Dear All,
I am writing this thread to get some recommendations of what cars to consider, my budget is MYR120,000. Currently i already owned 2 cars, have been reliable, just occasionally needed minor repairs. Needed a 3rd car because we need 1 more car for spare, just in case both my dailies went into garage because my GF also drives mine.
Last week, i went and test drove 3 cars fall under my budget and below is the test reports for your reference:
1.) BMW 325i E90 - Year made 2011 (as per registered on grant), 6 cylinders, 2.5L, 6 speed automatic with 212 bhp.
Pro
- Good handling especially cornering
- Quiet Cabin and no visible rattling noise from interior
- Under carriage is still very solid and quiet
Con
- Gutless engine, even for a 2.5L, have to rev about 4k to really extract its power
- Gearbox shifting is quite slow, slower than my e46, suspect gearbox faulty or just required oil change
- Electrical assisted power steering, feels like a toy car, too light for my preference.
Status: Shortlisted
2.) BMW 323i E92 (coupe) - Year made 2007, 6 cylinders, 2.5L, 6 speed automatic with 177bhp
Pro
- Nothing impresses me since i test drove the 325i E90 before this
Con
- Gutless engine, worse than my Lancer when rev about 4k
- Gearbox having problems, improper shifting
Status: Disqualified
3.) Audi A4 2.0 Quattro - Year made 2009, 4 cylinders turbo, 2.0T, 7 speed DSG with 200 bhp
Pro
- Very good power, achieved century sprint under 8 secs (provided the road is elevated a bit)
- Sporty ride in corners (BMW seems to be better, more agile)
Cons
- Vibrating engine, probably due to mounts
- Vibrating rear differential, lack of lubrication
Status: Disqualified
4.) Mazda 3 NEW CAR, 4 cylcinder, 2.0L, 6 speed automatic with 162 bhp
Pro
- Very agile and lively engine, loves to rev
- Crispy and smooth shifting gears, aided acceleration
- Comfy ride despite competing with Europeans, absorb bumps like a champ
Cons
- Pricey for 2.0L N/A Japanese, Highline is at MYR129k (VW Jetta offers RM129k with DSG and Turbo)
- Steering is too light, i am literally steering the car effortlessly one handed during test drive
- Braking hard makes the car swayed left and right abit, properly due to softer absorber.
So now my requirement is like any other car guys who like drive fast (sensibly), the car has to be in decent power (about 180 will do), automatic but preferably not CVT (gf will drive this too), handles great (no need bone breaking) and fits my budget of RM120k. Used car or not, depends on the year, i can accept 5-7 years.
I got Volkswagen Jetta (New) and Ford Focus 1.5T (New) has yet to test drive. Please kindly let me know what choices can i have?
Thanks,
Ken
I am writing this thread to get some recommendations of what cars to consider, my budget is MYR120,000. Currently i already owned 2 cars, have been reliable, just occasionally needed minor repairs. Needed a 3rd car because we need 1 more car for spare, just in case both my dailies went into garage because my GF also drives mine.
Last week, i went and test drove 3 cars fall under my budget and below is the test reports for your reference:
1.) BMW 325i E90 - Year made 2011 (as per registered on grant), 6 cylinders, 2.5L, 6 speed automatic with 212 bhp.
Pro
- Good handling especially cornering
- Quiet Cabin and no visible rattling noise from interior
- Under carriage is still very solid and quiet
Con
- Gutless engine, even for a 2.5L, have to rev about 4k to really extract its power
- Gearbox shifting is quite slow, slower than my e46, suspect gearbox faulty or just required oil change
- Electrical assisted power steering, feels like a toy car, too light for my preference.
Status: Shortlisted
2.) BMW 323i E92 (coupe) - Year made 2007, 6 cylinders, 2.5L, 6 speed automatic with 177bhp
Pro
- Nothing impresses me since i test drove the 325i E90 before this
Con
- Gutless engine, worse than my Lancer when rev about 4k
- Gearbox having problems, improper shifting
Status: Disqualified
3.) Audi A4 2.0 Quattro - Year made 2009, 4 cylinders turbo, 2.0T, 7 speed DSG with 200 bhp
Pro
- Very good power, achieved century sprint under 8 secs (provided the road is elevated a bit)
- Sporty ride in corners (BMW seems to be better, more agile)
Cons
- Vibrating engine, probably due to mounts
- Vibrating rear differential, lack of lubrication
Status: Disqualified
4.) Mazda 3 NEW CAR, 4 cylcinder, 2.0L, 6 speed automatic with 162 bhp
Pro
- Very agile and lively engine, loves to rev
- Crispy and smooth shifting gears, aided acceleration
- Comfy ride despite competing with Europeans, absorb bumps like a champ
Cons
- Pricey for 2.0L N/A Japanese, Highline is at MYR129k (VW Jetta offers RM129k with DSG and Turbo)
- Steering is too light, i am literally steering the car effortlessly one handed during test drive
- Braking hard makes the car swayed left and right abit, properly due to softer absorber.
So now my requirement is like any other car guys who like drive fast (sensibly), the car has to be in decent power (about 180 will do), automatic but preferably not CVT (gf will drive this too), handles great (no need bone breaking) and fits my budget of RM120k. Used car or not, depends on the year, i can accept 5-7 years.
I got Volkswagen Jetta (New) and Ford Focus 1.5T (New) has yet to test drive. Please kindly let me know what choices can i have?
Thanks,
Ken