Son just got a new fulltime job. Probation is 6 months and lookng for a replacement of his old clunker.
Budget is $25k and I'm overwhelmed with choice. First decision is whether new or used. Being a god OzB, I'm inclined towards used.
I guess the lad wants something with character, but I want reliability.
Please flood me with suggestions!
Many thanks!
Yes he will pay 💰 an amount upfront and then regular payments.
I just spreadsheet the cost : insurance, rego, tyres, repair, fuel…and divide that by week.
Makes me want to suggest public transport!
Insurance is bad for under 25.
A friend 35-yo is wanting a motorbike now and just asked my opinion. Crickey!
Insurance is bad until 30 from my research. Adding an older male/female helps reduce the premium by a lot even if they don't drive it.
Nothing wrong with spending up to 30K on a car at that age if you have a good graduate job. Suggest something sporty like a two door coupe, you are only young once.
He has a full time graduate job and still on probation.
Well he can save for 10 weeks, you'll match his sum and then he'll be able to get a 2015 Kia cerato still with >4 years warranty remaining.
He needs to learn that gratification has its cost.
A secondhand Toyota Prius C. I know it is very boring but he won't have to refuel his car for up to 3 weeks if he only drives casually. Reliable and cheap to service and it resells easily since everyone wants it
I've got a 4wd ute and only fill it up every month. I only filled my last 2 cars monthly too,but they had smaller tanks and 200km less range. It's not about how much fuel it uses, but how many kms you drive and how often.
I recently was driving a Subaru gen 5 premium edition just sold it for 10k and was an amazing car
Currently drive VW golf and if I was 23 I'd jump on the GTI but the diesel does it for me these days
best to save half of that 25K for insurance on a 23 year old male if buying a car with "character" IE has a turbo etc..
plenty of nice cars out there for 10K but as said if looking for a car with "character" then study the owner and look if its been shunted overspray etc..
buy reliable save the insurance money for the wedding :)
He is old enough let him chose his own car and live with the consequences. How else is he going to learn?
Lexus is250
Mazda 6
Honda civic or Accord
Look at cars that are about 7-10 years old and possibly top of the range back then. I like high mileage cars that have been well maintained and driven with a full service history. Ideally one owner that I can meet and judge if honest and usually selling to update or upgrade.
Would not spend more than 15k on the car. Less depreciation to worry about and 10k left in the kitty for the next car! Get the car looked over, check for major services coming up and if there is full service history.
$10k should get you a very decent car complete with latest technology ABS, ESC, etc..etc..
Why spend more? Is it to impress chicks?
I'd like to see a 10k car with aeb.
Latest technology you said right?
ABS ESC latest technology? Lol?
Please don’t forget that cars just like anything require regular maintenance and up keep. The more fancy/exotic (make, model, after market parts etc) the car the more you going to pay. (parts, labour & or time).
I think that spending 7-10k on a reliable common car, 3k on travel (build up life experiences) and the rest put in a investment/savings so when they wise up thy know where to spend it.
Buy a 15k car and put 10k into the market.
Buy a $5k car and out the remainder on black. Do that twice and you'll have enough for an $80k high yield investment car.
2010+ Honda Accord Euro
2.4l engine, not too weak and not too thirsty either
Looks pretty high-end for the price
So many bland suggestions here.
When I was 23, I went out and spent $25K on a VE SS commodore. I'm still driving it 4 years later and wouldn't trade it for anything else listed here (perhaps other than the XR6 Turbo suggested by niggard - an excellent recommendation).
That would be a one fuel hungry car. No offence but I wouldn't go for any more 2.2 L for a beginners car.
Mazda 3 SP25.
I got the auto brand new for a touch more than the budget and it is amazing. Quick, stylish and interior quality is a touch above most of the suggested competitors.
Nice try.
Civic
toyota 86 100% all day every day.
in my early 20's.
Would recommend MX-5, BRZ, 86.
I myself am looking to get an mps mazda 3.
My top reliable fun cars in that price bracket:
A bit more fun
- Renault Megane RS ($20-25k)
- Ford Focus ST ($20-25k)
- Ford Fiesta ST ($15-20k)
- ND Mx5 - $26-30k…
A bit more risky if things go wrong, but still great - I would do it:
- 2013 Audi A3 Hatch ($22k-25k)
- 2015+ VW Polo GTI (1.8T) - $25k approx.
- 2012 - F30 BMW 3 series (320i, 328i) - $23-28k.
Under a bit more fun I'd include Mazda 3 MPS
a 5 year old 86 sounds bad honestly. Better off getting a demo Abarth 500 or something with a warranty
Well, that's under the assumption you're looking for the GTS ; I'm sure you can get a recently used GT for 25k or under (Given RRP of 30k).
Not that there's much difference anyways between them that matters.
Or go a model older in the Megane RS for under $5K
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greenacre/cars-vans-utes/200…
Easy.
1: An older Evo or Sti (if he is into cars). Theyre japanes (reliable) and 4cyl Turbo (relatively fuel efficient). This is only if they're into cars.
2: Honda Typre R (either Integra or Civic)- Not a honda person myself, however these are cheaper and easier to maintain than the above Turbo cars. Good middle ground imo.
3: If they want something more subtle but family oriented, a toyota aurion is perfect. 200kw and power/weight ration of around 125.
In short…just stick with Japanese cars (used).
old evos and stis fetch a premium these days. hard to find a clean one too. same goes for pretty much all 90s era sports cars, theyre getting pretty expensive.
Depending on the year model they land within OP's budget. A simple carsales search will show you this: https://www.carsales.com.au/car/mitsubishi/lancer/evolution-…
Some are even under 20K.
I love these posts where people who have just landed a job and haven't even worked one day yet, are spending it all before they even got it. Think it through before you begin enabling overspending behaviour just for the sake of it.
My advice, don't spend a cent over the $10k until he's passed the six month probation and actually sticks with the job. He will get to where he needs to go in both a $10k or a $25k car.
AGREE with Tech and cars above "A bit more fun" section, in particular the Megan and least the MX5… I've never liked the Focus or 'Siesta' shapes.
I refer you to John Cadogan's site, I love his friday rants. Have a read/look at what he says on cars that might interest you. And you should also get them to do some shopping for you, you never know, they might get you a really good deal, and get back here and let us know!. (https://autoexpert.com.au)
Tell him part of being a grown-up is to look for a car himself and do the due diligence.
IDK why but I like the word "diligence". +1 for that word.
Hyundai Veloster would be awesome
Character, reliability and within the budget!
I knew the westpac guy will be mentioned
Bouncing off the idea of the 86/BRZ recommendation, maybe take a look at the Renault Megane RS, good value for money for a zippy car.
Would definitely beat an 86 in spirited driving competition, plus he would be less likely to wrap it around a pole due to not being able to drift in the front wheel drive.
I wish I was a God ozbargainer too.
I was looking for this comment, I can know die in peace.
May be slightly used VW Eos? Convertible, character - may be a bit higher side on maintenance
What ever you do I would urge you keep safety in the back of your mind, even on used cars : http://m.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/Rating-Process/What-is-UCSR…
Because, in a grimm way, at the end of the day all that really matters is if your son will make it back home or not.
Agreed totally. Hence my emphasis on reliability.
That's also the reason why I resist 86 or similar car as it will attracts hoons to challenge him, altho he is not a hoon at all.
Yet
I can recommend Mazda 3 diesels. You get rock solid reliability, an enjoyable drive, good looks, great economy, and strong engines. I've had a few small to medium size cars with Diesel engines and recommend Mazda 3 diesels to anyone who will listen.
Yes Mazda 3 is nice, his gf just got one so he wont want to steal her limelight haha.
I recommend a Suby Forester. Get the xt or xt premium and they're turbos to provide not only character but versatility. If he goes snowboarding or out bush he's covered. Later versions have i-sight which helps put the car back on track if he becomes tired driving and doesn't realise it. Subarus have incredible longevity and lots of character. Subaru has one of the highest repeat buyer rates in Australia and we're only behind Japan as the biggest market for Subaru cars (even bigger than USA). Second hand 2011-2013s can be found in the $25K bracket.
Non turbo versions are actually a few grand cheaper and less to run, but if he wants some character then xt is the way to go.
If you're no good at bargaining use a service like https://autoexpert.com.au/ to get a good price.
Kia Cerato comes with a 7 year/150,000km warranty with capped price servicing (~$350pa, actual amount varies depending on the service). If you take up the dealer service deal you get roadside assist for the warranty period.
The Cerato has a decent torque and power level, very good for the price. Great safety rating. It's also a pretty nice car to drive (for a new car in that price range).
A new one can be had for ~$20k or ~$22.5k if you want the GPS/display.
My name's Dan Wilson. I run Iowa's largest wildlife preserve.
2012-2013 Mazda 3 MPS
Fun, fast, comfortable, and in your price range. Mazda reliability with a fair bit of poke!
Mps3= FWD
Mps6= Almost, AWD.
Get a BL Mazda 3 MPS.
Lack of traction and torque steer. I would rather get a Mazda 6 MPS but if the OP has room for $25k, why settle for a $15k car?
A lower mileage BL MPS goes for ~20k
Hyundai Veloster? A much sportier i30 imo.
A new car is very poor use of cash. Get him a nice used Mitsubishi CJ Lancer (2008-2012) with low kms for $8,000-$10,000. These are very popular with the under 30s. Put the rest towards a deposit on an apartment. Best thing you can do for your son rather than waste money on a new car that will quickly lose value and cost you a heap in servicing costs as all new cars do these days.
Lots of advice here so far but if getting an older car make sure it is made after 2011 for the safety factor of the stability control stuff.
Yes certainly after 2011.
Holden Insignia VXR.
TOyota Corolla Sports. It's a superb little car. Under 25k new.
toyota corolla, theres a reason why so many companies use them as fleet vehicles. european cars are a big risk, you'll end up paying through the roof for maintenance and parts eventually.
Can he drive stick? I got my Ford Fiesta ST for just over $25k, and it's absolutely fantastic.
Stick? only from the left hand side. If you drive from the right it's manual.
Not like anyone in USA drives a manual anymore.
Subaru WRX
Subaru Forester S edition
Tesla, on well out of budget.
Nissan 350z or 370z if you need the power of v6..?
2007 or 2008 Subaru Liberty GT Tuned by STI hands down says my journal. I would definitely suggest getting a manual (so much joy in life), but if it's not an option, then automatic isn't bad either. I prefer Japanese cars because of reliability, but if you want to get a European metal for the badge, the BMW 335i M sport provides a similar experience.
Subaru LGT TBSTI= Audi Luxury + WRX STI Performance. One day I will buy this car, one day! <3
Or if you want to spend just $12-15k (not $25k)- Mazda 6 mps.
Reliable, rarer than an Aston Martin, total sleeper.
That's too much for a 2006 car bro
It's not an everyday Mazda 6 mate; it's a Mazda 6 "MPS", the car that is rare af. It is a performance version of Mazda 6 which was built by Mazdaspeed engineers. This car produces 250bhp! And does 0-100 in less than 6.5s. This stealth sleeper car is a definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Not only it offers the performance, but the interior is decent luxurious too. Fantastic beast! Well worth the $12k tag (you can find one for $7-8k if you don't mind the higher kms).
Toyota 86, if you want to be DAD Of the year!
Few things to consider:
A car loses 20-30% of its value as soon as you drive it out of the dealership. Depreciation is generally steep during the first few years. Best value for money is to buy a 2-3 year old car after this initial period. You can get many models in very good condition and often still under warrenty.
Think about depreciation and resale value carefully. Apealing ans reliable models/brands such as toyota and Mercedes depreciate less and has good resale value. Buying vehicals with low kms, and with service history+logbooks also get better resale value even though it may cost more up front.
Lastly, think about ongoing costs. Insurance and running costs tend to add up for high performance vehicles even though it may look cool at first.
Tell him to get a second hand wrx
Should hopefully get a bit of moot
An older generation Lexus. LS400, IS200/250/300, ES300, SC300/400
These would generally run 15k or under depending on condition and comes with toyota reliability haha
Get a used Honda Accord Euro:
-reliable
-great speaker system
-cheap as used car (my 2012 MY13 still running beautifully)
-efficient on long journeys (around 6.6-6.7L / 100km) but also got good acceleration for a family car (paddle shifts as well in Auto).
Otherwise a contact of mine is selling an Audi S5 Luxury 2009 for 27k on Facebook
Yes Audi and Honda are both my fav. We'll see.
The thing is he's a Pretend Car Buff, dont even have manual licence 'facepalm'
Mazda 3!!!!! Black 2015 model looks incredibly sexy (I'm a young female).
Chick's car! With pink plate is best!
Hyundai elantra after 2012 with less than 50k would only cost around 13k. They are stylish and reliable in my opinion.
I am 25 and planning to get one 🙂
Stretch it a bit and get the new Civic.
This over mazda 3.
Go with a toyota. Their engines are the best and last a good stupid long time. Second hand around 16-17k, and you hve a good car for the next 15 years if you want. Otherwise Nissan second choice. After that it doesnt matter, its all a mess. Recommend nothing stupidly big because parking is an absolute chore as it is with idiots around you who dont know what lines are.
I recommend a car under 4k, one that does not need insurance. If you are a careful driver you can save more money that way.
He has enjoyed the first few years with his old clunker without comprehensive insurance.
He told me he is aware of the insurance cost which is $100 a month!
Think he got more money than sense these young people…
I'm more than a decade older than your son and the most I've ever spent on a car is $14,800.
Personally, I'd try and steer him towards a cheaper car and to invest the rest, but it's obviously his call in the end.
I am applauded if it ain't broken why replace. Doesn't anybody factor in insurance premiums. If they are still on Ps they are 30 times more likely to crash. As for a new car wait until he is off his Ps and on the condition he is a responsible driver (no accidents, speeding or hoon behaviour). Last thing the public need is another inexperienced immature moron on our roads.
You'll get a nice low k's forester for $24K, or just get a Golf if that's too big
2016 Nissan pulsar SSS demo
$30k+ car can be bought now for under $20k due to Nissan removing the pulsar from sale in Australia
Top of the range so has all the tech, turbo engine, good on fuel, 2 years warranty
6 month servicing put me off the pulsar.
not to mention the 'new' Pulsar is one of the most awful cars ever to be developed by Nissan.
Never understood the whole car-buying trend, personally would much rather $20k towards home deposit and a ~5k used car over a $25k car.
But hey, some people need $80k cars as investments… ;)
Yes, some people spend thousands on iPhone whilst I am still with Android!
Shouldn't your son be doing all this research himself?
Yes, his research is around 30-minutes…
V8 utility vehicle. torque for days
Kia Cerato for around ~19k is a great deal if you plan to keep your car for ~10 years.
I'd recommend the latest model LZ Ford Focus with the 1.5 ecoboost. It's got a conventional auto gear box (or a really nice manual if he wants to go that way). The little ecoboost is such an awesome little engine.
I'm my mind the Focus (even in this guise) has a lot of character and enough in the reliability stakes (I have one). It's also pretty practical once the seats are folded down.
I notice some people recommending the ST, but really for insurance and license keeping purposes (being young), the little 1.5 Ecoboost is the right amount of fun.
In addition to the above, the in car tech is also pretty awesome (Apple Car Play and Android Auto).
You should be able to get the Sport (S) model for around 25K in demonstrator form, or if you're a hard bargainer a new one.
Is your son paying for this? I'd recommend he not spend more than a quarter of his annual salary on it.
Get something Japanese or Korean. I'm in a similar boat and I went with a corolla but wishing it had a bit more power.
Also got a new mazda 3 maxx for my dad for less than $25k with a lot of bells and whistles.