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New Car for ~$25K, any suggestions?

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tjoz
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Postby tjoz » Sat May 22, 2010 3:31 pm

Volkswagen Polo GTI, I think they just come in under 25k. Insurance will be a bitch but its chicken with turbo. A Golf, the new one are over 25k but you could pick up an Mk5 for around 20.

Or you could go a Fiat Punto or Ritmo/Brava. The Ritmo is abit bigger than the Punto but the Fiats have strange seats. They look uncomfortable but they not that bad to sit in. I think the Ritmo is now under 25 too.

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If second hand is an option, try an Audi A3 AP generation. The 3 door version is harder to find than the 5door but you cant go wrong with them. Built like bank vaults, build quality really good, interior simple but works and the amount of aftermarket support for them is limitless. A few mods under them and these things haul ass. Plus with a used Audi, more than likely original owner was dumb enough to get some of the factory accessories. Audi's accessories are sell off your first born expensive just to afford them, bargain if someone else has already brought them :D

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peteinoz
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Postby peteinoz » Sat May 22, 2010 7:22 pm

Ummmm.. Lancer???? or to obvious.

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BeHaV3
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Postby BeHaV3 » Sat May 22, 2010 7:49 pm

for my 2 cents.....buy Japanese/koean not european or even Thai/US Hondas. In europe, buy european, in australia stay well clear, in particular the bottom end of town.

Mazda 3 would be my #1. Haggle hard. Try privatefleet.com.au to do the legwork for you.
Lancer Activ a solid second.
i30
(subaru impreza will blow the budget, & never get the auto)
Corolla is a very safe (if boring) choice

one more....Mazda 2 sedan/hatch?


Might be tempted for the diesel Fiesta.......... or Polo, Honda City? but they break my rules above
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JaCe
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Postby JaCe » Sat May 22, 2010 8:21 pm

I really like the Mazda2 sedan/hatch. I feel it's a pretty good value buy in the sub $20k category but if I could stretch (per the thread requirements) I'd probably go either the Mazda3 or a Lancer.
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Alex.K
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Postby Alex.K » Sat May 22, 2010 8:25 pm

Why did I not think of Civic?!

If you want reliabitiliy Civic is great.

My next car will be Honda Accord Euro in 5 years ;)
Lancer -> Accord Euro -> M3

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BeHaV3
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Postby BeHaV3 » Sat May 22, 2010 10:28 pm

Alex.K wrote:Why did I not think of Civic?!

If you want reliabitiliy Civic is great.

My next car will be Honda Accord Euro in 5 years ;)


small Hondas made in???? USA or Thailand? Jazz now china?
Breaks the buy Japanese rule....?
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ash06
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Postby ash06 » Sun May 30, 2010 3:09 pm

Thanks all for the suggestions, i honestly looked into the cars suggested by everyone.
Test drove (with my family):
Suzuki Swift
Mazda 3
VW Polo
Subaru Impreza
& today…
Lancer Sportback Activ ;)



We are convinced that the Lancer Activ provides the best value/features out of all these cars with room to breathe.
Now, this is a birthday pressie, so we want to buy it within a month
I'm hoping the EOFS will help.

Budget is $26K Drive Away.


Looking for Sportback Activ Lancer with these additions (if possible)?:

- 6 Stack CD
- Fog Lamps, (not really worried about haggling for as i added non-OEM ones to my lancer for $150)
- CVT Paddles (i think i saw somewhere here that these are plug & play for around ~$380 in any CVT?)
- Front tint to match the Privacy Glass (is it worth getting at the dealer or elsewhere?)
- +~$450 for Black paint




The cheapest i saw a VR for out in the yard was 27K for a CVT. Any chance of fitting this into my budget somehow? :S


Are there any more cheapish accessories i should bargain for?


All opinions are welcome, as like anyone, I'm after the most my money can buy :)

bd-850
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Postby bd-850 » Sun May 30, 2010 3:17 pm

Ash Check out our Sponsor Preston Motors

http://www.prestonmotors.com.au

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Dire
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Postby Dire » Sun May 30, 2010 3:22 pm

My manual VR was $24.5k, no extras.

I'd reconsider the 6 stacker, its easier and probably cheaper just to use an mp3 player and the aux input. Though its harder to control the music whilst driving in that situation. (I just have mine on shuffle and feel around for the next button so I can keep my eyes on the road).

And privacy glass is darker than the darkest legal tinting, so you can't make them match unless you are willing to break the law.


Nice work on the shopping around though. Fantastic to hear the lancer comes out on top for you :D

vr
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Postby vr » Sun May 30, 2010 3:54 pm

Before you buy try WWW.privatefleet.com.au you may get a surprise on price

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ash06
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Postby ash06 » Sun May 30, 2010 4:02 pm

bd-850, unfortunately Preston Motors is in Melbourne arn't they?
it's a shame i can't walk in there and say "Hi, I'm a member at Club CJ ;) '

Dire, thanks for the pricing info on your purchase. I appreciate it a lot
$24.5 + 1.5 for the CVT, if i can negotiate that is perfect for what we want
Being a current sedan owner, is there anything else i should be after for the sportback?
Thanks for the info on the privacy glass as well, i will get the darkest legal, as the cars for a family member & i wouldn't want trouble with insurance/police etc.

Will definitely order front airdams from X-Factor if this goes ahead i think. :)


All thoughts are welcome on What Model/Price + Extras i should aim for :)

bd-850
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Postby bd-850 » Sun May 30, 2010 4:06 pm

i paid 26 for my VRX.

im sure if you asked Nice enough they could deliver :P

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ash06
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Postby ash06 » Sun May 30, 2010 4:11 pm

bd-850 wrote:i paid 26 for my VRX.

im sure if you asked Nice enough they could deliver :P


WOW! care to join me when i haggle for that price? :P

bd-850
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Postby bd-850 » Sun May 30, 2010 4:19 pm

it was a run out special, its 08 but 09 spec so i have the 2.4 and black lights :P

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ash06
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Postby ash06 » Sun May 30, 2010 4:57 pm

bd-850 wrote:it was a run out special, its 08 but 09 spec so i have the 2.4 and black lights :P


Is that Mitsubitshi marketing mumbo for end of year sales?
I simply can't wait that long -.-

belated congrats on that price btw!


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