Apr 21, 2005 09:37 AM
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(Updated Apr 21, 2005 09:37 AM)
We hired this car for a week for a drive in NZ (South Island) and liked it a lot. Quite roomy, with electric windows, good-sized boot, and of course ac and auto. The ride is not quite first class, and it does pant up the steep hills, and I was a bit concerned near the volcanic slopes of Dunedin. However it did very well on the windy roads near Picton, and on the way to Milford Sound. Great driving by the coastal regions, too. We did some 3100 Kms in 7 days, and that was done comfortably. Reliable, and also good to look at, this car is certainly worth buying for the price.
Worthy comparisons are Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta and Holdern Astra. Also Mazda 2. However these cars have the new tubby look, whereas the looks of the Lancer is classic. The fuel economy was reasonable, and that is certainly an issue when one not only drives long distances, but also when petrol stations are few and far between. We did not have a breakdown from fuel shortage, and went on for at least 40-50Ks in hilly land when the fuel indicator glowed.
Pricewise this car is on a par with the cheaper versions of Toyota Corolla, though recently I found the prices discounted for the Lancer. Its features match the Corolla, and seems many aspects are standards, such as the dual aribags and ABS. The engine was responsive, but the car did not have quite the agility of say a Peugeot 206. Or the looks. The maintenance needs, from the manual that I read, also seem a bit on the higher side.