Small Cars

[Zero_PSI]

So I've decided to get something small as I'll be driving halfway across Adelaide for work next year. Options are

Mazda Familia GTR
Subaru Liberty 3Gen
Subaru Forester
OR
A Ralliart Colt

Which ones are the most reliable and still keep decent fuel economy? I'm in a pickle here because they are 4 cars I'd LOVE to own, so I'm undecided on what to get.

[geckoGT]

I can tell you from experience with our work forresters (non turbo) that their fuel economy is very ordinary, they sit on 12-14L/100km in a suburban/highway mix, my Typhoon used to get 14.5.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Id go the colt.Not the best looker but a buzzy little drive and very frugal too.

It is the turbo one and not a sticker pack yeah?

[Zero_PSI]

Yeah, turbo. I'm leaning towards the colt considering it's the newest.

They've got enough in em to leave my XR6 behind too.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Standard Colt is a miser on the juice. I would go the Colt Turbo as well. Suby's are too big and prob cost more to run and insure as well. Would put the import last on my list.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

I can tell you from experience with our work forresters (non turbo) that their fuel economy is very ordinary, they sit on 12-14L/100km in a suburban/highway mix, my Typhoon used to get 14.5.

I wouldn't have thought a work vehicle was a good example of the type of fuel consumption a private owner might achieve. Work vehicles are usually thrashed and/or driven in an unsympathetic manner.

My Forester (Turbo) has never done worse than 12.1 and gets as low as 7.8 if I really baby it.

Anyway to give the OP some idea of Subaru fuel consumption...

MY09 Forester - 9.5 average (Turbo 2.5)
MY06 Legacy - 8.9 average (NA 2.5)

Having said that if it is just going to be a get to work vehicle and you don't want or need AWD (and are concerned with economy) don't get the Subaru's.

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by Zero_PSI

One of my mates has just traded one of these for a Jetta.

He traded the Colt because he said it felt to small but now he misses the Colt terribly.
"Was a great car, why did I get rid of it" he says !

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

I wouldn't have thought a work vehicle was a good example of the type of fuel consumption a private owner might achieve. Work vehicles are usually thrashed and/or driven in an unsympathetic manner.

My Forester (Turbo) has never done worse than 12.1 and gets as low as 7.8 if I really baby it.

Anyway to give the OP some idea of Subaru fuel consumption...

MY09 Forester - 9.5 average (Turbo 2.5)
MY06 Legacy - 8.9 average (NA 2.5)

Having said that if it is just going to be a get to work vehicle and you don't want or need AWD (and are concerned with economy) don't get the Subaru's.

That is very true, the ones I referred to are management level vehicles, the general use ones do worse than that.

Personally I think if the colt is in the running size and feature wise, the forrester will be out of the running fuel consumption wise. So in many ways I agree with you.

[Road_Warrior]

Focus XR5 Turbo, Suzuki SX4, Hyundai i30 diesel et etc...

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Focus XR5

I'm gonna be biased but I agree with the above have you considered an LS/T XR5?

[Franco Cozzo]

I vote for Mazda Familia, especially if you can get your hands on the AWD one, perminent 50/50 split of torque between front and rear axle and front/rear LSDs as standard.

Ones that not molested though, perfect example of a stocker is this:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...=4&R=11005190&

132KW in a small AWD car like that would be excellent.

Would be so fun to drive.

[XR6Runner]

Originally Posted by Zero_PSI

They've got enough in em to leave my XR6 behind too.

I'm pretty sure your XR6 can do 0-100 quicker than 8 seconds...

[mik]

if you look on carsales you can do an advanced search , it has options like fuel type, economy!#,11,9,7,5 litres per 100k lots of useful filters , body type,etc,etc.

[janddbone]

+1 for Colt. They are great.

[KPCresta]

Colt or the Familia GTR.

The Familia GTR would be a much more exhilarating drive. Though you would want to get it a near standard one that hasnt been thrashed out.

[Riced]

Havent been on here awhile.
I drive a ralliart colt now.

Fuel economy city driving is always in the 7/8ltrs per 100kms
With highways it drops down to 5/6ltrs if sticking to the speed limit

Took it to wsid a few times, Stock i did a 15.1@145km
After reflash and a Kn filter it did a 14.4@156km with a terrible 2.4 60ft (So hard to get traction)

The Colt will also be the newest car and still has the remainder of the 5yr warranty too.
The 06-08 comes with recaro seats and 08-10 come with sport seats.
If your doing the hwy driving. Get the newer model. The seats are alot more comfy.

Its quite roomy also from the tall body.