I also thought red look better, but the more I look at white, the more it appeals to me.

The problem isn't so much with the price. It's more with I don't consider it worth spending that sort of money for a car that is so mechanically similar and smaller. Of course, now I'm kind of regretting it because the CC is starting to look more and more appealing on the exterior. Oh well...

The only answer that I think of is, this is a car where conventional Malaysian mentality car buying logic don't apply. Practicality and resale value won't apply either. It's simply for people who want something that's unique and not common. And at the price that it's selling for, it looks like it will go that way too.

But at that sort of pricing, I might actually choose the Alfa Romeo Giulietta over the DS4, while the DS5 is really in a world of its own for now, lol. Can't think of why I would want to get the DS5 at all even for all the non-common sense reasons.

This post has been edited by zweimmk: Feb 27 2013, 05:53 PM

Only if the government or opposition follows through with what they promise. It could still be worthwhile to wait but I personally don't think the drop in taxes will happen immediately even after election. Perhaps it will be implemented in 2014 but that's still a year of waiting.

So, buy now or wait for 1 year for something that may or may not possibly happen?

If I were looking for a new car to buy, I would hold off till until July at the latest then decide. If it's worth waiting another year, and if I can wait, then why not. If I can't, then might as well just get now.

I think this is how I would do it.

I will try to be as objective as possible

In 2012, VW sold a total of 13,000 cars in Malaysia. Taking the DSG failure rate and manufacturing failure rate into account, this number is around 0.06%. With that in mind, we assume that around 780 VW owners have experienced gearbox failures in Malaysia. It's not exact science and I have no numbers to base my figure on, so take it for what you will.

The majority of DSG failures mostly affects the Polo Tsi and Golf Tsi models. I would say, at least 70% of the DSG failures are usually experienced by Golf and Polo owners based on what I've read online. The remaining 30% is probably comes from Golf GTI, Jetta, Passat, CC, Sharan, Touran, Tiguan, Toureg models etc combined. Taking all that into account, the actual number of failures experienced by Passat owners, probably won't amount to more than 50 nos?

I went with this line of thought last year when I bought my car. How likely was I to experience DSG trouble based on those numbers? In the end, it wasn't even worth worrying, particularly since I wasn't buying a Golf or Polo TSI

Now, based on personal experience from my test drive:

I would buy the Mazda 2.0L over the Passat for the following reasons:

1. It's cheaper to buy
2. 3 years free maintenance means you don't pay a single cent when you head into the service center
3. It's well put together, no obvious rattles when over rough roads
4. Better kitted
5. More striking and beautiful design. Very eye catching
6. No DSG jerks at low speed (but this will improve over time because the DSG gearbox is adaptive to your driving style)
7. The leather seats feels more comfortable
8. No issue with gearbox reliability
9. No need to personally check engine oil levels every 5000km, oil top up may be necessary (but not all owners experience this, some never ever need to top up their engine oil)

In addition to the 2.0, the 2.5 over the Passat Sport for the following reason:

1. Better safety with i-activesense

I would buy the Passat over Mazda for the following reasons:

1. Spirited engine with silky smooth gear transition
2. Better drive feel
3. Timeless (but boring) exterior design that grows on you, years from now, the car would not look outdated because of its mundane look.
4. True continental car feel. The Mazda is no continental, it's a good imitation at best.
5. Better Badge name (IMO).
6. Spare tire in trunk instead of tire repair kit
7. Bigger boot

In additional to the TSI, I would choose the Passat Sport over the 2.5L Mazda for the following reasons:

1. Adjustable suspension (Not sure if this is correct)
2. Cheaper tire replacement cost

For less practical reasons, I would choose the CC over the Passat or Mazda 6 because:

1. It looks classier than both the Passat and the Mazda 6 (personal opinion).

Personal experience so far is my car has not given me any problem. The engine feels restrained, it's like there's power there but they've programmed the car to be more restrained and demure. There are some rattling issues but everything else is just fine with me.

This post has been edited by zweimmk: Feb 28 2013, 01:55 PM

I would say the DSG is becoming less of a problem.

2013 version > 2012 version > 2011 version > 2010 version

Logically, they would try to improve the reliability and manufacturing process every subsequent year. At least that's what I think anyway, lol

But you don't need to buy 18 inch tires with conti-seal. You will save at least RM150 at least per tyre compared to 19 inchers. Not much, but still savings.

My personal verdict is I still don't consider the 2.0L a better buy and the 2.5L still overpriced but my reasons are my own and without prejudice. Got good and bad, you have to know what you want.

You have to go test yourself a few times to know it. Say like this is useless, read about it is useless, you have to go personally test and feel yourself to know what you want. Whatever I write here can only be used as a guideline of what to expect.

I didn't read the article, but from what I'm understanding from the forum discussion right now. You don't really benefit, not immediately anyways. And by the time you do benefit, they may already have switched to CKD production.

The real beneficiaries of this import tax reduction are those people who have the income to buy 300k+ cars. Those cars will see some price reduction although it's not much.

The main killer still remains:

1. Excise Duty
2. Sales tax

If they reduce excise duty, then you'd see some real price reductions!

Bro. Relax, actually you don't need to take the comments too seriously. If you do that, it will get under your skin, but if you just take it as it is, there's no issue at all.

Bro, go test drive first. Then decide how much you like the car. Personally, I like the Mazda 6, but the pricing is really >_<

In my opinion:
If they sold the 2.0L at 153k ~ 155k or so, then I think it would be in a good position. Similarly, 2.5L if it was sold in the 175k range, it would just nice.

Just comparing the 2.0L only, I feel that the CX5 looks like a better bargain compared to the M6 Skyactiv 2.0L on paper. Everything is all in, it even has HID as well compared to the Mazda 6 2.0L

No issues with the Mazda 6 2.5L except for its price.

Yeah, it's unfortunate. The invisible hand of the government is at play again.

So you know what to do, vote them out in this upcoming election for a better tomorrow

Well just an opinion. The new CRV isn't anything that I would consider groundbreaking, except it does look good in the metal.

But between the Mazda 6 2.0L and CX-5, the CX-5 is better priced and with slightly better equipment as well. Plus, it has a nice big boot, which is even better. Look wise, they both also use the same kodo styling so very little difference between them. The best part is you sit high as well, feel like king of the road looking down on the others.

I hated how the car looked when it first launched, but now I must say it's starting to look better and better to me (the CX-5). Just look at how popular the CX-5 is, it's a runaway hit!

Definitely! My next car switch would likely be an SUV in 4 years time if it isn't a 5 series or E class. Depending on what is out by then, I'd consider the X3 or the Q5 as priority as I'm starting to get a bit bored of driving a Sedan.

Perhaps not Tiguan as it looks a bit on the small side, but the CX5 is a bigger SUV compared to the Tiguan is it not?

I don't think we will get ACC here. Even those high end Mercedes/BMW/Audi also don't offer it here. I wonder why.

Btw, having owned Hondas for many years now. I can honestly say that their QC is only average. Especially if it's CKD, it has quite a number of finishing issues as well. Simply put: it's quite rough around the edges and not what you expect coming from Honda. And if you want a quiet car, Honda is not the marque to look at although they did make a big improvement with the new FB over the FD.

For now, I think the CX5 is still the SUV of the moment. But the CRV certainly does look better.

Don't you think it's odd? They tested everything but never talk about the ACC system. Wouldn't that be a major selling point to talk about? It's almost as good as an automated car

LOL, not when it's an X6. The ride is harsh though, bloody hard springs. URGH!

The boot space is respectable, not class leading, but still very respectable. But no spare tyre so that's a big con for this car.

Interior quality is good also, considered better than the Accord, Camry. Probably a little better than Passat also, but not as good as 508. The 508 has the most generous amount of soft touch materials in its cabin.

Go test the Camry, you will see the difference despite the Mazda 6 having a longer wheelbase, the Camry is simply just bigger even in the back. I think as far as interior space is concern, this car is very similar to the Passat, Teana and 508.

Next week the new CRV will launch, I think it will be worth looking at the CRV before deciding. And of course, test drive them both.

I don't think you will like how the Accord looks. Just youtube it and you can see so many examples already, styling is miles ahead for the new Mazda 6.

But if you can wait for like another 6 months, then no harm doing so. I think they will at least try to match the Mazda 6 2.0L on specification.

Edit: But bear in mind, if the Accord is CKD Malaysia, then you need to lower your quality expectation. It's average at best.

This post has been edited by zweimmk: Mar 2 2013, 07:02 PM

Sometime this year ? Car too small la unless you driving it primarily yourself. If so, then why bother with Mazda 6?