Hi from a new member

Hello - Welcome to CCF?

where in Qingdao are you?

ChinaDriver said:

Hi everyone....nice forum! I've been driving an Excelle 1.6MT for the last 3 1/2 years. It's time for a change, the Excelle has been fine my only real complaint is the wind and road noise at high speed (120kmh+). I'm thinking of looking at the Ford Focus 5 door 1.8 MT, but I'm open to suggestions of nicer/better cars in that price range [ie up to 130k] (must be available with Manual Transmission and have at least 4 doors!)...does anyone have any recommendation's?

Thanks:thumb:

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welcome to chinacarforums!!:thumb:

Right now I'm in Chenyang/Jimo at work, but I live near the Sculpture Park on Donghai Lu. I drive to work on the QingYing Expressway ...when theres no fog of course!

ChinaDriver said:

Hi everyone....nice forum! I've been driving an Excelle 1.6MT for the last 3 1/2 years. It's time for a change, the Excelle has been fine my only real complaint is the wind and road noise at high speed (120kmh+). I'm thinking of looking at the Ford Focus 5 door 1.8 MT, but I'm open to suggestions of nicer/better cars in that price range [ie up to 130k] (must be available with Manual Transmission and have at least 4 doors!)...does anyone have any recommendation's?

Thanks:thumb:

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welcome ChinaDriver, and glad to see you here

Welcome China Driver...
In that price range you might want to take a look at the Tiida.

dragin said:

Welcome China Driver...
In that price range you might want to take a look at the Tiida.

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Hmmm...I hate the back end on the Tiida Saloon/Sedan and the hatchback looks a bit small..that could be deceptive though I guess, I'd need to get inside one...I'll put it on my list! Thanks for the tip:thumb:

I just read a few reviews of the Tiida...it seems that the Manual shift is not so hot ...

"And the manual gearbox in the Tiida is absolutely the worst we have used since . . . well, forever.
The six-speed box itself is fine but the clunky, notchy and noisy shift is a disgrace for a company with Nissan's engineering ability and experience." :nono:

ChinaDriver said:

Right now I'm in Chenyang/Jimo at work, but I live near the Sculpture Park on Donghai Lu. I drive to work on the QingYing Expressway ...when theres no fog of course!

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I know the sculpture park - nice area - I used to live there but when the rent started going over $1000USD per month I moved to the rear side of Fushan, and saved a lot of cash

Qingying express way - its a nice and flat. Good for getting upto speed at night :thumb:

Ive never liked the Focus or the Mondeo - they are both years old now and haven't had a major makeover yet (in China). The Mazda 3 looks great though, also based off the Focus.

chinacartimes said:

I know the sculpture park - nice area - I used to live there but when the rent started going over $1000USD per month I moved to the rear side of Fushan, and saved a lot of cash

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I pay just over 1/2 of that for my 160 sq/m 3 bed apt with large veranda

How about the Brillance BS6, have you been in one at expressway speeds? I'm not sure I can trust European reviews to be totally impartial But I can't believe that BMW would get involved with them if Brilliance's other vehicles were laughable in terms of fit & finish. I had great experiences with Buick services, and the Excelle has been cheap and convenient to service as well as 100% reliable. Does anyone have experience with owning a Brilliance Auto? I dare say there would be much more info available in Chinese, unfortunately I can't read or write Chinese :nono:

I was thinking about leasing, you can get some amazing deals on leasing in the UK, but I have been at a total loss trying to find out about it here in China...any ideas?

CD

ChinaDriver said:

I pay just over 1/2 of that for my 160 sq/m 3 bed apt with large veranda
I was thinking about leasing, you can get some amazing deals on leasing in the UK, but I have been at a total loss trying to find out about it here in China...any ideas?

CD

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You pay $500USD for a 160sq m place? That is great! I used to live further up from you on HK East road in Jin Fei Hua Yuan I forgot which road it was on - Hai Long road?

Gave up and bought my own place anyway :nod:

BS6 - Beautiful from the outside, the dash is a little plain, I drove the Mitsubishi engined one and it was a little dry but I think with a little tinkering it would be a GREAT drive. I bet the 1.8T is amazing. :thumb:

Leasing wise, Ive heard of a few deals but the cost of the leasing was actually more than paying a 50% deposit on a car and then paying off the car loan.

One friend had a nasty old zhongxing jeep and he paid roughly 3k a month for it.

chinacartimes said:

BS6 - Beautiful from the outside, the dash is a little plain, I drove the Mitsubishi engined one and it was a little dry but I think with a little tinkering it would be a GREAT drive. I bet the 1.8T is amazing. :thumb:

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Sounds great, what is this, Zhonghua M2 "Junjie" that people seem to think is cool on this forum? What is the price? It seems that Brilliance Auto's are a lot of bang for the buck when buying here in China, my main concern is whether the service network is up to scratch.

I live on Hai Long Lu! Rui Shi Hua Yuan. So, chinacartimes are you a local guy/gal or an expat? I'm originally from the UK, but I've only lived there for 3 of the last 15 years, I came to China in early 1992, been in Qingdao since 2000 :thumb:.

Welcome ChinaDriver :thumb:

ChinaDriver said:

I live on Hai Long Lu! Rui Shi Hua Yuan. So, chinacartimes are you a local guy/gal or an expat? I'm originally from the UK, but I've only lived there for 3 of the last 15 years, I came to China in early 1992, been in Qingdao since 2000 :thumb:.

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Rui Shi Hua Yuan - you rich git

Also from the UK, been in QD since 02 or 03. I need to check my passports :lol: :lol:

chinacartimes said:

Rui Shi Hua Yuan - you rich git

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:nono: My landlord is the rich one :lol:

4*real*Made_in_China said:

Welcome to CCF, ChinaDriver,
,but If you want to be patriotic,
I respect that too).

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Thanks for the welcome 4*real* and for the suggestions:thumb:
Not much chance of me being patriotic as far as buying a car goes....I'm British :lol:

I am seriously considering a Zhonghua Jinjie now, 1.8 MT in Red off to the showroom tomorrow

4*real*Made_in_China said:

If not, why not try the Buick Excelle?

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I've been driving an Excelle for the last 3 1/2 years, it's a great car for the price...I do like the look of the upcoming facelift with the LaCrosse style grille too.