The Changing Landscape Of Retirement - What You Don't Know Co... by Mark Singer

The Changing Landscape Of Retirement - What You Don

He: Holden has realised that the Barina's traditional role as the girls' car of choice basically chopped half the population out of the game, so they've deliberately made this one more macho and less cutesy.ĭespite the value and decent looks I'd probably still veer towards the $1200-more-expensive Kia Rio Si or $500-more Ford Fiesta CL because they're more enjoyable to drive and have a classier interior feel. I think Holden has rather sensibly banked on standout technology and safety offerings instead of ritzier seat and door trims. The five-star safety kit with airbags and collapsible pedals is another big tick. I was comfortable in the driver's seat and I had plenty of room in the back. I found the auto slow off the mark and it trudged through the gears. She: I think I would have enjoyed it more in your manual version. The elbow rest on the driver's door lacks padding, though, and the plastics are brittle and prone to scuffs. And the value is pretty sound, considering you get cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth telephony with wireless audio streaming, reach-and-tilt-adjustable steering and decent storage options up front including two gloveboxes. He: The boot space is a real standout except for the gooseneck hinges that could crush taller items as the boot lid closes. There is a lot of car for less than $19,000. What I really like about the sedan, though, is the functional design behind the middle pillar and the general roominess.Īlthough there is no rear storage, there are armrests and grab handles and the boot space is almost double that of the hatch and more than most big sedans when the seats are folded down. Plus everything is pretty much in the right place. She: Curiously, I rather like the general layout including the motorbike-inspired instruments and Darth Vader centre console. How did your design brain wrap itself around the weird instrument cluster?

It's also hard to imagine the young demographic this car is aimed at taking the DIY approach to shifting. The five-speed manual model I drove was easy enough to live with, although with only five ratios the engine ran above 3000rpm at 100km/h. He: Probably not Barina drivers, I'm tipping. I found it slow and revvy, and the 'sport' button on the side of the gear stick was a real 'what the?' moment for me. I have to say, though, the auto transmission was not my favourite.

Well, not light years, because there are elements such as the drop-away front that work. She: As a designer I really like that the hatch is cheaper, because I think it looks light years better than the sedan. How does the value stack up for you, Sal? The sedan costs $500 more than the $15,990 hatch, and the auto adds another $2000. He: If you're after a Barina these days, you have two choices to make: sedan or hatch, manual or auto.

The Changing Landscape Of Retirement - What You Don't Know Co... by Mark Singer