RM150K car, any advice?

[Traveler]

My friend is looking for a new car, and she has a budget of about RM150k. I'm helping her out in choosing a suitable car, and am wondering if anyone here has any advice.Her criteria:1. Car should not be too big (she currently drives a Satria 1.3 manual and sometimes a Vios)2. Transmission should be automatic3. Fuel efficiency is important, prefer 2.0L or smaller4. Almost entirely city driving, but if car is fun to drive, then I may be driving her on roadtrips 5. New car only. Test drive required before purchaseCars she has eliminated from consideration:1. All Protons - she doesn't want another Proton2. All Peroduas - PERODUA = Perpetually EndangeRing Other Drivers Until Accident (hehe!)3. All Kias/Hyundais4. All cars from less-known brands like Alado, Tata, etc.5. Toyota Vios (already have one), Corolla Altis (seen the new one, didn't like it), Camry (too big), Rush (too big), Yaris (didn't like it)6. Honda City (she thinks it's ugly), Accord (too big), Jazz7. Smart ForTwo - too small8. Fiat Punto - I suggested it to her and I kena tembak, she say its ugly.9. VW Polo GTI - manual, she don't want10. VW Golf GTI - she likes but beyond budget Cars being considered:1. Civic 2.0L (RM125k) - she says a bit big, but thinks it is a safe backup choice2. Civic Hybrid (RM168k) - she likes the Hybrid idea but a bit pricey, and no test drive car - she won't buy if there is no test drive3. Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT (RM113k) - I like the aggressive look, and she is keen to check it out, but size is similar to Civic4. VW CrossPolo (RM110k) - my friend likes the shape/size, VW known for reliability5. Peugeot 207cc (RM159k) - my friend really likes the shape of this car since seeing it in France this year, so this is an early favourite6. Smart Roadster (RM??) - not easy to find unused one, but my friend loves the car (almost bought it a couple years back, but couldn't get a test drive so refused to buy), so also an early favourite7. Smart ForFour (RM80k-90k?)- also not easy to find unused one, but can be considered if cheap8. Citroen C4 - dunno anything about it yet9. Nissan Latio, March, Sylphy - dunno anything about these models yet10. Mazdas - anything good here?11. Suzuki SwiftAlso trying to racun her on the Mini One/Cooper and 116i/118i, but don't think she will go for it. She did agree to test drive both though, so maybe still got chance!

 

[jagmalhi]

man ur friend got a lot of criterias..lol...u gotta pick one or two most important la..u can't have it all..if u want fuel efficient and not too big..then go for civic or lancer..anyway u ask in this forum what car, half of them gonna hentam bmw on u

e46 later model la..320 should be ok,no?handles well..looks nice,not overly big

 

[Traveler]

man ur friend got a lot of criterias..lol...u gotta pick one or two most important la..u can't have it all..if u want fuel efficient and not too big..then go for civic or lancer..anyway u ask in this forum what car, half of them gonna hentam bmw on u

e46 later model la..320 should be ok,no?handles well..looks nice,not overly big

Ya lor, she got so many criteria until I headache already. Can't consider the E46 since she refuse to consider anything but a new car (exception made for Smart cars only). She said my car is too long (E90) but then I pointed out that the Civic/Lancer is longer (by a few mm), so now she maybe less inclined towards the Civic/Lancer, and may focus on the hatchbacks and Roadster/207cc.

I trying to get her to seriously consider the Mini or 1-series but we will see. Maybe after the test drive she will be converted?

 

[Wlvrn]

Uh man....i'll go for mini cooper S........nice detailing and power....soooo kena if a woman driven it....check out blue color with white stripe..if she want a 4door....get the cooper estate
and this car has an award winning engine (world) for a 1.6cc

 

[OSFlanker]

My RM0.02++ :

8. Citroen C4 - dunno anything about it yet

Depreciation will be faster than a Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher

9. Nissan Latio, March, Sylphy - dunno anything about these models yet

Nissan Latio : have you seen the car? The rear is uglier than Michael Schumacher himself

Nissan Sylphy : dunno about the car but the name sounds like sexually transmitted disease

10. Mazdas - anything good here?

Can check out the Mazda 3 but not sure about the price

11. Suzuki Swift

IMHO the best value car in your list that suits all her criteria. Small, auto gearbox, relatively frugal (1.5), comes with street cred and fun to drive, all for around RM80k. If she wants some exclusivity, go for the Sports which is around RM105k (auto) though I think buying the sports in auto is a waste of money



How about the Alfa 147 facelift? It's going for around RM150k now with extended warranty. The post-2001 Alfa has the improved selespeed. My brother's 2003 147 has been a reliable daily driver.

One car which she may want to wait for : Alfa Romeo Mito. Should be within the RM150k price as the Fiat Brava is going for RM140k here.

 

[affan66]

get an E46 la friend.. eh, who's this friend??

 

[okow]

get an E46 la friend.. eh, who's this friend??

Woi! Dia sudah cacap mau balu punya!

 

[affan66]

siot la... traveler, mau baru no choice but to go japs la...
2-door / 4-door?

 

[BMW9700]

increase your friend's budget by 30k to 40k and get the 320i E90 05 models

 

[anaksarawak]

Go for MINI... Any MINI.. Best deal and 100% she will love it.

Arrange for a test drive for her... once she smile... Pass her the key of her new MINI

New 1 series is sweet too get the two door 120i Lovely new car AB have a good offer now

 

[Jerman]

Traveler.
Taking all the criterias into consideration, your friend will not go wrong with the Honda Civic!

 

[Traveler]

get an E46 la friend.. eh, who's this friend??

Hahaha... maybe one of these days on a Club drive, I bring her along la.

affan66 - my friend prefers 2-door car but willing to go 4-doors if have to.

OSFlanker - I checked out pics of the Nissans, none look attractive enough, so I think they are out. And yes the Slyphy does sound like an STD! Mazdas look ok, but I don't think she likes them.

Jerman - yeah the Civic I think is the default fallback option if can't get anything she likes better, although she don't like the length (she likes the shorter cars)

But having seen the Suzuki Swift, I think she will short-list this one for a test drive.

Just realized the VW CrossPolo doesn't come with a spare tire. Instead it comes with a tyre sealing kit + compressor. Seeing how the car doesn't come with run-flats, I can't honestly recommend this setup for a lady who freely admits she has minimal knowledge/skill in handling a flat tyre situation (she said if got flat tyre, she would call me.... ). I will need to check if the CrossPolo has room for a spare tyre, if not, I may have to eliminate it from consideration.

Personally, I've been recommending the Mini One/Cooper (but she say she don't like the look) and the 116i/118i (beyond budget); but at this time her two favourites are the Smart Roadster and Peugeot 207cc; with the other contenders being CrossPolo and Swift with the Civic and Lancer at the tail-end due to their size.

So far I've setup test drives for the Mini Cooper, 118i, and Lancer. CrossPolo - no stock for test drive. She is calling the Smart dealer to find out if a Roadster is available.

 

[bmw7833]

I will go for MINI for the budget.

 

[affan66]

mazda 6? mazda 3?

 

[astroboy]

120i out of her budget la... even the 116 manual is out of her budget la..

Mini is a good start for her. She will love it! Not too big, not to small, cute, fun, great handling, ever green, instant classic, her friends will be so envy of her especially the fella by the nick of Traveler!

 

[jagmalhi]

mazda 3 or 6 rocks!!fully import.3 year warranty.what else u want, looks good,drives well,sexy ahhhh..dont think too much la..mazda!!

 

[infinityKL]

Jap - Swift
Conti - Mini

you have a choice, haha....gd luck

 

[anaksarawak]

Call AB.. their pre registered 118i is for sale for RM148K..

 

[mikeyew]

If your friend is looking for a new small cute car and below 150K, go for the new Jazz. Heard that it will be launch by this year end. Oh yes.....choose the one in pink, ya.

 

[Kaiza635CSI]

VW EOS? Thats a fun car to drive, i'll ask my friend at VW how much it is... 2 door convertible, nippy, reliable.. drove it for a week.. Nice little car actually..