What car to buy for under $20K??

[Jarred]

Hi All,

In the next few months I'll be selling my MK 2 VR6 and Mk 3 TDI. Time has come, I just want to move into something that is newer and in better overall condition. I'm looking at buying in about 3-6months time (hopefully)

So I put it to you lot - what would you buy for under $20K?

Some more background. This will be my "daily driver", I'll still have the Seat as a weekender/track hack, so I'm not nessecarily after something that's fast or 'sporty'. I'm not looking for a project, or something to fix up, but I'm not unopposed to a few modifications as nessecary.

Other requirements (or general guidelines):
-Must be relatively new
-preferably a few km's as possible
-Must be reliable
-Should hopefully be interesting
-Must be a quality car (no Kias etc)
-Nice, fun, and/or enjoyable to drive
-Probably auto
-Generally good fuel economy (diesel would be ace)
-Doesn't have to be VAG


I have one potential candidate in my head, but I'm curious to know what you'll think (and what I might have missed!) Doesn't have to fit all the boxes above, but if it fits a couple, fire away!

[team_v]

VW Up! or 9n polo 1.9TDI?

Otherwise the focus diesel is meant to be pretty good.

[Bflat]

http://http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=14928615

It's essentially the VR noise in an understated package. Only 4 for sale in the country at the moment so nice and rare too

[Jarred]

Had considered an Up, however, they're not the most... manly.. of cars.

Not bad with the audi Ryan, but thats a 9 year old car! Want something newer than that. preferrably much less kms, too.

[jamie88]

6r polo tsi with sport pack, surprisingly fun to drive, 22 drive away brand new, can be had with 20k on the clock for 17-18k,
tune available for 100kw, light and nimble similr size to a mk3
springs/ coils.
look good.

[STI65]

Skoda Yeti.

[FSI 220]

If you want something practical (tic).... I will be able sell you a 7yold NC1 mazda mx5 with 100 odd in a few months (once I work out what I want to buy)...

Umm, Looking at your list.... maybe too many K's
Ummm maybe not Automatic... (but that gearbox is awsome)
Hey! But run this scenario through your head...

You " I am just going to duck off to the shops"
wife " can you take the kids, they are driving me mad?"
You " no can do... gotta take the mazda, its 'parking in' the SUV"

aye... waddaythink? he he

[Jarred]

Haha. have consideredowning an MX-5 a number of times previously, but not at this time.

I'm looking for something that'll be worth keeping for a number of years (hence why I'm trying to get something 'as new as possible'). Would consider something a little bit older, but would have to be justified by it having a certain X-factor. Or being an incredible bargain. (I use that term loosely)

Polo isn't a bad choice. Would probably go a TDI because of the stupid good economy. But there's nothing that appeals to me about it, if that makes sense.

There are alot of good reasons to get a Skoda Yeti

Top Gear - Skoda Yeti road test - BBC - YouTube

[QBDentFree]

I like the feel of Subarus on-road. There are some (older) libertys with a 6cyl motor and 5sp auto that would be my pick, but there aren't many around. They seem to be around the $18k mark which sounds about spot on for you.
Can't vouch for their economy though

[greg32]

RE: What car to buy for under $20K??

I would say yo go for the Skoda or Polo gti
Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_304 using Board Express

[VR28LT]

I know this may be a very predictable reponse but i think for that kind of money you cant go wrong with a mk5 gti

something like this may be the way to go
2007 Volkswagen Golf V GTI MY07 Direct-Shift Gearbox

[kai_h]

MkV GTI for the fun factor or a MkV TDI for the fuel economy if you're planning to do lots of km in it.
They're both very solidly built cars and you can get something with 40,000-80,000km for under $20k.
You'll probably be able to get some luxuries thrown in as well, like full leather (heated seats are awesome in winter!) or sunroof...

[THE_EGG]

I know this will sound weird but perhaps the MINI Clubman? Fun to drive, interesting and pretty frugal although I'm not sure what kind of model would be available for under $20k though.

Maybe a Volvo V50 if you want mega-space and still pretty good to drive with a lovely 5-cyl engine note

Also as mentioned before a Focus diesel would be pretty good and perhaps a Golf mkV GT Sport TDI would be pretty nice too.

[Jarred]

Haha I'm definately not getting a clubman, I find them ugly and pretentious as all hell. but I like where your head is at.

Mk 5's seem to be more on the money. Only problem is that the bulk of them are 06/07, which makes them 5 year old cars already! I'm sure there are some late model gems with low kms out there though. I do find the mk 5 a bit boring (visually though), but that's probably just because I see rough, filthy, dirty looking mk 5's every where on my way to uni! (I pass through camberwell/hawthorn for reference)

I was actually looking at a mk 6 103TDI. 2010 models with a variety of kms (under 60-80,000) are just hovering around the 20K bracket. With mk 7 hitting the road soon, I'm expecting them to drop a couple grand soon.

Another model on my radar is the Skoda Octavia. Some neat RS's out there, slightly higher kms, 09/10 models for reasonable money (high teens). Would probably go for the harder to find, more expensive diesel though

Thanks for the input so far guys.

[lol.u.mad.bro]

R34 Skyline 4 door sedan with the 2.5 Turbo (tiptronic or manual). Going for a smidge over $10K so another $10K to lower, stance, bigger turbo or RB26 motor. DO IT!