Small first car for teenager to get to late shift/ night classes at uni.

Dr Prepper on 05/01/2022 - 13:01
Last edited 05/01/2022 - 17:20

With popular small cars like Focus, Fiesta , Lancer, Pulsar, Jazz, City, Accent pulled from the Aussie market we are really struggling to find a small car for my teenager (17 y.o .P plater) to get to night classes at Uni and to work mainly late night shifts at Maccas.

For the years 2015 to 2020 ,there are only about 3500 hatch backs left for sale in whole of NSW , compared with 8,271 SUVs but I do not think a SUV is a serious option. Besides servicing costs we live in the inner city where the streets are narrow and parking is at a premium.

I have noticed that there are a lot more grey import hatchbacks and even cheap little hybrids which seem to be exactly what he needs.

Even though it was kind of a big deal for our son that he saved the money up and wanted to buy the car himself we are at the point of just giving him some more to buy a brand new car.

Have popular top 20 hatches been pulled from the Australian market to make EVs seem more reasonably priced. Maybe dealers make too much servicing SUVs .

What is the best place to find second had hatch backs?

Ozbargainers we seek your esteemed advice :

Poll Options expired

  • 134
    Just bite the bullet on a brand new Kia Picanto, Mirage or Suzuki. I'm not too sure about a MG3.
  • 23
    Stop working late shifts, just use bike public transport, avoid night classes at Uni;
  • 22
    Roll the dice on a grey import budget hatch;
Automotive

Comments

  • fredz0r on 05/01/2022 - 13:06
    +51

    Just get a $2k banger.

    • pharkurnell on 05/01/2022 - 13:10
      +38

      they dont exist anymore in the covid world. not one you'd trust anyway

      • Drakesy on 05/01/2022 - 13:43
        +17

        $2k banger

        I don't think you could ever trust a $2k car, they'd all be a roll of the dice. Still you can get some gems, my liberty was a $1500 banger and laster 3 years before i traded it in for the same price.

        In WA they're trickling down again and reasonable bombs can be had for this.

        • pharkurnell on 05/01/2022 - 13:46
          +11

          yea just went through this in Vic.. shit box cars that were 2000 3-4yrs ago are still 5000 here.

          Ended up buying a Lancer for daughter… brilliant little car.

          • buffalo bill on 09/01/2022 - 17:08

            @pharkurnell: +1 to this. Yeah go a Lancer. Few years old with as low km as possible. Learn to drive the stick as well.

        • 900dollaridoos on 06/01/2022 - 14:43
          +11

          Totally anecdotal but I've had two bangers, one 1992 magna for $500, and one 2003 magna for $1k, and both have been unreal. Literally can't kill them even with immense neglect lol.

          • smartazz104 on 06/01/2022 - 17:56
            +12

            @900dollaridoos: Yeah, the blue smoke is actually a feature…

          • liongalahad on 07/01/2022 - 11:24
            +3

            @900dollaridoos: same here I drove a $1200 Magna wagon for 2 years, even travelled with it, and a $1000 1997 Excel for 3 years. With the Excel I don't even think Ive ever serviced it, it just kept going and sold it for $1000 3 years later lol

          • BartholemewH on 07/01/2022 - 22:32
            +3

            @900dollaridoos: Username (roughly) checks out.

      • WT on 06/01/2022 - 09:42
        +2

        they do but not as abundant. My nephew was after a cheap first car so I set up an email alert in car sales, he has a car but I left the search on. 2 cars this week were what I would class as ripper deals, a corolla with about 100k klm for under 2k and a pulsar for 2.5k with maybe 120k klm. Both were sold within a day or within hours. Seems the rate is about 1 ever 2 weeks give or take

        • Matt P on 07/01/2022 - 21:34

          Very few cars in that price range are listed on carsales. Its almost all gumtree/marketplace

      • Series4Episode10 on 06/01/2022 - 11:41
        -2

        There are, you have convinced yourself otherwise or are lazy, put some effort in and get the car checked, there's always someone selling something worthwhile and asking less than than they possibly could, bought a showroom condition Mazda 323 for $400 registered, It will just take some effort.

      • NEGATIVEVIBESONLY on 06/01/2022 - 12:29

        they do exist, just get ones nobody wants. i.e. alfa 147

        • pharkurnell on 06/01/2022 - 12:46
          +5

          nobody could be that cruel..

        • smartazz104 on 06/01/2022 - 17:56
          +7

          I think they actually want to be able to drive places…

      • cashless on 06/01/2022 - 21:07
        +7

        1998 Camry V6 with 110k on odo bought in September 2021 (height of Covid tax) for $2500.
        OK I’ll admit I’ve since spent $500 on 4 new tyres & about another $800 on getting a few bits sorted out.
        Bought it for my 17 yo who recently passed his test.
        It has 2 airbags & is in pretty good nick.
        Feel happy to allow teen on the road in this car.
        So yes, for a little more than $2k you can still buy well and have peace of mind

        • Jackson on 07/01/2022 - 15:03
          +2

          Came to say this, but get the 4cyl, they are more reliable, easier to fix, cheaper parts, and less thirsty

      • serpserpserp on 07/01/2022 - 10:16
        +2

        I have a peugeot $2.5k banger which is about 18 years old. Been going strong 3 years. Just got it serviced for $350 with no major issues on the horizon.

    • Ade99 on 06/01/2022 - 07:39
      +1

      get a 'banger'. As has always been the case just need to separate the wheat from the chaff…..

    • HeWhoKnows on 06/01/2022 - 11:59
      +5

      That is by far the BEST advice and take out 3rd party insurance only

      Of course fredz0r means the cheapest "reasonable" car they can find

      Alternatively why not an e-bike or scooter?
      Definitely the cheapest way out
      All the uber-eats delivery people seem to get by fine on them at all hours

      • Euphemistic on 06/01/2022 - 22:15
        -7

        and take out 3rd party insurance only

        Except you need to be able to cover the cost of replacing the vehicle at short notice from your own funds in the event that it is crashed. If you can’t afford to have comprehensive, you probably can’t afford not to have comprehensive.

        • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 11:37
          +6

          Comprehesive insurance is insane for new drivers. Especially males under 25

          • Euphemistic on 07/01/2022 - 16:35

            @Zondor: So many posts on here ‘only had third party, car written off, how can I get my money back’

            It’s true Comp is expensive. But when getting third party only you need to be aware that if you write off the vehicle, it’s gone. No money back.

            If you can afford to replace the car, use public transport, lose the $ value of the car etc, then third party is fine.

            If you can’t live without the car and don’t have funds available to replace it, you really should be getting comprehensive - somehow.

            • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 20:33

              @Euphemistic: That's just it "Somehow". It isn't feasible.

              • Euphemistic on 07/01/2022 - 21:39
                +1

                @Zondor: Then perhaps having a car isn’t for you. Again, my point being if you are spending thousands on a car, you can’t afford not to insure it unless you are prepared to take the loss.

                It’s a choice to make. I chose to 3rd party insure my $1400 corolla. Wasn’t worry paying for comp and I could afford to go buy another the next day if necessary. Now with a $15k car, there’s no way I’d insure it 3rd party.

            • sackrace on 09/01/2022 - 10:04
              +3

              @Euphemistic: Comprehensive is mostly to avoid getting screwed by the other driver's insurance when you're not at fault.

          • HeWhoKnows on 10/01/2022 - 21:35
            +2

            @Zondor: Yes

            When you add the premium, the basic excess, the age excess and the Under 21 excess it can add up to more than the cost of the car

    • meowsers on 06/01/2022 - 23:25
      +2

      Considering the amount of 18-24 year olds killed on the roads last year I would forever regret not buying something safe and crash tested to current standards (ie; not 5 star 10 years ago, 5 star today)

      • serpserpserp on 07/01/2022 - 10:34
        +1

        How many died?

      • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 11:38
        +5

        How many of them can afford a new car?

        It's insane that people say this and then just turn around and go "Young people cant afford houses because they aren't saving enougn money".

        • meowsers on 07/01/2022 - 15:30
          -3

          Come on. How many of them buy shitbox falcons and spend double the price of the car on mods.

          I'm not saying buy a brand new car. I'm saying you could buy an i30 with AEB/lane keep etc for a reasonable price. I would rather my child drove a newer vehicle and me drive something older if it came to it.

          • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 20:31
            +5

            @meowsers: i30 with those features is still to expensive for a first car.

      • 2025 on 07/01/2022 - 14:29
        +4

        Ikr I see many families keeping the new, safer car for the more experienced adults and giving the kids a 1500 banger that has no safety features. It just doesn’t make any sense to me to keep all the life saving tech away from the inexperienced drivers, who arguably need it most.

        • Binchicken22 on 08/01/2022 - 15:12
          +2

          It's a fairly modern idea that young kids should get a brand new car for its "safety", I got my licence in 2007 and even then no one had really anything resembling a brand new car. My girlfriend's 4 year old Mazda 3 was by far the closest thing, that was just because her parents are loaded.

          Most of us had 80s/90s era cars in the late 2000s.

          • 2025 on 08/01/2022 - 18:42
            +3

            @Binchicken22: U seen that crash test video of the 90’s ‘Rolla vs 2015 Corolla?

            https://youtu.be/_ttkVRwOtVE

            It might remove the quotes from around the word safety in your comment lol

            In this day and age of helicopter parenting and kids not being allowed to walk to the shops because of their parent’s fears, I find it hypocritical that the same parents choose the 2015 car and the kids get one from 1998 lols

            • Euphemistic on 08/01/2022 - 20:09
              +1

              @2025: Yeah it’s a thing, but plenty of kids get old shot box cars and make it through to adult hood.

              • 2025 on 08/01/2022 - 20:11
                +1

                @Euphemistic: Too true

                I might have even have forgotten to wear a seat belt a few times too. I’m fine.

              • 2025 on 09/01/2022 - 13:35

                @Euphemistic: Forgot to mention

                A number of people got shot in the face and make it through

                Doesn’t make me any less wary of being shot in the face tho.

                Infact it’s something I try to avoid lmao

                Just like road trauma. It’s wise to reduce the risks is it not?

                • Euphemistic on 09/01/2022 - 14:34
                  +2

                  @2025: Being a better driver is far more important than lane keep assist and radar cruise control. IMO (and I’m looking at a car for a new driver soon) the critical things are driver, passenger airbags and anti lock brakes. Any car with those two features should have a reasonable level of crash structure built in.

                  • 2025 on 09/01/2022 - 15:48

                    @Euphemistic: Driver education and skills do play a part I agree with you there. Every thing we can do to protect life is welcome.

                    However, don't forget that even the most skilled drivers can make mistakes. Increased vehicle safety does have a significant impact.

                    Lets take a look at some highly skilled drivers…

                    10 Formula 1 drivers died in the 70's

                    Compared with 2 in the 00's

                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_fatalities

                    • Euphemistic on 09/01/2022 - 16:31
                      +1

                      @2025: That’s good considering P platers seem to think they’re in F1 races

                  • meowsers on 09/01/2022 - 19:25

                    @Euphemistic: Any care with those two features won't get a 5 star rating in this day an age, and insurance will be more expensive.

                    We priced one with and without — of the same 2021 subaru and same details aside from the lane keep assist and fancy features, and the more expensive car came out cheaper for an 18 year old driver.

                    • Euphemistic on 09/01/2022 - 19:33

                      @meowsers: Interesting. Enough to make up for the difference in price?

                      I’d be surprised if the majority of first cars aren’t under $10k.

                      You make a good point though, if insurance is significantly more expensive ‘less safe’ cars then it’s a factor to consider when buying. But saving $200 a year on insurance means it takes 5years to pay back an extra $1k in purchase price.

      • 91rs on 09/01/2022 - 18:05
        +1

        Id regret not teaching them (or having them taught) as much driving and handling skill and ability that is possible.
        Buying a safer car and letting someone out on the roads who shouldn't be driving doesn't make anyone safer, it lets bad drivers live another day to possibly kill or injure others again.

        • meowsers on 09/01/2022 - 19:23

          There's only so much "driving and handling" skills can account for when someone hits you. I don't think that I said anything of the sort in my comment.

          You are putting words in my mouth that I've said just buy safer cars to compensate for bad drivers and arguing that bad drivers should die?

          I'll have a go, I bet you're of the same ilk of "traction control is for pussies" or "airbags are just a crutch"…

          • Euphemistic on 09/01/2022 - 19:37
            +1

            @meowsers: Traction control isn’t just for pussies, but learning how to drive so that it’s never activated is a worthwhile skill.

            over thousands of kms and years of driving I find it normally only kicks in if I want to test it out by flattening the go pedal. Can only think of a couple of occasions it’s caught me by surprise.

            • 2025 on 09/01/2022 - 19:50
              +1

              @Euphemistic: https://youtu.be/7YMjw2sjXqU

              When u got all the mad skills in the world, yet it’s those pesky “safety features” that get you home at night

              Don’t get me wrong - more drivers education is a good thing tho

          • 91rs on 09/01/2022 - 21:58
            +1

            @meowsers: Settle down.

            Imagine if we raised the bar for people to get their license and focused more on real world driving ability when getting a license rather than just answering a couple dozen questions and driving around a couple blocks without hitting anything.
            That alone would instantly make the chances of other people hitting you lower.

            I said that I'd regret not teaching them how to drive, like actual skills not just unlock doors, press the go pedal, press the stop pedal good luck everyone else, that's all many people seem to have the ability to do these days.
            Like it or not that ability will come in handy and can get you out of bad situations if you're paying attention.

            While brand new vehicles do increase the safety of the occupant they are even more appliance like than older vehicles, inexperienced drivers are further insulated from knowing what the car is doing until it's too late due to how they're made, that puts others on the road at risk.
            I've been in new cars with inexperienced drivers (P plates) when TCS\ABS\EBC kick in and they freaked out not knowing what to do, that makes a situation the vehicle is trying to correct much worse when they decide to get off brakes etc.

            Have all the go's you want, you're only embarrassing yourself.
            I have no issues with safety features in cars, If I want to drive fast and have those things turned off I go to the track to do it.

            • Euphemistic on 10/01/2022 - 07:57

              @91rs:

              While brand new vehicles do increase the safety of the occupant they are even more appliance like than older vehicles, inexperienced drivers are further insulated from knowing what the car is doing until it's too late

              Lots of this. If you learn to drive in a vehicle that beeps every time you wander out of a lane or flashes a light when there’s someone in your blind spot you won’t learn to look properly. These safety features are great if you aren’t paying attention, but TBH, they make it more likely you think you don’t need to pay attention.

      • HeWhoKnows on 10/01/2022 - 21:38

        It was their reckless driving that killed them
        Not the type of car.

        A common old early 2000s Commodore ticks all the boxes and its cheap to buy
        Definitely safer in a Commodore than a 10 year old tinny Hyundai or similar "crushable" model

  • kerfuffle on 05/01/2022 - 13:14
    +6

    Yaris? Mazda 2?

    • mrvaluepack on 06/01/2022 - 17:30
      +5

      They are considered "premium" cars now.

      • Ash SA on 06/01/2022 - 17:50
        +1

        what ? tell me you are joking … pls

        • mrvaluepack on 06/01/2022 - 17:53
          +3

          I wish i was. Look at their base model rrp.

          Non premium small cars are now mitsubishi, mg, kia, etc.

          • Ash SA on 06/01/2022 - 18:12

            @mrvaluepack: I think mistook the comment to be older models.
            yep, agree.

    • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 11:39
      +1

      Kia Rio/Picantio is the new budget car.

  • JFFTech on 05/01/2022 - 13:19

    I have a similar need for a hatch and your poll options have seriously made me think about a budget grey import hatch. I was against buying such cars but in the current market, it does seem like a reasonable option.

    Note: Personally, if I were in your situation (i.e. saved up cash by your son + top-up from parent), I would go for a Kia or Hyundai.

    • Emli on 06/01/2022 - 09:27
      +3

      He might graduate University before getting that new car. We are now into our fifth month of waiting for a new Kia we have ordered.

    • Jackson on 07/01/2022 - 15:07
      +1

      You can get them a budget Nissan Leaf electric from Japan for about 12k. Benefits are:

      1. Possibly the most reliable car in the world
      2. 6 or 8 airbags, lots of the latest safety features
      3. Cost peanuts to run, and next to nothing for servicing
      4. Don't have to worry about your kid driving interstate when they are supposed to be at their friends house
      5. Charging stations are popping up everywhere now
      6. Car will be in as new condition

      should still comfortably do 90km on a full charge, provided uni it's too far away

  • kogi on 05/01/2022 - 13:32
    +19

    Has he checked out the parking situation? last I looked parking @ uni sucked

    • kerfuffle on 05/01/2022 - 13:34
      +11

      Hasn't changed, but since he's attending night classes (which I presume is after 6), shouldn't be too bad

      • brad1-8tsi on 05/01/2022 - 22:31

        Around Sydney Uni the parking is timed until 10pm.

        Not sure where the OPs son is going.

        • kerfuffle on 06/01/2022 - 06:45
          +3

          Get a student parking pass for $30 at Broadway Shopping Centre so you can park there for $12 on weekdays instead of $20, or park at Broadway after 6 for free.

          • serpserpserp on 07/01/2022 - 10:35

            @kerfuffle: You can also park pretty easily near the rose at night in that car park

    • ajsr8 on 05/01/2022 - 14:49
      +2

      Plenty of parking at night.

  • brendanm on 05/01/2022 - 13:38
    +14

    I don't think "grey import budget hatch", means what you think it does.

    • Ade99 on 06/01/2022 - 07:40

      did wonder what this means? Ex second hand Japanese cars?

      • brendanm on 06/01/2022 - 08:35
        +6

        It means cars that weren't originally intended for the Australian market. We aren't allowed to import "budget hatches" in Australia, so I assume op is talking about the Chinese cars, however they aren't grey import.

  • Drakesy on 05/01/2022 - 13:41
    +21

    Why limit yourself to 2015?

    Plenty of good cars were built from 2010.

    Mazda 2's, Mazda 3's, corollas from this era are a bargain and have great safety features and reliability.
    Buying a brand new car, especially for someone who should be learning how to effectively manage money is the equivalent to telling him that setting his money on fire is fine. My mum did this straight out of uni and she regretted it ever since. In WA many of these cars are back to pre-covid prices and i feel buying a new car is taking the lazy way out (unless you were always going to do this from the start).

    I had a Kia Sportage as my second car which was frugal, reliable and had zero servicing costs apart from oil changes and tyres.

    • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 11:40

      I feel like the Naughtys were not a good time for car quality after transitioning to them being very electric internally. My 10yo RIO is hook line and sinker more reliable than my 10yo falcon from when I've brought it.

    • trapper on 07/01/2022 - 12:14
      +1

      Yeah, I'd need to be on $200k+ before I would consider buying a car brand new.

    • ChatCPT on 08/01/2022 - 03:01
      +1

      Get him a motorbike. Very frugal

      • kaleidoscope on 08/01/2022 - 14:07
        +7

        Get him a motorbike.

        think OP wants to see their child live

  • Boioioioi on 05/01/2022 - 14:12
    +2

    I drove around a 2013 and then a 2014 mitsubishi mirage for years. Great car! Cheap as chips to run, 5 star ancap rating, extremely reliable. Has bluetooth and good enough speakers too.

    I bought it used though, wouldn't suggest buying new as they depreciate badly from new. However I sold my used one for more than I bought it for!

  • Melb69 on 05/01/2022 - 14:12
    +3

    Avoid MG3. Cheap NCP but long term questionable quality IMO. Go Jap or Korean

    • derrida derider on 06/01/2022 - 21:47
      +4

      Based on what? The MG3 has a long warranty and sells in the millions - and not just in China. Has had no recalls and a far lower level of complaints on the automotive forums than euros.

      Seems to me your "IMO" is simple prejudice.

      • Zephyrus on 07/01/2022 - 14:04
        -1

        What's the safety rating for an MG 3?

        They're apparently not happy enough with it to even get it tested.

        • GordonD on 08/01/2022 - 12:55

          The MG3 has not been submitted to be rated by ANCAP. The generally accepted reason is not that it doesn't protect you in a crash, but that MG has chosen to not fit a lot of the safety gimmickry like AEB and lane keeping to keep the price down, and given the way ANCAP scores crash safety, that would result in it getting a very poor score.

          Manufacturers publicly say that they fit all that safety stuff because their customers tell them they value safety. But at the low end of the market the sales figures show that the way to sell lots of cars is to sell a car with more convenience features at a lower price than your competitors. Dacia shows that in Europe, MG shows that in Australia. Safety is something people only want if they've got all the convenience features.

  • yokel on 05/01/2022 - 14:27
    +1
    1. Dont buy a Fiesta, they have a timing belt that is "oil cooled" and is at risk of failing - its an uneconomical repair if the engine grenades itself
    2. Assuming its going to have an auto then make sure you dont get one with a CVT - too much maintenance for a young, poor person
    3. Extend your oldest year to 2011-2012 ish, cars were not much different then to the current batch i.e. 5 star ANCAP rating, just sort by kilometers lowest to highest
    4. Although not the prettiest cars, the Hyundais and Kias are fit for purpose
    5. I wouldnt buy anything with an engine smaller than 1.8L - you may need a car that can handle freeway driving comfortably
    6. When you have it narrowed down, see if you can take someone knowledgeable to spot whether the car has accident repairs
    • brendanm on 05/01/2022 - 16:12
      +12

      dont get one with a CVT - too much maintenance

      While I personally think they drive like crap, most cvts are identical to standard automatics to maintain.

      I wouldnt buy anything with an engine smaller than 1.8L - you may need a car that can handle freeway driving comfortably

      Not true these days, small capacity turbocharged cars are more than capable.

      • SBOB on 05/01/2022 - 19:12
        +2

        Not true these days, small capacity turbocharged cars are more than capable

        Indeed..wife's 1.6L turbo Seltos handles 'freeway' speeds (both cruising and overtaking) without issue.

      • yokel on 06/01/2022 - 11:06

        You won’t find that config in the OPs search criteria. I can think of the Holden Cruze but you would be silly to buy one or those. A turbo adds complexity although I do love the sound.

      • yokel on 06/01/2022 - 11:10

        That’s ridiculous man. CVTs are very fussy on fluid changes. You can beat on a lot of conventional automatics for a prolonged period and suffer minimal consequences. I’ve seen bomb cars topped up with ATF to where it should be and the shifts have improved by a big margin.

        • brendanm on 06/01/2022 - 12:31

          Ok mate.

    • derrida derider on 06/01/2022 - 21:51
      +3

      "dont get one with a CVT - too much maintenance"
      Evidence?
      CVTs are innately more reliable than DCTs and less maintenance than a manual (no clutch). As durable as a traditional auto.

      • yokel on 07/01/2022 - 07:26
        +4

        DCTs won’t be fitted to a car in OPs price range so don’t confuse the issue. CVTs need fluid flushes every 40,000 kms to remove the filings from the steel belt. The fluid gets filthy. The service interval for a conventional auto is more like 100,000 km. You want evidence of problems with CVTs search Ozbargain for horror stories and even watch videos on YouTube like Car Wizard. Yeah CVTs might be more common on new cars now but that’s because manufacturers have Euro emissions targets to meet and not because of durability.

      • BobLim on 07/01/2022 - 08:30

        Clutches can often be made to last for the life of the car without any maintenance if you're careful…

        How often have you had to replace a clutch? Autos and CVT need regular fluid changes

        • tonyjzx on 09/01/2022 - 12:33

          real talk. Nissan have no cvt fluid replacement schedules for the t32 xtrail

          however the recommendation is a $200-$250 flush at the 60,000 - 75,000 range.

          That's it. They will kaboom if you run them over 100,000 but why do that? the procedure like a 1hr thing.

  • Hardlyworkin on 05/01/2022 - 14:33
    +8

    Buy a cheap car and after they have banged it up good in the first year and learner their lessons buy the the new car. Or tell them no speeding fines and we will buy you a new car after 12 months.

  • apple2016 on 05/01/2022 - 14:40
    +18

    we are at the point of just giving him some more to buy a brand new car.

    Bad idea IMHO. P platers are likely to make mistakes (scratches , dents etc).

  • MS Paint on 05/01/2022 - 15:12
    +2

    Can your daughter drive stick?

    • Dr Prepper on 05/01/2022 - 17:15
      +2

      I have a son and yes but manual cars are not as common as they used to be.

      • MS Paint on 05/01/2022 - 17:18
        +2

        Apologies

        • Dr Prepper on 05/01/2022 - 17:21
          +36

          Chillaz you never know these days he may become a daughter /apache helicopter

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