BarryTurner wrote:...if I do decide to replace mine it would probably be next year some time. The trouble is what to replace it with. I like the look of the new Maxda 6 but read that it still. has nvh noise problems. I had a couple in the past and they were really noisy. I dont trust vw group technology. Nissan Altima looks like an old persons car - Im almost 70 but appreciate handling and dynamics and cars at the smaller end of the medium class.
coref1 wrote:... I agree it'll be difficult to find a car with as much going for it for the money. Apart from fuel economy and in reality the minor possibility of transmission problems there isn't much to really complain about. I'd be more likely to go for the Mazda 3 then the 6 as the 3 seems to be closer to the Kizashi size and one of the reasons I went for the Kizashi was the other medium size cars are too big for my needs now. The reviews I've read on the Altima indicate it's only average and if you want good handling & dynamics I'd think Kizashi, Mazda 3/6 or Golf. Your've already ruled out VW for the same reason as me so there's not much left to choose. Suzuki does have a reputation for reliability so I wouldn't write off your Kizashi yet.
BarryTurner wrote:I agree about the Mazda 3 and Ive also thought about the Focus. What concerns me with the Kizi is so few have been sold. There has been no incentive to develop technical support like dealing with the cvt. Cars like Maxima are well established and there are procedures for dealing with them. Im converned I might be offered a new cvt from Japan at an astronomical price take it or leave it. I love the car and the cvt is my only concern about it.
Check out the insurance prices carefully for some of the other options. I've found the Kizashi dirt cheap compared to some new model Fords (for example the Kuga... twice the price of the Kizashi for insurance!?!) It wouldn't surprise me if the Focus is similarly priced.
I agree the 6 is huge, but I walked past a new 3 hatchback yesterday and it appeared to have a lot less room in the back? That was only looking through the window, but I was surprised at how much smaller it appeared to be? (Perhaps an illusion?) A Jetta or Octavia could be a good option, but I'm hearing you on the potential issues (including servicing costs perhaps being dearer?)
PS: If you want CoreF1 I can split this into a new topic and keep the original CVT thread "intact"?