Serious feedback survey on mid range cars purchase

[MS]

Dear all, can you all please kindly vote which of the following mid range cars with performance oriented marketing agenda (>150bhp) & (SGD$80K ~ SGD$200K) will you buy and be able to afford it? Even though I know some members here can well afford out of this league just that you don't feel the desire to buy it. Just want to check out the serious and honest feedbacks from the guys here who can afford and explanation on why you made that choice. At the same time, please also vote for the one in this same league you will most want to avoid buying. For some work issues. No nonsense flaming please. Honest reply very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

For local prices, please refer to the following link to carbuyer singapore

http://www.carbuyer.com.sg/car-prices-specs/

 

 

 

Alfa Romeo Brera http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/alf_brera.html

 

Alfa Romeo GT http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/alf_gt.html

 

Alfa Romeo Spider http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/alf_spider.html

 

Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 http://www.audi.com.sg/audi/sea/sg/new_cars/a3.html

 

Audi A3 S3 2.0 http://www.audi.com.sg/audi/sea/sg/new_cars/a3.html

 

Audi TT Coupe 2.0 http://www.audi.com.sg/audi/sea/sg/new_cars/tt.html

 

Audi TT Roadster 2.0 http://www.audi.com.sg/audi/sea/sg/new_cars/tt.html

 

BMW 125i Coupe http://www.pml.com.sg/bmw/

 

BMW 130i Coupe http://www.pml.com.sg/bmw/

 

BMW 323i http://www.pml.com.sg/bmw/

 

BMW325i http://www.pml.com.sg/bmw/

 

Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0 VTS http://www.audi.com.sg/audi/sea/sg/new_cars/tt.html

 

FIAT Bravo T Jet http://www.fiat.com.sg/defaultf84c.html?MenuId=204

 

HONDA Civic Type R http://www.honda.com.sg/cars/type_R.htm

 

MERCEDES BENZ SLK 200 http://www.mercedes-benz.com.sg/content/singapore/mpc/mpc_singapore_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/slk-class/r171.flash.html#chapter=1

 

Mini Cooper S http://www.mini.com.sg/com/en/mini_cooper_s/index.jsp

 

Mitsubishi Evolution X http://www.mitsubishicars.com.sg/

 

PEUGEOT 207 GTI http://www.peugeot.com.sg/

 

Renault Clio R27 http://www.renault.com.sg/

 

Renault Megane R26 http://www.renault.com.sg/

 

Subaru Impreza WRX STI http://www.motorimage.net/SG/showroom/STI/MY08/?pg=introduction

 

Volkswagen Golf GT http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/singapore/en/models/golfs/golf_gt.html

 

Volkswagen Golf GTI http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/singapore/en/models/golfs/golf_gti.html

 

Volkswagen Golf R32 http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/singapore/en/models/golfs/golf_r32.html

 

Volkswagen Passat R36 http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/singapore/en/models/passats/passat_r36.html

 

Volvo C30 http://www.volvocars.com/sg/All-Cars-MY08/Volvo-C30/Pages/default.aspx

 

Others: Please specify

 

 

Thank you!!

[jB]

Is the VW beetle mid range enough for you dude?

[Throttle]

I'm still a BMW person. so I will still pick the 325 Coupe / Cabriolet over the rest on your list.

 

My reasons (not in order of preference) :-

 

Handsome, muscular looks with excellent driving feel

Technologically advanced with very good engineering quality

Big aftermarket mod available.

Reliable pool of BMW service workshops available

Strong resale and demand.

 

 

for brand new cars, I will avoid Audi becos I usually dont keep my cars more than 2 yrs. Audi price is not cheap yet the resale really quite bad.

[MS]

Is the VW beetle mid range enough for you dude?

 

I'm sorry friend. The criteria has been explicitly stated as >150bhp, SGD80K~SGD200K. Marketed as performance oriented and priced in the mid range.

 

Based on the local market, Neither the VW beetle 1.6L nor the 2L falls into both of the criteria.

 

Thanks for your reply though.

[MS]

I'm still a BMW person. so I will still pick the 325 Coupe / Cabriolet over the rest on your list.

 

My reasons (not in order of preference) :-

 

Handsome, muscular looks with excellent driving feel

Technologically advanced with very good engineering quality

Big aftermarket mod available.

Reliable pool of BMW service workshops available

Strong resale and demand.

 

 

for brand new cars, I will avoid Audi becos I usually dont keep my cars more than 2 yrs. Audi price is not cheap yet the resale really quite bad.

 

Thanks for your reply. Absolutely informative. You patronize Juzz for Cars in Sin Ming?

[Throttle]

Thanks for your reply. Absolutely informative. You patronize Juzz for Cars in Sin Ming?

 

My previous BMW coupe was serviced at Juzz.

My current 525i serviced at BVO / PML.

 

No real preference between BVO and Juzz. See which one is less crowded.

[MS]

My previous BMW coupe was serviced at Juzz.

My current 525i serviced at BVO / PML.

 

No real preference between BVO and Juzz. See which one is less crowded.

 

But do you think that not going back to PML is a risk that may void your warranty?

[Throttle]

i go back to PML when warranty was still valid.

After warranty ended, then i went to BVO and Juzz

[MS]

i go back to PML when warranty was still valid.

After warranty ended, then i went to BVO and Juzz

 

I see. Juzz4cars is a very fantastic workshop. They are one of those who're willing to invest to keep their services up to date. There's another German car specialist at the 2nd floor dealing with VAG cars in the same building Servotronic. They're just as good too.

 

The rest please kindly give your feedbacks on the thread topic too. thanks.

[myxilplix]

Why not the WRX instead of the STi?

 

Under 80k, choice of auto or manual, decent punch and the new model is suprisingly refined and understated compared to previous models.

[MS]

Why not the WRX instead of the STi?

 

Under 80k, choice of auto or manual, decent punch and the new model is suprisingly refined and understated compared to previous models.

 

The WRX being marketed with a price tag in the early 80s or even lower is merely a standard sedan with a turbo charged engine running on a primative engineering platform compared to the competitors. The 4 wheel drive system is also common. And 4 wheel drive is not something which guarantees excellent drive quality. It is the ESP package which determines how well the car maneuvers when the driver is unable to handle with it. the STI on the other hand costs much more yet sold with a comprehensive stability program that helps to increase the drive quality of the vehicle. This is similar to the EVO series.

 

The more famous ESP package is developed by BOSCH and in collaboration with some famous vehicle part builders like ZF and TRW to execute the mechanical aspect of the stability programmes. Some more famous terms used are like understeer/oversteer correction, Traction control, Electronic brake force distribution, Differential force distribution etc.

 

Apart from ESP, we have electrical steerings which allow a power saving of up to 5bhp from the omission of steering pumps. This 5bhp salvage is transmitted to the transmission for the wheels instead. Nowadays we also have speed dependant steering, speed dependent steering angle adjustable steering (Active steering for BMW developed by ZF), Vector drive systems (also developed by ZF), CDC (continuous Damping control developed by SACHS) suspensions which have computerized shock absorber damping adjustability used vastly in OPEL, BMW and Ferrari. Nowadays we have twin clutches manual gearboxes replacing the aged BMW SMG, Alfaromeo Selespeed. The famous twin clutch gearbox from VAG developed DSG which uses a manual gearbox coupled with a LuK developed twin clutch. ZF caught up later with their version of the ZF DWC used in Porsche's 997 which belongs to the high end cars. Such gearboxes change gears at the tap of the hand which results in a virtual elimination of the lag found in conventional Torque converter powertrained planetary gearbox on tiptronic systems. At the same time transmit more torque than the torque converter. Imagine gear change faster than any human hand can achieve.

 

Mid range cars not only have to possess the power of at least 150bhp, excellent transmissions, proper equipments for excellent drive quality, they have to be priced in the modest range of 80K to 200K.

 

I am carrying out a survey for performance oriented marketed cars, technically strict, therefore I really regret to say that the standard WRX falls in the same group as Suzuki Swift sport and not fall in the same platform of mid range. It is a league lower than Mitsubishi evo, VW Golf GT, GTI or even Fiat Bravo. But the STI does.

 

I am not trying to say which auto builder is better as they all have their own marketing agenda to satisfy. But thanks a lot for raising this point which I did not elaborate earlier. My list may not be complete. Feel free to point is out.

 

thanks!

 

the ZF homepage in English http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/homepage/homepage.html

 

the SACHS homepage in English. Conincidentally, SACHS are the suspensions builder for Ferrari Scuderia F1 and BMW Sauber F1 for the on-coming 2008 F1

http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/company/organization/powertrain_suspension_components/powertrain_suspension_components.html

 

the TRW homepage in English

http://www.trw.com/home/main/0,,,FF.html

 

The Hitachi automotive website in English

http://www.hitachi-hap.com/index.html

 

Aisin Seiki the famous transmission builder under Toyota that build many transmission systems for many Asian makes

http://www.aisin.com/

 

Kayaba; the largest suspensions provider in the world up till date. Like Aisin Seiki, KYB is also a subsidiary of toyota.

http://www.kayaba.co.uk/

[Throttle]

I see. Juzz4cars is a very fantastic workshop. They are one of those who're willing to invest to keep their services up to date. There's another German car specialist at the 2nd floor dealing with VAG cars in the same building Servotronic. They're just as good too.

 

The rest please kindly give your feedbacks on the thread topic too. thanks.

 

Yes agree , Juzz for Cars is pretty updated and does a good job.

 

You wont get much response in this Bike forum when it comes to cars.

Maybe you should try some car forums.

[MS]

Yes agree , Juzz for Cars is pretty updated and does a good job.

 

You wont get much response in this Bike forum when it comes to cars.

Maybe you should try some car forums.

 

Thanks. But I've already gotten the demographic from the other car forums. SBF is one the the last I am at now.

 

I visit Servotronic for my stuffs and occasionally goes up to Juzz4cars to check them up. Thats why I think Billy, Amos, Seetoh are really a bunch of reliable BMW specialists.

[GoSlow]

its either the 159 or mondeo for me. 159 for under 35 yrs old. mondeo for above 35yrs old.

[Throttle]

yeah the 159 is a very handsome looking car.

and seems value for money

i only hate 2 things about it.

1. the antenna is so outdated looking

2. the interior trimming is not real brushed steel.

[MS]

yeah the 159 is a very handsome looking car.

and seems value for money

i only hate 2 things about it.

1. the antenna is so outdated looking

2. the interior trimming is not real brushed steel.

 

I was also close to choosing the 159 but was drawn to the efficiency of the various technical specs and the reliability of Deutschauto since I was with the French. I was more concerned about the Fiat mothered engineering reliability. Alfa Romeo is like a delicate sexy babe who cries easily. Even though she's superb in the office, in the kitchen, on the bed, she has such refined sensitivity that breaking down easily is her entitlement.

[Throttle]

Yeah same feelings, at first I thought of getting 159 since it's value for money and sexy. after some thoughts, I stick to my BMW, or maybe Mercy if I can find the right deal.

 

sometimes I get tempted to get Jap sports like EvoX, STi just to whack whack a bit. but I scared people call me lau beng, heheheh

[MS]

Yeah same feelings, at first I thought of getting 159 since it's value for money and sexy. after some thoughts, I stick to my BMW, or maybe Mercy if I can find the right deal.

 

sometimes I get tempted to get Jap sports like EvoX, STi just to whack whack a bit. but I scared people call me lau beng, heheheh

 

Ah Bengs who still wanted to own a fast car can be identified as those who insistantly buy one with a 10 year loan based on a low downpayment. I don't think you fall under that category.

[Throttle]

i've been thinking of the 630i as well but i know the 5er is the car for me at this stage. just itchy

[MS]

i've been thinking of the 630i as well but i know the 5er is the car for me at this stage. just itchy

 

The 6-er are neat cars. You have excellent choices. Like your E60, they are basically built with a ZF component fitted chassis. Fantastic Active Steering System, ZF 6-gang autotransmission with a very effective torque converter, terrific axle systems which makes the drive feel like a paragon.

[Throttle]

The 6-er are neat cars. You have excellent choices. Like your E60, they are basically built with a ZF component fitted chassis. Fantastic Active Steering System, ZF 6-gang autotransmission with a very effective torque converter, terrific axle systems which makes the drive feel like a paragon.

 

Du spreche Deutsch?

Ich ein bischen....

but forgot most of it when I came back from Europe years ago.

[DaN zI]

if from e list u mention above i will choose e 325 coupe , Evo X , if say within e price range nia i take mugen RR !

[MS]

Du spreche Deutsch?

Ich ein bischen....

but forgot most of it when I came back from Europe years ago.

 

Picked up the language from my interns and colleagues. But didn't dare to use it when I was in Germany. Don't want to embaress myself. Anyway the Germans provided aged 40 and below mostly speaks reasonably good English.

[GuiNNeSS]

i will go for Rex or Evo, Maybe mainly due to my age.

 

BMW hopefully got chance to drive in future =x

[shiraz]

If I have the cash to choose any car in this list, I would choose the one I like the most and not which is the best. BUT since money for me is an option, I'd go for any Japanese on your list. If money is not an option, then maybe the Golf GTI. I have no idea what the R32 is anyway.. if it looks nicer then ya, I choose the R32!