Purchasing a New Small SUV/Sedan - SKODA Kamiq

kamac93 on 12/05/2024 - 09:44
Last edited 12/05/2024 - 11:40 by 1 other user

Hey all, had my car written off (RIP Mitsubishi Lancer 2010) and currently looking for a new car.

Mainly for my partner to drive to work Mon-Fri, and for weekends - so probably ~ 10,000km's a year. Including a long drive trip every couple of years (~500km away).

Have been looking at sizes that my partner is comfortable driving with, but also safe and reliable. Budget is $30-$35k. Buying a new car for warranty and current pre-owned prices are inflated (still).

Current Vehicles I have seen in person and some comments:

Skoda Kamiq Runout model (Approx $33k) - Test drove it and very impressed. Great handling, surprisingly zippy engine, great design inside & out.

Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid - very low to the ground Sedan, not a fan on some interior and exterior design, although great fuel efficiency.

Kia Cerato - a bit loud in the cabin, but also engine feels slightly gutless. Also, why is the hatchback so long?

Toyota's seem to be a bit pricier $40k+ and a long wait time.

Really leaning towards the Skoda Kamiq, although wondering if anyone else has owned a Skoda Kamiq or similar recently and has any feedback good/bad?

Most comments regarding VW's reliability will be disregarded as it seems on most posts i've read, all armchair experts seems to say is " VW is TrAsH, bUy a rEliAbLe JaPaNeSe oR KoReAn CaR !!! " but contrarily i've heard some positive things regarding Skoda.

Automotive Car Skoda SUV

closed Comments

  • Muzeeb on 12/05/2024 - 09:54
    +6

    Just get the Kamiq Kamac

    • barge-in hunter on 12/05/2024 - 10:09
      -1

      Yeah, unsure why they posted really. Seems they’ve made their choice

      • kamac93 on 12/05/2024 - 10:15
        +1

        Mainly as there isn’t much online regarding feedback on the Skoda’s in Australia

        • RockyRaccoon on 12/05/2024 - 10:58
          +1

          Who are we to disagree. Plenty of advice for those who want to listen, so why waste time when someone wants confirmation of what they have decided.

          Yes dear….

          Plus waiting for 2 years for the Ozbargain Camry…..

    • Brian McGee on 12/05/2024 - 15:53
      +1

      What about the 🎼KAMA,KAMA,KAMAC KAMIQ-IAN🎶?

      • Muzeeb on 12/05/2024 - 16:11

        Oh boy! George Brian

  • cashless on 12/05/2024 - 09:54
    +4

    Just get a Camry

  • freefall101 on 12/05/2024 - 09:59
    +1

    Just get an EV

    • payless69 on 12/05/2024 - 10:47
      -8

      OP still has some pride:

      I have damaged lungs from carbon monoxide so I have a RIGHT to damage others!

  • Dollar General on 12/05/2024 - 10:05
    +2

    Perhaps get insurance quotes & servicing prices for each one to add to your decision making process

  • SBOB on 12/05/2024 - 10:09

    Skoda Kamiq Runout model

    As long as you're aware of some of its negatives against other options, which might include
    95 or higher fuel
    No adaptive cruise control
    Relatively high service costs (unless you decide to go the pre bought option which brings it down )

  • Sye on 12/05/2024 - 10:14
    +5

    I'm disappointed you didn't make a post about your car accident. All car accidents must be reported to OzBargain.

    • solidussnake on 12/05/2024 - 10:32
      +3

      They didnt, because they had full comp insurance lol

  • Brucet on 12/05/2024 - 10:28

    Recommend Subaru. I had one & very nice & reliable.

  • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 10:59
    +1

    BYD atto. Save on fuel, but take a minor inconvenience on your long trip every 2nd year for a charge stop.

    • payless69 on 12/05/2024 - 11:05
      -5

      China:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeAZ4EGEx7w

      Chechia: We voted NO!!

    • Brick Tamland on 12/05/2024 - 13:04

      Only needs charging every 2nd year?

      • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 13:57

        Around town charging should not be an inconvenience. Charge when it is convenient, before it is necessary.

        On a 500km trip you have to stop to charge, so its a bit inconvenient but you can plan around a lunch stop or similar.

  • dtc on 12/05/2024 - 11:40
    +3

    The Kamiq is fine. Skoda is good value

    The Subaru XV is another to look at, not as zippy and not a fuel efficient, but comfortable and solid.

  • pegaxs on 12/05/2024 - 12:10
    +4

    Most comments regarding VW's reliability will be disregarded…

    Oh, so what you have actually come here for is "confirmation bias". You have obviously already made up your mind, and now you are just seeking reinforcement from people that you are doing the right thing…

    Are you looking for objective truth or just a warm rub on the back to tell you it's all going to be ok?

    My opinion…
    "(fropanity) me, Skoda make some ugly cars…"
    Poor resale value.
    Expensive services.
    Parts availability slow.
    Limited dealer network for issues.
    Manufacturer notorious for treating Australian Consumer Law as "guidelines" not "laws".
    Expensive insurance.
    Expensive daily running costs (needs 95RON fuel).
    Always having to explain to people who Skoda are and WTF a "Kamiq" is.
    Shows you are too poor to own a VW/Audi (Skoda is like the Aldi off brand of VW.)
    Zero "street cred".

    Because you also don't want any "bUy a rEliAbLe JaPaNeSe oR KoReAn CaR !!!" advice…

    Buy an MG4. At least you can charge it at home for pennies instead of dollars. You may pay a little more initially, but will pay less over time. Lower servicing costs. Ideal for inner city work commuting and odd occasional bi-yearly trip away. No good if you live in an apartment complex or no off street parking. Still zero street cred.

    • Gdsamp on 12/05/2024 - 12:25

      Most comments regarding MG's reliability will be disregarded as it seems on most posts i've read, all armchair experts seems to say is " MG is TrAsH, bUy a rEliAbLe JaPaNeSe oR KoReAn CaR !!! "

      • Minimum chips on 12/05/2024 - 12:40
        +1

        Reliable or not, their horrible little MG3 cars really taint the whole brand. If they'd started out in this market with EVs like the more recent Chinese entrants, people would give them a fairer shake.

    • Minimum chips on 12/05/2024 - 12:38

      Some actually good points, but the "too poor to buy VW" doesn't make sense when they're not targeting the same market. Skoda is more youth oriented, VW is for oldies (and (profanity) in golfs trying to live out fast and furious in commuter traffic).

      Also if he finds Kia rough around the edges, even an EV MG might be too rough. Their interiors are crap and their cheap and nasty ICE cars mean brand reputation/resale value is likely pretty poor.

    • kamac93 on 12/05/2024 - 12:49
      -3

      The amount of nuffies on OzB is hilarious. Funny, my first ever Corolla ‘06 had an oil sludge problem, rendering the engine useless. BuY a CoRoLlA!!!

      Now you say buy an MG? Lol. May as well buy a ticket on the OceanGate underwater submersible, probably just as safe.

  • JIMB0 on 12/05/2024 - 12:16
    +1

    VW is TrAsH, bUy a rEliAbLe JaPaNeSe CaR !!!

  • npc on 12/05/2024 - 12:41
    +3

    Skodas are fine, you have noted all pros already - better cabin, drive etc. compared to similarly priced Japanese / Korean cars. They also offer great warranty and service plans.

    The issues are mostly around the dealer network and how familiar the repairers are with these cars. Any issue with the car - mechanical or incident will result in less than pleasant experience, unfortunately. This is based on personal experience.

    • kamac93 on 12/05/2024 - 12:50

      Thanks for your feedback.

      • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 14:01

        Thanks for your feedback confirmation.

        FTFY

          • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 15:46
            +1

            @kamac93: Thats OK. You seem to have a solid opinion on Skoda and just dont like it when anyone disagrees.

            I dont mind what your opinion is, thats your opinion. Your responses however, indicate you cant handle anyone who disagrees with your opinion. Ergo, you want confirmations rather than opinions.

              • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 19:34
                -1

                @kamac1993: Dude. Did gou get banned and come back for more? Can't see that going well.

                  • Euphemistic on 12/05/2024 - 19:44

                    @kamac1993: On the other hand, someone had a hissy fit and logged in under a new username be asue they couldnt reply because they were in the naughty corner. Maybe you should have let it go.

    • pizzip on 12/05/2024 - 17:32

      issues are mostly around the dealer network

      Since they are VAG group, can't any VW dealer deal with it? Or is that not the case? I see lots of VW around so you'd think there would be okay support regarding servicing and repairs.

  • Brick Tamland on 12/05/2024 - 13:06

    Buy a Ferrari 812 super fast instead, so much cooler than a Skoda

    • Nugs on 12/05/2024 - 13:17

      one of my favourite horizon 5 cars
      .

  • Nugs on 12/05/2024 - 13:16
    -1

    "(Approx $33k)" down from $77k? bargain
    https://www.skoda.com.au/models/kodiaq-family/kodiaq-rs

    • dtc on 12/05/2024 - 13:39

      Kamiq not the Kodiaq

      • Nugs on 12/05/2024 - 13:54
        +1

        ahh, fek
        .

        • Muzeeb on 12/05/2024 - 14:07
          +2

          They can both carry kayaks though. True ozbargainer minimum requirement.

          • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/05/2024 - 16:13
            +2

            @Muzeeb: That way O.P. will have a paddle if they end up a certain creek when they require parts.

  • Crossgates on 12/05/2024 - 13:41
    +2

    The Toyota, while being more expensive initially, will have better resale when you come to upgrade/replace down the line

    • eddyah on 12/05/2024 - 19:35

      Last car they had was driven to death. Dead cars don't care about resale value

  • brad1-8tsi on 12/05/2024 - 16:09
    +4

    I bought a new 2007 Octavia 1.8tsi manual in 2008 and owned it for 13yrs /206k km. It was relatively reliable but you have to keep on top of maintenance.

    Issues in warranty: high pressure fuel pump and an N75 valve/sensor for the turbo.
    Outside of warranty: 2x water pumps 95k & 155k. Intake carbon blocking cleaned out twice. AC compressor failure (not repaired). Central locking switch. Headliner total failure. Failure of interior glues. Degredation of soft touch foams. A few other minor items. It never left me stranded.

    Depreciation was $28k over 13 years and it took me 4 weeks to sell compared to my partners 2000 Mazda 323 which depreciated $17k over 24 years and took 4 hours to sell.

    I know nothing about the 1litre engine but can attest that the dry clutch 7 speed DSG is a crap gearbox in both behaviour on the road after it's got some mileage on it and overall reliability. OTOH most of the CVTs fitted to vehicles these days are rubbish too so there aren't many choices.

    I still like VAG product (recently bought a Golf Alltrack wagon) as they are fun cars to drive but you have to choose the drivetrain wisely and be prepared for some higher than average maintenance costs and a few disappointments.
    If you worry about general running costs then keep in mind it need PULP95 minimum and I always ran mine on PULP98 as do most enthusiasts,

    The i30 doesn't look that low. Isn't it like any other small car? The hybrid would be appealing as a city car choice.

    Cerato? My ex has a 2016 hatch and loves it. The 2.0 atmo engine fitted back then is heavy on fuel. Is it still that engine?

    If you want an SUV style body then consider a Kona with the 1.6 turbo. That was our pick before we decided to roll the dice on a used Alltrack.

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