Recommendation for economical car

dreamerman · 09-12-2009, 09:42 AM

Hi. I will need to buy another (new) car soon & it has to be under $20k, auto with all round disc brakes. I simple hate rear drums for my own reasons. So far, Hyundai Getz 1.6 fits the bill. Haven't own any Hyundai cars before but understand that it is a reasonable car with impressive 5 year/unlimited kms warranties.

Anyone knows of any other cars that fits my criteria?

Cheers.

**Polyal** · 09-12-2009, 09:49 AM

Does it really have to be an auto?

chevypower · 09-12-2009, 09:54 AM

get a newish (not brand new) Mazda 3 sedan. Probably the least girly looking economical car.

Deco28 · 09-12-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

get a newish (not brand new) Mazda 3 sedan. Probably the least girly looking economical car.

THE SMILE LOL.

Makes me sick xD

Fev · 09-12-2009, 10:08 AM

What about a Ford Fiesta? Does it have to be brand new? You can get XR4's for pretty good prices

**Polyal** · 09-12-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

What about a Ford Fiesta? Does it have to be brand new? You can get XR4's for pretty good prices

Thats what I was thinking, but manual only.

If you want better fuel economy then a manual is a must, autos and small cars just dont mix unless you are spending big bucks.

But if you could do a manual then id be buying a Integra DC2 Type R

Love those things.

prydey · 09-12-2009, 10:24 AM

unless you really WANT a small car, LPG virtually makes them redundant. embrace the latest technology and get best of all worlds. large car, performance, comfort, versatility, towing ability, etc etc. the list is endless.

buy a late model BF2 and put liquid injection on it.

even an E-gas will have more go than a small car and return just as good mileage as far as the $/km is concerned.

my egas cost me around $8/100km round town (ave 35km/h). newer technology injected systems can lower this a little more.

Brazen · 09-12-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

unless you really WANT a small car, LPG virtually makes them redundant. embrace the latest technology and get best of all worlds. large car, performance, comfort, versatility, towing ability, etc etc. the list is endless.

buy a late model BF2 and put liquid injection on it.

even an E-gas will have more go than a small car and return just as good mileage as far as the $/km is concerned.

my egas cost me around $8/100km round town (ave 35km/h). newer technology injected systems can lower this a little more.

Bingo!! plus at least with LPG you get really good parts and servicing costs. I know a owner of a diesel Citroen for one repair had $3,000 in new injectors and associated costs.

BENT_8 · 09-12-2009, 10:25 AM

I'd certainly look at the hyundai as they are a great car and very underrated as a package.
I recently bought my fathers 2000 model Accent from him, 102,000k's auto, not new but still drives and feels like a new car, my wife loves it and for 2k when the retail for 7-8K used, who could complain.
We've had a few hyundais and apart from the idle stepper motor on our Sonata they have been great, reliable cars.

My father replaced it with an 04 Focus SR 1.8l with 23k's on it and he wishes he never changed as the Focus, even with such low k's, is not a patch on the Hyundai to drive which i tend to agree with.

Rev28K · 09-12-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

But if you could do a manual then id be buying a Integra DC2 Type R

Love those things.

Not that economical. They do around 4000rpm at 120kmh in 5th gear when cruising (still a bit short of maximum torque). And if you thrash them they are getting down to around 7mpg on a track like Phillip Island. Otherwise they are a nice little jigger even if the quicker versions of current crop of small hotties (e.g. Renault Megane 225 Cup) could tear it a new one in lap times.

If I was in the OP’s shoes I’d be looking at an ex-demo Mazda 2, Honda Jazz or a 2nd hand Fiesta (I think they were doing run out deals on the old base models for around $14k a year ago). When I’ve driven Getz as hire cars they seemed nicely equipped – backlit switches, tweeters and Bluetooth connections, etc but gutless and I didn’t have much faith in it’s handling.

Re: Drum brakes. If you are braking hard enough and often enough in normal road driving that drum brakes are causing trouble then I don’t think that the braking system is your problem

JutroXR8 · 09-12-2009, 11:04 AM

A friend of mine picked up a the latest Fiesta Zetec for $19,990 driveaway (no options).

Or you have the latest Fiesta ECOnetic only uses 3.9l/100km. Not sure of the price yet.

sgt_doofey · 09-12-2009, 11:37 AM

If it's economy you're chasing, then you can't really beat diesel in the small cars. If it's $/km, then LPG wins out there, even on the large cars.
We own a 2.0L Diesel Peugeot which gets us about 6L/100kms. I drive the EL Falcon which gives me about 12L/100kms (open road driving mainly). The EL wins out on a $/km basis, but only just.

dreamerman · 09-12-2009, 11:56 AM

Yeah, I really need auto. Manual aren't great in constant stop-go traffic. After a few hours of research on the net, I think a new Hyundai 1.6 auto fits the bill. Its a small car so 1.6 should be able to drive it quite well even in auto plus disc brakes all-around.

BTW, Getz 1.4 only has drum brakes in rear. Hate those drums....

burnz · 09-12-2009, 12:07 PM

my wife has a hundi and its a cracker of a small car, 210,000k so far.
just a battery from new. faltless vehicle.

Piotr · 09-12-2009, 01:17 PM

Why the hell do you care so much about rear disc brakes? Are you racing the bloody thing?

Rear drums on a small car are more than adequate

dreamerman · 09-12-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Why the hell

Matter of preference.

XR6_190 · 09-12-2009, 02:34 PM

Does the car have to be brand new? If not I strongly recommend getting a slightly used or even a demo. You can save a few thousand, and perhaps get a better equipped car.

As for the Hyundai Getz, I found it a very overrated car. I had one for a fortnight (albeit a rental hack) and found it had to work far too hard on the freeway, and worst of all that the drivers seat was far too uncomfortable for trips longer than 15 minutes (I actually found the seats in my mates '85 Laser Ghia much more comfortable)

What is the reason that you require rear discs? It isn't really necessary for day to day driving, if it were you would find that Ford, Volkswagen, Mazda and Honda would utilize them. I recommend the Fiesta, or at second the Mazda 2, much more superior to the Hyundai.

BENT_8 · 10-12-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

As for the Hyundai Getz, I found it a very overrated car. I had one for a fortnight (albeit a rental hack) and found it had to work far too hard on the freeway, and worst of all that the drivers seat was far too uncomfortable for trips longer than 15 minutes (I actually found the seats in my mates '85 Laser Ghia much more comfortable)

From what the OP has described i get the idea they are looking for a small car for inner city driving, so the highway performance isnt a huge issue.
The seat comfort i cannot vouch for but again for short cross town drives i cant see too much issue.
The egas Falcon would be a good option, but then service, rego, insurance costs would offset some of the savings.
The smaller car will also be an advantage in city traffic and if its only for 1 or 2 people for the most of the time, why need a full sized passenger car.

Iggypoppin' · 09-12-2009, 03:17 PM

I didn't know rear drums where still being used on new(ish) cars. Correct me if I'm wrong but wern't they phased out around 20 years ago? I'd do the falcon egas option. Your sig says "supporting Aussie built fords" so I'd suggest sticking to that. If that isn't your cuppa tea, a fiesta or similar might be a goer. Hyundais are ok cars but do you really want to be making up the numbers?

Piotr · 09-12-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

I didn't know rear drums where still being used on new(ish) cars. Correct me if I'm wrong but wern't they phased out around 20 years ago? I'd do the falcon egas option. Your sig says "supporting Aussie built fords" so I'd suggest sticking to that. If that isn't your cuppa tea, a fiesta or similar might be a goer. Hyundais are ok cars but do you really want to be making up the numbers?

On a light car were brake fade isn't a isssue, rear drums provide the advantage of improved stopping distance (Due to the mechanical advantage inherent in the drum deisgn) and lower cost

Yellow_Festiva · 09-12-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

I didn't know rear drums where still being used on new(ish) cars. Correct me if I'm wrong but wern't they phased out around 20 years ago? I'd do the falcon egas option. Your sig says "supporting Aussie built fords" so I'd suggest sticking to that. If that isn't your cuppa tea, a fiesta or similar might be a goer. Hyundais are ok cars but do you really want to be making up the numbers?

You're wrong. Drums can still be found on the rear of new small cars and I don't see the problem with it.

My vote goes to the Auto Mitshubishi Colt. A lass I worked with never had any issues, and she said it was very very light on the juice.

Don't know about what stoppers are on the back, but perhaps with the money left over you can up-specc them if they are drums.

Copie · 09-12-2009, 08:33 PM

Dont know why your worrying about rear discs, the rear brakes only do around 15% of your total braking in comparison to the fronts, besides drums are better for hand brakies

:

Id take a larger car on Gas over a buzz box any day, 9/10 its cheaper to run due to repair costs (less labour parts cheaper etc) and you have space as well. Also would be nicer on the highway etc

IH8HSV · 09-12-2009, 09:59 PM

You cant beat the Citreon C3Hi.

Its powered by a 1.6-litre Turbo Diesel engine.

The C3 HDi puts out an eye popping 66kw - And will do the 0-100 kmh dash in a respectable 10.8 seconds.

:

According to the latest car review it uses 4.4 Lts / 100kms.

You would be able to get an ex demo for under $20000.

It doesnt look to bad either for a little buzz box. And also has 4 doors.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/4056/cit...-in-australia/

Mr Hardware · 09-12-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

unless you really WANT a small car, LPG virtually makes them redundant.

This.

pks54 · 09-12-2009, 10:16 PM

Dose it have to be brand new?

I'll put my hand up for a diesel as well. This time my vote is for the 2005 turbo diesel VW Golf 2.0L TDI. Took care of one for about two months and the economy was just unbelievable. The trip computer of the dash read somewhere in the 5 to 6 liters/100km's and was getting close to 1000 km's to a tank in city driving conditions. Can't remember the size of tank though.

Anyway a 2005 model can be had for about 20K. It has a 6 speed automatic. It has rear disc brakes aswell. To boot it also has alot of power and torque. The quality I dare say would be better than a Hyundai aswell. I personally would not buy one due to it being a hatch. But if you are after a small car with the above criteria albeit a second hand one I would go for one of these.

Iggypoppin' · 09-12-2009, 10:27 PM

Ok thanks for clearing up the drum brake issue guys . Back on to the point at hand, I can see the OP has his sights set on a hyundai. All I can say is, don't discount this advice: just LOOK at and TEST DRIVE a gas falcon. Thank us later

Mr Hardware · 09-12-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

advice: just LOOK at and TEST DRIVE a gas falcon. Thank us later

Spot on

merlin · 10-12-2009, 07:37 AM

Yeah I wouldn't be buying brand new as its just a waste of money but if thats your preference then I think youv'e made the right choice with the Hyundai (given your criteria). Then again if used I'd be going for a diesal purely because you want an auto and auto + petrol small car does not go.

I would check out the new Ford econetic or whatever but not sure on the price.

For those touting the egas falcon - 1) Show me where you can buy them for under $19999 new? 2) They are absolutley horrible with any more than 40,000kms on them (ask me how I know). (obviosuly aftermarket conversions are much better).

Yellow_Festiva · 10-12-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

Yeah I wouldn't be buying brand new as its just a waste of money but if thats your preference then I think youv'e made the right choice with the Hyundai (given your criteria). Then again if used I'd be going for a diesal purely because you want an auto and auto + petrol small car does not go.

I would check out the new Ford econetic or whatever but not sure on the price.
For those touting the egas falcon - 1) Show me where you can buy them for under $19999 new? 2) They are absolutley horrible with any more than 40,000kms on them (ask me how I know). (obviosuly aftermarket conversions are much better).

Bout 25 grand drive away.

sgt_doofey · 10-12-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

They are absolutley horrible with any more than 40,000kms on them (ask me how I know). (obviosuly aftermarket conversions are much better).

OK, I have to ask. Why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

advice: just LOOK at and TEST DRIVE a gas falcon. Thank us later

Only problem could be size. Perhaps they want a small car?