[MummyIHK]

Have you thought about a Ford Focus, I have an XR5 turbo and I love it You will not be able to pick one of these for 20k brand new but you should be able to pick up a Focus Ambiente for about 20k. It sounds like you have had a good experience with Fords so it may be worth sticking with what you know.

[Bluenomi]

Our CX 7 cost us a bomb to service each time, at least $500 (still under warranty, with no repairs being required). The CX-9 was the same, I'd never buy another Mazda 4WD.

My last Mazda 3 service was $700 so I'm used to that. Service costs don't really bother me and it comes in such a pretty blue colour

[*LucyE*]

New, I think. We've both always had ratty old cars and we're getting a little sick of sinking money into them. My little laser is still going great (fingers crossed, knock on wood and all that), but DP is over having so many things go wrong with his car and just wants to not have to worry about it.

If finances is an issue, I would strongly suggest a late model second hand car. That way, someone else has copped the depreciation, the car is still fairly new and you can buy something that you couldn't afford new. A 2 year old car that still has 3 years worth of factory warranty is usually a good buy.

[ednaboo]

I was going to say this

I would strongly suggest a late model second hand car

too. You can find cars with very few kms on them but they will be a lot cheaper than a brand new car. We bought a new car once but we wouldn't do it again. Our current car was second hand but had done only 700kms!

[Jacoby28]

We have a Honda CR-V and a Toyota Camry.

The Camry is cheaper to service,cheaper tyres and better on fuel.

[allyire]

I love our Holden Astra wagon. I know you said you don't like wagons, but it's a very compact version. We live in the inner west of sydney and it's our only car so I use it for zipping around as well as going on holidays/trips etc. I bought it as an ex-government vehicle at auction still under warranty with 14000 km for $13500.

[little lion]

Check out your state motoring body (RACV, RACQ etc). Their magazines analyse not just purchase costs but running and repair costs. I remember being go smacked by the Honda jazz repair costs, for example. In that price range I'd be tempted to go with Hyundai because many of their cars have a five star crash rating and they have five year warranties.

[fi73]

Hi
At the moment I drive a honda civic which I have been happy with.A while back we were looking at cars for DH and I was really impressed with the ford focus hatch, the other one was a ford mondeo hatchback which was huge inside, could probably look at ones a few years old to fit your budget.
Fiona

[roses99]

Have you thought about a Ford Focus, I have an XR5 turbo and I love it You will not be able to pick one of these for 20k brand new but you should be able to pick up a Focus Ambiente for about 20k. It sounds like you have had a good experience with Fords so it may be worth sticking with what you know.

The Focus is well worth considering. My parents have one and the backseat is as wide as their Honda Accord. It's a great quality car too.

I generally agree with the others regarding buying near new rather than brand new. Maybe you could look at demonstrator cars?

However, we have NO regrets about buying our Mazda 626 brand new ten years ago. I think that's the secret to buying a brand new car; you have to be prepared to keep it for at least eight years.

I would also seriously consider the Hyundai cars. They have a great reputation these days. There are still car snobs who wouldn't rate them. But the car reviewers certainly do! You could also consider the Mitsubishi Lancer. They offer pretty good bang for buck.

The Barefoot Investor says that you should buy the cheapest car your ego will allow you to drive!

This post has been edited by roses99: 20/04/2012, 09:34 PM

[japonica]

Toyota Corolla- you could get a great one within that price range- they're so reliable!