Hi guys
So I thought since my new-to-me i30 has clocked just past 10K km, I would give a little write-up on my findings, what I like and what I don't, and what I have learnt.
I purchased my i30 through Hypercar on the 6th of June after much uhm-ing and aah-ing and frivolously researching cars on the net, asking people for opinions and generally walking away with more questions than answers.
My ideal car that I had in my head was either a Mitsubishi Lancer GLS 2.0l, as they have crappy resale value in SA and they are rock solid cars so they can be found for very little outlay. However, the 2l MIVEC engine is quite thirsty and it lacked some of the mod cons of other vehicles. My other option was an older car, the 2006 - 2009 Ford Focus hatchback. I was particularly interested in the TDCI as I absolutely love the torque that diesel motors provide as well as the fuel consumption...the downside however was that although there are a lot of petrol models for sale, I could not find one I liked and the TDCI models all had very high mileage, and a second hand turbodiesel is something that scared me.
To cut a long story short, I test drove Hippo and fell in love. A week later I took delivery of a shiny new (to me) car!
She had 155K km on the odo when I took delivery, a bit high, but my job entails me driving around a lot and a new car would have gone to waste very quickly. I paid ZAR106'000 for it in total, around AUS $10600, which is a steal since a VW Golf 4 circa 2003 with double the mileage costs about the same (VW has a cult following in SA, I hate them and would not touch them with a very long pole. Also, the Polo is the most hijacked vehicle in SA which means insurance on it would have cost more than the vehicle itself).
Getting back to the point, the features of the i30 that grabbed me most was how quiet it was coming from my old Honda Ballade. I also really liked the mod cons such as the electric power steering, the electric windows, autodimming rear view mirror, auto folding side mirrors, climate control and mostly the great headlights! What I didn't initially like was a rattle that started in my first tankful in my speedo cluster, as well as the rattle in the rear view mirror - minor problems but warranty does not cover it so I have to deal with it. Although things like these are to be expected on a high mileage car.
Pros:
-Oodles of power coming from an old 1.5l 8v engine
-Climate Control works well, it copes with aplomb in our arid climate (so far...)
-I love all the little storage bins in the cabin, everything in my car has a place and it doesn't fall around all the time
-Headlights are fantastic, they provide a good clear line of sight compared to the Honda
-Sound system is great for something that comes standard from the factory, the USB works well too
-Very ergonomic, especially the rake and reach adjustment on the steering column and the height adjustable drivers' seat
-Quiet engine that hasn't missed a beat yet
-full size spare tyre, better than those flimsy emergency tyres that some cars have
-cargo net in the boot has been very helpful in more than one instance
-Despite what the reviews say I love the feel of the steering wheel and have no complaints with it
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Cons:
-Revs seem a bit high @ 120Kph (around 3800rpm) in top gear, I think they should have added a 6th gear on the FD models
-Fuel consumption isn't great, the OBC claims I average 7.0l/100km but Fuelly suggests around 8 - 8.5. I drive with a really light foot, only use CC on downhills with foot off the pedal, etc.
-Grabby clutch. I swear I would gimp 50% my pullaways and stall the car for the first month I had it. Either the revs would dip too low and it would stall or I would rev the t!ts off it and look like an angsty teen wanting to 'dice'
no clutch modulation at all
-my radio turns off and on when I turn my headlights on, but this is really my fault as I am running an HID kit and the ballasts are probably causing a surge on startup. My colleague has the same kit on his Golf and his works flawlessly.
-Every now and then halfway through a song my USB will stop working, then I need to unplug it and turn the radio off for about 15 minutes before I can turn it on and resume playing it. Happens with each one of my thumb drives.
-no RDS, but +because I managed to add it myself. It sucks that we don't get it as stock, though.
-due to the 205/55R16 rubbers, the ride is a bit harsh and not really meant for SA roads (potholes everywhere)
-the power windows take forever to wind up and down. I have tried graphite spray on the runners to no avail. I also wish they could have added auto-up on the drivers window
-gearchanges are a bit notchy and I feel they could be smoother; this could also be due to the mileage so it isn't really fair to dock it a point on this
- every now and then when I decelerate in 2nd gear and depress the clutch my revs will jump up to 1500rpm and peg there until I blip the throttle
-I wish we got the i30 in diesel here! I would buy it in a heartbeat
That just about sums up my first 10K km of ownership, with hopefully many more to come!
