Son just got a new fulltime job. Probation is 6 months and lookng for a replacement of his old clunker.
Budget is $25k and I'm overwhelmed with choice. First decision is whether new or used. Being a god OzB, I'm inclined towards used.
I guess the lad wants something with character, but I want reliability.
Please flood me with suggestions!
Many thanks!
@Pumpkin_rrr: Set the interest rate to be 7.5% (still much lower than car loans from the banks) and let him learn how to do finance in life.
I know a 7'2 dude in a 4 door Astra.
It was comical. Eventually moved to a two door commodore.
I would hate to imagine what happens if someone lightly rear ended him in the Astra. His foot would probably end up in the engine bay.
Two door commodore?
Ute?
@TheBilly:
Nope. Commodore. With two doors ex boot, fuel and bonnet, glove compartment… Not the ute.
Used Subaru Liberty Premium. GT Gen 4 if you wants looks and fun, Gen 5 if you want comfort and space (and ugliness). Super safe, reliable (never had any issues with both my Libs though others will cry otherwise), great value, super comfy and all the creature comforts you need for a secondhand car.
I was in a 100km/h crash in my old Liberty Gen 4 over 7 years ago. I went straight into the back of another car, and mine flipped 270 degrees onto the drivers's side door and skidded down the Monash for a few hundred meters with my head inches from the tarmac. I walked away with only a bruise from the seatbelt and a pair of bent glasses (which i still wear today). I'll always maintain that Subarus make excellent first cars
Ah Subaru, how can I forget. Will check thanx!
Subaru all the way. For 25K you can get an ex demo Impreza or XV. We picked an ex demo XV end of last year (MY2017) for $22K. Super easy to drive with all the sat nav and reverse cameras and all the safety features.
You've had the same glasses for 7 years?
Yep. I go to eye checks annually and my eyes haven't changed at all apparently. I have a newer pair of glasses, but I still use the old pair for when I'm at the gym, going hiking etc
I have a newer pair of glasses, but I still use the old pair for when I'm at the gym, going hiking etc
And of course driving
+1 for Subaru. Would trade my 2009 VW polo for a Subie anyday.
Edit: +1 for car safety. Was in an 80kmph car crash and everyone came out safely, any other car probably a broken leg from the passenger side and who knows what else.
Direction of impact, car size, awareness of passenger to an imminent impact makes a big difference.
A Yaris T-boning a Volvo is still going to cause more damage to the passengers in the Volvo. That does not mean the Yaris is a safer car.
Only issue I have with the idea of a Subaru as a 1st car is they generally use a LOT more fuel than their competitors.
My ex drove Impreza RX when I had a Golf and that despite enjoying the Subbie it really stung the pocket.
I currently drive a Skoda which IMHO is fantastic bang for buck. It shares most of its parts with VW but I never had an issue with any european vehicles I owned before so it doesn't bother me. Not sure what a 25yo thinks of it in terms of character though…
The newer models are much MUCH better on fuel than the old RX. Also depends on your driving style, traffic etc etc. I keep full logs of fuel use and my gen 4 liberty averaged the same economy as the 1.6 golf I had (8.5 l/100 when I was doing mostly freeway driving), and my gen 5 is the same as my wife's 1.6 Ford laser (10 l/100 in heavy stop start).
I'd personally never own another euro car again. That little golf had a lot of issues and they were always expensive
Octavia RS Wagon here, so basically 2.0 Turbo and 162kw. Overall avg hovers on 6.7-7L/100. Hwy driving is a LOT better! Return trip to Brisbane recently saw it avg low 5s.
As for expensive issues, ask ex how much it cost her to get the gearbox fixed on her Subaru…
@educalifa: Well I guess everyone has their own experiences. I'd personally never touch another euro car again after owning my Golf. Gotta say though I really do like the Octavia wagons, but once burned twice shy.
@nytrojen: Meh… I have been burned by a 99 golf that was as crap as it could be… put it down to getting a lemon. Sister however had an Alfa. That, my friend, I shall never ever ever touch!!!
Was gonna suggest the same thing. Very reliable, safe and fun to drive.
Gen4 Liberty GT if you want something with a bit of power. It'll be punchy and fun to drive, but nothing stupidly fast. I reckon they look good too.
If you don't care about power and care more about looks/luxury, a used gen6 liberty 2.5i could be had for under 25k, possibly even the premium 2.5i that comes with a bunch of great driver aids/safety features using Subaru Eyesight (adaptive cruise control, collision detection, emergency breaking etc)
Not knowing much information, I am going to give a pretty standard recommendation. Buy new, get a hatchback - Corolla, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30. They are all good reliable cars. Manufacturer warranty, nothing really to worry about.
New or an ex-demo with these models - can never go wrong. I drive a Mazda 3 - happy with my choice
I personally like Hyundai i30 altho I never had Korean car.
Gf just bought Mazda 3, good choice.
I think this what motivates him to get a new car LOL.
"I guess the lad wants something with character, but I want reliability."
86 / BRZ
WoW! Toyota 86 vs Subaru BRZ? Very interesting…..
That is probably the best recommendation I have read so far taking into accounts the wants and needs.
Sporty, reliable & economical to run.
Good cars, 350/370z also in that price range but won't be as new
Not as reliable either
They are one and the same thing. The cars were designed as a joint venture - Toyota/Subaru. The differences are mainly aesthetic and option based. But motors, gearbox, driveline, chassis predominantly the same.
That's a trivia for me…
mazda mx-5, at risk of being called a hair dresser.
The model has a bad rep (girls car etc etc) but it's a ridiculously fun and affordable car to drive, quite economical too.
Well for that budget you could look at a Mazda 3 sp25. Just bought one and would recommend
Me too, I went from a 2004 Mazda 3 Maxx Sport to a 2010 SP25 last year and it's great. Zippy, reasonable on fuel and has enough guts when I want to push the engine a bit!
Had one (2010 sp25) briefly for 8 months, they're so crap. Zero character, terrible handling, mundane, slow, poor interior, flat seats, not great on fuel. Glad to get rid of it.
Have owned one also and they have good throttle response with 2.5L petrol engine.
What is his old clunker, and does it suit his current situation for load/passenger/fuel economy etc? Does he want a change of style, ie his current car is too small/large/slow/can't fit bike in.
Does he drive because he has to, or for fun?
What is the garage/parking situation - on the street, garaged, in a rough/safe area?
Definitely go used.
Hatch:
Mazda 3 SP25 ~Better engine, reliable, very good resale value
Hyundai i30 ~ One of the best sellers
Sedan:
Honda Civic
Mazda 3
Subaru Impreza
Yes I like them all….. Think I should think of replacing mine too…
Just got a 2016 Honda Civic myself, there are some demo variants available in QLD for under $25k on Carsales. Absolutely love the car!
Not sure what your son considers good character, but i chose the Civic over the Toyota Camry (also a great car) because the Civic had what I think is character :) - e.g. sporty design, different layout instrument panel, paddle shifters, Android Auto (the best).
Yes I've been reading Honda.
I have always favoured used but nowadays with Tech and all that, cant help by mesmerized in all the bells and whistles, ports screens cables in new cars. Especially when you really cant compare engine from engine. Everyone is driving under 100k or traffic lights every 100m..
I'd skip a Honda, they're pretty disappointing cars and costs add up compared to other Japanese brands
I'm in the market for one. How much did you pay and for what trim level? Any optional extras also included?
A demo VTi-LX, $31000, metallic colour.
Extras: floor mats (already installed) and window tint.
I was thinking about getting the black front grille which is $250 or $500 depending on how much gloss you want. However, I am starting to really like the existing chrome grille so might keep my money and my ozb licence!
Used Toyota 86? You can easily pick up a 2013-2015 model for 25k or less. Pretty reliable, fun to drive, not too fast. Don't get a cheap hatchback in lines of i-20 etc. It is too boring
I would consider Toyota Corolla (sedan), or Mazda 3 (sedan). Try to get an ex demo model or run out. They're both relatively cheap to maintain and look pretty good in my opinion and there are a bunch of benefits for buying a 'new' car. The 86 looks great, but soon you'll realise it's a pretty inconvenient car. Not much space, 2 door, quite low… etc etc.
23 year old guys are not concerned with space or how difficult it is to get into with an old back. It's all about the fun factor. How many times in your life will you have the chance to drive a fun car. If I was him I would look at getting the new Mazda MX-5 ND - Demo's can be had for 25K.
Yes as parent we sometimes wish our kids can live the dream we didnt have or couldnt have…. not me haha
Ae86.
Get a Japanese something, but I would try to avoid $25k on first car. Shouldnt he be dropping something closer to $5k (depending on mechanical ability or willingness to learn) and focusing on 1st home ? My 1st car was $1800, was my platform for learning how to fix cars… Lasted me for 7 years.
Yes my thoughts too. Car depreciates, property appreciates….
This is just a start. You remember when you were 23 and perhaps Mum stepped in and influenced your decision ?
Yeah exactly. Better to get into property sooner than later. Being a parent, I would probably only justify spending more $$$ just to get a better safety rating for car, especially for a son under 25yo.
I got my first car when I was 19, straight after my license. Actually my parents never discussed anything about cars etc, so I figured I was on my own. I just picked up the trading post and went with my friend who was into cars to check out private sales. You should have seen the look on my parents face when they woke up one morning with a strange rusty car in the front :) It took me a month of work to get it to RWC condition plus my parents gifted me with new tyres :) The main thing that car taught me was patience + workshop manual, you can fix anything. I should have kept that car, now its a collectors item.
Yep, you've got my interest. What car was it?
It was a very rusty Datsun 260z, miss it alot. Only if I knew about welding/metal work when I was younger. Cheapest one on carsales at the moment is $19,000 its crazy.. :( 14ish years ago I upgraded to a Nissan 300zx z32 which I still have today.
I reckon Mazda 3's from 2015 to present are great looking cars, and within your budget.
Maybe he should move out, start paying rent/bills, learn a few life lessons before dropping 25K into a depreciating asset. My first job out of Uni I did the same thing and lost a ton of money on a nice car. When you're young you make mistakes but as a father I would encourage your son not to invest this much into a car. Consider even 10k can buy you a great car (8 year old hot hatch) that will be a massive step-up from his current wheels.
As above—- Yes my thoughts too. Car depreciates, property appreciates….
This is just a start. You remember when you were 23 and perhaps Mum stepped in and influenced your decision ?
I moved out at 18 and was married at 23, my parents are great but not all millennial's require mothers wisdom (and house) as young adults.
See I moved out at 19, bought a $20k car and is 8 years later now, added 140k on the clock, wouldn't look back at all.
I've spent maybe $3k in parts over that time, did nearly everything myself though.
$2500 a year is pretty good imo.
I remember hearing this but I can't remember where.
"Buy the cheapest car your ego can afford"
I'd recommend a Mazda 3, Impreza or a Golf.
Take a very serious look at a 2016 Mazda 3 SP25 sedan. It's a fantastic car with a great range of features, looks good and drives really well. Can't recommended it enough.
It's a bit 'grown up' for a young guy. I would suggest the Subaru BRZ as others have.
You're doing it wrong if you are saying "What is available from $0 to $25k." $25k will get you into anything and everything from a family SUV to a Porsche Boxster. No wonder you are overwhelmed. Pick an appropriate budget, car type, features and go from there.
My EXAMPLE list:
-Budget MIN and MAX (eg $12-$15k)
-Age (eg No older than 2010 model)
-Body Type/Lifestyle (Pick ONE: 2D Supermini, 4D Hatchback, Compact Sedan, Large Sedan, Mini SUV, sports etc)
-Minimun feature set (eg. Aircon, Automatic and ESP)
I second the Hyundai i30 recommendations. Aim for one that is 2-3 years old, with lowish kms for the age, for ~$15k. Expand out from there to other brands of the same type of car if the i30 itself doesn't appeal (theres millions of them out there, this is the most popular type of car in Australia after all).
PS. This is a recommendation in how to get started but would also say awareness running costs should be on your mind when you make selections. Definitely get insurance quotes before you consider a particular model (23 y/o male will have significant variation in premiums depending on car model). Be aware if your state has differing rego/ctp cost for more cylinders. Have an idea what a new set of tyres costs for that car. Don't fall into the trap of buying a used high km luxury car just because it seems cheap for what it is - unless you are prepared for the high running costs.
I recommend Luxury Edition of Camry (Hybrid HL).
2012-1013 Top the range with 60,000 km on the clock with full-service history can be had on the road for $20k.
Amazing car and very fuel efficient. Average 5.2 lt/100km
Now before people laugh at the hybrid - I am a car nut and always had high-performance cars (personal imports from Japan and maybe owned around 20 sports cars in my short life as I made money from selling them) and this car (Camry Hybrid HL) has been by far the best car I have ever owned! I could not recommend it highly enough.
Very quiet, petrol engine with 60kw electric engine makes this car nimble in traffic, premium audio - what else do you need.
Also, the updated model is essentially the same just with the different exterior so it is not worth the extra money.
Also if you are concerned about the battery reliability just ask Taxi drivers, these cars do 500,000 and keep on going. Used battery replacement is $3,500.00 so it is not too bad and Toyota has 7-year warranty on the battery pack.
Average 5.2 lt/100km
Was that city, highway or combined?
Technically it is combined but it is mainly stop start driving for the 50km long commute - the best part that is that such economy is on standard 91 octane petrol for which Toyota designed the engine.
Freeway driving it drops to 5.0 lt/100 km if you sit on cruise control.
If you are heavy footed fuel consumption sits at about 6.5 lt/100 km
I have tried ethanol fuel but that shot consumption through the roof and averaged over 6.2 lt/100 km still great in comparison to a 4WD which sits at 16 lt/100 km
Camry Hybrid HL is an absolutely amazing car. Mine has done 93,000 km and it is still on original brake pads as regeneration motors are used for breaking most of the time and break pads are only used on heavy braking.
Very nice, I wish my 2J got that :P
It does 10L/100km highway pretty regularly though
The misses Omega (3.0L version) does 6.7L/100km highway (100kph average speed) which is pretty good for a 1800kg car
What about the Ford Fiesta?
My first car I bought myself was a ex-executive owned 2014 Ford Fiesta Sport with the little 1L 3 cyl eco-boost engine. The car retailed for around $24,000 but because it was ex-exec (condition was next to Brand New, with only 5,000kms on the clock), I got it for $16,000. I found it at a Ford Dealership. The small eco-boost engine is efficient, but it was heaps of fun to drive being turbo charged. It was always a fun drive because it "felt" like it had heaps of power and torque. The drive all round was pretty fun too, and that model to me looks great too. The "Sport" trim level got great looking partial leather seats, leather steering wheel, a great sounding standard stereo system and plenty of safety features like 7 airbags, anti-lock breaks, and traction control.
Mazda MX-5. I had one of these in my 20s and it was amazing. Exceptionally reliable. Unbelievable fun. Cheap to service. Cheap to run. Might be a little tight though if he is tall.
Good to buy used, as the owners tend to be old men.
Would you recommend getting an ex-old man or ex-hairdresser mx5?
I would go with the old man version, although having said that I am fairly sure that the one I had (bought used at a dealer) was owned by a hairdresser who wore a lot of finger jewelry judging by how scratched up the gear-knob was.
10/10 would buy again.
XR6 turbo?
Those are good. Barra engines can make real good power too.
Nah. FOG.
Ask him, he may hate certain cars that you think are fine.
Character? Toyota gt86. Japanese parts means maintenance/repairs are closer to reasonable compared with Euro car costs. Low power means you don't have to worry too much about him. Steering feel and handling of the 86 have been compared to the Porsche Cayman.
Or the current model Mazda 3. Well styled (if anonymous) looks mean no police attention. Plenty of carry space. Reputed not to suck to drive, which is high praise for a what is otherwise an Japanese grocery-getter.
An FR (86) handling like a RMR (cayman)? Whoever wrote that comparison needs to drive more than two cars in his lifetime.
The weight distribution of the car is completely different. The drivetrain on an RMR is so much shorter hence more responsive than a FR.
Still, the 86 is a good choice for a 25yo. Lots of street appeal and doesn't really have any go. Kid wins by having a you-know-what magnet, you win cause the kid is really in an NA 2.0.
Does he want to pick up the babes?
You do that with a mobile phone these days I'm told. (I wouldn't know first hand. I'm a married old fart). So a Galaxy S8 or iPhone 7.
As a 20-something year old who had the same budget (and bought an ASX), I would have gone second hand or cheaper had i had a 2nd go. Either that or get a corolla/i30/mazda 3.
Subaru Impreza WRX or otherwise
Toyota 86 GT
Subaru BRZ
Mazda MX-5
+1 for this. Lets be real, who wants to drive a camry when they are trying to pick up chicks :P
oh yeah for sure, Camry and character doesn't really go together ;)
Buy a miata and you can only pick up one girl at once. Buy a 86/brz and you can pick up one regular sized girl and two smaller girls
haha
+1 to Mazda3 SP25 hatch. It's not a hot hatch but it definitely has character and a luxurious feel to it. Very economical, quite gutsy when you want it to be and full of great features.
Highly recommend a lightly used Toyota 86 GT - you should get a 1-2 year old car well under that price- look for a daily driver car, totally stock and full service history.
Its fun, reliable, easy on the petrol and not powerful enough to get him in (too much) trouble! I have a manual that i use for my daily drive- aside from crappy paint and a few squeaks and rattles its been the best car i have ever owned.
New Car is the best choice
Build the car list - include Toyota CHR is good looking car
Go to dealer for test drive
His final decision
Hands down get a Volkswagen Highline Jetta. 2012-2016 with about 20k on the clock and you'll get it for $20-25k.
They have 147/155kw, nice leather interior, look cool, huge boot, great fuel economy, take 5 adults easily.
By far the best way you could spend that amount.
Don't get new, too much depreciation the minute you drive it out the door.
vz ss
Wow this guy is financially wiser than that Westpac analyst. lol
25k maybe a bit too much to spend fir someone just starting a job especially if you plan on saving money for house.
Get a 10k car and save the 15k for house deposit.
10k = something like used Civic.
Yeah it's an interesting inflection point though.
If you can get a Corolla or i30 for say $22k drive away it's going to cost you almost nothing in maintenance for 5 years or so.
A $15k car over the next 5 years will almost certainly need tyres, pads, rotors, a battery, is probably approaching a major service, timing belt; and on top of that anything that goes wrong with it.
For a new car over 5 years you are likely to need new tyres, it will be approaching a major service as well so you'll either need to get that done or take a hit on the price because it's not done.
For a $15k car maintenance will probably cost less than $7k and the depreciation hit will be less too. So you'll have spent less money and lost less in depreciation compared to a new car.
Thought about it some more. Find a twin cab 4wd ute for $20k, then spend $5k on lift, wheels, bar work. It'll suit city driving perfectly.
Banggood or the like for Light Bars, and don't forget Cashrewards.
@Pumpkin_rrr: Let him have what he wants. When it stops working he will learn something.