Which Car? Budget $40k

OzFrugie on 26/01/2016 - 10:05
Last edited 26/01/2016 - 10:16 by 1 other user

hey all

I plan to buy a car (new or used) in the next few months, but with so many brands and models I dont know which one to buy.
Basically, what I want / need are:

  1. Not lousy in terms of its performance
  2. Interior is modern and full of tech – I love tech and gadgets
  3. Looks good
  4. Ideal for family of 3-4
  5. Good boot space
  6. Low running cost/service/fuel economy, etc.
  7. Great record of reliability/durability
  8. Budget 40k max.

My partner and I have a sight on Mazda 6 wagon.
I like the look of sedan better, but wagon looks like has more space. Is that correct?

Initially, I am looking at mazda 6 from few years ago e.g. 2013 or 2014 so that I dont get hit much by depreciation.. but I read that the current model 2015 has much better interior and infotainment than the previous model.. so that kind of swing me to get at least 2015 model for mazda 6.. (but I will get stung by depreciation more..)

What are the other alternatives for me?
I don't mind SUV either, e.g CX-5 or Subaru Outback but it seems that SUV boot space does not actually look spacious compare to wagon (?), the same as sedan's boot space?
I never had SUV before so I dont mind trying to drive 'higher' on the road.

Also, which month(s) is best to buy a (new) car? e.g. End of March (for Jap cars since Jap financial year ends) vs end of June vs end of year..
Things like 3-year-warranty or capped servicing, are they dealer-specific deals or all dealers will have the same thing based on the model purchased?

Advice/suggestions will be appreciated much. Thank you

Automotive

Comments

    • OzFrugie on 26/01/2016 - 12:19
      +4

      I know your comment got lots of downvotes, but Im just wondering why you would avoid mazda or mitsubishi?
      AFAIK, they are reliable cars ..

    • ozeebee on 26/01/2016 - 21:24
      +2

      You can't even say "Hyundai" correctly, but you want to advice on which brand to go for?

      • Speckled Jim on 27/01/2016 - 09:56
        +40

        Advise.

        Love the irony.

        • ozeebee on 27/01/2016 - 19:20
          +2

          Touché :)

      • centrelink on 27/01/2016 - 19:44
        -1

        How do you know how to criticiiZ3 when you can't spell advice?

      • cDNA on 30/01/2016 - 20:10

        To be fair that is a Korean word phonetically spelled in English.

  • tomleonhart on 26/01/2016 - 10:19
    +3

    Huyndai Tucson Highlander
    Kia Sportage Platinum
    CX5 Maxx Sport
    Huyndai i40 Premium Wagon - I know you said good performance but this is just a thought :P
    Huyndai Sonata Premium

    If you want all the bells and whistles but only have the budget of 40k, don't think you can look at any european brand :-/

    • OzFrugie on 26/01/2016 - 12:20
      -1

      Still bit unsure about korean car.. prefer jap based on reputation i think..

      Is CX5 > 6 in terms of performance and space?

      • tomleonhart on 26/01/2016 - 14:45
        +9

        Huyndai has gone a long way since the nasty past. IMO they now repsent the best value in term of value for money. They have long warranty, low maintenance and are great to drive !

        http://www.caradvice.com.au/380223/new-car-sales-figures-aug…

        • itstuan on 27/01/2016 - 19:17
          -2

          gone a long way, but still not long enough. I rather Jap car any day!
          Best value for money, Hyundai can't beat Kia as Kia has 7 years warranty. But value for money is probably not what $40k buyers looking for. They want power & look, which normally comes with higher price tag.

        • dlovep on 29/01/2016 - 15:00

          @mcp2kpro: They sure gone a long way, look at their shape and size comes in various model every year, not to mention their breakdown rate, all the time minor things not working. This week the wiper next month the reverse camera. A new car has water tank leaking in 5 months, the only good thing - it's my friend's car.

        • tomleonhart on 29/01/2016 - 21:18
          +2

          @dlovep: For a second i thought you were describing my mate c300 amg.

        • dlovep on 30/01/2016 - 21:54

          @tomleonhart: Great to have a friend like ours ~~ lol

      • Enzalicious on 26/01/2016 - 18:42

        Cx5 and 6 have similar performance figures. Same engines. 6 is slightly better on fuel and 0-100 speed. You need to drive both to see if they suite Ur needs.

        6 wagon has a larger cargo area.

        I was looking at both these cars but ended up with a diesel cx5.

        Test drove both, to me the cx5 just felt bigger.

        I also looked at the i40. Didn't like the interior. Felt cheap.

        Tiguan is nice, but lacks cargo space.

        These are all my opinions, and you really should look at as many cars as u can to work out what you do and don't like about each model.

        Edit:
        Make sure you do look at kia and hyundai. They are great value, even though I didn't end up with one.

        • ozscharfschutze on 28/01/2016 - 00:10

          Some extra things to consider for CX5 vs the 6:
          The 6 is a lighter car by about 100kg, which is why it will have better performance/lower fuel consumption (lower profile also helps).
          The 6 is quite a bit longer than the CX5 (by about 30cm at almost 4.9m), so you don't get the extra boot space for free.
          The CX5 also has a slightly higher towing capacity.

      • sareth on 27/01/2016 - 19:18

        Hyundais are actually great value, they're just ugly as (profanity) IMO.

        • tomleonhart on 27/01/2016 - 19:35

          I thought the i30 and i40 looks pretty decent. Especially after they hired the design guy from Audi.

        • ozscharfschutze on 28/01/2016 - 00:01
          +1

          Japanese cars win hands down on resale value.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 18:19

          The Tuscan is a beautiful beast in my opinion! Love it.

  • spackbace on 26/01/2016 - 16:13
    +10

    VF Commodore.
    That's right I said it!

    I'd say a second hand SSV to get the GPS and leather etc.

    In terms of features, hard pressed to beat and will offer the space you need.

    Alternatively an SV6 but you won't have GPS

    • oscargamer on 26/01/2016 - 20:50

      god no…….VE is so much better than a VF

      VF seats are absolute sh*t - i work in one - drive for 6hrs plus a day, give me back my VE

      once you are uncomfortable, all the gizmos in the world are irrelevant

      yes the LS3 engine is an absolute gem, but the rest of the car, forget about it

      • spackbace on 26/01/2016 - 21:37
        +1

        Haven't had that issue with the VF and I'd take the extra sensors, blind spot monitors etc over the VE, but each to their own

      • Jesmond on 29/01/2016 - 16:07
        -1

        What's the difference between VE and VF?

    • ozeebee on 26/01/2016 - 21:29
      +1

      I would actually vote for a Commodore wagon of sort, whichever fits in the budget.

      Decent space and performance. The main downside is it will always feel like sitting in a taxi when inside…

    • soaringphoenix on 27/01/2016 - 21:46
      +2

      Came here to say this. Glad someone beat me to it. LS engines are incredibly reliable and can rack up 100s of thousands of k's without any major issues, which makes a good case for picking up a second hand SS even if it's sitting on 50-60k.

    • User166092 on 29/01/2016 - 23:55

      yeah and also with this you get 8 cylinders and an engine that goes rumble rumble rumble. good choice.

      • Jackson on 31/01/2016 - 00:07

        And will be perfect for the OP as he owns a petrol station :-P

        • User166092 on 01/02/2016 - 10:39

          way to rain on the parade

  • oscargamer on 26/01/2016 - 17:44
    +4

    as i started reading your post, my brain was going Mazda 6…Mazda 6, then you said it….but anyway - my 2c is a Mazda 6 wagon. try the diesel, i reckon you'll be pleasantly surprised with the performance !

    • modsec802 on 26/01/2016 - 22:13

      We have a Mazda6 diesel Wagon and it's excellent

  • ozeebee on 26/01/2016 - 21:34
    +4

    Subaru Liberty wagon would be nice and spacious enough plus have decent performance. Not sure how much new ones are going for these days.

    VW Passat wagon is good but maintenance maybe a bit high.

    Renault Megane GT220 wagon.

    I would pick a wagon instead of SUV if you still want decent handling/performance experience. IMO, SUV's only perform dynamically well once you're in the luxury SUV stage.

    • modsec802 on 26/01/2016 - 22:13

      They don't make Liberty wagons anymore. Dam SUVs taking over.

      • subywagon on 28/01/2016 - 21:23
        +1

        Yeah, I did love the GT wagons… they are or may be however bringing us a WRX Station wagon, the Levorg ;)

      • matthew8 on 29/01/2016 - 09:13
        -1

        They do but it's called an outback. Admittedly it's a different car these days, but it started out as a liberty wagon with extras & higher struts.

        • modsec802 on 29/01/2016 - 20:18

          Different cars. They always sold the outback wagon alongside the liberty wagon.

          They don't sell Liberty wagons anymore.

  • activ8 on 26/01/2016 - 21:50
    +10

    Skoda Octavia. Wagon has large boot space, less than $30k, fuel economy less than 6L/100km from the 1.4L turbo (I regularly get around 5). Has much more power than my 2009 Mazda3.

    • modsec802 on 26/01/2016 - 22:12
      +2

      Yeah but it's a Skoda and made by VAG. Servicing a nightmare.

      • Dr Techno on 27/01/2016 - 22:23
        +1

        I prefer the Skoda Superb.. Amazing car for the price, but of course I didn't submit myself to the torture of servicing a euro car especially with DSG box I got a Jap instead. (Do my own servicing. )

      • macca on 29/01/2016 - 16:25
        +3

        Servicing costs on skoda octavia are much cheaper than Mazda 6.
        Skoda was around 250-300 per year, mazda was 6 month servicing at 450 per shot. at least it was 18 months ago when i bought…

        • modsec802 on 29/01/2016 - 20:19

          Mazda have 12 months or 10,000kms, whichever comes first.

    • lambsie on 28/01/2016 - 00:10
      +2

      Totally agree, a Skoda Octavia wagon seems to fit the bill. Change the gears yourself instead of these stupid new dual clutch boxes and you'll be fine.

      It seems typical for everyone to cry about European servicing. After the capped price servicing is over (which is in yearly intervals), if you know where to go and what you need done, it costs the same. Source the parts yourself and get a good mechanic to do the job for you.

      Im scared where cars are going with all these CVT or dual clutch gearboxes, electronic/button handbrakes, just doesn't feel right. Before we know it, no one knows how to pump their tyres let alone change a wheel.

      EDIT: If you can stretch the budget slightly, the Skoda Octavia RS is an option as well! I do believe the wait list for that is about 6 months though.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 13:54
        +2

        Im scared where cars are going with all these CVT or dual clutch gearboxes, electronic/button handbrakes, just doesn't feel right. Before we know it, no one knows how to pump their tyres let alone change a wheel.

        Seriously?

        Scared where tubeless tyres are going - before we know it, no one will know how to prime a carburetor.

        CVTs are fine for an economical car. They are cheaper to produce at the cost of performance and to a small extent, reliability. Not my cup of tea, but it isn't as bad as what the internet has made it out to be.

        Dual clutch? I wouldn't buy an auto without a [wet] dual clutch anymore. It costs more but gear changes are far quicker and smoother.

        I'd only ever go manual on a vintage car. The stick shift belongs in the past. (Yes I can drive stick.)

    • zqipz on 28/01/2016 - 10:39

      That's weird the '14 Skoda is 150kg heavier & has 5kw less power than the '09 Mazda 3, but it does have 70 more torques, maybe that's what you feel.

      • Danthemanz on 28/01/2016 - 12:24
        +1

        And maximum torque kicks in from 1400rpm, not 4000….

    • Danthemanz on 28/01/2016 - 12:27
      +3

      Agreed, thats what im looking at.
      Get the one below the RS and get the added techpack, full of audi toys. You should be able to get it for about 40 if you haggle of get a demo car.

      I also like the older revision with the 132KW 1.8l engine but the 110 should provide some decent family car punch with its max torque starting at 1400/1500rpm.

  • oscargamer on 26/01/2016 - 22:25
    +6

    don't touch VW, Skoda, Audi or any of the VAG group

    the fall out from the current emissions saga hasn't finished yet and until it does, you might end up MASSIVELY out of pocket if you buy now

    • nafe on 27/01/2016 - 09:07
      +1

      Or buy a secondhand one with factory warranty left on it from one of the early doomsayers who is willing to take the big depreciation hit.
      Just don't buy a diesel.

      • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 10:05
        -2

        Why risk it when there are other better cars available?

        • nafe on 27/01/2016 - 10:47
          +2

          What risk? If you're not buying a car with the affected diesel engine there's nothing to worry about. If someone's panicking for no reason and wants to dump a perfectly good car for a cheap price, then it's to the buyer's gain.

        • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 12:43

          @nafe:

          The risk is in the unknown.

          If you think it doesn't effect the petrol engines, just wait a couple of months.

        • nafe on 27/01/2016 - 13:01

          @oscargamer:

          Been waiting for months already. If there was any suspicion over other engines it would have come out already or do you have some insider knowledge?

        • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 14:24
          -2

          @nafe:

          mate, it took 10 years for the diesel wrongdoing to come out

          do you think the rest will come out at the same time? or will they stagger the bad news?

          it would actually be very bad, for a lot of reasons, if VAG went under

          i'll repeat my comment "Why risk it when there are other better cars available?"

        • nafe on 27/01/2016 - 14:52
          +1

          @oscargamer:

          I've already stated, the buyer gains because the seller dumps the car at a cheap price. It's all up to the buyer whether they like a Euro, or a Jap, or a Korean car etc.

        • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 15:06

          @nafe:

          yep - got that

          but that 'cheap' price today, may seem very expensive tomorrow, if the bottom drops further out of the resale market

          the vast majority of stealerships have seen the writing on the wall. some are actually refusing VAG cars as trade-ins. most are offering stupidly low money. so regardless of how little you pay for your VAG car today, when it comes time to sell it, there will be little, if any, interest.

          let's agree to disagree

          but…….i would STRONGLY suggest to anyone reading this thread, that they do not buy a VAG car in 2016, regardless of what engine it has

          but people will buy them, as they are generally good mechanical cars - the problem is, and will continue to be, resale prices

        • spackbace on 27/01/2016 - 15:11

          @oscargamer:

          but people will buy them, as they are generally good mechanical cars - the problem is, and will continue to be, resale prices

          Yeah, you should see a salespersons face when the customer comes in with a Saab :/

        • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 15:12

          @Spackbace:

          HA !

          again, nice cars, but lube-up when it's selling time !

        • nafe on 28/01/2016 - 10:16

          @Spackbace:

          Those poor bastards!

        • nafe on 28/01/2016 - 10:16

          @oscargamer:

          Agree to disagree - I agree :) Good chat though! :)

        • dlovep on 29/01/2016 - 15:10
          +1

          @Spackbace: indeed the salesperson ask my friend to "DIY" rather than trade in.

        • Jesmond on 29/01/2016 - 16:09
          +1

          @oscargamer: I read the emissions scandalgate was much less serious than originally predicted. Thoughts?

        • oscargamer on 29/01/2016 - 16:20
          +1

          @Jesmond:

          depends what you regard as 'serious' and it wasn't 'predicted'

          not sure what your question is

          i reckon upcoming $10bn in fines is pretty significant ! not to mention the damage to VAG's image

          and it was criminal. not just morally wrong, but CRIMINAL

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VZFP3lW4gU - worth watching. he says it like it is. doesn't mince his words either !

    • Ryk on 27/01/2016 - 19:35
      -1

      all manufacturers are doing/did the same

  • Speckled Jim on 27/01/2016 - 10:03
    +1

    I'd advise a new Elantra for half your budget. What you lose in depreciation will be a lower dollar amount than buying a 40K car, and you can put the saved 20K to work in more productive ways.

    • Jackson on 31/01/2016 - 01:23

      Just done 205k and going strong

      • Speckled Jim on 31/01/2016 - 13:04

        What year is your Elantra? I have a 2002 GL hatch on 213xxx km. Looks rough but drives beautifully.

        Reviewing comments I've made on similar topics recently, I admit pushing the current i30/Elantra quite a bit.
        It's for a reason — they're very good. Technically the Elantra is in the Mazda3 class, and despite the need for only 3-4 people and it being somewhere between a M3 and M6 interior-wise, it might be squeezy for OP who did mention a 6 wagon.

        We still put Japanese-made on a pedestal, despite that country being in recession for about 20 years. China and Korea have enjoyed strength and confidence while most Japanese brands have either been playing it safe, trying to copy others, off-shored to stay competitive or been squeezed out (Holden dropped Suzuki, then Isuzu for cost reasons).

        The 2004-on Suzuki Swift is a good, basic car but it's hardly revolutionary. As James May even pointed out, it's their cut-price response to the BMW mini. Depending where you live, it's assembled in one of eight countries.

        But even Made In Japan can stink (most Daihatsus) or 1990s Mazdas that love overheating (1.8 and 2.5 in particular) and don't forget their disastrous Eunos experiment.
        Short memories?

        • Jackson on 31/01/2016 - 18:01

          2003, apart from a temporary computer glitch it literally has not had one thing go, just brakes and servicing (radiator the most significant part) . Could probably do another 100k easy. Paint on the spoiler has faded, and there is a bit of rust in the tailgate that I need to grind out (but it's been parked outside near the beach for 8 years) no bad for a car that was picked up for 12k when equivalent corollas were still 17k.

          Corollas are a great car, but if you are bargain hunting then you aren't getting a bargain at their usual resale rates

  • Ryanek on 27/01/2016 - 11:52

    I know you're weary of Korean brands but I would highly recommend the new Hyundai Tucson. It has one of the biggest boots in its class, economical and designed for aussie roads. It also has Apple CarPlay which is fantastic to use. Most reviewers have put it above the current sales leader the CX5.

    But most of all… it looks bloody good! I suggest you do yourself a favour, get over the badge snobbery and take it for a test drive. I've had the Active X model for a few months now and I can't fault it.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 18:20

      The Tuscan is also the best rated SUV in Australia if I'm not mistaken… has overtaken the CX5 in many Australian reviews.

    • pingMarky on 29/01/2016 - 09:01

      Bloke next door has got one. Looks good.

    • dealsucker on 29/01/2016 - 10:43

      The 2.0 liter NA engine on the base variants is utter crap. I have a Mazda 3 SP25 GT with the 2.5 litre engine, the same engine in CX-5/Mazda 6 and it is a gem. The max torque comes in at 3200 rpm, no turbo lag and easily gives me 6l/100 kms on the highway at legal speeds. Have to also add that 6-Speed automatic combines the best of both Dual Clutch and CVT.

      • tomleonhart on 29/01/2016 - 13:16
        +1

        Turbo lag on an Sp25 ? Is the Sp25 turbo charged ??

        • dealsucker on 29/01/2016 - 13:23
          +1

          WHat I meant to say is since it is NA there is no turbo lag.

        • tomleonhart on 29/01/2016 - 13:25
          +1

          @dealsucker: I like that.

          Remind me of the real estate agent quote "no need to mow the lawn" in a townhouse ad, because there is no lawn to mow lol.

  • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 12:44

    Yes to Tucson, but make sure you get the new new new version that is 5 stars, not 4 stars.

    Ryanek…unfortunately yours will be A 4 star safety version

    • Looking4Bargians on 27/01/2016 - 13:16

      Same here. Go for 5 Star new Version after Nov 2015. Highlander is the way to go.

      • OzFrugie on 20/02/2016 - 21:16

        May I know the reason why to go for the top model, i.e. Highlander?

        • Looking4Bargians on 23/02/2016 - 10:33

          You get everything you can ask for as luxary in that price. Elite is good but doesn't have 18' alloy wheel, leather heated seats. so y not go for all.

    • Ryanek on 27/01/2016 - 15:19

      Yeah tell me about it… ok that's the one fault :)

    • spackbace on 27/01/2016 - 15:05
      +3

      Grand Cherokee 4*4 Laredo

      Surprise :P

    • oscargamer on 27/01/2016 - 15:09
      -3

      if you buy the Camry or Prius, you will be massively disappointed each and every day you drive, and when it comes time to sell your Passat, Tiguan or Jeep, please sit down before you hear the price it's actually now worth

    • Ryanek on 27/01/2016 - 15:20
      +10

      Wow you'd recommend a Jeep over a Korean brand? You loco ese.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/01/2016 - 16:36
        -6

        No, Im not recommending any Jeep, Patriots, Compass and Cherokees are terrible cars. Grand Cherokees are great cars, they are very high tech and well built. They have a Mercedes chassis, ZF 8 speed gear boxes (best in the world), LCD Dash, great infotainment, all modern features, low range and diff locks, off road ability, powerful economical engines, the only thing not to like is the reputation brought about by the other models in the range, and the lack of a foot rest because of the foot park brake. When you just in a Korean car, while some are reliable, they literally feel a decade behind other manufacturers, everything feels like it tacked on, and they have low rent hard touch plastics, poor ergonomics and no style.

        • ChickenTalon on 28/01/2016 - 07:17
          +5

          the only thing not to like is the reputation brought about by the other models in the range

          And the appalling treatment of their own customers when they have numerous issues. That reputation was hard earned!

          Only a fool would buy a car from that group.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 07:23
          -4

          @ChickenTalon: Only a fool would believe the hype.

        • ChickenTalon on 28/01/2016 - 10:46
          +4

          @thorton82: as someone close to the issues experienced by owners of cars from that group I can assure you there is no hype.

          Good luck with your purchase

        • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 18:21
          -1

          YOu don't know anything about cars, do you lol

        • patinadiary on 29/01/2016 - 11:22

          He's back recommending the monstrosities again

    • Speckled Jim on 29/01/2016 - 18:34

      Don't buy Korean, its an admission of failure.

      There are still early-90s Excels and S-coupes running around. The bastards refuse to die.
      Where are the same vintage Camrys, Commos and Falcons?

      VW? smh

      • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2016 - 21:25
        -2

        Yeah they run forever, but they've been absolute pieces of shit since new

  • alz on 27/01/2016 - 15:28
    +5

    Kia Optima Platinum.

  • LurvinOZB on 27/01/2016 - 16:07

    Isuzu MU-X!

    • snowymatthew on 29/01/2016 - 20:12
      +1

      We have one. Love it

  • portraitly on 27/01/2016 - 16:15

    I just bought a Mazda 3. I don't know your family size, as in if it is a couple plus kids who are gonna sit in the back, I would gladly ask you to go for Mazda 3. And you can get all the bells and whistles for 28k with the 2015 plate clearance going on. Get yourself SP25. Thank me later. (If you want a bigger sedan with boot, may be take a look at VW Jetta. The top end model shouldn't disappoint you)

  • nightshaide on 27/01/2016 - 16:28
    +1

    I have a Mazda 3 SP25 - they are heaps fun.
    For 40k you could get a Mazda 3 SP25 Astina (top of the SP25 range) which has plenty of tech. depreciation on Mazdas are pretty low so you shouldn't be losing too much money, with the 2015 plate clearence you should be able to get a decent discount on it.

    you want the 2.5, not the 2.0 - gives you a bit more power to have fun with.

    • JimB on 28/01/2016 - 09:48
      +5

      $40k for a Mazda 3 without an MPS badge is crazy money.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 14:36

        The MPS was closer to mid 40s after on road costs.

        The new MPS is strongly rumoured to have AWD.

        I shortlisted the Mazda 3 Astina for my daily. I thought it was a great car with only a few things that bothered me (but no one else noticed it, so I will not disclose and spoil the enjoyment - its not mechanical or electronic. Nothing to worry about).

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