Hello everyone.
Looking to buy a new car (may be) and thinking about Kia Cerrato S coming in around 19K and Hyundai Accent at around 21K.
Which do you think is a good 1st time driver car to buy?
Please don't suggest about 2nd hand car. I'm just doing my piece of research about new cars.
Thank you in advance.
What else do you suggest under 25K?
Mazda3
I don't see it under 25.. link if you see ..
@danger163: Dont just go by website - ex showroom price. You can negotiate with dealers. also there are number of car brokers who can negotiate a good deal. Brand new Mazda 3 Maxx model can be negotiated for around $24K.
Ford Focus Trend.
Trend Auto: http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Ford-Focus-2016/OAG-…
Trend Manual: http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Ford-Focus-2015/OAG…
Nothing Korean…try to stick to Japanese marques, you'll thank yourself for it in a few thousand kms! ;)
and when it comes time to trade in and sell.
Just hit 300,000k in my Hyundai Santa Fe. Never had an issue in all that time, though the suspension needed replacing. First Hyundai I've ever owned and best car I've had.
214K in an 02 Elantra — happy camper here.
@mcmonte: 210k on elantra 2003 and running like clockwork. Older Hyundai's wouldn't last the distance
True a few years ago but these days the Koreans have caught up and the gap isn't the chasm it used to be a staple least in the case of Hyundai and Kia. It may make sense to do this if you are just concerned about resale in a few years though if that was the plan.
TBH though any time someone asks about paying for a new car I always have the same thought, why buy new when you can buy 2 years old and get something barely run in with lots of warranty. I bought a leaf 2.5 years old with under 20k on it for 22 when new is 40. It still smells new and has options that some higher spec brand new cars don't have (aside from running on electricity)
@Wampus: Not a fan of Hyundai, but never heard of that model, and damn it looks pretty amazing. Definitely gonna be a contender for my future car in a few years :)
131k
Happy 2008 i30
I thought that as well when I my (now) wife wanted a new car, but she bought a Hyundai Getz. It's been an excellent car. It's cheap to buy, cheap to run, reliable, and it's 10 yers old with 200k on it, and it's not showing any signs of stopping soon.
Korean cars have caught up to Japanese cars.
@Jackson
Funny you write that…
The old Excels (85-93) were actually very good. I still see the occasional registered example getting around. I don't know what (if anything) it takes to keep them running, but based on the model that replaced it (94-96), engine-wise they were very good. Those had the Mitsubishi engines. I was a passenger in one a few times in 93-95, and my work colleague absolutely loved it. It looked (and was) cheap inside and the rear was cramped. So I didn't understand the appeal, being a Honda guy. I wrote it off as a cheap-arse Laser alternative.
Then ~1998? they had the widely publicised issue with collapsing front suspension assemblies, and I was first in line to condemn the dodgy b———s.
The first of the Hyundai SOHC engines that replaced the Mitsus weren't so good. By the time they updated with the DOHC, they were much better. Externally that appears to be a copy of an older 4AGE Toyota design. To my eyes anyway.
The only issues with my G4GB 1.8 car thus far:
1. Belt/pulley alignment and general harmony. Very easy to get a squeaky belt if not set properly. Yes, even if you replace all the belts with brand new at the same time.
2. Clear coat on roof gone in places and flaking. Was going to sand then cover in vinyl, but it was cheaper to DIY paint it, so I did.
3. Gear shifter boot was peeling and flaking. They specced the worst bonded vinyl I've ever seen. A genuine leather boot for $7 posted from an Estonian eBayer and 20 minutes sorted it.
4. Body control module. The powered auto-locking feature. Ours was shorting and triggering the lock-unlock cycle while driving. I simply disabled it.
And that's it. I've read of other niggles like rad top tanks being prone to cracking, and the flywheel being embedded with clutch disc material, but these haven't affected ours yet.
And please note: my previous cars have ALL been Japanese. 4x Honda (CRX x2, Integra & Accord), 2x Toyota (AE86 Sprinter and ST162 Celica) and 2x Mitsu (97 Mirage & 94 Lancer).
They were mostly very good, and so's the Hyundai.
toyota corolla, nissan pulsar. subaru impressa, honda civic.
Ook. I will have a look at these cars and see how much are they coming around..
@danger163:
they are under your $25k. subaru one you can even get the more luxury/sport version.
but of course the price online is just what the company says, it will be less at dealer when you deal.
Renault cleo
http://carsales.mobi/new-cars/details/renault-clio/SHRM-AD-4…
Or a little more the 1.2version. Get a good price from a dealer.
http://carsales.mobi/new-cars/details/renault-clio/SHRM-AD-4…
Don't buy a Renault if you are looking for a cheap car.
I thought they would be a class smaller than what the kid and Hyundai are.
@captobvious: No thanks. There's no value as it will have no enjoyment factor and poor safety and resale again.
Personally, I have a late 2000's i30 diesel. Only bought the diesel for the torque which is fun at speed - I don't do enough km's for the extra initial layout.
Don't get me wrong, Renault make great cars - Megane and Clio etc but the Australian market is expensive for French cars.
@spillmill: There isn't any enjoyment factor in a Cherry. But nobody buys a kia or hyundai when looking for enjoyment either lol.
Toyota corolla hands down
They are both just as good, underneath they are pretty similar cars seeing as how they are made by the same company. I personally like the look of the Kia
Same same, and sharing a lot with Mitsubishi also
Curious on this, howcome?
I would go for a cerato, it's a bigger car (the same size as a hyundai elantra), it has 7 years of unlimited km warranty and looks great from outside (the dashboard is pretty old though…)
id go for an i30 activeX over either of those cars, especially the accent, god that is overpriced at $21,000.
should be able to get a mazda 3 neo for well under $25k. hell, there are ex-demo SP25s going for less than $25k…
+1 this. The i30 Active X comes with CarPlay as well now, and competes more with the acetate.
I know someone who got a 12 month old Accent for $13k, had something like 8k on the clock.
and they're not worth a dollar more than that, IMO.
Which do you think is a good 1st time driver car to buy?
Please don't suggest about 2nd hand car. I'm just doing my piece of research about new cars.
For a first major car purchase, just buy ~1yo. Especially the cars that you're looking at that have ex-rentals out there, bringing down the resale pretty dramatically in that first year.
Good advice.
We saved a packet on our (just) 3 month old demonstrator.
Please ignore the rubbish posted by the ignorant about Korean cars.
The JD Power reliability survey in the States continually puts Hyundai and Kia up near the top.
(http://www.jdpower.com/cars/study/2016-Vehicle-Dependability… shows our Sonata 2nd from the top)
We have just traded in our absolutely reliable 2002 Hyundai Sonata on a new 2016 Sonata, and we never replaced anything non-routine apart from tyres and disc pads.
We drove both the Cerato and Elantra, and they felt really nice.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/kia/cerato/ for some Ceratop reviews and http://www.caradvice.com.au/hyundai/elantra/ for some on the Elantra (which comes in that price range).
Our research showed us that their resale values are now as good as anyone else.
A quick search found http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/how-to-choose-the-rig… giving Hyundai a good result.
5 or 7 year warranty (Kia/Hyundai), lifetime capped servicing and 10 years of roadside assistance are real sweeteners.
I don't want to be in a pi$$ing contest with the ignorant, but it gets a bit strident and boring :-(
Good luck with whatever you choose to buy.
We drove both the Cerato and Elantra, and they felt really nice.
That comment alone tells me you haven't driven anywhere near enough cars to form a cogent opinion…once you've driven the competition in this class you'll realise just how skewed that perception is.
Just mouthing off calling everyone who disagrees with you 'ignorant' doesn't automatically make you right, just arrogant!
Yep. If you just want "some car" then by all means buy a Kia or Hyundai. But if you're looking for something more, best look elsewhere.
Or as I like to call them, ignogant.
we never replaced anything non-routine apart from tyres and disc pads.
But aren't tyres and disc pads things that you replace routinely?
Yes, but I don't need the Hyundai-bashers saying that I did not put it all down.
Service every 10,000km, replaced the timing belt and water pump at 100,000km, plus tyres every whenever, and disc pads twice in 150,000km.
The new Sonata is magnificent, and I go outside every now and then just to look at it :-)
Look Chris, I know where you're coming from, I had a Sonata a few years ago & loved it…right up until the warranty ran out! :'(
Yes Hyundai are reliable, but they rattle and have annoying problems. Mine has a seat belt that won't retrack properly. My old Toyota was magnificent. At 100k it still drove like new. My Hyundai has 35k now and it is full of small minor irritating faults. Having said that, it has devalued about as much as a Toyota would have, it doesn't break down and is cheap to service. I am not sure what I will buy next time around…..probably whoever has the best deal.
Yes Hyundai are reliable, but they rattle and have annoying problems.
Yup, you just nailed it…we have i20s & i30s in our work fleet & it's usually around the 20k mark the rattling & general deficits in fit/finish & build quality start to rear their ugly heads. Yeah they've got long warranties, but you need it for the never-ending string of trivial shit you need fixed. Then, once the warranty is up those trivial things become expensive things…
Don't even get me started on the performance…the base models are dangerously gutless, forget about overtaking on the open road, even city driving if you forget you're not in a Corolla or Focus & try to accelerate normally through a busy roundabout you could get cleaned up by a truck…I'm not exaggerating, the difference in performance is that noticeable. I can't speak to the fancy models with TD engines & CVT gearboxes others have mentioned here (we don't get those in fleet cars), but the base models are woeful IMHO.
Look, I'm not saying that the Korean cars are lemons per se, IME they're just not up to the standard of the Jap/Euro equivalents…honestly, make them about 20-25% cheaper & they'd absolutely be a viable alternative…they're just not worth the same price as a Jap car…it's simply about getting what you pay for! ;)
+1 for Korean cars. We looked at a number of cars in a similar price range early last year and ended up buying a new Korean ssangyong korando (mini suv) for under 24k auto drive away. They don't have much brand presence here which will have its issues for resale but they are very good cars for the price point. A lot larger than what you are looking at as well which again may not be what you are looking for however we are extremely happy with the purchase. 5yr warranty as well to match the Hyundai. Also for whatever reason comprehensive insurance has been dirt cheap so far!
how has it been so far? looking at getting one
Amen
Fankly I hope most people dont come around! Keep the prices down. These outdated ingrained opinions are usually from people who have never owned one but have a mate who knows a bloke….
what's with the 1st time driver wanting a brand new car?
Gosh you'll most likely scratch the hell out of it.
But if you must http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Mazda-3-2015/OAG-AD…
It's been at least a 4 month search with the budget now doubling lol I'm sure our advice will fall on deaf ears.
Not really. Its just that i'm trying to understand what good in new cars. From that advice I have never ever looked at Holden and was looking all for Mazda3.
Friends at work are forcing Cerato as anyways i'm planning to shell out around 15K for second hand car. SO i'm just thinking about taking an opinion here.
That's a huge budget difference that you've shown, so I really think you need to first work that out before anything else, and stick to that budget.
Are you financing, or paying cash (savings)?
you are doubling what you started with - holden cruze for $12k, now you are up to $25k.
@Spackbace: Between these 4 months I have better financial situation with Wife getting a good job and me changing job.
If going for new car, I'm thinking if we can make something like 10K cash and remaining in Finance.
Second hand it will be cash.
@Baysew: Careful he doesn't report you, he got all pissy when I reminded him of that recently & I got a stern message from the mods telling me to leave him alone…
Funnily enough, I bought a Cerato S in March and my mother has just bought a Hyundai (albeit an i30) I have driven both and must admit that the i30 pips mine for the luxury look with the leather trim etc etc but as for performance, the Cerato is the clear winner. Both my mother and I had $20 000 budgets. She went slightly over and I picked up my white Cerato S for $18440 before tradein. My last car was a beautiful, reliable Subaru and to be honest I would have loved another one but budget did not allow. I bought what I could afford without any loans and am happy.
You got leather trim in a sub $20,000 car? I doubt it. If you are comparing a high spec i30 trim with a base Cerato S trim then that's not really a valid comparison.
I do think that the i30 interior looks a little more modern than the Cerato but I prefer the Cerato as a whole.
No, I said my mother went slightly over the $20 000 budget for her i30 Active X.
If you go for a Cerato, bear in mind that a new model is imminent. The 2015 Cerato is in runout at the moment, so you could either use this to negotiate yourself a better deal or you might want to wait and see what the new model brings. I intended to buy a Kia Cerato S Premium back in Feburary, however they couldn't secure me the colour I wanted so they cancelled my contract. I'm waiting to see what the new model offers before I decide on a car to buy.
The new pricing for the 2016 Cerato will start at $21 990.
Ahh. If that is the case, I guess it will be out of OPs price range. Where did you find that out though? I've been trying to find info for the last couple of months and haven't found much related to the Australian release yet.
Out of these two, personally I'd go the Cerato.
Cerato is Kia's equivalent of the Elantra sedan, which makes it a class above the Accent (which is technically equivalent to the smaller Kia Rio). 7 year new car warranty (versus 5 with the Hyundai) gives you an extra two years piece of mind. 7 year warranty is irrelevant to everything (except re-sale) if you don't plan on owning it that long, of course. As above posters have mentioned, it is currently in run-out. If you don't mind having the "old" body shape in a few months then all the more reason to bargain down the price.
But most importantly, drive the cars as much as you can before you buy. It's personal preference at the end of the day. Test drive at multiple dealerships to get extra driving time in both (also helps in finding the best new car deal - remember that local dealer knowledge is power when buying a new car). Even better, try and negotiate an overnight test drive. This is something I have done in the past, and it lets you just drive a car in the quiet at night to truly understand owning it without a dealer looking over your shoulder and pressuring you. Also let's you test practical things like fitting in your garage, getting up your driveway without scraping etc.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
I bought brand new Hyundai Accent hatch back 2015 model for $15k during last december and so far it's been great. It's a small car easy to park, specially for a first time driver like me and the best part is the 5 years manufacturer warranty.
The cerato is a very good looking sedan for the price. I'm sure you're already aware that Kia and Hyundai are secretly amazing for quality.
I would suggest you to go and have a look at the Mazda 3 even if it is a little over your budget. Pure driver's car, much better engine (performance + economy) and subjectively but to me much better looks. I am the current owner of a december 2015 bought Mazda 3 SP25 GT Sedan.
Mazda 3
Pure driver's car
Lol keep saying that!
I literally LOL'd at that, next we'll be hearing the Camry is a pure Luxury car.
"Yeah it beats the M5 hollow when it comes to handling" is what you must be thinking when you LOL'd… correct?
@dealsucker:
No the Mazda MX-5 IS a sports car. The 3 is just a slightly better screwed together Toyota Corolla.
@rodripa:
You would have to know your cars better if Mazda 3 to you is a better screwed together Corolla. The driving experience is not even close. Toyota is clinical and polished, Mazda is more raw and engaging and it looks the part. A Corolla is as exciting as shiny food blender while Mazda is actually styled.
Firstly, looks are subjective as some of the most sporty cars look awful, case in point
Secondly, having been both an owner of a GH Mazda 6 and BL Mazda 3 I and can say this with confidence, they are not, as you called them a "pure sports car"
composed on the roads, direct steering and firm ride, yes, but no way a sports car.
@rodripa: quote me where i called it a sports car for my benefit. Pure driver's car is what i said and too not as a blanket statement.
Subjective or not Mazda 3 is the best looking car in its segment. The press agrees and if you were to take a public poll you will see people agree too. If the only comparison in looka is the Corolla then its not even a contest.
Bahahahaha I almost choked on my lunch when I read that. Mazda should use that in their commercials, I'll crack up every time thinking of the poor bafoons who buy it and think they drive a 'pure driver's car'
Zoom-zoom-zoom…pure Capoeira car! ;)
I've been looking at the new Honda Civic personally. Out next month in Australia (supposedly), winning awards in the US and Canada at the moment. Great design. Only drawback I can think of is CVT only transmission, otherwise looks to be great competition for the Mazda 3.
Looks great too.
is the new honda civic a Thai Built??
No idea. The one we bought new in 2009 was.
Seven year warranty on the kia? They will clearly stand behind their product, it's exactly what you want if you keep it for more than a few years.
I own the Kia Cerato Hatch, very happy with it after 2 years, it came with a 5 year unlimited Km warranty and roadside assistance, believe that they come with 7 years warranty now.
I've heard from other owners of Mazda that the pig problems are with road noise from wheels and engine, sound insulation is very bad. And the car's paint is very poor, small scratches come very easy.
my 3 is as quiet as a mouse, but admittedly its a more expensive model
I've heard the same about bad road noise due to bad noise insulation. But everyone on here thinks Mazda are the bees knees! Highest seller doesn't necessarily mean the best car.
+1 the sound insulation is so bad on my 2013 m6. You can't notice much difference when you are driving 60 but god when you go on the highway.. Tho I heard that they fixed it with the 2015 face lifted model.
And just while I'm at it, the side mirrors on the god damn Atenza doesn't even retract when the engine goes off
look at the terrain where you need to drive. If it has too many hills then dont go for accent. Apart from price look for
1: Engine capacity
2: Rear wiper [ you need this a lot in rainy season or early morning or on highway ]
3: Rear camera
4: Seat comfort - a wrong seat can damage your back
Bluetooth / Music system / Coating you can always add on.
Engine capacity as such means nothing. That's an old-fashioned viewpoint. Look to power to weight ratio
Even looking at power to weight ratio is relatively meaningless in these cars because your basing it off peak power figures. Your never really going to be redlining these things. Which means a test drive is really the only way to see how pokey they are in real world driving.
Neither.