The Northern Territory news Fri 13 Aug 2021
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2021-08-13
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/846513
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/846580
18 MOTORING NTNE01Z01MO - V1 get excited about driving. It looks stunning, is well built and comes with a 7-inch screen, satnav and wireless Apple CarPlay. The roof is simplicity personified, dropping or rising in a couple of seconds. Theres next to no space in the cabin or boot, though, and you have to work the 97kW engine hard to extract meaningful performance. On the right bit of road, you wont be able to keep the grin off your face. Theres a five-year warranty and it costs $2049 for five services. Premium fuel is required and it uses a claimed 6.2L/100km. VERDICT Crazy used prices make the preloved Mini look too dear. The Ford Fiesta ST wins if you can handle its hardcore nature. Iain Curry equipment. A 6.5-inch screen and satnav are standard but prioritise used models with safety packs and other goodies. There's only 100kW from the three-cylinder turbo, but who cares? Its a fun-packed motor atop an excellent chassis, while the ride is easier to live with dayto-day than a hot hatch. Fuel use is 5.3L/100k but you wont return that while no capped price servicing and a skimpy warranty means running costs could get expensive. WILDCARD MAZDA MX-5 ROADSTER, ABOUT $39,800 DRIVE-AWAY The MX-5 offers a drive experience like nothing else at this price; roof down, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a pure 1.5-litre engine singing away. One of the few cars I genuinely SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT, $30,990 DRIVE-AWAY For $5000 less, the Swift Sport delivers a tamer alternative to the Fiesta. Its about 200kg lighter so is incredibly nimble, but it feels less solid and theres noticeable wind noise on the highway. The 103kW/230Nm from its turbo fourcylinder is ample for such a lightweight, so it has excellent zip, but could use a bit more exhaust theatre. Not as limpet-like as the Fiesta in corners but its still superb fun with great balance and grip. Its easier to live with day-today as the suspensions not too firm. The cabin has racy red bits, but isnt as plush as the Ford with narrow cloth seats and too many hard plastics. Radar cruise control, satnav, a 7-inch screen and long list of active safety features are standard. It comes with a five-year warranty and costs just $1475 over five services but the intervals are short at 10,000km. It needs premium fuel, but returns a decent 6.1L/100km. 2018 MINI HATCH COOPER, ABOUT $30,000 DRIVE-AWAY You adored your old Mini, so how about a newer one? Criminally, new Coopers dont come with manual gearboxes and are a smidgen over budget but $30k will buy you a 2018 model, hopefully with some warranty remaining. The look is very similar to your old one and youll get a lot more standard THE QUESTION My cherished 2004 Mini hatchback manual has perished and Im after a replacement something small, fun, loaded with kit and preferably manual. Its just for two people and the budgets up to $40,000. Louise Hanrahan, email ANSWER For an involving, engaging drive, you dont need a supercar. Light weight, a decent chassis and manual gearbox make the ideal recipe for cheap thrills. Three-pedal cars are going the way of the dodo, but here are some gems for you to consider. CHOICES FORD FIESTA ST, ABOUT $36,000 DRIVE-AWAY Will go down as one of historys greatest hot hatches. Its 147kW/290Nm three-cylinder turbo engine has superb character and pull, while the exhaust pops and crackles will have you buzzing. The manual gearbox is a treat, while its limited-slip differential, smart electronic torque vectoring and performance Michelin tyres bring physics-bending grip. Goodies abound, including heated Recaro seats trimmed in leather and suede, Bang & Olufsen audio, an 8-inch screen, heated steering wheel and excellent active safety. Seats are tight fitting, while the ride is crashy where roads are poor. Theres a five-year warranty and the first five services are a reasonable $1840. Fuel use is acceptable at 6.3L/100km, although it demands premium. FOR ADVICE ON WHICH CAR YOU SHOULD BUY WRITE TO CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808 GPO SYDNEY, NSW, 2001 W H I C H C A R HATCH DELIVERS HANDS-ON THRILLS