What newish car have you bought and would you reccomend it?

[PinkPalace]

We might have to get a new car soonish.
ANd hate buying used cars as seem to always get stung!

We wouldnt be able to spend more than $10-15k and want a car that will last at least another 10 years..

Any reccommendations (4 door and big enough for 2 baby seats)...

[Aimz]

My favourite cars are Mazda's and Subaru's - so have a look at them.

Car Point is a great website for car searching!

[PinkPalace]

i saw a mitsubishi 380 i liked but never owned mitsubishi before?
Any one driven one of them?

Mazdas seem good

Never driven a subarbu either lol!!

[~Kim~]

We have a mitsi Outlander. Previously I had a Lancer. I love both of them and would highly recommend a Mitsubishi. We have 380s as police cars and they seem to stand up to the way they are treated, so they can't be too bad. They are quite comfy, but a little bit gutless if you need to push them (not that a mum's going to push them as hard as we do).

If your DH is tall, a Subie might not be the best way to go. My DH is 6'2" and didn't fit into them comfortably at all.

[Me+him+bub]

me and DF's first car was a 2005 holden vz sv6 was 21 grand 2 years ago prob less now, fuel consumption was great, big inside, had all the extras, big boot and still stylish and new, zupps holdens are the best we have bought 3 cars from that company.

[PinkPalace]

Dh isnt tall so that isnt a issue haha

The mitsu 380 was $14000 for a 2007 (incl 5 yr warranty) which i thought was pretty good ?

We have looked at a few commodores but i guess for our budget they seem to all be over 150000km and we really didnt want that many kms on a car

[alioops]

380s have the same turning circle as a 4 wheel drive which is pretty crap if you ask me

I would be worried about getting one because of the history mitsubishi sedans have. DH's VZ executive wagon was around $12,000 and was only 3 years old when we bought it. We wouldn't get anywhere near that for it now that it has been in an accident though . He is not as bothered with luxuries but does love the pickup that commodores have. The Ks on it were around 45,000

Try red book too. One word with the usual following.

[PinkPalace]

lol thanks Ali
OUr other car is a 4wd so wouldnt know any different.
I assumed they loosed valur quickly seeing they are $29k new and $14k a year later lol but we just want a car we can drive to death - not looking for resale.

I mean our car that needs to be replaced is a 1991 pulsar i have driven to death lol... the muffer now has a hole in it so it sounds like a v8 lol!!!

[Tinks]

I just bought a Mazda 2003 323 and it's soooooo cool. I just love love love it. It's surprisingly roomy and really cheap to run. I reckon it would fit 2 baby seats in it.

[PinkPalace]

thanks tinker!
What do they go for 2003?

[Tinks]

I paid $11,000, they range from 9,999-15,000.

[Arimeh]

PP - we have a mitsubishi -and yes, they lose HEAPS of value - not have a good resale value whatsoever.

However, we have had ours for 3 years now (2005 model) and not had any problems at all. I like that it feels great on the road, is very quiet and fits both car seats in the back. Will not fit 3 though. Is very roomy considering DH is 6 foot 7 and fits in quite easily.

Things I don't like about it? OMG. the horrendous turning circle it has. Seriously. Its enough to make us want to sell it because its such a PITA (we are used to Fords, which have a GREAT turning circle)

Plus - I can't see over the boot when reversing. Therefore - I try to avoid reversing. And there isn't much height difference between you and me - so you might have issues too.

Thats why if I can - I take our Mazda everywhere instead - love that car!!!

[Floweryfields]

I owned a Mazda 323 for a number of years and it was a really reliable car. I currently own a ford focus which is a fantastic car, very economical, however I don't think it would be big enough for a family of 4.
I also would steer clear of used mitsubishi's.

[Tinks]

I owned a Mazda 323 for a number of years and it was a really reliable car. I currently own a ford focus which is a fantastic car, very economical, however I don't think it would be big enough for a family of 4.
I also would steer clear of used mitsubishi's.

I have 3 kids, 12, 10 and 6 and have no probs with them in the back of the Mazda, there's heaps of room. I had a laser before that and found the Mazda is alot roomier. I coulnd't take it on holidays though, we'd have to take the station wagon for that. But for just general running around and day trips it's fine.

[Olive]

PP i have a mazda 323 2003 as well and it would do for 2 kids if it wasnt a hatch back! the anchor points are at the back of the boot so right over the entire boot, i'll have to undo one anchor point to get the pram in and out, soooooo look for the sedan only, i love my car, very economical and reliable. we also have a mitsubishi outlander 2007 and we love it!!!!!!!!

[PinkPalace]

Thanks girls
We went through our finances last night and i think the dream of a newish car is out the window *sob*

Looks like we have to drive my 19 year old car around until the engine blows lol....

but i will keep all these ideas on board

thanks so much