Help Me Decide a Car Purchase - Budget $25,000

ShazOz on 05/02/2023 - 21:42
Last edited 06/02/2023 - 12:19 by 1 other user

My partner is looking to purchase a new car and he intends to do Uber driving to earn some additional income over the weekend. We currently own 7 seater SUV which is petrol drinker and require ongoing repairs so want to get rid of it.

We have 3 kids (eldest is 10 years old) and one kid is still using booster seater for next 3 years. We did test driving of Kia Picanto and Kia Rio and here is our experience.

Picanto GT Line $21.900 drive away - The drive is smooth, interior/exterior looks great, leather seats, forward collision warning but we feel the 2nd row seat is congested for kids.

Rio (based model) $24.000 drive away - The car is spacious from 2nd seat row perspective, but the drive is noisy and also didn't like the acceleration.

Our budget is max $25,000. We are keen to buy brand new car so we can have full warranty and also can claim GST and other tax benefit for using car for Uber Eats.

Will appreciate the help of community here to make a decision.

Poll Options

  • 6
    Kia Picanto GT Line
  • 14
    Kia Rio Base Model
  • 11
    Other - Comment
Automotive Car

Comments

  • Bafranz on 05/02/2023 - 21:43

    Rio over the Picanto

    • ShazOz on 05/02/2023 - 21:43

      Why is that?

      • Bafranz on 05/02/2023 - 21:46
        +2

        Used a picanto as a hire car while getting a base cerato serviced… much prefer the extra space, I went the cerato for the 2.0 litre engine (kia for 7 yr warranty)

  • apsilon on 05/02/2023 - 21:51
    +1

    Interesting that you think the Picanto back seat is too small for kids, I have one as my grocery getter and adults have commented every time that there's a surprising amount of room. Despite that, couldn't recommend it for uber, even if the rear seat is large enough the boot really isn't if you picked up anyone wanting to carry something so out of those 2 I'd have to say Rio.

    • donga100 on 05/02/2023 - 23:13

      They are using for Uber Eats though.

      • apsilon on 06/02/2023 - 06:30

        Missed that but I'd still say Rio. It's going to end up stinking and there's bound to be spills so as cheap as possible IMO. Why you'd be buying a brand new car for it I don't know.

        • ShazOz on 06/02/2023 - 08:13

          Car to be used for standard Uber drive, not for Uber Eats.

  • MS Paint on 05/02/2023 - 21:58

    leather seats

    If that's what you want to believe

    • ShazOz on 05/02/2023 - 22:07

      We are not fussed about it and ok with the standard seats.

      • MS Paint on 05/02/2023 - 22:09
        +1

        With 3 young kids though, plastic seats are much easier to maintain than fabric.

  • kerfuffle on 05/02/2023 - 22:09

    Cerato. Will be roomier for both your kids and your rideshare passengers. Past your budget though.

    • pao2x on 05/02/2023 - 22:56
      +1

      I don't think Uber allows light and micro cars for passengers, I don't know about other companies though

      • donga100 on 05/02/2023 - 23:13

        Uber Eats

        • kerfuffle on 05/02/2023 - 23:17

          I'd still get a Cerato though.

          • holdenmg on 06/02/2023 - 09:43

            @kerfuffle: Maybe get a Cerato and drive for Uber to pay for it…

  • pegaxs on 05/02/2023 - 23:34
    +1

    Pfffft… get the full GT Picanto. If only it came in a 2 door, I would own a 2 door GT Picanto tomorrow.

  • Some Human on 06/02/2023 - 00:49
    +3

    Camry, duh.

  • Adredocto on 06/02/2023 - 04:20
    +1

    Picanto is very small on the inside. And my last car was a nissan micra! Three kids in back will be sitting on top of each other.
    I ended up getting cerato sport. The extra room and all the mod cons made it great value. $26k but this was late 2021

  • Euphemistic on 06/02/2023 - 05:55

    Uber for passengers or just eats? If passengers you’ll want to get something decent sized.

    Will this be your only car? What about luggage, groceries etc? If you have another larger car, get the smallest you can fit into. If you don’t, you’ll probably want more spac. Groceries for a family of five take up plenty of space, especially if the kids come shopping with you.

  • Hardlyworkin on 06/02/2023 - 07:38

    Took delivery of a new Rio Sport recently. Ordered last year, price was about 24k at that time. It looks much nicer than the base model which is extremely bland. There are a few other features which made it worthwhile I thought.
    So far so good, certainly not the most powerful car though trade off was fuel usage and room for passengers.

    • ShazOz on 06/02/2023 - 08:17

      How is the road noise?

      • Hardlyworkin on 06/02/2023 - 12:44

        I don't notice it though I don't normally drive a quiet car to compare it too

  • Sinnerator on 06/02/2023 - 08:39
    +1

    Just be aware that Korean Kia and Hyundai cars are not Jap cars, their quality is not there.
    Also, they had massive problems with Theta 2 and Nu engines in millions of cars and they absolutely tried to screw the owners on warranty. It took government recalls and class action lawsuits in multiple countries to force them to fix their problems.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 06/02/2023 - 10:45

      Also, they had massive problems with Theta 2 and Nu engines in millions of cars and they absolutely tried to screw the owners on warranty. It took government recalls and class action lawsuits in multiple countries to force them to fix their problems.

      How's that any different to what happened with VW or any euro car?

    • Euphemistic on 06/02/2023 - 11:24
      +1

      Just be aware that Korean Kia and Hyundai cars are not Jap cars, their quality is not there.

      Maybe not, but for most people it’s close enough and the warranty is pretty long.

      It’s not like Toyota has never had a recall

      • kerfuffle on 06/02/2023 - 11:29
        +1

        As someone who picked up a brand new Corolla last week, Korean cars have really come a long way. I picked the Corolla because it's hybrid and has a sunroof, but I'd have happily gotten an i30 N-Line Premium as well if there was one available immediately in the colour I wanted.

  • Nugs on 06/02/2023 - 09:15
    +1

    don't need a big flash fancy car
    https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+chats+6ltr+gtr&view…
    .

  • highon2str on 06/02/2023 - 09:32

    Between the two I'd go the Rio just for the additional space.

    Out of curiosity, what is the hourly rate for an uber driver?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 06/02/2023 - 10:45
      -1

      Out of curiosity, what is the hourly rate for an uber driver?

      Something in the negatives after you calculate everything.

  • smoothymcmellow on 06/02/2023 - 10:37

    I had a similar budget a year or so ago and looked at every option in the price range.

    I ended up going with a Skoda Scala (I believe it may have gone up now above 30k but I paid $27k), feels so much more refined to drive, better interior and entertainment system. They have improved the warranty and offer fixed price servicing which is cheaper than Kia, so worth a look if they have something that suits.

  • Indomietable on 06/02/2023 - 19:19

    new car so we can have full warranty and also can claim GST and other tax benefit for using car for Uber Eats.

    Not an accountant here but why can't you do the same for 2nd hand car?

    If you include depreciation, would you be better off getting 2/3 yr old car that is still under warranty?

    • ShazOz on 08/02/2023 - 07:05

      2/3 year old cars are still being sold at premium price.

  • samfisher5986 on 08/02/2023 - 13:23

    I'm in the exact same situation and thinking about getting the Rio.

    What I'm curious about is if the upcoming $44000 MG electric would be better value over 10 years.

  • kerfuffle on 09/02/2023 - 16:56

    You might want to get that Rio ASAP; it's been axed.

    I'd still get a Cerato

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