Car for $9k or Less

• 

  inherentchoice on 20/02/2017 - 12:39

  If your Mazda 3 is too small but a Cruze is too big, I doubt there are many models in between?

  • 

    ssx on 20/02/2017 - 12:43

    I know, it's like being stuck between a rock and a crazy place.

    The cruze is a good size, except that the cruze itself has rock hard seats. I can't get bigger than a cruze because my mother has to be able to drive it.

    The compact SUVs are an OK size (cx-5, sportage, qashqai), but of the very few that I have seen, the rear seat seems to be quite narrow for the baby seats.

    • 

      inherentchoice on 20/02/2017 - 12:47

      +2

      I'm not very familiar with the roominess of many cars but I suspect the i30 has a lot more room in the back than the Mazda 3 whilst still being smaller than a Cruze. It's only 1.6 L, however they do have diesel models which will have more torque (but also more noxious emissions). A diesel should last more than 10 years.

      • 

        ssx on 20/02/2017 - 12:51

        Looking into it now - thank you very much for the suggestion!

      • 

        inherentchoice on 20/02/2017 - 13:06

        +1

        @ssx: We had one as a fleet car at work and it seats 5 adults ok. Diesels are also very good on fuel.

      • 

        inherentchoice on 20/02/2017 - 14:58

        +1

        @ssx: There's a good review here which confirms the i30 has more room than the Mazda 3… http://www.caradvice.com.au/372526/mazda-3-v-toyota-corolla-… and it says this about the driver's seat:

        you sit on rather than in the plump driver’s seat, though it is at least very soft and quite comfortable.

      • 

        alexkaratedo on 20/02/2017 - 23:02

        +1

        +1 for mentioning the noxious emissions of the diesel engines. This aspect goes totally unnoticed in Italy (for example), but is pretty bad.

      • 

        ssx on 21/02/2017 - 19:37

        @inherentchoice:

        I had a peek in an i30 and it definitely looks roomier - thank you for noting the part about the soft seats…I get a lot of weird looks when I mention the soft seat thing lol.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 20/02/2017 - 13:26

  +1

  Try a Subaru Liberty - they're zippy cars and around the same size of the Cruze

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:45

    Thank you - will also add to the list :)

• 

  Rumbaar on 20/02/2017 - 13:31

  So why not a Cruze? Should be able to get one under 120k, from a dealer and 9k. My Cruze CDX doesn't seem to have rock hard seats, so not sure what you're definition of soft seats.

  • 

    Euphemistic on 20/02/2017 - 13:38

    +1

    Not a Cruze based on their reputation for poor build equality and reliability issues?

    • 

      Rumbaar on 20/02/2017 - 14:08

      That's fair enough to have that opinion, I know friends of mine had the same opinion. But I brought a 2012 Cruze CDX, last of the few built at the SA factories, and the build quality seems quite good to me and the only issue I've had with mine has been a flat battery.

      Each their own.

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:47

    I have recurring bursitis in the…err…area you use to sit. We have a Cruze in the family, which I really like but the seats give me sciatica very quickly.

• 

  Dean29 on 20/02/2017 - 14:08

  +1

  Why no Camry? Does all what you are after

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:48

    It's a bit bulkier in the back area, which would be harder for my mother to park (she will be using it also), and it's superbly boring.

• 

  pantsparty on 20/02/2017 - 14:15

  So are we commenting on good cars for $9k, or $18k? I am selling a brand new hatchback for $18k at the moment.

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:51

    To be honest, I am looking at the $9k range, however if there is something that would last me a solid 10 years and is reliable (and 'future-proof' i.e. reversing cameras), then the budget can be stretched to $18k.

    What are you selling?

• 

  sparkles on 20/02/2017 - 15:04

  If you want to fit two kids, a pram, and shopping, why even look for a hatch? Most hatch would struggle to fit all that.

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 11:03

    What would you recommend? I looked at compact SUVs, but they are pricier.
    The smaller sedans have a smaller boot.

    I can fit all of it into an old Pulsar hatch. The catch is that it's a very old pulsar and the new ones are too squishy inside.

• 

  DryScissors on 20/02/2017 - 15:38

  -1

  Your dad is buying you a car? Good for you mate. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:52

    -1

    No, he is willing to contribute to buy a better car.

    I'm 30.

• 

  bradsmrbetty on 20/02/2017 - 15:49

  +4

  What State are you in?

  For $9000 I would go for a second hand Mitsubishi Lancer Hatch. They're reliable, the back seats fold down to be roughly 170cm from the edge of the boot to the front seat and insurance costs are reasonable as are servicing costs. Good thing about a Lancer (and bad) is they're pretty much identical to the brand new 2016 Lancer. The only differences are touch screen/bluetooth, reversing camera, slightly more sound proofing (to cut out road noise) tweaked suspension and some bling wheels and possibly day time running lights.
  The only somewhat common mechanical fault is the ABS module failing.
  Around 500 fix.

  Avoid the Holden cruze at all costs it has the most safety recalls of any car in history not mention, gear box, turbos, engines all failing at low kms. Google Holden Cruze burning or Chevy Cruze burning.

  Mazda 3 is a great choice however they have issues with rust major recall from 2008 to 2012 on Mazda 3 cars effected by rust.

  Hyundai i30 FD and GD models are great they also come in a wagon form, however they might not be under 120k.
  Some issues with the FD models however still quite reliable.

  Kia Cerato is the same as Hyundai i30 both are good quality. DO NOT buy anything from Kia that is before 2006/2007.

  Second hand Ford FG Falcon on Gas or if you can get one that has Ecoboost. (one is a bigger engine that is cheaper to run because of the gas, the other is a 2L turbo but with good saving on fuel. So depends on how strict you are on no turbo or nothing bigger than a 2L.
  Don't worry about the KM as much for a car with a bigger engine.

  Honda Civics or Accords aren't too bad either.

  If your father will spend the $18000 buy a new or demo Kia Cerato it has 7 years Warranty, 7 years Road side assit and 7 year capped price servicing. Will last you the 10 years and will covered under warranty for most of it.

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:56

    Wow - that is extremely informative - thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

    I have the Cerato and i30 on the top of the list at the moment.

    Thank you very much for the Lancer suggestion - I am going to look into that as well. I heard the transmissions were problematic, but couldn't find two much information on it.

    edit: NSW

    • 

      bradsmrbetty on 21/02/2017 - 12:48

      +1

      No worries.
      The pre 2013 Lancers are a bit plain inside compared to the holden cruze, for memory the seats can be a little firmer on some of the models.
      See of you find a dealership with a ES ( base) (mid spec) VR or top of the range VRX .
      The Lancer also comes in a 2015 GSR model, I test drove one of these with my in laws and the seat where great, has the touch screens, reversing camera etc. You should be able to pick up with very low kms for 15-16k.
      Mitsubishi has the best warrenty of any JAPANESE manufacturer.

      Transmissions are a CVT they're reliable but can be noisy and feel jerky under hard acceleration.

      I still think the Cerato would be the pick for the longer term, see if you can pick one up in SI variant, the base S doesn't have reversing camera.
      Most of the new ceratos are 1.8 but perform at the 2L level.
      Let us know if you want any more information.

      • 

        ssx on 21/02/2017 - 12:54

        That is thoroughly helpful - the cerato sounds like a top candidate.

        Do you sell cars? You sound like you know a lot about them :)

      • 

        bradsmrbetty on 21/02/2017 - 12:56

        +1

        @ssx:
        No I am too honest to be a used car dealer.
        I think Spacebar on this forum is one of the few good ones but he is WA.

      • 

        ssx on 21/02/2017 - 19:35

        @bradsmrbetty:

        I wish I could give you reddit gold (or the ozbargain equivalent).

        You have been incredibly helpful :)

• 

  Joney on 20/02/2017 - 16:44

  Why no turbo? Just curious as to why you perceive a turbo to be a negative feature.

  • 

    ssx on 21/02/2017 - 10:53

    I've been told it needs to be serviced every 6 months (means higher maintenance cost)

• 

  watts on 22/02/2017 - 23:59

  +2

  If you love the mazda 3 why not just get a mazda 6? You should be able to get a GH series 1 (circa 2009) for close to $9K. They depreciate quicker than 3's from new so are a much better 2nd hand buy.

  Reliability shouldn't be a problem as long as you service regularly. My 2003 GG 6 has just hit 300,000km with bugger all issues and still runs great.

  The hatch body looks good IMO (sedan shaped), is very versatile and has more than enough room for what you want. Overall size maybe a touch bigger than a cruze but still easily manageable.

  Check the seats are ok for you though. They're good for me and I've had sciatica issues, but they're not 'soft'. I think they improved from GG to GH though.

  Other decent options in the medium class: Subaru Liberty, Ford Mondeo 2.3L Petrol Hatch (monster boot!).

  I wouldn't get a lancer because I don't like their CVT auto.

  They're my suggestions if you want to stick to the $9K budget, but I know if I had a dad happy to contribute (either free $$ or interest free long term loan) then I'd be bloody tempted to take him up on the offer. There's a few significant improvements since ~2010 such as safety, fuel consumption and connectivity that would be good, your maintenance should be a fair bit lower and you have warranty peace of mind. For $18K the hyundai or Kia's suggested above would be a good pick.

  • 

    ssx on 23/02/2017 - 08:27

    +1

    Thank you for the reply!

    I had no idea that the mazda 6 came in a hatchback! I thought it was sedan only. OK, that will definitely go on the list.

    I've also shortlisted the Mondeo…I just have to find one to test drive. I think they look great and the boot does look huge (from photos).

    So far my list is (in no order):
    - Hyuandai i30
    - Kia cerato
    - Ford Mondeo
    - Mazda 6 Hatchback
    - Liberty
    - Lancer maybe - getting mixed feedback

    There's a few significant improvements since ~2010 such as safety, fuel consumption and connectivity that would be good, your maintenance should be a fair bit lower and you have warranty peace of mind

    Is that for the Lancer or Mazda 6 hatchback?

    • 

      watts on 23/02/2017 - 12:23

      +2

      GG and GH Mazda 6 come in hatchback (that looks very similar to the sedan). For some silly reason they dropped it I the latest model and just have sedan and wagon (~2013 on).

      The improvements I mentioned are just in general over the last 7 or so years.

      Features that were only found in expensive cars are now common in cheap cars and things like engine stop/start, android auto/apple carplay weren't around at all. Safety wise there's more airbags general and new things like auto braking, blind spot monitoring, active cruise control. Obviously not all are relevant to makes/models you're looking at.

    • 

      bradsmrbetty on 24/02/2017 - 21:33

      Mazdas 6 is good, in fact they're great, however buying the Mazda 6 GG model is objectively not an upgrade. The design came out in late 2002 and went to 2007.
      You can get a few of the Mazda 6 GH model within budget, these are great, but they suffer from a rust issue.
      https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/mazda-australia-pty-….

      The Rust is alot worst in Europe because they put salt on their roads, but if the car has spent most of life near the sea size in Australia it might be an issue as well.
      I have two Mazdas in the family a Mazda 6 GG model (same as the other poster Watt) and a 2016 Mazda 3 SP25, the GG has been mixed in the reliability area, with only a 130000km it is bit disappointing.

      My wife has a Hyundai i30 it is a great car the older FD model is seems to suffer from more problems than my model (which is the current one) but otherwise they're good.

      Ford Mondeos are a good versatile car, the diesel is a gem. I didn't suggest them because of their European design, maintenance, i.e. parts and servicing can be expensive, also not as many around compared to Japanese branded cars.

      Whatever you do don't buy a near the new Ford Focus, the dual clutch transmissions fail, routinely and Ford made it painful to get the transmission replaced.

      If you can get a Suburu for under $9000 that hasn't got high km, buy it. The wagon Liberty are a classic example of excellence.

      Lancer is a solid second hand buy, as stated previously not much as changed since 2007 when it was released, i suggest it only because they're reliable and cheap to run and service. If you can get something better do so.

      If your father will go half then buy this one.
      https://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Kia-Cerato-2016/OA…
      (ignore the photos they're just samples)

      The Kia base model is a little bland but they have something called an S with the AV pack which adds, a 7 inch touch screen and reversing camera.

      For the price you can't really go wrong.