Looking for a Good New Car under $35k

Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:00
Last edited 18/06/2019 - 01:49 by 1 other user

Hello OzBargainers. I am looking for a new car under $35k as a second car.

Preferred specifications:

  • At least 5 seater
  • Decent fuel consumption
  • 5 doors
  • Decent power
  • Good new technology (entertainment & safety)
  • keyless entry
  • Medium to larger car [edit]

Edit: New car - built from say March 2019. Please complete the poll

Thank you

PS. Not a Holden and Ford fan.

Edit 18/6 Result of poll ended: WOW most votes for the camry. Besides "paying premium for the Toyota badge" what is so good about it?

I will test drive it as well. I didn't expect that.

Poll Options expired

  • 118
    Camry
  • 60
    Other. Please comment
  • 51
    Corolla
  • 44
    Rav4
  • 37
    Golf
Automotive Car

Comments

  • altomic on 15/06/2019 - 10:15
    +3

    2008 camry

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:26
      +1

      Thanx but too old. Looking at new car. Built 2019.

      • Jackson on 15/06/2019 - 20:16

        Why new if we may ask?

        • crashloaded on 16/06/2019 - 12:23
          +32

          Yeah unless it's a tax write off new cars are a waste of money. And there's no place for wasting money on ozbargain.

        • Ginger1 on 17/06/2019 - 23:22

          Its just my personal preference. No tax benefits sought.

          Sorry for late reply.

          • hadronox on 19/06/2019 - 09:50
            +1

            @Ginger1: If I may persuade you. (and you may have heard this all before) The moment the new car rolls out, it will lose 10-20% of its value the moment it rolls out. https://www.carfax.com/blog/car-depreciation

            My opinion is to buy a car of greater initial value that is say 2/3 years old, but specced quite high, at say approx $30k.
            you would then have 5k for repairs if needed (which would go quite far, its very unlikely you'll need so much)

            That said, if you want the latest tech/safety packs, that new car smell. knowledge that no one else has driven it. fair play a new car would be the way to go.

            Also your car choices are pretty solid. but they do differ a lot in size, the smaller ones will be more sporty and agile to drive (less weight and size) easier to park but obvs less cargo.

            for you personally would it be more handy to have more cargo or a better driving experience/easier to park?

            Also if you do get new car, dont get all the crap the centre sells you. get your windows tinted paint protection somewhere else. it will be better and be cheaper

            good luck op

      • eggboi on 16/06/2019 - 12:33
        +15

        Find a good deal on a 2-3yr old car, then sell it in 3 years for a decent price, rinse and repeat. That way you basically have a new car every few years, but someone else cops most of the depreciation. Also let someone else inhale the toxic plastic dash fumes for the first couple of years until the materials stabilise lol.

        • Viospeed on 17/06/2019 - 12:35
          +2

          It sounds like you're a pro.

          • eggboi on 17/06/2019 - 12:39
            +5

            @Viospeed: Among the plebs, perhaps. On here? I’m a mere n00b.

    • IVI on 16/06/2019 - 14:12
      -2

      Toyota Hybrid ('cause EVs are coming up fast &
      you don't want to appear to support "dinosaur"
      car tech)

  • spackbace on 15/06/2019 - 10:17
    +2

    From the Toyota camp - Camry or RAV4. If you want hybrid versions it could be 4 months or so

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:40

      Do you know if they have eofy offers on the rav4

      • spackbace on 15/06/2019 - 11:20
        +1

        It came out a month ago… no

        • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 11:22

          I noticed that. So no deals anytime soon? 🤭

          • spackbace on 15/06/2019 - 11:26

            @Ginger1: No. It's the newest car in the fleet, with the most safety, and a 3-4 month wait on hybrid versions as they account for 80% or so of sales.

            Buy it on it's own merits, not because of a discount.

            • IVI on 16/06/2019 - 14:14
              -5

              @spackbace: 80%… I'm not surprised…

              BUT… after we all get hy-
              brids, 100% Electric Veh.'s
              will be the norm…

              • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2019 - 12:41

                @IVI: 100% electric in Australia just isn't feasible for the foreseeable future, our country is just too vast.

                100% electric for highly dense populous cities on the other hand will be a MUST.

  • Randxyz123 on 15/06/2019 - 10:28

    Can't really go past a Golf for that money.

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:38

      I like the golf tell me more please

      • scatman00 on 15/06/2019 - 10:40
        +66

        Can't go past it for the money.

        • djmm on 18/06/2019 - 07:45

          For the money, i like it tell me more.

      • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 10:47
        +36

        It'll fall apart at 7 years old and be really expensive to fix

        • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 11:16

          Can you please give more details. Is there something specific that makes it fall apart. I heard stories similar but not really clear what the issue is?

          I had a holden cruze, it fall apart at 5.5years just 6 month out of warranty, i owned it from day1.

          So on that 7 years may be a better car? 🤷🏿‍♂️

          • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 11:28
            +2

            @Ginger1: Have a read on the forums about European cars and VWs in general

          • JIMB0 on 15/06/2019 - 15:28
            +13

            @Ginger1: Golf drivers often find that their cars end up going putt putt then fall into a hole.

          • Jackson on 15/06/2019 - 20:20
            +2

            @Ginger1: It was really falling apart from day 1, the service department only told you 6 months out of warranty

          • KLoNe on 17/06/2019 - 09:46

            @Ginger1: The problems make it fall apart.

          • seefu on 18/06/2019 - 13:47
            +1

            @Ginger1: They really don't have the best reputation in reliability. They do have all the cool tech though.

            My dad's 2011 Golf had an ABS sensor fail and it would not be covered under warranty. They wanted $900+ for it. I was travelling interstate and found some used for $90. He replaced it and then another 2 went at the same time. My sister sent us a couple of replacements and then a month later, finally, the last original ABS sensor died. This all happened within 4 years of owning.

            Since then and only just recently, it's had 2 more needed replacing.

            He bought it brand new and has kept it all regularly serviced. It has been a very fun car to drive but we're now waiting for the next time it throws an error light.

          • brad1-8tsi on 20/06/2019 - 12:06

            @Ginger1: VW group cars can be very hit and miss. Some of the engines are great and some self destruct. Some of the gearboxes are rubbish.

            I own a VW group car and it's been great but I don't recommend them to my friends…

        • AMelbournian on 17/06/2019 - 21:41
          +2

          I have a 2007 MK5 Golf with 240k on the odo. Haven't skipped a beat. So, I have to disagree.

        • AMelbournian on 18/06/2019 - 20:52

          @Quantumcat I'm aware of the concept. I was disagreeing from my personal point of view, not in a general sense.
          However, if you go down the path of science, shouldn't you first define a set of metrics to quantify the reliability of vehicles and then, provide substantial proof that VW vehicles exhibit significantly inferior metric values? 🤔

          • Quantumcat on 18/06/2019 - 21:20

            @AMelbournian: I was going by a survey method of posts people make about their older VWs on this site :-p It could be flawed I admit as people don't usually post unless they have a problem, and there's no way to tell the actual percentage of VW drivers on the forum.

            • AMelbournian on 19/06/2019 - 00:52

              @Quantumcat: Quantumcat Yeah, I wouldn't rely solely on those comments. One can argue that Baader–Meinhof effect might be playing a role in such cases.

    • Viospeed on 17/06/2019 - 12:37
      +1

      Wouldn't touch Volkswagon after the emissions scandal.

      • lemonty on 17/06/2019 - 19:52
        +4

        I bought a Volkswagen specifically because of the so called emissions ‘scandal’.
        It’s great. The worst thing about it is you can’t easily permanently turn off the stupid stop start system.

        • Ginger1 on 17/06/2019 - 23:28

          I used to be critical about VW. Now i like it and my wife reminds me what i used to say every other day. Its grown on me

        • brad1-8tsi on 20/06/2019 - 12:08

          it's not hard to turn off stop/start. Use VCDS or OBD11 and set the minimum battery threshold to the max figure available. IIRC it's 15v.

    • giventofly on 18/06/2019 - 18:58

      Wouldn't go near a VW. Garbage quality.

  • Melb69 on 15/06/2019 - 10:32
    +14

    A hydundai or Kia

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:47
      +1

      Have never considered these brands. Any good?

      • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 10:48
        +11

        Yes Kia gives 7 year warranty and they come with more features than others. With corolla for eg you're paying a premium for the Toyota badge.

        • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:50

          So you recommend the cerato?

          • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 11:31
            +2

            @Ginger1: I ended up buying one after months of deliberation and I absolutely love it! I don't have a long time of experience with it though (got it early this year). It was about 22k all up.

          • BestofOZB on 15/06/2019 - 23:38
            +2

            @Ginger1: Optima if your budget is up to 35K.

          • brad1-8tsi on 20/06/2019 - 12:11

            @Ginger1: My ex has a 2016 Cerato. She says it's a bit heavy on fuel for the size but otherwise great. It cost her $18k drive away with Auto and upgraded "tech pack" (bigger screen on centre display)

        • whooah1979 on 15/06/2019 - 11:33
          +7

          a premium for the Toyota badge

          I never thought I would see the day when people start calling Toyota a premium badge.

          • spackbace on 15/06/2019 - 11:36
            +8

            @whooah1979: They didn't…

          • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 12:10
            +2

            @whooah1979: Not that Toyota is a premium badge, that you can expect it to keep its value and people think it is a quality car, so they're willing to spend more on it than a similar sized and featured car of another make.

          • brendanm on 15/06/2019 - 13:13
            +6

            @whooah1979: Paying a premium for the badge, not that it's a premium badge.

            • AEKaBeer on 16/06/2019 - 13:15
              +1

              @brendanm: For 35K consider the Elantra, it's a really good sadan.

          • Kegsta on 16/06/2019 - 13:45
            +2

            @whooah1979: They aren't calling it a premium badge, they are saying you pay an extra $5k or whatever for the same or inferior car with less features because it has a Toyota badge rather than another less popular brand.

            • Jugganautx on 16/06/2019 - 21:12
              -1

              @Kegsta: Is this a joke… theres a reason toyotas are reliable and are worth that extra. Stupid comment.

          • brad1-8tsi on 20/06/2019 - 12:13

            @whooah1979:

            I never thought I would see the day when people start calling Toyota a premium badge.

            He didn't say it was premium badge. He said you pay a premium for the badge.

            Toyota has always charged more than its peers and had less features. Supposedly you are paying for reliability and long life.

      • playswithfire on 15/06/2019 - 20:38
        -1

        I can't speak for Kia but Hyundai are on my "never again" list after my 2010 ix35. The transmission was really bad from day 1, but was told it would be fine in a couple of days after it had more than 100kms done. Ended up getting the transmission replaced twice as well as the clutch and the fuel pump - and each time it meant going without the car for a couple of weeks as they had to get the parts from overseas! In the first year, I spent a total of 8 weeks with a loan car from the dealership while they kept trying to fix it, and failed every time. After 3 years the head unit stopped working and they tried to argue it wasn't covered under the 5 year warranty!

        Lease ended in 2015 and I then leased a Skoda Octavia. It is, hands down, the best car I've ever had - it was so good that when my lease came up last year I got the new model. It's pretty much the same as the Golf but a little cheaper.

        • Euphemistic on 16/06/2019 - 07:11
          +2

          @playswithfire Kia and Hyundai are brothers exactly like Skoda and VW. Common engines, drivetrain, different body.

          • playswithfire on 16/06/2019 - 09:11

            @Euphemistic: I had heard that but as I've never owned a Kia, I don't speculate as to what they (or their service) is like.

            • Euphemistic on 16/06/2019 - 09:15
              +3

              @playswithfire: And unfortunately your sample size of 1 for Hyundai and Skoda doesn’t equal what the majority find. Hyundai are generally recognised as great value vehicles because they are reliable and have cheap parts and service. Skoda/VW are in the other camp with people not recommending VW due to service and parts costs after warranty.

              • playswithfire on 16/06/2019 - 14:23

                @Euphemistic: Strangely enough, that wasn't my only Hyundai - also had a little excel for the wife. It was pretty cheap and reliable for a while, until major things started going wrong with it. Ended up selling it for parts a couple of years back.

                I dispute the cost of service though, absolutely. The servicing costs on my ix35 for the first 2 years of that lease were slightly more than the servicing costs of the first Skoda's 3 years and my second Skoda as well - over 5 years the servicing costs were astronomical.

                oh and one other thing. When the 5 year lease was up, and I was looking around for a new car, the option to get another Hyundai was there, and the dealer who I had bought off, and had the car serviced at for the 5 years, did the assessment for trade in value. He told me that the most they could do on a trade in was $8,500, even though 5 years previously he had told me that Hyundai's generally retain 50% of their value after 5 years. In a way, he was right - as I was able to sell it for $13,500 privately - which is just under 50% of the OPP - but being offered such a low trade in value was adding insult to injury.

                So you can see how my experience of Hyundai has not been a pleasant one.

                • Oz8argain on 18/06/2019 - 09:59

                  @playswithfire: you can't believe everything the dealer tells you, you can check real depreciation from carsales ads. At the end of the day, they just want to make a sale.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2019 - 18:08

          I won't pay even a cent for any cars made by VW Group.They are criminals

          • playswithfire on 17/06/2019 - 10:16
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: arguably all car manufacturers and oil companies are criminals, given they've known about the impact of these vehicles on climate change for 40+ years.

          • Buckshot on 17/06/2019 - 13:59
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: They're just the ones that got caught.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2019 - 19:22

          Yeah, one bad product doesn't make the brand bad.

          I just sold my 2004 Kia Cerato, 260.000km ODO. Never had a problem and I think it will go another 200k easy.

          Based on that experience I bought a 2018 Kia Sorento, $30k with another 6 years unlimited km warranty. Absolutely love the brand, best bang for your buck.

          • playswithfire on 19/06/2019 - 08:16

            @[Deactivated]:

            Yeah, one bad product doesn't make the brand bad

            No, but for the one person who unfortunately bought the bad car, it certainly taints their opinion of the brand. In my case and above example, the dealerships (and Hyundai Australia's) responses and treatment to all my problems with that car also tainted my opinion. And when the only loan car available from the dealership is a Hyundai Getz when your car is waiting for replacement parts, and you've got a family holiday booked that you need a large car for, that really doesn't help!

            If your new Kia ends up having a problem and you end up going without it for 8 weeks while the dealership stuffs around trying but not fixing the problem, how do you think that would affect your opinion of the brand? Be honest about it.

          • pyramid on 24/10/2019 - 17:27

            @[Deactivated]: Did you buy 2018 Sorento for $30k? What was odo reading?

            • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 20:04

              @pyramid: 60k km.

              • spackbace on 24/10/2019 - 20:29

                @[Deactivated]: Holy hell that's a lot of kms!

                https://www.kia.com/content/dam/kwcms/au/en/files/service/Ki…

                This 7 Year Unlimited Kilometre Warranty does NOT apply to vehicles used at any time during the warranty period for commercial use, including but not limited to those used as a Rental vehicle, Hire Car, Taxi, Courier vehicle, Driving School vehicle, Security vehicle or Bus and Tour vehicle. Commercial use vehicles are limited to a 7 year / 150,000 Kilometre Warranty (whichever occurs first).

                • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 22:43

                  @spackbace: I can confirm it does apply.

                  I called KIA beforehand, gave them the VIN and confirmed all good.

                  Even claimed things in warranty, no issues.

                  • spackbace on 25/10/2019 - 00:03

                    @[Deactivated]: Yes, you get warranty but up till 150,000km, not unlimited as a result of buying a car that was used as a hire car.

                    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2019 - 15:22
                      +1

                      @spackbace: I understand, thank you for the heads up.

                      I'll call them on Monday and see what they say.

                      Who knows maybe I'll sell the car :P

                      • spackbace on 25/10/2019 - 15:28

                        @[Deactivated]: You'll still have 6yrs/90,000kms = 15,000kms/yr. Just something to be mindful of depending on your mileage

      • Tambani on 19/06/2019 - 09:08

        My Kia Rondo is the best car I've ever had. Plenty of room for me and the kids, had all the latest features, leather, etc, for a 2013 model (bought it a year old ex-demo for $23,000ish).

        It's been flawless, and I mean, even outside of warranty there is nothing that has gone wrong. It just keeps going. It's held its value really well too. I had an offer of $16,000 this year when I was considering selling it. Decided to keep it a while longer.

  • inasero on 15/06/2019 - 10:41
    +5

    Kia cerato
    Toyota corolla or Camry
    Hyundai i30
    Honda jazz

    Take your pick

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 10:48

      I don't mind the camry. Never considered Hyundai or kia. Jazz had one years ago too small

      • Melb69 on 15/06/2019 - 10:55
        +2

        If you have the time. Test drive many brands and models. The one you think you like you may not end up getting. Once you have gone through that confirm your model and spec and start getting a good price from a dealer. Now is the time to do it as EOFY. Check manufacturers date. Rollout of 2018 cars, but they would have better deals.

        When you say 5 seater. What is your passenger requirements. Little Kids other adults etc. Is it just for running around the city and not going on long weekenders where you have to pack stuff.

        Also what state are you in?

        • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 11:08

          Thanx for info.I will do that. I have 2 kids & wife but this will not be the main family car. In VIC

          I agree EOFY is the best time to buy.

          • Melb69 on 15/06/2019 - 12:41

            @Ginger1: Go the Hyundai i30 SR. You should be able to get a fully loaded one for the budget with extra to get the windows tinted elsewhere, and insurance all up

          • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2019 - 15:55
            +3

            @Ginger1: Why are you spending (wasting) 35k of your hard-earned on a car that won't be the main family car? Get a cheap safe runabout as the second car, your primary car can be nice if you want, but seriously, you don't need a 35k secondary car.

            • Ginger1 on 17/06/2019 - 23:31

              @[Deactivated]: I want a car for me. The family car 'they' have taken over. Cough they = family.

  • Quantumcat on 15/06/2019 - 10:47
    +6

    Kia Cerato

  • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2019 - 10:51

    Golf

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 11:09

      I like

      • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2019 - 11:35
        +1

        It's a better car. More high tech, much nicer interior, the only thing with any class out of your options.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2019 - 08:23
          -6

          Class and VW don't belong to the same sentence…

          Other words that I can thing of - mechanics, issues, the list goes on.

          • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2019 - 13:25
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Oh look a keyboard warrior defending his shitty Hyundai i30 for all it’s worth.

            • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2019 - 13:47
              -1

              @[Deactivated]: It is easy to make throw away comments. No need to insult others to proof a point.

              Ex owner of an Audi A1, S3 and a regular user of a Q7. Friends (not the friend of a friend type) to current/ex owner of TTs, A4s, Macan, Boxster. (VW group cars) The only cars that have had no issues within the first 3 years of ownership were the TT, S3, and Boxter.

              Also owned various other vehicles from various European/Japanese manufacturers. (Including the now gone Opel that was short lived in AU).

              Some years ago, Japanese cars felt less premium, but all without major issues. That has changed. Comment after you have driven a top spec (still cheaper than an entry euro that badge snobs can afford) Japanese car running on their latest platform, and support your comment with facts.

              Marketing works, particular for those that knows little. Many VW owners perceive they drive an Audi, and Audi drivers think they are one cut above Skoda/VW.

  • pao2x on 15/06/2019 - 11:07

    What kind of car is your other car. Also pick a size and what kind of usage

    • Ginger1 on 15/06/2019 - 11:09
      +1

      Outlander
      City or suburbs driving
      Medium to large

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