I Want a Used SUV/Sedan at about $20k

nikoris on 10/02/2020 - 21:52

I want to replace my current car. I will be pretty straightforward as to what i need

1) Smooth driving, i want a nice/beautiful interior with less noise, i dont want to feel the road
2) Looks. I like the design of some CX-5s, some Q5s, and some Tucsons/X-trails
3) Space. I want to pack stuff and go weekend trips around WA with my missus (no kids yet) I think i can make do with a sedan, like a mazda 3.

The only reason im thinking a sedan is because i like t he modern mazda 3s A LOT and i can get a more recent car for the price.
I've been also eyeballing some 2013 grand touring cx-5s, some Audi q5 of 2010

On the other hand, for that money, i could get a 2016-2017 mazda 3 touring, not sure how it drives.
Car will be used at WA

Automotive Car

Comments

  • Icecold Inc on 10/02/2020 - 22:29

    Carsales is your friend. Set the price to $15-25k and see what you like

    • nikoris on 10/02/2020 - 22:33

      I’ve already done that.
      But I want people opinion on how smooth the drive is, noise on the cabin, service costs etc

      I’m also looking actively on YouTube.

      • Mechz on 10/02/2020 - 22:37
        +1

        Go test drive some cars at a dealer. Noise & smoothness is very subjective (referred to as NVH in car journo speak).

        • nikoris on 10/02/2020 - 22:38
          -2

          Hmmm
          Can you test drive used cars?

          • Mechz on 10/02/2020 - 22:39
            +5

            @nikoris: Why would you not be able to? Would you really buy something you couldn't drive beforehand?

          • ShortyX on 11/02/2020 - 00:10

            @nikoris:

            Can you test drive used cars?

            No, it’s illegal.

  • pegaxs on 10/02/2020 - 22:41
    +2

    Lol @ even considering an Audi. And a 10yo one at that! :D

    • theHMASfriendship on 10/02/2020 - 23:26
      +1

      But is it smooth

      • pegaxs on 10/02/2020 - 23:33
        +4

        It should be. Probably never leaves the hoist in the workshop.

        • nikoris on 11/02/2020 - 09:11

          Are they that bad?

          • pegaxs on 11/02/2020 - 09:18
            +1

            @nikoris: I would not be sinking $20k into a 10year old Audi SUV.

            Are they that bad? It's subjective. You may get a good one, but chances are you won't. It will start with small issues or a light that comes on and $10k later the small problem won't be resolved and/or the light won't go out.

            Are they a nice car, sure, but they become expensive nightmares in a very short amount of time, and this is probably more relevant the older it gets.

  • Pudina Chutney on 10/02/2020 - 23:53
    +1

    Inb4 Camry.

  • Indomietable on 11/02/2020 - 01:19
    +2

    Smooth driving, i want a nice/beautiful interior with less noise, i dont want to feel the road

    Most small car does not have good NVH and most of them trying to be on the "sporty" side so you will feel the road.

    If you want a boat with good isolation and comfy ride and stay within your budget try : Lexus LS460/LS430/GS/ES, Hyundai Genesis, Infinity Q70, Toyota Crown, Toyota Aurion presara, Honda Accord V6L(in that order). These cars have big engines and tuned for smoothness. I would not recommend A8/A6, S class/e class or 7/5 series with that budget.

    • nikoris on 11/02/2020 - 12:22

      Those cars look nice but they are too expensive. Both to buy and to run/maintain.

      I’m looking something at the 20k mark

      • ESEMCE on 11/02/2020 - 12:29
        +1

        Aurion will be in your price range.

        • nikoris on 11/02/2020 - 16:56

          They still expensive to run, and fuel consumption is like double. id like to stay low

          • pegaxs on 11/02/2020 - 18:49
            +4

            @nikoris:

            They still expensive to run

            Then how the (fropanity) is a 2010 Audi Q5 on your list?

            Did you not even bother to look at the servicing costs for these heaps of shit?

            If you think an Toyota Aurion is expensive to run and service, you are in for a world of pain buying an old Euro trashwagon.

            If the Aurion is too expensive to run, get a 2012~2015 Camry Hybrid. Plenty of them around with around 50,000km on them and well within your budget. Quite to drive and very low fuel consumption. And basically the same as an Aurion, as they were built on the same platform.

      • Indomietable on 11/02/2020 - 15:24

        You can get all those cars under 20K. Maintenance should less than 2010 Q5.

        Running cost will definitely be higher than small economy car.

        The materials to reduce NVH (double glazed windows, thicker walls/carpets, sound deadening etc) do comes with extra weight.

        • nikoris on 11/02/2020 - 16:58

          then i dont care so much for nvh. I wont spend more money for it, my budget is already tight.
          I will just pick something that drives nicely, not the best but no the worst.

          You guys pretty much scared me with the audi, so that's out of the question

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/02/2020 - 01:35
    +6

    5 year old Commodore. Boat on wheels. Plenty of space. Looks depends on your upbringing.

    • Dean29 on 11/02/2020 - 08:30
      +2

      And get a wagon if you want the boot space.

    • ESEMCE on 11/02/2020 - 10:44
      +1

      At that price, a Calais (not a CalaisV) is not unreasonable!

  • Euphemistic on 11/02/2020 - 05:47

    If you want to haul stuff, get a wagon/SUV. Much more flexible than a sedan.

    Pick one YOU like he look of and test drive it. If it turns out you don’t like the road noise, try another.

    • GG57 on 11/02/2020 - 10:07

      I'm with you on the space thing, but it is surprising when you compare the available space in wagons vs. SUVs. A lot of SUVs have little more than a hatchback has.

  • modsec802 on 11/02/2020 - 07:55

    Mazda cars have some of the worst road noise on the road - particularly SP25 with its 18” low profile tyres.

    Try a VW for a smooth ride.

    • Euphemistic on 11/02/2020 - 08:16

      I’ve heard this too. No real experience but historically Mazda aren’t the quiet ones.

      • oscargamer on 11/02/2020 - 08:53

        I swapped the OEM Dunlops to RE003's and the drop in noise for my BM SP25 was huge.

        The BN's are also quieter than the BM's

        • nikoris on 11/02/2020 - 22:35

          What the difference between a bn and a bm?

  • wiipantz on 11/02/2020 - 09:36
    +1

    lol @ Mazduh's. Seriously though, as suggested go and test drive some as you're all over the shop, you rave on about soft off roaders (IMHO terrible car type overall) then state you like the look of a little pokey car barely a Sedan. You need to get a feel of what you are after and what you want, also I wouldn't be throwing money away on old Euro unless you know what you're doing.

  • obit11 on 11/02/2020 - 23:05

    Check out the Kia Cerrato hatch. It's not quite a wagon but I feel likes it's a little bigger then a usual hatch. The GT variant has a 1.6L 4cy turbo petrol. Looks fresh and 7year warranty.

  • brownsound on 12/02/2020 - 08:31

    Too easy: Subaru Forester.

    I have a 2014. Heaps of space (for camping), nice design (similar to current xtrail) and so very smooth to drive. I take it on firetrails too.

    Can find 2014-2018 SJ mid-spec models that go for about $20k. They also removed the timing belt for a timing-chain in this generation (1 less thing to replace).

  • derkyft on 18/02/2020 - 13:39

    I have a CX-5. You will feel every single bump on the road.

    *to be fair, I have the Sport edition

  • blutek on 18/02/2020 - 15:34

    Both a bit heavier on fuel than a tiny turbo:
    A well maintained Subaru Outback (AWD).
    Or a Toyota RAV4 (AWD).

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