The Lounge....Aussie-NZ
New Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,944
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From: Melbourne, Australia
I was responding to taka, along the lines of "...consider the new Fiat 500.." as it looks like a ball of fun. Now, despite Fiat's 'legendary' history, I understand this will come with a 5 yr 300k warranty. We had a breathless 1.2L Punto in Italy for 2 weeks last year, and -- apart from the breathlessness -- it was a decent drive. Jazz is OK, but getting a tad dated. I'd take the 2, and taka, given the kids, go for 5dr.
I just need a car from home to work. And I only need it for 2 year and I will swap for another one.
With kids I will drive the Kluger. The 8 will be stripped, as I said before.
Yes Timbo, my friend suggested Fiat too! I had a look at the Fiat 500 and read all the reviews. I think I have to give it a try.
Wanted to wait for the Mazda 2 3 door and the NEW Honda Jazz to come before I make the decision.
EDIT: Mattdrift just remind me that I can carry bikes in a Jazz. I have to count this in the decision. Thanks Matt
The new Honda Jazz will have a very nice window view. I have to get it tinted for free though - too many of them and it may cost a lot to get them done outside.
Last edited by takahashi; Mar 10, 2008 at 10:46 PM.
No conviction recorded
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 158
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From: Melbourne
I have been and had a sit in a Fiat 500 today and its not the car for you taka. There is definately no room for a bike and the driveaway price is $33,000. This may have been the sports pack one tho. Nice car for one person but not good if you have a bag with you. Basic 500 has only 55kw. Enough to get car going but needs constant peddling to make it up a hill me rekons.
rock-->o<--hard place
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,242
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From: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
$33k is top of the line with most of the fruit
Unfortunately, it only comes with 3yr 100k warranty here. If you want to carry a bike, then ...er ... steal the Kluger for that :D
Unfortunately, it only comes with 3yr 100k warranty here. If you want to carry a bike, then ...er ... steal the Kluger for that :D
New Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
That is true, I can use the Kluger for that, it is likely to be one trip per year anyway. I normally $33K without discount. The RRP is $29K plus on road. So $33K driveaway is normal.
I want the 1.4L manual with stripe, 16 inch and leather. I don't mind paying a bit more for those things.
In terms of warranty. I plan the work car being high turnover car, so 2 years at most.
Ah I just saw the Arbath??? SS version of it with 180hp YUM!
I want the 1.4L manual with stripe, 16 inch and leather. I don't mind paying a bit more for those things.
In terms of warranty. I plan the work car being high turnover car, so 2 years at most.
Ah I just saw the Arbath??? SS version of it with 180hp YUM!
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
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From: Sydney, Australia
If it really is just a commuter car that you'll chuck every two years, why not just buy a second hand small hatch of any flavour for $10K - save yourself a lot of the new car depreciation and insurance, etc.
If you want some fun factor, spend a tad more and get something like a second hand Clio Sport.
Think you need to decide whether you want basic transport or something with some driver appeal.
If you want some fun factor, spend a tad more and get something like a second hand Clio Sport.
Think you need to decide whether you want basic transport or something with some driver appeal.
Last edited by Revolver; Mar 11, 2008 at 09:04 PM.
rock-->o<--hard place
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
If it really is just a commuter car that you'll chuck every two years, why not just buy a second hand small hatch of any flavour for $10K - save yourself a lot of the new car depreciation and insurance, etc.
If you want some fun factor, spend a tad more and get something like a second hand Clio Sport.
Think you need to decide whether you want basic transport or something with some driver appeal.
If you want some fun factor, spend a tad more and get something like a second hand Clio Sport.
Think you need to decide whether you want basic transport or something with some driver appeal.
Stop being so damn practical 
rock-->o<--hard place
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
...you may laugh, my son...but one day soon I'll be happy to say "I told you so" (actually, I'll do that anyway...it's my style 
)
Anyway, here's Clarkson's review of the Fiat 500...I think! It's mentioned, anyway
)Anyway, here's Clarkson's review of the Fiat 500...I think! It's mentioned, anyway
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
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From: Sydney, Australia
Respect my authoriti!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 729
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From: Adelaide, Australia
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2007
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My local dealer tells me our new Mazda 2 ( Max with safety pack) is on the boat in Melbourne at the moment. Since it is a "get to work" car for my nurse wife she stipulated that it had to be an auto which slightly disappoints me however I was really impressed with the way it drove. Small car technology has come a long way in recent years .
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
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From: Sydney, Australia
For all the surfers on the forum, go check this out...
http://www.surfershelpingsurfers.com/index.html
I volunteered at their south coast day yesterday at Gerroa and had an amazing time - really inspiring stuff that sure puts your own problems in perspective. Highly recommend you get involved in your own neck of the woods.
Actually, you don't need to be a surfer for that matter...
http://www.surfershelpingsurfers.com/index.html
I volunteered at their south coast day yesterday at Gerroa and had an amazing time - really inspiring stuff that sure puts your own problems in perspective. Highly recommend you get involved in your own neck of the woods.
Actually, you don't need to be a surfer for that matter...
Respect my authoriti!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 729
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From: Adelaide, Australia
I was lost but now am found!!
Well in the sea of new cars on the market I have found one that ticks lots of boxes. Now I know I started a thread a while back with the heading...my next car...needless to say I lost interest as there wasn't really anything on the market that I really really liked......
I have found a car that ticks different boxes to the one's that I thought I needed ticking. Call it female indecision (yes I said that and openly admit to it) but I like this little car..... http://www.mini.com.au/ I even like the salesman...lucky him!
We found this car by trolling through everything at the local motor show. We went actually looking for a car.....we went as a couple...and guess what after all these years sales people still sell to the male....I was so disenchanted with this happening over and over again that in the end when this occured I just walked away...Bruce then deciphered this action quickly and told the salesperson the car was for me and that I was not interested anymore.
There was a sea of "same" beige cars.....there was nothing that enchanted, inspired or even got us slightly interested until we came to the mini. See now what I am looking for is practical, frugal and quirky. This little thing is all of those and it's in the range I want to spend. In time it will become Bruce's car but he doesn't know that. See it's the only car that he has walked up to and smiled and said "I really like this". It has one suicide door, albeit on the wrong side of the road for us but this adds to the danger.....it could actually be suicide to get in and out of the back! Lucky we don't have kids!! It has space, I find it hard to fit a bag of chaff, oats etc in the boot of the mazda on the way home :-) The other thing that appeals is you can get any combo of stripes and colours you like so there might not be another one like it on the road, specially in Adelaide. I can get a full length sun roof so it's almost like a convertible and I don't need to go fast anymore...I actually enjoy driving the Bronco more than the Mazda now....
Before you ask, I am not running a fever, not thinking of having kids and not anything else. I am just tired of only getting 12-16 lt per 100kms, stopping at the servo so often that the guy knows my name and sick of wearing through tyres cause I am tempted to drive too fast around corners. I am also so totally disgusted with the way I have been treated my the dealership here lately. I know dealerships are all the same but that's not the point. The young chap at Mini practically turned himself inside out to accomodate me, knows everything there is to know about them and also to top it off he has a following here in Adelaide for his customer service and attention to detail.
So it might be soon or it might not but so far this car has my vote. Jeremy Clarkson poo pooed it but hey....he's a good one to talk....he has to be a ponce to get the ratings!
I have found a car that ticks different boxes to the one's that I thought I needed ticking. Call it female indecision (yes I said that and openly admit to it) but I like this little car..... http://www.mini.com.au/ I even like the salesman...lucky him!
We found this car by trolling through everything at the local motor show. We went actually looking for a car.....we went as a couple...and guess what after all these years sales people still sell to the male....I was so disenchanted with this happening over and over again that in the end when this occured I just walked away...Bruce then deciphered this action quickly and told the salesperson the car was for me and that I was not interested anymore.
There was a sea of "same" beige cars.....there was nothing that enchanted, inspired or even got us slightly interested until we came to the mini. See now what I am looking for is practical, frugal and quirky. This little thing is all of those and it's in the range I want to spend. In time it will become Bruce's car but he doesn't know that. See it's the only car that he has walked up to and smiled and said "I really like this". It has one suicide door, albeit on the wrong side of the road for us but this adds to the danger.....it could actually be suicide to get in and out of the back! Lucky we don't have kids!! It has space, I find it hard to fit a bag of chaff, oats etc in the boot of the mazda on the way home :-) The other thing that appeals is you can get any combo of stripes and colours you like so there might not be another one like it on the road, specially in Adelaide. I can get a full length sun roof so it's almost like a convertible and I don't need to go fast anymore...I actually enjoy driving the Bronco more than the Mazda now....
Before you ask, I am not running a fever, not thinking of having kids and not anything else. I am just tired of only getting 12-16 lt per 100kms, stopping at the servo so often that the guy knows my name and sick of wearing through tyres cause I am tempted to drive too fast around corners. I am also so totally disgusted with the way I have been treated my the dealership here lately. I know dealerships are all the same but that's not the point. The young chap at Mini practically turned himself inside out to accomodate me, knows everything there is to know about them and also to top it off he has a following here in Adelaide for his customer service and attention to detail.
So it might be soon or it might not but so far this car has my vote. Jeremy Clarkson poo pooed it but hey....he's a good one to talk....he has to be a ponce to get the ratings!
