Car for my parent

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by Giveway74

With the Polo i'd me more worried about oil usage than the DSG. VW are not cheap on servicing either.

How about a Subaru Impreza as another option.

Yeah I heard about the oil issue but apparently is fixed on the MY12 models?

I haven't thought about the Subaru TBH - haven't had time to do my research on them yet.

[sparoz]

The only trouble free car I (or my parents) owned was a Honda CR-V with a three years ownership.

Ford Fiesta - falling apart after 1 year
Mazda 3 - trim falling off after one year, and abs keep failing
Toyota Camry - various problems, including a cracked CV and failed deployment of an airbag due to a design flaw
BMWs - too many to mention..

If I am considering a car in that range - I would seriously look at the Honda or a Hyundai

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by sparoz

The only trouble free car I (or my parents) owned was a Honda CR-V with a three years ownership.

Ford Fiesta - falling apart after 1 year
Mazda 3 - trim falling off after one year, and abs keep failing
Toyota Camry - various problems, including a cracked CV and failed deployment of an airbag due to a design flaw
BMWs - too many to mention..

If I am considering a car in that range - I would seriously look at the Honda or a Hyundai

Hmm interesting thanks for your input.

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by sparoz

The only trouble free car I (or my parents) owned was a Honda CR-V with a three years ownership.

Ford Fiesta - falling apart after 1 year
Mazda 3 - trim falling off after one year, and abs keep failing
Toyota Camry - various problems, including a cracked CV and failed deployment of an airbag due to a design flaw
BMWs - too many to mention..

If I am considering a car in that range - I would seriously look at the Honda or a Hyundai

Shit you have kissed a lot of frogs lol

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

So I am getting a car for my parents looking in the 35k mark, they want something new or only like a year old as they are planning to keep it for a while and would like to have the full warranty on it.

My short list so far are the following.

• Polo GTI (My dad really likes this but I am a bit weary with all the DSG problems they have had)
• Mazda 3 SP20 Skyactive Luxury
• Holden Cruze SRi-V
• Civic
• Corolla

I have only seen the Mazda 3, Polo and the Cruze.

So far the Polo seems the most fun but the mazda is the sensible. The cruze just feels crap and that 1.4L Turbo engine is really gutless...

You guys have any other suggestion that I should look at or if you have any experience with it?

Looking for Reliability, cheap to maintain and hopefully fuel efficient. Not sure if I can get all 3 but I will take 2 out of 3

Thanks!

vw dsg issues were (from memory) totally solved in something like 2008. no worries now. beautiful gearboxes.

how bout a diesel? i've been in a polo TDI. fun as for little car. how bout a used golf GTD, probs the right price? heck even a GTI, you can get fairly recent ones for $25k a few years old, newer ones move up a little in price? i haven't bothered looking though.

[Honny]

Rey at $35k is hard to look beyond a VW - theres probably used MK6 GTi or a new TSI. Ticks all the boxes you need and they are fantastic little cars.

A Lexus IS250 can be picked up at the same price range... but I wasn't impressed when I tired one before I purchased C-Class - ugly old interior and not enough space. Also why spend the premium on a Toyota?! Also Lexus servicing don't come cheap.

[gazz]

Golf MkVI - diesel - auto ( not DSG ). Get a low klms used and extend the warranty at the appropriate time.

[Alpine*]

I find older gens like sedans, what about the new jetta, I rate them if that's any consequence.

[amk2912]

As an 18-month driver of a Suzuki Kizashi I can certainly recommend it. It is well built, spacious and relatively perky. The XLS I have came std with seat heating, sunroof, auto headlights, auto wipers, USB/iPod interface and a few other goodies that BMW heap $$$ on for. The seats are comfortable and the boot is quite spacious - it also comes with a full size alloy spare.

I'm not overly fussed with the CVT but I can see how it appeals to the average driver. The gear changes are smooth and if you give it a bit of welly on takeoff the sweet - of course coming from a 135i and an M3 there is no comparison.

The car handles well (for a FWD). It's quite composed when under a bit of pressure and I've never felt unsafe when pushing it.

Fuel consumption is a bit average - I get 10L/100km NOT the quoted 7.9L/100km.

The car looks good. I have been stopped 6 times so far at shopping centres by total strangers asking me about the car. It does my head in that in the two years I had the E90 M3 the only stranger who asked me about the car was a pimply youth at the local BP servo - and even then he didn't know it was an M3 - he just liked the four tailpipes.

Had the one year / 20,000km service done...........$305!

If I had my wish I would wish for a turbo and RWD or AWD. The Sport is AWD but only comes with CVT. A grunty diesel would be good too. I'd have no hesitation changing mine for a RWD or AWD manual diesel but the F30 320d has me intrigued......

[david.orr]

Ray, up to 35k you would get good choices of VW Golf and Jetta TSI vehicles. Sound reliable German engineering and solid feel for that price.

My in-laws drive a Golf TSI and love the 5 dr practicality, reasonable pull and power, interior comfort and most of all, all round visibility.

This last point is often forgotten when searching for a vehicle for older folks. They need to see all around quickly and without having to turn and strain too much.

Happy hunting

[alik01]

Definitely look at a Polo TDI or something similar. I would also second an IS250, they seem very reliable and your parents will enjoy the amazing service.

I would also cast a vote for Hyundai and Kia. They make amazing cars now and are light years from where they used to be. Several Kia's have won Red Dot design awards!

[RaihaX]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

It seems I should look more closely on the Korean brands.

Didn't get the chance to go to the various dealer today will have to go have a look on Wednesday night.

[dr.bmw]

got my dad a hyundai i30 3 years ago and he's as happy as he can be. Good value, sensible and for $30K mark you can get something with lots of space and appeal... and 5 years warranty

Originally Posted by RaihaX

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

It seems I should look more closely on the Korean brands.

Didn't get the chance to go to the various dealer today will have to go have a look on Wednesday night.

[Jeef Beef]

VW Jetta/Golf. GREAT value for money and the engines are a gem. Bit on the smaller side though.

Ford Mondeo Zetec - new Ecoboost engine is excellent. Overall a very good package.

Mazda 6 Touring - If your mum is more into the sporty drive. Why the hell would you pay 35k for a Mazda 3 when these start at 29,990 driveaway?

Accord Euro Luxury - hands down the BEST interior in the class - leather everything and dashboard has premium feel. Up there with Merc C-Class and Audi A4. Great VTEC engine, solid 5spd auto, or if you're adventurous, the 6spd has the same snick snick feel of the S2000. Gets my vote with Honda reliability and 5 year warranty. I guarantee you, take her to see it and she will fall in love with the interior

[BMW86]

I'd also recommend looking at Nissan X-trail, Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav-4 as well.

I've had an X-trail and it was a blast, great car for the money.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

got my dad a hyundai i30 3 years ago and he's as happy as he can be. Good value, sensible and for $30K mark you can get something with lots of space and appeal... and 5 years warranty

Has he had any fault with the car?

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

VW Jetta/Golf. GREAT value for money and the engines are a gem. Bit on the smaller side though.

Ford Mondeo Zetec - new Ecoboost engine is excellent. Overall a very good package.

Mazda 6 Touring - If your mum is more into the sporty drive. Why the hell would you pay 35k for a Mazda 3 when these start at 29,990 driveaway?

Accord Euro Luxury - hands down the BEST interior in the class - leather everything and dashboard has premium feel. Up there with Merc C-Class and Audi A4. Great VTEC engine, solid 5spd auto, or if you're adventurous, the 6spd has the same snick snick feel of the S2000. Gets my vote with Honda reliability and 5 year warranty. I guarantee you, take her to see it and she will fall in love with the interior

Didnt even realize the Mazda 6 is the better value.

Definitely going to check the accord.

Originally Posted by BMW86

I'd also recommend looking at Nissan X-trail, Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav-4 as well.

I've had an X-trail and it was a blast, great car for the money.

will check out the x trail, any issues when you had it?

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

will check out the x trail, any issues when you had it?

We still have it in the family as a run around car. I got the Ti-L spec which came with full leather and massive sunroof.

It's not in the same league as the Euro cars but it does everything it's meant to do, and well. It's hard to look past it for the money.

[dr.bmw]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

Has he had any fault with the car?

he's got an issue with remote central locking not playing ball sometimes in very hot weather after car's been sitting outside for a while, and can't get it fixed after several visits to the dealer. obviously a hard fault to demonstrate, apart from that, mechanically has been very good so far (spit for luck)

[woosh]

LOL I love how we all would be very happy driving a 30-35k car (assuming from the reviews and suggestions) yet we continue modding our 1ers to the Nth degree. Damn this website!

[MrBlonde]

Good to see the community pooling experience/advice!

[BMW86]

I completely forgot about the Skyline 370GT. It's basically a 370Z with a backseat. It's strange because it seems to be more expensive than what they were a year ago.

I think the 350GT looks very dated and I'm less partial to the sedan. The 350GT sedan looks very plain imho. However, the 370GT sedan still looks good.

Here's an example of a really nice 370GT coupe http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...|Year:2007,Max

Here is another black 370GT for 40k http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...|Year:2007,Max

There are a few others around the 35k mark that always come and go. Really sensible cars that come with a lot of standard features, plus I hear the motor is bullet proof.

Also, they do 0-100km in around 5.5 seconds so there is plenty of grunt. Not very mod friendly though but I doubt that's a priority

The Infinity G37 looks even better than the Skyline 370GT but they're around 60k. They are true 335i competitors in the USA.

[RaihaX]

Ok looks like I got a good list to work with!

Will have to see if the 370GT Sedan is too "sporty" or not, my dad has a hard time going into a "low/sporty" car.