Buying A New Small Car

[Steffo]

There is only small one car, that matches all of your criteria IMO. Economical, reliable, inexepsnive, relatively new, ABS, cruise etc... and ability to pull uphill without issue.

VW Golf.

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsa...ch_distance=25
2002 VW Golf GLE 2.0 5spd manual, 33,950km, $18,990

Has both cruise and ABS, air-con, four doors etc.

Engine is a 2.0litre (1984cc) SOHC 8v Inline-Four with 85kW @ 5200rpm and 170Nm @ 2400rpm. Uses 8.3L/100km city and 5.4L/100km highway, 55L tank. Requires premium though (95 RON). Pulling uphill shouldn't be a problem, especially with max torque arriving at 2400rpm.

Reliability & quality wise, well, they're in a class of their own really. We have a 2001 VW Polo 1.4 16V, its auto, won't pull as well as the Golf (55kW 126Nm 1.4 4cyl), but it puts many cars up to five times the price (it was $25k new) to shame in the refinement and build quality stakes. It's been problem free thus far.

That's my suggestion.

Good luck with your decision!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Steffo

There is only small one car, that matches all of your criteria IMO. Economical, reliable, inexepsnive, relatively new, ABS, cruise etc... and ability to pull uphill without issue.

VW Golf.

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsa...ch_distance=25
2002 VW Golf GLE 2.0 5spd manual, 33,950km, $18,990

Has both cruise and ABS, air-con, four doors etc.

Engine is a 2.0litre (1984cc) SOHC 8v Inline-Four with 85kW @ 5200rpm and 170Nm @ 2400rpm. Uses 8.3L/100km city and 5.4L/100km highway, 55L tank. Requires premium though (95 RON). Pulling uphill shouldn't be a problem, especially with max torque arriving at 2400rpm.

Reliability & quality wise, well, they're in a class of their own really. We have a 2001 VW Polo 1.4 16V, its auto, won't pull as well as the Golf (55kW 126Nm 1.4 4cyl), but it puts many cars up to five times the price ($25k new) to shame in the refinement and build quality stakes. It's been problem free thus far.

That's my suggestion.

Good luck with your decision!

While I do love a golf, my mum has a polo and its been a pain in the butt.

The entire console was replaced because of faulity electronics, a few interior parts replaced, throttle stuck to name a few.

Its still a nice car, but changed my view of VW a little.

Still Id love a polo GTi, or any Gti.

[parawolf]

My mum got a Peugeot 306 Hatch Rallye (2.0L auto). Excellent car.

Has been trouble free since she got it apart from a little brake vibration which was sorted with a machine and new pads. Was about $18k i think and it is a 2001 model. You can also get them in manuals too. According to redbook.com.au it doesn't have cruise - can't verify that because I don't live at home.

[Whoosha]

hey I know u said small but Dedicated lpg BA gets my vote, brother in law just got one
2nd hand. 20k. all the mention goodies 3year extnded warranty + unlike my xr8 gets
650...700 ks out of a tank
best of all its got the blue oval on it..........................

[Polyal]

A guy at work had a BF wagon for the weekend. And no joke he got 900k's from a dedicated gas I6.

I dont know how big there tanks are but thats amazing! Granted it was mostly highway stuff but still, something to think about.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

A guy at work had a BF wagon for the weekend. And no joke he got 900k's from a dedicated gas I6.

I dont know how big there tanks are but thats amazing! Granted it was mostly highway stuff but still, something to think about.

The E-Gas cars have 90 litre tanks. 10L/100km average, not too bad.

[SSBUB]

they are very slow though thats the only downfall...we have a dedicated gas ba wagon at work and its a real slug...but if your looking at 4's i guess performance isnt everything