Suggest a Used Car ~ $15k

LCrispr on 21/02/2023 - 12:06
Last edited 21/02/2023 - 12:41

Sadly, my beloved 2016 VW Polo was written off by another driver recently. I had a great experience with this car, never any mechanical issues, drove like a dream, I fully planned to drive it into the ground and then get an EV in 5-10 years time.

Unfortunately life had other plans so now I have to look for another car. I don't have the luxury of waiting for a new car right now, and I ideally don't want to spend a lot on another car or take out finance (hoping to buy a home in the next 2 years). Not currently in a position to own an EV due to lack of access to home charging (renting an apartment). Looking at what I can purchase using cash from the pay-out (~$13k), can afford to top this up by a few ks however. Ideally I'd wait for used car prices to come down further but again, the purchase is somewhat urgent!

Originally I was planning just to buy another Polo or maybe upgrade to a Golf, but a mechanic friend suggested that for my price range other models might be more reliable. His suggestions included Kia Rio, Kia Cerato, Honda Jazz, Mazda 3. Of those suggestions the Kias and Mazda 3 appeal to me most, but I'm still torn on whether to switch from VW or not! Would appreciate insight from anyone who owns these models.

I drive around 12000km per year, mostly in the city (live in Melbourne). Usually not carrying more than one passenger, decent boot space (happy to fold rear seats down) is a plus, good safety features are a priority. Car play and a reversing camera are essential!

Edit: forgot to add, my last car was a manual and happy to drive a manual again (probably prefer to!)

Automotive

Comments

  • Bafranz on 21/02/2023 - 12:08
    +3

    +1 for kia cerato hatch

    Reversing camera & car play

  • Johnsmithaus on 21/02/2023 - 12:21
    +1

    Good suggestions from your mechanic. Kia has great warranty if you can get a newer model, but Mazda is also a great and reliable choice. I'd look on carsales and see whats available around you, maybe do a few test drives and make an opinion after that.

    • Stopback on 21/02/2023 - 12:28
      +1

      Go with Mazda more parts and support in aus.

      • ChrisLevo on 21/02/2023 - 13:41
        +1

        What makes you say that?

        A quick look at Doctor Google shows as many or more Kia dealers than Mazda dealers in every state.

        • Sleeqb7 on 22/02/2023 - 11:05
          +2

          And hasn't Kia been scoring higher than Mazda for reliability the last 4-5 years?

    • Crispr on 21/02/2023 - 13:40

      Yeah I think I'll need to do some test drives but if I can narrow down my options beforehand that would make my life easier!

    • Sinnerator on 22/02/2023 - 09:56

      Warranties are only good if the company acutally honors it.
      100 year warranty is useless when the dealer tells you it's your fault and you have to pay.
      Kia and Hyundai are not good companies, have had millions of engine failures and they were absolute bastards with the warranty, it took class action law suits and government intervention to get problems fixed.

  • Muzeeb on 21/02/2023 - 12:27
    +2

    @kiwiyonip is selling their car for $15k

    We know all about it. Any questions - fire away.

    • kiwiyonip on 21/02/2023 - 12:28
      +1

      Isn't actually mine, but yeah.

    • brendanm on 21/02/2023 - 15:03

      Will op be allowed to test drive it though?

      • Muzeeb on 21/02/2023 - 15:09
        +2

        Yes. But not the mechanic.

  • montorola on 21/02/2023 - 12:36
    +6

    MX-5 manual transmission.

    YOLO.

  • Stopback on 21/02/2023 - 12:37

    Agreed value or market?

    • Crispr on 21/02/2023 - 13:38

      Market. Trying to revise it upwards a bit. Payout is actually more than I originally paid for it, so I'd be making a profit if I didn't have to buy a replacement!

  • Neilzy on 21/02/2023 - 12:57
    +1

    Toyota Fielder? Basically an imported corolla wagon with a hybrid engine.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-toyota-corolla…

  • ForkSnorter on 21/02/2023 - 13:28
    +1

    Hehe, turn some heads with this

    • miwahni on 21/02/2023 - 22:11

      That's a bit more than OP was planning on, and I don't just mean the money :-)

  • Euphemistic on 21/02/2023 - 13:56
    +1

    Pick pretty much any Japanese or Korean model that you like the look of, that is the right size for you, you like to drive that doesn’t have a CVT.

  • George Washington on 21/02/2023 - 14:26

    Ozbargin Camry

  • CheapandUsed on 21/02/2023 - 14:26

    How about a Toyota Blade Master G - Corolla with the 3.5L V6 shoved under the bonnet (or Bonut as per Ozbargain's preferred spelling)

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2007-toyota-blade-m…

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/02/2023 - 14:34
      +1

      Lol they're using exterior photos from when they originally bought it. 5 bucks says it doesn't look like that now.

  • Morphio25 on 21/02/2023 - 14:35
    +2

    The Kia Cerato is quite nice. My sister, brother-in-law and I hired a brand new one from Sydney Airport and drove it out to Taree back in 2019. It was really comfortable and fairly roomy.

  • sumyungguy on 21/02/2023 - 15:12

    If you're OK to stick with VAG, Skoda Fabia

  • Sinnerator on 22/02/2023 - 10:00

    Toyota, Honda or Mazda (skyactive models) if you are seeking reliability.
    Stay away from SUVs they all suck.
    Sedans offer best value.
    4 cyl petrol.
    Non turbo.

    • Crispr on 22/02/2023 - 18:20

      Thanks! Definitely only looking at hatches or sedans.

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