Ok so I know nothing about cars.
I'm looking to spend a MAXIMUM of $15,000 hopefully less so far I've found a couple of Camrys 2013/2014 as my best options.
I've always had Toyota Camrys in the past and they seem to age well but I'm open to suggestions for the best family car with the highest safety rating/is economical everything else I'm not fussed about. Can you please share some ideas.
Thanks in advance
2013 will be 10 years ago next year.
Surely not. Wasn’t turn of the century only ten years ago?
The unrelenting march of time is cruel indeed.
Hey, remember that time when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift that one time at that awards show?
There are people today old enough to drive that would answer that question with "lol no, I was in kindergarten you boomer."
Yes, get a Camry. Models from 10 years ago were great cars, Aussie made, built super tough, easy to maintain and reliable.
If you want a reliable and economical car, have a look at what fleets use. Unlike individuals who care about brand names and have to impress their 4th cousin who they see once every 7 years, fleets / taxis / Ubers just care about the economics of the car. They need reliability and cost efficiency. Most of the fleets I see use Camrys, carparks of government departments are filled with Camrys, call and Uber and 50/50 chance you get a Camry.
They're good all-rounders, you can definitely find cars that are more economical, have better interiors, have better XYZ features, but the Camry is by far the "jack of all trades" car IMO.
FWIW, I've driven Camrys my entire life, my first car was a Camry and it was such a great car that I've continued to buy Camrys ever since. I've owned other "fun" cars as a second car, but my family car has always been the Camry.
Someone nominate this man for the ozbargain lifetime achievement award.
You want a car that will just last five or six years. By then ev cars will be as cheaper to buy. Easier to run. And better for the environment.
Hopefully they fix the whole 'Car gets hit slightly and is a write off' like most teslas are.
Honda Jazz
Kia Cerato or Hyundai i30.
Can get a new model with less than a Camry for the money
A new Kia Cerato or Hyundai i30 for $15K? Do tell.
Mistake, meant to say newer with less kays
Yep, Kia Cerato or Hyundai i30 are good suggestions too. After owning several Toyota's over the years we bought a Hyundia Elantra, (since rebranded as the i30 sedan) in 2016. It's been a good car.
Thanks am I better off with say a 2013/2014 with approx 80k or a 2015 with 100k?
Depends on servicing history
All other things being equal (condition, servicing history, price relative to similar examples) I personally would have a slight preference for a 2015 as a 20k difference isn't significantly more km.
20,000km is stuff all, unless the 100000km model needs a timing belt or similar. If it’s had it’s najor service at 100000km then doesn’t really matter which. Which is your favourite colour?
I didn't think about the timing belt :( I'm looking at a 2014 aurion at x 86k always been serviced no problems for $15500 it's white
I think these cars have timing chains which should last forever (if engine maintained properly)
Also if I'm putting deposit to reserve it what's the safest way of doing that
Ok so I know nothing about cars.
I've always had Toyota Camrys
Just stick to what you DO know.
I've always had Toyota Camrys in the past
Well, you've definitely come to the right forum! Toyota is the car god here!
Thoughts on a 2014 aurion at x 86k always been serviced no problems for $15500 ?
The value lines up close to the redbook value. Aurions are usually pretty good cars but note that most are (or at least used to be) V6 engines so would naturally use more fuel than a 4 cyl car like a Camry.
All Aurion's were/are V6's. They were essentially the V6 Camry in other markets, but Toyota wanted to market a new model against the Commodore/Falcon locally. For $15k, if you're looking for a safe and reliable family car you could do a lot worse than an Aurion/Camry just remeber the Aurion will drink more fuel, but also much smoother and torquier. In terms of safety they're essentially identical, but miss out on a lot of modern 'Active Safety' like Blind-Spot, Collision alerts etc. Space is also basically the same in the boot and interior.
If youre not too fussed by all of that, then i'd be making sure its service history is up to date and that there's no obvious leaks/damage and you'll be set for 100,000's of kays. Toyotas of that era are almost impossible to kill unless you're really not taking care of the car.
I've always had VW Golf for more than 20 years.
I have never ever opened its bonet except for regular oil/filter services once or twice a year that all I do myself.
You cannot see a broken down VW pulled over roadside.
If you believe in science then a VW would be a top contender in this price bracket.
Camry so you get closer to ozbargainer full set bonus - they also have no business being such a dependable and all rounder type car for the $$$.