I'm in the market for a used car.
I have a budget of 15k and would like to get a hatch or coupe. The dream is a 150k or less mileage hot hatch (considering Kia Pro'ceed or Hyundai Veloster) that is not older than 2015 and reliable. I've been all over the interwebs researching reviews, checking prices.
Am I aiming too high? Should I just settle for an entry level base model? Any suggestions are welcome.
Forgot to mention - located in Perth. TIA
Reliable is not in vocabulary of a Renault unless you get lucky. This is coming from a guy who had an RS, and friends who have had and still have some. Great car, but problematic and expensive. I'd suggest to avoid unless you have money to spend OP.
Had a mate years ago who had an RS and it developed an engine crack or something. They refused to accept it was a manufacturing defect. He eventually got them to pay for it but it left a sour taste in his mouth and he never went back to the brand.
I had considered Renault but I heard they are not the most reliable and parts are going to be costly.
Stay out of anything European.
OP should simply go to Gumtree Cars and plug in their required used car information.
They will see cars for sale that meet thier criteria.
What car you choose is up to you.
Its a personal choice - not an OB choice.
We wont be driving the car and paying for the maintenance, servicing and insurnace costs. You will !
You know what you need the car to do - ferry kids around or just yourself, carry goods or sporting equipment, impress friends and family, drive around like a maniac, long country trips…its all up to you.
You can read car reviews online as well that may be helpful.
Just look for a car as follows:
Good condition and presents well, low kilometres, service history, preferably one owner, accident free etc
Then pick the best one that meets your budget
Too easy OP!
I'd also consider a Mazda 3 sp25 - they may not hot per'se, but at least warm given the power to weight. Given they have the 2.5L Mazda 6 engine, they're quite reliable.
A few in your range - most are a little higher though.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?q=(And.(C.Make.Mazda..(C.Model.3..(Or.Badge.SP23..Badge.SP25..Badge.SP25%20Astina..Badge.SP25%20GT.))).BodyStyle.Hatch..State.Western%20Australia..Year.range(2014..).)&sort=~Price
Golf GTi
Euro = expensive
budget of 15k
hot hatch
Not happening.
The dream is a 150k or less mileage hot hatch (considering kia pro'ceed or Hyundai veloster)
Neither of those are hot hatches mate.
As someone else mentioned, a Mazda 3 sp25 in manual is a hoot to drive. I sold one 5 years ago for $13k so I assume they are cheaper now.
Generally people who have low budgets and want "performance" end up getting a car that costs them thousands to maintain a year, so i'd be adjusting either your budget or your expectations to be honest. I see plenty of ~20 year olds in BMWs and you just know they are costing more than they paid to keep them on the road.
Also if you're looking at cars with 150k miles and are performance oriented, you are up for potentially a lot to maintain it given how they get driven.
I was considering a second hand i30 N recently but then I realised everytime I see one of them on the road they are getting absolutely FLOGGED, so you can imagine they won't last long.
Well, i would not suggest Mazda 3 sp25 MT, it has dual mass flywheel and thats very expensive. So, your clutch replacement could be $5k out of pocket.
That's why you do a pre purchase inspection on the vehicle to see if stuff like that is worrying.
Generally speaking Mazdas are pretty cheap to work on because there's so many of them. I'd be surprised if it's $5k to do that but given prices now, wouldn't be that surprising..
Thanks for the feedback, I know they aren't the quintessential hot hatches as such but they have a little fun in them and that's why I have them on the list for consideration
Generally people who have low budgets and want "performance" end up getting a car that costs them thousands to maintain a year
Yeah, this is correct. Speaks volumes to "younger me".
WRX
A few Ford Fiesta ST WZ around in your price range. Avoid that black 98.5K one with all the mods, it will be too expensive to insure.
Agree. Awesome car.
$98.5k or 98500kms?
km of course
Was going to say that's a lot in mods 😉
Edit. Just checked it out. Actually good value with those mods.
@sumyungguy: Thank you for the advice. I don't have a preference, I've always driven manual so not unfamiliar territory
If you want reliable get a used 2012+ corolla. Save some more money if you want a hot hatch and get something with less KMs.
150km+ hot hatch is going to be flogged. If you do get that, make sure you have more money for maintenance if anything goes wrong. I was in similar position to you some years back, ended up getting a renault which had heaps of issues and cost me a lot. In hindsight I would have saved more money before buying something.
I ended up selling the renault and getting a Toyota 86, I was lucky and found one with 15,000km for $18k. That has been super reliable, however maybe not the most practical car.
I realise I'm grasping at straws with that budget and hence wanted to get some opinions. I just didn't want to settle for vanilla entry level hehehe
get the corolla and a fast motorbike
I own a 2017 Megane GT that I use for commuting and is fitted with a tow hitch for the eMTB.
Around 150KW. More of a warm hatch then a hot hatch. But its an excellent car. Comfortable, yet performs great on the twisties. Gearbox is much better then my previous 2015 Clio RS. And you should be able to find one in your price/mileage range. Interior is far nicer then the Hyundai and Kia too.
A great all rounder. Very underrated I think.
Sometimes reliable, cheap and hot hatch don't really go together.
In saying that… 2015 onwards Holden Astra VXR can be had in that price range and are a proper hot hatch rather than warm hatch like the Pro-ceed and SP25. I'd probably lean towards warm hatch in that price range though. Such as the SP25
The more recent Astra RS and RSV are also warm options within reach for the budget.
Aren't they over 200KW?
147kw from 1.6l turbo.
Option 1:
Camry and weld the rear doors shut
Option 2:
An actual Camry Coupe:
https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/the-toyota-camry-coupe-wa…
Proceed by all accounts is meant to be fantastic. Otherwise Fiesta ST's are great fun. What about an Mx-5? Probably one of the best steers I've ever experienced.
hot hatch (considering kia pro'ceed or Hyundai veloster) that is not older than 2015 and reliable.
I've been all over the interwebs researching reviews, checking prices.
I don’t think you are researching deep enough if a Veloster is still on your list.
Alternative view, get an average hatch and throw some decent suspension and tyres at it. Its fun to drive a good handling car even with a bit less power.
Good idea, thanks 👍
Swift Sport.
From the reviews I've seen, it's a brilliant little car
Toyota Blade Master. 200 killer wasps. Cheap and reliable hot hatch.
No idea That existed. Just spent about 20 minutes reading this which is hilarious, especially if you have been to through those places
https://www.ironchefimports.com/2022/03/13/not-suitable-for-…
Yeah, came across the Blademaster G totally by accident checking out Redriven on YouTube. Never heard about it before, seems like a good one
It’s a pretty decent package in theory. Generally bulletproof engine and transmission. I’d want to know how it goes with driveshafts but you main bits are decent
The Pro’ceed GT is a fun car. Not fast but it’s actually a surprisingly fun runabout car. I drove one last year and loved it! Have a look on redriven as there’s a review there for it
I had a 1972 Superbug with the twinport 1600. It had a webber carb and extractors and was reasonably quick for the time (the speedometer didn't have enough numbers on it).
Quite possibly one of the funnest cars I've ever owned.
Might be able to get a 2015 or so Suzuki Swift Sport in that price range. Not a 'hot hatch' but every review that I've ever seen (for new and used) has praised it for being an extremely fun car to throw around town. Dead reliable and much more economical than any hot hatch.
What about a lexus IS around 2010 or so, well not a hot hatch but rwd and reliable.
Get the 350 for the more reliable and powerful engine.
Neither of those are hot hatches
Consider a Megane RS?