[dr superfruity]

Our old used car has blown a head gasket and needs to be replaced. We have always had used cars and are over it being never ending money eating machines. So we want to buy a new one. Due to various visa circumstances we cant/do not want to finance at the conditions we have been offered. We do have some savings. No here is the problem, do we buy the latest model car we really like the look of but which would be all our savingsggone or a demo we are okay with but which is much cheaper?

Cars, are i30 new generation for $20k or old gen i30 Wagon for 17.5 or kia cerato demo for $14k. Savings left would be 5, and 7.5g or 11k respectively.

Wdyt?

any advice on the cars also greatly appreciated.

Tia

[Phascogale]

There's no guarantee that you won't get a lemon buying a new car either.

Would you consider a car 1-3 years old? You don't say how old your previous used cars have been when you have bought them.

But if you want a pretty much new car then I'd seriously consider the demo model. It won't have been driven much but you'll save money.

But out of your choices I'd be inclined to get the hyundai as in my world they have a better reputation than the kia (however I am not a car expert) and based on money I'd rather save the $2.5K and get the slightly older model (unless there are known faults in the old model that have been rectified in the new model that are really important to you and not just an aesthetic change).

Really what you need is a car to get you from A to B that's reliable and safe that doesn't cost too much so I'd be inclined to go the cheapest option. Cars are really never an investment that you will make money from - you just want one that's going to cost you the least (also including insurance, petrol/diesel, and maintenance costs) - so it may be worth getting insurance costs for each of those models as well.

[FiveAus]

The biggest advantage of a brand new car is the length of the warranty and what it covers. If the demo has the full new car warranty, then I'd go with that.
While its possible to get a lemon with a new car, at least it won't be you who's out of pocket while it's being repaired and you have a lot more comeback if it does turn out to be a lemon.

[kiwimum2b]

I'd go with the Kia..with a demo the only difference is a few kms, they still have the new car warranty.
I've owned Hyundai and Kia and now have a Kia Sorrento ex demo and its the best..Hyundai are still good but I think the Kia and extra cash is the best deal..

This post has been edited by kiwimum2b: 15/12/2012, 08:16 AM

[babychacha]

I would go with a demo model. I did.

I was looking at the Mazda 2 for about 3 months. 2nd hand they were in the range of $12 - 15k. New, it was 17,200. I didn't want to spend the extra few thousand but like you, didn't want to end up with continuing to fork out money towards unforseen problems.

I looked at a couple 2nd hand, had a mechanic come out and spent $250 with him for a thorough examination of the car and the result of that, was to NOT buy the car. He said it had likely been in a severe accident as something or rather was broken (a small thing that he said would have taken a lot of force to break). Anyway, I figured I would have to keep having mechanics look at 2nd hand cars or spend the extra $3k and buy a new car.

So I bought the demo model. It had 14ks on it and I had the window tinting included as well.

Good luck with it all.

[Mozzie1]

How old are the second hand cars you have been buying? We tend to buy cars that are around 3 years old, and have never had any problems. I always get someone who knows cars well to check them out for accident damage, mechanic faults, unusual patterns in the log books etc...

Our first car was $50k new, we paid $32k for it 3 years later. Our next car was $33k new, we paid $17k 5 years later, but it had barely been driven (25,000ks on the clock).

If you would really prefer to get a new car, I would go the demo model. Uti guess that's obvious seeing I havea preference for second hand cars

This post has been edited by Mozzie1: 15/12/2012, 08:40 AM

[roses99]

Hyundai have come a long way - to the point that their cars review extremely well and have a great reputation. That is NOT the case with Kia. If you're after reliability and a long warranty, then get the Hyundai.

We're about to buy our second brand new car. We bought our first (which we'll keep as a second car) almost eleven years ago. It's a Mazda 626. Until now, we literally have not spent a single cent on it apart from regular servicing and tyres. It now needs a new clutch, but it's had an amazing run. I know two other people who had the same experience with their 626.

So we're hoping to do the same again; buy a good quality car brand new and keep it for a decade. We're considering the Ford Focus or the Mazda 6.

[little lion]

Hi dr super fruity! I'd go for a Hyundai since they have five year warranties. If you're buying a near new car, go for one sold by a dealer since they're more reliable. Sometimes private sellers are selling cars that were repairable write offs. i30 is a good car you won't go wrong with. Kia is improving but it seems they're a few years behind Hyundai in that regard.

Edited to add: I didn't really answer your question. I'd probably pick the old i30 model if it is from a dealer and is no more than a year old (based on that price it shouldn't be older than that). There might be more bargaining power too since there's a new model out. PS you do know that you're meant to bargain, don't accept the first price they give you.

This post has been edited by little lion: 15/12/2012, 09:39 AM

[Pearson]

I would go with the i30 wagon.

There is nothing wrong with the Kia, but the i30 will give you a little bit more flexibility and space.

My parents have a cerato, and it is awesome, cheap to run, cheap to insure, cheap to service. No problems whatsoever in the time they have had it.

[dr superfruity]

Thanks for all your answers.

The used cars we had were usually around 7 or older....So very used
.
We decided to go with the wagon and yes little lion we did bargain and got them down by 1k plus incl tint and mica colour. So i think we did pretty well