Looking for Car Advice - Used or New - Budget $20k- $35k

Lpluggle on 17/08/2024 - 20:09
Last edited 18/08/2024 - 18:22 by 1 other user

I was looking at the MG ZS EV Excite MY23 - from $34,990 ($28,990 after rebates) but was told that EV cars changing too much lately, and MG has reliability issues.

I went to the used car dealership and everything within the $20k price range seems to have very high mileage (~150k-200k). For a Toyota Corolla 22 with 60k KMs, it was $30k and new (24) would be $36k. I'm planning to take it for a test drive. At that price range, I checked the forum, and it seemed that people preferred the Corolla over the Kia Cerato/Hyundai i30.

Ideally, I'd like to spend towards the lower bound, but it seems that the inflated used car market makes buying new more appealing. Do you have any recommendations on used cars/cars within that price range above?

Automotive

Comments

  • ram4ram on 17/08/2024 - 20:35

    Just stay away from MG cars especially the ICE ones, ive heard far too many bad stories about it.

    Corollas / toyotas have a reputation of being indestructible… though it's a stereotype coming coming a time when cars used to break down very easily like in the 70s and 80s, far from modern car reliability standards.

    Corolla. i30. Cerato. Any are fine IMO. Add in the Civic and even an Impreza (though that's a different ballgame with AWD). Oh, the Mazda 3 too, also in the same class.

    Have you considered the Suzuki Kizash? Probably will be even cheaper as they aren't as common, and they have a luxurious feel to them with soft touch areas. When it was sold, it was classed as "mid sized" like a Camry, but it is too small for that, and was bigger than the "small cars" like the corolla / i30.

    Stay away from Ford Focus with DCTs / Automatic transmissions. There was an Aussie (and global) lawsuit against Ford for their reliability issues related to their "powershift" (or "powershit") DCT transmission.

    Disclaimer, I'm talking from a time based on research when I was looking for a car for myself, 3 years ago. I got the Suzuki, and i love it, looks so nice and drives very nicely.

    • pluggle on 17/08/2024 - 20:43

      I haven't considered the Suzuki Kizash. I did have a Mazda 3 Maxx 2009 previously and I had issues with the dashboard melting in QLD weather and the paint fading on the front bonnet. I'm not sure if people are having those issues with the newer models.

      I'll need to do a bit more research.

      • ram4ram on 17/08/2024 - 22:48
        -1

        The bonnet melting is insane - your next car could use a window shade?

        Also the fading paint is unfortunate but common in all cars, espexially older ones that haven't been looked after well IMO. I'm lucky that mine hasn't faded but i take "good care" of the exterior IMO - regular hand washing and applying wax. It's parked outside all the time. Maybe something to consider for your next car if you don't do that already.

        • Ade99 on 18/08/2024 - 08:07

          When water based car paints were first introduced there were lots of fading problems, especially in high UV countries like Oz.

          • boomramada on 18/08/2024 - 14:04

            @Ade99: Im not sure that's a valid reason, my 15y old car still nice and shiny compared to similar vintage cars. Good regular car wash matters and use of window shade.

    • SBOB on 17/08/2024 - 20:51
      -1

      Have you considered the Suzuki Kizash? P

      they are looking for a car in the 20-35k range and considering new, and you suggest a Suzuki Kizash. An 8-10+ year old used car that sells for like $15k max on a good day (if you can find one, likely single digit ones for sale in whatever area you happen to be in, probably in the 80+k km range)

      thats an impressive 'recommendation'

      • ram4ram on 17/08/2024 - 22:43
        +1

        You're welcome, and your recommendation is an MG for the warranty, which is infamous in Australia unless you've got blinders on.

        OP is looking for "lower", so I gave recommendations that would still be good today. Regardless I wasn't talking to you, unbelievable we have MG fanboys.

        • brendanm on 18/08/2024 - 18:24
          +2

          He made a valid point, not sure how that makes anyone an MG fan boy. The car is also called "kizashi" not "kizash", and lord knows why anyone would buy an old, unloved even when new, weird Suzuki sedan.

    • Sinnerator on 18/08/2024 - 08:48
      +1

      you mention the lawsuit against the ford dct, what about hyundai and Kia and their engine problems

  • SBOB on 17/08/2024 - 20:38

    but was told that EV cars changing too much lately and MG has reliability issues.

    With a 10 year warranty, if an EV suits your use of the vehicle, I think you'd be want to consider how 'educated' that advice maybe before passing on the MG if you can get it for $29k

    • pluggle on 17/08/2024 - 21:11

      You may be right with that one. I was reading comments on the previous threads and it looks like some people are sceptical of what the 10 year warranty will cover and how hard it would be to claim. I'll keep my eyes peel with the EV if the price is right though. I think it'll suit me 95% of the time as a daily driver and then I may need to rent if I decide to go a bit more distant.

      • Euphemistic on 17/08/2024 - 21:59

        Be aware there is a lot of anti-ev garbage out there. Much of it focuses on how 'all evs are scrap at 10 years old becasue the battery costs more than a new car'. At best, thats an exaggeration, at worst its downright deceitful.

        10 year warranty implies they are confident itll run pver ten years. Batteries last a lot longer thanna lot of people think. Survey of around 25000 EV pwners found something like q% had needed a new battery within the battery warranty period.

        • coffeeinmyveins on 17/08/2024 - 22:44

          10 year warranty implies they are confident itll run pver ten years.

          No. 10 year warranty is to make you forget how bad these cars are made and think that it's an invincibility cloak that solves all issues they may have

          • Bruceflix on 18/08/2024 - 14:16

            @coffeeinmyveins: 10 year warranty in conjunction with Australia's robust consumer laws is a win for car buyers. Can't see how this could end badly.

            • JIMB0 on 18/08/2024 - 18:39

              @Bruceflix: I'd rather have a car that works than one that is always being fixed for free.

        • 82norm on 18/08/2024 - 08:08
          -2

          Good luck selling an EV after 10years. Tell me how that will go.

          • Euphemistic on 18/08/2024 - 08:27

            @82norm: We dont really know yet, but my guess is there will be a decent market for those wanting a cheap commuter car. If you dont need to travel interstate and stick to a city commute, an older EV will be cheap to buy and cheaper to run. There will be demand.

            Right now there isnt a lot of demand for used EVs because they arent 2nd hand camry cheap and buyers are preferring to spend more and buy new instead.

            If I could buy a $10k EV with 100-150k of range now it'd be great as a runabout.

            The market will change when theres more EVs

        • Ade99 on 18/08/2024 - 08:09

          Just a matter of reality, EV car batteries degrade after numerous re charge cycles and then they become useless ….

          • Euphemistic on 18/08/2024 - 08:22

            @Ade99: Yes, degradation is a problem but with a decent range at the start what is being seen is that the batteries degrade initially, the seem to plateau at less than 20% degradation.

            Batteries failing at 10 years or degradation rendering them uselss is an anti EV talking point that is turning out to be false - except in the nissan leaf.

            Edit: looking for the long term battery survey data link that I thought I'd saved. Its probably linked elsewhere on this forum.

            Edit edit: https://youtu.be/DL8ot9JqS78?si=9eMtKt127JXIDxd-

          • JIMB0 on 18/08/2024 - 08:31
            +1

            @Ade99: There's plenty of hybrid Toyota's getting around that are 10+ years old on the original battery with a couple hundred thousand on the clock as well.

        • HeWhoKnows on 18/08/2024 - 13:49
          +1

          BYD is the obvious EV choice - leading world class technology
          BYD is best selling EV make in the world and price leader in Australia - basically same price as MG EV except much better!

          BYD make everything from the ground up including thier own batteries
          They are largest lithium battery manufacturer in China.

          Aparently the technology in BYD cars is amazing so worth checking out just for the experience

          See here for cheapest EVs in Australia as at August 2024
          https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/buying/the-most-…

      • Ade99 on 18/08/2024 - 08:11
        -2

        With so many Chinese firms going out of business how many will be around in 10 years to meet these warranties?

  • dylanando on 17/08/2024 - 20:41
    -1

    Unpopular opinion: Just get an EV
    Get a 2021 tesla model 3

  • localhost on 17/08/2024 - 20:47
    +1

    When car is advertised (second hand) for $30k ask for a better price. Check similar cars on carsales.

    But first make a shortlist - go to few dealerships and have a test drive. Nothing can beat personal experience.

  • boomramada on 17/08/2024 - 20:59
    +2

    Even we are in a Toyota/ EV forum, You can't go wrong with new Hyundai i30/ Kia/Mazda 3.

    And you get to experience the new car smell over Toyota.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 17/08/2024 - 22:44
    -2

    Go drive them and you'll realize how utterly boring Toyotas are. Get a Mazda 3.

  • kerfuffle on 17/08/2024 - 23:59
    +1

    If you're going to buy a 22 Corolla, make sure it's made after September; that's when the facelifted one arrived with a slightly more powerful engine and improved infotainment system

    • pluggle on 18/08/2024 - 01:08

      Thanks for this information. Is there a big difference between the 2L Petrol and 1.8L Hybrid? Seems like the dealership near me only has the Hybrids in stock.

      Also on someone else's comment, I might reconsider Mazda 3, it sounds like part of the issue I had originally was because I didn't take good care of it. It drove well for the time I had it.

      • kerfuffle on 18/08/2024 - 20:33

        Dunno why you'd want petrol (which you can't even buy new any more) when you can get the hybrid … 8.5L/100km in my old Corolla vs 4.5L/100km in my hybrid Corolla is the bee's knees. I changed my order from petrol to hybrid once they started making them in the body and trim I wanted

        • Bruceflix on 18/08/2024 - 21:34

          Yeah ok. What is the consumption in the new corolla petrol v corolla hybrid? And the price difference? Will the (slightly) better consumption pay off the difference over the warranty period 5 years? After doing the maths I think Hybrids are only for those that want people to think they are "doing something".

  • USER DC on 18/08/2024 - 02:22
    +1

    Cheapest models of cars

    MG 3 auto
    Suzuki Ignis
    Kia Picanto

    • Bargain-er on 18/08/2024 - 07:11
      +1

      Have you looked at BYD (if u want ev) ? My Chinese friend told me it's like the Toyota of China. Lots of haters tho. A friend of mine is very happy of his Sealion 6. I have a 2015 Mazda 3 sp25 and super happy with that zippy little car. If I have 30k to spend (either ev or petrol) , I may look at new CX3. $30k drive away if not wrong.

      • Ade99 on 18/08/2024 - 08:12
        -7

        A lot of BYD's have been bursting into flames….

        • Bargain-er on 18/08/2024 - 08:20
          +1

          Link? Or just random hate?

      • pluggle on 18/08/2024 - 10:11
        +1

        One of my friends has a BYD Atto 3 and really likes it. But they're probably out of my price range, and with my current sentiment I wouldn't want to be buying EV 2nd hand.

        I'll have a look at the CX3 too, thanks for the recommendation.

        • Euphemistic on 18/08/2024 - 10:50
          +1

          my current sentiment I wouldn't want to be buying EV 2nd hand.

          If youre buying 1-3yo the reasons not to are mostly not rational.

  • Wiadro on 18/08/2024 - 08:03
    -1

    Don’t do it

  • 82norm on 18/08/2024 - 08:10
    -1

    You’d have to me mad to spend $30k on a 2nd car, when you can get a new one a few extra grand.

  • Lastchancetosee on 18/08/2024 - 08:35

    In the process of leasing a Nissan Leaf, and the price is very competitive: $35k. Five year warranty on car and ten on the battery. It's capable of bidirectional charging, but the company which produces the Wallbox is bringing out their next model in 22-18 months, so have to wait to link it to my solar system.

    • pegaxs on 18/08/2024 - 22:33

      Doesn’t the Leaf still use that gawd awful CHAdeMO charging plug for DC? With hardly any new DC chargers supporting this shit standard, if the Leaf has this on it, I would avoid a Leaf based on this alone.

      I know the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has CHAdeMO, even though it also supports Type 2. Why (fropanity) around with two entirely different ports when you already have 80% of CCS2 already in the car?

  • tabitha731 on 18/08/2024 - 09:01

    Kia and Hyundai EV’s are pretty clunky.. I test drove them and the Toyota… i ultimately went with the Corolla hybrid… I asked friends of their experience with the Kia and Hyundai.. most have said they regret buying it, and wished they had test driven more options before deciding

  • IndigoHarlequin on 18/08/2024 - 09:09

    Consider a brand new Haval. Mine hasn't missed a beat, with a 7 year warranty.

  • valuer on 18/08/2024 - 10:17

    Perhaps, in the long run, it would be better to spend the money on a car made by an ally. Buy a KIA.

  • ColtNoir on 18/08/2024 - 10:47

    You’ll need an older used car to find one that doesn’t have high km. For example myself, I have a 2019 Mazda cx-5 with 60k on it and I’ll likely sell within the next year or two. Currently worth around $25-27k.

    It’s unlikely anyone selling a car within 2 years is only going to have 30k km and sell for a big discount.

  • Legoncy on 18/08/2024 - 20:53

    Pretty sure the new i30 sedan hybrid is around 35k if that's of interest to you.

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