What Is The Cheapest Car You Would Get if You Only Plan to Drive 25,000km Per Year

AlienC on 03/10/2026 - 12:19

Was wondering what everyone thinks or knows is the best car to drive if you plan on doing about 25,000km per year only

No ego no extras just simple a to z what's the best bang for buck car in your experience that would fit this criteria

Only person in the car is you and you are not using it to transport anything big just groceries and food takeaway and getting to and fro to work every day maybe a drive to the city or somewhere nice to spend some r and r every weekend or so

Whenever I try to look up this question is the usual Toyota corolla or Camry

Post inspired by the recent ev thread

For reference Opal is capped at $50 per week so you will never spend more than $2700 per year let's say using public transport but I'm trying to find how much extra having the cheapest vehicle would be well car since I don't like sitting in the rain on a motorcycle or scooter personally so something with a roof.

Automotive Car

Comments

Best
Search through all the comments in this post.
  • slknv on 03/10/2026 - 12:26

    "Only" 25,000km per year?

    • 87
    • El cheepo on 03/10/2026 - 14:08

      Literally clicked on this because of the “only”.

      Thats like averaging 100km a day round trip commute to work (not uncommon, but its not average or low)

      Weird to preface with only lol.

      • 18
    • Guybrush57 on 03/10/2026 - 13:03

      On the road again
      Goin' places that I've never been
      Seein' things that I may never see again
      And I can't wait to get on the road again

      • 4
    • JIMB0 on 03/10/2026 - 14:00

      Not that far when you have a squatty potty.

      • 2
    • Hangryuman on 05/10/2026 - 11:38

      "Only" 68km per day, every day, per year …

      "It's a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll"

      https://youtu.be/g-qkY2yj4_A

      • 1
    • skillet on 04/10/2026 - 22:44

      OP is a retired taxi driver.

      • 0
      • 10fps on 04/10/2026 - 23:16

        Senior uber driver now.

        • 1
  • boomramada on 03/10/2026 - 13:18

    25, 000km Per Yea

    That's like twice more than average person driving, hence get a decent car, at least a Japanese car.

    • 19
    • apsilon on 03/10/2026 - 13:52

      Probably about average for someone that lives in one of the cities but yeah, I wouldn't be prefacing it with "only".

      OP, I do only 7,000km/pa and bought a Kia Picanto GT during covid. It's fine for commuting, once a year when I want to carry something larger it can be a PITA but I just hire a van for the day. If I was buying today in the same market segment I'd probably have to consider the BYD Atto 1 if I was buying new.

      • 3
  • pegaxs on 03/10/2026 - 19:04

    ONLY 25k/year? Thats a lot of driving… like double the national average..

    • 14
    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2026 - 11:24

      guess if borrowing mums car eh

      • 0
  • bargaino on 03/10/2026 - 13:29

    Cheapest car, new or used, over 6 years is the Atto 1 EV.
    At $20k, will pay for itself in fuel savings @25Mm/year.
    Do you still say "no ego"?

    Can you live with 220km WLTP? For what you describe, will be a perfect commuter.
    Way better value than any Toyota.

    • 13
    • Cognitive Consonance on 03/10/2026 - 14:01

      Can't comment on Value, but rough cost for petrol is probably $3000-5000 pa.
      You will save a heap on EV so risk is minimal.
      And if it's worth anything after 5 years - bonus

      • 6
    • salin on 04/10/2026 - 21:54

      Five years’ worth of fuel savings could be worth the price of the car itself.
      If you’re concerned about the driving range, spend an extra $5k and go for the Atto 2.

      • 1
    • boomramada on 03/10/2026 - 14:13

      I would not go for an Atto; 25,000 km per year is around 125 km per day (weekdays), which is roughly 25 kWh per day of charging. For sure, the OP can save money, but that is a lot of daily charging for a tiny car like an Atto. It is better to get something like a used Tesla. Plus, the OP also needs to invest in a decent 7 kW charger as well. For all that investment, a used Toyota would be ideal, but it is up to the OP's requirements.

      • -5
      • bargaino on 03/10/2026 - 16:53

        WLTP for the atto 1 is 220km from 30kWh, accurate for suburban driving. 25000km is only 120 equivalent cycles per year.
        That's no problem at all for an LFP battery.

        Of course this assumes you have a home with parking. Not good if you live in an apartment unless work has chargers.

        • 5
      • Cognitive Consonance on 03/10/2026 - 15:47

        You are almost bagging an EV on Ozbargain ??
        Ozbargain has are a very particular set of skills.
        Skills acquired over a very long career.
        Skills that make OZB a nightmare for people like you.

        • -1
  • mskeggs on 03/10/2026 - 14:13

    Fuel will cost about what the opal cap is for a small car.
    Add rego and insurance for another $900 p.a.
    Add 3rd party $400.
    Add maintenance circa $1500 but very variable.
    Then depreciate the capital cost over the remaining vehicle life.
    A $20k car lasting 10y would be $2k p.a

    So about $7k p.a is a realistic minimum.

    Note a $10k car that you keep for 5years or a $4k car you keep for 2years all cost the same per year.
    Doing 25000km means you can’t keep a car for many years as maintenance will dramatically increase as the km add up.

    • 7
    • AlienC on 04/10/2026 - 23:38

      best answer so far thanks mskeggs

      • 0
  • ihbh on 03/10/2026 - 12:39

    New or used?

    the usual Toyota corolla or Camry

    I have 20 year old Camry. New base model is ~$45k drive away. Model 3 is ~$50k drive away and cheaper to run (but do your own projections of depreciation and resale value). https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/977244

    • 3
    • AlienC on 04/10/2026 - 23:34

      Cheapest over next five to ten years

      • 0
    • ATTS on 05/10/2026 - 07:49

      Whats ur opinon getting a used atto 1 ev in a few years? Or best to get it brand new? It just feels like a waste from depreciation lol

      • 0
      • Alexxx on 05/10/2026 - 08:49

        Hard to say, if new prices go up then used might end up being where the new price is now.

        There was a great deal on the MG4 a while back and now the price has gone up.
        BYD themselves have said the Atto 1 prices will go up, probably at the end of December.

        • 0
        • ATTS on 05/10/2026 - 09:15

          Thanks so brand new rrp atto 1 not possibly go down opposite like what happened with i thi k tesla brand new rrp that made the used tesla go down aswell

          Got a few ice cars that will last ages, want to make switch for fuel savings but haha feel like wqstage selling the ice cars also

          • 0
  • Murkymerv on 03/10/2026 - 13:03

    I'd go Suzuki Swift , since we're talking economics or baleno ⁉️ Hyundai i30 , Honda jazz not with CVT transmission.

    • 2
    • Kangal on 04/10/2026 - 22:35

      What's been slept on are used Toyota Prius.
      Stupidly efficient, cheap to service and fix, and now they're at garbage prices. Still a small car, but definitely roomier than a Honda Jazz (which I also recommend).

      Besides a 2010 Toyota Camry 2.0L, I would also recommend the Toyota RAV4 V6 if you want something old yet cheap and practical.

      • 0
  • Dollar General on 03/10/2026 - 13:18

    Suzuki Swift

    • 2
  • tubeidea on 03/10/2026 - 15:28

    Mazda 2, Toyota Corolla / Camry, Suzuki Swift, basically any Japanese hatchback.

    I would avoid Kia / Hyundai, they might be fine, but the engine blew up on a family members meticulously maintained vehicle which they had owned from new, and the dealership lied to them and ignored them when they tried to get help. Both brands already settled (they were going to lose so cut their losses) a class action for this in the USA and they are currently fighting one here in Australia for the same issues.

    • 2
    • ChickenA on 06/10/2026 - 05:11

      Pay $2.5/L for the problems of engine maintenance and old engine problems like gasket. Don't think this is the reason for OzB.

      • -1
  • Euphemistic on 03/10/2026 - 16:00

    25k per year is a lot more than average (15k). Unless that 25k includes long distance travel off the major highway routes or dont have off street parking for over night charging find an EV. Used and in the smallest size practical.

    TBH id probbaly try to find something for under $10k today, then trade up to EV in a year or two when there is more and lower cost options available in the used market.

    • 2
  • ChickenA on 04/10/2026 - 09:46

    Go EV for sure, you will save money on fuel, and also on serving due to the removal of all the ICE craps. The Atto 1 $20k drive away is excellent. If budget is tight, you could spend $8000 on a Nissan Leaf, but try get Atto 1 if you can.

    • 2
  • Zycon on 04/10/2026 - 10:35

    Lister Storm

    I also advise Night Call on repeat for those 25k.

    • 2
    • casho on 05/10/2026 - 08:42

      a man of culture

      • 0
  • S Baldrick on 04/10/2026 - 23:02

    AU Falcon

    • 2
  • JIMB0 on 03/10/2026 - 14:03

    Does it need to cost less than $4k? Also how long should it last and what's the limit on fuel consumption?

    • 1
  • tenpercent on 03/10/2026 - 16:49

    Uncle Ian can probably hook you up with something cheap and cheerful.

    • 1
  • brendanm on 03/10/2026 - 16:53

    Mitsubishi 380.

    • 1
    • simplystu on 03/10/2026 - 18:03

      If we were living in the past … And it was 10+ years ago, then I'd agree.

      Previous mitsi 380 owner here.
      They really punched above their weight (value for $$$ / engine / build quality / etc).

      But in current market +++ 2026 == would'nt go near one (unless score for free + you're a mechanic).

      • 2
    • Snz on 05/10/2026 - 14:23

      10.8 L / 100km plus say 20% more use than rating at $2.30 /L for 25,000km is $7452 in fuel cost each year.

      OP is going to be burning double the purchase price in fuel each year…

      And they will pick up the wear and tear costs that come with a 19 year old car.

      • 1
      • brendanm on 06/10/2026 - 01:49

        You don't say. It's almost like my suggestion was a joke, as OP is well known for asking questions and then ignoring any advice given.

        • 1
        • Snz on 06/10/2026 - 17:51

          I'm new here, so had had no idea of OP's history.

          • 0
  • nocure on 03/10/2026 - 15:17

    Lancer EVO

    • 0
    • Cognitive Consonance on 03/10/2026 - 15:42

      Aaah! the gentle sucking of fuel sounds just like a seshelll in your ear

      • 0
  • oscargamer on 04/10/2026 - 08:45

    MG4 Urban for $30k

    Cheap EV with only one service each year at 25k

    • 0
  • Geoff01 on 04/10/2026 - 09:31

    Any car you want as that's normal average to above average KMs for anyone

    • 0
  • randomusername2017 on 04/10/2026 - 14:51

    Hope you're asking for a friend 🤔

    • 0
  • Speckled Jim on 04/10/2026 - 19:16

    In my biased opinion, a Honda Jazz. Anywhere from $2K for a snotter but nice ones from 4K.

    • 0
  • 10fps on 04/10/2026 - 23:19

    Tesla model y or 3 on a novated lease.

    • 0
  • pc007 on 05/10/2026 - 03:11

    BA Falcon

    • 0
  • gromit on 05/10/2026 - 09:02

    only 25k a year? that would put you in the top few percent of driving distance for Australian's or over double the average.

    so what you are really asking is "What's a cheap car for someone that travels large distances by car every year."

    • 0
  • shaybisc on 05/10/2026 - 11:00

    If you live in a house, not an apartment, a used, rapidly depreciated BEV. Which everybody tells me, but I don't find it to be so when I look, means 30% to 40% depreciation after 2 years.

    • 0
  • JimB on 05/10/2026 - 12:43

    Humblebrag.

    As a male I feel insecure in the bedroom as my penis is only 8 inches, when flaccid.

    • 0
  • dp1 on 05/10/2026 - 13:58

    Whether an EV will work for your use case depends on how you do your kms, is it 70-100km per day or 500km once a week?
    You will definitely save more than the price of the car if you get an EV, the question is how and where it is parked in between trips to charge. If it's under 150km per day and you have a power point next to your home parking space the Atto1 or even $25-30k ballpark like Atto 2/ Aion UT/ Geely EX2 or used Dolphin/MG4 is a no brainer.
    Petrol isn't getting cheaper, at current prices you will spend over $15000 in 5 years just on fuel and need services every 8 months with a major $$$ service at 4 years/ 100,000km. If you eventually plan to sell it, ICE vs EV at 4 years old/100000km in 2031….

    • 0
  • Snz on 05/10/2026 - 14:18

    Falcon Ecolpi. There is a 2013 XR6 with 280,000km asking $9500 close to me (listed for 20 weeks so likely could negotiate that down a lot). Powerfull (198 kW) and comfortable, and crashworthy car for spending a heap of time in, and LPG cost is not linked with oil cost, so you are hedged against that risk. Rated at 12.4 L / 100km @$1.17 / L works out to $14.5 / 100km (count on using 20% more, perhaps 40% in heavy traffic).

    Lexus CT200h. There is a 2012 with 238,000km, for $9500 firm close to me. Slow, but looks flash. Never been in one, but assume it is pritty nice inside. Basically the legendary reliable Prius drivetrain with a flash body on top. Seem undervalued here relative to Prius. Rated 4.1 L / 100km of 91 RON, which at $2.3 works out to $9.43 / 100km.

    A lot of the choice would come down to you appreciate the 198 kW and RWD of the falcon, or want something easier to park, with more commonly available fuel, and you don't look like a P plater.

    Normally I advocate for EV's, but all the cheaper stuff seems way overpriced in Aust. Wouldn't go cheaper than a $20k Kona electric 64kW in this market. Well worth the extra $5k over an ionic or 40 kWh leaf…

    Need to be running a timeline of 4+ years to claw back the extra capital cost vs the cheaper options above.

    • 0
Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join