Op. Good suggestions here already. Certainly something with good open road manners and low noise would be my take if you're expecting to go down to Christchurch much from Blenheim. Chip seal surfaces here make a hell of a din. IMO legacy 2.5 is gutless up against more modern smaller capacity but turbo models and the new Mazda 6, stinger, or even new 2 litre commodore will be far more satisfying when you need to pass a truck. Much more grunt for no more gas. WRX is ready for the pasture now. Ancient. 4wd isn't needed unless you intend exploring, when they close Arthur's pass they close it, full stop. I've got through in snow in both front and rear drivers. Back to commodore, have you looked at new one? Stinger is getting excellent reviews but as said, is quite low and more a sports sedan. I know you said no Euros, but did you know Blenheim has a long history of Peugeots and has a dealer there? The new models are rated as huge improvement over last decade or more drivel. Return to form it seems and new 308 looks good and is said to be very comfortable and good on open road. As Said new Camry looks to be big step up with far more modern drivetrains and well proven hybrid option in normal looking sedan. There is also a new corolla coming along same lines. Toyota getting its mojo back after reliable but terribly boring decades of dullness. New modern drivetrains etc. Then there is the rapid accent into decency of Kia's sister Hyundia. No longer in catch up mode they seem intent on bringing Japanse standards of reliability with cars designed in Europe with mOre European drive experience. I30 maybe?
Subaru XV also have a hybrid economical roomy but not to large and the bright orange ones look really sporty in a grown up way :)
djrandomguy,
Jul 17, 8:29am
308Gti 270. Four doors, great power, load space, looks, warranty, class leading interior. Manual only. You said no Euro's but gumm'on
cjohnw,
Jul 17, 8:18pm
Update. Spent Monday out and about to look at a few options. The new Mazda6 is a fabulous car and I predict it will be really popular for Mazda. Trouble is, it is approaching $60k by the time you add in the on-road costs (thieves). And at the moment Mazda dealer in Auckland is not inclined to make deals. In fact they don't have realistic stocks of car yet anyway. He told me he has a waiting list (yeah right). So, sadly that is out. Drove the 2.5 Legacy and as Tamarillo says - it felt a bit gutless and will feel moreso on SI hills I suspect. Subaru dealer all too willing to make good cash discounts (about $6k off Legacy 3.5). The Kia Stinger is very nice too, but the comment about it being very low is spot-on and I could foresee a hips, legs, back, shoulder pain issue later on. And with my budget it would have to be the base model or second hand. Although dealer says he will contact me when they have a demonstrator in the GT Line available. But probably not for us. We went and drove the Skoda Octavia - mainly because wife liked the look of it. If you can get over the hideous upholstery (nana's eiderdown) it was quite a nice vehicle and went like a cut snake (RS245). Trouble is, by the time you added in the extras that you get included with the likes of the Subaru, Mazda, Kia etc the Skoda is well north of $60k and not much of a deal available with it either. Some suggestions above require comment. Can't have a manual car as wife won't drive it and as we are retiring we would like to only own one car in the future. SUV is too large for us and although the Subaru XV was very nice we would prefer a sedan. New Commodore looks Ok, but I feel like a change rather than go from old Commodore to new Commodore - plus it is another large car - same with new Camry. Absolutely no deals available on Honda but may go back for another look at Civic sedan in the weekend. So still considering options. I have till end of August when daughter is back from Europe and will want her car back. Thank you for all comments and suggestions. Will update on final decision - if I ever get there! Cheers.
db.price,
Jul 17, 9:16pm
If you are looking at the Mazda 6 then don't be afraid to play dealers off against each other. We bought our CX5 and had to wait for it to come into the country but still got a chunk off plus negotiated on ORCs and accessories. Just had a look at the Mazda 6. Assume you were looking at the Takami, the 2.5l turbo? Compared to other cars in the segment I would say it should be a clear winner. Plus three words - Crystal Soul Red.
You say you don't want a SUV yet most of the mid range SUVs are similar in size (with the exception of height) to mid sized sedans and handle in a very similar way.
cjohnw,
Jul 17, 10:29pm
Yes was the 2.5 Takami model. Beautiful car, and as you say - a clear winner - but because it is so new to the market the Mazda dealer wasn't interested in talking discounts. If I had another year before buying it might be a different story I guess. We have ruled out an SUV and not much point in revisiting it to be honest. But that Mazda, in that red is so nice. I would say they will be very popular.
db.price,
Jul 17, 11:16pm
screw it then. Just get it. Negotiate on the paint price, ORCs and accessories instead if they won't do it on car price.
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 1:01am
Yeah, I wish. Unfortunately with on-roads it would be closer to $60k. My budget is $50k (plus on-roads - say $52k). As we are retiring I don't want any debt, and if anything goes over budget it will be this blimmin house being built. So, I promised her it would be $50k so best keep my word. But I understand where you are coming from. Cheers.
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 3:35am
Ha ha, snap! that vehicle is on my watchlist. I need to test drive one. Subaru did offer me a great discount on a Legacy. I will have a closer look at the WRX but it will be auto which might go against the grain for some. But yeah will give it a closer inspection. Yours auto or manual?
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 4:12am
Sounds good. Will definately give it a look. I do know that Winger only have three available. Two white and one black which aren’t the colours I was wanting in a car which was why I didn’t look closer. They told me they may have more stock late August early Sept. so may be worth waiting. Have you had any issues with the car? Cheers
oddbits,
Jul 18, 4:30am
take a WRX for a test drive you wont want to give it back lol
db.price,
Jul 18, 4:35am
Yeah hard when you see a great car JUST outside the budget! With the Mazda's you may be better off waiting a little anyway - they are likely to release 2019 versions soon likely with the Skyactiv X engines - these are high compression petrol engines with output and torque similar to a diesel and with diesel fuel economy - but are petrol engines.
I see you are also looking at the WRX - great cars as well - shame the budget wont quite go to the STI! Would have thought they may not be quite luxury enough (ride is harder generally thanks to the low profile tyres).
With Honda they wont negotiate on price - what you see on the window is what you pay. The good thing with that is they also wont sell at discounted rates to corporates and rentals firms. Toyota still sell discounted to both but have fixed price for jo public.
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 4:41am
Cheers. Admit I am leaning towards a Subaru vehicle. We are moving to the South Island to live and the AWD system seems to be more practical and safe for SI roads. Likewise Subarus iSight system is impressive and finally, of most of the other dealers we have been to so far, Subaru are willing to talk deals. Will take our time but admit WRX is the sort of size sedan we are looking for. Would welcome any comments from WRX owners. Cheers
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 4:45am
STI only available in manual. Wife’s only stipulation is “must be autoâ€. But as you say - outside the budget anyway.
gph1961,
Jul 18, 4:48am
for gods sake just buy anything so we can get out of this purgatory
cjohnw,
Jul 18, 5:08am
Lol. You think this little thread is purgatory? Wait till someone starts a thread about Volkswagens or Fiats. That’s purgatory my friend.
gph1961,
Jul 18, 5:23am
I own a vw
dublo,
Jul 18, 5:47am
"Discerning people buy Hondas!" So says our WoF garage man who drives a manual Accord Euro. No new Accords currently listed but the Civic has grown enormously over the years and the current model must be about as big as our '99 Accord V6, which I call our Japanese Rolls-Royce (great engineering!) Honda have been non-negotiable for price (so they say) for fleet or private buyers for many years. Looking at old brochures they were certainly good value for the money 10 - 20 years ago so are probably still very competitive. I did try out a new Accord Euro 2.4 litre 4 a few years ago (about $48000 then) but it wasn't $40000 better than our low-km V6 3 litre, so we are happy with what we have got - it was $49000 new, we bought it for $9500 when it was 10 years old , a lot of depreciation for its first owner. Certainly the current crop of cars seem to have somewhat bizarre styling but there are a lot worse in looks and practicability than Honda Civics.
s_nz,
Jul 18, 8:59am
Should note that for on road use AWD is a performance feature, not a safety feature. Will get you moving on slippery surfaces, but do not change your stopping distance, or cornering ability (when not under power). This can lead to a false sense of security, but is no issue if you are aware.
That said, it is really nice not to have to deal with a heap of wheel spin if you take off in a hurry in the wet (or even dry). (which pretty much all front wheel drive cars will do).
That said, a bunch of people I know with subaru's love them, and often keep buying suburb's.
cjohnw,
Jul 23, 2:33am
For those who are interested and don’t think this is pergatory! Job done! New 2018 Subaru WRX Premium in Auto with EyeSight and usual standard stuff. Almost $6k saving on retail (almost) and with a few minor “extrasâ€. Delivery next month (at my request). Thanks again for all the suggestions and advice. Most helpful as usual.
meow_mix,
Jul 23, 4:05am
Fine choice sir, I hope you enjoy the car, what colour is it?
cjohnw,
Jul 23, 4:33am
Thank you, to be honest My wife had the colour choice she liked the World Rally Blue - traditional Subaru blue I guess. I said to the dealer “I like the dark grey and my wife likes the blue, so we will have the blue thanksâ€, LOL.
db.price,
Jul 23, 4:44am
Very nice. You will love the eyesight system it was the best of the safety systems.
cjohnw,
Nov 16, 10:00am
Cheers. If I had another $10k it would have been the Mazda6. But very happy with the WRX.
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