Looking for a Small New Car (Budget ~ $25,000)

Lolkicom on 15/03/2017 - 17:20
Last edited 15/03/2017 - 17:47

Hi, as per the title I am looking for a small new car (not used, at my parents' insistence) at $25 000 or below. I will just be using it for normal commuting, no off-road stuff. And I am a bit between jobs at the moment so am considering using it for Uber but that's not too important at the moment.

I am in the midst of doing research but don't really know much about cars. I am looking for fuel economy and practicality as most everyone is. I do not have any other particular requirements that I can think of (I do not have kids, will not be carrying large loads, etc.) but would prefer a sedan. I have been browsing some of the more popular sedans:

  • Honda Civic
  • Toyota Corolla
  • Ford Focus

And they all look like decent options to me. Was just wondering if anyone in this awesome community had any input or knowledge that could help me choose. Of course I am open to suggestions not listed.

Thanks!

Automotive

Comments

  • BensonP on 15/03/2017 - 17:30
    +2

    Ok…Well ignoring the part about being between jobs and spending $25k…

    Have you considered a Kia Rio or Hyundai i30?
    We own a 2016 Hyundai i30 Active X. Has reverse camera, Android auto and alloy wheels. With a 5 year unlimited KMs warranty. We paid $20000 drive away.

    It's a great little car for commuting with enough power when you need it.

    • olkicom on 15/03/2017 - 17:40

      haha, my parents are paying for the lot despite me saying no, if you can believe that. I was content with our current car but they want to sell it and get something else. So it wont just be for me but for them also. Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into it.

  • atris17 on 15/03/2017 - 17:41

    Consider a second hand Hyundai i30 2014 model or later ?

    Got mine for $14,000 at 40,000km via a Dealer

    • Economical function button
    • Large backspace and backseat
    • 5 yr warranty if it still valid
    • German interior like
    • Affordabke servicing
    • Latest gadjet like iPhone connection
    • Reverse sensor
  • Car-la-la on 15/03/2017 - 17:51
    +12

    take ford focus off your list, replace it with mazda 3

    • olkicom on 15/03/2017 - 18:00
      -1

      What's wrong with the Focus? It seems highly regarded.

      • cpho on 15/03/2017 - 18:20
        +6

        The Focus and Fiesta line has had a notoriously crap gearbox since 2010 when they introduced the powershift dual-clutch

        quick google

        • Fake News on 15/03/2017 - 20:26
          +3

          I second the vote for a Mazda 3, we've got a 2004 Mazda 3 Maxx which is on 195,000km (had since 2010, I'm the second owner) and the only thing I've done is replace the tyres and a couple of headlight bulbs in seven years!
          When we were upgrading my partner's car last year we drove a few from different brands, but the Mazda 3 won out again- we went second hand to save a bit of cash for renovations, but are very happy with our newest 3, a 2010 SP23 model. Again, no issues at all with the second car almost a year later.

          My mother in law had a Focus that was a lemon 3-4 years ago. Bought brand new and broke down within 30 minutes of leaving the dealership, computer went crazy and would not turn back on. After that happening again several times over a one year period, and both Ford head office and the dealership being very unhelpful, she traded it in- took a substantial loss, but was glad to get rid of it!

        • tomsco on 15/03/2017 - 22:42

          My understanding is that has now been resolved for new models, but the way Ford handled it was disappointing.

        • Matt P on 16/03/2017 - 00:52

          Current Focus/Fiesta have abandoned the powershift gearbox.

        • PVA on 19/03/2017 - 19:37

          that was fixed years ago. any new ones would not have this gearbox.

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/03/2017 - 10:02
      +1

      Agree. Do NOT get a Ford Focus - numerous reasons. One which most overlook is very poor resale value compared with Toyota and Honda.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 17:20

        Agree with this, not new at least. The warranty is way too short for their reputation and is very uncompetitive.

        Although I like fords (ranger, kuga, focus etc) and I think they are good cars, I will only get them secondhand where I can stay out of their dealer network and get it worked on through trusted mechanics. My previous focus was reliable, cheap to maintain and saved my life in an accident.

  • Skramit on 15/03/2017 - 18:02
    +1

    Skoda Octavia Ambition 110TSI

    Under 25k and has a features list that will put the other cars you mentioned to shame. Also slightly bigger and more practical than all the others above. The biggest boot by a mile. It's a VW Golf underneath so you get the quality and reliability that the Golf comes with, all in a better body and more features and cheaper than the base Golf.

    It's also now in a runout sale so you can definitely haggle a great discount on the outgoing model.

  • oscargamer on 15/03/2017 - 18:19
    +1

    Please add Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 to your list

  • jaackyy on 15/03/2017 - 18:24
    +2

    run from ford focus LOL

  • Richardc on 15/03/2017 - 18:25
    +4

    Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport hatch

  • good grape on 15/03/2017 - 19:04
    -3

    Recommend Hyundai i30 activ X. With that price you can get alloy wheels and leather seats.
    I even managed to fit one of those IKEA office cabinets with the back seats down.

  • FirstNameLastName on 15/03/2017 - 19:26

    if you are doing research, best thing to do is become flatmates with an asthmatic nerdy male in an opposing department, and form some sort of roommate agreement that he drive you to and from your place of work.

    • PVA on 19/03/2017 - 19:39
      +3

      then crack onto the blonde in the flat across.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2017 - 20:20
    +1

    Love my Mazda 3 neo, and get the safety pack added. ;)

  • shuss2 on 15/03/2017 - 21:28
    -1

    VW Polo or Golf.

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/03/2017 - 10:03
      +1

      BAD NEWS! Stay away for European cars - especially these two.

      • porkandbeans on 16/03/2017 - 10:16

        Why?

        • Kapinny on 19/03/2017 - 13:11

          playing russian roulette with 5 bullets

      • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 13:17
        +1

        Rubbish.

  • apple2016 on 15/03/2017 - 22:25

    If you are going to use your car for uber it's not advisable to buy a new car.
    Also buy a new car consider how long you are going to keep the car. If it's only a few yrs you are going to loose a lot on resale. If you are going to keep the car for more than 5 yrs then think about your needs in 3-5 yrs time. If you think a small sedan still fits your requirements get one. Of the cars you mentioned my choice would be Honda. I would consider skoda Octavia as well.

  • Ozbargainite on 15/03/2017 - 23:24
    +1

    In my town there is a VW polo auto with mags and reversing camera
    10 months rego 14 months old with 1,500 KMs. So not new but virtually.
    Absolute steal if it's legit. Plenty of warranty.
    Plus it is white.
    $14990 before you beat them down, would have cost 21k+ easy
    Downside is it's in Tassie.
    If I wanted a small car I'd buy it.

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/03/2017 - 10:04

      Yes. thats right. Horrible resale value

      • Ozbargainite on 16/03/2017 - 22:28
        +1

        Yes. Better off buying 3 year old Toyota with 50,000kms on clock.

  • captobvious on 16/03/2017 - 00:44

    Get the corolla, it will have a good resale when you decide to sell it.

  • theguru1 on 16/03/2017 - 07:29

    A new i30 is about to be released in Australia which is a significant upgrade on the current model. Personally I would wait for it or you may wish to purchase a run out special.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2017 - 08:25
    -1

    no job and looking for a car?
    wtf

  • pgcs on 16/03/2017 - 10:34

    If you want a small car with power, economy, able to give a burst of speed for overtaking or avoiding accidents, doesn't sound too tinny on the freeway, reasonable amount of room & comfortable rear seats…

    Avoid the ASX.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2017 - 20:36
    -1

    Test drive the Haval H2. Especially if you are planning to use for Uber.

    • 028 on 17/03/2017 - 20:22

      Whats the best price for h2 atm that you know?I know they advertise for 24990 da,wondering how firm is the price,it's a new make,hard to judge,

      • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2017 - 21:29

        Get a demo. better chance to negotiate.

        • 028 on 17/03/2017 - 21:46

          Not buying,just intresting to see how the price settles for a new make.h9 premium is down from 50k to $40490.pic
          Pretty big discount,guess h9 is not as popular for the rrp

    • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 13:19

      Why would you recommend a chinese car.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 17:24

        I drove one of these as I had it as my courtesy car. It's actually quite a decent car. I doubt you have driven or sat inside one. For that price it has a lot to offer plus 5 yr warranty.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 19:03

          It's a price of crap and a death trap.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 19:09

          @thorton82:
          Are you going to back that claim? Ford Mustang has got worst safety rating and it costs $70k

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:09

          @Shiv86: Yeah buddy ANCAP. Chinese cars are a bad joke. Anyone who recommends them should not be giving car advice.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:11

          @thorton82:
          You are generalizing. Others cars have done worse. American cars are the worst at safety. You are saying ANCAP but H2 or H6 hasnt been ancap tested yet

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:15

          @Shiv86: I'm generalising and you just said American cars are the worst (sic) at safety? The Tesla Model S exceeded the 5 star NTHSA rating and broke the roof crush test machine. Pretty much all Chrysler/Jeeps have 5 star ANCAP. You are basing your judgement off on poor Euro NCAP rating on the Mustang, which is and always has been a shit car. Talk about generalising. No Chinese manufacturer has ever made a good car and I don't believe any have ever achieved a 5 star rating in Europe, Australia or the USA.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:24

          @thorton82:
          thats what people said about Kia and Hyundai's.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:30
          -1

          @Shiv86: Yep, and here's a clue. They are still shit. It's just that they are less shit than they used to be. No one with any knowledge of anything automotive would buy a Korean car. You ever noticed that the cars that change lanes without indicating, do illegal U turns in front of you, sit at 80kmh in the fast lane on the freeway, or merge onto a freeway 30kmh below the speed limit are always driving Korean cars? They are cars for people who know nothing about cars. They are reliable and cheap, but they are also rubbish. Motor heads don't buy Korean cars with good reason.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:34
          -1

          @thorton82:
          lol thats just a stupid observation. I drive a SSV and love it but there is a market for cars such as Kia's and hyundais. I bet you havent driven any of their new range. Hyundai Genesis got one of the best safety rating.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 22:07

          @Shiv86: What does that have to do with any point you have made? Try to argue a point. There is a market for Kia's and Hyundais, it's the bottom end of the market.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 22:16
          -1

          lol Motor heads dont buy Korean cars because they dont make cars for the segment. Well Kia Stinger could change that.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 23:59

          @Shiv86: Yeah, no. Koreans make cheap and cheerful cars for people who don't care about cars. That is their segment. They tried to target another segment with the Genesis and failed miserably.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 19:54
          -1

          @thorton82:
          I dont think they failed. Genesis popularity is growing. In States Genesis brand is desired by a lot. Genesis released in Aus was never meant to be the performance king. Genesis coupe could make an impact in Aus. The new twin turbo engines will spice things up. I am very excited for the Kia Stinger. AWD Twin Turbo ..Yes please.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 20:07

          @Shiv86: It doesn't really matter what your personal opinion is, the Hyundai Genesis was an absolute failure by every measure.

          http://www.motoring.com.au/genesis-we-would-like-to-sell-mor…

          It's a flop, and with good reason. It was inferior to its supposed competition on launch, and even with huge discounts (off the ridiculously optimistic RRP), they still couldn't sell any. Add to that a reputation for poor reliability in this car, and buying one of these is a suckers game.

          The Kia stinger is another piece of junk that looks like it came out of a Mattel factory. You'd be much better off with a Golf R for the same money as an example.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 21:08
          -1

          @thorton82:

          The article is 2 yrs old. http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/9E56F574C1…

          Golf R is impressive for the price. As much i think Kia stinger will be good i dont think i will be shopping for it. Not because i dont think i the car wont be impressive but I get the feeling it will be heavy like my SSV (one of the downfalls of the SSV). I am hanging for the new Megane RS or the next version STi

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 22:14

          @Shiv86: oh you think they've sold a lot since then? Even a Chrysler 300 is a better car in the same class for half the money.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 19:06
          -1

          @thorton82:

          That statement is just plain stupid. Just speak to TownCar driver about the 300 issues. I use town car often as i travel for work. They will tell you all the issues with the 300. If you are talking about 300 SRT then maybe you are correct.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 20:42

          @Shiv86: Your arguments are non sensacle, you suggest a Hyundai Genesis, a car renowned for its poor reliability, but poo poo a 300C. I'm done with this thread, but as I said before, you need to argue to a point instead of throwing out straw men and undermining yourself.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 21:06

          @thorton82:
          So you think 300c is reliable. Where did you find Genesis issues ?

  • 028 on 17/03/2017 - 20:15
    +2

    Use new car for uber will speed up the depreciation due to extra km done and maybe less clean interior.you can rent uber rental car for $249 a week,normally corolla or i30 or similar car,all you pay is petrol,for $249,they provide you a newish car,include insurance,rego,all service done,registration for uber.

    [Please view this ad:]
    ( Ride Share Car Rental,Affordable Car Hire For Uber drivers, http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ascot-park/cars-vans-utes/rid… Price: $249)

    • PVA on 19/03/2017 - 19:44

      or link directly http://rideshare.net.au/

      • PVA on 19/03/2017 - 20:49

        and its only for adelaide according to their site (which a lot of missing info such as FAQ to be added later.

  • Deuced on 18/03/2017 - 21:30
    +4

    Went through the same process myself with very similar criteria and went with a Mazda 3. Here's a few of my research notes:

    Sedan vs hatchback, hatchback wins on everything other than looks. I prefer the sedan look, but hatchbacks are more practical to own and drive.
    Storage space can be expanded at will by folding down the rear seats (just did a Costco run, and that really came in handy).
    It's easier to gauge distance reversing in a hatchback than a sedan (previous driven a 2004 Corolla sedan) since the car ends at the rear windows rather than have a trunk stick out a good 1m or so behind the windscreen.
    Rear windscreen wipers. Usually exclusive and included in hatch variants only (within this price group).
    One small knock against hatches is that the rear view vision could be smaller than the sedan variant due to a smaller window. It's not unsafe, but it's noticeable compared to sedans.

    I must note that I didn't test drive any vehicles prior to making my decision. So take what I found with a grain of salt:
    My priorities were safety, fuel economy, performance and ease/cost of repair. In that order.
    Safety was mostly a wash across modern vehicles as every brand had some form of ABS, reverse camera (built in or readily available) and high safety ratings.
    Performance and fuel economy were basically the inverse of each other, but my logic was to prefer the higher performing engine between similar fuel consumption figures, and kicking the fuel guzzlers regardless of performance.
    Ease/cost of repair follows the assumption that more popular brands (sales volume & cars on the road) were cheap to repair & maintain due to surplus of parts and herd mentality. Japanese brands have an advantage here.

    My shortlist became the following:
    Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, VW Golf.

    Pros & cons of each brand/vehicle:

    Mazda 3 (I'm not going to rave about it because despite how much I like it, it's all I've driven and all I know so it won't be a fair comparison)
    Pros
    2nd or 3rd best engine (behind Ford & Golf?) and the most powerful (on paper) without a turbo. High horses and torque. Not sure how it compares IRL so do test drive if you're interested.
    Top 3 brand by sales volume in Aus - reliable car(?)
    Had dealer within 15 min driving distance.
    Telescoping steering wheel - great for tall ppl like me.
    Pretty good 6 speaker system - I'm an audio enthusiast. Not planning on upgrading the in car speakers but they are decent in stock, and the in car settings are pretty useful.

    Cons
    Native in car entertainment system & poor built in sat nav (it's accurate, but route predictions suck).
    Trouble folding/unfolding rear seats when front seats are moved all the way back (rear headrest gets locked by the front seats)

    Hyundai i30:
    Pros
    Probably the closest direct rival to Mazda.
    Hyundai engineers benchmarked the Mazda 3 in designing the i30. Upgraded interior (comfort & materials?)
    Android Auto
    Softer, more comfortable ride than Mazda.

    Cons
    Hyundai engineers benchmarked the Mazda 3 in designing the i30. Basically an original vs copy debate.
    CVT. I wanted a gear shifter. Not bashing CVTs because it's a fantastic engineering concept (watch Engineering Explained)
    Less powerful than Mazda
    Higher fuel consumption than Mazda & VW

    VW Golf
    Pros
    Turbo. TURBO. Nuff said.
    Dieselgate - easier price negotiations, lower prices(?). Was only consider petrol anyway lol.
    Better handling(?)
    Most comfortable ride for being an European car(?)
    Most fuel economic (beating Mazda by around 0.2L in ADR ratings)

    Cons
    Less powerful engine than Mazda & Hyundai.
    Dieselgate - poor resale value.
    Repair costs

    Things that didn't really matter:
    In car entertainment/technology - didn't matter since they were quite similar. The biggest diff was Android Auto vs. native (i.e. Mazda) but that wasn't important to me. Any advantages are considered as bonuses and didn't have much sway in overall consideration.
    Comfort - the car is driven by me 80% of the time. I preferred a harder ride to 'feel' the road more. The Mazda I'm driving smooths out bumps so they don't feel jolty, but still give me plenty of feedback on the road surface. Guess you could add a cushion on the seat if you wanted a more comfy ride?
    Looks & interior aesthetics - honestly not bothered by anything produced after 2012.

    Those that didn't make the cut but were researched extensively:
    Ford Fiesta, Renault, Toyota Corolla
    Ford got kicked due to low fuel economy despite the best in class engine. Renault was kicked for being too niche of a brand and cost of repairs. Toyota was kicked for being Toyota - anaemic performance, pedestrian features and the lack of excitement - basically a budget Mazda in my books.

    Sorry for wall of text. Hope this helped.

    • olkicom on 19/03/2017 - 12:39

      Appreciate the advice! I am leaning towards the Mazda 3.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 13:26

      I think you're wrong about the power. Even the base Golf might be rated at 92kw on paper, but when you drive one, it is quicker throughout the rev range than either of the competition. It has torque everywhere thanks to the turbo, where as the Hyundai and Mazda has old school NA lumps.

      The interior of the Golf is better, it handles better and it's not a Hyundai. Put it this way, if people in Toorak want a small car, you don't see Hyundais and Mazdas out the front of their houses, you see Golfs. They are the standard setter and class leader.

      • Deuced on 19/03/2017 - 19:20

        I'm inclined to agree with you as I've noted that I've only done paper research and haven't had the opportunity to test drive all the vehicles on my shortlist.

        My research did point to the Golf being the class leader for a few years (pre-2012?), but the Asian manufacturers upped their game and became competitive on all levels, be it performance, comfort or features.

        Not trying to diss the Golf at all, I would love to drive a turbo engine for the kicks. Please do test drive the vehicles for yourself and not rely on paper specs alone like I did.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2017 - 20:10

          The Golf is a higher class of car. The others are just pretenders. The interior of a Mazda for example is straight out of the 2000s

        • hoey888 on 21/03/2017 - 21:29

          @thorton82:

          If you have a heavy right foot and drive like its stolen, a Golf is definitely the most enjoyable. Just be prepared to pay for the upkeep to keep it that way as the maintenance is a killer. Getting rid of that service light is just too much hassle compared to Hyundai or Mazda. I service my own cars meticulously, too much hassle of servicing car yourself only to pay someone to reset the service light; get my drift?

          To be honest, for the average person driving in suburbs and short drives all three will do the job just fine.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 22:24
          -1

          @hoey888: Service your own car? ewww..

  • Frugal99 on 21/03/2017 - 07:33
    +1

    @ olkicom Coming from someone who just purchased a new small car after test driving almost every small car on the market this is my advice.

    1. The best in my opinion on the market is the new subaru impreza . Best interior quality by far ( need to actually sit in it,not just look at photos) , it is made in japan and feels superbly built, better than anything in its class . Only issue is its it may be hard to find/haggle one on your budget (i had the same budget).

    2. Golf and Skoda Octavia are both good choices and near as makes no difference , although i prefer the skodas value and size ( ps. Its what i thought I would end up buying when i started my car search) .

    3. I didn't like the focus nor its fit and finish. The corolla is fine but has an outdated infotainment system and short warranty. Also i didnt like the mazda either, thought it was a little boring, had harsh plastics and wasn't strong on value or technology .

    4. I actually purchased the Honda Civic but if could i would have stretched my budget for the new Impreza

  • wfdTamar on 21/03/2017 - 09:04

    Skoda Octavia or Rapid, or even Fabia (not sure of your size requirements).

  • grem323 on 21/03/2017 - 21:39

    i;d recommend the following mainly

    • Honda Civic ( darn good value for money even for the base model)
    • Subaru Impreza (2017) (the new one's been such a hit in terms of value, but engine can be draggy)
    • VW Golf (i own this) (if u treat it nicely runs reliably for life)
    • Mazda 3 ( the main thing that grinds me gears is the road noise on this, else decent ride)
    • Kia Cerato (its got 7 yrs warranty!! same / better features as that of the hyundai i30
    • Hyundai i30 (last but not least)

    end of the day only a test drive of these would give what you're after

  • yolow on 23/03/2017 - 08:43

    Check out the Subaru impreza 2017 base model:-
    "• 2.0L Direct Injection Boxer engine
    • LineartronicTM CVT
    • Integrated infotainment system
    • Smart key with push-start ignition
    • 6.5"" touchscreen
    • USB port
    • Rear view reverse camera
    • Privacy glass in rear
    • 17” alloy wheels
    "

  • Brucet on 28/03/2017 - 08:53

    I suggest you purchase a Toyota Corolla because its more reliable.

  • knowwhat on 30/03/2017 - 14:58

    what is the experience of Holden Astra?

  • ozeebee on 30/03/2017 - 21:30

    Ford Fiesta ST

    Life's too short to drive a Toyota whitegood.

  • Rizflip on 01/04/2017 - 19:42

    I would suggest looking at the Hyundai i30 - outgoing model or the Cerato. Try and get them lower than the currently advertised $19,990 driveaway deals. With their long warranties, it would help in retaining a resale value (which you may lose in terms of high usage of the car from Uber driving, if you go down the Uber path that is).

  • kylarstern on 02/04/2017 - 19:08

    New/demo VW GOLF/JETTA. Or second hand BMW 1 series or Audi A3. if you want a sedan get the A3 sedan or Jetta. Done.
    FYI: I am an Ex-VW Jetta owner. Owned the car for over 5 years, great all-arounder (sporty and comfortable at your desire) and NO ISSUES AT ALL before upgrading recently to a BMW 3 series.
    My mum owns an Audi A3 and its around 4 years old, excellent daily driver, comfortable, practical, NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER.
    Both the A3 and Jetta (pretty much the same car) have awesome practicality (great rear room space and decent boot). Why bother with anything else?

  • CheapGit on 03/04/2017 - 15:28

    In the same situation here, wife looking at something newer and not necessarily brand new. So some info in this thread for her to check out.
    Though I'll imagine she will want another Focus as she is happy with her current Focus with the 2.0L Duratec bought new and almost 10yrs old, with not a single issue, driven every day. Just looking for something newer.

    • Rizflip on 03/04/2017 - 20:50

      The market is quite different now in terms of strong competition. The Korean brands have caught up to the Japanese and the European brands such as VW & Skoda are pricing cars comparatively. Some food for thought in this thread for your wife's next purchase.

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