Your questions answered: What is a good choice for my first car?
Working through the options of buying new or used to find a great first car can be tough. But we’re here to help…Making the right choice for a first car can be tough. With used-car prices high and everyone giving a much higher priority to safety, it’s getting even tougher.
So, too, is the decision between a car that comes with a long new-vehicle warranty or is clearly a second-hand bargain.
Answer: The Subaru Forester is a great pick for a first car as it’s practical, reliable and there should be plenty of choice. It’s also more like a car than a heavyweight SUV, which means it should be lighter on fuel and safer in a potential emergency. Although the X-TRAIL and Pathfinder are bigger, the Forester scores in all other areas. On mileage, you’re on target as more cars are relatively trouble-free before they hit 160,000km.
Answer: The official response from Kia is that it has been moving to digital manuals since October last year. It’s obviously a way to save money, but the company says: “Digital manuals ensure the latest and most accurate owner’s manuals are available to the customer and also frees up room in the glove box so it can be used as a practical storage space. In order to help customers familiarise themselves with their vehicle, a printed Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is fitted to each vehicle. The QRG contains basic vehicle functions and controls, with the back cover providing a QR code and instructions for navigating the Kia website to access the full owner’s manual. The website provides the Vehicle Infotainment System Quick Reference Guide, full owner’s manual and Quick Reference Guide for each vehicle. Seltos can be found here. Kia dealers can order a printed manual on behalf of a customer if that is their preference, however there is a cost involved.”
Answer: The smell comes with what’s called ‘catalytic ageing’ of the exhaust. It was very common in the 1980s and usually disappears after a couple of thousand kilometres of driving. It can be worse with some types of fuel, but will go away over time. And you will notice the smell a lot more if the car is just sitting and idling. It’s a pretty rare problem now, but if the owner’s manual for the Impreza says 91 fuel then it will be fine. The dealer is at least right on one point, that fuel blends are very slightly different between summer and winter.
Answer: There are many vehicles that would suit you and if you’re not welded to an SUV the Volkswagen Arteon would be an excellent choice as it looks cool and has plenty of performance and safety features. Another to consider is the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota. It has good ownership packages and sharp pricing but there may be a question over resale. In terms of small or mid-size SUVs you have lots of choice. The Audi Q5 has been refreshed but the Q3 is probably big enough for you and is available in a stylish Sportback version, and the Volvo XC60 is also a popular choice.
Answer: The Corolla will certainly be efficient, but I think you’ll miss the sporty drive of your Golf GTI. Another GTI is a logical choice, but you should also drive the Hyundai i30 N as it’s a cracking hot hatch. An alternative if you’re looking for something a little different is the Kona N, also from Hyundai. It’s essentially the i30 N drivetrain in a small SUV body. The Hyundais come with long warranties and there are attractive service plans available.
Answer: The Nissan X-TRAIL is hugely outdated and an all-new model is coming later this year, so definitely wait on that one. But it will need to be very, very good to trump the South Korean twins, Sportage and Tucson, which currently top the class. The Sportage is slightly ahead on value but also has one of the longest waiting lists, with Hyundai quoting Tucson deliveries from June. The RAV4 is also good, but best as a hybrid for city-and-suburbs work for improved economy. It’s also costly, with a long wait.
Answer: The GV70 is a very, very good car with a great-value package and the only downside, for now, is uncertain resale values. The GV80 is a much bigger beastie and if the 70 works for your needs then there is no need to go for the extra size and expense.
Answer: There is far better value in the small-car class than the Civic and, considering your current car is so old, you could actually move down a class and get similar cabin space. But don’t skimp on safety and a touch of luxury. In the mini-car class, the Skoda Fabia is from the Volkswagen Group and an excellent choice. It’s a car to recommend to friends. If you are thinking SUV for easier access, then do a comparative test drive with the Kia Stonic. Both will be a lot cheaper than a Civic and you can get something new with a good warranty for sensible money.
Answer: The driveshaft boot is a common failure across all sorts of makes and models, but the door locking is a bit more worrying as it sounds electrical and that can be the start of a downward spiral. The Getz is very small, so perhaps either a Kia Picanto or a Suzuki Swift will work with your needs and a tight budget if you go ahead with a replacement. They are very economical but not the best on safety or equipment, so for a slightly bigger spend the Skoda Fabia can be a smart choice. Not so long back, we tested seven of the most popular city cars in our Best First Car 2021 mega-test, and the Kia Rio came out on top.
Answer: If you’re wondering about workhorses from Chinese brands, or Mahindra, they trail well behind the pace-setters in the ute world despite long warranties and nice pricing. The Toyota HiLux is still a good choice, but costly, so you should test drive the Isuzu D-MAX and Nissan Navara and pick the one that you prefer on driving, features and pricing. There’s an all-new Ranger now on sale too…
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