50-65k budget, looking for a new or relatively new car... Any comments on my shortlist?

Lnowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:13
Last edited 30/09/2020 - 14:37

Good afternoon!

I'm looking to buy a new car towards end of the year and have started to make a shortlist now

I'll be using the vehicle mostly to travel to and from work (8km drive each way) and I like a bit of class and power… so yes I know my budget might fall a little short in this regard

When I'm looking for this next car the key features I'm looking for are (in the order of priority):

  1. appearance/ look (decent, classy, preferably coupe)
  2. resell value (after 3 years)
  3. good headspace (i'm 189cm and always had difficulty driving small cars like velosters, i30s etc)
  4. ongoing service fees
  5. fuel efficiency (I probably travel around 10000km per annum so not too much)

So based on my research (albeit not too long), I have shortlisted…

1 Mercedes C200 Coupe (2017-2018 with around 10000-25000km on the metre)

2 Lexus RC300 (2017-2019 with around 10000 – 25000km on the metre)

3 Kia Stinger (2020 brand new) (expecting awful comments here but I'm giving serious considerations too on this one after much review)

4 BMW 4 series (2018 with around 10000 – 25000km on the metre)

With the same budget and considering the above 5 aspects I'm looking at, what are your thoughts on my shortlist? Or are there any other cars that you'd consider/recommend?

Thank you for your time :)

(I'm South Korean by the way so I have something attached to Kia…)

Poll Options expired

  • 24
    Mercedes C200 Coupe
  • 43
    Lexus RC300
  • 364
    Kia Stinger
  • 17
    BMW 4 series
Automotive BMW Car Kia Stinger Lexus Lexus RC300 Mercedes-Benz

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2020 - 14:17
    +19

    Why do you expect awful comments on the Stinger? It's a decent lifestyle vehicle.

    If you're thinking of modding it for serious track sports, it's not the best option. To look forward to the end of day drive home? Pretty good option.

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:29
      +1

      I have seen some posts in Ozbargain about Stinger and quite a lot of people comments it's a camry with a luxury badge and that seemed to be the common sentiment with Stinger… Your comment gives me some relief/confidence!

      • slknv on 30/09/2020 - 14:52
        +45

        Whoever says a Stinger is "a camry with a luxury badge" are idiots who 1) don't know anything about cars and 2) have never driven a stinger.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 30/09/2020 - 15:11
          +20

          Perhaps getting confused with those who used to describe Lexus vehicles that way. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

          • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2020 - 18:31
            +12

            @This Guy: Autos accelerate faster than manuals.

        • chvy on 02/10/2020 - 09:15
          +2

          Exactly.. Camry's don't go 0-100 in 4.9s nor have 3.3L v6 twin turbo…. I've driven one it is really fast.

      • Butt Scratcher on 01/10/2020 - 12:34
        +2

        Camry with a luxury badge? I can't see how people would describe it as such. Plus, I'm pretty sure the consensus is that the toyota badge is considered above Kia…

        That seems more like an insult to toyota to me!

      • Wampus on 01/10/2020 - 14:36
        +6

        I think you've got mixed up - people joke that Lexus are Camrys/Toyotas with a luxury badge, as they are Toyota's luxury arm

        Only issue with Kia Stinger is badge cringe affecting resale

        • krisspy on 01/10/2020 - 20:12
          +1

          Still waiting for it to drop in prices like a rock so I can snag a nardo grey gt2

      • CocaKoala on 01/10/2020 - 20:27
        +3

        I have seen some posts in Ozbargain about Stinger and quite a lot of people comments it's a camry with a luxury badge and that seemed to be the common sentiment with Stinger

        No, and NO.

        A camry and a stinger are not comparable in any way, except for may be that they're both cars.

        Last I checked, Kia is not a luxury badge.

        Lastly, just get the Stinger. If not, get the Lexus.

      • LSGH on 02/10/2020 - 09:42
        +1

        my boss has a Stinger, its an awesome car, if you took the Kia badge off, you would think it was some fancy European brand….I have a camry, they are completely different…

    • Brianqpr on 01/10/2020 - 13:28
      +12

      The only people still making awful comments about Kia are uninformed and probably still think the Holden Commodore is the world's best car.

      They have a top designer (ex Audi and VW), excellent build quality, industry leading warranty and offer great value for money across the range.

      • krisspy on 01/10/2020 - 20:14
        +4

        They basically poached the designer from Audi and the lead engineer responsible for the M3 working on their cars now lol

      • Techie4066 on 02/10/2020 - 01:09

        Mitsubishi now has 10 year warranties

        • Benjamin Dobell on 02/10/2020 - 17:06
          +2

          The lesser of 10 years or 200,000 km for the new Mitsubishi warranty.

          Where as Kia's is 7 year, unlimited km. So buyers do need to take into consideration how much they drive.

        • YellowDieselGolf on 04/10/2020 - 10:34
          +1

          Coincidently, 10 years is about how long it’s been since Mitsubishi released an interesting car.

          • Techie4066 on 04/10/2020 - 14:46

            @YellowDieselGolf: Really? The Pajero Sport, Triton and Eclipse Cross are one of the best in their classes for good reason, and they're one of the best value options.

        • apsilon on 04/10/2020 - 11:23

          Mitsubishi used to have 10 year warranty way back when everyone else was doing 3 then they dropped it. Seems they've brought it back but with more conditions.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/10/2020 - 07:11

      Stinger ticks a lot of boxes. It's not a terribly comfortable or experience car though. That little plastic screen is bonkers. Imo a nice care should be a nice place to be, not just a nice drive. Being stuck in a stinger for hours just doesn't appeal to me. Yeah it's better than being stuck in the average car but if I was making a living room comfortable place to be, I wouldn't outfit it like a Stinger. It's like sitting in a closet on a gaming chair with a Nintendo Switch as the car's fancy display. If all you care about is effortless power then maybe the Stinger is the best choice for the price, probably it is. If you like modern conveniences or prefer a more comfortable luxury lounge over a gaming chair, then something else may make you happier. I like the idea of a Land Rover, like a mini lounge room on wheels.

      • So lo on 03/10/2020 - 08:28
        +1

        I'll be using the vehicle mostly to travel to and from work (8km drive each way)

        Being stuck in a stinger for hours

        OP lives in Jakarta?

  • 2jzzzz on 30/09/2020 - 14:24
    +3

    Out of those, stinger.

    But there's so many exciting vehicles in that price range.

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:39

      Yes I even considered bumping up my budget a little bit to even consider a BMW M4 2015 with around 40km on the clock… but too much backlash from my friends

      • yokel on 01/10/2020 - 09:56
        +12

        Beamers and Mercs only last as long as the term of a lease. Wouldn't touch a used one with a barge pole.

        • pharkurnell on 01/10/2020 - 17:50
          +4

          Mate is a BMW master tech with lots more than 15yrs in dealers..
          He wouldn't and has never owned one. Part prices and reliability isnt what it used to be.

  • Yorkshire-Man on 30/09/2020 - 14:29
    +9

    Of your choices, stinger all the way. Personally I would look at the Audi S3 or the Golf R as well, new in your budget, but that's my personal taste.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2020 - 14:37

      The golf and A3 have a lot of legroom.

      A 7"3 acquaintance sold his commodore for a mk6 golf two door because of the leg, head room and steering adjustment. It was that or a few other cars outside his budget.

      • JimB on 30/09/2020 - 16:55
        +7

        Was his head below or above the sunroof?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2020 - 17:42

          Haha. I often wonder also.

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:42

      My brother drives an Audi and didn't want to drive something similar/same
      I know it's strange but yes I personally didn't look at Audi

      Golf looks too small / tight for me

      • Baa on 30/09/2020 - 15:10
        +4

        'looks too small / tight' <> is too small and tight

        I went from a Golf GTI to a Polo GTI (which funnily enough is the same size as my older Golf GTI), and every tall person who is skepitcal about fitting into it is surprised by how much room it has. The new Golf is even bigger than that again, so unless your a giant I would be surprised if you thought that after at least driving it.

      • Yorkshire-Man on 30/09/2020 - 15:42
        +1

        Drive the Golf, you will be surprised. The S3 is same car under the hood.

        Always look & drive, don't assume.

        • chriskq on 01/10/2020 - 14:30
          -3

          ummm S3 is not the same as a golf under the hood… not even the same as a GTi. I have Mk7 GTi.

          S3 > GTi
          RS3 > Golf R (debatable going back against R32)
          A3 == Golf

          • sickburn on 01/10/2020 - 14:46
            +2

            @chriskq: The S3 and Golf R have identical drivetrains.

            • chriskq on 02/10/2020 - 11:48

              @sickburn: Yeah bro, my comparison was between S3 and GTi

              • sickburn on 02/10/2020 - 11:57

                @chriskq: But why? S3 and R would be a more apt comparison.

                The RS3 has no equivalent in the Golf range… unless you want to include the R400.

          • hengzhan on 01/10/2020 - 15:05
            +1

            @chriskq: S3==Golf R

            • chriskq on 02/10/2020 - 11:49
              -1

              @hengzhan: I agree with that comparison, i said RS3 > Golf R. I didnt compare S3 to Golf R

          • Randolph Duke on 01/10/2020 - 17:03
            +3

            @chriskq: Platform is the same.

            • chriskq on 02/10/2020 - 11:53

              @Randolph Duke: What do you mean by platform? S3 has all wheel drive and GTi has front wheel drive….. If they are the same 'platform' and money was no option would you prefer a S3 or GTi? lol

              • tp0 on 02/10/2020 - 14:46
                -1

                @chriskq: GTI hands down. Specifically a 40 years. Looks better and more fun to drive.

                and yes they sit on the same VW MQB platform.

              • witheredcouch on 02/10/2020 - 14:52

                @chriskq: They mean platform as in the MQB platform that is shared by both vehicles. I don't know why you keep comparing the GTI and S3 though, as nobody else here is and the Golf R is its drivetrain twin. But if we are to compare the GTI and and S3, yes, despite one having a Haldex awd system to drive the rear wheels and the other not, they are definitely the same platform.

          • zs8574832 on 02/10/2020 - 16:25

            @chriskq: A3 == Golf

            S3 = R

            S3 > everything

    • cashless on 01/10/2020 - 10:48
      +1

      +1 for the Golf R, but be quick, Mk8 coming out soon and that's a little bit meh

    • blorx on 01/10/2020 - 21:39

      Always find myself checking out the Stingers on the street. I'd probably halve that budget, some good cars in the $30k-$40k bracket.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/10/2020 - 07:12

      Out of the cars mentioned so far, Audi S3 is the nicest looking body imo.

  • redvaldez on 30/09/2020 - 14:38
    +3

    Genesis G70? You can get it fitted with the same engine as the Stinger. Don't know how it will fare with resale, but from an ownership perspective (ie servicing costs and reliability), I'd take it over a second-hand BMW or Mercedes.

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:40
      +2

      I considered Genesis too but I think the appearance on that car is very mature (i.e suits better for 40, 50 year olds) - I'm 30 next year so I wanted something to match my age a little

      • redvaldez on 01/10/2020 - 09:00
        +2

        Horses for courses but I generally associate BMWs and Mercs with 40, 50 year olds - not 30 year olds. Might be because I live in a regional area though. Sounds as if the Stinger would be the better choice of the two then.

    • This Guy on 30/09/2020 - 17:53
      +4

      It will suck on resale value.

      • Circly on 30/09/2020 - 21:07

        Is this a midlife crisis car or something? Why don't you get something more fun.

        • knasty on 01/10/2020 - 11:15

          THat's exactly the thought process I went through.

  • trapper on 30/09/2020 - 14:38
    +5

    Hold out for the Cybertruck

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:43

      Sure maybe I should

      • striker5950 on 01/10/2020 - 12:03
        +1

        if you can wait till 2024

    • ItsMeAgro on 01/10/2020 - 12:33
      +13

      Model 3 is out now and 75k (only 10k more than OP's budget).

      https://www.tesla.com/en_au/model3

      I'd happily pay 10k more for a Tesla over any other cars suggested here, myself.

      Could save you in the long run with lower depreciation, maintenance, accidents, fuel costs, etc.

      • bad hombre on 01/10/2020 - 14:12
        -6

        Factor in a 3y service plan with a Tesla and install of the wall charger and insurance costs are significant due to availability of parts and the need for only Tesla to repair.

        • Momotsuki on 01/10/2020 - 18:53
          +11

          Don't need 3 year plan - it's service as required

          Don't need to install wall charger if you don't want. Can plug directly to wall for 10km/hr charge.

          Insurance cost was $200/yr less than my bmw 3 series

      • ndftz on 01/10/2020 - 22:35

        Is it really lower depreciation? I'd assume with battery and tech leaps it would be the opposite

        • andyholloway on 02/10/2020 - 01:04
          +3

          Not much history to go off as they haven't been out long but yes, the depreciation is much better (so far).

        • snep on 02/10/2020 - 10:43
          +1

          The demand and brand image so far has helped prevent much depreciation at all on the 3. I haven't seen many classifieds listings but the ones i have seen have been quite close to rrp. Ofc that might change

      • kidcudi on 02/10/2020 - 08:53
        +6

        Should be more incentives to take up green Vehicles. We get shafted on tesla prices.

        • UFO on 04/10/2020 - 13:28
          +1

          Labor was going to do that… until Liberal's put the fear of god into everyone losing their utes at the last election.

          Now Angus Taylor is at the helm of renewable energy and green cars. That's where people should be fearing god :(.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2020 - 08:16
      -5

      Looks terrible, more tesla populist junk.

      Who designed it Home Simpson?

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 14:45
      +11

      Yes I can buy a road bike if I want a divorce
      Thanks for the suggestion

        • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 15:06
          +11

          Sorry I wasn't trying to be rude in my response

          I was implying that my wife would be very unhappy if I ride a bike because of how dangerous it is

          If I had to drop off and pick up my wife on my way to work, I would be more than happy to :) She's my wife after all

          Yes regardless of 100km or 10km I need annual service hence number 4 of the list of aspects I consider important..

          Thank you I do agree Kia and Lexus might be good servicing costs

          • netjock on 30/09/2020 - 15:12

            @nowingoldcoast: No you weren't rude. I was just trying to make it a bit of laugh.

            I'm sure you'll find something that you like.

          • Hardlyworkin on 30/09/2020 - 18:49
            +9

            @nowingoldcoast: That is perhaps the nicest reply I've seen on Ozbargain. You make the rest of us look bad!

  • apsilon on 30/09/2020 - 14:48
    +3

    Go and sit in the Stinger before you short list it. They're way smaller inside, especially in terms of head room, than you may think and even more so if it has a sunroof. If it's comfortable for you, then that would be my pick of the ones you've listed. No way I'd buy a used out of warranty Euro so Lexus would be second.

    • nowingoldcoast on 30/09/2020 - 15:09

      I have driven a 2018 model last week and the headspace (out of all other shortlisted cars) is not the best - I agree with you but it wasn't to the point where it was uncomfy..

      The rear view is also not too good but still sufficient…

      • This Guy on 30/09/2020 - 17:54

        FYI - Rear view camera can be turned on while driving.

      • Whisper Quiet on 01/10/2020 - 14:02
        +3

        Lexus is the most reliable car in the world by percentage. BMW is one of the worst especially their electronics. Wouldn't you want the RC350 with the upgraded V6 engine, supposed to be quite a difference to the RC300 variants. 2018/2019 model might be able to be in your price range.

    • causeimbatman on 01/10/2020 - 11:13
      +3

      +1 to this comment.

      Tried a colleague’s Stinger and it was a tight fit, to the point where I bumped my head going in.

      I’m of below average height too.

    • netjock on 30/09/2020 - 15:06
      -5

      Skoda is poor man's Audi so not "class"

      WRX is never "class" or "luxury" it is just wannabe racer

      • Olga on 30/09/2020 - 16:00
        +2

        I have to disagree with you statement "Skoda is poor man's Audi so not "class"
        Its getting the Audi quality without paying the Audi price, value for money!

        • netjock on 30/09/2020 - 16:15

          That is like saying R.M Williams is the same quality as Louis Vuitton without paying the price because they are both owned by LVMH.

      • Bid Sniper on 30/09/2020 - 16:16

        https://youtu.be/YcGeDeW-L2A

        STI@ Monza Circuit, just look at that wannbe against high end exotics.

      • krisspy on 01/10/2020 - 20:19
        +5

        Skoda is a poor man's Volkswagen.
        Volkswagen is the poor man's Audi

  • pegaxs on 30/09/2020 - 15:03
    +19

    HaVe YoU cOnSiDeReD a tEsLa MoDeL *insert random letter or number* ??

    My order from your list, Kia, Lexus, BMW, a 3 legged dog pulling a dog sled, hamster wheel with hamsters, a leaking kayak (or a RAV4 without roof racks), a carriage pulled by sheep, shoes made of broken glass and isopropyl alcohol, 3 lepers pushing a hospital bed, an IGA trolley with a busted wheel, a Kenworth stuck in reverse gear, magic carpet that spent to many years in a night club foyer, heat death of the universe and then a MB.

    And it's "meter" as it is used for measuring something… What it measures is "metres"… A metre meter if you will…

    • rambutann on 30/09/2020 - 15:47
      +13

      I feel personally attacked - I as going to ask OP if they had considered a Tesla. Just gonna cry meself to sleep.

      • pegaxs on 30/09/2020 - 16:25
        +2

        You feel personally attacked? It's ok, just hit the report button and get me penalty boxed again for upsetting another Tesla owner… ;)

        • rambutann on 30/09/2020 - 16:45

          I wish I was a Tesla owner haha fark get me a solar deal, combo that with a discount electric vehicle and i'd be loving life.

          • pegaxs on 30/09/2020 - 16:53
            +10

            @rambutann: I have solar and the funds to buy a Tesla, but I just don't think I can commit to making a website about my car. Making and updating a twitter account for my car. Making an Instagram page for my car and taking photos of it parked everywhere. Telling every one I know and those I don't all about the benefits of owning a Tesla and the spiritual teachings of supreme leader, Elon "Bhagwan" Musk. I just don't know if I have the time to do all that, plus buy Telsa stock and defend it on the internet because "It'Z nOt TeCh bUbbLe StOcK!!!".

            To me, Tesla ownership just seems to be too much of a chore. I want a car I can just get in and drive without having to be a douche about it. (Counts the Mustang out as well…)

            • chasingstoke on 01/10/2020 - 09:43
              +13

              @pegaxs: Weird flex but ok

            • Bid Sniper on 01/10/2020 - 09:48
              +6

              @pegaxs: I use to really like Teslas but wow the owners are such snowflake w4nkers, totally put me off the brand entirely.

              I'm sure the car is great coming from a Prius with vote greens bumper stickers on it but buying $100K "affordable" virtue signal on 4 wheels on lease is not a sustainable future.

              Age of instagram sucks

            • Jaystea on 01/10/2020 - 11:41
              +1

              @pegaxs: Quite seriously though, what is your opinion on Tesla (as a car itself, not so much the cult)? In terms of the drive, build quality, reliability.

              • pegaxs on 01/10/2020 - 11:58
                +7

                @Jaystea: Honestly, I like them. If it wasn't for the stigma surrounding the owners, I would seriously consider one.

                I have test driven one (Model S something something) when I was burning time in Sydney and went to the Tesla dealer to see what the fuss was about. The drive was nice. Lots of torque. Like "LOTS". No problem, even at moderate acceleration to blow the doors off anything at the lights. And quiet, that's what caught me out. All that power and little to no noise.

                Build quality was… meh. It's good, but not $100,000+ car good. I noticed things like panel gaps and a few rattles and groans while out driving (maybe because no engine noise to muffle it) but generally, I would put it on par with most cars. Not "great" but not "bad" either, just expected better from an expensive luxury car.

                Reliability, I don't know. There are plenty of forums and owners complaining of reliability and as much as it is useless and hilarious to use these figures, they did perform really badly on the JD Powah reliability survey in the US. (I think that has more to do with the anal retentive owners than the reliability of the cars though.) The only thing that kills this part of it for me, as a mechanic that likes working on cars, they are cutting a fine line down the "right to repair" and basically making them impossible to work on other than at a Tesla dealer, and I honestly think "(fropanity) any manufacturer that makes their items proprietary to this extent."

                I think that the world needs Tesla, just to show that the way is being paved for electric cars. I love the innovation and the cutting edge technology and their pursuit of pushing the envelope with ideas and can only hope that this trickles down to other vehicle manufacturers. Even with their cars at the prices they are, they are showing that people will still buy electric vehicles, but the issues here is that it's in the luxury car segment that not everyone has access too (I certainly cant afford a model X, S, Y, Cybertruck or upper tier 3 for that matter) and this leads to a majority of the owners being smug, holier than thou, virtue signalling arse blankets.

                Would I own one? At this point in time, no. They are still too expensive and that stigma. Does Tesla existing make me want to own an electric vehicle, for sure. I admire what they are doing to shake up the automotive industry, I just don't want to buy into their cult.

                • Jaystea on 01/10/2020 - 12:19
                  +1

                  @pegaxs: I think that’s the opinion I held, and I’m glad it’s validated by a more experienced, unbiased and knowledgeable source.

                  I get a small feeling it’s very apple vs Android esque of the late 2000s. When apple first introduced the iPhone and iOS, Steve jobs said they were 5 years ahead of any other company - and they well and truly were (the galaxy S2/3’s, HTCs and Sony Xperia’s of the 2010-2012 era were only just catching up to the original iPhone of 2007 let alone the 3GS. And I was indifferent to apple and was myself an Android user for the last decade). But similar to Apple, Tesla as u rightly put, has a cult following, proprietary software and hardware that makes it incredibly difficult and expensive to work on by independent mechanics. But they have also transformed the electric vehicle segment in a way no other company has even come close to doing and made themselves a household name all in the space of a few years since inception and launch.

                  In that sense, how would you compare Tesla as an electric vehicle to the likes of other companies with their offerings such as the Audi etron etc. ?

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