MG4 EVs Is This The Revolution We Have Been Waiting for?

Trying2SaveABuck on 20/09/2024 - 19:29

Australia has a new most affordable electric car. The base-model MG 4 has been slashed to $30,990 drive-away …

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2024-mg-4-price-slashed-septem…

This is cheaper then a base model Toyota Corrolla which at time of posting is $36,443

https://www.toyota.com.au/corolla/hatch/prices

The biggest issue i had with EVs was the initial cost but it seems to have hit a point where it is price competitive with ICE vehicles so much so it feels like the tide might finally be turning in their favor in Australia

Now i know for some people these Chinese cars a 'shit boxes' and 'unrealiable' but the fact they are break new price floors every year will mean even legacy brands will need to lower prices to compete at the lower-middles ends of the market

I find it amazing how the cheapest EVs but a few years ago where over 60k its halved in a short period of time and charging and battery technology seems to be 'improving'

So my question is would you buy an EV for your next car if the costs are price competitive with ICE cars?

Poll Options

  • 374
    My Next vehicle will be an EV
  • 147
    I'd consider getting an EV next
  • 84
    I'll stick to ICE vehicles
  • 9
    im not sure
Automotive Electric Vehicle MG

Comments

      • skillet on 21/09/2024 - 18:04

        How is it difficult to buy a non Chinese EV in Australia? Financially?

        In fact we are spoilt for choice compared to many countries.

        Porsche
        BMW
        Mini
        Fiat
        Mercedes
        Audi
        Hyundai
        Nissan

        All these offer some BEV.

        • May4th on 22/09/2024 - 16:04

          not hard unless you want to make your dollar go the distance. if 10-20k is pocket change for you then paying the premium for a badge should be no issue for you

          • brendanm on 22/09/2024 - 17:39
            +1

            @May4th: Hi, you still haven't replied to me as to where I could sit in these amazing "premium Chinese" vehicles.

            • May4th on 22/09/2024 - 19:35

              @brendanm: BYD Seal and Sea Lion 6 is decent enough, go test drive them. plenty of reviews on ozb - people say build quality wise it's comparable to model 3, some people say superior - each to their own I'd say in the same league but Tesla not exactly known for their build quality or craftsmanship.

              If you want top of the line stuff you'd have to go to China or Europe and sit in a top of the range Nio/Denza/Zeekr/Yangwang (lol at name)..as with any exports into a new market the value range cheaper models would be first to get here. It'll be an eye opener for you I'm sure

              • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 07:46

                @May4th: Yes, I'll organise my trip to China/Europe right now, just so I can go sit in a shitbox Chinese ev. They still run MacPherson strut front ends, tells me all I need to know.

                • May4th on 23/09/2024 - 11:06

                  @brendanm: you asked where, and I told you. not sure why you think it's anyone's mission to convince you - I can't care less what car you sit in, it's clear you've got your mind made up on the matter and it's your loss.

                  • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 11:13

                    @May4th: You suggested it like it was something anyone could just wander down and do.

                    and it's your loss.

                    Definitely not, as the vehicles you mentioned may not even come to Australia.

                    • May4th on 23/09/2024 - 17:24

                      @brendanm: BYDs are everywhere now, have you sat in a seal or sea lion?

                      • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 17:45

                        @May4th: No, I have dealt with Chinese vehicles in the past, and have no interest in purchasing one. I don't tend to go and sit in things I have no wish to purchase.

                        • May4th on 23/09/2024 - 18:16

                          @brendanm: then perhaps you may not be the best person to comment on the new chinese EVs

                          • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 18:34

                            @May4th: I have knowledge of how Chinese cars have been built, I think that's valid. Also how they just drop out of the Australian market, 10 year warranty doesn't mean much then.

                            • May4th on 23/09/2024 - 18:49

                              @brendanm: ''have been'' Kias were also shitboxes in the 2000s

                              • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 19:27

                                @May4th: I doubt much has changed. The Koreans seem to want to actually build brands, china seems happy to (mostly) build garbage, and hope that it sells based on price alone rather than quality.

              • brendanm on 07/10/2024 - 13:38

                @May4th: Saw a sea lion the other day, panel alignment between RHF guard and RHF door was absolutely atrocious, it was extremely obvious, and I was in my car in the next lane. Pretty poor.

        • payless69 on 27/09/2024 - 13:38

          Musk haters are celebrating.

  • plmko on 20/09/2024 - 22:55
    +1

    Considering 3-4 year old MG ZS EV went from $44k to 23k with only 12,000 on the clock. You would expect these 32k MGs will hit 12-16k in the same time.

    That's a bargain.

    • Cluster on 21/09/2024 - 00:56
      +7

      There is a floor price there somewhere. I bought a new ICE car this year, but if the MG4 fell to $20k I would sell my ICE, eat the depreciation, and switch to EV. Why? Because over five years the EV would literally be free. I would save its purchase price in the difference between petrol and electricity costs.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 21/09/2024 - 08:14

      That won't happen.

      There's a minimum price and it won't be 12k

      I don't think you'll be seeing many 7 plus year old EVs like this running around anyway

      • mrdeal13 on 23/09/2024 - 10:01

        Why not?

  • pegaxs on 20/09/2024 - 23:02
    +9

    I love this… what excuses are there left now for all these numpties that always say “EV’s are gonna have to get cheaper before I would ever buy one…” and now they are cheaper, where are they going to move the goal posts to next?

    I say good. I hope China dump all their cheap EV’s here and companies like Toyota have to eat a bag of (fropanity) and end up going broke. Legacy car makers have had it too good for too long and their failure to evolve with consumer wants is going to sink a few of them.

    • shxhshzhz on 21/09/2024 - 00:33
      +6

      They've also continuously jacked up prices so much that it'll be impossible to compete just using brand loyalty and reputation unless they also reverse the price rises which is extremely unlikely

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 21/09/2024 - 07:33
        +1

        impossible to compete just using brand loyalty and reputation unless they also reverse the price rises which is extremely unlikely

        this is what will have to happen and capitalism at work

        Legacy car makers will going broke if they cannot compete and that is 'exactly' what should happen in a free market the best products succeed and the 'best' is a mix of price competitive, product quality and product design and accessability - i dont agree with Traffis or Price caps let the cream rise is how capitalism should be Trump and Harris should take note of that

        I will say this companies like Ford, Toyota,VW etc have been around for generations they have seen the rise of cheap Korean Cars and survived they will probably survive this - it wouldnt be 'hard' to set up a few factories in China/India/Mexico/Thailand etc and compete with them on price (they already have factories) the question is can a company like Toyota replicate the quality whilst competiting on price?

        I honestly believe some companies will 'go under' and some will rise but i dont think companies like Toyota or VW will fall over they will adapt - VW has already told the idiots running the country in Germany that they are doing to ass most of the 300k workforce and head O/S (this is sad for workers but a prime reason you need to look after you nations businesses)

        • Mad Max on 21/09/2024 - 10:03

          VW has already told the idiots running the country in Germany that they are doing to ass most of the 300k workforce and head O/S

          Holden and Ford told that to the idiots running THIS country years ago. And the dit it.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 21/09/2024 - 08:15
      +2

      Whilst I agree prices are getting crazy it's not a good thing if our car market is dominated by cheap Chinese junk

      • tessel on 21/09/2024 - 17:07
        +6

        Yeah coz our locally made cars are better, right? Oh… Hang on…

      • GordonD on 21/09/2024 - 17:34
        +4

        by cheap Chinese junk

        That is apparently built well enough that they can offer 10 years warranties that the builders who don't produce "junk" can't.

        It stands to reason. Who is better at building junk(s) than the Chinese?

        • fring on 21/09/2024 - 20:48
          +1

          I hope that means they will a steady supply of spare parts for a 2024 model to last 10 years.

          A friend of mine has an MG. He had a minor accident. The dealer didn't have any spare parts and had to order it in from China. It took months and he wasn't able to drive his car during that time. I think he borrowed a friend's car initially but after throwing a fit, either the dealer or the insurance company eventually agreed to a loan car.

          • coffeeinmyveins on 22/09/2024 - 20:17
            +2

            @fring: Common story but everyone laps up the "ten year warranty" as if it fixes everything when reality is it won't

        • coffeeinmyveins on 21/09/2024 - 22:53
          +2

          That is apparently built well enough that they can offer 10 years warranties that the builders who don't produce "junk" can't.

          This keeps coming up about this ten year warranty that is getting tiring talking about.

          A warranty is not an invincible shield.

        • Roman Sandstorm on 23/09/2024 - 16:17
          +2

          Who is better at building junk(s) than the Chinese?

          At least I see what you did there. 🤣

    • SlickMick on 21/09/2024 - 22:44
      +1

      Dunno about the numpties, but what I've always heard is they need to get better batteries.

      I'd rather drive any toyota than any chinese car, and can't imagine Toyota would be concerned by chinese competition.

      • drprox on 22/09/2024 - 07:43
        +3

        I can imagine Toyota are VERY concerned but more specifically because they've been left behind like the Europeans (not so much that it's largely Chinese makers).

        • SlickMick on 22/09/2024 - 09:20

          or they'll wait until the technology is there to bring out a better solution

      • derrida derider on 23/09/2024 - 13:15
        +1

        "what I've always heard is they need to get better batteries" WTF?! Have you been listening to that paid idiot Cadogan again?

        You can whinge all you like about Chinese build quality, or (like any new brand) question parts availability but Chinese batteries are not merely the cheapest - they are the BEST. It is why everyone, including all those Euros, uses them.

        A lot of people here seem to think China is still all rice paddies and sweatshops. It ain't. Love 'em or hate 'em, there are some fields where they actually lead the world in technology. Batteries is one of them.

        Toyota, BTW, like all the other Japanese firms, is terrified by Chinese competition. It is exactly why they've been spreading lots of FUD and vapourware for a decade to get people to hold off buying Chinese ("But hydrogen!. But solid state batteries! Real Soon Now! Trust us").

        • May4th on 23/09/2024 - 13:43

          yeah they clearly have no idea what they are talking about the top EV battery producers are Chinese - CATL/BYD are leaders in battery tech and supplies Tesla

        • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 09:29

          I'm not referring to quality, but range. With an ICE I can carry enough fuel to get me where I need to go. I can't do that with an EV yet.

          • May4th on 24/09/2024 - 11:29

            @SlickMick: that doesn't make sense either, they have some of the longest range batteries as well, the issue is nobody needs a range more than 5-600km and you're just adding to weight and cost beyond that for no practical use case, hence buyers don't want it.

            not sure where you need to go but you can already drive from melbourne to cairns taking the same route as you would in an ICE

            • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 14:43
              +1

              @May4th: I don't know how this thread started comparing batteries to batteries. I'm comparing batteries to fuel.
              EVs are an excellent option for city mice. Not so much for us country mice.

              How long would it take you to drive Melbourne to Cairns?
              I'm sure an EV is fine for your use case, it isn't for mine.

              • May4th on 24/09/2024 - 15:32

                @SlickMick:

                I don't know how this thread started comparing batteries to batteries

                also you

                but what I've always heard is they need to get better batteries

                • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 15:50

                  @May4th: Are you just trying to provoke me, or are you honestly having trouble understanding this?

                  For EVs to replace ICE vehicles in my use case, they would almost certainly require better battery technology: e.g. either store more energy to enable a longer range, or perhaps a swap-and-go solution (carry the battery equivalent of jerry cans when necessary / swap out at servo rather than wait for recharge).

                  I made the mistake of trying to keep an open mind and suggested that maybe there is another way to provide the necessary additional range - if the motors could consume power.

                  The mistake EV enthusiasts make is trying to force everyone into thier use case. I don't need to, ICE works just fine for me. I'll change when EVs can provide the range I need.

                  • May4th on 24/09/2024 - 16:11

                    @SlickMick: I have no interest whether you are provoked or not or what your use case is. Simply responding to your comment addressing Chinese batteries

                    • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 16:55

                      @May4th: And yet here we are. Your response was way off track, but clearly you won't agree. So let's end this conversation.

      • brendanm on 23/09/2024 - 17:07

        The batteries are the best part of them. Plenty of good Chinese manufacturers who have been making lifepo batteries for a long time, with proven track records.

        • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 09:30

          Okay, it's not the batteries, it's that the motors drain them too quick.

          • May4th on 24/09/2024 - 11:31

            @SlickMick: oh it's the energy efficiency now is it? the data on the numbers are easily available. it's on par with Tesla and market leaders

            make up your mind, is it the quality or the range or the energy efficiency? seems like you are grasping at straws and walking back like a blind man without a stick

            • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 14:48

              @May4th:

              oh it's the energy efficiency now is it?

              no

              make up your mind

              when have I ever changed my mind?
              From the start, my position is that no EV has the range I require. I made the mistake of referring to this as "the battery technology isn't there yet" which is fodder for EV fanatics thinking that if it's good for them it must be good for everybody.

              I'm not grasping at anything. I was going to say that I just have a different opinion, but it's not even that. I'm sure we agree that EVs are great for some use cases. I just don't agree that EVs make ICE vehicles redundant.

          • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 16:49

            @SlickMick: I don't understand.

            • SlickMick on 24/09/2024 - 17:07

              @brendanm: sigh Just one last post to explain it for you. @pegasus mentioned that

              numpties that always say “EV’s are gonna have to get cheaper before I would ever buy one…”

              I replied that I'd never heard that. I've only heard that battery technology isn't up to speed.

              No mention of origin of manufacturer, yet I got barranged with people "arguing" that Chinese batteries are better than anyone else's.
              The rest has been be trying to explain that I'm not arguing with them, but rather saying that battery technology isn't ready to replace ICEs in some cases.

              It got further confused when I admitted that the battery isn't the sole limiting factor, but if someone invented a motor that could power a vehicle with less power, it could theoretically be possible for existing battery technology to suffice.

              I'm going to leave the room now and pretend today never happened.

              • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 17:09

                @SlickMick: The issue is that you've gotten all.of your terms mixed up. Battery density is the issue. Motors and control systems are quite efficient.

                For a lot of people, the current available range is just fine. For others it's not. Horses for courses. I don't own an ev.

              • derrida derider on 16/10/2024 - 11:22
                +1

                @SlickMick: Electric motors are already well over 90% efficient (unlike petrol cars which can only manage around 40% max). There just aint any headroom to make them more efficient. Making them lighter also would not make a big difference because they are not a big percentage of the car's weight.

                As for your range anxiety, it is actually a much smaller issue even for country folks than you think. The bulk of charging will always be done at home (either overnight or through panels and sunshine) whether you are on or off grid. And you already have to go a long way off the beaten track to be out of range of a fast charger - be honest, how often do you do that? Sure, there are niches where ICE is still best - but they are becoming ever smaller.

                • SlickMick on 16/10/2024 - 17:42

                  @derrida derider: Thank you for the blast from the past to tell me my experience is a small issue.

                  How is my niche becoming smaller - are EV ranges improving?

    • Always 2020 on 22/09/2024 - 12:04
      +1

      The yen has depreciated 25% vs $A in the last 4 years but the Japanese cars are more expensive by at least 50%..there are no more chip shortages..the greedy Japanese car makers and other ICE makers had it too good for too long…. totally agree.

    • AEKaBeer on 22/09/2024 - 18:17

      Maybe when half the power going into the battery isn't from coal.

      • derrida derider on 16/10/2024 - 11:37
        +1

        The chain from mining coal to moving EVs is more thermally efficient than for the similar chain from wellhead to moving ICE cars (eg big turbine plants can get over 50% efficiency compared with a typical petrol car of <30%). So surprisingly an EV powered from a half-coal grid emits quite a lot less CO2 overall than an ICE car directly burning petrol.

        Plus of course most charging is done off peak when electricity is cheap (ie variable renewables are providing most of the power), further reducing overall emissions.

        • changyang1230 on 16/10/2024 - 12:47

          I am surprised that this fact is not better promoted, the fact that coal > more efficient generator > grid > charging > battery > kinetic energy is more efficient than petrol > inefficient small engine > kinetic energy from CO2 point of view.

          It's an important rebuttal of the old favourite anti-EV propaganda of "but coal energy!".

          • Euphemistic on 16/10/2024 - 14:25

            @changyang1230: I seem to recall that a coal powered EV has the same energy efficiency as an ICE with the fuel already in the tank.

            • changyang1230 on 16/10/2024 - 16:09

              @Euphemistic: Would love to see the source for that.

              My favourite article in this topic via ABC has the per-km CO2 as lower than fossil fuel car even if the grid is “dirty” fuel.

              https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-27/comparing-electric-ca…

              • Euphemistic on 16/10/2024 - 16:54

                @changyang1230: Unfortunately i dont have a source, was quite a while back. From memory, coal fired electricity is something like 40% efficient at the power point. EV is 90% efficient. ICE is under 30% efficient.

                Sure, both dont account for mining/extraction, but i can imagine refining petrol and distributing it is a lot less energy efficient than mining and burning coal at a centralised power station.

                A lot of EV naysayers seem to ignore completely how much energy is used getting petrol to the local servo.

    • Nebargains on 23/09/2024 - 08:31

      Just because it now costs less than it did does not make it "cheap". It is all relative to how much one wants to spend on a car and I personally wouldn't want to spend $31k on a Chinese EV

  • GordonD on 21/09/2024 - 08:07

    So from China we're getting rapidly cheaper EVs.

    Whilst at the same time European and American car manufacturers are having to put EV manufacturing plants on pause, and say they won't be able to meet targets for EV sales. Because, they say, customers don't want to, or can't afford, the higher price.

    The situation is a lot more complicated than saying EVs are now down to ICE prices. All the fundamental reasons EVs cost more to make are still there, like continued high battery prices. Its just the Chinese manufacturers are selling their cars cheaper and cheaper.

    It looks a lot like the situation where we got really cheap SSDs. For a while. Until excess stock was sold, and over-production was brought down, then prices went back to a higher level that reflected cost of manufacture plus a reasonable profit.

    I'd be happy to buy an EV. I'd be even more happy if they sold ones that were like the cars I drive. Small, light, nimble, quick. Not all nearly 2 tonne monstrosities. But battery technology doesn't make that possible. I'm just not in the market for a new car.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 21/09/2024 - 08:16
      +1

      Because, they say, customers don't want to, or can't afford, the higher price.

      The difference is that these Chinese owned companies are selling the cars at cost or close to it to get market share exactly like what uber did. It's a business model that the incumbents can't compete with when they have CCP backing

      • derrida derider on 16/10/2024 - 11:53
        +1

        This is OBVIOUSLY wrong. How do I know? Because the very same models still sell for far less in China than anywhere else. IOW instead of using high prices in the domestic market to cover fixed (ie sunk) costs so they can sell into export markets at only variable costs (ie marginal cost of production) they are using higher export prices to lower domestic prices in the most cutthroat competitive (as well as the largest) car market in the world.

        It is the direct opposite of dumping. In fact since Australia does not have a car manufacturing industry of its own we should want them to actually dump ultracheap cars our way.

        Face it, the Chinese makers saw earlier than western legacy makers which way the wind was blowing for cars and spent the money to act accordingly. Yes, enabled by a supportive government - but gee every other world car maker got there by heavy government aid.

        So stop blaming it on a sinister oriental communist conspiracy and get angry at those shortsighted western makers and governments instead.

        • coffeeinmyveins on 16/10/2024 - 15:48

          This is OBVIOUSLY wrong. How do I know? Because the very same models still sell for far less in China than anywhere else.

          that's because they're made there?

          There are costs associated with selling in other countries like freight.

    • defaultess on 21/09/2024 - 08:55
      +1

      Actually the cost of batteries has dropped significantly and is hovering pretty close to what they expect is price parity with ICE vehicles.
      Legacy manufacturers are struggling to respond for now but I suspect that will change… They're not as agile as newer manufacturers and with high R&D, manufacturing refit costs, etc they're charging way more for EVs/have a higher breakeven at the moment.
      commercially they also have seen an opportunity to shift margins higher across all vehicles which has left a gap for Chinese car companies and Tesla

      • derrida derider on 23/09/2024 - 13:32

        Yep, battery costs have more than halved in the last two years, and are still dropping. And their quality (power density, durability, resistance to thermal overload) has improved a lot too.

        This BS about the Chinese dumping cars at a big loss to get market share is indeed BS - it is what everyone says about the competition when they can't compete. Don't forget that, regardless of EVs, China's domestic car market is easily the largest and the MOST COMPETITIVE in the world. All the signs are that the major Chinese makers are still selling their EVs, in China and elsewhere, at a good markup. Where the big shake out of Chinese car makers is happening is among the many smaller domestic ICE manufacturers (they had over 250 in 2014, 91 in 2023, and shrinking). Given that, if there is any Chinese car dumping being done it would logically be in their domestic ICE market.

  • GOCAT9 on 21/09/2024 - 08:09
    +2

    I’m still driving a 32 year old car that’s going strong and not showing any signs of giving up soon. If it breaks, I was thinking of getting a plug-in hybrid Toyota, but I was shocked to learn that they do not exist in this country!! WTF!!

    • ChickenAdobo on 22/09/2024 - 14:52
      +1

      Toyota is the T-Rex of the automotive world. Eat a lot of cake but move too slow to the next best thing.

      • Euphemistic on 22/09/2024 - 14:59
        +1

        Indeed. Whike toyota was ahead of the game with hybrids, theyve really dropped the ball lately. Althpugh, i think there may be plug in versions available OS but our lack of emission standards means they can keep flogging cheaper tech knowing we'll likley want to upgrade again soon when they do pull their finger out and atart building more EVs.

        • ChickenAdobo on 22/09/2024 - 15:28
          +2

          Their only EV is worst value car to buy. You have to be a brand loyalist to buy one. That also apply to the suburb solterra.

  • Mad Max on 21/09/2024 - 10:06
    -2

    So, is solar and wind going to recharge all this new EVs when they get home overnight?
    In the basement garages of all the new 1/2 bedrooms hives apartment buildings that are becoming so popular?
    All while China is laughing all the way to the bank burning our cheap coal to produce these net 0 environmentally friendly cheap EVs.

  • LFO on 21/09/2024 - 10:41
    +1

    Australia has a new most affordable electric car.

    Reminds me of Top Gear's "Reasonably priced car"

    Almost $31,000 labeled as affordable?

    OK, it is a new-tech EV but about 5 years ago "a friend" bought a brand new-new ICE for $16,000 and still happily driving around.
    Now almost double to equally drive around?
    What happened???????

    • pegaxs on 21/09/2024 - 17:21
      +5

      False equivalence. Your "friends" $16,000 car would not be a cross shop for a MG4. And I find it hard to believe that they got a "brand new car" for $16,000 in 2019 unless it was also an MG (ie: MG3) or a Kia Picanto base model tissue box or something similarly tiny.

      Now almost double to equally drive around?

      Not the same thing. You cant just say this is the same as that and this one is $16,000 and that's $31,000 but they do the same thing… If that was the case, why not compare your "friend's" $16,000 shitter to a $620,000 Lambo and say the same thing? Both cars, right? You just drive them around, right?

      An MG4 is more inline with being cross shopped with similar spec vehicles, ie: Corolla Hybrid, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, not a 5yo Kia Picanto or Mitsubishi Mirage. And you will find that $31k doesn't get you much of an ICE vehicle in same class as an MG4 these days.

      Then you have to look at things like cost of ownership. The savings start to stack up read quick on an EV when you can charge for free, or charge for very little and servicing is basically "are the wipers ok and it has washer fluid? tyres still ok?" and send it.

      What happened???????

      Competition is what happened.
      Technology getting cheaper is what happened.
      Mass adoption is what happened.
      Consumer demand rising is what happened.
      All these things are adding up to make EV's cheaper. And the more the markets drive these changes, the cheaper they are going to get… and one day soon, maybe your "friend" may witness a cheap $16,000 EV shitter like the BYD Seagull that will be a more direct competitor to his current tiny $16,000 shitbox…

      Sure, $31 still isnt "cheap" for some people, but for the people shopping for a new $30k to $35k medium size hatchback and excluded EV's because they were $45k, this new $31k pricing is a game changer in this segment, because price is no longer a hurdle if the EV is the same price as any of the ICE equivalents in this same segment.

      • fantombloo on 21/09/2024 - 19:09
        +4

        I got a new jazz for $16k in 2019, but I don't know why you'd refer to that class of car as a shitter - it's still a great little car, perfect for what it's trying to be.

        • drprox on 22/09/2024 - 08:12
          +1

          I never want to hear a bad word about a Honda jazz. Epic little cars that were underrated the entire time they were sold in Australia! A pet hate of mine used to be seeing people purchase a Mazda cx3 "suv" instead of one. (I assume they didn't even look at the jazz but they would be much more practical).

        • May4th on 22/09/2024 - 11:37
          +1

          that's not relevant what you paid in 2019 though, a (one) lettuce now costs $8. tell me what you can buy for $30k new as a comparable?

          • fantombloo on 22/09/2024 - 19:27

            @May4th:

            .And I find it hard to believe that they got a "brand new car" for $16,000 in 2019

            I don't know what you're looking for but my comment was relevant to the comment just before.

            • May4th on 22/09/2024 - 19:41

              @fantombloo: ah, misunderstood your post, please ignore my irrelevant comment

        • Always 2020 on 22/09/2024 - 12:07

          And the idiot Honda Australia decided not to sell their best selling car any more..the jazz

      • Specialist Diaz on 21/09/2024 - 19:32

        I got a brand new Astra in 2020 for $18,500. Great car.

        • pegaxs on 22/09/2024 - 10:40
          +4

          Christ, you actually spent real money on an Astra? My condolences.

          To make it more relevant… (because at least the Astra is in the same ball park as an MG4…)

          In 2019, the cheapest Astra was an RRP of $21,500 + ORC (excluding Holden fire sale prices), adjusted for inflation, that is about $25,500 + ORC in 2024 money. If you add your onroad costs of about $4k to this (stamps, rego, dealer delivery etc…), you are left with a car that in today's money would be about $29,500 drive away… or, for an extra $1,500, you could get the MG4 that has way more tech and safety features than a base model Astra.

          But, you know, well done on buying the second shittest car Holden ever sold. Maybe third… It's a toss up between this, the Barina, or maybe the Camira? The Craptiva obvious is the king of the shitpile, without dispute.

          • Specialist Diaz on 22/09/2024 - 20:29
            +1

            @pegaxs: That was driveaway price. And it's a rebadged Opel, not a Daewoo or whatever the previous Astras were. 1.4L turbo. Lane-keeping, autonomous braking, I don't think I missed out on much? Either way, no condolences required, I'm very happy :)

          • TooSerious2 on 07/10/2024 - 10:32

            @pegaxs: Sunbird??

      • LFO on 22/09/2024 - 20:27

        And I find it hard to believe that they got a "brand new car" for $16,000 in 2019

        Makes it rather difficult to have a good debate then … or the amount was wrong or the car was rubbish … impossible to have a fruitful debate.

      • R4 on 24/09/2024 - 15:38

        The Mitsubishi Mirage was under $12k OTR in 2019. Okay, it was a sh 1t car but that's what it cost. Today, the cheapest car is over $20k OTR. Sure, better equipped but shows how things have changed.

  • Drakesy on 21/09/2024 - 10:57
    +4

    My local dealer is doing 2023 demo mg4's for $25k

    Geezus thats nothing

    • pegaxs on 21/09/2024 - 11:06
      +2

      Thanks… bought two…

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 21/09/2024 - 12:18

      My local dealer is doing 2023 demo mg4's for $25k

      that is super cheap but doesnt fill me with confidence regarding any potential resale value

      • Herbse on 21/09/2024 - 19:55
        +2

        Then don't sell it. Most people keep cars until they're worthless and go to the scrapyard. It's only during the covid era that people expect car values to hold. That's over now thankfully.

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 21/09/2024 - 20:10

          Then don't sell it. Most people keep cars until they're worthless and go to the scrapyard. It's only during the covid era that people expect car values to hold. That's over now thankfully.

          i am kind of one of those people but im playing devils advocate - there is 'more' to resale value then selling it most people have market value insurance

          personally if i was looking for a day to day can i would consider this for 31k it is a freaken great deal - esp if you could get some kind of salary packaging situation and save on tax you would be laughing

          • coffeeinmyveins on 23/09/2024 - 09:16
            +1

            @Trying2SaveABuck:

            Then don't sell it. Most people keep cars until they're worthless and go to the scrapyard

            uhhh. that's not what happens.

            almost half of people change cars every 5-10 years.

  • sprocketoctopus on 21/09/2024 - 12:36

    Let's just see what taxi fleets do, it'll be interesting.

    If the mg4 was slightly larger to preface the above.

    Presently they love the mighty Hybrid Camry

    But if the Chinese can make a cheaper suitable as a taxi vehicle - look out. The cheaper upfront will win out over reliability and much larger capital costs. Particularly if they(Chinese) can do a reasonable warranty for taxi vehicle.

    Operators will just roll them over sooner due to above mentioned lower Capital buy in cost.

    Just my 2c…

    • SBOB on 21/09/2024 - 12:51

      Use case of a taxi is less likely to align with ev than personal use..
      taxi drivers working long shifts would want the flexibility of not being range dependant and shorter 'not working' periods when comparing refuel vs recharge down times.

      • GordonD on 21/09/2024 - 17:24
        +1

        Yes, how far does a taxi have to travel each shift?

        If there wasn't an issue like that cabbies would already be using EVs, like ride share drivers are.

    • derrida derider on 23/09/2024 - 13:43

      For a taxi capital cost is almost irrelevant - the cost of a car is a fraction of the cost of a plate. Running costs and reliability are everything. EVs of course excel at both these, but as others said range is a big issue in this particular application. Otherwise all the taxis would have been EVs for years now.

  • Herbse on 21/09/2024 - 17:13
    +7

    Queue the anti Ev crowd complaining that Ev prices dropping means they're worthlessness

    • GordonD on 21/09/2024 - 17:28
      +5

      John Howard told Australians that the price of houses going up would make us all rich. And look what the result has been. And its the same with cars. You don't have a higher standard of living when the things you have to buy to live, like a home and transport, cost more compared to how much your income is, you have a higher standard of living when they cost less. You are only richer when the things you don't NEED go up in price.

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