So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[k_sheep]

I'm in the market for my first new car (and only second car ever). It's getting remarkably difficult to get a small manual car! Everything is a giant soccer-mum mobile in auto.

Test drove the suzuki swift sport and subaru BRZ today, sadly the latter in auto which is just awful - I don't know if it'd be any better in manual.

 

[docjames]

44000/225000 cars on carsales are manual.

Small manual options
- Mazda 3
- Skoda Fabia
- Hyundai i30
- BMW 1 series


There’s a few out there, but it’s nowhere near what it was.

 

[k_sheep]

44000/225000 cars on carsales are manual.

That is an awful stat. Gah.

 

[Milboo]

How about a VW Golf or Polo?

 

[Quickstatus]

Agree with the new 2018 VW Polo
1.0 litre petrol 6 speed manual.
It’s a really good little car
$23-$25k

Alternately Holden Astra/ Ford Focus

Or if you want a micro 4x4 you could get the Suzuki Jimny manual 1.5L $27k

 

[rogerkambah]

Test drove the suzuki swift sport and subaru BRZ today, sadly the latter in auto which is just awful - I don't know if it'd be any better in manual.

I'm sure the manual version of the BRZ or Toyota 86 would feel much better than the auto. I prefer to have control rather than trust the auto box.

 

[k_sheep]

VW I will certainly check out.

Can't bring myself to consider holden or ford .... I'm sure they area more reliable than they used to be but I've been scarred!

 

[GarrettM]

I'm in the market for my first new car (and only second car ever). It's getting remarkably difficult to get a small manual car! Everything is a giant soccer-mum mobile in auto.

Test drove the suzuki swift sport and subaru BRZ today, sadly the latter in auto which is just awful - I don't know if it'd be any better in manual.

'

We are considering going back to being a two car family, and I have been looking at small hatches. We already have a manual though so kinda want to give my left leg a break every now and again.

I love the look of the new Swift Sport. Small, not a lot of weight, and seriously go. Just not sure it'd be big enough for me to be practical.
Also in the mix are the Ford Focus, and Mazda 3.

And the Hyundai i30 SR. Again quite a lot of ticker, and decent value for money as far as I can see.
Just trying to balance common sense practicality, and my looming mid-life crisis.

 

[Dr Bob]

'
Just trying to balance common sense practicality, and my looming mid-life crisis.

Just get the convertible. You won't regret it. I got mine back during the GFC & it's only just ticked over 50K but probably lost 50 grand in value but it is fun to drive when you play with the paddles on the hilly roads.

 

[Quickstatus]

'

We are considering going back to being a two car family, and I have been looking at small hatches.

I love the look of the new Swift Sport...
...Ford Focus...Mazda 3...Hyundai i30 SR.
Just trying to balance common sense practicality, and my looming mid-life crisis.

Just get the convertible. You won't regret it.

Before you define where the balance point should be, perhaps consider the Mini Cooper S Convertible.

 

[tgh]

I have been fantasising about a convertible, but almost every one I see is driven with the top up, even in qld.
Collectible cars are booming as a genre , and the prices asked for very common old cars is stratospheric.

 

[GarrettM]

No convertibles.

 

[jb747]

RRS is in for service today, and the dealer has given me his demo Jaguar F Pace for the day. Like it more than the Audi Q5 we used to own. Nice.

 

[Saltywings]

Speaking of service, our car's in the shop to get a paint scratch (deep, but not large and no denting) repaired. Can you believe the first quote was $6.8k!

Needless to say, did not go there...#rorts

 

[Milboo]

RRS is in for service today, and the dealer has given me his demo Jaguar F Pace for the day. Like it more than the Audi Q5 we used to own. Nice.

I like the F Pace a lot and have my eye on it for my next car - shame my Q2 is only 17 months old!

 

[rogerkambah]

Found this in Porto.

 

[kelvedon]

Ah a MK 1 Escort. A mate of mine had one, his first car. The gear stick would regularly come off in his hand !

 

[tgh]

It's amazing how quickly everyday cars are becoming collectable,

 

[DaveB]

I like the F Pace a lot and have my eye on it for my next car - shame my Q2 is only 17 months old!

Had a MY15 Q5 3l diesel which was a nice car. New model though still had the same niggling issues for me - seating not comfortable for long drives, rear legroom not great for adults and still with that godaweful inflateable space saver spare - would even put up with runflats attempting that again.

Wanted another SUV (wife has the mid size NX) with slightly more rear legroom able to comfortably carry 4 adults for the occasional roadtrip though not wanting to drive a 7 seater tank for around town. Looked seriously at the F-Pace, Velar and Sport ending up with the XC60 diesel R-Design. Now driven it 4,000 k's and couldn't be happier. A very smart, brilliant car really nice to drive provided you can overcome the mental scarring of the Volvo badge - have just finished my complimentary therapy course. Very well thought out car with almost as much power (173kW 4cyl v 180 kW 6cyl) though quicker of the mark not having the Q5 lag.

 

[tgh]

swmbo has an XC60, not to my taste but the fit and finish is another level over audi and bmw.
Rising 4, it has been faultless.