Cars under 20k

[deucebigalow]

Hey Cello,

My advice / opinion:

Shortlist:
1. Mazda 2 - looks good, drives well, excellent overall package
2. Ford Fiesta (the Turbo ecoboost version). Great handling, turbo engine is frugal and responsive.
3. VW Polo - built like a vault, looks slightly boring.
4. Toyota Yaris - here only because it has excellent resale. Ordinary to drive and own.

Thoughts on your choices:
Mirage - doesn't do anything particularly well. Mitsubishi is dying, just bought by Nissan.
Micra - looks like a noddy car, no-one buys them hence now discontinued by Nissan.
Cerato - buy a $21990 Mazda 3 instead if u want a bigger car.

Insurance: get comprehensive insurance. AAMI cheapest, will send your car to the dodgiest repairer if smashed. Go middle of the road with NRMA, Allianz etc instead.

Finance: Get secured vehicle finance not a personal loan. Watch out for: high interest rate, high application fee, high monthly fees, ask about early termination penalties. Buy GAP insurance if you are financing the whole car. Don't buy the other junk insurance products.

Peace

Biethestarr

+1 on the Mazda 2. That would be my choice.

[suka02]

if i were you needing a small to medium car and have expectation of budget 20k, don't waste it! Use it wisely. 20k can get you alot of good second hand car with decent mileage, dont buy something with 120k km or over. You could also be spending less than 15k.

I have honda civic 08 hybrid. It's a rare car but very reliable, Made in Japan while most Honda's are built in thailand. I spend $45 full tank unleaded 37L wil last me 600km over or running 6L/100km. Imagine that! I had the car almost 3yrs and during the 3 years i ONLY had oil change done and still havent change my breaks.

It will save you huge $$$ on traveling cost and it's a quite comfortable car and has auto stop engine like the new golf VW Those hybrid battery are last up to 8yrs or more. To replace it cost like 1.5k that will last another 8yrs. The car isnt really that slow.
I will go sign up for uber soon

The choice in your hand

[Biethestarr]

Thanks a lot bierhestarr.

The only reason why I'm even considering mirage and micra is because of the smashing new look they have in the upcoming model, looks like they have a complete revamp on those two. How about Hyundai line? Or if we're talking about ford, how is focus comparable to fiesta?

With the insurance and finance, your advise helped me loads, I will take that into consideration . Much appreciated.

I'm currently with nrma so far they've done a pretty decent job, just wondering if there's anything better out there.

To be honest I'm leaning more towards Honda and Toyota, but not quite easy to fork out over $25k, $22k is probably my limit, quite a few financial commitment to look after right now

Hey Cello,

Nissan have announced they are discontinuing the Micra in Australia, so even if there's a new model out it won't be coming here.

With the Mirage, as I mentioned Misubishi are in trouble right now and haven't been able to spend money developing their product recently so is pretty average. They have just been taken over by Nissan so consumer confidence and resale value would most likely be low in the short / medium term.

Yes the Fiesta is the smaller Ford and the Focus is the small/medium one the same size as Honda Civic / Mazda 3 / Golf etc

If you're not really into cars much then I'd stay away from European options under $20k as higher service and parts cost.

If you are buying used then buy up to 2 years old so it still has factory warranty remaining which you could possibly extend before it expires.

I wouldn't buy a used Camry or Aurion as you look like an accountant or sales rep lol, if you decide to buy a used medium car, get an Accord Euro or Mazda 6 or something remotely stylish (even a Suzuki Kizashi).

Hyundais are okay quality i20 / i30 but are boring and look like a retiree car or rental car.

You said you are leaning towards Honda or Toyota. I'd choose a Civic over a (No Birds Rental) Corolla. Conversely I'd choose a Yaris or Jazz over the under-done Thailand special Honda City.

Best thing to do is test drive to see which you feel comfortable with. Ford Fiesta & VW Polo will have heavier "European" feel. Mazda 2 / Yaris / Jazz will have lighter Japanese feel.

I'm with NRMA and called them up and said can they do a cheaper deal and they reduced my policy payments over the phone! So it's worth calling up even if staying with your current insurer.

Peace,

Biethestarr

[Biethestarr]

That would be my plan b, second hand. When going for second hand, is there any preferable car brand that bros would feel most comfortable with? For example Toyota and Honda due to cheaper parts and higher resale value? Also, what would be the max mileage acceptable? Under 60k?

Let's say I can fork out 10k in cash and finance whatever the remaining sum, would it be better still going for 2nd hand?

Buy on condition not mileage. I'd buy a car lovingly cared for with 60kms than an ex-rental with 15kms that had been flogged its whole life! Extreme examples I know, but diligent service and careful driving (ie, not flying over speed bumps, stabbing the throttle etc) make a car last much longer.

If you are concerned purely with cost then don't go European. Toyota service + parts generally cheaper than Honda.

If you are going to buy a 2nd hand Toyota then if you can get a GT86 for around $20k then at least you are getting something interesting (and slightly cool) but with Toyota reliability.

[asiafever]

Ok. Firstly, Kia and Hyundais days of poor reviews are long gone. They are among the top performers in customer new car satisfaction ratings. The bottom 2 performers being Holden and Ford, just ahead of Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler.
I've owned 3 Kias from new and never had a problem. 7 years warranty and fixed price servicing helps. Hyundai i30 is a great car and worth looking at.
Everyone knows someone who has had a particular brand that has been a dud. A mate of mine swears by VW but the one I owned swore me off ever buying a VAG car ever again. Similarly two mates have had euro built fords. One revkons it's the best car he's ever had, the other fought and won a full refund from Ford after his car spent most of its first six months in the service centre with problems. I had one Honda and the servicing was so ridiculously expensive I will never buy again. My 2 Mitsubishis never missed a beat so I'm a fan of their quality if not their immensely boring cars these days.

I'd lean towards i30. Holds value well enough, decent looking, good warranty and servicing.

[cello]

Thank you everyone!!

After much considering I'm going to go for either Kia/Hyundai

Or a second hand Toyota/Honda

If anyone has a nice dealer they go to/used to go to would be much appreciated.

I live in west suburbs but wouldn't mind to travel further, looking to trade in my old echo 2004 too.

[SaltyWetMan]

Just wanting to piggyback on the OP,

How much bargaining should/can you do?

How do you guys usually pay for it? Do dealers like it if you take a loan? Do you just bank transfer them 15k?

Sorry if questions sound dumb but I have no clue on how to life.

[wilisno]

Just wanting to piggyback on the OP,

How much bargaining should/can you do?

How do you guys usually pay for it? Do dealers like it if you take a loan? Do you just bank transfer them 15k?

Sorry if questions sound dumb but I have no clue on how to life.

Bargaining depends on what you buy, and how desperate they are for a sale, like meeting a quota by the end of the month.

Second handed car can take a lot more bargaining than new car, and a trade in also adds to the bargaining power, because they'll make money on both vehicles.

[NaughtyBoy13]

Thank you everyone!!

After much considering I'm going to go for either Kia/Hyundai

Or a second hand Toyota/Honda

If anyone has a nice dealer they go to/used to go to would be much appreciated.

I live in west suburbs but wouldn't mind to travel further, looking to trade in my old echo 2004 too.

You should have a look on carsales or gumtree to find the car you want. First of all, look at the kms has been done, make year model, prices. Then you should visit dealer to see the car. Check log book and services history, check for any scratches, dents, unmatched between panels. Check all the power options, check oils, cooling fluids, battery new or not. Test drive to see how the car works.

Remember to check services hostory, if the car has been looked after, it should have been serviced on time. Or if you can find any problems with the car, then you can drop the price down !

[Littlewonder]

Hyundai seems to be good value for money and the people I know that have one are happy with them.

Also the Mazda 2 is good value for money and very reliable.

[Bigfoot]

as someone who has always worked in motor trade.

from 2nd hand spares to new cars to, dealerships etc.

Always ask your self - what do you want out of a car. Car people know with out asking. Some of us end up with more then one car.

If it's just to get to point a to point b and your buying new and expect upgrade with in 5 year window and not do more then 120,000km's then it does not matter what you buy even cars with 3 year warranty 100,000 any major issues will be covered. Just keep in mind the high spec the more the higher running costs at times.

I always say buy a Toyota because it's white goods. They don't drive the best, ( Except Lexus which I own but different)
Even if you keep it beyond warranty parts plentiful reasonable priced and most mechanics aren't afraid to work on the them.

Mazda 2 - well I know form experience has some minor issue because it's new. = You never buy a series 1 or beginning of a series 1 of a model car buy toward end. Just don't waste money on extras. can cost a lot when failed. They Thailand cars like the rest of the market and lack some of the original Japanese touches in quality.

I like fords the euros' but when shit fucks up 2nd hand shit long term can be new part prices.

Holden - only for warranty and then junk it. Don't start me on captivas and cruzies

Hyundai - good warranty and over all good product. badge stigma is wrong but it is just minor now days less then jap brands like 1 point they a get 2 points on styling.
Kia great warranty and they need it. but they claim some items as wear and tear as mazda or Toyota will claim under warranty.

Euro- deep pockets - and if any things goes wrong - dealers use to buy off me to put on near new cars because it was 3 months before parts was in country. can't say any more.

But with all these cars, just remember the servicing costs, service dealerships sometimes forget when they say oh well we dont' have to do this and that, but it can still void warranty when they want too.

fixed price servicing only works if you are consistent, if you do less km's it can be very cheap.

but as noted , cars are personal. I have car for work, car for sex shagging wagon - car for weekend lux limo and car for race track rx7.
each one costs me a good time with a good WL twice a week.
are they worth it I don't know, but I still think I'd rather get blown daily.

[Obo2192]

How About a Lexus IS250. Got one myself and running very well. Not that expensive to service if you get Toyota to service it or DIY