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

  • Benoffie on 05/01/2022 - 15:19
    +2

    Suzuki Swift. They run cheap and you can still pick up early 2005-2010 models for sub $2k at auction. They are good little cars.
    Once you transition to 2010-2015 era expect the price to jump to $5-10k at auction.

  • Cave Fire on 05/01/2022 - 15:31
    +4

    If I had a brand new car at that age, I probably would have wrote it off just with scraping walls and other scratches. I think you would be able to get something "cheap" at 3-4k. Something a bit nicer would be 5-6k. Not sure if you have also checked insurance? Because that maybe around 1.5 to $2k a year more for comprehensive for a 17yr old P plater.

    • ajsr8 on 05/01/2022 - 15:35
      +1

      Just insure the car under the parent's name and add the p-plater as a driver.

      • MS Paint on 05/01/2022 - 15:50
        +2

        Or just insure under the parents name and pay the extra excess for driver with less than 5 years experience (if your chosen insurance company allows)

      • Cave Fire on 05/01/2022 - 15:54
        +1

        You would have to check for "fronting" https://mozo.com.au/insurance/car-insurance/articles/car-ins… One option around that was if the insurance was in the p plater's name and a parent was listed and occasionally drove the car.

  • ajsr8 on 05/01/2022 - 15:39
    +8

    I would look at Mazda 3s, Corollas and Lancers at around the 10 year old mark.

    Alternatively, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go new in the current market. MG3 and Kia Rio would probably be the main choices. Manufacturers apparently don't make much profit from the small hatches hence why they're all gone or otherwise overpriced.

    • yokel on 10/01/2022 - 09:13

      I would add 2010 ish Honda Civic (sedan not hatch) to this list

  • crimsafe on 05/01/2022 - 15:42
    +2

    For my first car, I looked for quite a while at the sub $2k category taking my mate who was a mechanic with me to each viewing, not one car didn't have a major fault. I would avoid these dodgy cars and plan on spending $5k+ for something decent or $10k+ for something 2015 or newer, low kms and in good condition.

    • derrida derider on 06/01/2022 - 21:55

      Yep. And in Victoria any sub 2k car will not pass the compulsory rego check because if it did the person would be asking at least 4k.

  • netjock on 05/01/2022 - 15:46
    +3

    Also consider second hand Prius C. Unloved but platform is bullet proof. Basically Yaris hybrid.

    • jmel on 07/01/2022 - 11:08

      This, hybrid is the way to go. Super efficient and safe

  • freefall101 on 05/01/2022 - 16:39
    +1

    I'd look for a 10 year old Elantra or something, still overpriced but not too badly and plenty around that have barely done any kms.

  • gimli on 05/01/2022 - 17:10
    +3

    For a change not gonna suggest Toyota Camry.

    But 2008-2010ish Corolla is pretty Solid. You should be able to get a hatchback.

  • Euphemistic on 05/01/2022 - 17:23

    If you can’t find one, you aren’t looking. There’s plenty of suitable small/hatchback cars for sale, you said 3500 yourself.

  • brad1-8tsi on 05/01/2022 - 18:36
    +7

    If you live in the Inner City (really? the inner city of Sydney?) why does he need a car? Take PT.

    I live in Erskineville. If I didn't have to haul 200-300kg of goods around every few weeks I could leave my car in the car park gathering cobwebs.

  • Quantumcat on 05/01/2022 - 19:27
    +5

    Can he afford rego / insurance / servicing / mechanical issues on his wages? Owning a car at that age is silly. He should take public transport and occasionally use your car if willing to pay petrol, extra insurance costs and any excess he causes.

    • ajsr8 on 06/01/2022 - 11:19
      -2

      He most probably would be able to afford it.

      Public transport is rubbish.

      • Quantumcat on 06/01/2022 - 11:38

        What a waste of his money though - he would be working to pay for a car to be able to work, meanwhile using up many hours in each week. He would be better off just not working and living off parents and getting better uni grades. If you're going to work during uni at least live on campus and have proper fun.

        • ajsr8 on 06/01/2022 - 12:10
          +4

          Personally, I would feel depressed if I didn't have a car, was unemployed, sponged off my parents entirely, and just studied.

          Each to their own though.

          • Quantumcat on 06/01/2022 - 13:01

            @ajsr8: Well, with a car and work you would be the exact same as you describe (depressed sponging off mum and dad) except with the addition of not having time for social activities and being more stressed about getting uni work done.

            Personally I would prefer to live on campus, no car (don't need one when everything is in walking or cycling distance), work, and participate in all the adventures and fun that comes with that (maybe be a bit stressed with time for uni work but if you don't have rich parents who can pay your accommodation for you then what can you do).

            • ajsr8 on 06/01/2022 - 14:11

              @Quantumcat: Well I guess it depends on whether you actually like working or whether you find more enjoyment in studying.

              Part of the rationale for working would be to help pay for things like food, clothes, phone plan, car expenses etc. I don't think I've come across anyone at uni yet that doesn't work at all. Otherwise, either the parents or the government would cover everything.

              The OP's son should find a $3-5k car and assuming an annual income of $10k, that should be more than enough to cover all car-related expenses and then a few thousand left to spend on other things or save. Uni is for the most part, a relatively easy and stress-free experience. I don't think it would be very hard to do both.

              • Quantumcat on 06/01/2022 - 16:12

                @ajsr8: Casual work that you can do around uni would not usually be anything particularly enjoyable, nothing that actually stimulates your mind or is a career. Food service, petrol station, grocery packing etc. I don't know why you would want to spend time doing that when there are so many fun things to be doing and your uni years are so short.

            • p1 ama on 08/01/2022 - 18:07

              @Quantumcat:

              Personally I would prefer to live on campus, no car

              This makes no sense from your money argument - you're saying that owning a car is too expensive, and your suggestion is to live on campus?

              By any metric, it's cheaper to live at home and own a car than it is to live on campus, so I don't think this makes any sense at all. Fair enough if you want to absorb yourself into the social aspect of uni, but spinning it as somehow a financially responsible decision seems to be dubious at best.

              • Quantumcat on 08/01/2022 - 18:20

                @p1 ama: That's my personal preference, sounds like yours too as you said you would be depressed living with your parents.

                But that is beside the point. I stand by what I said originally that getting a car so you can earn minimum wage to be able to afford said car is a dumb thing to do. Especially when there are limited hours in the day and there are much more important things in his life he needs time for.

                It would be different if he was say an apprentice (so his job was the start of his career and it was meaningful to do the hours that were required), or if he loved cars and was getting an old car to fix up as a hobby, so he is working to give himself that enjoyment. But here, he has a job that is just for earning money, not a stepping stone in a career, and the car is just for getting around, not a hobby. Spending precious time working to afford the car so he can spend more time working - it is silly and circular. He can just work 5 hours less a week and not have a car. Work in a daytime job that gives less hours, use mum & dad's car for night classes if there's no public transport or crash at a friend's. And instantly have 5 hours more every week to do things that are useful to his life, or enjoyable.

                • p1 ama on 08/01/2022 - 19:27

                  @Quantumcat:

                  That's my personal preference, sounds like yours too as you said you would be depressed living with your parents.

                  Think you're mixing me up with someone else here…

                  I stand by what I said originally that getting a car so you can earn minimum wage to be able to afford said car is a dumb thing to do.

                  My issue is that this is just a terribly un-nuanced statement - whether someone should get a car or not depends on how useful the car would be for them. In your analysis, you've not taken into account any benefits that having a car will bring.

                  For example, you state:

                  Spending precious time working to afford the car so he can spend more time working - it is silly and circular. He can just work 5 hours less a week and not have a car.

                  This statement is only true if having the car brings less than 5 hours of equivalent benefit back to the owner. For me personally, when I was in uni, having a car meant that my 40 min trips to uni (15 min walk to the station, 5 min wait, 20 min bus) became a 15 min drive. If I went to uni 4 days a week, that's already over 3 hours of time saved. Add in all of the time saved every time I went to work, every time I went out with friends, went to the shops…etc. and it all adds up to well over 5 hours per week saved.

                  And instantly have 5 hours more every week to do things that are useful to his life, or enjoyable.

                  Hence this statement isn't right - you've taken into account the cost of the car (5 hours), but not the benefit of the car, which I think is terribly disingenuous.

                  • Quantumcat on 08/01/2022 - 19:33

                    @p1 ama:

                    Think you're mixing me up with someone else here…

                    Sorry you're right.

                    For the rest, if you read the OP, the son only needs the car to get to night shifts at work and late classes at uni. So that's the only benefit they are trying to obtain. Night shifts go away if you aren't working night shifts and late classes can be attended with mum & dad's car or crashing at a friend's place after uni and socialising is over.

      • jrowls on 07/01/2022 - 09:20
        +1

        They live in the city? Public transport is better than driving most of the time in the city. I love my car and I love driving, but I catch the train to work or to go out etc.

  • Ade99 on 06/01/2022 - 07:50
    +2

    When you buy a cheap car expect to pay another $1K to $2K to fix it up … hence the reason often for the sale as the old owner did not want to sink any more $'s into the depreciating asset.

  • backpaqer on 06/01/2022 - 10:29
    +7

    We hunted around for a car for my daughter 4 years ago…ended up getting her a brand new Toyota Corolla 5dr. She was going to uni but preferred to take PT as she saw all the angst in the uni forums about cars being damaged by all the crap drivers. When she started driving to uni, she would park one bus stop away from uni where there was free parking and then take the bus in to campus. Car is now 4yo and still has less than 10,000km on it. I figured if we sold it now we would get $3k more than what we paid for it. It still smells brand new inside.

    Me…I started riding a bike to work in 2007 when PT was unreliable as heck. It's 20km each way and there is no way in hell I would ever go back to PT. The couple of times I've driven in to the office the thought "kill me now" got recited a lot and I'd be envious of the cyclists whizzing past all the stationary traffic. Personally I would recommend riding a bike - the parking is free, you save on gym memberships, you get better mental health, you become a better driver because you develop empathy to other road users and realise that madly accelerating/decelerating/switching lanes/running red lights…really doesn't get you anywhere that much faster. (bike = bicycle…though motorbikes are pretty convenient too! Though I was convinced that if I kept getting any more cocky that a car was going to burst my bubble at some point). Unfortunately daughter has osteo-arthritis in her hip and cannot ride a bike.

    • nigel deborah on 06/01/2022 - 17:50
      +12

      Only bad part about riding a bike to work (on roads, anyway) is the part where you die.

      • HeadTheWall on 07/01/2022 - 11:17

        How many cyclists die on the road compared to car drivers?

        • nigel deborah on 07/01/2022 - 11:36
          +1

          In total, less of course. But I would expect the rate (deaths/hour/cyclist) to be much, much higher.

          I had a hunt around online and couldn't find any data to back that up though, probably because it's very difficult to estimate.

          The raw numbers are clearly concerning though. Have a look at these numbers, inclusive of all cycling injuries; https://theconversation.com/three-charts-on-the-rise-in-cycl…

      • backpaqer on 08/01/2022 - 14:13

        14 years of riding to work for me…no death yet.
        But then again…I grew up riding a bike before the helmet laws were introduced which stopped most people from riding, and indeed stopped me from riding. So most people who try to start riding as an adult now are riding for the first time and need to build skills and most driving is really bad. Most drivers have never ridden and have zero empathy for cyclists - it's a Catch 22. But I guarantee that people who persist with riding become better drivers - if, as you point out, they live.

        • nigel deborah on 08/01/2022 - 14:45
          +1

          I can get behind more people cycling. It's just a shame the gov't puts such little priority (or at least, did) on safe cycleways. If you have to ride on busy roads to get to work, the risk is too high to justify, IMO.

          No matter how good of a cyclist you are, nothing can stop some drunk/tired moron from smashing into you in an unavoidable way.

  • megadeth on 06/01/2022 - 11:24
    +3

    We have a 2011 corolla that we bought first hand 217k kms on it now and counting. Still runs great and no major repairs needed up till now. Planning to pass it on to my child in five year time.

  • Bid Sniper on 06/01/2022 - 12:54
    +6

    Don't skip buying a POS. Late shifts, late classes starting out driving. Driving tired is equivalent to driving drunk. So yes he will damage it but better crash and walk away than suffer permanent injury or death.

    Still can get used cars but need to increase your budget a bit. Sedans are unpopular so good chance there. My suggestion late modelish after 2012 or so. I had a Hyundai i20 as a beater and was really good and dirt cheap.

    • HeadTheWall on 07/01/2022 - 11:20

      All these discussions on why you should buy the safest car possible because they will crash make me scratch my head, shouldn't the focus be on the drivers driving skills?
      Yes, there are lots of bad drivers but being a good driver and being very alert helps an awful lot.

      And yes I have cycled competitively, commuted to work on a bike in cities and spent a few years driving cars and trucks as a job so I have seen all sides of the coin.

      • Bid Sniper on 07/01/2022 - 12:22
        +5

        Have a look at the dash cam Australia YouTube channel. Plenty of no win cases of idiots being idiots crashing into people driving correctly that had zero chance of avoiding. At night even worse, tired, drug and drunk drivers on the road.

        Everyone starts at zero, highest rate of crashes starting out. Yes in time with experience, situational awareness and driver training can decrease accident rate. However we all had near misses weekly due to people that shouldn't be allowed to drive and inexperienced driver might not be able to avoid, hence recommending a modern car not nessiarily new. Highest road death is young drivers, I strongly suspect it because they drive old cars that now would be considered unsafe 0 star safety rating.

  • MessyG on 06/01/2022 - 13:00
    +3

    Loved my Toyota Echo at the same age - easy to park, easy and cheap to service, easy to drive. By the time I was a bit odler and having kids it felt like a billy cart to drive but I have so many fond memories of it.

  • payless69 on 06/01/2022 - 13:20
    +2

    Corollas never die! Unless doing math, the i20 has 6 gears and a blue arrow to assist.

  • monty168 on 06/01/2022 - 15:42
    +1

    my vote is cheap little hybrid, Honda CRZ, a bit more expensive though

  • spammingb on 06/01/2022 - 15:56
    +1

    2010 Lexus IS250. High mileage one can be around 10k. Super reliable, cheap servicing, Toyota parts

  • Sad Dino on 06/01/2022 - 16:05
    +3

    08 or newer Suburu Impreza Hatch

  • nuttapillar on 06/01/2022 - 16:16
    -1

    Why does it matter if models have been "pulled from the market"? They still exist. they don't just disappear. There's plenty of second hand cars to go around.

  • funnysht on 06/01/2022 - 16:21
    +2

    Better to get an electric scooter for that sort of money

  • mybrains on 06/01/2022 - 17:14
    +1

    an interesting alternative Dr Prepper -

    import a Nissan leaf (fully electric hatchback) yourself using an import assistance company like Iron Chef imports. This way you get to pick the car in japan with an inspection rather than buying dodgy grey imports in Australia. I have imported nissans twice myself and very happy with the results. Early leafs are dirt cheap via japan but you need to ensure the battery is still ok.

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

  • conza on 06/01/2022 - 18:13
    +1

    I mean new might not be such a bad option, it's just the repayments with a low income, so if parents get the loan, maybe?

    Unless you can afford to just use a suitcase of cash but I wouldn't recommend that.

    As for used, Hyundai i30/i20, Mazda 3/2, Kia Rio/Picanto, Toyota Yaris/Corolla, I could go on.

    What is the budget?

  • 91rs on 06/01/2022 - 19:08
    +1

    Why not something slightly older? Seems like maybe the function or priority of things needs to be reassessed vs the actual need and what could work?

    If they're a teen and still fresh and new to driving, vehicle will be street parked at home and also at work or uni then the chances of damage are high.

    An example of something that would easily do the job, a Mazda 2 (link below, this is just a random find when searching for an example, not affiliated in any way) cheap to run, cheap to insure, parts are easy and cheap to come by (brakes, tyres, fluids are all quite cheap to do), basic & functional.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2008-mazda-2-neo-de…

    There are more options out there if you look for them, a new car for a 17yo seems a bit crazy but each to their own.

  • Richardc on 06/01/2022 - 21:04
    -6

    MG zst core $25,490 SUV come with active safety, 360 camera, 7 yrs warranty.

  • King Tightarse on 06/01/2022 - 21:06

    Dr Prepper,
    Thinking back to when me and my mates got our licences, I would say that pretty much everyone managed to damage or wreck at least one car at some point before their mid twenties. Some just creased a panel or two, others wrote them off. Just part of growing up and we managed to get though with no one getting hurt. There was no way we would have had the maturity to own and look after new cars properly until a few years later. I would go second hand with decent abs and airbags. Something small for inner city? Perhaps a Corolla or i30?
    Just something to think about re future value ad insurance as you son grows up.

  • MrMarket on 06/01/2022 - 22:10
    +2

    I got sick of going to car yards, I just walk into a dealer and bought a new Toyota Corolla for them
    it is a gift they paid the rego and on going cost.

  • sathion on 07/01/2022 - 00:02
    +2

    Honda Jazz

    • fratzhaus on 07/01/2022 - 00:54
      +5

      Underrated recommendation here.

      My next car is going to be a Honda Jazz. I've driven in it - and it is just so much fun. It is a funny looking mum van that's just been shrunk down.

      You can get a 2008+ model for around the 5-8k mark (Marketplace/greysonline/car sales), and it has so many dumb but fun features (relax mode, great storage, if you're lucky - a rotating driver seat) - everyone that owns these cars 2nd hand take good care of em too.

      I currently drive a Ford falcon 2006 which I bought for 3.5k and had for the last 6+ years - I can't wait for it to die.

      • BobLim on 07/01/2022 - 08:36
        +1

        dumb but fun features

        Like having to remove the front bumper to swap a headlight globe!

        • fratzhaus on 07/01/2022 - 09:13
          +3

          A small price to pay for salvation.

      • Matt P on 07/01/2022 - 21:56
        +1

        Avoid greysonline. First grade trade stock goes to pickles/manheim. Hospital passes go to greys

        The above said, they're aware of their reputation and are trying to fix it

        • fratzhaus on 07/01/2022 - 23:20

          Fair - I've honestly had no experience, just used it for pricing

      • drprox on 08/01/2022 - 20:53
        +1

        Out of all the cars I've owned I miss the Jazz the most. Superb things that really can tackle anything.

    • drprox on 08/01/2022 - 20:52

      My person here! the best

  • RolandWaites on 07/01/2022 - 01:09
    -1

    1998-2001 Corolla every day. Anything under 350,000km will be fine.

  • greatlamp on 07/01/2022 - 08:24
    +1

    Don't buy a used electric car. batteries wear out.

    If you can afford a new car, get a base model kia, or Toyota if not too much more. Can always sell later for minimal loss in value

    If buying used, buy privately and go in person. Look at how the car would be taken care of.

    Honda jazz is likely owned by a boring responsible person, Mitsubishi lancer- wannabe hoon. Car condition is more important than age, most people will only look at <5 y.o. find a looked after 10 y.o car and get a bargain

    • King Tightarse on 07/01/2022 - 08:48
      +2

      That's exactly correct. When assessing a private sale car, you should be also 50% assessing the person and the way the most likely treated it
      Boring person/super neat house is a great start.

    • Hangryuman on 07/01/2022 - 17:29
      +1

      'If buying used, buy privately and go in person. Look at how the car would be taken care of.'

      yes - I bought a 1991 Honda Civic in 2003 from the grand-daughter of the deceased estate - it was as-new condition and when he saw it at my work, a Japanese mechanic trained at Honda Japan pressured me that he really wanted to buy it from me as it was in mint condition

      until my first ding (slow speed changing lanes on a misjudged brakes steep hill bump)

      after that the mechanic completely lost interest

      anyhoo the rest of the car still looks in mint condition, and it still drives perfectly 18 years later.

      but it doesn't have airbags - my new concern.

      oh - another tip - hatches tend to be driven by boy-racers, sedans tend to be driven by older adults

      so hatches are more likely to have been crashed, burned and worn out

      and sedans are more likely to have treated gently and have plenty of useful life left - like my sedan.

      so maybe look for a sedan ?

  • Zondor on 07/01/2022 - 11:35
    +7

    Am I missing something, why is everyone voting for a new car for a persons FIRST CAR? Seems insane to me, or have we read about high yield investments so much we're now drinking the coolaid.

    Just get a 2013 Kia/Mazda/Toyota with 130,000-150,000 on the clock and go from there. Any new driver will ding the shit out of it, and good luck paying the insurance premiums with comprehensive for a car like that.

    • Hangryuman on 07/01/2022 - 17:17
      +1

      'Any new driver will ding the shit out of it, and good luck paying the insurance premiums with comprehensive for a car like that'

      yes - new car 'wash every week - taking care marveling over every precious shiny surface - ah - luxury …'

      first ding 's#it - it's spoiled forever - stop washing, stop caring - it's now just another used car on the road'

    • drprox on 08/01/2022 - 20:52
      +4

      A lot of it is similar to people buying new expensive prams. Market driven fear that no one's precious child is safe if you don't put them in a shiny new car because of modern safety tech.

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

    Get a Mazda 3 sedan, pay around $5k. - Whatever year that works out at around that price will be fine.

  • Hangryuman on 07/01/2022 - 17:13
    +1

    I would expect your 17yo to crash and write off the car - they are most likely to be triggered by friends in the car to take risks and crash and kill their friend/s or themselves.

    so do your sums on that starting basis

    then I would look at something with as many airbags as you can get for your budget

    I drive a 30yo Honda Civic and love it - but I recently saw a video showing crash results for that age versus newer cars

    for the same crash the old car would be fatal, the newer car would be survivable.

    check it out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TikJC0x65X0

    living inner city with 3 GoGet hatches (like 2017 Yaris) within 180m in 3 different directions, and driving an average of once a week, I'm seriously thinking about dumping my old car next rego expiry to use GoGet instead - except I've been screwed big time by Avis in Germany and spent 3 months of tear-my-hair-out stress and 20 emails chasing my refund of $1500 fraudulent charged for fake damage by the dodgy return guy who conveniently wasn't there to check and sign off on my return to Frankfurt Train Station branch - I threatened to post bad reviews on every European Avis website and suggested their resultant loss of business might exceed $1500 - they ponied up my refund {bastards}

    so yeah - my suggestion would be - expect a write-off and look for airbags - but if possible, can they simply live closer to necessary places and use public transport to avoid ongoing ownership expenses and hassles ? I thought youngies just took Uber. Today in traffic we saw we were behind rego plate '02-UBER' and we went wow - who's number 01 ?

  • nikey2k27 on 07/01/2022 - 20:48
    +1

    men met there part

  • Matt P on 07/01/2022 - 22:02
    +1

    Another vote for a 8-10 year old Kia Rio/Honda Jazz/Mazda 2/3/i30. Japanese or Korean only, avoid Holden Cruze. Safety wise they've got most of the kit he needs, just tell him to put his bloody phone down. All they're missing is the "active" safety - AEB/Lane keep etc..

    Drive it for 2 years, let him scratch and ding it, sell it for most of what he paid then upgrade to something newer.

    My first car was a 20 year old station wagon, drove it for 18 months, learned some lessons then bought a 3 year old economy hatch and drove it into the ground over the next 7 years.

  • TransportPosters on 07/01/2022 - 22:05
    -1

    I know it's tempting to put your kid in a new car with all the latest mandatory safety tech but I wonder how that would nurture a new driver on today's roads. It may result in overconfidence which result in increased risk-taking and complacency.

    I mean, we recently saw that person on OzBargain who considered the blind spot indicator to be a replacement for headchecks. People are growing up today thinking they need to do less on more congested roads with more distracted drivers.

    I'd go for a small used hatch like a Yaris or similar so they can properly learn how not to bump and scratch it and they can move onto something nicer when they have more experience.

    • p1 ama on 08/01/2022 - 13:14
      +1

      I know it's tempting to put your kid in a new car with all the latest mandatory safety tech

      Typical attitude of "paying your way out of trouble" IMO - take the money you're spending on all the optional gimmick safety features and spend probably less than 1/2 that amount on a weekend defensive driving course that will actually teach you good skills, make you a better driver, and more importantly, actually make you safer.

      Safety standards for cars have risen drastically, so much so that purchasing a car purely for "safety" doesn't really make much sense to me. If you're going to get into a lethal collision in a Hyundai i30, it's not like you're going to magically be protected in a Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3 or whatever your favourite car is. Yes, that banger from 1995 won't be as safe as a modern car, but choosing a new car X over Y in the same class for safety is about as dumb as choosing Qantas over Virgin for safety.

  • BartholemewH on 07/01/2022 - 22:44
    +1

    Don't listen to the Covid doom and gloom, it's all about keeping your eyes open and inspecting/offering $ asap.

    It's not a hatchback, but I bought a 2012 Commodore Sportwagon for $4k with 10 months rego. Two tyres have been the only expense of note in over 6 months and they were accounted for at time of purchase. Even Redbook, which is notorious for undervaluing older cars, states it's worth between $8,800 and $10,400 at the moment.

  • Setiawan on 08/01/2022 - 04:41
    +1

    As their first car, you pretty much have to expect that it will get nicks/scratches/bumps. Not saying he's a bad driver, but statistically their first few years are bound to be when a majority of their accidents are going to occur. I say spend $5k or less for their first car, and then a nicer car a few years in when they have some more experience. Just a whole lot less heartbreak that way.

  • PixelPaul on 08/01/2022 - 08:10
    +1

    had to look for something similar. After looking around and trying them all and reading reviews and doing my research i went for the Honda Jazz.
    I still think it was the best one i went for and would recommend it. Low price, easy to maintain, runs great.

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 08/01/2022 - 08:37
    -2

    Buy 2010 -2013 Mazda 3 SP25 and its hell responsive for a car in that price.

    • Euphemistic on 08/01/2022 - 09:05
      +1

      Because a new driver in the city at night needs extra power.

  • calisto on 08/01/2022 - 09:11

    Hyundai Getz is a decent option. Cheap to run and service.

    • King Tightarse on 08/01/2022 - 09:29
      -1

      True but not a lot of sheet metal protecting the young driver's first stacks - would get something a little larger

      • factor on 09/01/2022 - 08:04

        So they can kill someone else?

        • King Tightarse on 13/01/2022 - 17:58

          No, so they dont die inside it - Getz's are tiny!

          • Euphemistic on 14/01/2022 - 06:13

            @King Tightarse: I think the point factor is trying to make is they are more likely to kill someone driving a Getz if they crash with a larger car.

  • drprox on 08/01/2022 - 11:32
    +1

    Jazz all day, grab one of the final editions to take some comfort from a warranty, but otherwise know you've got a car that can handle almost anything thrown at it and has a long history of totally trouble free motoring for hundreds of thousands of km.

  • p1 ama on 08/01/2022 - 13:10
    +1

    Cars are a personal decision, have you actually asked your son what car he wants?

    • Euphemistic on 08/01/2022 - 14:47
      +1

      What young new drivers want and what they can get are wildly different beasts.

    • pharkurnell on 08/01/2022 - 17:13
      +1

      When he replies with an R34, what then?

  • Vamsy49 on 08/01/2022 - 14:31
    +1

    Mazda 2 second hand or new is a great great car. Kia Cerato hatch or Hyundai accent or i20 or i30 are nice options too. Carsales.com.au is a good place for used cars.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 08/01/2022 - 15:22
    +1

    if it was my child driving at night the number 1 thing i would look at is safety, 2 is price number, 3 fuel economy and cost of parts/servicing, warranty and brand reliability

    without any reach something like a rio/i20 etc

    • pharkurnell on 09/01/2022 - 11:08
      +1

      Thats true, but everyone has a budget…

  • Mysterious Laptop on 09/01/2022 - 10:27
    +1

    Definitely go new if you can, saves the hassle if anything goes wrong. Seen a few picantos, so that's the best option of your list.

  • Daabido on 09/01/2022 - 20:09
    +1

    I'm very glad the Liberals backflipped on allowing us to import used Japanese and English cars, which was supposed to happen when the local manufacturing shut down and took our money with them. Keep that in mind come election time if you've just had to overpay for a car. Car makers now know they can make more money by selling less cars, so expect used cars to stay expensive.

    • tonyjzx on 10/01/2022 - 18:04
      +1

      govt is looking after dealers and official importers by not allowing ex JDM HK or UK imports

  • CocaKoala on 09/01/2022 - 20:27
    +1

    A new Kia picanto or Rio will be good. They come with reasonable safety features including autonomous emergency braking. I think you might want to consider that before buying an old bomb of a car. Besides that, new cars have never been better value for money considering the current prices for used cars.

  • mrhanky71 on 10/01/2022 - 08:17

    spend around $5k and get a toyota corolla or a honda civic

  • Brick Tamland on 10/01/2022 - 08:30
    +1

    Just buy a cheap Mitsubishi Lancer. There should be heaps of them on still kicking around. They are a great reliable no-frills motoring option.

    Also what does your son\daughter want? A brand new micro-economy car might not be the style they want… I remember the coolest guy at my uni was rolling in a vintage Chrysler.

  • oadvdotcom on 10/01/2022 - 09:22
    +1

    Toyota Tarago is the best :D

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