Looking for a Shortlist of Cars to Buy for Wife < $20,000

nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:11
Last edited 19/03/2018 - 23:00 by 1 other user

Hi,

I'm looking for a car with automatic transmission to buy for my wife. Needs to be less than 20000 including on-road costs. I'm in Victoria.

The biggest concerns she has are:

  1. parking in tight spots (Tight for her are actually something like just parking perpendicularly between two cars. She'll kill herself if she has to do a reverse parallel parking or park perpendicularly in reverse. lol. But the car she drives is our 2007 Aurion with no parking sensors or reversing camera, so perhaps she can be excused a bit.)

  2. car moving backwards on a hill while trying to accelerate out of a stop. (The car she trained to get her license was like that. it was a Yaris. Ours doesn't.)

  3. car breaking down (bad luck could play a big part in this, but she would avoid any brands/models known to be less reliable than others. I guess Japanese and the South Koreans are the one to go with.)

Any driving assists would be helpful, but I doubt you could get much for less than 20000.

Not looking for a brand new car at all. I would rather get her a $2000 car every year if I could. But I have to think about protecting others' cars. XD

Regarding the size of the car though, we need to put two child car seats at the back and a pram in the boot. So the smallest car in the world might not be suitable for her.

On the other hand, since she's so used to driving an Aurion (except for parking), perhaps if we could find a model with reverse parking sensors and camera, maybe she can learn to park perpendicularly in reverse, which is what I prefer because of the size of the car. Something like this: https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Aurion-20…

What do you guys suggest? I'm sure I'm not the first person put in this position by their wife. :D

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 22:16
    +3

    Suzuki Swift… Navigator model starts at $17,990, so an auto version of that could be had for around the $20,000 budget or even less with a bit of haggling for an ex-demo model.

    My wife can’t park for (fropanity) and the size of this car is excellent for her and her morbid fear of parking.

    We have a daughter who is 6 and the wife often packs her and a friend in the car, both in car seats in the back without any issue. We have put prams in it a while ago, but not the huge “my husband has more money than your husband” types of prams…

    The Swift has a hill hold feature, so in steep hills at rest while you wait, it will have that feature.

    Lastly, it is a Japanese car and outputs is very reliable. We take it for services and that’s it. Never had any warranty issues with it outside a recall for a clip in the engine bay.

    Very good, reliable and quality cars considering the price.

    Spackbace will back me up on this… won’t you buddy? :D

    • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:31

      So it's just got a reversing camera (above the base model), but none of the trims has parking sensors.

      Why the auto version? Their CVTs are bad?

      • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 22:40

        If you want parking sensors that go beep when you get to close, these are easily retro fitted after. There are heaps of kits available. Get it as part of the deal, tell them you want parking sensors, the dealer will most probably get them fitted.

        Why the auto version?

        I'm looking for a car with automatic transmission

        Cause it’s what you asked for?

        And I don’t know what all the hoopla is about CVTs. It’s like everything else with cars, people are scared of technology they don’t understand or isn’t what they are used too. They make up garbage excuses to justify their fears.

        InB4: the CVT bullshit train arrives at the station.

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:42

          Sorry, when I said automatic, I meant NOT manual. CVT is fine as long as there aren't any known reliability issues.

        • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 22:48
          +1

          @nushydude:

          Wife’s car is automatic. I don’t know and don’t care if it’s planetary type auto or CVT type. It has P, R and D, and only 2 pedals, that’s all she cares about.

          I drive it from time to time, and it feels fine to me. As I said above, no issues with the car in any shape or form, including the gearbox.

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:51

          @pegaxs:

          Yes, my wife won't care as long as there is no clutch either.

          Any reason why you went with the Swift, say over a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent/i20 or Mazda 2 or Toyota Yaris for "about" the same price?

        • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 22:59

          @nushydude:

          We tried everything else on the market and it was just the right price for the right car with the right features. Nothing more than purely economic reasons. It was the best AND cheapest car in the price range.

          Previous car to this was a Toyota Yaris and she didn’t like the new Yaris coming from the old one. And it had that “Toyota” price tag.

          Accent was a bit to Poverty Pack for me and never been a fan of Mazda anything. They are just “meh”. The I20 was on the list though, as well as the I30.

        • spackbace on 19/03/2018 - 23:00
          +1

          @pegaxs:

          And I suggested Swift so many times it was in your subconscious 😂

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 23:01
          +1

          @pegaxs:

          Thanks man. You've been very helpful. I will keep the Swift on the list. I will try my best to get my wife to do a test drive on one of them.

        • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 23:08
          +1

          @Spackbace:

          Hahaha… I almost put “InB4 Spackbace suggests Swift…” :P

          @nushydude

          My pleasure…

    • spackbace on 19/03/2018 - 22:50
      +1

      My head went to that suggestion except for space. My thoughts are that 2 car seats and pram could be squishy.

      But if everything fits ok, 100% a good suggestion :)

      Even stretch the budget to a Vitara RTS? $23990 drive away but more room but keeps the good economy and easy to park

  • hogwarts on 19/03/2018 - 22:26
    +5

    If you are looking for something that doesn't break down often and low service costs I would go straight for a Toyota.

    • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:33

      Is it just Toyota, or all Japanese ones are reliable too? Why on earth do they only give 3 years warranty on new cars then? Because they don't have to compete with ones giving 5 or 7 years warranty?

      • hogwarts on 19/03/2018 - 22:38

        I am not sure about that but we currently have a 2003 Toyota Camry still running fine which we bought brand new.

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:41

          I see. Yes, I've heard Toyotas are very reliable. Our Aurion's been reliable too.

          But cannot buy brand new unless a Yaris I guess. But 3 year old Corolla Hatchback is within the budget I'm sure.

        • hogwarts on 19/03/2018 - 22:46

          @nushydude: I am sure you can get a used Camry which has your requirements for your budget

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:49

          @hogwarts:

          True that, but a Corolla will be more manageable I suppose due to the smaller size?

        • hogwarts on 19/03/2018 - 22:52

          @nushydude: It all comes down to what you need it for but as you said you needed it for 2 child car seats and a pram which I thought a Camry would be best suited. I recommend looking through car ads and seeing if you'd think it would be suitable for your family.

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:58

          @hogwarts:

          I understand. We will have the Aurion for a few more years and it would do well as the family car, but I don't want to swap the car seats every time we go out. So, yes I shouldn't go for the smallest car in the world.

          I will look at the Camries as well.

      • daiwai on 28/03/2018 - 10:56

        I don't understand the 5 or 7 years warranty hype, does that really mean anything? Japanese car in general don't have much reliable issue even just providing 3 years warranty, other than recall.

  • WTF on 19/03/2018 - 22:41
    +10

    Suggest you let her choose the car. Otherwise, whatever you get will be the wrong car and you will never hear the end of it.

    • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:46
      +1

      Believe me, I know my wife more than she knows herself when it comes to anything other than clothes. Clothes, I have no clue about, even for myself. I wish it wasn't like that. Makes my life too difficult.

      She will never do a test drive in a car she has never touched before! I will have to test drive and practice with her for few weeks before she will be confident enough to drive it alone.

      • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 22:51
        +1

        What tha…. are we married to the same woman?? :D You just described exactly what my wife is like with cars…

        • nushydude on 19/03/2018 - 22:52
          +1

          I knew I won't be alone :D

      • Banana on 20/03/2018 - 10:46
        +2

        Dad..is that you? Because you just described my mum :O

        Replaced her old Camry with 3 different cars before she settled on..another CAMRY.

        OP, just get her a Camry.

        • nushydude on 28/03/2018 - 15:06

          My kids aren't young enough to type something properly with a keyboard, so no, I'm not your dad. :D

          Camry is too big. It's pretty much the same as what we have currently, with a smaller engine. Sure, a newer model will have the rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, but the size is still unmanageable I reckon. Will have to test drive a newer Camry and see how she feels.

  • spackbace on 19/03/2018 - 22:57
    +1

    My suggestions for bulletproof reliable cars that should tick the boxes and be relatively low maintenance:

    • 1yo Camry Altise - boring, featureless but roomy

    • 1yo Suzuki Vitara RTS - plenty of features, balance of 5yr warranty and 5yrs CPS. Slightly underpowered but sufficient for the city. SUV height and space.

    • New Swift - plenty of features (same as Vitara), 5yr warranty/CPS. Maybe won't be big enough but you'd need to have a look yourself.

    Avoid Baleno.

    • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 23:05

      +1 for the RT-S Vitara. I only went with Swift due to the $20k budget. But I guess if OP could pull off a old stock/ex-demo model, end of month for the $20k mark, this would be an awesome buy.

      But talk of oxymoron… found this on the Vitara info page..

      Best City SUV - Again!

      Tee hee. City SUV… :D

      • spackbace on 19/03/2018 - 23:09
        +1

        Few 2016/2017s out in the market now which would be under $20k, or even a demo might be $22k with the right haggling.

        Depends on colour too. 2-tones are $1250 more so that's a $25,240 car brand new… Outside budget but a used one wouldn't be.

        • pegaxs on 19/03/2018 - 23:23
          +2

          Looked up and found a few ‘17 models that are brand new. These would have to be burning holes in dealers profits. Old stockers sitting around would be great targets to aim for.

          Wish you didn’t bring up the RT-S though… was looking to update my car soon. Looks like a trip to the Suzuki dealer is on the cards this weekend… And I just know this is going to end in tears and deposits…

        • spackbace on 19/03/2018 - 23:27

          @pegaxs:

          The Turbo is a lot more car though 😉 I liked my demo!

  • bobkin on 19/03/2018 - 23:15

    You may be able to get something with autonomous emergency braking - e.g. present on some impreza, mazda3 and i30 models. Especially with two kids in the back I think safety should be a big consideration. Have a look at Monash University's list of used car safety ratings, particularly if you're looking at a car more than a couple of years old

  • Bourb on 20/03/2018 - 06:42
    +1

    Check out the Kia Rio
    It has HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), 7 year Warranty, and free Roadside Assistance during the warranty period.
    If you do a bit of research you will find that the cars coming out of the Kia and Hyundai factories in Korea are just as good as the Japanese cars these days.

  • Nugs on 20/03/2018 - 08:18
    +4

    "What do you guys suggest?"

    based on your description; your wife should not be driving on public roads

    .

    • Aussie Smurfette on 20/03/2018 - 15:57
      -1

      I went there and an a wife!
      I don’t think anyone that can’t acrually operate a car ie drive a manual should be on the road at all, especially putting 2 kids at risk. I am obviously the new old fashioned.

    • nushydude on 21/03/2018 - 09:45

      Honestly, you probably aren't wrong. But if there is a car that can make her drive confidently and properly, then it's unfair to keep her off the roads.

  • seonken on 20/03/2018 - 09:34

    Kia Picanto Auto grey colour MY'18 model for 15K - just bought it - a good economical car with 7 years warranty and a huge list of standard fixtures, yearly fixed price service and 7 years roadside assistance - that's a whole lot of car for 15K. And it looks nice inside and out - it has reverse camera and sensors too. I have two child seats in the back and it is still roomier. It has auto emergency brake - and it works - tested.

    The downside is that it is a low power car - don't expect the performance of a 2-litre engine, but on freeway performs well no problem with speed hitting 110 - engine does not struggle at that speed - cannot say same for uphill.

    • nushydude on 20/03/2018 - 13:52

      What about boot space? Would it fit a pram, with some room to spare for week's worth of groceries?

  • oscargamer on 20/03/2018 - 09:39

    Mazda 3 sedan
    https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-3-2015/SSE…
    Yes it's big enough for 2 kids seats and pram. We did it.
    Boot is actually quite big. The hatch version does not fit a pram.

  • ELH05 on 20/03/2018 - 11:02

    I just got a Holden Astra LT sedan - has a huge amount of bells and whistles including park assist - I am really impressed with this car and that is after I had test driven an i30, elantra and a Kia Cerato.

    You can get these for under $20,000 with very low km's.

    • spackbace on 20/03/2018 - 16:40

      Ah yes, the Korean Astra…

  • srhardy on 20/03/2018 - 11:18
    -2

    DONTs
    dont buy a diesel, no really dont!!! < youve been warned
    dont buy anything with a DSG auto, again YOUVE BEEN WARNED
    beware cruize's are full of recalls, small cars are big prioblems
    avoid eroupean cars and americans too, parts are $$$

    so thats asia cars from Japan, Thailand and Korea that are petrol.

    Japan is no1, so mazda/toyota
    Korea, HYUNDAI and KIA
    Thailand is often holden/ford

    • Euphemistic on 26/03/2018 - 23:24
      +1

      Come on. If you are going to say some of these don'ts, at least explain why. Diesel, not recommended for short city trips. DSG auto gearboxes have had plenty of faults, do your research on an model you are considering. CVT seems to be flavour of the month for current hatches etc, but isn't popular with the masses either. (I have on comment on CVT as I have not owned one, nor researched it.

      Here you say don't buy a Cruze, but further down the page you suggest buying a Cruze, make up your mind.

      Thailand is often Holden or ford, but for twin cab Utes, not sedans and hatches. Ford Focus is out of Europe, as is golden Astra. Other holders are out of Korea.

  • GG57 on 20/03/2018 - 11:18

    Out of interest, is this a 'second' car? And if so, what is your other car?

    • nushydude on 20/03/2018 - 13:50

      This is a second car which will be driven by my wife primarily.

      The family car is a base model 2007 Aurion. She can drive it, but very hard for her to park it, due to size I guess.

  • HeWhoKnows on 20/03/2018 - 11:35
    -5

    This is NOT a car sales or car research site.
    You need to go to carsales.com.au or similar

  • Rainbow Pixie on 20/03/2018 - 14:21

    love these posts as I am looking for a new car too. car.sales site does not have the honest wisdom you get here. It is not a car sales/research site - it is for ALL Ozbargainers looking for a good deal and great advice Amayzingone. You do not have to read the posts if they are of no interest to you. Some people like to share their knowledge and experiences to assist others and I, for one, thank them.

  • Msfrugal on 20/03/2018 - 18:43

    I’m looking for similar but manual…. I also grateful for everyone’s input - including the slagging re our (in)ability to reverse park!!!

    . I happily acknowledge that as I’ve aged I cannot gauge reverse parking as I did in my 20’s. I could park in spaces that’d Aptly be described as “needing a tin opener to get out of” …. sigh…. .. not anymore! Currently driving a 1995 Ford laser liata…. 1.8 engine. It’s our 20 year anniversary this month!!!! She was only 2 and a half when we met , 23 now and she’s only done 158,000 Kms.

    Was told by mechanic that the engine would be fine for several years as they do not make them like they did in 1995. Regularly serving and the
    usual repairs that are e required as aged but still happy to try stall getting another 1-2yr old car til end of year.

    My old lady (car!!!!!) looks fine as she had a facelift about 12 years ago when several panels needed respray so got whole car done. Looks good for her age (just like her owner 😜😜!!!)

    Been parked unused for 20 months and so a standard service, new battery and wipers . For $300 she’s absolutely grand.

    If anyone be has thoughts about what to get as a good manual….let me know. 1-2 yr old model,, with a bit of guts as like the 1.8, and hatchback as so useful. Heard the SUV are heavy and more petrol needed. Plus REVERSE camera

    I’m confused about the ethical side of trying to do my bit to save the planet - do hybrids work? Are they costly?
    I’ve NOT yet done any research so admit totally uneducated about them.

    Look forward to hear what OP does buy. 😊

    • srhardy on 21/03/2018 - 09:11

      BEST BANG4BUCK IS…

      the 1.4L Turbo, Holden Cruize >2013 6 speed Auto as it has the reversing full screen dash cam built in (also GPS). Seen it from 5-8k! <BARGAIN ~ your not after the previous version with the small dash LCD info screen BTW.

      You can also add reversing camera to your car, often has a dash mounted screen.

      • spackbace on 21/03/2018 - 13:04
        +1

        Whilst the 1.4T is the pick of the bunch for Cruze (local engine & gearbox from memory), it's still not a car to recommend.

  • nushydude on 26/03/2018 - 17:40

    Probably should have asked in the OP.

    If you need the car only towards the end of the year, and if you can only manage to save about 10000 by that time for the car, what option would you choose?

    1. Go for a second-hand car paying cash
    2. Finance about 50% and go for 16-20k brand new car?

    Another question. I checked carsales for the advertisements of used cars and many say xxxx excluding government charges. In VIC, how much would these government charges be? Is that the aggregate of duty + transfer always?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join