SAIC Motor MG5

I've had my SAIC Motor MG5 for a month. As a new graduate, I chose it for its manual transmission and affordability. I'm 1.83m and nearly 200 jin, and it's spacious enough, unlike the cheaper Roewe i which felt cramped. The exterior isn't my style—I prefer a square,稳重 look, but the溜背 design isn't a big issue since I don't see it while driving. The interior has some flaws: the cloth seats are good, but the headrest tilts forward, so I bought a neck pillow. The glossy dashboard scratches easily, and the passenger-side trim reflects sunlight badly. The base model lacks a mechanical key start (only push-button), which is a pity, but no sunroof means no leakage worries. Annoyingly, the radio turns on automatically when starting, and the car's infotainment map is less functional than Gaode Maps. Driving experience is decent; I've driven over 1,000 km, 300-400 of which on mountain roads, with good road feedback for the price.

After 10 days and 1,100 km of driving (500 km highway, mostly city, with two foggy days), my SAIC Motor MG5 impresses. The 1.5L manual has smooth gear shifts and quick acceleration with enough throttle. Fuel consumption: 6.7L/100km (app shows 6.6, likely lower post-first service), 5.1L highway at 110km/h, ~7L in city. The chassis feels solid for its price. Styling is sleek, especially the gradient color (though repainting may be tricky). Practical features: LED auto headlights, HD reverse camera, phone link (via USB for navigation), steering weight adjustment, cruise control. Spacious front and rear for family use. Minor drawbacks: tight gaps between rear seat cushions/backrest and body required trimming thick floor/trunk mats (not a big issue). Engine noise increases noticeably above 130km/h, acceptable for a 1.5L naturally aspirated manual. Overall, very satisfied for the price, perfect for daily commuting and trips.

I bought my first car, the SAIC Motor MG5, a month ago without much haggling, maybe overpaying a bit but not too much. Now with 1300 km driven, here's my take. I find its appearance comfortable and cool, better looking than Emgrand and Arrizo 5, and I'm considering adding a front splitter and ducktail. In terms of features and space, it's better than its peers in the same price range, with ample space for me and my friends find the back seat comfortable. The power is a bit weak, but with clutch control, there's a noticeable push feeling; I even tried a弹射 start and easily burned rubber. Shifting from first to second gear at 3-4k RPM doesn't add much acceleration, and I often get overtaken by BBAs at traffic lights. On the highway, it's stable up to 150 km/h, with no problem overtaking. The sound insulation is good, and tire noise is less than expected. As a semi-new driver, I used to stall easily. Once, on a hot day, it wouldn't start after stalling but worked a few minutes later; same happened a few days ago, starting only after turning off the power. When driving up a mountain and doing multiple hill starts in traffic, there was a strange noise from the drive shaft, which disappeared on the way down. After parking today, I heard a hissing sound from the engine area, like liquid dripping, and the hood was hot. Also, the windshield wipers leave a streak of water sometimes. Overall, it's pretty good. Not sure if it's outstanding, but I strongly want a more powerful car or a used manual with a mechanical throttle when I have money.