The "which sort of engine" dilemma

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#2187323 26-Feb-2019 10:23

Since you don't seem to have any brand affiliation, have a look around take a few vehicles you think you might like for a test drive.

Talk to other people you know who already own in the segment you're looking at and ask them what they do/don't like about the model they have. Be careful when you analyse their responses as some people won't tell you they bought a "lemon".

Make a list of things that are important, for example

fuel economy
number of seats
luggage space
physical size - will it fit in the garage and or be easy to park
ease of access for entry and egress, including how far the door opens and the opening size/shape for getting items like kiddies car seats in and out
will you want to tow a boat or trailer
automatic/manual transmission

Think about features you may want for example,

reversing cameras (most vehicles have these today)
electrically adjustable seats
seat height adjustment
adjustable height shoulder retainer for the front seat belts

Little things to think about

Do the electric windows stay powered for a period after the key is removed? It's a real pain to have to reinsert the key and turn the ignition on just to close a window that is partially open.
Does the reversing camera show a curved path when turning while in reverse

Finally does the the vehicle feel right when you drive it? Are the controls like the indicators, high/low beam, windscreen wipers, heater/climate controls easy to reach and easy to use?

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Fred99

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#2187341 26-Feb-2019 10:44

Technofreak:

Make a list of things that are important, for example

fuel economy

If that's going to be at the top of the list, then unless you've got a source for relevant IRL data, you're throwing yourself at the mercy of claimed fuel economy figures which may be wildly optimistic. I think that's covered in some of the videos posted above.

alasta

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#2187342 26-Feb-2019 10:45

trig42:

Kia - great staff, not pushy, wife's preference. Got an ex-demo Sportage in the colour she wanted for just over $32k (1200 on clock, diesel, AWD).

Decision made in about 3 hours, put it on the house, took the bank two days to get the money through. Happy with it. I had also looked at when researching - Suzuki (great 4WD system, car a bit old looking), Seat, Haval, Ford and Holden.

I've now done about 2500km in it - fuel usage is about 7.2L/100km in mixed driving (stop start motorway commutes, plus a couple of out-of-town trips). I get about 800km from a fill - about $85 (plus RUC of course).

What's your general feedback on the Sportage? Is there anything you don't like about it?

I am tossing up between the Sportage EX AWD petrol, and the CX5 GSX AWD petrol. Each has a few features that the other lacks so it's really swings and roundabouts on specs, but the Sportage is cheaper and I'm reasonably confident that I could negotiate a three year servicing deal from Kia to match Mazda's offering.

The thing that annoys me about the CX5 is that it lacks daytime running lights in the GSX grade which seems like a glaring omission.

trig42

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#2187358 26-Feb-2019 10:56

alasta:

What's your general feedback on the Sportage? Is there anything you don't like about it?

I am tossing up between the Sportage EX AWD petrol, and the CX5 GSX AWD petrol. Each has a few features that the other lacks so it's really swings and roundabouts on specs, but the Sportage is cheaper and I'm reasonably confident that I could negotiate a three year servicing deal from Kia to match Mazda's offering.

The thing that annoys me about the CX5 is that it lacks daytime running lights in the GSX grade which seems like a glaring omission.

So far, nothing I don't like. My wife was a bit put off by the height of the dash viewed from the passenger seat (she is quite short). Raising the passenger seat alleviated most of this, she has gotten used to it now.

Connectivity is good - CarPlay works well (it's my first car with CarPlay/AndroidAuto - the only this I would say is that there isn't a huge area in the centre console for storing things like phones/cables tidily. It's fine, but my previous car (Mazda3) had a bit more storage there. The only thing I had before, which I suppose I miss now (because I got the LX) is keyless entry/push button start. I've got used to using the key again, but in a perfect world (and it would have cost me about $5k more) i would have got the next model up with the Keyless option.

I haven't really gotten used to reversing into parking spots with the camera (it does have the curved path overlay) - I never quite seem to end up straight. I will get used to it (I use the mirrors mostly though) and that is not a fault of the car, more of the operator :).

It drives well, I have no problems passing on the open road (and I was a little worried about this after coming from the 2.3L Turbo Mazda), and it is a damn sight cheaper to drive than the Mazda. Boot space is good and there is heaps of room in the back seats. With the drivers seat set to my driving position (I'm 6'3) I can easily get in the back seat with room to spare behind the drivers seat. The CX-5 is similar I think.

Mine came with 3 years servicing, and a 5 year warranty (as do all new Kia's currently).

Bung

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#2187365 26-Feb-2019 11:08

alasta:
The thing that annoys me about the CX5 is that it lacks daytime running lights in the GSX grade which seems like a glaring omission.

In most parts of NZ I'd have no hesitation in replacing the fog lights with a DRL lamp. I've had a car with fog lights for 10 years and never had any occasion where they would have improved the situation. The lamps themselves have been broken by stones twice. Thankfully now the WOF just needs them to be disabled rather than replaced.

I've looked at petrol Sportages also. I've currently got a 2.0l Suzuki that can be babied into 9l/100km. The petrol Kia unfortunately looks to be real world 10 - 11l/100km.

Technofreak

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#2187418 26-Feb-2019 11:14

Fred99:

Technofreak:

Make a list of things that are important, for example

fuel economy

If that's going to be at the top of the list, then unless you've got a source for relevant IRL data, you're throwing yourself at the mercy of claimed fuel economy figures which may be wildly optimistic. I think that's covered in some of the videos posted above.

I think it would be near the top of any list these days. How it's measured very much depends in IRL situations. I think everyone knows that.

You will note the very start of my post I said to talk to other owners to find out their IRL experience.

I'd also suggest all manufacturers "game" the fuel economy figures to the same extent, while you may not achieve their figures in real life you should still get some relationship between various models as to their relative fuel economy IRL.

I'd also add that diesel vehicles are generally not as cheap to run as it appears on face value, by the time you add in RUC and the extra servicing they require. Also many are turbo charged which adds in another layer of complexity and further requirements for servicing. I'm not saying don't buy a diesel, just make sure you are aware of their requirements.

Judging by the number of "dirty diesels' I see on the roads I'm absolutely certain many diesel owners don't know about the extra servicing requirements, or perhaps they don't care or can't afford the servicing.

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#2187421 26-Feb-2019 11:20

With diesel I believe you need to do regular open road driving to burn - I mean regenerate the DPF.

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Coil

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#2187423 26-Feb-2019 11:25

Technofreak:

Judging by the number of "dirty diesels' I see on the roads I'm absolutely certain many diesel owners don't know about the extra servicing requirements, or perhaps they don't care or can't afford the servicing.

Slightly OT, But please explain what you call a dirty diesel?

Cheers

Coil

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#2187425 26-Feb-2019 11:27

Batman:

With diesel I believe you need to do regular open road driving to burn - I mean regenerate the DPF.

Well with Toyota you now need to press a button and sit idle for 30 minutes while it starts smoking like it is on fire.. Or take it to the stealer.
https://www.toyota.co.nz/globalassets/documents/brochures/2016/quick-guide-to-the-diesel-particulate-filter-dpf.pdf

Technofreak

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#2187430 26-Feb-2019 11:38

Coil:

Technofreak:

Judging by the number of "dirty diesels' I see on the roads I'm absolutely certain many diesel owners don't know about the extra servicing requirements, or perhaps they don't care or can't afford the servicing.

Slightly OT, But please explain what you call a dirty diesel?

Cheers

Sure, I'm not referring to all diesels as dirty diesels, there are many that you would never know were diesel unless you listened carefully for the diesel knock.

I'm talking diesels that produce significant smoke and fumes when they accelerate, in some cases you have to use the the recirc function on the air con to stop the fumes from overcoming you and in many cases the back of the vehicle is blackened by the exhaust fumes. I'm talking about the ones that are not serviced properly.

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Technofreak

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#2187434 26-Feb-2019 11:44

Bung: I've currently got a 2.0l Suzuki that can be babied into 9l/100km. The petrol Kia unfortunately looks to be real world 10 - 11l/100km.

What sort of driving are you doing? I can baby my 3.8L V6 Commodore to 7.8 L/100Km. I've no trouble getting into the low 8's. Sure it's is mostly open road driving.

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alasta

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#2187445 26-Feb-2019 12:09

trig42:

So far, nothing I don't like. My wife was a bit put off by the height of the dash viewed from the passenger seat (she is quite short). Raising the passenger seat alleviated most of this, she has gotten used to it now.

Thanks! I am also coming from a Mazda3 so that is really helpful feedback.

Coil

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#2187448 26-Feb-2019 12:13

Technofreak:

Coil:

Technofreak:

Judging by the number of "dirty diesels' I see on the roads I'm absolutely certain many diesel owners don't know about the extra servicing requirements, or perhaps they don't care or can't afford the servicing.

Slightly OT, But please explain what you call a dirty diesel?

Cheers

Sure, I'm not referring to all diesels as dirty diesels, there are many that you would never know were diesel unless you listened carefully for the diesel knock.

I'm talking diesels that produce significant smoke and fumes when they accelerate, in some cases you have to use the the recirc function on the air con to stop the fumes from overcoming you and in many cases the back of the vehicle is blackened by the exhaust fumes. I'm talking about the ones that are not serviced properly.

Generally if you smell fumes in your cabin it is due to an exhaust leak or a seal that is broken. Should fix that.. Black smoke is over fueling, while it is not as good healthy as clean air, the difference between a ploom of unburnt diesel and what you would not see if they weren't over fueling is pretty marginal. Blue smoke is generally a turbo with failing seals, petrol cars do this too.. White smoke is generally water entering the combustion chambers, lots of Toyota's do this even though they have this stigma that they make good cars lol... I don't know many makes of cars where literally every single diesel they made was prone to head issues.......

Bung

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#2187489 26-Feb-2019 12:28

Technofreak:
Bung: I've currently got a 2.0l Suzuki that can be babied into 9l/100km. The petrol Kia unfortunately looks to be real world 10 - 11l/100km.

What sort of driving are you doing? I can baby my 3.8L V6 Commodore to 7.8 L/100Km. I've no trouble getting into the low 8's. Sure it's is mostly open road driving.

Sorry, should have said 9 is the overall average since new. I can get into 7s on a trip.

Coil

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#2187491 26-Feb-2019 12:33

Bung:
Technofreak:

Bung: I've currently got a 2.0l Suzuki that can be babied into 9l/100km. The petrol Kia unfortunately looks to be real world 10 - 11l/100km.

What sort of driving are you doing? I can baby my 3.8L V6 Commodore to 7.8 L/100Km. I've no trouble getting into the low 8's. Sure it's is mostly open road driving.

Sorry, should have said 9 is the overall average since new. I can get into 7s on a trip.

My 2.8L Petrol Six can't even scrape 8.5L.

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