Carlos & Siran Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Took our car into get a WOF yesterday, and received another massively long list of things to fix before we can issue you with a WOF sorry. Blah. It's a 96 Toyota estina, we've only had it a couple years but the last 2 or 3 WOFs have been the same. So I had a wee chat with our mechanic, I don't know him very well but he has a good reputation as is known to be very honest, and he said that it was starting to get that distinctive worn out look, he suggested it may be time to flick it before it gets much worse. So while we had some time we thought we'd have a wonder around and a look see at what was at the car yards. I've always been quite keen on a big 4X4 like a ford territory as there's 5 of us and another on the way. We discussed it on our way into town and decided we'd prolly go that way, and buy a small cheap run around as well and only use the 4X4 for family occasions, our budget was about 16 grand(way more money than I've ever considered spending on a vehicle) weeellll, we certainly got bought back to reality, there was nothing under 20k and the cheaper ones had high ks and were quite old, a good one was gonna cost us at least 30k. By this time I was starting to think about running costs, tyres blah blah, so I realized a 4X4 was going to have wait for a few years yet. It was about then that Siran spotted a Mitsi Grandis, was 2003, under 100ks, 6 seater, and was at our budget of $16000. Was about as far away from a big butch 4X4 as you could get and my immediate reaction was ewwww, but after a test ride and a read up it started growing on me. It's really a nice wee car, has all the mod cons for a really affordable price. The Missus wanted to get it but I said No, we're not quite ready yet, and any way I wear the pants in this relationship and what I say goes, and that's the final decision on the matter. So we pick up the new car on friday.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 haha nice, if its a GDI don't buy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Whats a GDI? Siran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Whats a GDI? Siran Good Driving Impossible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Gasoline direct injection I think, apparently it is supposed to increase the cars economy but if you google it it seems more people have it going the other way and the cars being pigs. I don't know if it is a case of the minority complaining or if they really are bad, one would think if it was so bad then mitzi would have ditched it ages ago? Usual story, always talk to your local mechanic that you can trust before buying any car.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneeyedfrog Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 I hate buying new cars! We never have much to spend and I worry about buying a lemon. We got a Izusu filly ( rebadged Nissian Elgrand) a year ago and we love it. So roomy. What with cars seats and dogs there was never enough room in a SW. I thought toyotas were suposed to go forever Good luck with the new one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Grant needs a 4WD for work and we found great difficulty in finding a good one at a reasonable price. They were either old, with many miles on the clock, or fairly new and therefore out of our price range. Were you looking at a 4WD just for size or do you go off-road? If not, keep to a people mover. I have no idea what the car is you are buying but we have a Honda Odyssey and it goes really well. We have never had a problem with it and have only had to replace the tyres. Get an AA check or similar. They will be able to tell you if it is worth the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Gasoline direct injection I think, apparently it is supposed to increase the cars economy but if you google it it seems more people have it going the other way and the cars being pigs. I don't know if it is a case of the minority complaining or if they really are bad, one would think if it was so bad then mitzi would have ditched it ages ago? Usual story, always talk to your local mechanic that you can trust before buying any car.. correct gasoline direct injection. i have one & they are pigs, all of them. they work like a diesel rather than the traditional fuel injection, mine does around 700ks to 60L which is great & i only keep it as i have mates that are mechanics 8) . they weren't supposed to be exported from japan so were only designed to have a short life & there is very little repair info available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Grant needs a 4WD for work and we found great difficulty in finding a good one at a reasonable price. They were either old, with many miles on the clock, or fairly new and therefore out of our price range. Were you looking at a 4WD just for size or do you go off-road? If not, keep to a people mover. I have no idea what the car is you are buying but we have a Honda Odyssey and it goes really well. We have never had a problem with it and have only had to replace the tyres. Get an AA check or similar. They will be able to tell you if it is worth the price. The Mitsi Grandis is direct competition to the Honda Odyssey, infact one review we read road tested both. I think the Odyssey came out on top but only just. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 I've driven a grandis and I love them. Economy isn't bad, I like the handling and it's nice and roomy inside. It's also quiet on the road so that's good for long trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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