Over 2 years?
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Isn't it usually 3 years?
Anything from 1 year to 5 years.
The longer you lease it for, the cheaper the payments are,
and the cheaper the residual ammount is when the lease is up.
It just works out for what you have to pay each week and the residual ammount, 2 years just seems the best option (imo!).
yes I would. In manual trans.
What's all this Subaru slagging off going on in this thread? :p
The euro has great merits.. but I love my new Subaru Liberty GT B.Spec
It's not as comfortable on bumpy roads.. and it really makes you curse the NSW Government more.. fix.. our.. roads..
As a driver's car.. the GT is nicer.. as a luxury car, definately the Euro in terms of extra comfy gadgets and controls.
Just for reference about payments, I was a CHP for the Euro, 5 years, 30% residual. I'm on the same thing now for the GT, but payments wise i'm forking out roughly $150 or so more..
And i had a pretty decent deal compared to those who rant on about a 62K driveaway (ripped off to those suckers)
The GT spec B is a very nice car indeed. I test drove one the other day myself. I don't really like the look of them though, compared to the Euro it kinda looks dated imo (both inside and outside). The GT B has much better torque and strong acceleration from the turbo (though not quite Evo/WRX level). The gearbox isn't as good as the Euro's but the drive is very good even though it does feel a bit heavier around corners.
The sport (SI?) setting knob is gimmicky i reckon and really isn't that practical (it feels like you have 1/2 an engine with the intelligent setting). Overall it's a great car imo. If i'm looking for a new car that would definitely be on my shopping list.
The inside isn't that bad actually. It's comparable to the Euro if not better IMO, the red lights at night are a bit conservative, but really nice on the eyes and the seats are more comfortable, especially the momo steering wheel, small and thick and a very good feeling. The controls are a bit... stiff and not as responsive as the euro or well layed out imo, but you get used to them hehe.. The look is probably the biggest thing. The headlights aren't much different, a bigger grille and the lights at the back are tidied up more than the MY04 models. Overall, it's an appearance that won't get much attention until people see the low scoop in the front which gets a lot of finger pointing as i drive around
The car is still fresh... 450km on the clock at the moment.. so i still can't go crazy.. but from my initial... testing.. it's a thrill, the torque is absolutely awesome. You can have 4 people in the car and it won't struggle like the euro, the car does feel slow.. but it's just the torque pulling it.. doesn't need to be revved up like the euro. I'm still adjusting to AWD drive as i've always been a FWD driver in my past 2 cars, so i know how to push to the limits in those sorts of drivetrains. Taking a corner.. reasonably fast is still a bit of a funny feeling and the car only feels heavy when you are trying to turn the steering wheel while it is motionless.
The gearbox is definately no where as nice as the Euro, or as durable, but it has a good smooth feeling to it and most of the gear changes so far have been smoother than in the euro.. though.. i haven't done it in the higher rpm's yet... :p
The power/torque from the car is enough for driving comfortably on the road, as you say, it's no where near that of an WRX/EVO but.. it has more than the average car, enough to hold it's ground and out out if needed. It's a small trade off considering the comfort and luxury you get inside, unlike a barebone lancer.. oh i mean Evo :] which you're really only paying for the engine and performance..
This is a bit controversial i think for a lot of people, and until you're actually using it - you don't know how good it is.
So far, the fuel economy when i'm in Intelligent mode and Sport mode is giving me fuel economy that i would normally have in my Euro if i was driving it moderately hard sometimes. I'm predicting 450-500km before my fuel up on the 64L tank.
In Intelligent mode, it's great to puddle along in peak traffic when it's bumper to bumper.. i wouldn't bother trying to overtake.. it just won't have the power but for peak traffic - perfect. Also great if you're a bit of an old fart and a sunday driver :p It brings the car down to 148kW and a bit lower torque that i can't remember.
In sport mode, which brings the car back up to it's maximum power/torque potential of 184kW/339nm. Of course, it's as responsive as the euro in this mode, normal everyday driving, enought to be driving happily, taking off lights, overtaking etc...
If you want real fun.. where the throttle is at max, just at ouch of the accelerator will bounce the needle unbeliavably high when taking off.. IMO it has TOO much power for the normal roads.. eg..60 or even 80.. as the car just pushes for more.. and if you can't deliver.. it's not worth using it as it will result in discomfort..
Each mode of course increases fuel guzzling potential by 2L each setting.. but.. it's great that you can control how much power you'd like the car to deliver.
I think i was showing Aaron the other day when i got it.. hehe.. that was in sport mode :] can't remember if I demonstrated the car in Intelligent mode..
Hey just here to offer my opinion.
Say if your in the 40-60 k category never before have you had so much choice. It all comes down to what you want out of a car? From what ive read (since i dont own a Euro) the Euro is a good, comfortable daily driver (which is what the majority of us use our cars for the majority of the time).
Im 16 but my parents have owned an array of different cars since they lease them. Ive found that even if its a good car, its nice to have "a change"
In the same segment, the Mazda 6 MPS will give you great performance and handling, as will the Liberty 3.0 Spec B or GT, although neither of them are that quick in a strait line, all of these three have good safety, comfortable and well equiped. I dunno but maybee if you wanted to get another Euro i would wait until the new one arrives, that just a personal thing, i know others wont mind if their car is outdated shortly after they buy it.
Considered the 350Z, RX-8 or S2000...i know that these are hard to find for 60k new but you could consider a near new one with low km? None of them would be as practical as your Euro but im sure they would be rewarding to drive.
Another possibilty is the Audi A4 1.8T?, again you could pick up a near new one, that has low km.
The IS250 is a beautiful car, and has got a nice 150kw V6, and is available in manual.
Then we get to the big cars. The Aurion is a nice package, with the top model (Prescara i think its spelt?) absolutely overflowing with features. Its 200kw V6 is good but compared to others (namely the commodore but more particularly, the falcon) it lacks torque.
Purely on features, the commodore wins hands down, and is very competative to any other car that is around 51-53k (Weyre talking the SS-V series here)
Safety: 6 Airbags, ESP
Performance: 270kw V8, 0-100 in (5.4 ive seen but wheels seems to get 5.7)
Features: Dual zone climate control, leather seats, 11 speaker audio system,...all the fruit.
Ok, as for the quality, yes we have seen two recalls, but hey, even Toyota have had a few recalls in the past couple of years. Theres no shortage of people in this forum who have had quality issuies with their Euro either. Speaking from personal experiance, you could own a commodore and never have a problem with it, or you could own one and have 3 or 4 problems, as for the most recent commodores weve owned, we've hadnt had one problem, just like the toyota's weve owned.
You can say the technology is old, but hey, it works and it gets you to 100 faster than any other car for 50k ;)
At the end of the day, you need to decide what you want from the car, and pick the best overall package that suits you.
Cheers.
JASO,
First let me congratulate you on your well constructed letter, particularly the ABSENCE of poor spelling and grammer (bearing in mind your young years). I am an old fart of 63 years and it is very refreshing to to read your letter.
Regarding the comparison between the Euro and the localy built products with respect to quallity the Euro wins hands down. Quallity is much more than just the frequency of breakdowns or recalls, the Euro just shouts out QUALLITY, the fit of the body panels, the lack of squeeks and rattles, the way the doors close etc.
I have had Commodors and Falcons for the past 20 years so I can speak with some experiance. The Euro is excelent value for money both quallity wise and performance. On a twisty road it will give my V8 Cobra a good run for its money (in a straight line it is a different story)
Once again Jaso, great letter.
I agree with Robert,
definately a great write up, and to the point, "At the end of the day, you need to decide what you want from the car, and pick the best overall package that suits you." is 100% correct.
Though, I find it troubling what you would personally define as a fast straight line car. Given that you referred to a Holden SSV V8 as being around 5.7s 0-100, I figure that's your benchmark for a fast straight line car.
Just to recycle some of your examples chosen,
The Mazda 6 MPS is quicker than my Liberty GT B.Spec (L-GT) on a straight line marginally, from what I've read from various articles.
The 350Z is pretty much around the same mark as the Mazda 6 MPS and L-GT.
The Liberty 3.0R is only around 7 seconds, like the S2000 and the RX-8 has had various reports... but I would personally sit it around 7 seconds if you were launching at a very high RPM, since i've personally seen a few against my Euro.
Audi 1.8T's are slower than the Audi 2.0T's and even the Quattro version which i looked at with many options to match the euro would have an OTR of around 72K - and that's pushing a damn good deal, that car only sits around around 7.2s 0-100, Lexus isn't any faster than a Euro, just a touch.
This is of course if you want to compare straightlines..
Pricing wise, You'd be able to secure any of those vehicles second hand for a very good price around 40K give or take.
Brand new at around 60K, a 350z and RX8 with Leather Pack. S2000 is just overpriced... IMO, same with the Lexus IS250, although they are quite a nice package.
But keep in mind.. it's not just straightline which determines everything.. you have handling and other various factors.
But we won't get into a big fight over which car is faster and better here etc, that's just childish.
All cars have their merits and it's up to the individual to decide which of those merits appeal to them. That's why there are people who drive Kia's and Hyuandai's and think that a Tiburon is crash hot :]
Each to their own..