Car Recommendations - Sub 30k, Small-ish

[Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 20:23

Guys

Learned a decent amount in my recent post here about Subaru Imprezas/1.99% finance, so thanks for that :)

I'm still pursuing that for the purpose of a test drive of the Impreza and XV, but I'd like to hear some other suggestions. I feel like I've looked at every car (online that is) and just haven't found the right option. Hit me with something different!

The biggest thing holding me back is I pretty much only drive for holidays, which are either to the snow or often involving gravel roads (nothing too wild, but it's nice having the Subaru Outback I have now to deal with it in case), so ground clearance and AWD are… not essential, but very useful. With that in mind… my needs:

Must have

  • 8L/100km or less
  • Comfortable seats for long drives (doesn't matter what material)
  • Good ride quality and NVH
  • Good warranty/reliability
  • Low kms (lightly used/demo would be ideal, but open to new)
  • Enough room for stuff
  • Not so low I can't take it soft roading (gravel tracks and snow)

Nice to have

  • Separate driver/passenger air controls
  • Electric seats
  • A bit of power
  • Good audio

Must not have

  • Tinny speakers
  • Bad NVH
Automotive Car

Comments

  • Agret on 29/01/2019 - 20:56
    +2

    If you are looking at doing some softroading the XV/Impreza are great choices as all Subaru cars (except the BRZ) have AWD as standard.
    Good audio/speaker are cheap aftermarket mods, the stock stuff is always 'okay—good' but great stuff can be had for a little under a grand.
    If you buy cars without factory nav you can also put in better aftermarket stereos quite easily.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:28

      Subaru is expensive as when it comes to service. Wouldn't recommend.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:30

        People keep saying this but I haven't seen any proof - what is a cheaper car to service that fits my criteria?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 19:15

          Here is the proof, example Kia vs Subaru.

          Kia Cerato 2019 7 years unlimited

          • $2,869

          Subaru Liberty Service Plan & interval 5 years or 125,000kms

          • 2.5i - $4,510
          • 3.6R - 5,184
          • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 19:48

            @[Deactivated]: ???

            Except that you've compared a Liberty with a Cerato.

            Comparing similar cars:

            Kia Sportage: 5 years = $1879

            Subaru XV: 5 years = $2405

            And that's comparing a 2WD vs a 4WD… $500 ish to pay for a 4WD? Not a huge deal.

            • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 19:55
              -2

              @[Deactivated]: Sorry mate, it's AWD not 4WD and that's for 62.500 km only.

              As I said, Subaru needs to pull his head in. Less and less people favour them because their business model is still 5 years behind. They lost a huge amount of market because they don't up their game.

              I was a huge Subaru fan until I started driving other brands. For your info, at work I have a pool of cars: 2018 Subaru Liberty, 2016 Holden Commodore, 2017 Toyota Klugger, Camry and a Kia Carnival. Out of them all, I think Subaru is getting the least love, after the Commodore and the Camry. We are 6 people working those cars.

              I have Kia & a Falcon XT at home

          • aussieolfaction on 02/02/2019 - 22:42

            @[Deactivated]: A liberty and a cerato are not on the same league. Perhaps an optima would be fair comparison.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:32

      Thanks mate!

      Re speakers, I know it's not too expensive aftermarket but I'm not an audiophile, I just want better-than-average. E.g. currently I can't hear podcasts on the highway due to NVH and poor output from the speakers. I'm sure most new-ish cars outside the super cheap bracket would be OK audiowise. Appreciate your insight tho :)

      • Agret on 29/01/2019 - 22:07
        +2

        Re speakers, I know it's not too expensive aftermarket but I'm not an audiophile, I just want better-than-average.

        Yeah but you don't have to make this your buying decision, if you can get a different car 5k less and it has crap speakers you can just take it to supercheap auto during a car audio sale and try the speakers in-store then pay em to install.

        For podcasts you don't really need anything quality, just something that doesn't distort the audio and the main issue with it on the highway would be cabin noise isolation. You might need to get your door seals changed in your current car or it may just have bad aerodynamics that bring in a lot of wind noise, if you can't test drive cars at highway speed i'd say it's a bit of a mixed bag.

        • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 22:09

          No no, it's not a deal breaker for sure don't worry :)

          And I know re the podcasts, it was just an example of how useless my current car speakers are. The seals are definitely dead, but the audio setup is also definitely dead and I'm not putting money into something I'll be replacing ya know?

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:28

      Yeah I rate the Forester, but two issues: there's less of them around than the other two Subies, and they are much bigger ergo less fun to drive when I don't actually need the space all that often. I should definitely test one though.

      • Agret on 29/01/2019 - 22:09
        +1

        Yeah I rate the Forester, but two issues: there's less of them around than the other two Subies

        Subaru use a shared platform between their cars, they're all built on the shame chassis and have similar designs so you can interchange parts between them which makes servicing very cheap. For instance you can put a WRX bolt-on exhaust onto a Forester. It keeps production costs down for Subaru and makes cost savings for the drivers, win-win.

        • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 22:10

          I meant there's less in my price range - they are a more expensive car unfortunately. I will definitely drive one though.

  • crentist on 29/01/2019 - 21:24
    +2

    If you want to try before you buy, maybe you could rent from drivemycar or carnextdoor. They're like airbnb for cars, so there's way more variety than regular rentals

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:30

      This is a great idea, I'll look into it.

    • Quantumcat on 30/01/2019 - 11:04

      That's an awesome idea, I'm also thinking about buying a new car

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 29/01/2019 - 21:27
    +1

    Wait for the brand new Mazda 3, it looks pretty neat for a small car. The car is a few weeks from hitting the showroom.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:29

      They do look good, I have seen the previews. Dat 3/4 panel visibility tho…

      But yeah nah I'm sure they are a good car, would you take it down gravel tracks on the regular though? I'd be worried about steep sections or bodywork on a rut.

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 29/01/2019 - 21:33
        +1

        Depends on the gravel track, if its more like an unsealed road at the end of a long seald drive - I wouldn't have an issue. But if its a gravel track going for 5+ kms, thats another story.

        I am not a Mazda fanboy but I know it's a bit out of your budget but the Mazda CX5 Turbo looks pretty sweet too - plus that engine will give most cars a run for its money at the traffic light sprints.

        • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 21:35

          Not a Mazda fanboy? Pshhh ;) I'll have a look actually, I did see a CX5 today and thought 'daaaamn'. They look good.

          Re the gravel tracks, it's a little column a, little column b. Mostly short stuff to get to a beach or lookout or swimming hole or something like that, but I am prone to taking a centuries old 50km backroad that turns out to be dirt. Though to be fair, I've done those sorts of roads in a Honda Jazz so how bad can it be?

          • TheMindsetTraveller on 30/01/2019 - 09:54

            @[Deactivated]: Funny that about the Jazz, When I used to own one 15year ago, I took my car onto Wakefield Park track and did about 20 hot laps ;) Was a hoot. I removed the backseats before getting on the track to reduce weight too ;)

            • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 10:02

              @TheMindsetTraveller: Mate! Did you have the 1.5 VTEC one? Lordy that thing was lightning for what it was. We sold it for chips but I was seriously thinking about some kind of rally car project it was that good. Pulled so hard up in the revs.

  • AdosHouse on 29/01/2019 - 22:16

    New Elantra Elite?

    Must have

    • 8L/100km or less (I get about that combined, or about 5.5-6 with highway driving)
    • Comfortable seats for long drives (doesn't matter what material) (I find them quite comfortable and I'm a fatty)
    • Good ride quality and NVH (No complaints from me, but I come from a VY Commodore, so….)
    • Good warranty/reliability (5 Years warranty)
    • Low kms (lightly used/demo would be ideal, but open to new) (can get new for $25k)
    • Enough room for stuff (I find it as spacey as my Commodore)
    • Not so low I can't take it soft roading (gravel tracks and snow) (Depends what soft of soft roading, I find clearance quite nice)

    • Nice to have ( I like mine, but this is very subjective)

    • Separate driver/passenger air controls (Elite has dual zone climate control)

    • Electric seats (here is a fail)
    • A bit of power (I don't have any problem with it)
    • Good audio (Not great but not bad, but I am biased since I had thousands of dollars of gear in my Commodore, no factory setup will compare for me)

    Must not have

    • Tinny speakers
    • Bad NVH
    • AdosHouse on 29/01/2019 - 22:27

      Didn't read the AWD part being preferable, Elantra would fail for that.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2019 - 22:34

      They look pretty decent and thanks for taking the time to make this informative comment!

      I should have mentioned in the OP that I would probably rule out a sedan just because we can only have one car so it really needs to have as much room as possible for the size - and whilst I don't need a giant wagon, I feel like getting something with a boot rather than a hatch is just limiting myself for no good reason.

      • AdosHouse on 30/01/2019 - 04:27

        Fair enough. New Impreza wagon looks pretty nice, can't see price though, internet is currently about as fast as a turtle with 4 broken legs. Thanks NBN.

    • Levathian on 30/01/2019 - 02:02
      -1

      Yeah but then you've got a crappy Korean car with terrible resale

      • AdosHouse on 30/01/2019 - 04:23
        -1

        Going by this and your comment below, I imagine you aren't a fan of Korean cars?

  • pegaxs on 29/01/2019 - 23:01
    +1

    Hyundai Kona Go AWD? (or very low km demo Kona Active for the same price range.)
    Seems to tick all the boxes you asked about. New one is $30k RRP. Maybe a 2018 MY19 vehicle would be cheaper.

    Reliable company with great track record for customer service. Good warranty and reasonably cheap to service. A little over car ride height, so soft roading not a problem. Apple and Android connectivity. Test drive one a week ago and it felt quite good and handling was what I expected. Plenty of space in the back being a hatchback SUV.

    • Levathian on 30/01/2019 - 02:03
      -1

      'reliable' lol ask any towie what they think of kia and Hyundai…

      • pegaxs on 30/01/2019 - 08:42

        I have. I work with towies quite a bit. Their biggest complaint is the number of Euro shitboxes they have to tow, closely followed by Ford and Holden. When I ask them what cars they tow the least, it’s usually a Japanese or Korean manufacturer.

        Added to this, I know a lot of people who own Hyundai vehicles and they always have nothing but praise for the vehicles and the company. I don’t think I have heard anyone complain about warranty issues, apart from very very minor things, let alone know anyone that has had one actually towed as a result of a fault with the car.

        And this forum, full of the whinging, moaning and complaining people that it is, there is certainly a lack of “my shitbox Hyundai vehicle” posts here to back up what you are suggesting. Maybe 30 years ago you had a point, but today, not so much.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 19:08

        I have 2 KIA.

        One has 250.000km, still works like new, the other has 120.000, never had an issue.

        The only thing I've done to them is regular, as per manufacturer recommendation, service.

  • esty on 30/01/2019 - 08:37
    -1

    New Suzuki Jimny

    • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 08:42

      Yeah I'd like to test one but I'm not convinced about the practicality when the majority of my driving is highways/backroads rather than actual offroading.

      They are absolutely sick, to be fair.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 17:06
    -1

    Ford Escape Titanium, 1 year old from dealer. Shouldnt have a problem bargaining to 30k or slightly less.

    Otherwise Holden Equinox lzv (dont recall what the highest trim is called).

    Mitsubishi Eclipse Exceed (top of the range, if you dont mind the CVT).

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