Recommendations for Car < $15k

kyttiekat on 07/10/2018 - 17:57

Hi all,

Hoping for some recommendations for a small to medium sized car under $15k.

Some requirements:
1. Be a common brand that is easy to service and find parts for.
2. Automatic
3. Small to medium size.
4. A reversing camera or at least a set of sensors.. Parking assist would be a nice luxury.
5. Must have a few cup holders in the front!
6. Post 2015 and low kms if possible.

Will be upgrading from a 2007 Yaris if that's relevant.

I've seen some cheap KIAs and I'm wary about why they seem so affordable, eg 2017 models with <20k on the clock for $10k.

Any suggestions? :)

Automotive Car

Comments

  • Hybroid on 07/10/2018 - 18:01
    +7

    Corolla/Camry.

  • Marcsie on 07/10/2018 - 18:10
    +4

    Corolla,Mazda 3 or Hyundai I30

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 18:15

    I've seen some cheap KIAs and I'm wary about why they seem so affordable, eg 2017 models with <20k on the clock for $10k.

    Link?

      • oscargamer on 07/10/2018 - 18:52
        +1

        requirements….

        7). Has some style. Doesn't need to be much, but SOME !!!!

      • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 19:36
        +1

        But that's $10,500, 2016 and with 49km to go I suspect odometer is greater than 20,000km

      • pao2x on 07/10/2018 - 20:03
        +1

        Thats a micro car. A size smaller than your light car

        A small car is a corolla, medium is camry.

        I think you are getting your sizes mixed up if you are looking at a picanto.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2018 - 20:23
          +1

          Cerato or possibly a rio in the kia range

        • kyttiekat on 07/10/2018 - 21:13

          Oops - yes I had my sizes all mixed up. Didn't realise it was a micro.

          Maybe I should be looking at Corollas then.

      • shookaf on 09/10/2018 - 04:27

        Just for some perspective - I was considering a Kia Rio at a dealership, 16 or 15 model with 20-30kms for $12k listed. It was a pretty decent deal even if it struggled going up basic hills. It was a great looking car and I probably would of purchased it if dealerships weren't so evil! (had a bad salesperson)

  • oscargamer on 07/10/2018 - 18:22
    +3

    Mazda 3

  • empty456 on 07/10/2018 - 18:59

    Camry.

  • JIMB0 on 07/10/2018 - 19:03
    +8

    Could you find another $65k to spend on the car?

  • ifcw on 07/10/2018 - 20:10
    +2

    I'd say i30, Corolla, or Mazda 3 - these retain value pretty well.
    A bit hard to find the common popular small cars if you're looking to spend <$15k, low km's and post 2015. And even if there is, pay the $2 to do a PPSR check on the car before even picking up the phone - it'll be cheaper than the fuel and your time to only find that the car was a previous write off.

    Maybe a Mitsubishi Lancer, or Nissan Pulsar?

    • kyttiekat on 07/10/2018 - 21:11

      Thanks, some good thoughts!

      Why do you think the Lancer and Pulsar are cheaper? I did notice them pop up in more search results.

      Also, if it was you, would you compromise on the model year or kilometres?

      • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2018 - 22:56

        Mitsubishis are shit, wouldn't touch a Lancer personally.

    • kyttiekat on 07/10/2018 - 21:13

      And yes I agree - I always do the PPSR check!

      • ifcw on 08/10/2018 - 07:12

        Depends on your use. If you're a very low kilometer per annum (e.g. 10,000km per year), I'd would not mind a newer but higher km car, so at "end of life" you'll have something in between.

        Otherwise if you're average to high traveler, I would compromise on model year and get a below average low km. Why? Because a 2013 model shape Toyota Corolla or i30 is the same as 2015 - maybe minus a few minor aesthetics and features, so do your research.

        And with both, I'd make sure there's a full service history.

  • thriftysach on 07/10/2018 - 21:33
    +1

    You ought to check this out
    Check out this Toyota Yaris.
    https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Yaris-201…

    Its within Sydney, so good for you.
    2018 Yaris is realistically worth 16.5k Brand New (after negotiation with dealers)

    • ifcw on 08/10/2018 - 07:13
      +1

      Previously written off? Yes

      Though, kudos to the seller for their honesty.

      • Micko179 on 08/10/2018 - 08:56
        +1

        Probably his car! 🤣

        Being a write off(especially with new cars means absolutely nothing ((as long as it's repaired correctly)) as almost every insurance company offers a brand new car if you have an accident within the first 2 years regardless of damage) so this could technically be a new bumper bar & or even as small as a broken headlight. Simple way is to ask for the damaged photos. Here in QLD dealers have to declare WOVR(Written off) status so if I was to guess, they're a dealer(possibly back yard) & covering their bum.

    • kyttiekat on 08/10/2018 - 07:20

      Thanks for the link! Bummer it's been written off though. :/

  • Micko179 on 08/10/2018 - 08:55

    Stick with the Corolla or Camry & you can't go wrong (even for resale!)

    The reason you see Kia's cheap is just that! They're Kia! Yes I admit they have come forward in leaps & bounds over recent years as have Hyundai & now offer unrivalled Warranties but would I buy one? Maybe, if it was very, very cheap!

    • kyttiekat on 08/10/2018 - 10:38

      Thanks, this makes sense. Is it their build quality or maintenance or.. What makes it lesser than a Corolla?

      Total noob here!

    • ferrymcferryface on 08/10/2018 - 12:18
      -1

      See I can't agree with that. I was a Corolla owner. Owned other Toyotas over the years (as well as Fords, VWs and a range of other vehicles). Now I would never own a Japanese car. It'll only be Korean or European. I currently own two Kia vehicles. A Picanto (approx 2 years old) and a Cerato (8 months old). I never saw myself as owning Korean. The previous iterations of Hyundai vehicles were enough to turn me off them for a very long time. The current crop of cars are not like that. The chief designer at Kia is ex-Audi. The cars drive like European cars, without the price tag of purchase or maintenance.

  • ferrymcferryface on 08/10/2018 - 12:13

    I bought a Kia Picanto brand new for $15k about two years ago. It actually surprises me how well it runs, particularly with highway driving (have driven around country NSW and back to Sydney), plus it runs pretty much on the smell of an oily rag. I note that the current model in auto has a promo for $15,890 drive away. I'm sure with negotiation you'll be able to get it down even more.

    Add in the 7 year warranty and fixed price services and it actually is quite a good deal.

    Oh and I owned a Corolla before this. Never ever am I buying a Japanese car after that. They may have been fantastic once upon a time. It now appears a lot of the R&D and investment has gone to Korean manufacturers.

    • Micko179 on 09/10/2018 - 09:31

      So you're comparing older model Corolla's with current model Kia's?! Makes complete sense to me! Kia's (Cerato etc) do NOT drive like any VW (except maybe Mk4 Polo-crap)

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