Sub 20K new cars

[Fun_Bucket]

Hey guy's,

I've been doing the rounds lately with my partner looking at new cars in the <20K category. We've checked out all the usual suspects, Mazda 2, Accent, Jazz, Swift, Polo, Fiesta and so forth.

So far the standout for me has been the Polo, for the fact you can get the 1.2 turbo motor with a 6spd manual.It feels quite peppy underfoot, and doesn't make you feel like your going to eaten at the lights every time. Not that that's overly important, but no one likes ringing the neck out of a slug! It also has the lowest claimed consumption.

We didn't mind the Jazz, but for a car that apparently has the most interior space we sort of felt like we were sitting on top of each other. Also Honda has ditched it's dash mounted transmission layout which i though was one of the key points in earlier models.

The Hyundai Accent looks nice, and she likes it the most, but Hyundai has come along way from it's "cheap and cheerful" days, and with it's new image comes new price tags, so now your paying the same price as the competitors.


So has anyone here got a sub 20K category car, and if so what it is? What do you like / dislike about? How long have you owned it, and how close can you get to the claimed fuel consumption use?

[vicarious]

personally i would go for the jazz for reliability(we have them for work rep cars and take a beating) havent heard good things about the cheap polos as they are not built to the same standards as the dear ones.I also quite like the new kia rio Kia Rio Review | 2012 SLi 5-door Petrol | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

[Fun_Bucket]

Hi Vicarious,

I didn't mention we popped into the Kia dealership also, as the Rio did interest me. From what i understand it shares a lot in common with the Accent, but gains the 6spd manaul which is only available for the Accent in the US.

However we were met by a very unpleasant lady, and the pricing was very conflicting of what i had read on the internet. She said the SLI spec was 25K, and then told me a base model manual was 19K. My reading on the internet suggested pricing $500 below the Accent equivelants. I might have to do a bit more research on them.

[Jonno]

My dads girlfriend brought the brand new op of the line jazz in december or January and she absolutely loves it

Also my sister brought a brand new yais in December. They are both extramly spacious and zippy and amazing on fuel

I havnt personally driven the jazz but when I drive the yards I hate the take off it revs out before it goes anywehre


I would be too looking at the volkswagens they have been doing really well lately
And I never hear complaints from them


The best thing with my sisters new yards is 5 year fixed price servicing($100)
And 5 year FREE parts warranty

I remember when she parked at southland her mirror was hit off and Toyota put on a new one the next day for free

[vicarious]

does it have to be a new car? may be a yaris or corolla(near new), plus i think toyota's banging on about a low interest rate if your financing

[DAKSTER]

I have an 011 Kia Cerato SL hatchback with 6 speed manual. Middle of the range, it doesnt have climate control, fog lights or alloy wheels. It does have everything else - cruise, bluetooth, sparky windows etc. and a class leading 2L.

It has a 5 year unlimited km warranty and fixed price servicing. Total cost onroad and insured was $20,068 (including optional towbar and sound deadening/rustproofing pack). Only done 4000km on it but so far its a bloody awesome car.

I also have an 05 Cerato sedan with 180k on it. Its never had an unscheduled spanner applied to it. Best car I have ever owned.

Buy a Kia.

By the way - if you have ever owned a Yaris, you never will again..

[Aussie Revhead]

check out the mitsubishi colt its the not best looking car sister got one around 18k new aint bad for what it is great on fuel fun to drive doesnt feel too slow (not a commodore) and the warrenty aint bad either i highly recommend it

10 Year Powertrain Warranty†
5 Year New Car Warranty*
5 Year Roadside Assistance^
4 Year Capped Price Servicing‡
24/7 Customer Assistance

special offer price on there website is around 16.440k

Pricing Calculator - New Cars - Mitsubishi Motors Australia

[Reaper]

Hey guy's,

I've been doing the rounds lately with my partner looking at new cars in the <20K category. We've checked out all the usual suspects, Mazda 2, Accent, Jazz, Swift, Polo, Fiesta and so forth.

So far the standout for me has been the Polo, for the fact you can get the 1.2 turbo motor with a 6spd manual.It feels quite peppy underfoot, and doesn't make you feel like your going to eaten at the lights every time. Not that that's overly important, but no one likes ringing the neck out of a slug! It also has the lowest claimed consumption.

We didn't mind the Jazz, but for a car that apparently has the most interior space we sort of felt like we were sitting on top of each other. Also Honda has ditched it's dash mounted transmission layout which i though was one of the key points in earlier models.

The Hyundai Accent looks nice, and she likes it the most, but Hyundai has come along way from it's "cheap and cheerful" days, and with it's new image comes new price tags, so now your paying the same price as the competitors.

So has anyone here got a sub 20K category car, and if so what it is? What do you like / dislike about? How long have you owned it, and how close can you get to the claimed fuel consumption use?

Whilst they are very well put together and are considered reliable compared to much of their competition I'd look long and hard before buying a VW. Even routine maintenance can cost a bomb.

Reaper

[scouser king]

Like Vicarious said may be a yaris ex demo or some thing.Both my mum and sister have them and they are great.

[Rufys]

Whilst they are very well put together and are considered reliable compared to much of their competition I'd look long and hard before buying a VW. Even routine maintenance can cost a bomb.

Reaper

Depends where you go. While generally more expensive, you can get very reasonable (and reputable) servicing if you look around.

[vicarious]

Depends where you go. While generally more expensive, you can get very reasonable (and reputable) servicing if you look around.

genuine parts are expensive though

[Fun_Bucket]

does it have to be a new car? may be a yaris or corolla(near new), plus i think toyota's banging on about a low interest rate if your financing

We had a Focus we bought used and since we've had it we've replaced a temp sensor in the gearbox twice, the radiator went and now it's in getting the head gaskets done. So it's kind of hurt us pretty bad financially so were trying to make the safest choice here and get something that may not be as nice but will at least give us some peace of mind for a change.

I had a squizz at the Yaris, but their bordering on too small for me, i'm, 6'2. We had an 04 Polo a while back, and aside from a wimpy motor and gearbox it was a fairly solid little car, with a suprising amount of space with the rear seats down.The interior on the latest one doesn't seem to offer as much build quality, but they've addressed to power and drivetrain.

I would like to have another look at the Jazz, right now if i can drag my partner away from the Hyundai it will come down to the Jazz or Polo.

We didn't look at the Colt, i might see if we have time this arvo and go have a look at one, i do like the warranty offered on them.

[FstStig]

Tell her to do her part for the Environment and get a Prius haha!

[elmaso]

Tell her to do her part for the Environment and get a Prius haha!

#### THAT! i just looked up the price......

$34,990 for a base model....

[Fun_Bucket]

Tell her to do her part for the Environment and get a Prius haha!

I'd love to even do my bit for the environment. But let's face it you have to pay a premium in order to so a good thing. I think the majority of people would in fact drive hybrid vehicles if they could afford to, but they make them un-attainable for your average Joe.

[gossie]

My Daughter has had a Yaris for a couple of years and LOVES it. It's given no trouble whatsoever. It's 4 door auto with the larger engine. I've driven it a few times and it goes well.

[Calaber]

Whilst they are very well put together and are considered reliable compared to much of their competition I'd look long and hard before buying a VW. Even routine maintenance can cost a bomb.

Reaper

I have to support Reaper on this. My experience with a brand new Mark 5 Golf was less than happy and the servicing costs were horrendous. It was traded before the warranty ran out because of the likely cost of replacement parts such as pads and discs. (I was told over $800 for the full set and Euro's eat brakes because of the very soft disc material). If you want a reliable car under 20k that won't break the bank, stick with the Asians. (Jap or Korean)

[VS_Pete_1]

never mind

[acex1138]

personally I just dont trust front wheel drives.

For $20k you can get a much better car then any of these and while it might have higher k's and not appear to a girls taste in what she'd drive around (why do they always pick crappy FWD hatchbacks?) you normally get more mileage out of a well maintained car you can get for the same price.

I purchased my first commodore (VR on LPG) for $2000, i put 100,000k's on it..... it was dirt cheap to run and when I sold it I got $1700 back from it.

When I got my WRX a friend gave me this spiel about wanting to get a new car, I got mine at 80,000k's and she got her KIA brand new.... her's is now up to 50,000km's and already falling apart, and the sad thing is she takes care of it, damn thing doesnt even have air con.

Mate I worked with at IES got forced by the mrs to sell his ute as she bought a new car so he got stuck with her near brand new Ford Fiesta and he swears everyday he wish he could have his ute back that he only got 7 grand for selling.

[Drawnnite]

I'd love to even do my bit for the environment. But let's face it you have to pay a premium in order to so a good thing. I think the majority of people would in fact drive hybrid vehicles if they could afford to, but they make them un-attainable for your average Joe.

would like to add to this.
1. all the bits and pieces from the car are not exactly "eco friendly" (eg the materials for the battery)
2. where does electricity come from? the plug in the wall you say but wait... power generators.
they burn coal and so forth. so your definately doing your bit =P
but they use green power of wind turbines etc, but what about when they made those items, oh yeah they used petroleum in manufacturing and building it =P


back on topic, i would say the VW no i have never driven one or anything but they just seem like great cars.
you also drove it and said you liked it, so why not go for another test and compare it directly with whatever your other half likes.

[Jebadayah]

Mate I worked with at IES got forced by the mrs to sell his ute as she bought a new car so he got stuck with her near brand new Ford Fiesta and he swears everyday he wish he could have his ute back that he only got 7 grand for selling.

Bet he also wishes he could have his testicles back....

[Fun_Bucket]

personally I just dont trust front wheel drives.

For $20k you can get a much better car then any of these and while it might have higher k's and not appear to a girls taste in what she'd drive around (why do they always pick crappy FWD hatchbacks?) you normally get more mileage out of a well maintained car you can get for the same price.

Sometimes you can, you can have bad luck also. I've done the old "Commodore" thing. Yeah good car, but their all getting to the point where they will need work done to them. We just want something new that we will look after, and peace of mind for the next few years that if something does go wrong then it's all covered. If the car was for myself only i'd probably get something better. I did come across a few FG Falcons with factory fitted gas within the budget, but that's another story.

I'm going to try and have another look at the Jazz this weekend. When we first went to the dealership we were confronted by a young twat who's phone wouldn't shut up and he kept going on about how he had a demo Accord for sale. I need to come up with a polite was of telling sales people to fk off when all we want to do is have a look around.

[DAKSTER]

Without trying to be too insistent, I'd seriously look at the Kia Cerato Si as well.

Substantially more room in it than the Jazz, excellent performance, 6.6L/100km, 2L 6 speed manual and all the usual options. The only thing you miss out on within your 20K price range is alloy wheels and climate control.. drive way no more to pay etc. and a 5 year unlimited km warranty.

The one I just bought is my 3rd Kia. They have been fantastic, well appointed and totally reliable, as well as economical. They go and handle pretty well too for what they are. My 05 model still drives like new, its never had anything but scheduled servicing and tyres and has 180k on the clock.

[acex1138]

Sometimes you can, you can have bad luck also. I've done the old "Commodore" thing. Yeah good car, but their all getting to the point where they will need work done to them. We just want something new that we will look after, and peace of mind for the next few years that if something does go wrong then it's all covered. If the car was for myself only i'd probably get something better. I did come across a few FG Falcons with factory fitted gas within the budget, but that's another story.

I'm going to try and have another look at the Jazz this weekend. When we first went to the dealership we were confronted by a young twat who's phone wouldn't shut up and he kept going on about how he had a demo Accord for sale. I need to come up with a polite was of telling sales people to fk off when all we want to do is have a look around.

just gotta take a good look i've seen that many cars that look too good to be true, goes back the old saying, never buy a car without a test drive and getting under the hood.

[VKCOMMO]

I've been in an '08 Jazz for the last couple of days.. Its a great car, lots of features as well as it is quite good on petrol... It sits quite high in the rev range when doing 110ish, but even with a heavy foot in traffic tonight it didnt go above 7l/100km