New small car

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mdf

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#271833 28-May-2020 16:14

We're looking to replace a mid-sized hatchback (2004 Ford Focus - very long in the tooth now). Primary use is the city commute and school run, but could be used for occasional longer/more demanding trips (Wellington = Ngauranga Gorge and Rimutaka Hill Road). Unlikely to be used for long distance road trip type holidays. Budget is the $20-$25K mark.

If it were left to me, I would almost certainly be second hand Leaf shopping. But Mrs MDF is very keen on the idea of new car safety standards, new car warranties and modern engine fuel efficiency + flexibility.

The Leaf hasn't been totally ruled out, but keen on people's thoughts about sensible small new car options. Not really interested in the sporty / super-small high compression turbo charged options. All the following have five-start ANCAP ratings (I think). Kids so safety is a must.

Honda Jazz RS (probably my leading candidate) - biggest car, biggest engine, cool magic seats, most expensive at $26K
Kia Rio - looks good (IMO), decent engine, decent size $23K
Hyundai i20 - same thing as the Kia (?) but more expensive @ $24K
Suzuki Swift - super common, smaller and less power/torque than the above. GL $22K, GLX (extra driver assist and safety) $25K
Sukuki Baleno - bigger but only marginally more powerful than Swift, bigger boot $23K
Mitsubishi Mirage - great warranty, small and poss underpowered?, great value $20K

Anything else I'm missing? Not really interested in second hand petrol, if going second hand will def be BEV.

Any thoughts / suggestions / feedback / I have an X and is great / I have a Y and never again?

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#2493783 28-May-2020 16:31

Last time I looked the Rio was still pretty heavy on gas, but that was 4 years ago.

Brendan Foot has a few 2019/2020 Vitaras for around $25k. We ended up getting a new one of them in 2016. It's a great vehicle. Well specced and we get around 6.5l per 100km. The back seats don't fold flat though - honda has the best set up for that.

Other than that I would probably look at a Swift or the Jazz.

Jase2985

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#2493786 28-May-2020 16:33

The Jazz is a great all rounder, small enough and easy to park, but plenty of room inside for passangers, and folding those seats down puts some bigger cars to shame with what you can get in the back.

Pretty good on gas too.

RunningMan

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#2493789 28-May-2020 16:38

If you're looking BEV, then maybe chuck an older (i.e. 60Ah) BMW i3 in the mix too. Probably be high 20s though.

Loismustdye

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#2493795 28-May-2020 16:50

We bought a new manual swift 2 years ago, love the thing asides from the fact the manual is the povo spec Edition with crappier fit out than the others. Surprisingly roomy inside, but the boot is small. Happily head to Hawke’s bay or we’ll for a weekend from here in palmy if we need to. Cheap as to run, they quote 4.5l/100km and we would get close to that just running around town. Ongoing costs have been reasonable with servicing costs pretty cheap compared to our other car.

Although if i was to purchase again, I’d be looking at spending a few extra $$ and get the RS model, peppier and just generally nicer inside. However my wife “had” to have the manual and so we were stuck with the entry level crapper.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2493800 28-May-2020 16:57

Loismustdye:

However my wife “had” to have the manual and so we were stuck with the entry level crapper.

Can't say I blame her. Automatics suck. Slim pickings if you want manual these days though.

My next car will be electric, eliminating the gears and therefore the inherent problems with autos, except the ones car manufacturers decide to programme in to them for some strange reason.

EDIT: I drive an i20 manual. Can't say I recommend it, but it does the job.

alasta

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#2493801 28-May-2020 16:57

I had a Kia Rio for a few years, the variant with the 80kw naturally aspirated engine, and it was generally excellent but it was pretty gutless going up the gorge and the Rimutakas.

The 3-pot turbo version would go much better in that type of environment. Is there any reason why you're ruling out that type of engine?

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Dingbatt

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#2493833 28-May-2020 18:03

I know your brief was for a new vehicle, but at the moment there are rental car companies that are in a great deal of financial stress and are probably looking to dump a bunch of near new vehicles onto the used car market. They will be the base models but should have all the safety features (particularly Toyotas).

Glad to see all your options are Japanese or Korean. Not the most exciting, but certainly safe and reliable.

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Obraik

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#2493848 28-May-2020 18:42

This Zoe is just outside of your price range (and also a bit further south...) but they're a really good EV and have a great safety rating

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Geektastic

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#2493850 28-May-2020 18:47

Subaru Impreza hatch?

You would be looking second hand but very good safety.

We have an older Jazz and it is reliable, runs on the smell of an oily rag etc but feels like I could shoot straight through it with a BB gun!

Dunnersfella

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#2493851 28-May-2020 18:48

Is there anything from Mazda that you would consider?

mdf

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#2493877 28-May-2020 19:29

Cheers all, helpful feedback.

@alasta You make a good point. I guess the anti-turbo sentiment was a bit of "I don't need a hot hatch", not wanting to have to buy 95+ petrol any more, and a bit of concern about how hard a tiny little engine was going to have to work to produce that output. The turbo would have to be nigh on nuclear temperature by the time you were done. But I should look into it further.

Anyone have experience of these little turbocharged engines.

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RunningMan

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#2493901 28-May-2020 20:21

Obraik:

This Zoe is just outside of your price range (and also a bit further south...) but they're a really good EV and have a great safety rating

That one has been up for sale for months and months. Bear in mind it's the older 22kWh model, so much less range than the slightly newer but much more expensive update.

Obraik

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#2493905 28-May-2020 20:41

RunningMan:

That one has been up for sale for months and months. Bear in mind it's the older 22kWh model, so much less range than the slightly newer but much more expensive update.

It is a smaller battery but that's about the range you'll get in that price category, whether it be a Leaf, Zoe or i3. There are a couple i3's between the Zoe and $30k as well, and I guess a benefit being that the i3 has a water cooled battery so it should have a much longer life than a Leaf or Zoe which are air cooled. The i3 and the Leaf look a bit odd compared to the Zoe, though.

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sm1ff

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#2493917 28-May-2020 21:07

Is it absolutely necessary to go smaller? You will not be able to fit some items in the car if you go shopping. I find it difficult to fit some items in a mid sized sedan! You likely need a trailer.

Nate001

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#2493944 28-May-2020 22:35

My experience:

Jazz - Parents got a 2015 Jazz 2 years ago for around town car. First time I drove it I was genuinely surprised how good it was. It feels really spacious and open with the windscreen so far forward. From memory they didn't pay much, ~$17k.

Rio - From what I've read, you should only consider the turbo dual clutch version. Most reviews say the normal tranny is a dog otherwise they seem good.

Polo - Had one for a day/overnight last year when my car was being serviced. Was a great little car to nip around in. Felt a bit small inside especially in the rear seats. They're just under $30k so out of budget.

My daily is a Golf, had a MK6 and now 7.5 but they're out of your budget and you're not considering 2nd hand. They're a bit "boring" but it just works. Great for motorway and longer trips.

Why are you avoiding the turbo options? If you want fuel economy without BEV then thats the way to go.

Probably a good time to be buying a new car. You might be able to squeeze a good deal out of the dealers.

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