New / Used Car Recommendations (Budget $20000)

• 

  inherentchoice on 21/01/2021 - 12:05

  +2

  something Japanese and reliable

  Why not something Korean?

  Personally I like the Optima but surely Cerato isn't so bad either.

  Or if you don't mind smaller how about this sporty Picanto: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/haberfield/cars-vans-utes/20…

  • 

    raquethead111 on 21/01/2021 - 12:09

    I know that Korean cars have made great strides recently in terms of reliability but there is still a sort of stigma attached I feel when compared to Japanese cars. Though admittedly, it is also very recent that Mazda has also lifted its game.

    • 

      inherentchoice on 21/01/2021 - 12:18

      +1

      Newer models should still have 7 year original warranty.

      Plenty of info and data out there suggesting Korean brands are more reliable than most or all Japanese brands.

      The JD Power survey of 30,000 car owners ranks Hyundai and Kia above all Japanese brands except Lexus and Toyota.

      • 

        nubzy on 21/01/2021 - 14:59

        JD Power also ranked Peugeot as the most reliable brand in the UK 2019. Peugeot are great cars and there is no reason not to consider them, i've been watching the used market and 308's have been selling like mad. Value is not as good as it was pre COVID but compared to say a Mazda 3 or Corolla you should still be able to snare a younger car with less K's for similar money. Yes Korean cars have come a long way and are certainly reliable, but they still feel cheap, soulless and boring to drive.

    • 

      Legoncy on 21/01/2021 - 12:28

      +3

      Nothing to feel bad about in regards to a Korean car.
      I believe their on par with Japanese cars and provide affordable reliable products.
      The KIA cerato has a lot of good reviews here on Oz bargain
      The Hyundai elantra looks great to.

    • 

      brendanm on 21/01/2021 - 14:48

      -1

      Though admittedly, it is also very recent that Mazda has also lifted its game.

      What.

    • 

      idonteven on 21/01/2021 - 14:53

      I don't share the same sentiment fortunately. I feel that the stigma with Korean cars has pretty much been eradicated. Hyundai and Kia offer more tech compared to the Japanese makes.

    • 

      ChrisLevo on 21/01/2021 - 17:58

      Our Kia Seltos Sport+ is now 4 months old after waiting 7 months for delivery.
      You can see why so many people have ordered them after driving one, as I consider it the all round best of the 10 SUVs of that size that I test drove.

      We traded in a 5 year old Hyundai Sonata that had zero issues from new.

      We kept the previous Sonata for 10 years with also no issues and only changed 'cos a bad case of "upgradeitis" hit me.

      JD Power surveys each year rate Korean cars (Hyundai and Kia) at or just under the top for reliability.

• 

  Fergy1987 on 21/01/2021 - 12:16

  Parents bought a Mazda CX3 and regret not paying more for the HRV - they wanted something in the small SUV range but find the CX3 is basically a hatchback thats raised a little.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 21/01/2021 - 13:12

    I've seen so many CX3s around so people definitely drive them. However, it does seem HRV wins on paper.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 21/01/2021 - 16:16

      +1

      They're extremely popular and by all accounts a good car. I have driven one and it handles great. But there's no point to it essentially. Save cash and get a Mazda 2, or don't kid yourself and get an actual SUV if you need space - cause a cx3 ain't got it.

• 

  tryonthis on 21/01/2021 - 12:18

  Any reason why you're particularly keen on the Touring?

  I have a 2016 Mazda 3 SP25, and I could never go back to the base model 2.0 engine. Having the 2.5L engine gives it enough zip and acceleration to overtake on highways, etc.

  In terms of price, the SP25 and Touring are roughly similar in price and personally, I would forgo leather seats and a few other tidbits for a better engine.

  In saying that, I paid $16k for mine 2 years ago and am surprised that it's now selling for ~$20k. Unless you're very desperate for a car, it may be best to hold off until prices come down a little. But hey, who knows when that might be.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 21/01/2021 - 13:12

    I think we just like the leather trim but I have heard that the 2.0L engine is not too zippy. Prices are definitely inflated and it hurts to even think about pulling the trigger on the purchase. However, given that we are in need of a car and we dont actually know when prices will come down, I feel like we dont have another choice (unless someone here is able to come up with a better option!)

    • 

      Muzeeb on 21/01/2021 - 14:46

      I think we just like the leather trim

      Let's not go down that rabbit hole

• 

  Oz8argain on 21/01/2021 - 12:30

  +2

  'Sportier looking' is quite subjective, I don't think mazda 3 looks any sportier than corolla nor is a HRV. I think this is purely your own choice.
  I recommend a Cerato, it's nice enough inside, even the base model has good tech + a 7 yr warranty.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 21/01/2021 - 13:10

    Can this be had for $20k?

    • 

      Oz8argain on 21/01/2021 - 13:59

      yes check carsales. used & low km

  • 

    pharkurnell on 21/01/2021 - 15:19

    I recommend a Cerato

    except theres nothing 'sporting' about it.
    then again nothing sporting looking about the Honda HRV or Mazda CX3 either.

    • 

      Oz8argain on 21/01/2021 - 19:39

      Exactly! So I just ignore the sporty looking bit and let him look. Who knows maybe he likes it. Also maybe stick some plastic bits on it and it becomes ‘sporty’ 🤮

• 

  Drakesy on 21/01/2021 - 15:19

  I don't get the people who are looking for a used car right now, cars DEPRECIATE, they always have and always will, only demand will fluctuate.

  Right now we're playing catchup in terms of getting new cars into the country with supply chains slowly getting back on line.

  In Perth we're returning to pre-covid prices some 8 months later, largely SUV's and 4wd's were the ones most affected as everyone wanted to holiday within the state.

  naturally fleets will still trade in their cars and people will still buy new cars, just wait for the backlog of people who wanted to get into them because they were flush with jobkeeper/jobseeker/mortgage holiday money.

  It's inevitable that it'll come back to earth, buying now is a good way to burn ~30% of the cars purchase price over the course of 4 months.

  • 

    muzzamo on 21/01/2021 - 15:25

    I reckon its a great time to trade in / sell a used car for a new car though, for the reasons that you mention above.

    A few new cars (Toyota Prado and LC200 come to mind) have had their prices inflated but in general the sticker prices are what they were a few years ago, albeit dealers won't budge too much on pricing. Some new cars have waits to buy and some don't.

    Trade in values on the other hand are through the roof. I doubt there has ever been a time when the differential between new and used has been so small.

    If you could get a guaranteed trade in price on a new car even if you have to wait 3-6 months for delivery you would be laughing.

  • 

    Aazza on 21/01/2021 - 16:02

    +1

    Are you saying that cars aren't a high yield investment? Blasphemy!