Introduction to cars?

n0x SG

@normalboi, was expecting the regulars to give me some suggestions, in my case the original idea(might still go ahead) was to buy a BMW Z4. 216k but my family agreed on it on the basis that it should be all play while I'm younger. My dad suggested Lamborghini(spelling?), on my 21st birthday.

But on top of the 216k, the high fuel consumption, COE, high insurance coverage with an additional 50k(if not insurance companies will not cover) leads me to think that the money could be spent more wisely.

The other plan was to drive a BMW 3 series or a Mini Cooper(So my sis can drive when she returns from Australia time to time)

I prefer sedan designs as imho; they look more professional(which is important in my futuristic line of work and of course my personal preference)

Do you mind going on the specifications of bentley continental gt speed with technical details in layman terms(so I can understand) and also price.

to learn more about cars...

i feel that u can start with www.howstuffworks.com

then go on to en.wikipedia.org

they provide good explanations on the basics stuff...

good of u to have such mature thinking... if ur father willing to sponsor u i say go for it... esp the Z4... issit the M version cos i remembered the normal 3 litre version of it falling below 200k liaoz leh

and with regards to what u are looking in a car.. i can see that ur aspirations differs slightly tt from ur family members... can tell u wanted a more down to earth car... LOL...

so if u want a sedan 1.6liter -2 litre... there is like a whole list out there so perhaps u might want to go more into details of ur pref so tt we can help.. like fuel saving.. refinement...sporty?? sophstication?? blah blah

nOrmalbOi SG

The other plan was to drive a BMW 3 series or a Mini Cooper(So my sis can drive when she returns from Australia time to time)

I prefer sedan designs as imho; they look more professional(which is important in my futuristic line of work and of course my personal preference)

Do you mind going on the specifications of bentley continental gt speed with technical details in layman terms(so I can understand) and also price.

Ford Focus ST, Peugeot 207 GTi, VW Golf GTI or GT, Mercedes C180 or C200, Honda Civic 2.0, VW Passat 1.8T, Alfa Romeo 159 are some that I can think of..

Some of the above cars only come in Manual, some have Autos only, while some have both options. Since u mentioned luxury 1.6 - 2.0, I only mentioned those with at least a modicum of luxury, and left out the super sporty, hardcore speed machines. Hope this helps.

p/s: if u wanna repay me for my help, any of the above for me will do just fine xD

alleggerita SG

Don't even need to think about a Bentley. Because even if the insurance can cover you, your license can't cover you. Driving a Bentley, or a Rolls-Royce for that matters, requires Class 4 license, not just Class 3/3A.

Unknown_X SG

serious? why is that so?

ceecookie SG

toyota mark x FTW!

I suggest waiting for the refreshed model,facelifted or newer one, because the current one is quite dated

If TS like a nice youngster coupe, how about considering the Baby BMW 125i/135i Coupe?

Or the new M3?

alleggerita SG

serious? why is that so?

Because the Bentley is so heavy, it goes into Class 4 territory.

Gosu. SG

Because the Bentley is so heavy, it goes into Class 4 territory.

Yea, and the bentley is 700k - my dad actually was interested but ordered some Jaguar instead.

Okay guys, I'm seriously confused what to get.

My mum suggested trading in her BMW 523i for a 3 series BM for me.

(BMW runs a 3.0L engine so insurance premiums already added up)

Also suggested the Mazda series 6.

Currently she suggested that a 1.6 car is good enough, but personally still prefer a sedan car and it is debated that the WV golf is not worth it.(My car actually must have more practical purposes then just-for-show).

Anyone has any other good 1.6 to recommend?

Unknown_X SG

just stick with the 523 lor, it's quite a good car. but if your parents are willing to change to a new car cuz u just got your driving license, how about a camry or accord if u want a bigger sized car. practical too.

if 1.6, civic, corolla? or bmw 320, though it's not 1.6 but judging from your posts, i think u prefer continental and more high class cars?

but some advice, when u get new car and got a new license, u tend to overestimate yourself and may scratch the car etc. so must drive safely k!

ceecookie SG

Right now the norm seems to be a 2 litre car...do consider the 323i since its future proofed by BMW's famed inline-6 engine technology.And since u prefer professionalism,do opt for the Highline or Professional package to decor the car up :)

But i do agree the 523i's still good...the 5 series is quite luxurious and things u wont find that in the 323i is i.e rear air-con,"joy-stick" gearstick if applicable.

Gosu. SG

The plan was to trade in the 523i for a 3 series because the car depreciates faster after the second year(or at least that's what they like to think).

I have short listed a couple now, so would be nice if the guys here can give me comments based on specs and value for money. Oh, and if you think there are other cars that are in the same criteria as the ones below feel free to add on.(I like the designs - mainly luxury sedans)

Thanks for you guys help so far

P.S. can someone explain to me the difference between the symbols (R) and (V) in them Mazda 6 series?

nOrmalbOi SG

The plan was to trade in the 523i for a 3 series because the car depreciates faster after the second year(or at least that's what they like to think).

Thanks for you guys help so far

P.S. can someone explain to me the difference between the symbols (R) and (V) in them Mazda 6 series?

U seem to like them Mazdas eh. Heh. Something you might want to know tho. Mazdas in general do not hold onto their value very well. Especially when compared to Hondas and Toyotas.

Mz6 - Very nice car. If possible would personally prefer the 2.5 HB

Mz3 - V pretty car. Not v high on space. Old line with replacement coming soon.

MX-5 - 2 door 2 seater. Nice, but not easy to handle for new drivers. Just ask Regan Lee.

RX-8 - 4 door 4 seater. V nice, esp manual. Quite fuel thirsty tho.

207 - CC? GTI? Lots to choose from with these numbers only. Personally like the GTI version, but it's mainly manual only.

AR 159 - Gorgeous car!! 5yr warranty also looks good. Seldom does well holding value wise tho. Personally would go for manual as well as I dun trust their Selespeed yet

Cefiro - EOL model with new one just months away.

Accord 08 - Car with looks that polarise opinions. Heard raves, but personally dun like. If you can get past the looks, the 2.4 might be the best buy.

Mark X Zio - Available only from PI. Do you need a MPV?

Civic Type R - 2 versions available locally. Both Manual. 2 door HB from kah motors. 4 door sedan from PI.

R and V are their grade lvls. Dunno which is which, diff rims, trim, HID vs halogen lights etc etc. Check with ur frenly neighbourhood Mazda dealer for details. :P

Lancerlot SG

luxury sedans...go for the nissan skyline g37 sedan (look under 2006 makeover)

http://www.autozine.org/html/Nissan/Skyline.html

it makes comparisons wif 3series/lexus/A4 etc..

personally i would go for the g37 coupe in black wif mahogany interior.

n0x SG

The plan was to trade in the 523i for a 3 series because the car depreciates faster after the second year(or at least that's what they like to think).

Thanks for you guys help so far

P.S. can someone explain to me the difference between the symbols (R) and (V) in them Mazda 6 series?

after reading all ur posts.. i realised u r like some lost kid with no directions...

u preferred a sedan... and the list u gave us is a rojak list...

from talks of z4 and lamborghinis and bentleys... to this list...

somehow there is no link...

u want practicality.. then the list consists of some roadsters and coupes..

how old are u.. seriously...

i think u shldnt take ur parents words seriously sometimes.. they are perhaps humouring u...

Unknown_X SG

Thanks for you guys help so far

friend, how does the mx5, rx8 and 207 seem practical to u? i guess u want a sedan cuz u need the boot space and passenger space. mark x zio is a MPV u know? get the mark x instead, join me!

back to topic, accord and cefiro provide good space for passengers and has decent boot space. not too sure abt the alfa romeo but it sure looks small to me. i would suggest going for JDM models if u want a jap car or just get the 3 series straight.

SBS7484P SG

sedan? why nobody think Volvo S60/S80? =)

monoslayer SG

TS seems like a lost kid in Neverland.

n0x SG

TS seems like a lost kid in Neverland.

yeah...

the scenario is like:

here's the entire list of production cars available in the world today.. i can afford 90% of them...

i want a sedan... no no.... my parents ask me to have fun... so how bout a coupe... but i want practicality... how bout a sedan... hmm.. what do u think of the mx5... it looks nice... is tt a sedan??? but i want 1.6litre.. how about the 323i....

me says: how bout buy 1 of everything... LOL

Gosu. SG

U seem to like them Mazdas eh. Heh. Something you might want to know tho. Mazdas in general do not hold onto their value very well. Especially when compared to Hondas and Toyotas.

Mz6 - Very nice car. If possible would personally prefer the 2.5 HB

Mz3 - V pretty car. Not v high on space. Old line with replacement coming soon.

MX-5 - 2 door 2 seater. Nice, but not easy to handle for new drivers. Just ask Regan Lee.

RX-8 - 4 door 4 seater. V nice, esp manual. Quite fuel thirsty tho.

207 - CC? GTI? Lots to choose from with these numbers only. Personally like the GTI version, but it's mainly manual only.

AR 159 - Gorgeous car!! 5yr warranty also looks good. Seldom does well holding value wise tho. Personally would go for manual as well as I dun trust their Selespeed yet

Cefiro - EOL model with new one just months away.

Accord 08 - Car with looks that polarise opinions. Heard raves, but personally dun like. If you can get past the looks, the 2.4 might be the best buy.

Mark X Zio - Available only from PI. Do you need a MPV?

Civic Type R - 2 versions available locally. Both Manual. 2 door HB from kah motors. 4 door sedan from PI.

R and V are their grade lvls. Dunno which is which, diff rims, trim, HID vs halogen lights etc etc. Check with ur frenly neighbourhood Mazda dealer for details. :P

Hmm thanks, really interested in the Mazda 6 over the rest. But if it doesn't hold it's value well might reconsider. The Honda Accord 2008 series was remodelled wasn't it, looks pretty sleek now.

Would like to have more advise on Mazda 6. Hmm, also, the Civic R, authorised importers don't carry 4 doors sedan - any news of them carrying or am I able to order? How's the handling too? I'm not sure but they say driving on manual is a pain. Do advise

after reading all ur posts.. i realised u r like some lost kid with no directions...

u preferred a sedan... and the list u gave us is a rojak list...

from talks of z4 and lamborghinis and bentleys... to this list...

somehow there is no link...

u want practicality.. then the list consists of some roadsters and coupes..

how old are u.. seriously...

i think u shldnt take ur parents words seriously sometimes.. they are perhaps humouring u...

@n0x:

To start with Lamborghini and Bentleys were not im option, I would have gotten the Z4 if there weren't a minimum age of 26 for insurance without add-ons. I realise that my options do have alternatives - that's because I did not devote myself to only certain models; though I do have a preference for sedan models. Furthermore the listed cars are of lower ends.

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One more question: The mercedez E series Kompressor; am looking at E180 but from what I see at SgCarMart they only carry the e200? Is it a new model and the old E180(or the 1.8L model) is phased out? Furthermore the new ones are priced at 180k? Do enlighten me about this. Need to educate my mum about it - because if they are initially worth 180k it wouldn't be a good buy(furthermore I don't fancy it; thus I need some arguing points).

Opening up my options again, thanking the forumers who have been actively helping out. Please do recommend cars that fall within the following catagories.

Thanks,

Tim

Gosu. SG

yeah...

the scenario is like:

here's the entire list of production cars available in the world today.. i can afford 90% of them...

me says: how bout buy 1 of everything... LOL

That's because I believe it's good to have varying options, because my 'sponsors' have to be persuaded and alternative options to be set up in case my suggestions get rejected.

If I fix my decision on a single car there are many things to consider -

Firstly, their priority would be safety, then price(resale value) then practical use.

Although I would be using the car, time to time my sister(who's car got sold) would fly back to Australia to use it. The decision doesn't lean towards her but she's also a factor.

Also, my mother claimed that it would be ridiculous to drive a Mercedez SL 500 or a ML350 to get groceries from the market. the 523i will get sold prior to the of this year/early next year because the ML350 is more spacious and more 'family-friendly' as compared to the 523i. Thus my car has to be 'family-wise'.

However, though it might be the case, they might forfeit that mindset in view that I'm a young driver and thus the option of safety - thus they insist on a 'trusted' brand, a BMW or a Mercedez. A 1.6-2.0, already comtemplating whether the 2.0 is already too powerful.

Then it comes to my personal choice which they might respect if I fancy it - with reasonable factors coming in.

Price factor is only a concern as prior to me being a new driver - they have concerns on accidents/scratches thus damage payout. Also resale value is a concern because my cars usually get sold within 2-3 years of it's life.

ceecookie SG

Opening up my options again, thanking the forumers who have been actively helping out. Please do recommend cars that fall within the following catagories.

Thanks,

Tim

German cars are generally more safe and luxurious than Japanese car.

There was never a 180 variant for E Klass.You must have mistook the C180 for the E180.

The E200 is not 2 litre but instead 1.8 Supercharged Inline-4 engine.The C180 must have confused you but it is also 1.8 only that it's detuned to place it below the C200.

Kinda nonsensical branding by Mercedes since the number does not reflect the engine capacity

If you want a little more powerful engine, consider the E230, its a V6 2.5l engine

If safetly is the most important factor,consider Volvo since its reputated as a safe car according to NCAP tests.

Anyway, do note that the W211 E Klass is currently facelifted and its about to EOL since the newer model W212 is coming for MY 2009/2010

Spy shots for the W212 E Klass.

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