Travelling Salesman Seeking Something a Bit Different

podiacide on 27/02/2019 - 14:27
Last edited 27/02/2019 - 16:23

I’m a travelling salesman who has been given a car allowance. Based on a previous job where I had a company car, I expect to do about 10000 to 15000km a year (often fly away interstate for a week or two at a time). 80% city driving but some regional driving as well. I also expect some longer weekend trips to the country (100km to 200kms RT) every 2nd weekend or so.

Decided to buy outright on accountants advice. Don’t need to transport anything for my job, am single and don’t really need to transport much. Budget 15k.

In my last job, I had an Impreza and a Mazda 3 as company cars and that job was almost identical to what I am doing in this role. Impreza had great short punchy acceleration but had quite a few mechanical issues and I’m now suspect of them and thought they lacked the features compared to the mazda. The Mazda 3 was great in terms of features (skyactiv), driveability and parking.

As I’m single with no commitments and ok financially I’d love something not so plain and boring but I don’t want to spend a fortune on insurance ( I’m over 40 but often driving around uni car parks which are notorious for minor dings and scratches), or maintenance/parts and fuel and wont kill me on resale value. But I grew up in a motorsport family and love driving so love something that’s a bit fun to drive, a bit sporty and with a bit of oomph.
Having the ability to install Apple CarPlay would be another feature I’d like as I need great GPS and phone abilities. I’ve read that this is quite easy for Mazda 3’s after 2014 but not sure on other cars – haven’t researched this far yet).

Tending towards a hot hatch or coupe or even a convertible. But all will be lined up against my mazda 3 experience (which was fine but just hoping for something a bit more cool and fun).

Looking at Kia Cerrato Koup, Volkswagen Eos, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Clio/Megane, Peugeot 208 (GTI or convertible)/308, Hyundai Veloster, Suzuki Swift Sport, Mazda 6, Ford Focus, Honda Civic VTi, Holden/Opal Astra or even an Audi TT/ Mazda MX5/RX8 or Toyota 86 (but knowing these are older and more expensive to maintain/insure etc).

Ruled out: Older model Mazda 3s (just don’t like them), Lancer’s (though I’m going to test drive one again to confirm) and every one’s favourite the Corolla (which I find a bit boring).

I know this is a long diverse list, at this stage I’m in the research phase and going out on weekends to test drive different cars. I’m continually looking at the forum at similar posts but no other posts quite cover some of my specific needs. Any suggestions or thoughts would be highly appreciated. And I’ll add/subtract from the list as I get feedback and take different test drives.

PS I have also posted this in whirlpool forums

Automotive

Comments

  • pformag on 27/02/2019 - 14:45
    +1

    i30 Diesel

    • podiacide on 27/02/2019 - 16:22

      Thanks I'll look into it.

  • HighAndDry on 27/02/2019 - 14:47
    +1

    Kia Stinger GT.

    All the performance (and looks) of a european sports car, all the reliability and warranty of a Kia.

    I can't think of a more perfect car for you, or a more fitting owner for the car.

    Edit:

    Budget 10 to 15k.

    Ah fk can't believe I missed this. I'll leave the rest of my comment up as a testament to my inability to read properly…

    Edit2: Oh I see what you did with your username. Nice…

    Edit3: To try and redeem myself - see if you can get a nice 2010s Lexus IS250 or IS350 for that price. That's also a rear wheel drive (or all wheel drive) european looking sports sedan, with luxury car features, combined with the reliability of Toyota engineering.

  • Skramit on 27/02/2019 - 15:06
    +1

    PS I have also posted this in whirlpool forums

    The bargain gods frown down upon thee.

    Budget 10 to 15k.

    There's a pretty significant different between 10k and 15k in the used car segment.

    15k can get you a pretty recent small hatch i.e. 2016 i30 with reasonably low k's. But 10k is really starting to look at cars from 2011/2012 etc which I would avoid.

    So is 15k doable or are you looking for more on the budget end?

    • podiacide on 27/02/2019 - 16:22

      Ok Lets go with 15k. I'll edit the wording.

  • spackbace on 27/02/2019 - 15:35
    +4

    $15k, non thrashed… Good luck with that 😉

  • dcep on 27/02/2019 - 15:37
    +1

    Budget 10 to 15k. don’t want to spend a fortune on insurance, or maintenance/parts and fuel and wont kill me on resale value. But I grew up in a motorsport family and love driving so love something that’s a bit fun to drive, a bit sporty and with a bit of oomph.
    Tending towards a hot hatch or coupe or even a convertible. (hoping for something a bit more cool and fun).

    250k kms Honda S2000

    • podiacide on 27/02/2019 - 16:23

      Always wanted one when I was younger but worried it would make me look a bit too midlife crisis'y

      • dcep on 27/02/2019 - 16:24

        Your last chance to be young again

        • HighAndDry on 27/02/2019 - 16:57
          +2

          I can't think of a more mid-life-crisis-y slogan haha.

  • Soothsayer on 27/02/2019 - 16:30

    As you are getting a car allowance, all costs associated with the car will be tax deductible - including depreciation, which takes the sting out of buying newer model cars a bit.

    From your shortlist, I assume you don't need to meet a certain professional expectation?

    I would strongly advise staying away from the RX8. 86's in your budget would be poor condition and/or thrashed. You could get a decent NC MX5 in that budget, which is comfortable enough for work duties (compared to previous gens), reliable, cheap and still loads of fun when you want it to be.

    On the more practical side of things - from your list, I would rule out the Veloster (previous gen are notoriously poor drivers cars), Astra, Golf (not that special in non-GTI form). The Renaults are a good pick. Maybe pro_cee'd? No idea about reliability.

    EDIT: I will also throw a Skoda Octavia RS 147TSI into the mix - engine from Golf GTI + Haldex AWD. Manual to avoid any issues with DSG.

    • podiacide on 27/02/2019 - 17:28

      Yeah no professional expectations at all. As long as I can get to meetings with clients, they dont care how I get there or in what vehicle
      Was tempted to just use something like GoGet but I dont think its practical. And a lot of my customers arent near PT.

      • Soothsayer on 27/02/2019 - 19:07

        Lucky!

        I forgot about your Carplay requirement - however cars that come with it from factory would mostly be ~2016 models onward, so you're looking at an aftermarket head unit for this (approx $1k) and you'd have to check whether the car can use an aftermarket HU (i.e. uses a standard double DIN slot or a custom fascia) at all.

  • spackbace on 27/02/2019 - 18:34

    New model Swift Sport starts at $21,990 drive away for used cars. The 1.4T would be a lot more fun than the old 1.6L.

    The older model Sport was fun, yes and has a lot of fans in the journo world (Top Gear love it), and I used to sell them and I still like them. You'll need to change the stereo too (simply process on the later models having a double-din set up). But I feel the newer 1.6L would be a lot more fun.

    Hell even the Ignis GLX with the 1.0T was a decent drive, and looks pretty funky with Carplay for $18,990 drive away for a brand new car lol

    • podiacide on 28/02/2019 - 09:35

      Thanks, I'll look into it

      • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2019 - 22:49

        Seconding this, you could also get almost a brand new Swift for 17k. They seem a really solid car, awesome on fuel, good warranty, good chassis, Carplay/Android Auto. If only you could get up to 27k… Swift Sport would be the best.

  • follow on 27/02/2019 - 20:47
    -2

    Gumtree

    Carsales

  • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2019 - 23:36
    +1

    Would steer clear of RX8, engine rebuild will cost you alot.

    MX5 is questionable. Fun to drive, comfort is horrible, particular on straight freeway. Loud… loud… and loud… (unless you get a hardtop).

    • podiacide on 02/03/2019 - 14:24

      Thanks. Are MX-5's expensive to maintain and insure? They are very appealing. I think I'll only be on highway's etc about 10-15% of the time.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2019 - 14:53

        Depends on model. NA, NB and NC are older and require 6 monthly service. ND is an annual service schedule and around $320 a pop for the basic stuff (oil + filter). Might be cheaper at a non-dealer mechanic. (Oil $60 + filter $50 + labour).

        It is a very basic car and it is Japanese. Cost should be not major difference to other Japanese cars.

        Some items to keep an eye out for:
        - well taken care off. Such as parked undercover as convertibles a prone to catch leaves in the drainage area.
        - not modded or tracked. (not a fan of either)
        - not involved in a prior major accident. Might lead to leakage.
        - manual if possible. Can imagine how hard it is to resell an auto.

        I keep mine (2.0 ND GT) as a once a fortnight solo cruiser (clocks about 3000km/year) as partner dislikes the car (noisy, seat not so well padded and small cabin). Will suggest to test drive it. You will either love it (fun factor) or hate it (comfort reasons).

        Second hand NDs are surprisingly cheap. Base 1.5l NDs are going for around 20k. Plenty on carsales asking for 22k based 1.5l, 23k 1.5l GT, 23k 2.0l, 25k 2.0l GT before negotiating. Or stretch out for GT trim that gives the LCD display with sat-nav, heat seat (works well in winter, roof down).

        Insurance cost a bit more than an average car (it's a "sports car" at the end of the day). Roughly 50% more. Let say a Camry costs $800, this one will be $1200.

        A very fun car without putting a hole in the wallet. I find it more satisfying to drive than some other sports cars (and much cheaper to own) - ie V8 mustang, A45, 86, S3, WRX etc.

        If I am to replace this car, the next one will be an Elise/Exige or Boxster.

  • ozeebee on 01/03/2019 - 07:40
    +1

    Opened this thread thinking it's someone looking for companion. lol

  • chumlee on 02/03/2019 - 14:34

    If you are using it for work I would increase the budget and get something that will not need extra repairs.

    You can claim the depreciation and running costs on tax (keep a logbook). I would agree with Spaceback and go a Swift

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