[TraceyT]

I've enjoyed reading this forum so far and am inspired to ask for opinions about my prospective buy.  I'm looking at a 2012 i30 FD SX MY11, 1.6L diesel, 4 speed auto wagon with 30km on the clock.  Yep, it's practically brand new and I can have it on the road for under $20,000 (not much under). Build daet is 2011 but compliance is 2012 and I see already it's considered a 2012 model. I'm hoping you will let me know if this is a good choice for my purpose.  I love the look and idea of the new Tourer but it's not in my budget this year. I intend to drive (eventually) from Darwin to Coffs Harbour to live.  My final concerns, before I buy are:
- is this a good reliable model?  I'm having difficulty finding anything that indicates it's not hence I was delighted to find this site for afficianados.  From the limited test drive experience I had with the salesperson along for the ride I would describe it as "functional", but my expectations are for fuel economy, reliability and the space to fit my worldly possessions when I  hit the road.
-  Coffs is very hilly, hence me thinking I should switch to auto transmission. Is 4 speed practical for short, hilly drives?  I do intend to explore all over the place so expect to do some distance driving.

[~ Angel ~]

Hey TraceyT

to the forum.

[Doggie 1]

Welcome to the forum TraceyT. 
The FD cw diesel is a great model and a very popular one.
No doubt you'll get several responses to your questions, but I'd just be checking for service history on the car.
On a very few examples, some problems were experienced with the four speed auto under warranty, however, the vast majority have been no trouble at all.
Just pay attention to gear changes and response times when placed in reverse, etc to make sure.
I'm sure it will be fine though, but just for your information.

[TraceyT]

Thanks for your welcomes and response. With a remaining four year warranty I can only hope to find a happy dealer to sort out any teething problems encountered.  I also wonder if everything will run smoothly given the car has barely moved in a year - oils, tyres etc.  Regarding the service history, what should I be looking for?  The car hasn't been registered yet, is with a dealer, and only about 30km on the clock of which I added about half!  Still smells new though.

Forgive me my ignorance. I am having fun reseaching and learning about these things.  Might be a while before I get past 1st gear and make the most of this forum but if I go ahead with the buy I'll be very happy to be along for the ride. 

[asathorny]

welcome aboard Tracey, sounds great fun, enjoy 

[eye30]

Welcome.

I don't drive and have never driven an auto so i can't advise.

Someone who is an auto owner should be able answer your questions.

[Dazzler]

Hi Tracy and Welcome .. When I read your first post I assumed 30K (30,000 kms)

I am surprised at that price for an auto diesel it hasn't sold sooner. I prefer the manual Diesel (slightly more bullet proof and quite a bit more economical) However, we have many happy Auto CRDi owners on here as well..

With 4 years warranty left I don't really think you can go wrong. Sounds perfect for your ongoing plans. 

[Doggie 1]

Same here. I thought it was 30k as well.
30 kms all will be good.
 

Why only 4 year's warranty? New car... 5 years. Surely?

[Shambles]

Why only 4 year's warranty? New car... 5 years. Surely?

It's a year old, Pip, plus...

...With a remaining four year warranty ...

[Doggie 1]

Has it already been licensed by the dealership? 
If not, it should be five years' warranty from date of first registration.

[Shambles]

...it should be five years' warranty from date of first registration.

It surely was, when it was new, which it isn't, now

[Doggie 1]

...it should be five years' warranty from date of first registration.

It surely was, when it was new, which it isn't, now

But it has only done 30 kms apparently, not 30,000 kms, which makes it new.
Not sure how it goes in the U.K. bu it's 5 years' NCW from date of first registration.
If the dealership licenced it twelve months ago, then yes, it would have four years left of NCW.

[Shambles]

I can't recall how you guys work this, but isn't "2012 compliance" an indication that it's been registered? Like I said, I can't remember how you guys work this thing.

[Doggie 1]

I can't recall how you guys work this, but isn't "2012 compliance" an indication that it's been registered? Like I said, I can't remember how you guys work this thing.

No, 2012 compliance means that it met compliance for ADRs in 2012, so the build date is, say, 2011 or 2012, compliance date is, say, 2012, then it's deemed to be a 2012 car in Australia.
Licensing is a separate issue. When the car is registered and issued with number plates is when the warranty starts from.
If this car has four years of its NCW left, it indicates that it has been registered by the dealership for a year.
Otherwise, I'd be querying that.

[Shambles]

I can see why there's been confusion, on my part.

Begs the question as to what the car's been doing for a year. Unsold. Unloved?

[Doggie 1]

Probably. It hasn't been used as a demo with those kms, so they might have licensed it to get their numbers up before the end of last financial year.
And as I say, if it's never been licensed and they're saying it only has four years of NCW left, me thinks they're telling firfies.

[Dazzler]

I'm thinking Tracey just assumed only 4 years left.

It may not have been registered which, as you guys say would mean still 5 years left.

If it had been registered, I'm sure they would have used it as a demo and put more "miles" on it...

[Just Rick]

4 spd auto only done 30K's,diesel,wagon hasn't been registered yet,BARGAIN,pity it wasn't a manual,be a little more economical,but still a bargain and if it's not been registered yet,full five year warranty,under $20,000,what the hell can I say BARGAIN.

By the way Tracy 

[eye30]

TracyT I wonder whether you can answer these 3 questions to end all the speculation being put forward.

1. When it was registered and issued with number plates?
(i.e. look at the current registration documents for name of registered owner)

2. The k's shown on the odometer?
(30 or 3,000 or 30,000)

3. What has it been doing/or not doing for the last 12 months, if they have told you?

[beerman]

If your talking 30km why haven't you signed for it yet?

If were talking 30,000k still a good buy.

I got a new 2012 diesel auto hatch for 19850 in December. so its a further $2000 (the extra cost for the wagon) drop since then.

They are a good car, only problems I have had on my 2010 Diesel CW are the occasional headlight blow, the brake light switch  and a dash rattle that is going to the dealer to fix.

[TraceyT]

Apologies for not clarifying sooner.  In response to eye30 questions

1.   It's correct that the vehicle only has a remaining four out of five year warranty because the dealership notified the factory it was sold to boost 2012 sales figures.  Unlimited km's still apply to the remaining warranty period.
2.   The car has only 30 km (three zero) on the clock, never been owned or registered.
3.   It obviously hasn’t sold new and with the new i30 and range of other new cars available at end of year sales the car is being sold out of the used car lot.   

For the price and with confirmation via everyone's comments it appears it's a bargain too good to pass up.  The only reason I haven't gone ahead and purchased is because I'm not in a hurry.

Thanks all, I'll keep you posted about my purchase and will no doubt have more questions once I'm on the road.

[Dazzler]

Hi again Tracey.. You may not get the price any lower but I would be keen to grab it if I was you. I would try to get a few freebies to sweeten the deal though ...

Try and get them to throw in a combination of a few of these.. (the ones that appeal to you)

Genuine Floor mats
Headlight protectors
Mud flaps
Slimline Weathershields
Dash Mat
Cargo Liner
First Aid Kit
 

[Shambles]

...The only reason I haven't gone ahead and purchased is because I'm not in a hurry.

Well, you're a better man than me - I'd have had it bought by now. You must have some willpower

[beerman]

I wouldn't muck around too much, The price is a winner, even if it does only have 4 years warranty.

If you can get the floor mats and hatch liner, they are worthy additions.

[2i30s]