New car advice

[Dan]

I'm shopping around for some new wheels and I need some suggestions.

My price range is around R180 - R200k max, and I'm looking for something ideally in the 'supermini' category: something with a bit of oomph (anything above my 1.3 Tazz is a win) but not as high up as a 'hot hatch' like the Focus ST and such.

Current possibilities:

1. Alfa Mito - 2010/2011 models with low mileage can be had for around R200k, most stylish of the lot
2. Citroen DS3 - not many secondhand ones around, sweet interior and fun drive
3. Mini Cooper S - still a blast to drive but a little dated now, not a huge fan of the 'retro' interior

For the same money I could also get the new Polo or something similar, but ideally I'd like something a tad more plush if I can afford it.

Opinions?

[Dohc-WP]

look at the current gen fiesta, syco was looking @ one and i must say the specs and standard features on it is pretty good.

if you looking at second hand vehicles get an audi a3, i've gotten myself one and im uber satisfied with it. oh and its ride quality is like a R300 000 mercedes.

[Cicero]

I'd say dont go for the Polo. Especially if you want some oomph. Just check the power specs of their engines, pathetic. A 1.6 engine with only 77kW...please!! The Kias and Hyundais have pretty good options.

What about a Kia Cerato hatch or something? At least its 1.6 has 91.2kW...thats more like it.Or an i30, with 89kW 1.6.

[Dan]

Ah, I hadn't considered the Fiesta, will have a look. The Titanium version looks pretty sweet.

I've looked at A3's but in that price range the mileage is really high. You pay top dollar for those four rings!

[matt]

I got a Kia Picanto last year, and it's quite a lekker little hatchback I think. Small car, but they put in lots of features like bluetooth, iPod integration, steering wheel controls for radio and phone, electric windows all round, power steering, air-con, abs, alloy wheels, dual airbags, trip computer, etc (Sunroof if you want to pay extra). I got the 1.2 EX, which is the bells and whistles version. It's definitely a small economy car, but I'm sure it'll out-perform a Tazz. All the features sold me on it, I'm a sucker for gadgets.

I see the 1.2EX Manual is going for R119K
http://www.kia.co.za/Vehicles/Price/New%20Picanto/19

EDIT: You won't be doing any racing in one of these, but it's a lekker city car.

[Dan]

@markface: I do like the look of the new Kia's, and apparently the Rio has a ton of features for a car in that price range. Haven't checked the Cerato out yet but maybe it's time for a test drive: 92kw would do me fine.

@matt: I almost bought the new Picanto actually, you can't beat the features for that price. When test driving it though I didn't feel like it was enough of an upgrade from my Tazz so I opted to look for something with a little more juice. Out of interest though, what colour did you get? I was dead set on the red

[Cicero]

@markface: I do like the look of the new Kia's, and apparently the Rio has a ton of features for a car in that price range. Haven't checked the Cerato out yet but maybe it's time for a test drive: 92kw would do me fine.

The Rio is quite a bit cheaper...I didn't put it down coz I though it was below your price range you're looking at. But a great car. You could get a 1.4 Manual, and that has 79kW. More than the Polo 1.6's and so much cheaper too at R158k.

Edit: I dont mean to bust VW's arse so much, but I just dont understand why their engines are so underpowered.

[Dan]

Yeah, the power is a bit low but I way prefer the look of the Rio. I might give both a test drive.

And eish, how overpriced are the new Polos? What happened to VW making "the people's car"?

[Dohc-WP]

@markface: I do like the look of the new Kia's, and apparently the Rio has a ton of features for a car in that price range. Haven't checked the Cerato out yet but maybe it's time for a test drive: 92kw would do me fine.

@matt: I almost bought the new Picanto actually, you can't beat the features for that price. When test driving it though I didn't feel like it was enough of an upgrade from my Tazz so I opted to look for something with a little more juice. Out of interest though, what colour did you get? I was dead set on the red

the cerato coupe looks pimp imo, i wanted one of those, the main reason i got the Audi is its pretty safe acording to the euro ncap rating also the one i bought has got pretty high mileage but it included a fsh which satisfied me to a point.

[matt]

@markface: I do like the look of the new Kia's, and apparently the Rio has a ton of features for a car in that price range. Haven't checked the Cerato out yet but maybe it's time for a test drive: 92kw would do me fine.

@matt: I almost bought the new Picanto actually, you can't beat the features for that price. When test driving it though I didn't feel like it was enough of an upgrade from my Tazz so I opted to look for something with a little more juice. Out of interest though, what colour did you get? I was dead set on the red

I got the black one, looks pretty lekker. Ya, it's not a powerful car by any means, if you're after more juice, probably best to get something with a bigger engine. It's only a 1.2l. Pretty got on the fuel consumption though