Which Car to Sell/Trade against a New One? (Elantra v Astra)

Lfoxpants on 08/07/2021 - 13:14
Last edited 08/07/2021 - 16:19 by 1 other user

Hey everyone, I’d like some opinions on which car gets the axe, I’m more torn that I thought I would be.

In the next 0-18 months I’m looking to buy a mid size SUV to be our bigger family ‘adventure’ car, road trips, camping, travel, general usefulness because of size etc.

We currently have two cars, and one will be sold/traded against the larger one, the cars are.

  • 2016 MY17 Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo, 6sp Manual, 57k kms.
  • 2017 MY17 Holden Astra R+ Auto, 93k kms.

The car that stays will be primarily a city runabout type car. Shorter trips, work commutes (generally against peak hour flow for either of us) that sort of thing.

Its turning into a harder decision than I thought because each car has some things in it’s favour that the other can’t really match, plus some personal preferences sprinkled along the way, and the cost/loss benefit on each given purchase and resale timing/prices. I’ll try keep it to the more top level stuff rather than super nitty gritty on which car does what thing slightly better.

The Elantra is the nicer and more sorted car to drive, more planted, handles better with a noticeable amount more power and torque where it counts. It’s also top of the range, heated leather seats, sunroof etc. I’ve also added a subwoofer and changed all the speakers for better ones.

The Astra on the other hand has more advanced safety tech with AEB and lane-keep, auto makes it nicer in stop-start traffic, the hatch can be handy too. Yet despite having a smaller weaker motor it has the same thirst for fuel, and it has higher km.

We bought the Elantra as an ex-demo in early 2017 with 3k kms on the clock and paid ~26k. We bought the Astra about a year ago for ~13k. I know I’d stand to lose more on the depreciation with the Elantra because we bought it basically new, but the financial component isn’t the only factor to consider.

So WWYD? I’ll make a poll but I’d love to hear your comments.

Poll Options expired

  • 65
    Keep the Elantra, sell the Astra
  • 5
    Keep the Astra, sell the Elantra
Automotive Car Holden Hyundai Motors

Comments

  • John Kimble on 08/07/2021 - 13:17
    +2

    Where's poll option "flip a coin"?

    • foxpants on 08/07/2021 - 13:18
      +1

      Funny you mention it, the day we bought the Elantra we literally flipped a coin to buy it…

  • ESEMCE on 08/07/2021 - 13:26
    +11

    Sell the Astra while prices are peaked.
    Holden is dead, and resale will suffer as the brand fades in people's memories, especially once supply in the used market picks back up.
    Resale will also suffer when it jumps over the 100,000km mark as that's a standard search filter on websites, so fewer buyers will even see it.
    fewer buyers = lower demand = lower prices.

    The SUV will take care of the load carrying jobs anyway, so one of the benefits of keeping the hatch is negated.
    And you state "auto makes it nicer in stop-start traffic" however you also state "generally against peak hour flow for either of us", so you're not going to use the car in stop-start traffic.

    • foxpants on 08/07/2021 - 13:37

      Yeah we are sometimes in stop-start, but it's rare and for the 3 years we had the Elantra and another manual car, manual was never an 'issue'. Good other points too, much appreciated.

  • Mechz on 08/07/2021 - 13:30
    +1

    The Elantra should have higher resale down the track. But not having an auto for city driving would probably drive me insane.

  • JDMcarfan on 08/07/2021 - 13:34
    +1

    Voted Elantra. Much more sorted car that will undeniably be more reliable and will also have a dealer/parts network available as it ages. You're also right in that you've copped much of the depreciation on it so might as well keep it for the long haul.

    Honestly surprised you got the astra that cheap and id expect you could break even or even make a profit now so would be the better decision regardless of reliability

  • pegaxs on 08/07/2021 - 13:48

    Which troll ticked the "Keep the Astra" poll???

    • foxpants on 08/07/2021 - 13:57

      Probably my wife, it's the one she wants to keep, but ultimately doesn't really know much about cars and will go with my decision.

      • barge-in hunter on 08/07/2021 - 14:47

        Who's going to be driving the second car - you or her? 🤔

        If she's going to be driving it (most of the time) and wants to keep the astra, then that might just change my vote, as it might mean another upgrade in a year or two when she's over manual city driving/the firm sports ride/the lack of aeb etc etc.

        • foxpants on 08/07/2021 - 14:48

          Both of us drive both cars depending on what the trip is etc, but generally, she just gravitates toward the Astra because she prefers it.

  • Drakesy on 08/07/2021 - 14:14
    -1

    Get rid of the Astra.
    But yes good troll for those opting to keep the Astra
    Holden Astras are trashtacular

    Hyundais on the otherhand are (profanity) reliable.

  • nocure on 08/07/2021 - 15:21
    +1

    You had me at 6sp manual…

    • Euphemistic on 08/07/2021 - 15:32
      +2

      And turbo… and heated seats …

      You’ve got the sub, now get rid of the astra and get some sick wheels and adjustable coil overs.

      • foxpants on 08/07/2021 - 15:46

        It's a properly cracking little car to drive. fast enough and manual makes it very satisfying, plus it's a Hyundai, so cops don't look twice at it. It even makes for a solid open road touring car, except in-cabin noise on the coarse chip is bad.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join