Hi Guys,
I need some suggestions for choosing a car under $30K. I am after the best value for money (i.e longevity and the safety feature).
My choices in hatchbacks and small SUVs (2022 - 2023 model) are as follows:
1) Kia Cerato S with safety pack
2) Kia Stonic Sport Automatic
Which one would you buy and why?
Any other recommendations are welcome.
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Thank you everyone in advance.
sil80
@Jhonka: OP is satisfied with Mitsubishi ASX. There is no way in hell he can appreciate the beautiful , iconic and elegant Sil80.
sil80
LOL. I actually chuckled at this suggestion.
Did you just finish watching The Fast and the Furious for the first time in your life or something?
Yes, a 30-year old amalgamation of two Nissan rice rockets that you cannot find in a non-clapped out state today and that would probably cost over $32,000 (factoring in parts and labour, given how inflated the prices of 1990s rice rockets are).
Great suggestion dude.
Kia Seltos or Hyundai Tuscon.
Be very careful about the engines in Kias and Hyundais. Not certain if they have learnt their lesson from the Nu and Theta2 engines yet. Both those companies were monsters to deal with for the warranty.
I agree, Hyundai and Kia make cars that drive great whilst in the warranty period, but in the long run they are no where near Toyota reliability.
Not sure why your comment was downvoted, this is true and last I heard, there was a class action lawsuit being considered in Australia: Source
I'm buying a new vehicle soon and this is why I'm discouraged from buying a Hyundai/Kia. Generally, I realise their reliability has improved significantly compared to their vehicles from the 90s/00s, but all it takes is a bit of bad luck to end up with a lemon.
I would keep saving and get an EV. The price of petrol has already proven to be volatile and is rapidly becoming unaffordable. Who knows what will happen in future. Infrastructure for EVs is growing, and at some point it will take off. More affordable EVs will come on the market in the next few years.
And, aren't you sick of breathing petrol fumes on the highway and in traffic jams?
Also you forgot to mention…
The price of electricity has already proven to be volatile and is rapidly becoming unaffordable.
Not as much as petrol. EV still much cheaper than paying for petrol.
Keep saving another 20-40k and buy an EV?
OP can buy a lot of petrol with 20-40k
@Some Human: Australian Automobile Association’s surveys find average petrol consumption in Australia is ~$100/week. So, 20k buys you 4 years of petrol, assuming petrol prices don't rise over that period.
But I think these surveys also include people who don't drive. So drivers probably spend more than $100/week on petrol.
@ForkSnorter: We should probably find out how many kms OP does and work it out. I do about 400-450 pew week. Costs maybe $60. I only fill up when it’s cheap and hoard it for when it’s not.
That's true but it's still significantly cheaper to charge an EV than fill up an ICE car and there's many free chargers. The initial cost is still very high though.
With people paying $1 million for a house, the difference of $20k between an EV and ICE seems negligible, especially considering how much they'll save on petrol costs over 5 years.
@ForkSnorter: What kind of bubble you live in, not everyone got $1M of finance to buy a house, maybe the house they live in worth $1M
$20k between an EV and ICE seems negligible
Can I have $10K ?
I'd say, IMO, currently, Hybrids are the way to go. They charge themselves and still use ICE. Win win.
I agree. My next car will definitely be Hybrid.
Lower fuel bill than ICE, higher maintenance costs than EV. Resale value?
I save about 3l/100kms having a hybrid, battery lasts around 120KM before getting replaced, cost is 4.5-5K.
Saves 3600L of fuel before the battery needs replacing. 98 Average of $2.20/L = $7920 in fuel saved.
Total savings on just the battery alone is around 3K/120K kms.
I can't tell you any other associated costs, whether servicing is harder and costs more due to time or if any other battery related shit fails.
Savings are not amazing.
battery lasts around 120KM before getting replaced
You might be thinking of 12V car battery.
Toyota now gives 10 year unlimited KM warranty for their hybrid battery.
I also never heard KMs being used as a measurement threshold for when battery replacement.
@Indomietable: Fair, mine was replaced at 110K kms 11 years after production.
Standard Hybrid Crowns get batteries replaced around the 110-130K mark from what I've seen.
Suggest a Car under $32,000
That escalated quickly….
With people paying $1 million for a house
I'm not letting it go for less than $42,000
2006 Camry and $26,000 of booze
Base model Skoda Scala looks like an awesome option in this price bracket. Amazing features and VW build quality for a Korean car price.
Dacia Sandero
I heard it just got delayed!?
Delaycia Standoverthero
Oh no!
anyway
GOOD NEWS!
WHAT?!?
Best value for money would be something cheaper, look at the overall ownership costs (servicing fees, fuel economy etc)
SUV is a waste of money, get a hatch instead (more fuel efficient)
Golf.
Seltos
Toyota- holds value, easy resell and lasts long time with minimal maintenance
I have nothing useful to say , except I like the look of the Seltos when im out and about and see them. Who knows if theyre actually good to live with or not.
Hyundai i30 sedan. Either the active or elite. Imo the best looking of the bunch and packed full of current gen ADAS tech. Very impressive.
I would second this. I have a i30 Sedan N, but ignoring the N part it’s a fantastic car especially for the price.
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Camry Hybrid.
Second hand Tesla
Why not Kia Cerato? I own one, it's much more fun to drive a cerato than a 1.4 litre Stonic.
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Thanks for the recommendation. Do you recommend Hatch or Sedan?
Hatch purely for the boot. Though the sedan rear does look better but I'd take a more practical boot over general aesthetics.
Ya I got the hatch because of the flexibility of the boot. Look wise I prefer the sedan.
We got the sedan because it's a nicer shape but do miss having a hatchback sometimes when I need to move larger items.
Great car though.
Cerato's auto gearbox is lazy, prevents redlining…
Get a Suzuki Baleno 1.0 turbo for haggled 20-23k before they are pulled from aus in next few months.
Aus isnt getting the refresh and can't get a similar car for that price anymore. Cerato and such are another 5-8k and all they add is advantaged cruise control and lane assist
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Fit and finish of the Indian built Baleno has never been its strong point…
Personally would recommend a Camry or Corolla Hybrid - depends on how you drive, but I've found the low-rpm torque that you get from a hybrid engine makes them really nice to drive in and around cities.
Otherwise, Hyundai i30 or Kia Cerato are both really good in my experience from a features and reliability perspective. I personally wouldn't get a Suzuki or Mitsubishi, I find their technology and interior to be worse than Hyundai / Kia / Toyota equivalents.
I drive a fair variety of hire cars because I travel for work, so get exposure to different brands. My sense is that Hyundai / Kia are the best value and are increasingly reliable and easy to service, Toyota isn't quite as good value because you do pay a premium for the Toyota badge and supposed reliability but all of my personal cars are Toyota and have been completely bulletproof, I find the smaller brands (e.g. Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki) can't keep up.
probably the best comment here. I agree - Camry Hybrid is unbeatable value these days as no one really wants a larger sedan. Demand for corolla hybrid has pushed up prices beyond what i reckon is reasonable, but still a fantastic car (having driven a few as rentals).
Hyundai/Kia probably makes the most sense for ICE-only these days with warranty and features, but if you're set on going Toyota and/or Hybrid theres no competition.
'Demand for corolla hybrid has pushed up prices beyond what i reckon is reasonable, but still a fantastic car (having driven a few as rentals).'
thanks - that gives me another reason to try out the local share car Corolla Hybrid ($10/hour + 40c/km) for a short shopping trip
Recently bought the ASX 2020 LS second hand around 25k.
ASX is a rock solid (read: old) car with it's underpinnings (drivetrain, motor) being many years old. The good news is that it still feels good to drive and it is rock solid.. all the gremlins are long fixed.
The range keeps changing but make sure you get the ADAS package for safety features.
It was the only one in your list that could fit 4 X 6 foot people comfortably which was what got it across the line for us.
It's economical,. comfortable, solid… Nothing exciting, but just really satisfying.
Thats my 2 cents..
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Hyundai I30 is a fantastic car and gets some great features in the trim just above the base spec. Also look at the Kia Cerato, maybe the GT if you can stretch as they are full of tech and look great.
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Solid choice for a daily
Seltos for <$32k? Where is this offer?
Can't beat Toyota Corolla, cheap to run, cheap to maintain and reliable
Classic Chevrolet Silverado with a big bad ass petrol guzzling V8 then have a sticker saying "oil kills" and. another "climate action now!"
Does it have to be a new car? Second hand would be the "best value for money".
Second hand market is starting to get a reality check with prices. Only utes/utilities are really staying high.
Kia Seltos looks great. AWD as well .. my family have had nothing but great experiences with Kia and Honda. If you can grab 3- 5 years warranty plus free servicing, go for it.
Go and test drive 2-3 of them - Don’t forget to add a HONDA CRV to your list. Go test drive that to.
U can probably get a 2nd hand Mazda 6 wagon or the Subaru Forester for $32k
Mazda 3 hatch, might be common on the road but the interior and handling is quite nice. Exterior is nice too but the amount one sees on the road may lower the 'wow' of it these days. Plus that actually-made-in-Japan quality.
got a lift in a recent Mazda 3 hatch not so long ago - my feeling - bumpy, black interior with high windowsills just felt claustrophobic
but this is coming from someone who recently sold a 1991 Honda Civic (apparently becoming a collector's item) with high visibility all round
AFAIK Mazdas were mainly criticised for road noise from the tyres (totally absent in the old Lexus ES300 I test-drove - so quiet I thought I'd died and gone to heaven) and newest models were apparently adding sound-damping to try to reduce that
VW Polo/Golf or Mazda 3
Ill probably get shot down, but if you seem to like SUV's maybe try Havel Jolion, lots of car for the money
My sister and BIL just sold their 2 older cars and got a new Mazda CX-30. They're pretty happy with it. RRP appears to be same ball park as your post
Cars needing petroleum are quickly becoming a terrible investment. Ofc I don't understand your situation but personally I wouldn't be buying any of these carrs.
I wud go phev or hybrid by investing little more.. with the list i think mitshi has 10yr warranty & others 5-7 years
But yes u need to test drive it to like it..
You should consider a Subaru if you're after safety; they're right up there. You'll also get AWD standard, which can be a good safety feature depending on your local climate and roads.
not a boring slow & high SUV
So, you are saying an X5 BMW is slow?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
slow SUV or high SUV*
X5 goes into the high bracket. It's also 5x OP's price so not sure why you menitoned it.
A lot of medium SUVs, are actually very quick.You need to build a bridge & move on son.
What does the BMW X5 have to do with this conversation? The X5 is not even in the set of cars OP is cross-shopping.
It's like saying a Toyota Corolla is slow and someone chiming in with like "so you are saying a BMW M3 is slow?"…what even?
Kia Cerato is a great car and really good value.
Kia Cerato hatchback.
Model S with Safety pack. Safety pack is 2k extra, gives you most features you will get in GT model which can be 5-10k extra.
Purchased for 31k, owned for 3 months and really happy with purchase.
Get one of those new KN cars, they look pretty cool.
SUVs are ripoffs so don't get them unless you need AWD to go offroad or you have bad knees to help getting into/out of the car easier. Australians love SUVs and happy to pay extra $10-15K over a same size/spec hatchback that does the same thing.
I love my Corolla hatch. But, thinking of upgrading to an SUV because of,
- Barely any boot space. Stuggle to pack things in beyond a very minimal limit
- I am 6'1 and its not easy fitting myself in
- Couple of growing kids, who would appreciate more room in the back seat
- From what I hear, its better driving comfort as well
I would like to spend less on a hatch. But, I think the above are compelling reasons.
What do you recommend ?