Future proof car (family etc)

wau2 on 01/06/2015 - 21:08
Last edited 03/06/2015 - 22:58

hi all

The mrs Corolla broke down so we are off to find a new car. I'm leaning towards a small car (Corolla, i30) but the mrs wants a bigger car (Hr-v) because she wants the space and for future kids (2). I'm saying a corolla or something small can still do the job.I hope to call on the power of the ozbargain community to help me decide! my price range is anything below $30k.

Thanks in advance for your help

EDIT: 03 June 15. The Mrs now wants a new Corolla. I tried asking around for a 2014 model but to no avail. They have an offer now at Toyota for $23,990 for a Toyota Corolla Ascent Sedan Driveway (with floor mats, metallic paint and fuel). Is this a good price guys? I tried haggling but they wouldn't budge as its $3k or so off their RRP.

Automotive

Comments

  • YTW on 01/06/2015 - 21:35
    +1

    If kids are in the future it needs to be able to comfortably fit two carseats and have a boot big enough to fit a pram and the shopping in it. And that's a decent pram, not some crappy little stroller.

    No idea what the cars you mention are like space wise. But it's not the kids that take up the room, it's all the crap that comes with them.

    If kids are on the horizon then go the bigger car, you'll soon be trying to fit all sorts of weird and wonderful things in the car (short trip away? That'll be a portacot, portable high chair, pram, nappy bag and suitcase filled with god knows what - but it's all essential - to fit in the boot).

    Once they are a bit older you can travel a bit lighter again - as far as bulky stuff it's just bikes/scooters you need to fit in the boot mainly. But then there's the picking up of friends, needing to fit in an extra booster in the back seat etc.

  • raymond y on 01/06/2015 - 21:56
    +3

    Don't be deceived by height making the vehicle a "bigger" vehicle. Consider how you use the space and what's more important. As mentioned before, things like prams can take up a huge chunk of boot space if the original shape is somewhat awkward.

    • ESEMCE on 02/06/2015 - 08:31

      Amen to this..
      Actual usable space in most 4x4 and SUV's is generally pretty minimal.
      Vertical space is worth half (or less) that of horizontal space.

    • cypher67 on 02/06/2015 - 08:45

      Perfect example of this is the Subaru XV, it is the exactly the same car as the Impreza but on stilts. Looks bigger but is really the same cabin space.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2015 - 21:57

    Get a golf. Or a second hand Prius. Those things have crazy depreciation, you can pick up used ones for next to nothing.

    • pao2x on 02/06/2015 - 10:24
      +1

      Second hand golf gets crazy depreciation for a reason. Outrageous parts and service prices and questionable long term reliability

      • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2015 - 13:54

        I was talking about the Prius. The golf is a good car.

      • PVA on 02/06/2015 - 19:34

        so true with a golf, wait until brake pads need replacing - rotors get replaced as well. dollars!

  • nocure on 01/06/2015 - 22:50
    +1

    Kia sportage 7 year warranty

  • Davo1111 on 02/06/2015 - 06:40
    +1

    Dimensionally is the HRV actually bigger? You may find the seating position is just more "upright" which gives you the impression it's bigger, when in fact it's the opposite.

  • ChillBro on 02/06/2015 - 06:46
    +4

    Get a delorean

    • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2015 - 06:57
      +1

      Make sure to get a Mr. Fusion powered one, the the fuel used by the earlier model is hard to get.

  • mini2 on 02/06/2015 - 06:50
    +1

    Get a 7 seater. That's extremely future proof.

    Who knows, perhaps your sexual prowess may delivery you triplets or quads.

  • woodwa on 02/06/2015 - 08:01

    Subaru Outback.

    fun to drive(sticky on corners) very practical

  • pao2x on 02/06/2015 - 10:11

    Corolla would be bigger than a HRV in terms of usable space. You have to go to medium SUV to go bigger than a corolla. Like a CRV CX5 etc. If you are looking for a 7 seater under 30 the only one is Fiat Freemont. I would suggest going for a few more grand and look at X-trail, MU-X

  • npc on 02/06/2015 - 10:12

    Something like i30/golf wagon will fit much more stuff compared to HRV. 2nd hand i30 diesel wagon from the government auction will cost 1/3 of your budget.

    As an example - 2 days away from home on the beach with one 1yo makes Falcon's boot (535 liters) full.

  • spackbace on 02/06/2015 - 10:43
    +1

    Toyota is offering 0% comparison rate on the Aurion (not sure of others), $31,990, 0% over 3 years. Would offer the space for kids in the future.

    Who's car is it? I don't think you can convince her on a Corolla now if she wants an SUV, and it's her car to drive every day. I think you're gonna have to open your mind now and save the arguments.

  • vroomkroom on 02/06/2015 - 11:19
    +1

    2015 Nissan X-Trail T32 ST X-tronic ( Optional 7 Seat ) and you can get one for 30K if you look around!!

    • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2015 - 19:17

      Only a complete idiot would buy a car with a CVT gearbox (apart from the Prius chain driven one).

      • PVA on 02/06/2015 - 19:35

        what rubbish, we have had one for years.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2015 - 20:54

          So it should be about to go bang about now? Got $15k ready for a replacement?

    • PVA on 02/06/2015 - 19:36

      great 4wd, previous t31 is great as well.

  • Euphemistic on 02/06/2015 - 13:20
    +1

    Get a wagon, not a hatchback. And like others have said don't be deceived by the SUV feeling of space, it's the boot space that counts.

    • ESEMCE on 02/06/2015 - 21:11

      Agreed…
      Wagon FTW

  • wau2 on 02/06/2015 - 19:14

    These have been super helpful comments guys and girls. She believes in Oz bargainers so I am winning the 'smaller' car argument!

    • ShamelessBargains on 02/06/2015 - 19:23

      Mazda 3 and Corolla are your best choices for the small car segment.

      Also consider the Mazda CX5 and the Volkswagen Tiguan as they higher and slightly bigger.

      Should be some great end of the line sales coming up!

      Good Luck Op :)

    • PVA on 02/06/2015 - 19:38

      look at the nissan qashqai, still small but good size inside. and 2wd one is cheap-ish.
      or a bit bigger the x-trail (even the previous model is really good and huge boot.thats what we have and it has been great for years)

  • knoxy1001 on 03/06/2015 - 09:07

    Get a ute.
    Toyota hilux, diesel, SR, 2010/11, dual cab with a tub and a canopy or hard lid.

    11L/100 economy, but reliable, cheap aftermarket parts, a 4wd if you wanna go on the beach etc, plenty of space for prams and all the gear you could possibly need and you'll only sell it for a few grand less than what you paid in a few years.

    • Euphemistic on 03/06/2015 - 09:26
      +2

      Don't get a ute.

      Bouncy horrible things unless you load them up. Nice for just chucking stuff in the back, but in a wagon you can put more in if the seats are folded down and they are more secure. Sure a canopy on a ute adds security, but also limits what you can carry in the tub, kinda spoiling the whole idea of having a ute. Flat top lid reduces the space/versatility even more.

    • spackbace on 03/06/2015 - 10:00

      Don't get a ute. The above example doesn't get a 5 star safety rating, doesn't have curtain airbags for the kids. Doesn't come standard with child anchor points, that'll be something you have to fit later. Your Mrs will find it very hard going from a Corolla to a dual cab ute.

  • wau2 on 03/06/2015 - 22:58

    The Mrs now wants a new Corolla. I tried asking around for a 2014 model but to no avail. They have an offer now at Toyota for $23,990 for a Toyota Corolla Ascent Sedan Driveway (with floor mats, metallic paint and fuel). Is this a good price guys? I tried haggling but they wouldn't budge as its $3k or so off their RRP.

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