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Lookin To Buy A Small Car

eMsta

By eMsta,
in General Automotive Discussion

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eMsta Grand Master

eMsta

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Currently looking at either a honda jazz or a mazda 2 to buy for the parents as a present. They both like hondas - so they are pretty keen on the jazz. The good thing about the Jazz Vti is the CVT transmission and the vtec. CVT transmission comes with paddle shift as well (which is a lot of fun to use), and the vtec makes the car more responsive than the mazda 2.

However, the Mazda 2 'genki', comes with 6 airbags (honda comes with 2). Both cars have ABS - and the mazda brakes are much better imo. Mazda also comes with steering controls for the stereo. I reckon the Jazz has a bit more space - so its got space to put the shopping when dad goes to the market, and there is enough space to transport my beagle around as well. And the cvt - just unreal - dont feel the gear changes or anything.

Im tending to go towards the Jazz at the moment - but want to know what people think of those 2 cars. Oh, but one thing is for certain, it felt good to get back into the r33 after driving those 2 cars! :kiss:

Are there any other cars you guys/girls can recommend? The mazda is around 22k, and the jazz is 23.5k.

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eMsta Grand Master

eMsta

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I'd get the Suzuki Swift Sport. They are a great little car.

yeah...i actually had a look on the suzuki website. Might pay em a visit this weekend. Dont know if my parents would like the sports one - but for around 23k, it might be a good one to take for a spin.

Also had a look at the yaris, but it was shocking though.....no space for anything.

Rabid Enthusiast

Rabid

Posted
Posted

I'd go for the Mazda2. It's a pretty nice looking car, has a great interior, gets 55mpg. And... it's a Mazda, which means it will have superior build quality and excellent reliability for years to come. They are the best Japanese car manufacturer out there right now in my opinion. Also in recent 5 year tests, Mazda was rated the most reliable car company. My parents own a Protoge5 that is almost perfect for a daily car. It's a little underpowered, but it handles very nicely, can seat 5 (4 very comfortably), gets 40mpg highway and hasn't needed anything except for oil changes and tyres/brakes. Can also put the dog in the back with no trouble (and he's a 100lb Bernese Mountain Dog), or load it up with groceries, tools, or whatever else. Unfortunately we don't have the Mazda2 here yet so I can't comment on that specific car from experience. I didn't like the Yaris though, not even a little bit. I have a few friends who also own Mazda products though and all of them are very happy with their cars.

eMsta Grand Master

eMsta

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toyota yaris is your friend, and i can help you with parts :)

or new corolla :D

the corolla would be a better choice than the yaris....main reason is because of the space. For a small car, compared to the jazz and the mazda 2 - the yaris i felt was a let down for the space. How much are new/demo corollas?

eMsta Grand Master

eMsta

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no idea on prices, they just came out like a week ago.

im guessing low 20's for the base models.

old corollas would be on the run out if u were chasing a good deal.

hmmm...will have to go with the parents and check em out....

end of financial year so most dealerships ahve some specials going...

JVP Grand Master

JVP

Posted
Posted
hmmm...will have to go with the parents and check em out....

end of financial year so most dealerships ahve some specials going...

yeh true.

im probably biased, but id go a toyota

then the swift. used to work for suzuki, great little cars.

eMsta Grand Master

eMsta

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If your gonna go up a size (the Corolla is up a size), you should look at the Mazda3. Specially the hatchback. Will for sure have plenty of room.

eyah...mazda 3 is def a possibility...problem is if i go for something like that, itd have to be a used car (which i dont mind) but mum always wanted a new car....so yeah...my budget can only go as far as 22k or there abouts.

JVP - yeah...i will be checking out the swift on the weekend....and hopefully see what they think of it....they only want a small car anyway cos dads gonna retire in 2 years and mums only working part time...so they want reliability, safety and low running costs....so yeah...see hwo it goes i suppose.

Rabid Enthusiast

Rabid

Posted
Posted (edited)
itd have to be a used car (which i dont mind) but mum always wanted a new car....so yeah...my budget can only go as far as 22k or there abouts.

I just test drove one that was a year old. Had 30k miles and still drove/looked/smelled new. Considering trading in my parents car for it. The Mazda3 is just the newer version of the Protoge. This one would be 3 years newer, 10k miles less, and only $1500 difference after trade. Hard to go wrong on that. Also as long as you don't wanna load up on options like SATNAV and stuff, they start at a little under $17000usd here. Best of luck to ya anyways.

Edited by Rabid
Tangles Grand Master

Tangles

Posted
Posted

hhmm, so mum wants a new car huh?

my tip - get the gtir for ya old man, he'll love ya for it.

then go thru the new car yards and look to pick up an old model on a runout sale..... I bought a new daewoo nubira for 15k (leather interior, disc brakes, mags, all options, etc) that way, when daewoo discontinued that model and brought out something new. 3yrs later its done 16000kms :) Might sell it for a M35 Stagea :D

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