Subaru Levorg or Similar Performance Vehicle 40-45k

Wampus on 16/08/2016 - 11:43

Hi all, yet another car advice forum post, sorry!

Am ready to trade in my old Santa Fe on a new vehicle, am looking 35-45k range but that's just ball park.

Loved the Santa Fe but am ready to move back to something that's fun to drive. Would stretch to a Mustang if it wasn't for the 12 month wait on the GTs :(

I'm really interested in a WRX or Levorg but also like the high end Meganes, maybe a high end Golf - Levorg is a bit more practical but still sounds like a blast to drive. Anyone have any input?

Automotive

Comments

  • plmko on 16/08/2016 - 11:50

    Good car, drove it in Japan a few years back. Despite Subaru insisting it is a 'Levorg', it's literally a wagon WRX. A shame we don't get the 2.0L STI variant here though.

    • k-rokfm on 16/08/2016 - 11:53

      "it's literally a wagon WRX"

      no its not, its a Levorg

      • Serapis on 16/08/2016 - 12:47

        It is quite literally a wagon WRX with a weird name. I own a WRX.

        • k-rokfm on 16/08/2016 - 13:19
          -1

          thats the joke

  • John Dough on 16/08/2016 - 12:03
    +2

    Levorg gives you all round practicality, Mum can pick the kids up from soccer practice, then on weekends you can hoon with the boys.
    There will be great gains to be had with a tune and/or easy mods, that no one will ever notice unless they drive it hard.
    Drive one and see how you like it!

  • spackbace on 16/08/2016 - 13:03

    Series 2 VF SS Black Edition…?

    It really depends on what you want out of the car

    Turbo 4s have a cool sound, typically you buy them for the awesome handling

    Lumpy V8s sound awesome (particularly the S2), but still full of features and room for 5 adults

    • Wampus on 16/08/2016 - 14:52

      Not a Commodore guy, but am a V8 guy! Thanks for the recommendation though, appreciate your expertise being in the industry.

      I think it will come down to a test drive

  • k-rokfm on 16/08/2016 - 13:20

    Also depends on if you want manual or auto.. looks like the levorg is auto only which is disappointing.. but if you were going for auto anyway go for it

    • Wampus on 16/08/2016 - 14:53

      I'd probably prefer manual but it's not a major issue for me

  • yoonibear on 16/08/2016 - 13:39
    +1

    If you can stretch out the budget a bit, what about the Focus RS?

    • Wampus on 16/08/2016 - 14:53

      I do like them, I might have a second look but for the money and size I think I prefer the Megane

    • Oz8argain on 06/11/2017 - 11:05

      didn't a lot of them ran into head gasket issue?

  • ozeebee on 17/08/2016 - 22:43

    Make sure you test drive all of the ones on your list. A test drive will probably seal the deal on what you pick in the end. My fingers crossed you end up with the RS Megane. It might be the last of the breed.

  • Wampus on 10/09/2016 - 15:10
    +4

    FYI all, I bought a GT-S Levorg yesterday :)

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 11/09/2016 - 08:23

      Upload some shots of her.

      • Wampus on 11/09/2016 - 09:20
        +1

        Haven't picked it up yet, hopefully by the end of the week! Just signed for it on Friday

        • TheOneWhoKnocks on 11/09/2016 - 10:29

          I wouldn't be able to wait that long!

  • Danthemanz on 13/09/2016 - 11:29
    +1

    Skoda Octavia RS.
    Its essentially the Golf GTI but with a more practical body. Even the "sedan" has like a 560L boot.
    With the tech pack its even comes with more tech options than any golf in Australia.
    I cant think of a more fun to drive mid-sized car in this price range.

    FYI, i paid $43,000 drive away with tech pack, black pack and sunroof.

    • Wampus on 13/09/2016 - 12:34

      I liked the Octavia RS and would easily buy it over the Golf wagon. But the Levorg GT-S won me over with performance

      • pitiek on 02/11/2017 - 13:55

        Sorry to revive old thread…

        I'm toying between the Oktavia RS 162 wagon and the Levorg GT-S to replace our Accord Euro.

        I'm wondering if I can get first hand experience from you two who have lived with both cars..

        It's going to be our only car which will be driven by my wife during the week for kindy and school drop off but I will be driving it on the weekend.

        We like the extra room in the boot on the Oktavia but the Levorg styling is alot more appealing to the missus..
        The Skoda 12 month service interval is also a big bonus but we are used to the 6 month service period with our Honda anyway.

        Any feedback on real world fuel consumption and issues with CVT vs DSG also much appreciated..

        Thank you in advance @Danthemanz and @Wampus

        • Wampus on 05/11/2017 - 16:54
          +1

          I only test drove the Octavia, which is basically how you should make your decision I think. The Skoda is a really nice car with a better ride and is a bit cheaper both up front and with servicing. But if it comes down to what you want to be driving, my choice was the Subaru. The Eyesight technology was big for me, and I agree, the styling.

          Driving fairly casually I average somewhere around 8-9L/100k, but that involves some 100kmh highway travel as I live a bit out of town.

        • pitiek on 05/11/2017 - 21:20

          @Wampus: Cheers for the reply…

          I shall take the time over the next few weekends to test drive several models… Outback is now in the mix as well…

          From your first hand experience owning it for over a year:

          • Does it live to your expectation?
          • How did you find the road noise?
          • Is the claimed fuel economy figure realistic?
          • Any negatives or things that can be improved?
        • Wampus on 06/11/2017 - 12:18
          +2

          @pitiek: Outback is a great car but completely different to the Octavia/Levorg - you're not going to get the performance but it will be better on rougher surfaces.

          14 months on I still love the Levorg, it's a great car to drive and even though it's my first Subaru I think I'm a convert. It's lived up to expectation.

          Road noise is fine, the tyres are a little noisy but not annoying.

          If you drive purely in the city and you're driving it in sport mode and blasting away from the lights (which is part of the fun of the car) then your fuel economy is probably going to be 11-12L/100k. Don't forget these cars take premium fuel so if fuel costs are an issue you might need to look for something a bit tamer that can take normal unleaded.

          Negatives? The radio reception is poor, and because it's a sports wagon the suspension is fairly unforgiving on bumps. Hit a pothole and it feels like you've run over a tree…

        • pitiek on 06/11/2017 - 13:08

          @Wampus: Hahaha…

          Do you have to get 98 octane fuel or 95 will do?

          Do you transport kids and their "toys" in the boot?

    • Wampus on 05/11/2017 - 16:50
      +1

      Replying to this to flag Danthemanz in old thread as per above

  • Wampus on 22/09/2016 - 15:32

    Car yard: "Dude we got the exact colour and spec you want but you GOTTA lock it in right now or it will be sold"
    Wood duck Wampus: "Oh right yeah sure here we go"
    Car yard: "LOL!!!! JK!!! It will be 3 weeks. Suck it."
    Wood duck Wampus: "Haha you got me, you crazy kids"

    • spackbace on 22/09/2016 - 15:34

      Lol I hope Wood Duck Wampus negotiated ;)

      • Wampus on 23/09/2016 - 11:39
        +1

        Wood Duck Wampus negotiated through a leasing company so got a decent non-Wood-Duck price :)

  • Wampus on 29/09/2016 - 10:46
    +1

    Finally got it last night. Was a 2.5 hour drive home from the dealership to my place and I enjoyed every minute of it. Stay tuned for whiny forum post about how unfair speeding laws are

    • CMH on 02/11/2017 - 16:06

      Actually, I believe we might have the most punitive low-level-speeding laws, which are unjustifiably enforced vigorously.

      p.s. I have never received a speeding fine.

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