This looks interesting but the price is a bit of a show stopper. Got a spare $310,000 "loose change" lying around ?
https://www.autocar.co.nz/mercedes-amg-enters-a-new-era/
Wow. What a car alright. A bit much of a car for me though. Am considering upgrading the wife's car for a hybrid suv, but not a lot to choose from. Don't want a full electric yet.
Toyota Rav 4 hybrids are extremely popular. Mrs B is up for her vehicle being replaced before mine and that's what I am recommending for her. Good balanced review of the updated model here. Refreshed model arrives here mid 2023. Have to order a whole year ahead ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rH26W-l-Q4
https://www.toyota.co.nz/new-car/rav4/RAV4-AHAX-SI6/?skuCode=RAV4-AHAX-SI6-3T3-20
Thanks for that. Showed the wife this morning and she does not like the inside. Back to the drawing board.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmCnU3DEXgc
Subaru Outback's interior is a bit more upmarket but without the Euro price tag.
Not cheap though, (top spec version is $59,995 and no really effective hybrid option and pretty average warranty at 3 years).
https://www.autocar.co.nz/haval-debuts-cool-dog-suv/
This could be something you might like Shareguy. New Cool Dog might come to N.Z. 👍
I shouted myself a 2.5l AWD Mazda CX5 18 months ago - the price was about 15-20% less than it is today. It's pretty good and I recommend it. I love the heads up display on the windscreen plus it uses about 20% less gas than my old Holden. It's my first SUV and I don't think I will go back to a regular car. It feels a lot safer.
https://ultimatemazda.co.nz/vehicles/cx-5
Something that caught my eye for my better half which is a bit smaller is the CX30 which is like a car body on an SUV chassis:
https://ultimatemazda.co.nz/vehicles/cx-30
Wife likes this. In New Zealand later this year
https://www.autocar.co.nz/tucson-hybrid-pricing-confirmed/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoDIoQJ2l-Q
Good comparative review. Tuscon certainly has a very modern look and upmarket feel. If its based just on looks and modern stylish interior its no contest but I think the comparative review makes some other very good points. Possibly worth noting In addition in N.Z., price, servicing costs and warranty terms are very different in N.Z. between the 2 brands.
On the Mazda CX5, my sister in law has one in that bright metallic red. Pretty sharp bit of kit too I reckon. Her's is the high end diesel version. I had a good drive of it and was quite impressed. The price of diesel now though + RUC is something that I would think is driving people towards EV's hybrid's and PHEV's.
Quote from: Basil on Jul 13, 2022, 04:01 PMThis looks interesting but the price is a bit of a show stopper. Got a spare $310,000 "loose change" lying around ?
https://www.autocar.co.nz/mercedes-amg-enters-a-new-era/
"In waft drive modes, like Comfort, they're not activated and ......."
doesn't that just sound delicious.
darling, i'm just going to waft into town, then perhaps whiffle out past the beach before I fang it back home.
now where is that fang button
;)
A very warm welcome to the cool people's forum. As a former owner of an S Class Mercedes I can tell you the comfort in waft mode is absolutely sublime. The one I owned was diesel powered so didn't do the fanging thing well so I had a supercharged V8 FPV with 500 horsepower specifically for that purpose.
Oh the indulgences of mid life crisis were so nice. Unfortunately now I am a bit older I realise how much money I tore up on those toys. S Class Merc cost me $175,000 in 2007 brand new, sold ten years later for $20,000, losing $155,000, that's high end European depreciation for ya !! Once bitten with losses like that, twice shy LOL
Timely conversation as I have just been shopping. For me cars that interest is simply a process.
I am not into buying depreciating assets if I can avoid it - so that is new cars off the list. I'll let someone else take the first few years hit.
I've never had any complaints about parts of my anatomy - so I dont need anything to compensate on that front.
I'm not into electric. Too expensive, range anxiety, I cant reconcile burning coal for electricity and not digging rare earth resources with the "feel good" virtuousness of an EV.
Price of fuel has never been a concern - its the cheapest thing you'll ever put into a car.
I was after something that met my life needs. So that was a soft roader that would get me off the beaten track but I wasnt going to full four wheel drive as that is a bit risky. So AWD was on the list. I was after height (ground clearance and seating so I can see some around some of the corners/fords I have to negotiate. Safety - may as well nowadays. And diesel because I like the torque and to be able to thumb my nose at greenies. Had to have space in the back for all the different gear I carry.
I looked at Subaru Outbacks but already have a few of them in the family so wasn't going to be a copy cat. The XV was an option but sounds under powered. Mazda CX5 was an option - but didnt have a spare tyre.
In the end settled for a second hand low mileage Hyundai Tuscon. 6 speed auto, heated front / rear seats, electric lumbar support, Brake Assist System (BAS), Active Locking Operation, Proximity Key, Traction Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, ABS braking with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), diff lock, 6 Airbags, Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Blind Spot Detection, Downhill Brake Control, Electronic Park-Brake (EPB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Engine immobiliser, Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, Full Size Spare Wheel, Hill Start Assist, Keyless entry with anti-theft alarm, Rain Sensing Wipers, Rear Cross - Traffic Alert, Rear parking sensors, Reversing Camera, Fog Lamps, Front and rear parking sensors, Automatic dusk sensing headlights, Handsfree Bluetooth, Android Auto, Cruise Control On Steering Wheel blah blah blah.
But more importantly very comfy ride. Soaked up potholes nicely. Tons of power going up hills. Perfectly adequate acceleration from a stop and at 100kph. And engine braking is superb - stick the tiptronic in 1st and it goes down a very steep hill at a constant speed /revs - gravity doesnt win.
So process has all boxes ticked. job done.
The new Tuscon looks very "sharp" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fajNlyKUSc
Not sure the previous model was so "cutting edge" but whatever floats your boat mate.
Floating my boat is not on the list of requirements. Function over form - much better
https://electrek.co/2022/08/01/jaguar-i-pace-catches-fire-another-bolt-ev-battery-fire-situation/
Size of the oof
Quote from: arekaywhy on Aug 04, 2022, 07:09 AMhttps://electrek.co/2022/08/01/jaguar-i-pace-catches-fire-another-bolt-ev-battery-fire-situation/
Size of the oof
Gee. Not much left of that to take to land fill
Wow...that's sobering stuff for EV enthusiasts !
Cool technology.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyLoHdml9E
The looks Gosh, 🤦 you be the judge !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS2XwsIFVs0
This
Good overview of hybrid, PHEV and EV options here https://www.driven.co.nz/media/100029200/ultimate-ev-guide-driven_compressed.pdf
https://www.hyundai.co.nz/electric-vehicles/ioniq-6
Although I am contemplating being buried in my Hyundai Veloster Turbo because I still love it :-)
Quote from: KW on Oct 06, 2022, 09:13 PMhttps://www.hyundai.co.nz/electric-vehicles/ioniq-6
Although I am contemplating being buried in my Hyundai Veloster Turbo because I still love it :-)
Hmm - not a very environmentally friendly way to dispose of your Hyundai, if I dare say so ...
Anyway - let's hope that this is anyway an event lying far away in the future ...
Quote from: KW on Oct 06, 2022, 09:13 PMhttps://www.hyundai.co.nz/electric-vehicles/ioniq-6
Although I am contemplating being buried in my Hyundai Veloster Turbo because I still love it :-)
Interesting looking design. Was reading yesterday that it has just over a 600 km range. Very impressive !
Quote from: Basil on Oct 07, 2022, 12:07 PMInteresting looking design. Was reading yesterday that it has just over a 600 km range. Very impressive !
Reminiscent of the old Porsche 911. Back to the future.
Quote from: KW on Oct 07, 2022, 01:21 PMReminiscent of the old Porsche 911. Back to the future.
I was thinking exactly the same lol
I quite like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu0Dq8KX1kU&t=2s
Quote from: Basil on Oct 07, 2022, 03:18 PMI was thinking exactly the same lol
I quite like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu0Dq8KX1kU&t=2s
They just need to shorten the wheel base and make it a 2 door coupe :-)
One of these pulled up next to me last evening. Had no idea what it was. Actually, looked quite cool for an SUV. Apparently, they have the new blade battery which is supposed to be state of the art.
I reckon you could fit quite a few small dogs in the back 8)
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/byd/other/listing/3651658456
For some strange reason lol getting $8,625 back from the Govt seems like a very attractive idea.
I have no idea if they're any good or not...but N.Z. Autocar latest October edition has a write-up.
Drove behind one of these on a car carrier last month, it intrigued me enough to try and get close enough to see the brand. Also not a bad looking car either. Some nice design coming out of Korea. Tesla really needs to funk things up a bit, their cars are pretty boring.
https://kia.co.nz/vehicles/kia-ev6/
You don't really get $8k back from the Govt because all the car companies just jacked up their retail prices by $8k and called it "inflation". Thats how they roll lol
I reckon you're right and there has been some price scalping going on but on the other hand the $Kiwi has literally fallen out of bed so maybe not much?
N.Z. Autocar's take on the new BYD https://www.autocar.co.nz/2022-byd-atto-3-extended-range-review/
5,000 battery cycles at say 300 km's real world per charge...WOW that's 1,500,000 km's before the blade battery degrades to 80%. Former Mercedes engineer in charge of suspension.
They've just gone up to $59,990 + ORC for the bigger battery model, (blame the $Kiwi huge fall I reckon) but at just over $50K after the rebate, surely this is going to sell like hot savory muffins at your local farmers market.
With so many cycles theoretically available from the battery does one really need the larger battery ?
Even travelling around the country, I usually stop every couple of hours 150 - 175 km's for a coffee or meal break so it's easy enough to plan battery recharging around that. I reckon the cheaper 50 kw/hr model (which has exactly the same equipment, just the smaller battery) is the better bet. ($55,490).
Quote from: Basil on Oct 09, 2022, 12:15 PMEven travelling around the country, I usually stop every couple of hours 150 - 175 km's for a coffee or meal break so it's easy enough to plan battery recharging around that. I reckon the cheaper 50 kw/hr model (which has exactly the same equipment, just the smaller battery) is the better bet. ($55,490).
I stop only every 4 hours. So its a straight drive for 300km Christchurch to Blenheim. And if a car can't do that because its too cold, too hot, or involves hills then there is a problem.
Better stick with your Hyundai Veloster turbo then 8)
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/flooding-exposes-extreme-risk-of-new-electric-cars/?utm_source=nzh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=topbox
hmmm...so if you "believe" in climate change, this might be another problem to overcome, being a problem with the overcoming of the problem
meanwhile, if you want one as a cool toy, this is another dampening of the excitement *cough*
https://www.driven.co.nz/news/stream-crossing-writes-off-couple-s-electric-car/?utm_source=nzh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=nzh-home
less than ideal
Not going well...
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/130815615/fire-destroys-new-ev-in-wellington-car-company-launches-investigation
But I still want this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TptzkkbC1vE
Seems there's some new "Gee Wizz" stuff coming from BMW but not yet.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/bmw-ceo-says-neue-klasse-evs-will-offer-benchmark-range-prices/ar-AA16qNaP?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ad78df5c5aae4cfebbe009a0a2e6d9e1
Giltrap making "friends" and influencing people, (NOT).
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-family-fight-for-refund-for-refund-after-135000-audi-damaged-by-faulty-ac-pipe/DLJQDCCANRBOJF5WOP67RR3DGE/
In my experience this is typical of "high end" vehicle dealerships.
You would think they would look after you but they take a very "commercial" approach.
If you think you are special and that paying a lot of money for a European vehicle means you'll be looked after in a way commensurate with how much money you've spent, you're setting yourself up for disappointment when something goes wrong. They will generally do the absolute minimum they can get away with and remember the more technology that's crammed into the vehicle you are buying, the more things there are to go wrong.
Thanks, love John and his cynicism and the way he does his video's, what a character he is 👍
He makes some good points that I'm fully across.
He's absolutely correct. the fact is there are more efficient vehicles of that type, the most efficient being the Hyundai Tuscon hybrid at 4.9 L /100 km's, (probably test driving that later this week) and the latest Kia Sportage hybrid hybrid 5.4 L 100km's, just released here this week and will be test driven this afternoon, both of which run on 91 Octane.
None of these vehicles will attract road user charges and we don't want an EV due to fire risk, higher initial capex, road user charges and high depreciation due to my belief that we will have vastly better batteries, (solid state) in a few years).
John, as you would expect due to his background focuses on the engineering side of things. What he doesn't cover in any depth is the drive experience. Just sticking with the Nissan for a second because its the most recent winner of that mega SUV test, I absolutely hate CVT transmissions and there's a huge class action lawsuit against Nissan against their CVT's. In addition, the standard vehicle produces a pretty miserable 244nm of torque at optimum revs whereas by comparison the e power produces 525nm of torque from zero revs, more than twice the torque so promises a very different driving experience. That's especially relevant to me as I live in a very hilly area, (think Baldwin Street, colloquially known as Jaffa street in Dunedin), and frankly, 244nm would not cut the mustard around here....it would labour up our street with dreadful CVT drone.
Additionally, the e-power is considerably faster than the conventionally powered X Trail, about 1 second quicker to 100 km's (N.Z. Autocar got 0-100 in 6.94 seconds and 80-120 k.p.h. overtake in just over 4 seconds. Those are very good numbers for a comfortable family SUV. and its very quiet too.
Further mudding the water is the top spec TIL X Trail has a vast array of equipment normally only found in a much more expensive vehicle and is one of only a very small number of vehicles on the N.Z. market available with the option of tan leather. This dog has a real soft spot for tan leather.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=6hZYlguo&id=CC9437D665A5CF5EE4A6E0E48A5C1506B3B1209D&thid=OIP.6hZYlguoPd66HulTuNSDmAHaEQ&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fsimautomototive.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2022%2f09%2fNissan_XTrail_2022.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.ea1658960ba83ddeba1ee953b8d48398%3frik%3dnSCxswYVXIrk4A%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=589&expw=1024&q=nissan+x+trail+epower+tan+leather+interior&simid=608033259433971263&FORM=IRPRST&ck=76B04A78BECF51859E23A73DAB11C555&selectedIndex=0&itb=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
As you can see mate, there's more to it than just what's the most fuel efficient but I will be test driving at least 2 alternative vehicles so I'll get a good feel for what's best for what I'm looking for..
Heres is some real racing ...
only in ireland...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NAjXgfi6PA
Seen this in England on a dual carriage way as well...
My own very subjective rating on the two vehicles based on a scoring system I devised that's unique to what's important to me, out of 10 is:-
Kia Sportage Hybrid "light" (pretty modest specification $53,990) 8.5
Nissan X Trail e power ST-L (mid spec $62,990) 7.5
Both very good vehicles for quite sensible money.
Presently awaiting the release of the mid spec Kia Hybrid in April / May and will have another look then.
Happy to post more detail on scoring and thoughts on them if anyone is interested.
well here is a car that you might not want to own...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/07/jaguar-i-pace-alleged-malfunction-driver-fear-life-m62/
Quote from: Waltzing on Mar 08, 2024, 06:49 AMwell here is a car that you might not want to own...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/07/jaguar-i-pace-alleged-malfunction-driver-fear-life-m62/
For me, more surprising than a £80,000 Jaguar I-Pace "going rogue" is that a 31 year old crisis support worker with children can afford one.
Must be why the Uk is broke!!!!!
New Audi etron out with more power than you can possibly use on N.Z. roads.
RS version has 680 kw's + 70 kw's more in boost mode for when 680 is not enough lol...my goodness that's over 1000 horsepower in the old terminology https://www.autocar.co.nz/audi-e-tron-gt-goes-for-taycans-jugular/
Quote from: Basil on Jun 21, 2024, 12:32 PMNew Audi etron out with more power than you can possibly use on N.Z. roads.
RS version has 680 kw's + 70 kw's more in boost mode for when 680 is not enough lol...my goodness that's over 1000 horsepower in the old terminology https://www.autocar.co.nz/audi-e-tron-gt-goes-for-taycans-jugular/
I have the base model of the one that this is replacing - "only" 470hp and sub 4sec for 0-100 so the new one will be a real monster!
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/2128163373.jpg
Very nice looking car JeffW. That level of horsepower is realistically all you can really use on N.Z. roads and then on only very rare occasions, such as overtaking a logging truck on the open road in double quick time, for safety reasons of course ;)
Quote from: JeffW on Jun 22, 2024, 06:11 PMI have the base model of the one that this is replacing - "only" 470hp and sub 4sec for 0-100 so the new one will be a real monster!
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/2128163373.jpg
Jealous, what a lovely motor. :o
Thinking about updating my car and I need something big and practical to carry my big dog around in. Love big V8 engines. Might surprise the Mrs and bring this home. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission lol https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x5/listing/4739942861
Have you considered one of these - much better in my view
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/jaguar/f-pace/listing/4392669340?bof=Iclz4FX5
Quote from: Basil on Jun 22, 2024, 08:42 PMThinking about updating my car and I need something big and practical to carry my big dog around in. Love big V8 engines. Might surprise the Mrs and bring this home. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission lol https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x5/listing/4739942861
I bet that you don't buy this, it's a wank-fest penis extension not suited to anyone who doesn't have anything to fill the boot, except maybe your dog. Your Holdung is a much nicer vehicle and if you don't mind dog hairs in the back seat, it's a much better hold than ruining untold $ on some awkwardly highly depreciating asset! Honestly, your Mrs is a much better investor in cars than you are, LOL. Listen to her, stop wasting shitloads of money on vehicles, they only serve your ego, but they fark up your future capital.
Quote from: JeffW on Jun 22, 2024, 08:56 PMHave you considered one of these - much better in my view
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/jaguar/f-pace/listing/4392669340?bof=Iclz4FX5
Thanks Jeff. That's very good buying for one of those. That red one looks so hot and they sound absolutely amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzQTz8BAnJQ&t=189s
Quote from: Basil on Jun 22, 2024, 08:42 PMThinking about updating my car and I need something big and practical to carry my big dog around in. Love big V8 engines. Might surprise the Mrs and bring this home. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission lol https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x5/listing/4739942861
Hey Basil, seeing as this is a forum for discussing finance, would you consider sharing your NW and age? It would put a purchase of that size into context.
Although put very crudely indeed, in some respects what was said by Buzz makes the most sense. There's nothing wrong with my 2019 Holden Calais V, I suspect being the last of the Holdens and German made, its far more reliable than Australian made versions and there's nothing shabby with the V6 engine making 315 horsepower either. Being a liftback keeps the vast amounts of dog hairs in the boot. Why change a horse that's working perfectly, was one of my Dad's saying's from when he worked on a farm with Clydesdale horses back in the day so I have that still ringing in my ears all these years later.
The Mrs. has a current shape Hyundai Sportage diesel which we picked up for a real bargain with only 300 km's on the clock for nearly $10K off RRP, cost less than $40K with a few accessories which is screaming good value in anyone's language for a genuinely good mid-sized diesel SUV with 4WD. The odd time I've been able to get the keys off her and driven it, I've been quite impressed.
The new hybrid version of that car genuinely impressed when I evaluated it a month or two ago and has received very good reviews. 7 year 150,000 km warranty too. https://www.autocar.co.nz/2024-kia-sportage-hev-earth-review/
For what it's worth, My Dad also used to say, never spend more than 1 year's income on a vehicle or 4 years income on a house. Probably still, very good advice.
I was driving behind a Mini Cooper Works model the other day. The rear lights are configured to display the Union Jack. I was quite amused. Clever design.