Recommendations for a new car for the wife?

blergmonkeys on 09/08/2016 - 02:12
Last edited 10/08/2016 - 22:30

Budget: $22k with extras (paint, tint) but under $20k preferred
Needs:

  • auto
  • CarPlay/gps navigation built in (aftermarket units are out as we don't want to fluff around with the car)
  • reverse camera
  • decent room to fit groceries, a medium dog and 2 adults
  • decent warranty and service costs (hate 6 monthly servicing on my forester as we are busy)
  • decent resale in 5-6 years
  • needs to be grey (metallic paint)
    What I've looked at:
  • baleno gl
  • Kia cerato s with AV pack (extra $500)
  • Hyundai i30 active
  • Volkswagen polo trendline

This is for the wife who just got her Ps (and why we don't want to spend too much).

What would you guys say is the safe bet? I'm leaning towards the cerato but it's resale is a concern. Resale on the baleno may not be great either but it's $3500 less without even negotiating. The Hyundai would have the best resale and seems to have a good middle ground of warranty/service costs/schedule. The polo is probably too small.

We have about 6 weeks to wait on before we buy the car. Reckon we will wait for the i30 to come back on sale as that is what we are leaving towards. Thoughts?

Poll Options

  • 66
    Hyundai i30 Active
  • 20
    Kia Cerato S with AV pack
  • 8
    Volkswagen Polo Trendline
  • 4
    Suzuki Baleno GL
Automotive

Comments

  • cuppaciano on 12/08/2016 - 09:39

    Have you looked at a Holden Spark? The drive I had was pretty good and got Carplay and everything.

  • Davros on 12/08/2016 - 09:42

    On average, a new car will lose as much as 19 percent of its value in its first year of ownership. That means that your $20,000 new car will be worth about $16,200 after just one year.

  • xyron on 12/08/2016 - 11:10
    +1

    much better off trying to snag a 1-2 year old i30…ive seen them as low as $15k, and they will still come with the balance of the 5 year warranty.

    otherwise the cerato (especially the latest facelifted version) is probably the best value in this segment at the moment as far as space + features for the price goes.

  • stimpyjcat on 12/08/2016 - 14:04

    If you are going for an i30 suggest going for an older model Active X (GD3) - they are identical for auto. Only practical difference I believe is a higher res screen and Carplay connectivity for iphone (GD4). I don't see the value in the newer model for what is essentially the same old design (engine etc) unless for maybe resale purposes.

    I personally like the look of the Cerato and would have been happy to put money down for one earlier this year but wifey wasn't a fan. Went for a Skoda Fabia wagon instead and very happy so far. Reasonably good mileage too for city driving (although PULP).

  • goose25 on 12/08/2016 - 14:08
    +3

    Feature filled and bang for buck, the latest Skoda fabia appears to be a great car. More fuel efficient than the i30, has adaptive cruise and driver assist, which most cars in the budget segment don't. Has a good quality finish too, which some of the other cars in the same price bracket don't seem to. My only suggestion would be to take the extended warranty from the dealer.

    • nafe on 12/08/2016 - 16:10

      Skoda offer a 5 year care pack, which extends warranty an extra 2 years, and also covers the scheduled servicing costs, plus roadside assist for the 5 years. I think it's roughly a $700 saving from memory versus buying it all separately.

  • mrluke on 12/08/2016 - 14:47
    -5

    Toyotas are the best engineered car. Get a dealer used Toyota… don't just buy the cheapest new car with the features you want, they are cheap for a reason. Cheap car, expensive maintainance…

  • Dr Prepper on 12/08/2016 - 16:41
    +1

    Buy her a 3year old car and sell when it's it's 6. Most cases you'll lose minimal on resale in that bracket.

  • snajper on 12/08/2016 - 21:21

    I bought a new golf my16 with CarPlay and metallic paint and auto for $24k,….

    Amazing car

  • syousef on 12/08/2016 - 21:52

    Whatever car she wants that's within your budget and isn't a completely flawed model. Life's too short to have a wife that's unhappy with you because she doesn't like her car ;-)

  • grem323 on 12/08/2016 - 22:50

    How is it that you overlooked the Skoda Rapid? You could easily get a demo car within the said budget with all the features you want & for a 'european' ride, its got the warranty & capped servicing too!
    worth a look IMHO

  • Johhny 2 balls on 13/08/2016 - 11:23

    If you want trouble free motoring my mechanic tells me to buy Toyotas. If that's not an option he says any of the larger Japanese brands. I've had a 2002 Toyota Corolla for 8 years, I haven't looked after it, I only get it serviced occasionally and it runs smooth and uses very little fuel. In my book that's a great car. Be very wary of European and Korean cars, they are known to have problems that cost a lot to fix.

    • BargainMyMiddleName on 13/08/2016 - 19:13
      +1

      Be very wary of European and Korean cars, they are known to have problems that cost a lot to fix.

      That's a very broad statement. Provide some examples.

  • mrgeckoz on 13/08/2016 - 14:22
    +1

    maybe a basic vw golf 92tsi?
    rrp $25,490 with DSG.
    depends how good you are at negotiating, 22k should be ok.

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