Each time when I have decided on a specific car to purchase, something came up. (To recap, I have a budget of $7K and looking for car with spacious boot)
1) Toyota Ractis - Went for a test drive, Lack of space for my legs at the compartment near to the steering wheel was. Dealer said to push seat backwards, which I did but my arm was stretching out to the steering wheel.
2) Honda Fit - quite like the look and spacious boot space. Easy to drive. Sadly the Toyota Fielder has been sold 2 days before. Following week, I had set my mind to by a Honda Fit but the next dealer said to avoid it at all cost due to transmission problems. He recommended Toyota Prius
3) Toyota Prius - Easy to drive. quite like it. But not used to having to look at the rear mirror through the slope of back windows.
Had also chatted with a couple of friends who advised me the following:
1) No CVT 2) No Hybrid 3) 1.5 cc engine
Was told by a sales rep at a car yard that 90% of new cars are CVT.
My questions:
1) CVT, yes or No? Which year is pre CVT? 2) Hybrid cars, Yes or No? 3) Honda Fit - Yes or No? 4) Seldom on open road except for camping trips. 1.3cc yes or no? 5) A friend has also suggested a Daihatsu Sirion. Any thoughts?
I'm still gearing towards a Toyota Fielder but none to test drive in North Shore. sigh. Maybe I should just go for it. ha.
Thanks in advance.
peanuts37,
Jun 28, 2:47pm
No real problem with Honda Fit/Jazz CVT if been serviced. Some series 2 Jazz's have normal autos. Would go for the 1.5 engine. In my opinion good cars.
tamarillo,
Jun 28, 3:01pm
No 90% of new cars are not cvt. Cvt is used by actually a minority it jus5 happens that the Japanese used them a lot in small cars in era you’re looking at. They are cheaper to make than modern conventional autos. Yes Honda Fit ones do have a poor reputation but well serviced and cared for can be perfectly okay. Personally I hate them but that’s personal and many find them okay. A good cvt is better than a old 4 speed auto which older jap small cars also get. There are specialist who service them.
tamarillo,
Jun 28, 3:10pm
Toyota seem to have hybrid nailed and there are huge miles be ING done in them as taxis. Get battery condition checked and enjoy the economy. You’ll get used to sloping rear window quick enough.
kazbanz,
Jun 28, 3:33pm
1) 90% of cars in your budget/size range ARE CVT. The 2008 fielder you were concidering , The Ractis, The Honda Fit, are all CVT . You may find kiwi new versions that are not CVT but they use the old tech auto's 2) CVT requires servicing every 60000km that is its only disadvantage in the price /size range you are concidering. 3) The CVT issue with Honda Fit's is only with the generation 1 -up to 2007 2008 and newer don't have the issue. 4) Toyota Ractis has seat height adjustment/steering wheel height adjustment as well as just back/forwards.So its possible you just didn't have the right settings to suit you. -As I recall the specific Ractis on gt nth road was a low grade one which may not have had the seat height adjustor-reason for the lower price. personally knowing your requirements I would revisit the Ractis and the Fit Not being a smart alec but you do need to make a decision sooner rather than later. You remember that discussion about borders closed to older cars? -basically the cars that you are looking at are bang in that target so availability will start to diminish
msigg,
Jun 28, 4:32pm
Toyota CVT is one of the best around. Go for it.Listen to Kaz.
buyit59,
Jun 28, 6:03pm
I do a paper round . approx 130km a day with lots of 20 to 80kmh . Had 03 Corolla 1.5 4 stage auto that does 30/34 mpg and now have 13 Corolla 1.5 with cvt that does 40/44mpg ( forgive the mpg figures I am grey haired !) . I also had a 07 Corolla 1.8 with 4 stage auto which was 28/31mpg . Have travelled 70,000km in the CVT and admit it took me a while to get used to it but I find it great . IF you want to be first away from traffic lights slide it into the 'S' or even 'B' mode and move like a manual . Like Kaz says. service the trans !
andy61,
Jun 28, 6:05pm
Did you realize the Fielders have CVT transmissions too ( from around 2006 onwards), The 2007/8 onwards Fits dont have CVT issues like the earlier Fits. The Sirions are a great car, known for running up big kms without issues, the car rental companies loved them, my sister has an ex-rental which has now done over 370kms and still totally reliable.
mouse265,
Jun 28, 6:18pm
listen to Kaz he knows his oats .I am over 6 ft and own a Ractis and find it has plenty of room for me and when my short stuff daughter drives it she has no problem reaching the wheel and seeing out the window
kazbanz,
Jun 28, 6:48pm
Onlylv just to be clear . My responses are specifically in response to your needs and budget. So I’m not talkin in generalities
onlylv,
Jun 28, 7:11pm
No I didn't until today when I test drive it. The friend who kept telling me to go for Toyota Corolla / Fielder told me to stay away from CVT. I rang him today to give him a ear ful. Now he is telling me he knows more about classic car instead.
tamarillo,
Jun 28, 7:28pm
Poor friend! As above kaz knows his stuff and yes cvt is rather dominant in the limited range your looking at. Wouldn’t trust a dealer who tells you that 90% of all new cars are cvt though. Honesty counts
kazbanz,
Jun 29, 10:56am
it was ME /Kylie who told her that. But again it very specifically was on the basis of her target vehicle type/year range/ budget not a generalisation.
kazbanz,
Jun 29, 11:02am
My advice is to get a patch up job done on the exhaust. You will only get pennys for the car as a trade in if you don't. even if its just a straight section of pipe with no muffler (middle muffler) That takes the pressure off. BUT again as I explained -in your price range it will be stock in New Zealand you will be able to buy as fresh imports will be outside your price range. Frankly based on everything you have said and done your best option will be a Feilder or a wingroad. wingroad will be newer or lower miles than the fielder but feilders do age better
onlylv,
Jun 29, 11:59am
eh. didn't recall that but It was the guy at 2cheapcars in Wairau
onlylv,
Jun 29, 12:01pm
Rang pitt stop. From my description, he thinks it sound like it needs to be replaced. Quoted around 250 - 300. :( But have to drive it to him. He said if it's going to be a trade in, has to make it legal, not just a patch. argh.
kazbanz,
Jun 29, 2:01pm
That just annoys the beejeebers out of me. -Needing work I'd say Replace a centre muffler/cat with straight pipe to the rear muffler. FAR safer/quieter than headers dumping to the ground.
s_nz,
Jun 29, 2:53pm
1) - I wouldn't be too concerned about a CVT in this vehicle class. There are a few bad CVT's (mostly manufactured by Jatco) that have given them the rest a bad name. You don't hear too much bad stuff about the CVT in the corolla desire there being heaps on the road. Of course some models need to be avoided (like current shape Nissan pathfinder). As to what year is pre CVT, this vairies with model. My 2006 corolla has a normal auto if that helps. Note that the CVT in Toyota hybrids works in a different way to other CVT's, and has great reputation. 2) I have a hybrid, so I would say say yes to them (Toyota / Lexus are market leaders in this space). Gen 2 & 3 Prius have a great reputation for reliability and low running costs, hence are the preference for many lower tier taxi brands & ride hale services. Becuase of the taxi industry, an aftermarket exists to deal with any hybrid specific issues that crop up at reasonable cost (generally such duty is way harsher than any private buyer would apply to a car). Hybrids do fine on the open road, but really come into their own if you do a lot of city driving. 3) Honda fit is well regarded. Boot is not that spacious unless you fold the rear seats. 4) Probably to look at other factors rather like power (kW) and fuel consumption (l/100km) rather than just CC rating. Nothing really wrong with a 1.3L, but it (assuming naturally aspirated) will be at the slower end of the spectrum. Will save fuel in the city, but fuel consumption on the open road will likely be similar to the same car on the open road. Personally if fuel consumption is a high priority I would go the hybrid (or EV) route. 5) I had one as a rental car once. Clearly a very cheaply built car. Speakers in dashboard rather than fount doors etc. Small boot (as with all subcompact cars). Got blown around by trucks on the open road. Felt quite unstable at about 120km/h when I passed somebody. decided not to do any more passing that trip. Small lightweight everything means it is going to be cheap for fuel, tires etc, but my 2006 corolla is a lot nicer on the open road.
It would be technically illegal to drive the car with that modification (without certification) as part of the emissions control system (cat) has been removed. Can see why a mechanic would be reluctant to recommend that.
onlylv,
Jul 1, 9:32pm
merry go round again today after my friend took me to 2cheapcar and had a look at the Fielder. He commented car is not in a good condition after checking it thoroughly. We further talk about the different types of cars.
Final list: (I hope! ) 1) Toyota Fielder 2) Toyota Wish 3) Honda Stream 4) Honda Fit
tgray,
Jul 2, 8:48am
Even by just looking at them and sitting in those 4, by personal preference you would probably get that list down by half.
onlylv,
Jul 6, 3:41pm
Decided to sell car to scrap yard. He had a look at it this morning and commented that a large chunk of the exhaust pipe came off. He said I was lucky there weren't any accident when it came off onto the motorway as the car behind me would need to swerve to avoid driving onto the part.
intrade,
Jul 6, 3:59pm
so your gona walk now
onlylv,
Jul 13, 10:42pm
Thankfully we are near to bus route heh heh.
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