Comments on: I want a new car

By: fuzz

fuzz — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:14:19 +0000

I’m not sure what kind of cars make it out to NZ, but there’s a whole bunch of small cars which do pretty good mpg. Personally I’ve always liked vw polo’s (the older and rustier the better for me), but anything that weighs less than a ton and has a small engine will do you good.

Of course if you want to spend even less, get a motorbike (over here in the uk they cost half as much in road tax, which is nice)

By: Ross Nixon

Ross Nixon — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:01:32 +0000

I get 57 mpg out of my Subaru Ace (800cc) when driving long distance. The noise (even with ear plugs) and the discomfort keeps me nicely awake, even after no sleep the night before! (About $800 to buy a ‘good’ 1989 model)

By: s

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:57:52 +0000

Check out realwholesalecars.co.nz They have heaps of Polo’s, Toyota whatevers and other small cars for not a lot of money. They might even have a mini.

By: RichardC

RichardC — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:24:19 +0000

Perhaps you should check the fuel consumption and polluting aspects of these old cars before buying. If you want to feel righteous and save money on fuel, a newer, cleaner more efficient car may be better. I read recently that in Tokyo everything large and above about 600cc is taxed to oblivion, so companies like Suzuki have become expert in making efficient small cars. OTOH I could see you on a Vespa ;-) but then it rains a lot here in NZ…

By: mark

mark — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:42:35 +0000

Righteousness is not really an issue for me… until electric vehicles become a reality we are all sinners :)

It’s probably more about style and economy (and yes comfort will probably suffer, not to mention *cough* safety)

I have my eye on a particular 1979 mini right now, yellow and in excellent condition. 1000cc engine and fuel economy double my current car (ie under 5L/100km).

If I don’t buy that I might look at the Japanese offerings, although I don’t really want to buy new.

By: dirtymouse

dirtymouse — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:06:22 +0000

my 2c

get something that’s fuel injected. avoid a mini, they are carburettor and expensive to maintain and have less emissions controls.

i think the realistic ideal intrim car (until solar supplied electricity comes online) would be what we ended up getting.

A mazda 121
Fuel efficiency (without AC) is:
18.75 km per litre (5.33 L/100km)

Compared with our Toyoto FJ45 Landcruiser, which gets:

4.9km per litre (20.4 L/100km)!!

Buy new is a silly idea, an old car is way better than buying a new car. Just make sure, it’s going to last another 10 years.

PS: my dad’s mid life mini was also very fuel efficient, getting 6L/100km
in the city.

By: dirtymouse

dirtymouse — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:08:37 +0000

Mini’s are expensive to repair. Mechanics hate them, as getting at anything requires pretty much disassembling a lot of things. If possible, avoid UK built if you’re on a tight budget.

By: AndrewR

AndrewR — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:41:31 +0000

+1 for the VW polo. Remember the green one I used to have? Ran on the smell of an oily cliche.

By: Ross Nixon

Ross Nixon — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:40:33 +0000

Have you seen Jeremy Clarkson driving the Peel P50? Absolutely hilarious! tinyurl.com/6ynbt4.

For ‘more simple, less engineered’ may I suggest the Citroen 2CV? Wikipedia has a nice write-up.

By: RichardC

RichardC — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:15:57 +0000

There I go suggesting a suzuki and the same day State Insurance releases a study showing they are the most expensive cars to repair in relation to cost - a 10km/h nose-to-tail could practically write one off.
Search for suzuki on the herald site.
I almost suggested telecommuting but then I remembered the state of NZ broadband :-(. Also, I’d miss the social aspects of office life, not to mention the efficiency of face time.

By: mark

mark — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:53:57 +0000

those results are pretty dismal… so much for the Swift (they are surprisingly expensive 2nd hand too)

Nearly bought a 2001 Fiat Punto yesterday but was outbid (most would say I was lucky I suspect)

By: mark

mark — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:18:03 +0000

Just bought the red 2002 VW Lupo I’ve had my eye on, stay tuned for my impressions as owner (riveting as they are sure to be)