Looking to Buy a New Car That Is Fun to Drive and Fuel Efficient?

Insert2Coins on 13/08/2018 - 12:53

Hey everyone, i've been driving a subaru impreza rs 09 hatch but i recently got a job which requires me to travel around 100KMs a day. Being an AWD car and requires premium petrol, it consumes a lot of petrol for my daily commute.

I was looking at purchasing a 103TDI golf. Possibly 2011-2012 model with less than 100kms. I have attached 2 ads i have been looking at, both have had its dsg serviced at least once (60,000km service).

What are your thoughts on these cars? Are there any other options i could look into for a fuel efficient car that's also fun to drive? Budget is around 10-12K.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dallas/cars-vans-utes/golf-t…
&
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Golf-…

Automotive Car Diesel (brand) Dsg Golf Reliability

Comments

  • centrelink on 15/08/2018 - 10:08

    So what makes the car fun?

    • ozzpete on 15/08/2018 - 13:42
      +1

      So what makes the car fun?

      The company within, and the full sick subwoofer ;)

  • frinik on 15/08/2018 - 10:19
    +5

    Ford Fiesta St..around 2015 model. Watch reviews on YouTube and decide

    • Micko179 on 15/08/2018 - 20:43
      -4

      Watch person with head stuck up their own @rse!

    • BringAPlate on 15/08/2018 - 21:06
      +4

      Fiesta ST - hands down the best bang for buck for a small quick car with good FE.
      Focus ST if you like a roomier ride, MUCH nicer and more fun than an RS.
      An EcoLPI FG mkII can be had for around the same money and parts are cheap and in abundance.

      • Micko179 on 16/08/2018 - 07:28
        -4

        Bang! Ha! Well if you're just going to blow your money on a Ford you may as well just pi$$ it up against a wall! At least you'll have your 'fun'then!

      • frinik on 16/08/2018 - 08:12

        Ah yeah Focus st might be more the size of the Impreza op currently has…but fiesta is more fun to drive. Really popular overseas…not so much here.

  • lethalmoney on 15/08/2018 - 11:07
    +1

    to put it in perspective.. your fuel consumption would be a couple of coffees difference a week.

    just splash 50k on a brand new levorg and regret it later… that's what i did :)

    • Insert2Coins on 15/08/2018 - 11:35
      +1

      Levorgs are so beautiful :')

      • danyool on 17/08/2018 - 06:08
        +1

        Except the name!

        • lethalmoney on 27/08/2018 - 18:23

          yea, the name is a bit ehhh…. the car is great :)

  • Insert2Coins on 15/08/2018 - 11:35

    Think im leaning towards an Clio RS guys. Anyone had any experience with them? Maintenance, fuel efficiency wise?

    • CMH on 15/08/2018 - 13:28
      +2

      If you really do 100km/day you would do just over 25,000km a year (assuming only weekdays).

      Those sorts of numbers you really should be looking into a diesel car imo.

      No problems with the Clio RS, heard lots of good things about it. Being a Euro car, as well with the RS badge, maintenance will be more than the average Jap.

    • Pred8r on 15/08/2018 - 15:13

      My experience is with Renault diesel vans but FWIW some parts are cheap, others scary expensive (for no apparent logical reason). I order what I need from wherever is cheapest whether that be locally or from Europe.

      You could look at a RenaultSport Megane diesel, but they are getting older.
      Another option which is underrated, definitely fun, economic and are also very functional for general day to day, is the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart. Earlier models have recaro style sport seats and a couple of other minor things which were deleted in the later facelift. It should also be under budget. I was getting ~450km/@~$60/fill in mine.

      Good luck in your search.

    • BringAPlate on 15/08/2018 - 21:12

      Cheap, reliable, fun - pick two.

      I agree with CMH in regards to running costs, everything on a Euro car is going to be that little bit more expensive than a jap car, and a whole lot more expensive than a slightly older Australian made vehicle.

      If you're going to do more than 20k km/year I'd be going a gas falcon, or a diesel focus.

      • Agret on 17/08/2018 - 16:21

        Cheap, reliable, fun - pick two.

        Throw in the word "practical" as you can get cheap reliable fun car from the MX5 or GT86 easily :P OP already said he doesn't want a 2 seater tho :(

    • daiwai on 18/08/2018 - 17:24

      If you are talking about new Clio RS (Gen4), then the fuel consumption is around mid 7 to high 9L /100km depends how you drive it. Engine is from Nissan mr16ddt which is really good, timing chain is a plus too. Serivce interval is 12mths/10000km with capped price for 3 years, I would buy a used one as of 1st May this year all RS model has only 3 years warranty, so a second hand could have longer warranty period.

      Just be mindful with the gearbox, do try it from dealer first and see if it is up to your driving style, EDC from getrag is not the same as traditional auto.

  • ozzpete on 15/08/2018 - 13:46

    Get an electric sports car .
    Honestly though, as alreadys suggested, that 100km a day in fuel cost, is not really a reason to spend over 10k on changing cars, especially considered the extra cost of insurance and repairs and possibly having t9 get rid of new vehicle even as there is always that unknown element in any used car purchase . Nothing you can do if sold a lemon privately either. Its up to the buyer to take due diligence, which even with mechanics inspection, they won't know everything about every problem.

  • Gaz1 on 15/08/2018 - 14:29

    It would be interesting to calculate the potential saving in petrol vs loss in selling old car, buying a new car & considering the potential problems you may have to fix in the new car plus other costs like stamp duty, rego, new tyres, etc that the new car might need.

  • haru on 15/08/2018 - 14:39

    Here's some free life advice. When it comes to 'fun', aim for muscle over motor. It's healthier, cheaper, greener, and more fulfilling.

    • BartholemewH on 15/08/2018 - 22:56

      Are you saying OP should attempt to drive to work and ride a bicycle at the same time? What a feat that would be!

  • Cluster on 15/08/2018 - 14:53

    Mazda 3? Drives well and isn't thirsty.

    • Insert2Coins on 15/08/2018 - 15:25

      Which model specifically?

      • Cluster on 15/08/2018 - 16:30

        SP25 has a good amount of power and burns 6.1L/100km. 138kw/250nm. Even the base model might be enough, and burns under 6. This is assuming you get a Skyactiv model.

        • ipiok on 15/08/2018 - 17:10

          The one thing I dislike about mazda are their paint jobs…. I've measured paint thickness on a new cx7 and it was only 70 microns….. it explains why literally every mazda has oxidation issues eventually on the roof..

        • thord on 17/08/2018 - 16:25

          @randolpg:

          Sadly true. There's two things I dislike about my Mazda 3, the terrible paint (it's just stupidly thin), and the road noise.

  • muchape on 15/08/2018 - 15:55

    What about a diesel forester fairly good on fuel.

  • locknuts on 15/08/2018 - 18:23
    +1

    I drive a Polo GTI 2015 manual. It's fun and I get 6.7 litres per 100k average long term.

  • spoonmugen on 15/08/2018 - 18:28
    +2

    civic type R

  • derrida derider on 15/08/2018 - 19:31

    Commuting 100ks a day changes what you want. A manual just gets tiresome rather than exciting. A loud exhaust note tires you out rather than thrills you. Charming quirks become things that cost you work while they're being fixed. And the economics are dominated by running costs rather than depreciation.

    So comfort, fuel economy, servicing and reliabilty all become more important than fun. Get something small, late model and Japanese. If you must get a Euro make it a diesel.

    • CMH on 15/08/2018 - 21:45
      +2

      Everyone that says manuals are tiresome in traffic… I drive a manual on a daily basis and I really don't see the issue. Even when it's bumper to bumper.

      To top it off I have a left leg that was badly broken a few years back, and it's never been the same since. If anyone should have trouble with a clutch, I'd be it.

      • Agret on 17/08/2018 - 16:20

        Manual can be tiresome when it's bumper to bumper but I just sit there for awhile until there is a sizable gap before moving, not like moving up is going to get me home any faster. Once I start moving I just leave it in first or second and crawl along.

  • acersaurus on 15/08/2018 - 19:49

    I recently bought a car in your budget range, a late 2014 Kia Cerato hatch auto with 60,000kms which cost $11k. It is a small car but at the larger end of small and can comfortably accommodate 5 adults.

    It still has a year of the new car warranty, it is reliable, safe and fuel efficient on the freeway. So, maybe you could consider a Cerato.

  • Alexander420 on 15/08/2018 - 22:55

    I own ford kuga 2012, they are 2.5 turbo 5 cylinder, it is pretty fun although it is required premium fuel. I got it around 12 grand. But want to sell them to come back to xr6t ( prefer sedan )

  • letthiswork1 on 16/08/2018 - 08:03

    Focus ST

    • CMH on 16/08/2018 - 23:13
      +1

      You mean the one that they're gonna rename the "Focus Lemon"?

  • trinkasharma on 16/08/2018 - 08:54

    As already mentioned by some people, check out a Suzuki Swift?

    Who said fun had to cost a bomb? https://www.carshowroom.com.au/reviews/2018-suzuki-swift-rev…

    Fun on a beer-bottle budget, but does the Suzuki Swift Sport offer enough for the money? https://www.motoring.com.au/suzuki-swift-sport-2018-review-1…

  • Tuftsdude on 16/08/2018 - 10:14

    lol Op, I'm selling my '09 Polo to get a Subi. Subarus are the most fun cars I've driven and not too bad on fuel.

    • Insert2Coins on 16/08/2018 - 10:37

      averaging an 8L/100KM atm on 95. Mostly on cruise control to work lol, what polo do you have

      • Tuftsdude on 16/08/2018 - 10:46

        Nice, I wish my car would do that much. I haven't precision checked it but damn my car can be very costly on fuel. More than any car we have owned. Mine's just the normal polo, the older looking one, 5D Black. Looks nice but no where near as good as my '02 Impreza Wagon I use to have, I'm looking at getting another one like it.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/08/2018 - 11:24
    +1

    being a cheapskate, a lightweight rwd car that is easy and cheap to service, cheap on insurance, cheap to buy and be reliable is my FUN type of car. e.g. Toyota 86

    Fast turbo awd car can be fun but it costs a lot and services do cost a lot too. Plus repairs cost a lot. Unless you know how to do minor repairs yourself. e.g. Most AWD turbo cars.

  • jno on 16/08/2018 - 11:48

    One or the other.

    If you want both go buy a tesla or porsche 918

    Its like when someone goes to a shop and wants a really fast computer but the cheapest computer.

  • pyr0maniac on 16/08/2018 - 12:10

    Surprised no on has mentioned Honda CR-Z.

  • Black Brown Blue on 16/08/2018 - 12:29

    Mazda 3, Mazda 6 are great, you can go with either hatchback or sedan. I would be aiming for 1.4-1.8L engine. They also look great, are fuel efficient and cheap to fix.

    • Agret on 17/08/2018 - 01:15

      Would they be much more fuel efficient than his impreza though?

  • Shark on 16/08/2018 - 15:12
    +1

    Your Subaru impreza rs 09 hatch gets 8.8L/100km (combined) according to Redbook. Say you get worse than this, say 10 L/100km.
    A replacement car may at best only get 6L/100km and doubtful if you are trying to have fun.
    [eg Mazda 3 = 5.8L/100km combined, Toyota Corolla 6.1, Holden Astra R 5.8, Ford Focus 6.2, etc and I wouldn't class any of those as "fun" cars]
    Anyway, that's only a saving of 4L/100km.
    @ 100km per day or lets say 25,000km/year you are only saving 1000L per year
    @ $1.60/L that is a maximum saving of $1600/year.
    Your selling and upgrading costs would likely wipe out 5+ years of that saving before you were even in front.
    If saving $$ is your objective you might want to give it some more thought asyou probably won't save any dollars at all for many years and more likely spend more money.

  • gcdollar on 16/08/2018 - 18:08
    +2

    Mini Cooper

  • DannyBoy on 16/08/2018 - 23:49
    +1

    Hyundai Veloster + is a decent option if you like the look of them. I helped my girlfriend get one from an elderly couple well looked after and full of features (plus and turbo only though). Is quite a rigid ride and achieves 7.1l per 100 we have the non turbo but she doesn't require power, I'd have the turbo and no less

    • CMH on 17/08/2018 - 12:16

      I've driven the turbo version. It's good fun as long as you're not after straight line performance.

    • Agret on 17/08/2018 - 16:19

      How come you guys got the non-turbo? The turbo one is way more fun :)

  • stickyfingers on 17/08/2018 - 12:14
    -1

    I get 5.0L/100km running 98 on my MK7 Golf 90TSI Automatic.

    It’s the best car I’ve driven second to a Tesla Model S. I couldn’t tell you exactly what it is but it feels completely different to drive compared to any other non-Tesla car out there I’ve been in/driven.

    It just feels like they’ve thought of everything inside and out and it really goes and handles like a dream. I’ve never had a single issue with the car either.

    Splurge on a MK7 OP. I don’t have experience driving any other Volkswagen’s but have heard that the MK6’s had some issues. I couldn’t recommend the MK7 more though.

    At the very least, go to the dealership and take one of the new ones for a test drive so you know what I mean.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 16:01
      +3

      To even put a Golf 7 in the same sentence as a Tesla S is delusional. A Mk7 is just a Golf, it’s a good, average small car. It’s not even the best in class. It’s not even the best in class in the VW group. It’s great that you like your car, but if you clearly know nothing about cars, perhaps refrain from commenting in car threads.

      • stickyfingers on 17/08/2018 - 18:03
        -1

        OP asked for recommendations on fuel efficient cars that are fun to drive. This is my recommendation. Especially considering they mentioned they were looking at a MK6.

        It’s not delusional to make comparisons to a Model S. After driving both a Model S and a Golf the experience in the MK7 was most compritable to my experience in the Tesla. Of course not the same, they are very different vehicles but the overall attention to detail that Volkswagen put into their vehicles is way beyond what other low-mid end manufacturers like Toyota do.

        Before purchasing my Golf I drove several comparitable vehicles from Hyundai, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford, Suzuki, and Holden. Volkswagen was not even a consideration due to the stigma placed around the brand from others.

        I didn’t change my mind because of a good deal, certain features, or a pretty colour. But purely because of the way the car felt to drive. There’s no choice supportive bias here.
        The Golf was completely different to the other manufacturers equivalent offerings and instantally reminded me of my experience driving a Tesla in its ride quality, the way it drove, handled, and the attention to detail.

        I’m not trying to pretend to be a car expert, but to purely offer my input, recommendation, and experience from a consumer point of view.

        As I said, the only way for OP to make up their mind is to take test drives. At the end of the day there’s no reason to get muddled up in specifications when it’s the experience that comes into play on whether or not you enjoy a car.
        My field is IT and going off specifications rather than how the item feels to you is the biggest mistake people make when it comes to purchasing IT equipment.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 19:59

          You’re completely delusional. Of course a VW felt better to drive than a Hyundai or a Holden, but it is in no way comparable to a Tesla, other than it has 4 wheels. You could buy 10 Golfs for the price of one mid range Tesla Model S. A Golf also inherently doesn’t handle that well. Even the GTI, the best ha sling Golf of the market, (maybe the Golf R is better, but it has extra weight and a fwd bias AWD system, so doubtful), isn’t a great handler. It’s adequate. A regular Golf is a small fwd hatchback. Inherently it has dynamic issues because of this. Without the GTI suspension, it’s also pretty wallowy and is prone to heavy understeer. It’s not a great handleing car. It handles absolutely nothing like a Tesla, it’s nowhere near as quick as a Tesla, it’s half the size and weight of a Tesla and it’s nowhere near as comfortable as a Tesla. All you are doing is pushing your incorrect opinion on other people. It’s a flood average car, but don’t make it out to be anything more than that.

        • Micko179 on 18/08/2018 - 14:13
          +1

          That's the funniest thing I've read today! Geez, it may even be the funniest thing this year! When I had my Panel Shop anything VW/Audi etc was the biggest pile of crap to drive! Admittedly I'm 6'5" but golf's are just the biggest pile of sh!t. Each to their own I guess!🤣

  • sillyguy on 17/08/2018 - 15:41

    Tesla

  • yenphamz on 17/08/2018 - 15:53
    -1

    Don't think you'll be having much fun with an automatic.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 16:01

      Tell that to Ferrari.

    • Agret on 17/08/2018 - 16:18

      Depends, some of the dual clutch systems are pretty cool. As long as you stay away from CVT you can still find some fun cars.

    • Insert2Coins on 17/08/2018 - 16:22

      I dont want to be stuck in traffic with a manual, thats why i was first looking at some golfs with DSG so its a lil bit more exciting lol

      • itsdougie on 17/08/2018 - 21:58

        dont buy a vw. I'm sure there are many people with good experiences with their DSG but my buddy with a golf has many problems with his DSG and the dealer is not very helpful. You'll be stuck causing the traffic whilst waiting for a tow truck.

      • CMH on 18/08/2018 - 03:15

        Yeah…. The DSG may be fun, but the run-of-the-mill DSG you find in the TSI golfs are dry clutch ones, and prone to failure. This is even when it's driven normally (as opposed to aggressively).

        Dad has one and has already chewed through 2 warranty-replaced clutches. (and just in case you're thinking this is a manual model, we're talking the DSG here).

        The wet clutch you find in their higher-end golfs (R and GTI I think) is better, but clearly out of your price range.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2018 - 16:38

    OP, an RS Impreza is not a fuel guzzler. It’s also more fun to drive than a Golf, but it is slow as (profanity). What you want, a fun, fuel efficient car, doesn’t really exist, or it certainly won’t have better fuel economy than your current car, which is essentially an econobox sedan. An MX 5 will be more fun to drive, but it certainly won’t be any more fuel efficient.

  • zombie hunter on 17/08/2018 - 19:57

    diesel turbo with DPF (post 2009) for the country roads folks who do least a hour drive

    Petrol turbo for city folks in short stop start traffic short drives

    • CMH on 18/08/2018 - 03:16

      I would strongly suggest a diesel for OP because of the 100km a day drive.

  • Mrgreenz on 17/08/2018 - 20:28

    How much fuel are you going through a day? 10l? As oppose to closer to 5l witha. More efficient car?

    So saving approx $7.50 a day? Say 250 working days a year? Say 2k a year saving. Misnus 750 tax minus 500 insurance, minus the service cost. Prob be out of pocket

  • markgab on 26/08/2018 - 23:30
    +1

    I am amazed of all the negative keyboard warriors who don’t actually drive a vw mk6 2.0 tdi.
    Well my tdi is close to 180,000km and I drive about 100km a day as well.
    Proof?
    http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/markgab/media/bWVkaWFJZD…
    Highway 4.3l/100km. City stop start 11.3l/100k. Mix city+highway is anything from 6-8l/100km.

    Anyhow the golf is a great fun car and reliability is the same as any car ownership as it really depends on the owners regular servicing and how the owner maintained their car. Avoid the following golfs, the accelerator and brake pedal rubber is wearing off… means the person did a lot of city driving and check for gutter rash on the rims, means the person doesn’t know how to park or treated the car like he stole it and didn’t care much… why? All golfs side mirror would auto tilt when reverse gear is engaged, no reason for damaging the rims if you use the aid correctly.
    Why is the golf a fun car? The torque at low rpm and the handling, heard of the name ‘hot hatch’ who made them famouse? Vw

    Since 2011, I only changed my suspension and had a tiny fuel leak exclude consumables like rubber disc and pads. The others eg, heading/sub/xenon are all additions that I require and it is easy to do install yourself. Love the once a year service at be specialist or local garage, minor $300 and major $500. Dsg service $300 every 60,000km and timing belt about $800 every 105,000km.

  • Speckled Jim on 28/08/2018 - 09:54

    Haven't checked resale values but an i30 SR can be fun + frugal. 12K? Maybe not.

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