How do the running/servicing/parts costs compare between the 3?

I don't know, but it's part of the overall picture for car buying.
Ditto drepreciation.

Cheers,

We bought an I30 Diesel Auto about 2 years ago for our runaround buzz box. Never thought I'd buy a diesel and never thought I'd buy a car made in Korea. Have to say, we've never had a problem in the 70 K's we've done in it. Come to think of it, there was one problem, I filled it with 95 one day. It pulls very well on the freeway and returns about 6.1 litres per 100 K's. We're thinking of upgrading again and a new I30 diesel is back on top of the list. They cost a bit more then $21K 'though.

No problems with the I30. Had a friend living in the 'burbs of Sydney. She bought a new VW Polo diesel. After a couple of weeks of running around, the DPF light came on. Took it back to the dealer and they did whatever they did to fix it. A few weeks later the same thing happened. She ignored the warning light. The car stopped. Roadside assist said they couldn't do anything about it, had to be towed back to the dealer. Dealer advised that the car had to be driven at 80KPH or more for 20K's every 2 to 3 weeks, otherwise the DPF would cause a problem. Pretty sad for a Polo which is ideally a city dweller. She ended up selling the bloody thing.

Everybody has their own brand preference, but I believe that the current crop of Korean cars to be virtually up to Japanese standards & much, much, much better than anything Chinese. Current model Hyundai/Kia cars are good examples. Many so-called Japanese cars are actually now built in Thailand, but they are still good cars.

I'm not a FWD or Cruze fan but I have a lot of customers who are happy Cruze owners, especially the current model with the 1.4iTi motor. The earlier Korean built examples are less liked.

On the subject of small passenger Diesels, I don't think the economics add up in Australia, where any fuel savings are wiped out by more expensive fuel, higher service costs & less performance. The DP filter mentioned is a very common issue. Small modern petrol sedans are also super-thrifty.

2nd hand Diesel sedan values at the auctions show that many now know his. The sought after 2nd hand small car is always the petrol automatic version.

2nd hand VW values are not as good as the equivalent Japanese/Korean/Thai built cars & Diesels are usually avoided like the plague.

Dr Terry

The problems with modern Diesels isn't limited to the DP filter burn off issues, the longevity of the electronic injectors is also looming as a very costly drama.

These injectors are not like petrol injectors, they use a piezoelectric type, which seem to often do little more than just last enough to get past the end of the warranty period. Ask any owner of a late Hi-Lux or Navara. The injectors on these cost well $2,000 to $3,000 per set & they need to be programmed to match the ECU.

I know this because I earn my living selling these things to the trade.

Dr Terry

I just bought the Mrs a 2011 Cruze (ex-holden factory staff car).

Mrs loves it by comparison with the TS Territory we got rid of (fuel guzzling tyre chewing bucket of crap).

Doesn't have the same mod cons as a Mazda 3 and isnt very fast...but then shes not racing any where. 5 star safety and built in Australia.

I am happy to try and do my bit.

My first post in Fastlane in quite a few years... Come to think, I never actually used to post here at all!
Dr Terry, if you're checking this topic you might recall me under a different name, I created Fastlane back in 1996 and sold it to RSP in 2002. (Jeez I'm getting old!)

Anyhow - I have a Cruze as my company car and am reasonably happy with it. Mostly for the driver legroom (I'm 185cm or 6'1" in old measurements). Never understood why they didn't fit a footrest, I've fitted one meant for a VX Commodore.

It's one of the last of the Korean-built models, and it handles quite well, but it's a 1.8 petrol auto so I cross myself and pray before overtaking a road train!

I preferred the turbodiesel but employer went for the cheaper option. The diesel would probably be okay as it does of a lot of country driving, I don't think the DPF would be such a problem.

Would I buy one? Yes, I'm trying to convince Mrs Cog-swapper the diesel Cruze wagon or hatch could replace her Kia Cerato hatch (good car, but I hate the red instrument lighting - the Cruze has one of the best dashboards in the business!)

Cheers - Cog-swapper.

Edited by user Tuesday, 5 March 2013 7:35:28 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified