Help me choose a car

Almost Banned on 09/03/2015 - 14:07
Last edited 09/03/2015 - 14:33 by 1 other user

Hey everyone, I'm hoping you can help me out.
I need a new-to-me car to replace my old bomby ford falcon wagon which is now turning 15.
I want something nice but not too wanky. Something that says 'moderately successful business person' rather than 'over-compensating w@nker'. I am also hoping to spend around the $20,000 mark.
I have been thinking that I'd want no older than 2010 and preferably newer.
I am looking at mid-sized and mid-quality - better than Ford/Holden and the Koreans, not quite in the luxury European class.
So I have been thinking along the lines of:
Subaru Liberty (used to have one years ago and loved it)
Honda Accord Euro (driven in one and quite liked it but haven't driven)
Mazda 6 (driven one - good solid all-round option but just didn't excite me)
Volkswagen Passat (seen a few on the road and the newer body shape looks pretty good to me)
Would appreciate any thoughts/comments or other suggestions you might have.
Thanks.

Poll Options

  • 14
    Subaru Liberty
  • 7
    Mazda 6
  • 4
    Honda Accord Euro
  • 4
    Other (please specify)
  • 3
    Volkswagen Passat
Automotive

Comments

  • chuneeperformance on 09/03/2015 - 14:20
    +1

    This year will have many new upgrades happening with cars.. Might want to wait..

    • glam8 on 09/03/2015 - 14:47

      Hi chunee, how long should we wait? My car is totalled recently, driving a loan car at the moment.

  • ProjectZero on 09/03/2015 - 14:43

    My mate bought a Hyundai i45 at the start of the year for around $20k. It's not a bad car, though if you are really against having a Korean car then best to skip it.

    It's quite roomy, and quite well equipped in terms of features. Can't tell you how it handles as it isn't mine but it feels smooth enough.

    -edit-

    Sorry, I forgot to say second hand… no way in hell will it be brand new… at least I don't think you'd be able to.

  • npc on 09/03/2015 - 14:50

    All these will feel gutless after 4.0L straight 6. Only diesel Passat will remind you sometimes that there a such thing as torque.

    In the same time any of these cars will be heaps more modern in design and features inside and out.

    • victorwilson on 09/03/2015 - 15:19
      +2

      The Mazda and VW may have smaller engines, but their power figures suggest they are anything but gutless.

      The Falcon's 4.0L I6 has 391Nm of torque.
      The Mazda 6's 2.2L diesel beats that with 420Nm torque, but a significantly lower 129kW power output.
      Meanwhile the Passat's 2.0L diesel has only 380Nm (and 130kW power), which may feel stronger than the Falcon's thanks to a lower kerb weight.

      Then again, do beware of VW's DSG issues and Mazda's DPF issues.

      • npc on 09/03/2015 - 15:32
        +1

        Right, I didn't know Mazda 6 can have diesel. 420nm is not gutless at all of course. I was more thinking about petrol engines, which are in 200-300nm range and have to be revved to get these figures.

    • Euphemistic on 10/03/2015 - 19:40

      Gutless against a 15yo worn out falcon? You've got to be kidding. Sure a big lazy 6 has plenty of power, but the others are smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient than a falcon and will be more powerful than similar models of a similar age.

      Oh, by the way you can't go wrong with a scoobydoo library.

  • toristo on 09/03/2015 - 19:05

    I'd of opted for the Subaru Liberty as I think they're a bit more 'sporty fun' than the Mazda 6, but unfortunately the cost to service/repair makes it less attractive. I'd opt for the Mazda 6 for lower long term running costs and more "stylish" appearance (Looks more expensive than the Subaru IMO).

    Depending on your moderately-successful-business-person salary, and the number of KM's you drive in a year, it might be worth looking a year or two newer and seeing if you can salary sacrifice/lease a car. I had been looking at similar cars for myself and looked at a lease, and the numbers were good if you did over 15,000km a year, but I drive less than 5,000km a year so wasn't really worth it in the end.

    • Almost Banned on 09/03/2015 - 19:44

      Yeah, no salary sacrifice here and I don't drive it very much - just to work and back.

  • spackbace on 09/03/2015 - 20:13
    +1

    If you want luxury, try to find a Suzuki Kizashi Prestige or Sport in that price range (should be able to). High feature list, comfortable leather, appears luxurious with a good drive.

    Edit - Hey you're in Perth too, here you go:
    http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Suzuki-Kizashi-201…

    AWD, all the extras, Japanese. It does appear to be in Bunbury though.

    http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Suzuki-Kizashi-201…

    Same thing but in Melville for a smidge more (but within budget)

  • batfastard on 10/03/2015 - 07:10

    Hayabusa

    You know it makes sense

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