I currently have a Falcon XR6 which while I really enjoy driving is costing me quite a bit in terms of fuel as I drive everywhere for my job in heavy traffic. If you had 10k to spend on a used car made in the last 7 years what would you buy that was decently fuel efficient and reliable?
I was looking at cars in the style of the Ford Fiesta or Toyota Corolla. I have no idea about cars so any advice would be appreciated.
Its a 2011 XR6 FG MK2 with 200,000km on it.
This would be a good choice for the fun of the drive, or this would be more practical for the age (still under warranty and CPS), and the features (the Sport doesn't have GPS or reverse cam).
Used to sell them but they've always been practically bulletproof, and the Sport is fun around corners. Has the bigger engine (1.6 vs 1.4)
The manual gearboxes are easy, so wouldn't be an issue in traffic. Fuel economy is close to rated (approx 6.5L/100km)
I never bothered to get a Manual license so I would need to get some sort of automatic, I had never really considered the swift line though. They look good.
@PiratePete1911: $12,500 for a starting price for a Sport automatic. Better fuel economy as it has a CVT (not as good as the manual but better than the 4-speed in the normal Swift)
Jeremy Clarkson's review (although it starts about halfway down lol)
As you can probably tell, I liked this car a lot. After the more expensive Fiesta ST it’s the best old-school hot hatch there is.
Wouldn't really recommend swifts. Just goes to show how many actually sell in Australia and how many you see on the roads. Spackbace is a Suziki Salesperson i believe.
@hmac: Been a couple of years since I sold them actually. Already mentioned that I used to sell them, said that earlier.
Why wouldn't you recommend them? I don't see you providing reasoning? The Swift was highly regarded by everyone in service, from mechanics to the warranty clerk due to lack of issues, and it was common for Swift owners to trade to a new one.
Main reason you don't see them is that hire car companies didn't buy them, too expensive. That's also why resale had held strong, no flood of rentals bringing it down
@spackbace: I’ve never driven a swift. Only really know of the early 90s gti models that everyone rated. I’d certainly look at one if I wanted a small car. That’s based on the history of he Suzuki name and the likes of spackbace’s recommendations.
The Swift was highly regarded by everyone in service, from mechanics to the warranty clerk due to lack of issues,
I had a previous model Swift (1991?) and it was great. Not a single issue in 8 years of ownership. I also looked after 5 Suzuki Carry fleet vans in 1980 and they were rock solid reliable. Only had to do oil changes
In more recent times, one of my previous workmates is still in the mechanic trade. He has a Swift as his company car. He thrashes the pants off it and loves it. His words "you can't kill it"
I'd have one
@brad1-8tsi: I also had a Swift for 8+ years. No issues at all through the time, fun drive, can fit a surprising amount of stuff in it. Fuel economy is good. Great car and the sport version is even better.
What is the cost of fuel? Per month or even year?
I have to fill up on average 4 times a month at between 80-90 dollars a tank each time.
So its costing around 4800 a year. If you can work out the cost of your new car's fuel and then the cost to buying, etc, it might be best to hang onto your Ford.
Yep, cost of a new car (even used) is much higher than the difference between 6L/100k and 10L/100k.
@[Deactivated]: OP might be wanting to straight swap or add a couple of thousand to get into a newer, more economical car.
Not a bad idea. The Falcon could have more expensive maintenance issues in the near future with that sort of mileage
@spackbace: That is absolutely true and I would say, combined with the point I made, sets the parameters for OP's decision.
If you are getting rid of your car, buy one at no more than x more than what you sell your current car for (where x represents years planned to own the next car * the difference in fuel and maintenance costs over a year).
I'd suggest there's a lot of cases where it's a false economy, though if OP is sensible and their XR6 has seen better days, it could be an absolute no brainer.
During a previous "fuel prices have gone crazy" period I swapped my 3.6L 6cyl Falcon for a 4 cyl 1600 Capri. Half the power and not a worthwhile difference in fuel economy.
@brad1-8tsi: Know a bloke who switched his 253 V8 commodore for a 4.1l six cyl falcon. Fuel costs stayed the same but the power dropped significantly. Insurance dropped a lot too though.
When did they make a 3.6l falcon? Pre-dates my knowledge.
@Euphemistic: XT 221ci. 3 on the tree and drum brakes all round. Polar White
I loved that car. Wish I had an XT GT.
I also had a 253 VB Commodore. I describe the 253 as "all the power of a 6 with the fuel consumption of an 8".
3.6 L (221 CID) 135 bhp six-cylinder was standard on Fairmont models and optional on Falcon and Falcon 500
1968-69
I personally would go for an old prius or hybrid camry. You can go small hatch if you dont need much space like mazda 2 kia rio or yaris
He can go like the NSW govt light rail and blow the budget by a third haha. It's just an option otherwise my personal choice for budget 2nd hand light car is a kia rio from 2015 onwards. These things still have 3 years warranty if serviced properly etc.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.Service.Carsales..(C.Make.Kia..Model.Rio.).State.Western+Australia..Year.range(2015..).)&sort=~Price
Only have experience w/ the Yaris - they're roomy, reliable (wifes had hers got about 9 years now and it's still going strong) and it costs about $50-60 give or take to fill up a tank
If you're after a small-medium size car with the main purpose being saving money, you'll be looking for something that is low on consumables (fuel, tyres etc), low on depreciation and reliable. I think this comes down to
Yaris (I believe consistently the most reliable car?), smaller engine so economical but still enough space if needed. Smaller tyres etc so cheaper parts. Toyota so holds value very well
Corolla. A bit bigger, very reliable, once its below around $10k then the depreciation is pretty minimal unless the miles are really racking up. Aim for one with service history and lower miles and it shouldn't lose much value.
Mazda 3. Reportedly more fun to drive than the Corolla. Similar size and reputation
Miles?
*KMs - sorry I'm British!
Honda Jazz 1.5l - practical for its size, nifty for its size, and spacious for its size
go for a Vti? or VtiS? sorry dont know much other than I bought one (VtiS) back in 2003 LOL
LPG conversion?
Prius. How fast can you go in heavy traffic I bet you'll average no more than 40km/h?
Mitsubishi Lancer cheap as to run cheap on parts and services
Fiat 500.
Fix It Again Tony 500 times more!!
Do some sums. Calculate your projected fuel saving and compare. It might be better to keep filling up the XR6 for a few more years and wait and save for future hybrid or electric models. Don’t forget to allow for transfer fees and the depreciation difference between your current vehicle and any replacement.
You are going to loose on selling your current vehicle, then more when you buy a "down grade"…. why not invest in gaming up the car. Convert it to gas!
You are not going to like a BUZZ BOX, the power will be crap, the ride will be crap, the stereo will be crap.
Just convert it to GAS.
what's the difference in power, ride and stereo when everyone around you is moving at walking speeds in heavy traffic. Woohaa big woop about power when you can't even use it. Heard of noise cancelling headphones?
Nip down to your local Suzuki dealer and have a squiz at the Ignis GLX auto. Great little car (I've got one)
Ignis GLX auto
If you had 10k to spend on a used car
Ah huh…!
All used cars use much more fuel in heavy traffic. (except electric cars and hybrids)
OP isnt going to save much but buying a used car you dont know anything about may cost OP much more than they bargained for.
But to answer OPs question
Ford Festiva is never a good option and a 7 year old Toyota Corolla (2012+) might cost more than $10K. Not sure.
For $10K I would suggest looking at Mitsubishi Lancers.
You can get them around that price with under 100,000km and they are a good, reliable and economical car.
All used cars use much more fuel in heavy traffic. (except electric cars and hybrids)
Where do you get that idea? While the general idea is correct there are so many variables that make it a next to useless statement. A car in stop start traffic will use more fuel than the same car on the open road, the acceleration is where the fuel gets used most. Small used cars use less than large new cars, I takes more energy to move more weight. Really old used cars use more than old used cars use more than newer used cars because technology has improved fuel efficiency, but incrementally so a couple of years apart will be pretty similar, but 10 years apart will generally make a decent difference.
here are my suggestions….
sub 100 km mileage, reliable cars.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-nissan-pulsar-…
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-mazda-3-neo-bl…
Get a Toyota Yaris. For just over $10k could get a 2014 with 50k/kms on the clock.
Just for yourself? A Swift
How old/how many kms on the XR6? Changing over could cost more than the fuel savings you'll get