What will your next car be?

[kimona]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

I think that the Buick Encore would be a great vehicle to lease for 2-3 years, but I wouldn't want to chance long-term ownership with it. At least it doesn't have a CVT transmission (I think). The more I read about CVT's, the more I am turned off by their seemingly random Russian-Roulette reliability factor. That really limits my car choices if I want to pick up another vehicle that is automatic in a few years. At this rate, I will be hunting down a low-mileage 2017 Yaris SE automatic in 2019-2020 - and then I will have two of the same generation Yari (of different colors at least, hopefully).

No CVT in the Encore; instead, a very interesting 6 speed automatic that has a gentle but distinct feel and sound that it's shifting like a manual in the lower gears. Plus, there is a manual shift mode that's simple to switch to and works very well.

I drove the Honda CVT and immediately hated it; what a dog! But, the Rogue Sport CVT was a surprisingly decent performer. I rather liked it... and the car. However, Nissan reliability is highly questionable.

We all know Toyota (Yaris) long term reliability is bar none. So, that's a no-brainer.

[kimona]

BTW, a perk from the Cadillac/Buick dealer where I got my Encore is free car washes... every day of the week if I want!

I've been twice since I got the car 9 days ago. Hand car wash, chamois, windows (inside/outside), vacuum, wipe interior, dress tyres. Not bad at all. The dealer is only 5 minutes from my house and the car wash takes about 20 minutes.

I just sit in one of two luxury lounges and drink free coffee and choose from dozens of snacks... and the porter comes to find me and hand over the keys. Tipping the porter is not permitted... so I'm told.

Unlike the local Toyota dealers, the Cadillac/Buick dealer makes the customer feel VERY special. It's a refreshing experience.

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by kimona

BTW, a perk from the Cadillac/Buick dealer where I got my Encore is free car washes... every day of the week if I want!

I've been twice since I got the car 9 days ago. Hand car wash, chamois, windows (inside/outside), vacuum, wipe interior, dress tyres. Not bad at all. The dealer is only 5 minutes from my house and the car wash takes about 20 minutes.

I just sit in one of two luxury lounges and drink free coffee and choose from dozens of snacks... and the porter comes to find me and hand over the keys. Tipping the porter is not permitted... so I'm told.

Unlike the local Toyota dealers, the Cadillac/Buick dealer makes the customer feel VERY special. It's a refreshing experience.

That sounds pretty cool. Dealership visits, for me, have always been on the enthusiasm level of visiting the dentist or doctor.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

That sounds pretty cool. Dealership visits, for me, have always been on the enthusiasm level of visiting the dentist or doctor.

As a long time Toyota owner, that's been my experience at Toyota dealerships as well. Actually, I'd rather get my teeth cleaned than suffer poor service and the bad attitude of a Toyota service writer.

I NEVER thought I'd be driving a vehicle with an American badge, but I love the car... and the dealer knows how to make the customer feel valued... something I have NEVER felt at the Toyota store.

[junorico24]

Anyone driven an old school KE 70 Corolla? i always want a rwd old school car.

Problem is they are getting harder to find.

You can put a 4age engine in these bad boyz.

[hairygityeti]

Originally Posted by junorico24

Anyone driven an old school KE 70 Corolla? i always want a rwd old school car.

Problem is they are getting harder to find.

You can put a 4age engine in these bad boyz.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1125468391...&ul_noapp=true

[jayeh]

Originally Posted by kimona

As a long time Toyota owner, that's been my experience at Toyota dealerships as well. Actually, I'd rather get my teeth cleaned than suffer poor service and the bad attitude of a Toyota service writer.

I NEVER thought I'd be driving a vehicle with an American badge, but I love the car... and the dealer knows how to make the customer feel valued... something I have NEVER felt at the Toyota store.

I've had the opposite experience.

I went to test drive cars and the nearby Ford dealership was empty - open till 8pm and I was there at 4:30. Not a sales person, receptionist or anything in sight. I almost left before someone snagged me at the back.

Same deal with a Chrysler dealership - it didn't even have any imports in the used lot - at all. The employees were playing games on their computers/phones and just kind of shrugged.

The Toyota dealerships were great, happy helpful employees in service and sales! Expensive as hell but a pleasure to deal with

[toad]

Originally Posted by kimona

BTW, a perk from the Cadillac/Buick dealer where I got my Encore is free car washes... every day of the week if I want!

I've been twice since I got the car 9 days ago. Hand car wash, chamois, windows (inside/outside), vacuum, wipe interior, dress tyres. Not bad at all. The dealer is only 5 minutes from my house and the car wash takes about 20 minutes.

I just sit in one of two luxury lounges and drink free coffee and choose from dozens of snacks... and the porter comes to find me and hand over the keys. Tipping the porter is not permitted... so I'm told.

Unlike the local Toyota dealers, the Cadillac/Buick dealer makes the customer feel VERY special. It's a refreshing experience.

wow! 20 minutes for all that- they must have a team or something working on it! great looking vehicle and congratulations. i just don't like the 'bird of prey' feeling the salespeople project on me whenever i'm getting work done and waiting in the lounge area. maybe they're just told to ask everyone in there even if it's OBVIOUS they're already being helped if they need assistance?

i only got 1 free carwash coupon when i bought my camry so i'm jealous nevertheless

[David C]

Hood mounted side mirrors and oversized fender flares. Hard to beat in the badass department.

[ern-diz]

I want to say my cousin owned a similar Corolla to that back in the day, but a US version and most likely a little newer. Looked very similar to that.

[hairygityeti]

My last car was a Perodua 950cc but im driving a mark1 Yaris S 1ltr silver 2000 model i am not a well off gentleman and only go with what i can afford. At this moment its a ￡300 Yaris and this year its cost ￡210 to keep her driving ,when it cost more then ￡300 to keep on the road thats when i move on.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by hairygityeti

My last car was a Perodua 950cc but im driving a mark1 Yaris S 1ltr silver 2000 model i am not a well off gentleman and only go with what i can afford. At this moment its a ￡300 Yaris and this year its cost ￡210 to keep her driving ,when it cost more then ￡300 to keep on the road thats when i move on.

^^^ I think the Perodua is a Daihatsu Charade with a different name. Is that right?

Hope the Yaris proves very reliable for you. I like the style of the 2000 model.

[kimona]

I like this car, but I don't suppose we'll ever see it here:

[junorico24]

Originally Posted by kimona

I like this car, but I don't suppose we'll ever see it here:

Holden Astra?

Holden and Ford are closing their V8 plants here in Ostraya. The commodore which is the V8 icon is replaced by FWD and AWD V6 turbo. Ostraya V8 icon i think is called Chevy SS in America.
Big rear wheel drive gas guzzling monster.

[kimona]

Yup! 2017 Opel Astra. Also sold with Vauxhall and Holden badges.


https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/ast...chback/review/

[hairygityeti]

I used to build Vauxhalls back in the day at the old Roots factory in Coventry England

[Kalispel]

Not a fan of Nissan craftsmanship/quality control, but I like the look of their Micra. Yet another car that will likely never see the U.S. market. All we get are the crappy version of models/trims from Japanese companies, and/or bloated SUV/Crossover market-saturation garbage.



Even Mexico receives a much nicer version of the Corolla than we get. WTF Toyota?

[kimona]

^^^ Kalispel, I agree with everything you said!

Yup, the Nissan Micra looks great from every angle:

https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/micra/hatchback/review/