Your thoughts on these 5 vehicles

[lambada]

I'm having a hard time deciding which of the cars below to buy and would appreciate some opinions. I'm a 33 yr old male based in Malta and cover 6k miles annually. I use A/C for 6 months of the year and very rarely have passengers.


1. Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T 115 PS manual with 3 yrs warranty

2. Ford Focus (saloon) 1.0 Ecoboost 125 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty

3. Mazda 3 (saloon) 2.0 120 PS automatic with 5 yrs warranty

4. Seat Leon 1.4 TSi 122 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty

5. VW Golf 1.4 TSi 122 PS manual with 5 yrs warranty


For the sake of simplicity we'll assume that all cars have the same extras and cost the same. I intend to keep the car for about 8 years and am therefore concerned about reliability. I care about responsiveness and fuel economy but depreciation isn't of much importance. Have never driven an automatic before but heard good things about them and wouldn't mind trying one. I will be buying brand new.



What are your views?



Thanks!

[AlexIT]

I can only speak from my experience, but using the car in a similar way you do, I must say I'm really satisfied with the Leon (exactly the spec you said)

Hth

[The Nur]

I would probably go for the Focus for your sort of use, to be honest.

I have heard good things about the 1.0 ecoboost and the others don't really float my boat.

[Matt UK]

8 years in any of them would be too painful for me even consider. Sorry OP, no help to you at all if your heart is this way inclined, unless it prompts you into a rethink - in which case my work here is done.

Edited by Matt UK on Saturday 29th March 14:03

[Faxo]

I read the Qashqai struggles with the 1.2 engine, just my 2ps worth

[lambada]

The expert reviews on the 1.2 DIG-T Qashqai are mixed whereas the owner reviews are almost all positive. I'm not overly concerned about its performance because we have no motorways here and the car will very rarely be loaded. I will of course test drive it before ordering.

Thanks for the feedback...keep it coming!

[aspirated]

Rarely have passengers but Qashqai is an option? What about some sort of a coupe eg Scirocco?

[David87]

I have just ordered (leased) a Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T Tekna after looking at both the SEAT and Mazda. Not sure about in Malta, but lease deals are very competitive for the Nissan in the UK, whilst my wife preferred the Qashqai due to its slightly bigger size and higher seating position. I started a thread on it here, but in summary the 1.2 engine isn't too bad.
Oh, and it's built here in the UK so gets my thumbs-up too!

Edited by David87 on Saturday 29th March 17:08

[Deerfoot]

Leon from that selection for me.

[lambada]

@aspirated - I can see why you're surprised Well I shortlisted the Qashqai because I like its internal and external appearance as well as its high driving position. The fact that it's made by a Japanese manufacturer isn't a bad thing either I reckon. I had a 2-door vehicle in the past and hated it even though I rarely needed access to the back. Coupes and 3-door hatchbacks are a definite no-no for me.

@david87 - Thanks for linking me to your review, I found it pretty positive. Any idea how the engine performs on hills? I will be buying the car outright as leasing isn't common here.

[va1o]

Are these new or used cars?

I'd probably go with the Golf or Leon but get the newer 140PS 1.4 TSI if possible, faster and more economical.

[deltashad]

I'd go for the Golf.

Yeah, yeah, Vag, and I'm not a convert. Out of these choices that's the one that would appeal.

[valiant]

How come Ford are giving a 5 year warranty??

It's only 3 here in Blighty...

[lambada]

The 140 ps engine is not available here.

Given how similar the golf and Leon are, is it worth spending an extra 3k sterling to get the golf?

I think part of the fords, mazdas and nissans warranty is from the dealer not manufacturer.

[poing]

If you are not needing the space then could you get a better spec version of the Nissan Juke for the same price as it's bigger brother?

[telecat]

Mazda are bullet proof. We have a 2006 3 which does not miss a beat. Just get a manual.

Nissan - Renault Electrics might be a problem. My Sisters CD went west and a friends's went into "limp" mode and needed a new ECU. Not the only things I have heard about.

Ford. Nice engine and using it the way you describe should not strain it. Rest of the car is typical Ford. Handles better than the others.

VW Golf. That engine is good and should not give any troubles. Economical, nice place to be if a bit boring.

Seat Leon. We do not get the 122ps only the 140PS engine unless you drop a level to the 1.2. Probably exactly the same as the Golf but here in the UK it would be up to £5k cheaper and still be better equipped. Only difference here is the Rear axle is not as sophisticated as the Golfs in this power output. Might affect the ride and handling.

[Chim]

Here are my thoughts on the above cars

[Terzo123]

Our Nissan Cashdodge 1.6 N-tec is coming up to the end of it's 3 year lease.

For all the toys, it's a very bland car, and the 1.6 petrol engine is a bit asthmatic given the size of the car. I doubt we'd get another.

We're now considering a Golf/Leon/A3 but not sure what engine to go for.

The 1.4 TSI (140) or the 2.0 TDI (150) seems to get the better write ups.

[dazwalsh]

how about throwing a kia into the mix with a 7 year warranty. its clear your not after a car that will blow your socks off, so how about a kia ceed?

[Grandpad58]

And Hyundai, the i30 is a well equipped.