Best Value Car - < $15k

Lbirdfisherman on 04/08/2022 - 22:15
Last edited 04/08/2022 - 22:15

My current vehicle is on its last legs, and the amount of money I'm putting into repairs lately seems to be seriously outweighing the benefits of keeping it ($3k worth of repairs in the past year, keeps breaking down).

I'm looking to purchase a best value vehicle, considering depreciation, fuel efficient, amount of repairs required down the road - are there any recommendations? I'm looking for the best value for money (budget up to $15k).

Also, is there a certain amount you recommend spending to get best value for money?

My preferences are the following:

  • Point 1 Asian Brand is preferable (Toyota, hyundai, kia, nissan, honda). Open for Chinese brand, but not sure with their warranty/durability.
  • Point 2 5 seater
  • Point 3 Fuel type doesn't matter - looking for best value for money
  • Point 4 Will be used mainly for trips within 5-10 kilometres everyday, occasionally further once a month
  • Point 5 No preference on age, just want it to last as long as possible before it's breaking my wallet with repairs

Thanks a lot in advance!

Automotive

Comments

  • ToyotaCrownHybrid on 04/08/2022 - 22:20
    +4

    Inb4 everyone says Camry.

    • AngoraFish on 04/08/2022 - 23:27

      Camry. My 1999 model is never going to die. Every time I get it serviced the mechanic offers to buy it off me. I just finished having a nice double din android auto/digital radio unit in, it'll no doubt need to be replaced well before the car does.

      • pjetson on 05/08/2022 - 07:45

        a nice double din android auto/digital radio unit

        Which one?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 04/08/2022 - 23:44

      Aye what’s wrong with the humble camry

      • SF3 on 04/08/2022 - 23:51
        +1

        Because Crown Hybrid.

        • ToyotaCrownHybrid on 05/08/2022 - 07:31

          Fuel is not so good. 8-9L/100KM and having to run 98. Comfort and surprisingly quick but I digress.

        • JIMB0 on 05/08/2022 - 09:41

          Where do you get one for under $15k? I was looking at a 2011 with 130k on it and the dealer wanted $24k plus on road costs.

          • SF3 on 05/08/2022 - 10:02

            @JIMB0: tongue and cheek on my part on the commenter's username :)

          • ToyotaCrownHybrid on 05/08/2022 - 11:27

            @JIMB0: Import a 2008 from Japan yourself. Probably get 100-120K Kms.
            I bought mine in Frankston last year for 16 with 98K Kms. Not sure if it has been stolen or if someone has been stabbed in it before…

      • ToyotaCrownHybrid on 05/08/2022 - 07:33
        +3

        Not knocking the Camry, in fact I can’t think of a better value car at that price range.

        • brendanm on 05/08/2022 - 11:05
          -1

          Aurion.

  • El cheepo on 04/08/2022 - 22:26
    +3

    What ever the best toyota you can afford that fits your needs is the safest bet.
    It’s a cliché but it’s accurate, they are damn reliable cars.
    Camry or Corolla… depends if the size matters to you.
    Obviously Corolla is cheaper on fuel.

    Service history is more important than age.
    Best of luck.

  • Benoffie on 04/08/2022 - 22:42
    +1

    Get a little buzz box like a Swift. Damn things run on oily rag. I'm driving a 2008 one atm to work every day and the petrol dial is hardly moving (40kms daily, heavy Adelaide traffic)

    Dunno if legit but found this in Sydney

    https://www.autotrader.com.au/car/12646368/suzuki/swift/nsw/…

    • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2022 - 00:54
      +1

      if they need 5 seats, a bigger car might be a better option. hatchbacks can fit 5 people, it's just not comfortable, the backseats are usually not comfortable for anyone other than small children. a bigger car would be planning for the future a bit better (seeing as he just wants something that will last), i assume he has kids, but they will probably outgrow the backseat before the car breaks down if he manages to find something to fit the criteria.

  • UnternamenBernhard on 05/08/2022 - 01:30

    Camry, Corolla, Yaris, Estima or Alphard. Suzuki are great little cars- feel like you're doing a hundred mile an hour taking 60kph bend. Jay Leno said it best- cars that don't go fast are the most fun to drive fast. All Japanese cars are generally good- look up Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, and Nissan too.
    Korean cars are not bad- Hyundai Accent was named most dependable in 2008.
    Don't buy Chinese- they will devalue to nothing and no one will work on them, as its not worth the money.

    • ToyotaCrownHybrid on 05/08/2022 - 07:35

      I spent close to 100K 💸 more than this on my Alphard 😳🚀🌚

    • Euphemistic on 05/08/2022 - 08:22

      Estimate and Alphard are imports aren’t they? Imports can sometimes have parts harder to come by or little quirks that mean it’s just that little bit more annoying to own.

  • Euphemistic on 05/08/2022 - 05:26
    +4

    Stick with a petrol hatch or sedan from any of the major manufacturers from Japan or Korea. Pick a model that is popular/common but not ‘exciting’.
    Put your criteria into carsales and see whats out there.

    Test drive some and buy the one YOU like.

    Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, it’s hard to go wrong with these.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/08/2022 - 08:41
      +3

      This.

      But also include Honda. Boring but super dependable.

      • CheapandUsed on 05/08/2022 - 09:06

        I noticed in the USA Honda is referred to as Japanese BMW… I assumed that is because they are nice to drive, but also reliable.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/08/2022 - 09:12

          How is bmw reliable?

          • Euphemistic on 07/08/2022 - 15:19
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Reliably fail to use indicators?
            Reliably increase the self-importance of the owner?

      • Euphemistic on 05/08/2022 - 09:16
        +1

        Knew I missed at least one!

  • dtc on 05/08/2022 - 11:42

    Mitsubishi lancer is a pretty basic but bulletproof value car. Not the sports/evo models of course, just the basic ones. Pre pandemic these were $10k for a 7-8 yr old car, now it looks like they are $14k which is a bit ridiculous given that a brand new 2014 model was $22k. But thats the market you are in.

  • ATTS on 06/08/2022 - 06:44

    Op curious what repairs costed 3k? $

    • megadeth on 06/08/2022 - 10:46

      They better not be brakes, tyres, battery, drive belt etc.

  • inasero on 06/08/2022 - 08:40

    Toyota Corolla
    Honda Jazz
    Honda City
    Honda Civic
    Hyundai i30
    Hyundai Getz
    Kia Cerato
    Kia Rio
    Mazda 3

    Take your pick…

  • idonteven on 06/08/2022 - 13:01

    Integra DC5 Type S

  • TooSerious2 on 06/08/2022 - 23:39
    +2

    Where's the love for the Mitsubishi 380?

    • Euphemistic on 07/08/2022 - 06:50
      -1

      Right where it belongs.

    • Hackney on 07/08/2022 - 08:39

      Very underrated car.It is a very good buy.

    • inasero on 08/08/2022 - 09:13

      OP was after fuel efficiency. I don't think a large sedan is what they're after

      • Euphemistic on 09/08/2022 - 19:26

        An equivalent sized SUV (of the same era) will be less fuel efficient. Sedans are more aerodynamic and lighter.

        • inasero on 12/08/2022 - 11:57

          Yeah, but the Mitsi 380 isn't fuel efficient, which is what OP was after

          • JIMB0 on 13/08/2022 - 09:20

            @inasero: But they're cheap. What you spend on fuel you save on initial outlay and depreciation.

  • Domicron on 07/08/2022 - 00:52

    No love for Tesla? Oh, that's right, it costs a kidney.

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