Mid-range Conti car...

[Shaimerc]

Hi every-one,

A very useful thread indeed, for a Conti Car buyer.

 

I am planning to buy new Meriva; costing 63K. I will appreciate if any one can share their experience with me.

 

After reading this and other few threads I am considering Astra too. Only $4K difference.

 

Cheers!

[Putter]

Though they recommended 15K, but I always keep it to 10K though some people still prefer to stick it to 5K.

 

The car is definitely noisier compare to Camry or Cefiro even when I add in those noise reduction pad on door walls, ceiling, car boot etc. Cant do away with it but I am getting used to liao.

 

I took it along NS HW at 210kph only for a few seconds in total cleared road. Tyre spec is withstanding the speed at <10s though grade W, but I won't want to risk.

[Koolaba]

Hello,

 

Allow me to furnish you with reviews from the Opel Meriva owners in Germany. This site is in German. Perhaps you can use the online translator to help you with the translation of the text from German to English (not 100% accurate translation due to the sentence and grammar of German language).

 

Review:

http://www.ciao.de/Erfahrungsberichte/Opel...7_CDTI__1112625

 

Translator:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/

 

The pros and cons in summary:

 

Pros:

+ Good sitting position allowing a commanding view

+ Roomy interior

+ Flexible seating configuration

 

Cons:

- Quality of interior finishing is of a rather low quality

- Plastics feel brittle

- Poor road handling

- Lousy positioning of manual gear shift

 

The Opel population is not very huge in Germany and Austria. One of the reasons is that this brand is slightly above average in terms of reliability and quality. The other reason is that Opel has a rather weak anti-rust and corrosion programme, comparing with the other European brands. It is common to see Opel Astra G and Vectras of the same generation with rust forming at the wheel arches.

 

Here is a site featuring the reliability index ranking of the car manufacturers. The lower the index, the more reliable the brand is.

http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/man_inde...128339010848601

[Shaimerc]

Thanks Koolaba for your inputs!

 

So that means, I should not go for Meriva!!

 

I had short-listed following cars:

 

Meriva - OUT

Astra 1.6 HB

Corolla Altis

Skoda - Octovia

Mitsubishi Colt Plus

Honda Airwave

Chevrolet Optra Estate

Renault Megane

 

I will appreciate if you can suggest which one is better in terms of;

1. Reliability

2. Maintenance/Support

3. Price.

 

Thanks and regards

SHAIMERC...

[Koolaba]

Hi,

 

After living in Europe for more than a year now, I would say, skip the Japanese if you value built quality, handling, ride comfort in general.

 

From the list you have shown, the Skoda Octavia Tour is highly recommended:

- Reliability: Skoda is tops, from the various reviews in Europe. This is one of them.

http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/top10.html?apc=311

 

I have owned a 7 year old Octavia in Austria before. It has never failed on me since the day I took ownership of it (with already 136,000km on its clock) till the day I sold it one year later.

 

- Price: The Octavia represents excellent value for $, for the specifications it offer. In fact, the current pricing of the Octavia I (or Tour) is at an all-time low, since it has been introduced in Singapore. Reliability is average.

 

- Maintenance: I have not encountered any problems with Czech Auto in terms of warranty claims and general servicing.

 

Renault is the worst in terms of reliability and quality. I had unpleasant experiences with the Megane (Tourer aka stationwagon) and Scenic on 2 occassions in Europe when I rented the cars for an extended period. It is really incredible that basic functionalities like the gear lever selector and windscreen washer can fail for these new cars. Generally, the age of rental fleet in Europe is generally young. The cars rarely exceed 18 months of age. Ride quality and handling is below par compared with the Octavia and the Astra. I have taken the Megance on a sprint on the German Autobahn to speeds of 160km/h. Anything faster and it does not inspire any confidence in travelling at higher speeds.

 

From the following link, it is evident that the Renault is ranked below the industry average.

http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/man_inde...elindex&apc=311

 

The Astra offers an attractive package in terms of style, engine technology and build quality. I am not too updated with its current pricing though. In Europe, it is a strong competitor to the VW Golf V and the Skoda Octavia II. Engine technologies from Opel (CDTI, ECOTEC) rank favourably to the offerings from the VAG stable. Build quality is quite on par with VAG vehicles.

[Shaimerc]

Thanks a million for the detailed reply!

 

Now I have short-listed following cars;

 

1. Skoda Octovia S$59000+

2. Opel Astra 1.6 MTA S$67000+

3. Ford Focus 5Dr S$65000+

 

Skoda seems value for money, but other two win on style!

 

Thanks again for your help!!

 

Cheers!

[Koolaba]

You are welcome.

 

It is best to take a look at these 3 cars in detail and conduct a test drive. The Octavia II will arrive in July. By then you have another option to consider.

[Guest66]

hi bro

Just a thought, as a Skoda owner, I think you will find the Skoda Superb a nice alternative to VW Passat, for the sheer fact of being more affordable. You might be surprised to find the quality and performance very reasonable, given a 1.8T turbo engine (lower road tax compared to many others). Try it and see?

 

We evaluated many vehicles, including many in your list, but finally settled on the Skoda. Plus, the interesting thing is, many passer-bys would do a double-take on the unique logo. :-)

 

bless

tashi

 

I think, & many too,that the Skoda Superb actualli looks better and more balance, muscular than the new passat.

Flame me ! Flame me!!

[Tashi]

hi bro

I concur, and this is in relation to the new Passat, which has, imho, a softer back compared to the previous Passat. Just my humble opinion again. However, I think both cars (whichever year) has great engineering and mechanics, which is my reason to lean toward Skoda and VW. However, my pocket is lighter so had to go Skoda, not that I find VW any less of a ride. If pocket fuller, might have even gone VAG's other car, Audi. But reality strikes. :-)

 

bless

[Toalson]

If comparing hatchbacks, how would u rate the Golf and Astra; both non-turbo?

 

And are they considered mid-range conti cars?

[Koolaba]

I have not studied the Astra in detail, neither have I driven one. Hence I cannot comment on its build quality, choice of materials and road holding capabilities.

 

Between the Astra and the Golf, I will pick the Astra. It is cheaper to own. Most importantly, the engine of the Astra is able to deliver maximum potential with RON 95 petrol.

 

The Golf V 1.6 FSI requires RON 98 petrol to attain maximum efficiency. I am never a fan of FSI technology. With the current prices of finished petroleum products, it is prudent to get a car which can deliver optimal efficiency without paying extra for the type of fuel used. Moreover, the quality of some plastic panels in the Golf V are of a lower quality compared to the Golf IV.

[Toalson]

Tks for the info

[Mondy]

Was in a friend's astra the other day and it seems the lower gear transition is alittle jerky. From 1st to second is almost like ejecting out from the cockpit. Its not that he could not shift smoothly but I think the gear ratio is slightly higher compared to the other makes.

 

Can anyone verify this?

 

Oh...and the sound system in there sucks big time. Reminds me of an ols sanyo transistor.

[Koolaba]

Is this Astra a manual or an auto?

[Kelpie]

Thanks a million for the detailed reply!

 

Now I have short-listed following cars;

 

1. Skoda Octovia S$59000+

2. Opel Astra 1.6 MTA S$67000+

3. Ford Focus 5Dr S$65000+

 

Skoda seems value for money, but other two win on style!

 

Thanks again for your help!!

 

Cheers!

 

1. I've not tried Astra but neighbour bought a gold one and so far no complain. Anyway, not my type. I've tried Meriva MTA, it is a jerky car. I wonder if the Astra shares the same issue.

 

2. Octy is one solid car but do you really need so much boot space? The center trunk is rather high so rear cabin space is tight, the dashboard position is low, so front person sitting position is no good for me. well, just my HO. The stock suspension is good enough to concur humps and strips at decent speed. What can I say, one of the most reliable euro cars that some countries use it as Taxi.

 

3. Focus, this one my favourite. sort of owned it for about 6 months. Handling is the best, Octy is a bit rigid at cornering but need not be a negative point. It is a more driver car than the Octy.

 

Regards,

[Vit4wd]

Octavia looks like best value for money of the 3.

[Kelpie]

Octavia looks like best value for money of the 3.

 

But then new model coming in....

 

Regards,

[Miles]

Octavia II will be priced at about $75-80k i think if the Ambiente is brought in. Same 1.6FSI engine & 6 speed auto tiptronic as the Golf.

Its OMV should be up there with Golf if not Astra.

 

If they bring in the Classic, which i suspect they will... that's using the 8v 1.6SR 102PS unit. If that's the case,,... it could be as low as $65-70k.

But then spec will be very low.

Edited May 25, 2006 by Miles