What Car Should I Buy? $60k- $70k Budget

Richo7 on 01/11/2020 - 18:07
Last edited 02/11/2020 - 07:35 by 1 other user

Hey OzBargainers,

I am keen to purchase a car in the next 4-6 weeks with a budget of $60k-$70k and have felt a little overwhelmed with all the various brands and options available so I was hoping I could get some advice and answers to some questions I have.

What models should I have on my shortlist?

To give you all some additional info, the key priorities I have for a vehicle are:

1) Fun to drive and beautiful (I am young, no kids so I find coupes/sport sedans to be a very attractive option)
2) Great tech + silky interior
2) Comfortable for driving long distances (most of my driving will be round trips from Syd - Canberra and road trips from Sydney)
3) Decent resale value

From my research, the new / demo models which have jumped out at me so far and seem to be within budget are:

2020 Merc Benz C200 Coupe
2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
2021 Tesla Model 3 SR+
2020 Jaguar XE P300
2019 BMW 430i

Used vehicles (all around ~25k kms) include the likes of:
2017/18 Merc Benz E300 Coupe / (C43 if I extend budget)
2017/18 Audi s5 coupe
2017 BMW M2 / (M3 if I extend budget)

Should I purchase new or used?

Looking at the above two lists, which set of cars would you personally gravitate towards if you were in my shoes?

I imagine I'll be looking own the car for ~3-5 years so the resell value of the car is important.

The other consideration I have is that I feel though the market is currently favouring new car buyers, particularly in Vic (where I currently live), where new car sales are down ~60-70% so I feel as though I can get a better deal whilst the used car market feels inflated.

How should I go about narrowing down my shortlist?

I am not very literate in the intricate differences between all the above models and whilst I think test driving them will give me some clarity, I'm not certain that 30 mins in each of these cars will give me sufficient information to make a decision which will affect me for the next 3-5 years. I'd love some advice from some OzBargain carheads on which models I should particularly focus on / or avoid and just some general tips for how I should go about this massive purchasing decision over the next 4-6 weeks.

Thanks so much for reading this and if you have anything even just a small point to contribute please post! Also feel free to DM me as well.

Automotive

Comments

  • Moneyinthebank on 02/11/2020 - 03:38
    -3

    If that's your budget what are you doing on ozbargains

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 02/11/2020 - 08:44
    +3

    Speak to high yield investment dude, he’ll have the answer for you!

    • perhaps on 02/11/2020 - 10:31

      all been broden'd

  • branners on 02/11/2020 - 09:00
    +1

    All nice cars you mentioned, but some of them will depreciate like heck.
    It's a good time to buy, as dealers would be looking to move stock before the end of the year, so drive a few and see what you like.
    If I had that money to spend… I know it's ugly but I have driven a few, and they would be older than the cars you mentioned (but have already dropped in price a lot), and most have been well looked after; Porsche Panamera

  • boratthegreat on 02/11/2020 - 09:13

    Buy Toyota Corolla. Bit slower but still get you to your destination.

    • BadHorse on 02/11/2020 - 13:11
      +1

      You could buy 3 of them too! Great value

    • dogboy on 02/11/2020 - 14:58
      +4

      His first requirement was 'fun to drive and beautiful' - 2 things a toyota corolla is not. If he had said 'the most boring and ugly car on the road', then yeah Toyota corolla all the way.

  • Oz8argain on 02/11/2020 - 09:44
    +7

    kia stinger

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/11/2020 - 09:46

    I don't think it matters really. If you have no idea on what to buy, then names, and tech specs are irrelevant.

  • ozeebee on 02/11/2020 - 09:51
    +1

    Alfa Giulia

  • Myone888 on 02/11/2020 - 10:15

    Try looking at 2020 merc GLC 200 Face lifted. The MBUX is fantastic. This is the new instrumentation interface. Its actually a computer, very impressive. Price starting from $70+ K

  • cunningdrew on 02/11/2020 - 10:17
    +2

    I have a VW CC and it's a great car. I would recommend the VW Arteon. Very good car and underrated at the price. Will get you 0-100 in about 5 secs as well. So you're talking Mustang speed but with 4 doors, paddle shifters and all the comforts of European luxury.

    https://www.carsguide.com.au/volkswagen/arteon

  • Dagwood-Dog on 02/11/2020 - 10:26
    +1

    I would buy a bush block to go camping and a $3000 used Camry Wagon.

  • netjock on 02/11/2020 - 10:35
    +2

    Look at resale values (believe something like red book will help).

    Then work backwards and see how much you want to lose. Then cross off the ones you don't want to lose that much money on.

    Check out the cost of maintenance, cross off those you don't want to lose so much money on.

    What is left make a choice. You probably find you won't have that many to choose from by that point.

    Sometimes it is nice to have many choices from top down but if you take that list and find out all the costs involved there is only a few you'd really want to dip your hands into. That is why you get so many recommendations for South Korea and Toyota in the suggestions.

  • That Guy on 02/11/2020 - 11:04
    +3

    Out of your options id personally go for the M2.

    Such a drivers car.

  • cashless on 02/11/2020 - 11:36
    +4

    Missing Golf R from your "new" list

  • 281 330 8004 on 02/11/2020 - 11:41
    +2

    Coming from an M2 owner, buy the M3 and be done with it.

  • uzz30 on 02/11/2020 - 11:43
    +2

    For your used car list, factory warranty becomes an important consideration. These high tech, complex Euro's can be expensive to repair if something goes wrong, which it does more often than you'd hope. You may be able to negotiate a manufacturer extended warranty from some of these companies which improves their value significantly. Don't fall for aftermarket warranties, the fine print almost always leaves you out of pocket.

    The current warranties in Australia are:

    • Mercedes Benz - 5 years
    • Audi - 3 years
    • BMW - 3 years

    You'll need to confirm the warranty on the particular used cars you are looking at, but it's such an important factor and a big reason these vehicles fall off a depreciation cliff at a young age.

  • jsrz18 on 02/11/2020 - 12:13

    bmw

  • Euphemistic on 02/11/2020 - 12:14
    -1

    Any of them. Go and test drive and pick your favourite. Personally, I’d choose the

  • Jamesrulez1 on 02/11/2020 - 12:16
    +1

    C class and BMW will not have great tech. A E G and S class from memory are the ones with MBUX wheras the others are running the older OS with the small screen.

    The upside to the C class is that there are big factory rebates for the dealerships especially for the non fully loaded ones. You can easily get one brand new that's cheaper than 1-2 year old ones on the market.

    If you want a Merc sedan with great tech you could go with an A class sedan.

    Personally have a 2020 A250 4matic and it's been great outside of a few bugs (passenger seat sensor bug that all mercs seem to have). Got it fully loaded and cheaper than the 1-2 year olds on the market (without factory rebates).

    • backupper1 on 04/11/2020 - 22:25

      Big factory rebates means? New order from factory or dealer stock cars like the sports edition ?

  • kokita on 02/11/2020 - 12:19
    +8

    Tesla 3. Great price for a great value and you are not paying LCT for the basic one.

  • whitelie on 02/11/2020 - 12:37

    We recently picked up a 2018 A45 for the wife. 4k on the clock for a touch over 60k. Finished in the matte Magno Grey so stands out without standing out. Really nice car to drive, very quick….Some guys don't like hatchbacks though

    • BadHorse on 02/11/2020 - 13:12
      +2

      I read that as Mango Grey and was very very puzzled for a few seconds

      • whitelie on 02/11/2020 - 13:17
        +1

        I did too when I saw it on the description for the car haha

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 10:13

      I don't think that's a good buy considering that the new model is so much better than the old model. Values are going to plummet on the old model.

      • whitelie on 03/11/2020 - 10:15

        Fair call but you're also looking at 110k to get in to a new model…lot of coin for a hatch.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2020 - 17:54

          Even more expensive per drive if the older A45 is anything to go by. Mate's one spends more time in the workshop under warranty than on road.

          • whitelie on 07/11/2020 - 19:07

            @[Deactivated]: Good and bad experiences I guess. A mate of mine recently sold his that he had for 4-5 years, bolt ons and a tune, beat up on it like crazy, circuit work, drag races etc only issue he had in that time was the intercooler hose popping off once. Didn't miss a beat otherwise.

  • skywards on 02/11/2020 - 12:46
    +5

    Will you be kayaking in the near future?

    • CocaKoala on 03/11/2020 - 00:57

      Too early to think about that until you've got the car.

  • jdawg7 on 02/11/2020 - 12:47
    -1

    I always go for the highest yielding vehicles.

  • wimphrel on 02/11/2020 - 12:50
    +1

    If you plan on changing the car in 5 years - A Novated Lease can be a much better financial option to take for a luxury car?

    I did some excel math in the past when I wanted a new MX-5, and IF you plan to buy another car in 5 years, novated leasing can prove less of a cost than taking the up front principal away from your home loan IFF you plan on continuing to invest money into investments over your lifetime. (i.e. next 20-50 years)

    (Depends on novated leaser & brand of car as well - some brands are more lease friendly than others, some leasers give much better monthly repayments than others)

    • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2020 - 13:25

      Can share the spreadsheet please?

      I have trouble adding up and that novated lease would make much sense.

      • wimphrel on 02/11/2020 - 14:34
        +1

        I'll try to find it tonight after work, anonymize data in it & will try to PM you with it -> Never sent a file on ozbargain before :D

        • BadHorse on 02/11/2020 - 17:42

          I would be interested in it as well if you find it. Sounds interesting

        • Bargainizer on 02/11/2020 - 18:41

          Hi, would be great if you can share it with me too, been trying to figure out novated lease.

    • Raihoo on 03/11/2020 - 10:43

      Did you end up getting the MX-5?

      I'm toying with the idea of getting one and am intereted in how you found it.

      • wimphrel on 03/11/2020 - 11:16
        +2

        I test drove the ND a few times - soft top and hard top & cross shopped with the 86 GT / BRZ tS.
        I had owned a 98' NB as a weekend toy, so I was aware of the shortcomings of a 2 seater with small boot.

        It's definitely a good drivers car if you've gotten bored of straight line speed (Spent a lot of time on performance motorbikes, and realised I had more fun on the CBR125R hooning it around at max throttle). BRZ tS is noticeably heavier, but chassis feels much more stiffer & steering wheel feel was heavier (nice to me).

        But in the end, after looking at my spreadsheets of the real cost of owning the car (home loan interest) ->
        I settled on a 2nd hand 'true red' NC2 at just under half the price (It's definitely not half the car -> maybe 80% if I were to score it?).
        I also had some concerns with Direct Injection-only engines as well in terms of long-term ownership / maintenance costs, NC was still port injected & had hydraulic power steering (so similar heavy feel as the 86 - kinda impressive how the 86 manages to emulate a hydraulic feel so well using electrics)

        If the ND2 was out at the time, and if it came in bright colours like 'true red' or 'sunburst yellow' like it did for the NC, emotion would've gotten the best of me and I'd be riding around in an ND. But Mazda stuck with dull colours except for the soul red, which is still too dark for me :D.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2020 - 17:52

          I have one. Fun car for an early morning cruise in summer before kid wakes up. Only issue is the multimedia interface… which is somewhat okay from 2019 onward release with android auto. 118kws (release model, now cir 130kws) was plenty for the car…

          More fun/enjoyable to drive than the STi - have one too.

  • smartazz104 on 02/11/2020 - 13:30
    +8

    3) Decent resale value

    That narrows it down to… nothing.

    • leiiv on 02/11/2020 - 14:21
      +2

      What is Tesla resale value?

      • pegaxs on 02/11/2020 - 15:52
        +1

        More than what you bought it for… according to almost all Tesla owners…

      • andyholloway on 02/11/2020 - 19:01
        +1

        Teslas resale value has tended to be very good but that is due to high demand and low supply of new vehicles. I suspect in 3-5 years (when OP wants to sell) supply will have completely caught up and their resale value will be more in line with other vehicles.
        This is completely speculation and my opinion :-)

  • dogboy on 02/11/2020 - 14:59
    -1

    Definitely the Audi. Mercs are for old people, BMWs are too pretentious.

  • maplenexus on 02/11/2020 - 15:24
    +4

    1) Fun to drive and beautiful (I am young, no kids so I find coupes/sport sedans to be a very attractive option)
    2) Great tech + silky interior
    2) Comfortable for driving long distances (most of my driving will be round trips from Syd - Canberra and road trips from Sydney)
    3) Decent resale value

    not sure if it has been mentioned (didnt find in ctrl f)

    audi s3 should be in that price range, even with top trim or near top trim it should NOT blow out to 70k+

    i have a 2016 pre face lift 8v s3, all wheel drive so very grippy, sporty and can use all that power, but inside also quite lux, and after warranty period (which is 5 years now iirc) you can go stage 1 2 or 3 / mod it to give it some life. there are some great independent mechanics that work on VW group cars. very reputable (check some fb groups)

    sure vw gets a bad rep but i've had a gti for 10 years and now an s3, no major issues for me (if you really want to you can sell around the 10 year mark, i dont know much about resales) because i sold my mk6 gti around the 10 year mark when one bulb xenon died (wasnt bulb problem but lighting problem, and it didnt have satnav/bt just older tech) and cbf fixing it, and a great deal for an s3 came up.

    if i was considering what to get after an s3 i might choose a golf R but maybe a wagon golf R>hatch R, i just miss the space the GTI hatch gave (fitted in a washing machine at one time) but the s3 sedan cannot (s3 comes in a hatch too so check it out), or a skoda octavia wagon (for practicality/sleeper) or sedan

    from memory the s3 is pretty much top trim at the time and was about 60k mark

  • greatlamp on 02/11/2020 - 17:46

    Have you considered a Toyota

    …

    Supra?

    3L BMW engine, in a Japanese car.

    • skywards on 03/11/2020 - 07:58

      The crowns are nice too!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2020 - 17:48

    Based on a lot of research for my needs I bought a CX9 AWD recently I like it, but I worked back from what my needs were. You're not really coming to us with any detailed specs on what you want. Your needs are very basic. Every car on the market in Australia will manage Sydney to Canberra trips. Most new cars on the market now are stylish, but that is all subjective. For all the cool gadgets on modern cars, Apple Car Play or Android Carplay are key.

    Why is your budget $60k-$70k, it seems a very arbitrary figure? Mentioning re-sell value, nothing devalues like a car from the second it leaves the lot. Shouldn't be a determing factor.

    $60-$70k will buy you a lot of car based on what you have outlined. If you are not a car enthusiast and don't have very detailed needs, I am not sure why you would choose that as your budget?

    If the car is intended as a statement of status or fashion statement (not a judgement, that is entirely your prerogative) then the ones you have mentioned will do the job I am sure.

    • redslert on 02/11/2020 - 18:13

      Remember to frequently change the coolant for that car.
      You don't want the water pump to fail for that car otherwise it will be very expensive.

  • ShirokaZe on 02/11/2020 - 18:03

    Stretch a touch and get a Supra. If I was buying a BMW I'd want the B58 over the N55 in the M2.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 10:14
      +4

      $30-40k is not a stretch on a $70k budget.

  • yasindesign on 02/11/2020 - 18:18
    +1

    I'm surprised no one has mentioned Genesis G70 Ultimate Sport (dealer used) of course. You can pick one up for about $65 with 5 years warranty and 5 years free service. Performance (tick), Aggressive Styling (tick), Luxury Features/Comfort (tick), Cost of ownership (tick), Fun to drive (tick), Euro Badge depreciation (?).

    • whitelie on 02/11/2020 - 18:53
      +2

      Resale?

      • yasindesign on 03/11/2020 - 09:15

        Not many second hands on the market but I would say that it won't be much worse than any euro car that was listed by Op.

        • whitelie on 03/11/2020 - 09:27

          As good a car as they are, I don't think they don't have the "brand prestige" behind them to hold their value as well as the average Euro (and most don't hold their value well at all lol). That said, they are a bit cheaper to begin with.

          • yasindesign on 03/11/2020 - 10:22

            @whitelie: You can pick up a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA45 AMG Auto 4MATIC for $70K (Carsales ad 3/11/20) which is only a year old. New price is around $120K so about 40% drop in 1 year. Genesis G70 Ultimate Sport brand new $90K, second hand 2018 Genesis G70 Ultimate Auto MY19 (the cheapest one I can find on Carsales) 43K so around 53% drop on a two-year-old car. In terms of the dollar for dollar comparison, you are better off by 3K on the Genesis. In any case, this is Ozbargain, and with the bargain mindset, I think the Genesis is a better bang for your buck. However, if you want to "look at the badge" then I would go for the Audi S3.

            • whitelie on 03/11/2020 - 11:06
              +2

              @yasindesign: The price of a 2019 CLA-45 was about 90k plus on roads. You can't compare it to the 2020 CLA-45S as they had a 20k price hike for the new model.

              Also $70k (23% drop) is the cheapest CLA-45 on carsales, average price is more like 80k which is about a 12-15% drop.

              50% drop in 2 years is huge! It should take about 4 years before it gets to that point.

            • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 12:29

              @yasindesign: That's the old model. The new one is a million times better. The old model CLA was pretty flawed compared to the old A45, let alone the new model, which by all accounts (I haven't driven one), is great.

              I'm not saying the old A45 is a bad car, but it's worth $70k, regardless of how new it is. I'd rather pick up a 3 year old one with low kms for half of that; you'd still get the exact same car, and you're not going to eat your ass in depreciation. Also, the interior on the old CLA/A class was shit. Hard plastic everywhere, not worth $70k let alone the original RRP.

  • mducpham on 02/11/2020 - 19:00
    +2

    would you consider Lexus RC350, i haven't been inside 1 but from the outside it looks really nice https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/lexus/rc/rc350-f-sport-badg…

  • Oz8argain on 02/11/2020 - 19:07

    Buy any car before 2020, there's your resale value.

  • jzdhgkd on 02/11/2020 - 19:49

    As you value tech, whatever car you get, I would suggest you make sure it has Apple carplay or Android auto (or both). I never thought I'd care until I got a car with that feature as standard and now it's a complete deal breaker whenever I'm considering a car without it.

    I understand you can get aftermarket head units which are compatible but I don't imagine they'd be as good as native support.

    • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 07:28
      -2

      I really don't get the excitement for apple and Google car systems. If you have a android phone and a Bluetooth system you get everything you need with voice control anyway (music, turn by turn, calling, googling, add reminders etc.)

      • modsec802 on 03/11/2020 - 07:31

        So you can see the map not just listen without a dock. Plus can report things on Waze.

    • nubzy on 03/11/2020 - 13:19

      I couldn't give a stuff about it. I don't need to play with my phone whilst driving. As long as the car has bluetooth for streaming, i'm happy.

  • Hoborg on 02/11/2020 - 20:33
    +2

    Buy a 1-2year old Toyota Camry, or otherwise suitable Japanese/Korean automobile. Invest the rest.

    Stop your status signalling.

    • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 07:33

      In my area people spend more money on their cars then anything else. Guy down the road has a top of the line Porsche SUV with all the extras, while living in an old 1950s, unrenovated, run down house with a family of 4. Just runs a local cafe (which isn't the best in the neighborhood) and doesn't invest etc. Just all his money into the car.

      • Hoborg on 05/11/2020 - 09:07

        I really don't understand this whole status signalling, zero sum game. Back when we had small tribes, sure, you would signal so that you were higher up in the heirarchy.

        But nowadays it really doesn't help. You play a game where if you succeed, you lose (continually working to maintain it). And if you don't succeed (because somebody bought a nicer car), you still lose.

        This clearly isn't the mainstream view…

  • unravelledtraveller on 02/11/2020 - 20:35
    +2

    Wildcard Porsche Cayman. Not fast-fast but excellent driving dynamics and seems to rate well for reliability https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-porsche-cayman….

    Servicing costs aren't bad either, a major service is about $1,850 https://www.porschecentrebrisbane.com.au/Book-a-Service

    Disclaimer - not mine, I wish

    • pegaxs on 02/11/2020 - 23:33

      I have considered a Cayman so many times in the last few years. They seem to be really reliable and a really good price for what they are in the used market.

    • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 07:34

      Dang. Why are they so cheap?

      • Muzeeb on 03/11/2020 - 09:09

        6 years old and half purchase price is typical. This particular example also has the less desirable 2.7L engine. The 3.4 or 3.8 (GT4) is the pick of this model.

    • Muzeeb on 03/11/2020 - 08:50

      I think op needs to buy this Cayman.

      I mentioned the same car earlier.

      Just do it OP.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 10:16

      I was extremely underwhelmed when I went in my uncles Cayman S. Slower than I thought, way too small (albeit this was the previous 6 cylinder model) and ridiculous for $170k.

      • Muzeeb on 03/11/2020 - 10:56
        +1

        He must have been driving wrong 😁

        • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 12:24

          No, it's just ridiculously overpriced for what it is. It's a $70-80k sportscar (new) for $170k. Ridiculous. A Golf R has similar straight line performance (but slower around the corners). For $170k you can get some really good cars, the Cayman is just way too expensive for what it is.

          • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 13:43

            @[Deactivated]: Cayman looks way better than a Golf R. Interior much better too.

            • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2020 - 17:55

              @serpserpserp: Comparing a Golf R to a Cayman? Oh dear…

              • [Deactivated] on 07/11/2020 - 20:14

                @[Deactivated]: That's the problem. You shouldn't be able to compare a $170k car with a $50k car.

  • blackhat77 on 02/11/2020 - 20:54
    +4

    Tesla, gg

  • DonZarrar on 03/11/2020 - 01:14
    +3

    Tesla

  • Toffees on 03/11/2020 - 01:32
    +1

    Teslaaa

  • Toffees on 03/11/2020 - 01:36
    +2

    A second hand mazda 3 for 5k and the rest on red

  • Save Medicare on 03/11/2020 - 02:45

    Mazda mx5
    Who needs back seats anyway?

    • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 13:44
      +1

      Or reliability, comfort, performance and resale value.

  • DonZarrar on 03/11/2020 - 02:59

    After US election results are apperent Buy Stock / Options ..see how it goes..If you make profit thats good…If you make loss buy a cheaper car.

  • serpserpserp on 03/11/2020 - 07:25

    Save up a bit more and buy one of the new baby SUV Merc AMG range.

  • thierry on 03/11/2020 - 09:14

    Left field, but ford ranger raptor.. Take it off road for some crazy fun

  • Mouthful on 03/11/2020 - 09:19

    Wildcard entry - BMW Z4 over the 430i which is about to be replaced with a new model.
    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2018-bmw-z4-sdrive3…

    • kma on 03/11/2020 - 20:51

      both nice cars but one has more seats than other!

  • Shiny Mew on 03/11/2020 - 09:38
    +1

    The Alfa Giulia QV is a really attractive and underrated vehicle.

  • OpenAI on 03/11/2020 - 10:00
    -1

    BMW 320i with Sports pack with Vision got quoted 61000 for a demo with 1200 km what a car!

    • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2020 - 12:25

      a 320i and what a car? Come on man.

  • Bid Sniper on 03/11/2020 - 11:01
    +1

    You're looking at 60%+ deprecation on any modern car within 3-5years. Simple mafs, more you spend the more you lose on a high yield investment car.

    • cashless on 03/11/2020 - 11:11

      Don't agree with 60% +
      Bought my last car new for $50k. Sold 4 years later for $30k.
      According to my "simple mafs", that is 40% depreciation

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