I drive a Toyota Echo 2000 from last 5 years or so. Quite happy with it but now I want to upgrade it.
I need:
Automatic
Hatchback so I can transport things like planks from Bunnings etc in it. My current car does not have much room in it and the boot space is not connected to the main 'dome'.
At least 2 airbags in front.
Budget is max 10K (Cash)
How are Hyundai/KIA etc? What are the bad years in it? I don't need a powerful car.
Is 12K OK?
just go to carsales, put your max as $10k, and see what is on offer
eg; https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-holden-commodo…
In 2022, most people shouldn't be aiming for "much of a car".
Unless you're well-off, and/or a petrolhead who lives for cars, make do with something that won't cost too much in servicing/repairs, won't guzzle too much fuel, and will last you until the chip shortage is well and truly over, and cars go back to more normal prices. (Hopefully in less than 3 years).
Bonus if you can last until enough electric cars are getting into the country to meet demand, resulting in loads more second-hand petrol cars available.
My wife is pregnant now. I need a car.
Most people don't but I do.
Despite the comment above $10k will get you $10k worth of car, which is probably $6-8k worth of car 2 years ago. Stepping up $2k to $12k won’t make a significant difference IMO. If $10k was my budget I’d stick to it, perhaps unless it means sneaking into a newer model (shape)
Hyundai and Kia are close enough in reliability these days, just pick a popular model you see plenty of on the roads.
Mitsubishi Lancer is often recommended on this forum. Would be worth checking out.
corolla, mazda 3, cerato etc all the midsize hatchbacks
anything japanese or korean will be fine. At that price range, deciding based on make and model is the wrong way to go about it. Pick a bunch of different makes and models (ie japanese, Korean, hatchback) and then pick the best individual car that you can find. No point buying a crappy corolla when you could buy a better quality i30. Indeed, the non toyota cars are almost certainly a better choice, because they are as good as a Toyota but without the premium
That said, dont go much earlier than around 2010ish for the Koreans. Japanese are fine from whenever.
Mitsubishi makes basic but pretty bullet proof cars. Unloved cos they are, well, way behind the times tech wise. But good value as a result. Lancer for example
You need to do research on brand years some have more faults
That’s when you do the reverse searching. Find something you think you like, then search for problems with that particular model. The general rule of thumb anything Japanese or Korean - and popular - still stands.
Its pretty uncommon though with this class and the principal still stands - the state of the specific car is more important than the model or brand. Of course if there is a particular issue then keep an eye out for it, but dont discard a well looked after car because some of them had electrical faults or whatever.
And also don’t forget that searching for issues with a car will show - wait for it - issues. And just because you find issues, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is common. People go online to find solutions to problems. They don’t go online to say ‘everything is fine’. So called common faults on the internet could be Fewer than 1 in 100,000
Save the money and just hire a vehicle. A lot of Bunnings have ute and van hire.
bad time to buy a car but i doubt it's getting better lol!
bump up your budget a little and try a jazzy jazz decent little cars :)
Neighbour has one. Solid
I'd keep your echo. Cheapest car you can run. I'd invest the $10k as the markets are coming down.
I will try to keep it as long as I can.
Hatchback so I can transport things like planks from Bunnings etc in it. My current car does not have much room in it and the boot space is not connected to the main 'dome'.
If you are looking for space to carry larger items, consider a liftback (eg. late model mazda6/skoda octavia) instead of the hatch - more room. Wagon would be bigger still, of course
The alternatives to look at include walking, cycling and catching the bus.
Have you tried moving planks of wood while walking, cycling and catching the bus? Or catching the bus past 10 p.m. in suburbia?
I often pick up planks of wood, roofing sheets and other building materials and cycle across town. Much easier than fitting them in the car.
If moving the fridge or couch the train is the go.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2017/jul/12…
2009-2012 Hyundai i30 wagon would be a good option for what you’ve described. I had one and it was reliable, spacious and comfortable.
I too have thought about this one. The i10 and i20 models have done very well in India.
If you want to carry planks of wood, just buy whatever car you like and get roof racks.
It is not just planks of wood. A hatchback can carry way more than my current car.
Check out Suzuki's. Great little cars to drive. Plenty of swifts in your price range.
Thanks!
$10k max ain't going to get you much of a car anymore