Reliable Used Japanese (or Korean) Sedan for $10K - $15K

AussieDaddy on 14/05/2021 - 21:56

Hi everyone,

I have an old Holden Astra TS (2002 model) that's about to kick the bucket soon and would like some recommendations on a reliable Japanese or Korean sedan. I bought my current lemon back in 2010 from its 1st owner with 92K kms on it, and after 11 years of daily driving, it has 172kms on it now. So 80K kms over 11 years. All I need is a car that doesn't need a lot of work. I can do the regular yearly or 6 months service on my own, but anything more than that I am mechanically challenged. I am leaning towards Toyota Camry or Corolla, but wouldn't mind a Hyundai or Kia sedan, if they're as reliable as Toyotas.

I am looking for a car that's about 5 - 10 years old (between 2012 - 2016) and my budget is upto $15,000. Now that used cars are overpriced due to Covid, not sure if that budget is reasonable. I can drive my current lemon for another year and buy one next year if push comes to shove as I am not in a hurry to buy one now. Just wanna now what your recommendations are, folks who know cars better than I do. Also, features aren't that necessary to me. Reliability and affordability are my two main goals. Tia

Automotive

Comments

  • MS Paint on 14/05/2021 - 22:23

    Auto or manual?

    I am not in a hurry to buy one now.

    Then wait. Used prices are crazy at the moment.

    • AussieDaddy on 15/05/2021 - 00:29

      Auto. Yeah, as long as this shite one I am driving now gets me there then that's the plan. Just getting prepared in case it dies before that. Ta

  • pegaxs on 14/05/2021 - 22:28
    +1

    *insert usual recommendations here*

    • SF3 on 14/05/2021 - 22:38

      10-4

      • pegaxs on 14/05/2021 - 22:58

        What’s silly is that this question (or very very similar questions) gets asked regularly… but what is the yearly pinned thread about? Last 5~6 years running… “what’s the best 7 seater under $50k”

        Also, Corolla, Yaris, i30, Cerato, 3, Swift, Jazz, Lancer

        InB4 mentions of Skoda, VW and Renault/Peugeot get thrown in with “have you considered…”

        • SF3 on 14/05/2021 - 23:05
          +1

          A very clear observation from my < 12 months here is.

          People don’t search or read recent past post, asking the same things expecting a different answer.

          They appear to have either made up their minds and seek confirmation bias, or window shopping/kicking tyres and ask same things again the following week…

          • dasher86 on 14/05/2021 - 23:23
            +2

            @SF3: It's a conspiracy. Part of Ozbargain is to peddle Korean and Japanese cars.
            We all get kickbacks from a member in WA…

            • SF3 on 14/05/2021 - 23:25

              @dasher86:

              Role
              Power User

              Sounds legit 🤔

              Where’s the sign up form? /s

        • AussieDaddy on 15/05/2021 - 00:37

          I should have been clearer. I know the types of cars I would prefer (Camry, Corolla, and probably Hyundai etc), but the reason I made the post is that I don't know that much about cars and would like to know what make(s) is/are more reliable for the long run. For example, the Astra I own now, in addition to being a lemon, the timing belt needs to be changed after every 60K kms, with the water pump and a number of pulleys etc. The damn thing is costly and I am trying to avoid another money pit while buying my next used car. Cheers

          • Euphemistic on 15/05/2021 - 06:07
            +1

            @AussieDaddy: It’s not that you need to be clearer. It’s that exactly the same question is asked all top regularly and the answers are almost always the same. Thread from yesterday asking about corolla, Mazda 3 etc with $15k budget. Here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/623204

            If you had read them you could either get your answer or piggy back onto the thread.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/05/2021 - 00:54
    -1

    Honda Jazz - current shape.

    Reliable and practical. Just like a mini van.

  • poormansfriedchicken on 15/05/2021 - 18:09

    how much would you negotiate if a car you wanted was listed at 15k in this marketplace? rkn you should wait and see what the next few months hold.

    • whitelie on 15/05/2021 - 18:21

      Cars have been over priced for more than 12 months, a couple more isn't going to drastically drop them. Plus if they need a car ASAP, they may not be able to wait months only to save a little bit in a used car market.

      Put yourself in the seller's shoes, if you listed a car at 15k, what would you realistically be looking to get for it? 10-20% off should be relatively easy for a used private car. Dealer's will still want to play hardball generally.

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