$20-$25K budget - new car! any ideas?

hiya everyone,

DF & i have decided to finally buy a good car, that will last us many years. if anyone has any ideas, please give them up ;)

we've been looking at: 2013 holden cruze, 2012 mazda 3 neo, 2012 hyundai elantra, 2012 ford focus & 2012 toyota corolla. we're really liking the look of the hyundai elantra.

i would love a 4 wheel drive, but DF thinks i'm being silly :lol: and probably couldn't get one for $20-$25k?

things we're looking for:

- sedan
- family car
- pref 4 cylinder
- brand new / dealer used
- $20-$25k budget

Do you have a site called carsales.com? You should be able to get a good car for your budget.

I like hatchbacks as you can keep the back screen clearer in bad/frosty weather. You can put the back seats down to haul stuff.

I also like Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan. Go talk to your mechanic and ask his opinion. Ask what cost re services, replacement parts etc. What he likes and why.

I'd go either Mazda or Toyota. They last for ages and retain their value more than the others do.

I have a 2005 Mazda (MPV though) and I love it. We've had it for 4 years and not had any issues. Services are relatively cheap which is important :)

I have a Mazda 3 and love it! We got ours new in August 2011.. Has been a fantastic car!!

ETA - I know nothing about cars though. I just get in and drive them..

I love my Hyundai :)

It's possible to get a 2 wheel drive that is the same shape and size as a 4 wheel drive. Not sure that it would fit into your price range. Probably more like 28000

I have a ford focus - slightly older but same shape I think. I have a 2 year old and when I was du to have number two it was noticeably too small to have my two year old and a capsule in the back. The passenger has to have there seat right forward to fit it in. It's all good once they are old enough to turn around forward facing but until then its a bit of a pain! Plus you can't really have anyone in the middle (my 6 year old niece did once or twice but definitely not for long drives or for adults!).

I had a Mazda 3 for five years with no issues. Loved it. I would think the Neo would be under your budget? It's the base model. I think you'd struggle with it as a family car - it was good for us with one babe but by the time we were ready for #2, we'd outgrown it.

We've got a Hyundai Santa Fe. Underrated IMHO. DH spoke with his car dealer cousin and he recommended Hyundai - cheaper than the others but don't see them coming back with issues and don't have the same inflated price as the rest. We've had it for coming up to three years with no major issues. Central locking went a bit haywire and the battery connection has come loose but they are not problems with the car.

It's a 4wd - we got it when it was 2yo and paid $21k. Achievable 4wd within your budget.

You could probably get a base model second hand Mazda CX7 for that price. We love our Mazdas and can't recommend them enough. We sold my 3 Maxx Sport when we bought our CX9. DH drives our CX7. They are awesome cars :D

Oh, and go second hand. You do lose an awful lot buying new. The auctions or wholesales are the way to go.

Get the Corolla or the Mazda.

DH and I have just been lunched in to this too...
We're getting a 4wd - for hight reasons as well as where we are, should we flood again DH will be able to get to work.

my suggestion is go to a car yard and just *sit* in a car that takes your fancy or test drive it... toyta or ford for me dont know much about the others :)

You may pick up a RAV4 in that price range actually - I also recommend carsales.

Oh how exciting! I loved shopping for my new car :) I have always owned Hyundai's (so I may be biased haha) and the big positives for me are the fuel efficiency and reliability. Mind you, I have only done 25000kms in 2years.
My second choice would have been the Holden Cruz. Good luck!

Take a look at the Santa fes. We are currently waiting on finance but have it on hold. Ours is going to cost just over $28k but you can get them cheaper. Depending on year ect

Ours is a 7 seater diesel. Depending on what state you're in depends on price as well. The reviews have been great plus we know a couple of people with them and spoke to them and they are very happy.

Take a look at the Santa fes. We are currently waiting on finance but have it on hold. Ours is going to cost just over $28k but you can get them cheaper. Depending on year ect

Ours is a 7 seater diesel. Depending on what state you're in depends on price as well. The reviews have been great plus we know a couple of people with them and spoke to them and they are very happy.

:D thanks everyone for your replies. seems mazdas are very popular, and very much boasted about! so tricky deciding on one. they all have positives and cons lol.

we're going to test drive the hyundai elantra tomorrow, and toyota corolla sometime this week.

the 5 year warranty & 7 year road assist is really catching us too (with the hyundai). eeeek too hard!