Looking for Advice on a Sub 20k Hatchback for My Sister

LAzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 01:16
Last edited 27/05/2016 - 14:36

Hi guys,

Another one of those threads!

Would really appreciate it if I can get some recommendations on a new sub 20k small-ish car.

I've done a tiny bit of research but don't really know what the most important aspect is.

Some basic info I put together

Most basic auto models listed. (EDIT: Now updated with weight and warranty)

My sis isn't the greatest driver in the world so some sort of parking assist would be great.
She's also fresh uni grad (kinda broke), so maintenance cost is really important. (Wasn't sure how to gather info on that)

PS: Lancer is on the spreadsheet for some reason, even though it's probably too big.

Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2016 - 01:47

    Nissan Micra.

    • miicah on 27/05/2016 - 09:14
      +1

      Somehow the micra is even more uninspiring than the yaris. Seriously the my15/16 has the barest interior, it doesn't even look like nissan tried.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2016 - 09:15
        -1

        Well there's a reason it's at that price point…

    • AzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 12:03

      I've driven one as a rental car, but I didn't really like it. The ride was rather bumpy and as miicah have said, it looked really cheap inside!

  • steff on 27/05/2016 - 07:18
    +2

    Toyota Yaris would be my pick. It checks all the boxes - reliable, cheap to run, cheap to service, decent resale value and comes with parking assist

    • AzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 13:26

      Yaris seems nice, but I'm not sure if the servicing every 6 month requirement would make it expensive or not.

      • PinzVidz on 27/05/2016 - 15:05

        Servicing is $140 each time, for the first 3 years.

      • steff on 27/05/2016 - 15:46
        +1

        Isn't that the case with any car though?

    • PinzVidz on 27/05/2016 - 15:07

      comes with parking assist

      By parking assist I hope you mean reverse camera, cos' it ain't got any fancy self-parking stuff.

      • steff on 27/05/2016 - 15:46

        Haha yep, reverse camera

  • donbot on 27/05/2016 - 09:35
    +1

    Why are you only looking at new cars? I'd suggest looking at a decent, clean 2nd hand one - you'll pick something up a few years old, 50-60 thousand km on the clock for under $10k without issue.

    • AzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 12:07

      I guess that would be the best value option, but I don't really have time to go physically inspecting cars (since online photos can't be trusted).

      And I guess a new car would make a better present.

      • donbot on 27/05/2016 - 12:25

        Man, I'd love to be in a financial position so good that I can't find time to save $10k+ on a purchase!

        I dont see the difference between a NEW car and a NEW second hand car. Ultimately - the person receiving the car should be incredibly grateful to receive a car as a gift… whether its brand spanking new or not shouldnt make a difference.

        • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 12:58
          +1

          Saving $10k+? On a $16-20k car… You're kidding right?!

          The Swift for example is $16k, free auto right now. The newest Swift under $10k I can find in the country is 2011 with 60,000km - 140,000km on the clock. Not to mention that the new one at $16k offers more features than the used GA model.

          So for the sake of that $6k, you'd miss out on any warranty, and basically half the engine's life. Not to mention the other things that go with buying a 100km+ car over a new one.

          Or, you could buy a new Swift for $16k, drive it for 5yrs and maybe 130,000kms (all under New Car Warranty), and then sell it for $9-$10k. Costing you only $1k/year in depreciation (plus maintenance costs).

          Sometimes the whole 'only buy used' argument isn't very well thought out.

  • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 10:31
    +1

    First thing, the Swift is Japanese, just FYI. It was briefly made in Thailand in 2014 or so from memory, but that was for about 6 months.

    I find it interesting you list the power figure, but not the weight figure. 1 is gonna have an effect on the other.

    All cars can have rear sensors fitted, some can have cameras fitted easily, some it's a bit harder.

    So all up, the things you've listed don't mean a whole lot. Some of those have 3yr warranty, some 5, 1 has 7.

    If she can wait, the new Suzuki Baleno will be out in the 3rd quarter, and looks to offer a lot for the money. Should hope it would come in under $20k.

    Otherwise I'd recommend the Swift (but I'm biased lol), get the GL Navigator and fit a camera to it. Strong resale, bulletproof reliability.

    • AzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 11:59

      Oops, changed it to Japan now.

      I'll have to look up weight and warranty later as well, but imo the main thing I'm missing is the servicing cost which I'm not really sure how to find. I've read that they all have different requirements for servicing, 6 month, 9 month, a year, kms etc.

      I had a quick look at the Baleno on google, and it looks really nice and all! Unfortunately, she'll be starting her new job soon and I'll need the car within a month.

      I kinda like the swift as well (even more so now that you've pointed out it's made in Japan), do the rear cameras last long? Somehow I get the feeling that more problems might arise with the camera compared to the sensors.

      • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 12:07

        Should be fine, it's a factory fit :)

      • Lcfc2016 on 27/05/2016 - 15:29

        Get the swift. A great fun car and as space back says $16k! My wife has one, still great fun to drive even though its now 9 years old, brilliant car

    • Lcfc2016 on 27/05/2016 - 18:23

      Just out of curiosity how much more is the GL Navigator plus camera than the $16k version?

      • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 18:26
        +1

        $17,490 drive away (free auto) plus about $450 for the camera (till the end of the month). There's also $400 towards genuine accessories (of which the dealer has to pay for half), so really you could get the camera thrown in for the $17,490 price.
        GL Navigator gets alloys, fog lights, and the Garmin GPS system

  • tonyjzx on 27/05/2016 - 11:58

    Does any sub $20k car have parking assist? I know Focus has it but I guess its the $30k Focus's and not the $16,990 stripper runouts (not that there's anything wrong with stripper poverty spec cars or strippers for that matter).

    Girls want auto so budget for that. To me the Cerato still makes the best since given then throw in auto and 7 yrs. And I despise sub compacts esp. girls in subcompacts.

    A hatch like a focus i30 corolla sized is more usable for not much penalty.

    • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 12:08

      by parking assist, do you mean sensors/camera, or self-parking?

      • tonyjzx on 27/05/2016 - 12:20

        Ask the OP. I dont think sensors/cameras is such a big issue. At work you can pay $500 and get either or both installed at the dealer. Just do it. Especially for noob drivers.

        • spackbace on 27/05/2016 - 12:53

          Yeah I know, I referred to that earlier too :P You must not have seen OP's spreadsheet, where a few do have sensors etc, but I said the same thing you did, not much to add them to any car

        • AzuAzu on 27/05/2016 - 13:27

          Sorry, I only meant the sensors and the camera, not the actual self-park. I guess it's not much of an issue then if it's just a few hundred for them.

  • oscargamer on 27/05/2016 - 17:10

    i30

  • Banana on 27/05/2016 - 21:30

    Are you buying the car for her? Do you happen to want another sister?

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