First Car Buyer (Used Small/Compact Cars) - Need Advice. Budget ~ $7000

Lkhoa2812 on 21/03/2018 - 01:14

Hi guys, I'm in Brisbane and currently looking to buy my first car. I have very little knowledge about cars so I really need your advice. Besides me, my partner will also be the main driver, she's still learning for a Learner license. We just need a car mostly for casual urban driving, or <150km trips.
My criteria:

  • Budget: around $7000
  • Small car (compact) class: Both my partner and I don't feel confident to handle bigger cars.
  • Automatic
  • Hatchback
  • Cruise control, good safety features, good handling, not too thirsty.
  • Not a write-off
  • Cheap for maintenance, low cost of ownership

I mainly aim for Japanese makes, currently narrow down to these choices:

  • Mazda 3 (at least 2006, at least a Maxx variant):
    My top pick, preferably a BK series 2, with luck may be able to find a BL series 1. Not sure if maintenance is costly compare to others? I've seen heaps of Mazda 3 in Australia so I think it could be cheap due to its ubiquity?

  • Subaru Impreza (2007-2010):
    All-Wheel Drive is great but not sure if I really need that. Are other features good besides being AWD? Is it costly for maintenance?

  • Toyota Corolla (2007-2012):
    The most popular and the benchmark in this class. I heard it's cheap to drive, easy to maintenance but don't know much other than that.

  • Honda Civic (2006-2011):
    Sadly no hatchback found with my current budget, but I heard their sedans are also a good choice, seems very good fuel economy.

No Mitsubishi Lancer cos I'm not into CVT. I don't have much info about Nissan so welcome any suggestion.

What do you guys think about those choices? Love to hear your thinking.

Thanks for your time guys!

Poll Options

  • 9
    Mazda 3
  • 11
    Toyota Corolla
  • 2
    Subaru Impreza
  • 3
    Honda Civic
Automotive Car Honda Mazda Subaru Toyota

Comments

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 21/03/2018 - 02:10

    It looks like, you have done some of your homework. those are all great choices.

    I personally would also consider the following cars:

    Hyundai i30
    Hyundai Elantra

    Mazda 2

    Just make sure to buy one with Low Km, Youngest and also make sure it has service history and also don't forget to do a PPSR check before buying the car.

    Were you thinking of buying private or through a used dealership?

    • khoa2812 on 21/03/2018 - 17:45

      Hi, I just have a feeling that buying through a dealer could be more reliable, despite higher price. I have checked a few Mazda 3 from private sellers that look great on the ads, turned out they were all written-off. Do you have any suggestion between the two?
      And how many km is considered low in your opinion? I've always searched for cars under 150,000 km

      • Vancomycin 1000mg on 22/03/2018 - 10:10
        +1

        Yes I agree with you, buying through a used dealer can give you that extra peace of mind.
        I have bought both from private and dealer before

        Private was a horrible experience as the car was having issues after a year of me owning it. I bought my mazda 3 from dealer and so have been top notch with zero problem, although my sister bought a mazda 3 from an elderly couple for alot cheaper with less km then mine and was in brand new condition, with not a single scratch on the car and amazing service history. So it really depends and abit of luck can help.

        Looking at your budget, and the cars you are you have shortlisted, i think 150km or less is a good value anything less would be expensive.

        Good luck.

        • khoa2812 on 22/03/2018 - 10:29

          Thanks, it's sure have something to do with luck :)

  • Euphemistic on 21/03/2018 - 06:58

    Nothing wrong with any of those. Check out an i30. Then pick the one YOU like most.

    The Subaru.may have slightly higher servicing costs. One disadvantage of AWD is that you should replace all 4 tyres at once to help prevent premature centre diff wear. If your wheel alignment is out and you scrub out one tyre then you could be ‘wasting’ some tread on the others.

    • Presence on 21/03/2018 - 13:11
      -1

      The advantage of AWD is the tyres do last longer. Unlike FWD or RWD you don't lose traction when you take off in a hurry.

  • Banana on 21/03/2018 - 08:21
    +3

    Your requirements are pretty basic and I would say all the cars you listed fit what you want out a car.
    Test drive them all and see what you like best? Go to a train station and try parking (or anywhere with tight spots), that way you can test out the windows/side mirrors.

    If in doubt, go for a Toyota, that thing doesn't die no matter what you throw at it.

    • MathNerd on 21/03/2018 - 09:27

      If in doubt, go for a Toyota, that thing doesn't die no matter what you throw at it.

      Words to live by. My 2001 Camry that I bought second hand is just going and going. All I've replaced in terms of major work was brake pads and rotors (I let it get to the stage of metal on metal, my fault). But apart from that, the thing is damn bulletproof.

  • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 09:06
    +3

    Nissan Pulsar and Almera are ridiculously cheap, you'll find those cars a years younger and with significantly lower Km's in the same price range as any of your shortlist cars. They has to factor in to your evaluations in my opinion.
    Only problem might be that they proabably also come with CVT's.
    Scrap the Civic, it requires 95RON Unleaded if I remember correctly.

    • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 12:28

      Jeez my English was terrible here!

      • Euphemistic on 21/03/2018 - 12:33
        +2

        Using 'was' and 'here' in the same sentence isn't ideal either.

        waits for grammatical correction

        • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 12:34

          Nah that's good enough for me.

        • Changskies on 21/03/2018 - 16:36

          sorry - can you elaborate your comment please? I never knew that!

  • inconspicuous on 21/03/2018 - 09:20
    +2

    Maxx Sport BK Series 2 is exactly the car I have. I bought it used 4 years ago and it's a great car. No complaints besides the lack of sensors and gadgets (like bluetooth) but you have to expect it with a car that age. I have 120k on it now.

    • one man clan on 21/03/2018 - 10:34

      Second this - my car that I got from my parents - it drives great, is easy to maintain and has had no major mechanical issues.

    • khoa2812 on 21/03/2018 - 17:34

      Hi there, may i know the manufacturing year of your Maxx Sport?

  • superuser on 21/03/2018 - 10:08

    Toyota yaris?

    • khoa2812 on 21/03/2018 - 17:36

      I've considered that too but it's too small for my liking.

  • ausdday on 21/03/2018 - 10:09
    +1

    Why do you think most Taxis use Toyota? Cheap to maintain and almost bulletproof.

    • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 11:17
      +3

      Cause Ford aren't building Falcons anymore…

  • wyndham29 on 21/03/2018 - 11:58

    All good options; in my not-really-a-car-guy opinion and expriences, anything made in Japan is fairly reliable and at a good price point.

  • dcep on 21/03/2018 - 12:46

    suzuki swift

  • CocaKoala on 24/03/2018 - 11:03

    You couldn't go wrong with the Corolla or Mazda 3, the rest of your choices aren't too bad either.

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