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Old 24-08-2011, 11:35 AM   #1
Zero_PSI
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Default Small Cars

So I've decided to get something small as I'll be driving halfway across Adelaide for work next year. Options are

Mazda Familia GTR
Subaru Liberty 3Gen
Subaru Forester
OR
A Ralliart Colt

Which ones are the most reliable and still keep decent fuel economy? I'm in a pickle here because they are 4 cars I'd LOVE to own, so I'm undecided on what to get.

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Old 24-08-2011, 11:38 AM   #2
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Default Re: Small Cars

I can tell you from experience with our work forresters (non turbo) that their fuel economy is very ordinary, they sit on 12-14L/100km in a suburban/highway mix, my Typhoon used to get 14.5.
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Old 24-08-2011, 12:28 PM   #3
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Default Re: Small Cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by geckoGT
I can tell you from experience with our work forresters (non turbo) that their fuel economy is very ordinary, they sit on 12-14L/100km in a suburban/highway mix, my Typhoon used to get 14.5.
I wouldn't have thought a work vehicle was a good example of the type of fuel consumption a private owner might achieve. Work vehicles are usually thrashed and/or driven in an unsympathetic manner.

My Forester (Turbo) has never done worse than 12.1 and gets as low as 7.8 if I really baby it.

Anyway to give the OP some idea of Subaru fuel consumption...

MY09 Forester - 9.5 average (Turbo 2.5)
MY06 Legacy - 8.9 average (NA 2.5)

Having said that if it is just going to be a get to work vehicle and you don't want or need AWD (and are concerned with economy) don't get the Subaru's.
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Old 24-08-2011, 01:50 PM   #4
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Default Re: Small Cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by MAGPIE
I wouldn't have thought a work vehicle was a good example of the type of fuel consumption a private owner might achieve. Work vehicles are usually thrashed and/or driven in an unsympathetic manner.

My Forester (Turbo) has never done worse than 12.1 and gets as low as 7.8 if I really baby it.

Anyway to give the OP some idea of Subaru fuel consumption...

MY09 Forester - 9.5 average (Turbo 2.5)
MY06 Legacy - 8.9 average (NA 2.5)

Having said that if it is just going to be a get to work vehicle and you don't want or need AWD (and are concerned with economy) don't get the Subaru's.

That is very true, the ones I referred to are management level vehicles, the general use ones do worse than that.

Personally I think if the colt is in the running size and feature wise, the forrester will be out of the running fuel consumption wise. So in many ways I agree with you.
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Old 24-08-2011, 11:44 AM   #5
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Default Re: Small Cars

Id go the colt.Not the best looker but a buzzy little drive and very frugal too.

It is the turbo one and not a sticker pack yeah?
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Old 24-08-2011, 12:00 PM   #6
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Default Re: Small Cars

Yeah, turbo. I'm leaning towards the colt considering it's the newest.

They've got enough in em to leave my XR6 behind too.

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Old 24-08-2011, 01:31 PM   #7
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Default Re: Small Cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zero_PSI
One of my mates has just traded one of these for a Jetta.

He traded the Colt because he said it felt to small but now he misses the Colt terribly.
"Was a great car, why did I get rid of it" he says !
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Old 24-08-2011, 06:27 PM   #8
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Default Re: Small Cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zero_PSI
They've got enough in em to leave my XR6 behind too.
I'm pretty sure your XR6 can do 0-100 quicker than 8 seconds...
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Old 24-08-2011, 12:03 PM   #9
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Default Re: Small Cars

Standard Colt is a miser on the juice. I would go the Colt Turbo as well. Suby's are too big and prob cost more to run and insure as well. Would put the import last on my list.
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Old 24-08-2011, 02:18 PM   #10
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Default Re: Small Cars

Focus XR5 Turbo, Suzuki SX4, Hyundai i30 diesel et etc...
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Old 24-08-2011, 04:37 PM   #11
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Default Re: Small Cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by Road_Warrior
Focus XR5
I'm gonna be biased but I agree with the above have you considered an LS/T XR5?
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Old 24-08-2011, 05:42 PM   #12
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Default Re: Small Cars

I vote for Mazda Familia, especially if you can get your hands on the AWD one, perminent 50/50 split of torque between front and rear axle and front/rear LSDs as standard.

Ones that not molested though, perfect example of a stocker is this:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...=4&R=11005190&

132KW in a small AWD car like that would be excellent.

Would be so fun to drive.
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Old 24-08-2011, 07:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: Small Cars

if you look on carsales you can do an advanced search , it has options like fuel type, economy!#,11,9,7,5 litres per 100k lots of useful filters , body type,etc,etc.
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Old 25-08-2011, 10:34 PM   #14
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Default Re: Small Cars

+1 for Colt. They are great.
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Old 26-08-2011, 08:53 AM   #15
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Default Re: Small Cars

Colt or the Familia GTR.

The Familia GTR would be a much more exhilarating drive. Though you would want to get it a near standard one that hasnt been thrashed out.
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Old 26-08-2011, 09:10 AM   #16
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Default Re: Small Cars

Havent been on here awhile.
I drive a ralliart colt now.

Fuel economy city driving is always in the 7/8ltrs per 100kms
With highways it drops down to 5/6ltrs if sticking to the speed limit

Took it to wsid a few times, Stock i did a 15.1@145km
After reflash and a Kn filter it did a 14.4@156km with a terrible 2.4 60ft (So hard to get traction)

The Colt will also be the newest car and still has the remainder of the 5yr warranty too.
The 06-08 comes with recaro seats and 08-10 come with sport seats.
If your doing the hwy driving. Get the newer model. The seats are alot more comfy.

Its quite roomy also from the tall body.
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