Recent Experiences with New Cars

[Wedgie]

Im looking at getting a new car through salary packaging, either a medium car like the Mazda 6 or a larger car like a Falcon XR6.
Would be especially interested if people have driven either recently (for work or have purchased one themselves) or any other similar cars in a similar pricerange.
Most interested in leg room, feel of the car and grunt.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Drove a VE SS, was awesome. i suggest you buy one of those.

[Wedgie]

Drove a VE SS, was awesome. i suggest you buy one of those.

If I wanted a car that looked like a Falcon, I'd get a Falcon.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Drove a VE SS, was awesome. i suggest you buy one of those.

If I wanted a car that looked like a Falcon, I'd get a Falcon.

Certainly drives abit diffrent to a 6 cylinder Falcon.

[Booney]

If you are looking in the $30k+ range,I suggest the Mazda 6,for performance,you get good fuel economy.I have driven both a new XR6 and the Mazda 6,and the Mazda was just fun to drive,light,quick,responsive.I have just bought a new ute for work(Mazda Bravo 1t Turbo Diesel) and the finish of build quality is great,even in a budget utility.The after market service has been a little poor,but when spending $22k on a ute you dont exopect much after market schmoozing.

A sales rep here has just got a BA XT Falcon,a few extras,spoiler,alloys,and bits and pieces for about $31k.Ford are running in the new model soon and BA's will be going out on the cheap.

BTW,dont buy a Holden,they get made by Centrals supporters,they have all had the 5hits since October and those puppies will fall apart quick smart.

[Wedgie]

Certainly drives abit diffrent to a 6 cylinder Falcon.

Exactly, another reason I wouldn't buy it!

[Wedgie]

If you are looking in the $30k+ range,I suggest the Mazda 6,for performance,you get good fuel economy.I have driven both a new XR6 and the Mazda 6,and the Mazda was just fun to drive,light,quick,responsive.I have just bought a new ute for work(Mazda Bravo 1t Turbo Diesel) and the finish of build quality is great,even in a budget utility.The after market service has been a little poor,but when spending $22k on a ute you dont exopect much after market schmoozing.

A sales rep here has just got a BA XT Falcon,a few extras,spoiler,alloys,and bits and pieces for about $31k.Ford are running in the new model soon and BA's will be going out on the cheap.

BTW,dont buy a Holden,they get made by Centrals supporters,they have all had the 5hits since October and those puppies will fall apart quick smart.

Cheers Booney, how do you reckon the Mazda 6 would go on the open road overtaking with its small engine?
I actually don't like light, repsonsive cars so I might have to give it a test drive first.
Last XR6 I priced brand new was about 25k (4 months ago), the savings they make on fleet prices for salary packaging is astounding. Different savings with different cars though, also priced the Camry at the time and the saving for that was stuff all compared to the Fords, Im hoping the Mazdas may fit into the same boot as they're owned by Ford.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

in all honesty the VE isnt the best idea if looking for a new car, way to many faults in the 1st series, would hold off for series 2 if anyone is looking at getting one.

[Booney]

I took the Mazda out on Pt.Wakefield Rd and it was fine,did that little 100-120 sprint easy,and quickly more importantly.

You're right,I think the fleet discount took about 4.5k off the new sticker price for the Falcon.

On another thought,have you looked at/driven a new 380? I dont mind the look,could be a little bland for some,and the front wheel drive will turn others away,but for what you are paying you could well get a top of the pops VRX with lots of extras and save some coin,just a thought.


*Footnote-I have had a 97 Magna from new,not a problem with it since I bought it, mind you dont do a lot of country
k's,but when I do I have no problem.Been to Melbourne twice and the 3 litre gets great economy.Mitsubishi are for those willing to look outside the square,and the ones in the square only think they are shite through lack of knowledge/information/experience,IMHO*

[mighty_tiger_79]

WEDGIE

its a good thinkg you are looking at getting a new car, cos if you were looking at getting any car I would get MAL to show you at the AUCTIONS what NOT to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it was interesting to see how much cars decrease in value at the moment in that article in the sunday mail.

[Dutchy]

Wedgie - your probably aware of this already however if you do 25,000 k's a year go for that option when packaging...its much cheaper due to FBT rules. I packaged my commodore for 15,000 k's then realised I was going to do 25,000 a year so ameded the lease and it was $1,000 cheaper to do 10,000 km's more a year as the FBT was significantly lower!...Im talking about a fully operational lease BTW - fuel, rego, insurence, tyres, service etc.

[dinglinga]

u will find FORD have a 33% share holding and is being reduce....yes th Mazda 6 is a great car .....

maintains fantastic resale value something you will not find in any fleet oriantated manufactor ie Ford, Holden, Mits etc

ranked number 1 in wheels active safety rating mega test early this year against 14 other vehicles

pm me wedgie

[Footy Chick]

mt79 is right, get your self a toyota...the mechanics at work here say that if everyone in the world owned a toyota, they would all be out of a job! Plus they retain their value more than other cars.

But out of the two you're thinking of, go the Mazda 6 Wedge. the 2.3 litre engine (or now available in turbo diesel). More than capable of overtaking on the highway... hell my 1.8 litre corolla is more than capable, also gives you more km's per litre of petrol than the thirsty ford...
Also cheaper to insure as well..

[Wedgie]

Yeah, I had a look at the Camrys but the savings weren't as much as with other cars, basically worked out to only $20 more a fortnight to get an XR6 as opposed to a base model Camry.
Don't mind the Aurion, might look at getting a quote on that.
Definately am not getting a 380 or Holden.
I know too many people that work at either place and its enough to put me off for life!

[JK]

Yeah, I had a look at the Camrys but the savings weren't as much as with other cars, basically worked out to only $20 more a fortnight to get an XR6 as opposed to a base model Camry.
Don't mind the Aurion, might look at getting a quote on that.
Definately am not getting a 380 or Holden.
I know too many people that work at either place and its enough to put me off for life!

I grabbed a 380 earlier this year (a week or two before they dropped significantly in price ) and I rate it as the best car I've driven ... In fact having had 2 Lancers, a Verada and now a 380 over the last 10+ years without one mechanical issue (touch wood), I'm a massive wrap for the cars Mitsubishi build.

[smac]

Check your insurance expenses on the Mazda 6 - apparently quite pricey due to expensive parts/repairs. Get one of the grey ones like everyone else in Adelaide .

Camry Sportivo is a cracking car, great value and a great ride. Current model XR6 would have to be one of the best value rear wheel drive 6 cylinder cars ever made. Shame it's a Ford, more people might have bought it otherwise.

[Wedgie]

Check your insurance expenses on the Mazda 6 - apparently quite pricey due to expensive parts/repairs. Get one of the grey ones like everyone else in Adelaide .

Camry Sportivo is a cracking car, great value and a great ride. Current model XR6 would have to be one of the best value rear wheel drive 6 cylinder cars ever made. Shame it's a Ford, more people might have bought it otherwise.

Price of parts/insurance wont be an issue while I lease it (probably 5 years) but would probably sway me to re-sell it at the end of the agreement as opposed to hanging onto it.
Definately not getting grey.
Good chance my new car whatever it is will be red.
I just have to be able to talk Mrs Wedgie into us getting a bit white Vee painted on the bonnet!

[smac]

Check your insurance expenses on the Mazda 6 - apparently quite pricey due to expensive parts/repairs. Get one of the grey ones like everyone else in Adelaide .

Camry Sportivo is a cracking car, great value and a great ride. Current model XR6 would have to be one of the best value rear wheel drive 6 cylinder cars ever made. Shame it's a Ford, more people might have bought it otherwise.

Price of parts/insurance wont be an issue while I lease it (probably 5 years) but would probably sway me to re-sell it at the end of the agreement as opposed to hanging onto it.
Definately not getting grey.
Good chance my new car whatever it is will be red.
I just have to be able to talk Mrs Wedgie into us getting a bit white Vee painted on the bonnet!

The insurance will still be included in the lease I assume, so it should still be a consideration. Approximately 50% higher premium with some insurers, when comparing to the Sportivo.

Dinga - I am not trying to scare away customers mate.

[Footy Chick]

Check your insurance expenses on the Mazda 6 - apparently quite pricey due to expensive parts/repairs. Get one of the grey ones like everyone else in Adelaide .

Camry Sportivo is a cracking car, great value and a great ride. Current model XR6 would have to be one of the best value rear wheel drive 6 cylinder cars ever made. Shame it's a Ford, more people might have bought it otherwise.

Absolutely not, our quotes for mazda 6's seem to be somewhat cheaper than our competitors for the best part, we insure a lot of them...

[dinglinga]

if u check nrma website the mazda 6 is one of the cheapest cars to repair in a accident...

no probs smac..... dont scare my source of income away