If my car is written off, which car should I get?

AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 00:01
Last edited 19/05/2017 - 00:55 by 1 other user

Hey all. I have(?had?) a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer ES Manual. Got rear ended on a highway, seems like chassis rails etc are bent. Repair shop's inclination is that the car will be an economic write off.

Although I love my car (first brand new one I ever bought; and probably will be the last), I think I might be saying goodbye pretty soon. I paid $16,500 for my car in 2013 and that included about 750 of lazy tax in not driving to Sydney to pick it up. Doesn't seem like there are any similar deals going on atm, so I am unlikely to get a brand new car again.

I'd like to get something that is value for money up to 20k, but preferably less than 15k has:
space to put a big pram and 2 car seats.
Cruise control,
auto headlights,
4 doors
Voice Bluetooth

other tech would be nice, but I'm not too fussed.

Any recommendations on what I should be looking for? I want a sedan. Should I try and find another Mitsi dealer?

Automotive

Comments

  • Richardc on 19/05/2017 - 00:15

    HRV?

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 00:16
      +1

      I'd like to avoid an SUV if I can… but thanks for the suggestion, also don't think it would be less than 20k

  • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2017 - 00:24
    +2

    Toyota Corolla, Camry
    Hyundai i30, i40, Elantra
    Holden Commodore
    Mazda 3, 6, CX-3, CX-5
    Nissan X-Trail, Qashqui
    Ford Focus, Falcon
    VW Golf, Tiguan
    Subaru Liberty, Impreza, XV

    There's lots, get a 2 year old one with low KM.
    all above will exceed your requirements.
    and thank the lord that your Mitsubishi Lancer gets written, they are the most outdated piles of crap still for sale.

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 00:49
      +2

      Thanks for your post, and input.

      Have you actually driven a manual lancer? If you are happy with the driving dynamics of a I30, I40, Elantra, Commodore, Falcon, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

    • apple2016 on 19/05/2017 - 07:06

      The Mitsubishi Lancer manual is a good drivers car.

  • spackbace on 19/05/2017 - 00:54

    If chasing sedan with a bit of fun then maybe a liberty or impreza.

    Why the desire to shy away from SUV? A Vitara might fit the bill but you'd need to look at a 1yo one for $20k

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 00:57
      +1

      Don't like the look of SUVs/hatches/wagons. I'm sure they have their place… I just don't need the extra weight. I carry enough of my own.

      I looked into a Liberty but nothing really in the price range I'm looking at… do you have any particular suggestions about where I should be looking?

      • spackbace on 19/05/2017 - 01:04
        +1

        Carsales.com.au

        Advanced Search:

        • Your state
        • body type: Sedan
        • transmission: Auto
        • Price: $15000-20000
        • Kms: Max 40,000
        • Year: 2015 onwards

        And then scroll through the results

        • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 01:09
          +1

          thanks. Other than having max of 60,000km, price of $15,000, transmission as Manual, that's exactly what I'm doing.

        • Euphemistic on 19/05/2017 - 10:32
          -1

          @AG_ACT: Then find ones you like the look of and get testing. Drive them, see how you will fit your stuff in and make up your own mind.

          Stick to common and reliable brands. Avoid the Chinese brands (build quality and reliability), avoid the Euro brands for expensive servicing and parts. I guess that leaves Toyota, Honda, Mitsu, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia. Ford and Holden have some serious question marks on their small sedans.

        • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 14:43

          @Euphemistic:

          Thanks a lot. This was exactly my line of thinking so far.

          Just confirming that I am not missing anything of this list that I should be considering:
          Toyota Corolla
          Toyota Camry
          Toyota Aurion Maybe???

          Honda City
          Honda Civic
          Honda Accord Euro

          Nissan Pulsar

          Mazda 3
          Mazda 6

          I'm not sure what Hyundai or Kia make nowdays when I test drove them 3 years ago, they didn't really take my fancy…

          Thank you very much for your very helpful post.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2017 - 05:09
    +2

    Just get another Lancer, you seem to love it.

    And, let's be honest I doubt you'll take anyone's advice seriously here and you're not stupid so you know how to search car sales.

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 15:07

      LOL, I did love it, but I don't know if I want the exact same car after forking out another 5-6 k from my pocket.

  • altomic on 19/05/2017 - 07:18
    +2

    2011 camry

    • PinzVidz on 19/05/2017 - 13:15

      This. 50 series anything from late 2011 onwards, throw in a Kenwood DDX917WS to update it to the latest in infotainment, and to satisfy your "Voice Bluetooth" requirement.

  • lehatu on 19/05/2017 - 09:05

    i'll just put a comment here for study purpose since what OP's looking for is exactly what i'm looking for

  • blergmonkeys on 19/05/2017 - 10:36
    +2

    Kia cerato should fit the bill. $20k driveaway, comes in sedan, 7 year warranty. Make sure you get the AV pack.

  • biozet on 19/05/2017 - 12:12

    buy second hand baby

    • airzone on 19/05/2017 - 13:39
      +2

      I think the op wants to buy a car, not a baby..

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 15:08

      Agree, but what…

  • Mrbean007 on 19/05/2017 - 14:48

    Pay a bit more and get a decent corolla
    As for liberty or imprezza i would stay away
    Fuels not the best being all wheel drive and gearboxes start to crunch toyota for life

    • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 15:11

      I agree with the general statement, but I really don't understand why corolla retain their values so much… they don't seemed to be overly equipped or anything, and to be honest the driving dynamics, while not bad aren't class leading or anything. Might end up being the eventual answer though.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2017 - 21:45

        Get a fkn Lancer

        • AG_ACT on 19/05/2017 - 22:03

          Lol. Thanks. Pretty much decided against a lancer, as I rang around 3 dealers today. None of them are prepared to do anywhere near the $16,500 I paid for mine in 2013. I don't think they are value for money at any more than that though…

        • spackbace on 19/05/2017 - 22:13

          @AG_ACT:

          How many kms on yours when you bought it?

        • AG_ACT on 21/05/2017 - 23:10

          @Spackbace:
          20 I think. I don't remember exactly… I just remember thinking it seemed reasonable for driving on/off truck/parking etc

  • xdave on 21/05/2017 - 16:16

    Camry Hybrid for sure. Drive forever on a tank on fuel!

    • AG_ACT on 21/05/2017 - 23:16

      Genuine question; have you done the maths on this?

      I thought the initial outlay + replacement battery costs would easily add up to more than fuel saved.

      I do 20,000 to 21,000 (mostly highway) ks in a year averaging about 7l per 100 or about $2000 a year in fuel. So in 5 years I'd spend say 10k maybe. Isn't a hybrid still more than 10k more?

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