Cyprus-Forum.com

[cymike]

OK heres my dilemma...

I'm going to buy my wife a new car. I want to buy a MPV -SUV type of car, but not to big. I have seen many cars inclding the Renalt Scenic, Citroen Xsara Picaso, Toyota Spacio, to name a few and have narrowed the options down to the below cars.

Ford C-Max -1.6 Trend model
Nissan Qashqai - 1.6 Tekna model

For the last 2 weeks I have to admit I was more drawn to the Nissan,(70-30) even though its 1,500 pounds more expensive. The extras that come with it are too good to ignore, heres a few that are on the Nissan and not on the Ford.

17" Alloys
Panaramic roof with electric sliding roof
Bluetooth
Leather seats
Key less start
Parking sensors

Just the above are worth the 1,500 pounds extra.

So yesterday morning I decided to take both cars for a test drive.
Guess what..... The Ford was great, excellent handling, smooth gear changing (the placement of the gear stick was in an ideal position), the drivers view was very good. Overall it felt comfortable and good to drive. The Nissan, ouch, I feel hurt and let down, the gear stick felt real flimsy and the changing of gears was nowhere close to the smoothness of the Ford. The drivers view was ok but I didn't like the bonnet lines that I could see. The handing also was not as smooth as the Ford.

Anyway I am now 70-30 towards the Ford.

Please help me with my decision with your comments and views.....

Mike

[OB1]

Buy her the citroen C4 1.6TDI 110bhp 5dr (not the 3dr which is ugly) full leather seats maybe black colour with excellent fuel economy.Why should you buy her an SUV which it will never be used, it will burn more fuel, it will work against the environment. You can also go for the FORD FOCUS (a bit better car).They share the same engine but the ford is a bit more spacious but definitely ugly er. I know that I'm talking on a different concept but its worth to try....and just to remind you that the global warming is a reality....i mean it exists. Think of our children. Thanks for listening

[OB1]

by the way the Renault is a good option ...again Diesel 1.6 of course

[G.Man]

http://www.topgear.com/content/carsurvey/2006/

whilst I like the C4 immensely, I wouldnt touch a french car with a barge pole...

Japanese everytime. The focus is also very well put together...

[OB1]

well G.Man actually the side you sugest it makes the best comments about the C4. It quotes "Proof Citroen has finally remembered how to build interesting cars. It's chock full of new technology and shows Ford what it could have done with the Focus if it tried harder"
Have a nice day

[G.Man]

Interesting does not mean reliable.. thats a reviewers comments

Check the positions of all the citroens/renaults/peugots

These are ratings by owners, not the top gear staff!

I have owned 4 citroens in the past, I still think they are excellent quirky cars, I love the C4 looks but if you want to spend half your life at the dealers your choice...

As for renault,

That is why I would stick with japanese, cannot go wrong for build quality, especially honda/toyota

[OB1]

OK you're wright about the Toyota but if you remember the man did mentioned looks and likes well ......Toyota or any other JAPN...! ANYWAY

[G.Man]

Back on topic

I would buy the Qashqai with my money

[cymike]

Thanks all for your posts,

I found out that a new Ford C-max will be coming out in the summer, something which the guys at Ford seemed not to want to tell me....so.... i will not be buying a Ford.

So after looking at some 2nd hand imports mainly Japanese cars, I still could not decide.

We went back to Nissan and took the Qashqai for another test drive and to my suprise it wasn't as bad as first thought. Driving it straight after taking the C-max for a test drive obviously was not a good decision. So the wife and me debated it for a few nights then yesterday agreed to go and buy one. We went to the showroom sat with the salesman picked a colour, interior etc..and when he finished the order form he told us that delivery will be in September ????? What ??? Hold that order I said.

I left and did not order the car. I feel 6 months is too long to wait for a Nissan.

Back to square one.

I think we should just stick with our Yaris.

[queenslander]

Dont even consider a toyota in cyprus (i own one) and the sevice and support is crap