240
Not sure the exact years they were made but the shape they had around 2011...
What engine do they have, is it the EJ20 like previous ones or more powerful?
morgan
My mum bought a 2016 Honda jazz and it's great to drive and nippy , also would seem equally as big inside as the golf but also more light and airy
Vee_Que
morgan;120271 wroteMy mum bought a 2016 Honda jazz and it's great to drive and nippy , also would seem equally as big inside as the golf but also more light and airy
It dimensionally is a smaller car, just more headroom.
The ej25 is known to do headgaskets that leak oil externally, but the later ones are not meant to do that, a 2011 is not likely to have the issue.
240
Yeah I know about the Subaru head gaskets, it looks like the 2.5 isn't available on that gen of Impreza in australia anyway though (only 2.0 and 2.5T).
Shortlist probably consists of:
VW Golf 6th gen 90TSI manual
08-ish+ Subaru Impreza
Ford Focus
i30 (maybe)
Volvo V50
My feeling is the VW and Volvo will cost more to run but will be more comfortable, better equipped and safer than the others.
(Would immediately jump to V50 but high fuel consumption and fast wearing front suspension is off putting.)
Chris
With crash performance, there is often a drop from ANCAP tests to real world performance, mainly because smaller cars are often involved in crashes with larger vehicles (ANCAP ratings are relative to the same class of vehicle). Based on their real world performance and the performance of the previous gen the VW and LW Focus will be good crash performers. The V50 will be too, but there's no real world data (not enough around). The Imprezza is not quite as good but still decent, the i30 a bit further behind (see www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au).
I can directly compare the V50 and LW Focus as I had both at the same time.
Yes, the V50 is more comfortable than the Focus but I still found the Focus comfortable. Focus is a better drive, but the Volvo is still decent. One is slightly more comfort biased, the other more handling biased. But it's a matter of degree.
Better equipped? Depends. Not necessarily if the V50 is an S. V50 feels and looks better quality inside, outside not so sure. My German built Focus had excellent quality paint and was still fresh after 4 years (but I did look after it).
Running costs for the Volvo definitely higher. Ford has capped price annual servicing for the first 7 years. My V50 has only 73,000 on it, but so far the front end is not worn out.
If you decide to shop i30 you may as well include Cerato - it's an i30 under the skin anyway, and you will get a newer one for the same $.
robv
We have replaced the pistons in 3 1.4 Tsi golfs this year.They break between the 1st and second ring. One only had 38000 km
TerryA
If you want value and its unfortunately not a Volvo you could get a Kia Cerato Sport for $22500 drive away with 7 year warranty, etc etc etc. Good spec and a lot more reliable than the Golf. Keep it for say 4 years and sell it with the balance of new car warranty. The resale would be at least 2/3rds of the purchase price. The Golf would be out of it warranty period and worthless. Hondas and Focus are made in Thailand, crap build quality, considering we have a free trade agreement we still pay to much. At least the Kia has a real gearbox not a CVT like most are going.
240
That's not an option at all unfortunately, budget will have to remain under 10k.
@robv which version is that, the 77, 90 or 118?
Vee_Que
240;120586 wroteThat's not an option at all unfortunately, budget will have to remain under 10k.
@robv which version is that, the 77, 90 or 118?
118
Chris
OK if you're under 10k that changes things a fair bit. Probably more like an LV Focus and earlier series i30, higher mileage VW. In that company the V50 stands out. I have seen what look like good examples with 120k on them for about 7-8, leaving 2k for any refurbishing
240
Exactly, that's part of the appeal of a V50.
There are also a bunch of 90TSI mk6 Golf's with under 100k for about $9,990.
I think I know which one the LG focus is, are they decent?
Philia_Bear
Interior on the focus is plastic fantastic and looked dated when new
Otherwise a very solid car
Chris
The LW Focus is more or less the current shape, the LV is the more square shaped one (up to 2011). Both are good cars, except the LW has the terrible 7 speed DCT so buy manual only. Also, all sedans are auto, go figure. Neither are as nice inside as a Golf, otherwise as PB says they are generally reliable. The earlier Foci have a rep for leaking heater cores and rattles. Both are good to drive.
It was hard (in Vic where I am anyway) to get a good LW under 10k though I haven't looked recently. Be aware that the base Ambiente is a different beast from the rest. It has a 1.6 litre engine used in the Fiesta. The 2.0 direct injection engine used in the others is much much better.
240
Thanks. Useful info.
What about features? I assume no Bluetooth hands free or GPS etc except with a brand new one maybe?
Chris
The LW has bluetooth, hands free, voice control USB input etc across the board from the start in 2011. GPS in upper models, Titanium has self park and so on but that is auto only and out of your budget. LV is older tech, but maybe the upper models have some of this, not sure.
240
Thanks.
This seems like good value. Are they any good? How do they compare with the other cars discussed here?
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Opel-Astra-2013/SSE-AD-5022733/?Cr=2
Chris
I believe they are decent cars, and if you look online there are local reviews from when they were on sale here.
Older Astras didn't have a fantastic reliability rep here, but there are few of the new model in Oz so it's hard to say. I'd be looking online for owner reviews.
240
Doing a quick read reviews seem to be mixed, but there's nothing much on how reliable they are.
Also not sure about parts, as you say there aren't many - I wonder if Holden carry parts for them.
Doesn't seem like any comparison for a V50 though when you think about it. Volvos just feel so solidly built.
Chris
Maybe something like this?
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-V50-2008/SSE-AD-4935414/?Cr=12
D5 is uncommon (it's what I have). Bit noisy on acceleration, quiet when cruising, quick and responsive and economy is very sound. Only came in auto in Oz.
K's are up a little but won't hurt the drivetrain, which can go for ages. Would just need to check the usual suspects like suspension wear
Or what about a C30? they have come down quite a lot now. I fancy this:
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Volvo-C30-2008/OAG-AD-15188538/?Cr=9
But there are some good choices at the moment - diesel, NA, Turbo, manual, auto, in your price range with good K's.
Vee_Que
240;120773 wroteDoing a quick read reviews seem to be mixed, but there's nothing much on how reliable they are.
Also not sure about parts, as you say there aren't many - I wonder if Holden carry parts for them.
Doesn't seem like any comparison for a V50 though when you think about it. Volvos just feel so solidly built.
Holden went onto sell that version of the Astra as a Holden and had to take on an the dealer stock etc so parts should not be an issue.
