Looking to Buy a Small to Medium Car, Would Like Some Suggestions

PurchaseAnxiety on 17/02/2016 - 20:36

Hi all.

I'm in the market for a small car, and I really don't know a whole lot about cars, so I would love some suggestions from you great people, and go from there. Here's my preferences:

  • I prefer zipping around and parking in a small car, so either a hatchback or small sedan is what I'm after. 2 door or 4 door doesn't really bother me (our other car is a 4 door sedan, should we ever need the extra capacity).
  • Budget is $15-20k, and would like something reasonably new; made within the past 5 or so years.
  • I want enough 'grunt' under the hood, so that I can speed up quickly if required, and not have it struggle on hills.
  • Probably don't need to mention this, but great fuel economy and safety features are also desirable.
  • I'm a techie, so a car with a bit of tech would be a bonus.

Also, is a loan from the bank generally the best way to go about finance? Or do dealers occasionally offer some good terms on their financing? I know the terms of each will vary from case to case, but I'm just interested to know if there's a general consensus over which is the safer/better option.

Automotive

Comments

  • altomic on 17/02/2016 - 21:22

    in december I had a brand new suzuki swift as a replacement car for a few days. I disliked it. it felt quite underpowered.

    a few month earlier I had a Kia Rio as a rental car and found that quite good. zippy. plus I really liked how there was 9 pockets/shelves within arms reach for the driver to put stuff. phone, waterbottle, sunnies, wallet, panadol, etc.

    2014 Kia Rio S Manual MY14 9200kms for $9800

  • tomleonhart on 17/02/2016 - 21:36

    Ford Fiesta ST
    VW Polo GTI

    If not just go get a mazda3 sp25 2012.

  • tj101 on 17/02/2016 - 21:36

    I have a Mazda 2 and can't fault it, plus it has the biggest boot space of small cars. Zippy, small, powerful. Hubby has the 3 and that is also good, although perhaps a lil bit over your budget.

  • PVA on 17/02/2016 - 21:42

    Kia Rio looks a great car and is meant to be pretty good.

    or look at a ford fiesta, with all the sync tech inside.

    if you are borrowing to buy, see what car companies are offering 1% interest, should be cheaper than the bank.

    you are also saying second hand, what about saving some dollars and getting something nice like http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Citroen-C4-2012/OA…

    or a nice Renault https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/228725

  • [Deactivated] on 17/02/2016 - 22:28

    Go for the Nissan Micra Ti model. Excellent manoeuvrability, absolutely stunning fuel economy and never fails in city or urban environments. Needless to say, it's a pleasure to park almost anywhere you'd want to.

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 18/02/2016 - 18:09

    Thanks for the suggestions, I will definitely be looking into them all.

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