 6:56pm
Yes the parts will be more expensive unless you are prepared to import them yourself. Servicing will be more expensive as well.
inatiz,
Nov 23, 9:20pm
I am in my 60's and have a Toyota Corolla.(2008). It is easy to get in and out of and great to drive. I did look at an imported Auris but noticed it only had 2 front airbags whereas the NZ new has about 10.
dutchie92,
Nov 26, 8:22am
A 1.8L Nissan Tiida Would probably suit, who ever said it doesn't have enough power must have been talking about a 1.5L
tamarillo,
Nov 26, 9:06am
Wives tales and myths
tamarillo,
Nov 26, 9:08am
Op wants a car to last them out, these have poor record for lasting.
deus701,
Nov 26, 9:16am
My dad is just like you, in his 60s. Wants a car to last him out, easy to drive and light with the steering. Space for groceries n stuff. Anyway he bought a red Cx5.
tamarillo,
Nov 26, 1:16pm
Jeez you're keen. Giving someone a link to an overseas supply isn't same as saying parts are comparatively over priced here. Lots of examples here of people finding local franchise too expensive on jap cars too. As it also said in the post there are plenty of alternative suppliers here in NZ. My mechanic who specialises in VW group cars gets parts at perfectly reasonable prices. Ps. You did read later post from PO; rang VW Wellington and this was what I got. Timing Belt $162.25, Water Pump $121.53.
poppy62,
Nov 26, 5:08pm
You are misinformed! Euro parts are cheap, provided you shop around (here in NZ). As a former parts supplier of Euro Parts (from the70s 0n) I can attest to this. Mention the dealerships then the $ cost changes markedly. My Nissan Ute is fairly expensive compared to the 9 euros in my drive at the moment. Today just bought. Fiat Stilo cam belt $66. front disc pads $60. as an example.
jmma,
Nov 26, 5:55pm
Nobody ever has to say "Buy a Toyota, parts are cheap etc etc" but they always have to say that when they say "Buy a Euro blah blah blah Lol (o:
poppy62,
Nov 26, 6:19pm
Hi mate! all Ok with you? may be a good Summer ahead, may have to break out the Fiat Cabrio. BTW Toyota parts aren't cheap that's why no-ones saying it. haha! cheers mate.
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