What car to buy for under $20K??

[Jarred]

re read the first post mitch, I don't want another project

and they're 12/13 years old atleast, as old as the mk 3!

[VWindahouse]

Brand new VW Polo 6R 77TSI Manual. You really can't beat it for initial new car cost (new car warranty also), plus ongoing costs especially fuel.

They look amazing except for the oem spring height which I fixed with some 50mm drop H&R springs

They are surprisingly quick and can be tuned also. 2 years on with ours and no issues what so ever - sorry 6R GTI owners

But don't take my word for it.... Drive one

[Mk3 AAA]

Mk5 GTI is the obvious suggestion,
Mk7s start at 22grand (exceeds budget I know)
Brand new Polo?
Hyundai i30
Mazda 3
Stock Audi A4
1995 Vento VR6

TDi A4

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Audi-A4-2006/SSE-AD-898526/?Cr=21

Mk6

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Golf-2011/SSE-AD-2045429/?Cr=6

(I bet it still smells new)

Hate to say it, but the South Koreans are on a roll at the moment...

http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Hyundai-i30-2013/AGC-AD-13751605/?Cr=8

Sorry sorry, another Hyundai,

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Hyundai-Veloster-2012/AGC-AD-13904436/?Cr=2

I reckon those will dip under the 20s in the next 6 months.

[Jarred]

I'm not buying a Hyundai. Simple as that.

I've seen that B7 before, and it is a car that I do like the look of, and would be rather nice. It's a bit older than I would like (7 years old!) but if there was one, whose condition and kilometres were exceptional, I would have to consider it.
The only thing that concerns me about the Audis is the CVT gearbox? Don't think that's something I want, but I don't know enough about them. anyone care to comment.

Mk 6 is about on the money, although I'd probably go for a TDI. If I'm not gonig to get something... sporty.. (read: dull passenger model) I figure I may as well get something that does 5L/100kms

Everyone keeps raving on about the polos. To be honest, I've never been a fan of the polo's proportions. Visually, they're not the most appealing (to me), however they do fit the requirements quite well. How are the 6R's for interior quality?

[Hail22]

How are the 6R's for interior quality?

Comfy and practical especially for a shopping trolley / scuba gear carrier lol...

[Dutch77]

My mrs loves her 77TSI Polo.. the fact she has clocked up 50% of the mileage on my vehicle in six months compared to me owning mine for almost three years could attest to that fact.

I'll disagree here and say I really like the look and proportions of her car, and the finish inside is a cut above the competitors, bar the whole blue-tooth add on thing. Admittedly hers is red with sports/comfort pack and a nice tint which does finish the look off just nicely.. even brand new it wasn't that far over the $20k mark either.. so a second hand example would easily fit the bill.

[TSI_Dan]

Gotta be a Polo 77TSI - they're just spot on the money. Sport and comfort pack for sure. They interior quality is great and they are excellent to drive.

[VWindahouse]

Everyone keeps raving on about the polos. To be honest, I've never been a fan of the polo's proportions. Visually, they're not the most appealing (to me), however they do fit the requirements quite well. How are the 6R's for interior quality?

The proportion has changed considerably since the previous 9n3 model. The 6R is more mid sized now. Just a "slightly" smaller MK6 Golf and pretty much the same front end. Check one out in the flesh though

[h100vw]

Being biased to old cars under $20k and often under $5K(starting prices at least) How about a sensible Audi 8P. lots under $20K, all ages, all engines, all gearboxes. Varying amounts of doors. Quattro

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...%28SiloType%3d[Brand+new+cars+in+stock]%29|%28SiloType%3d[Demo+and+near+new+cars]%29%29|%28SiloType%3d[Dealer+used+cars]%29%29|%28SiloType%3d[Demo+and+near+new+cars]%29%29|%28SiloType%3d[Private+seller+cars]%29%29%26%28%28Make{%3d}[Audi]%29{%26}%28Model{%3d}[A3]%29%29%29%26%28State{%3d}[Victoria]%29%29%26%28Service%3d[Carsales]%29%29%26%28Price%3drange[15000..20000]%29%29&sortby=TopDeal

Software power, if that's what you want. Mechanics you are familiar with. You know where to get the parts from. Some still with warranty.

2007 Audi A3 8P TFSI Ambition S-Tronic

Plenty of Octavia vRS under $20k

Some Tiguans too.

Just realised I am shopping for me. So no surprises when I get another car sometime in the future?

[Jarred]

Lots of love for the 6R. Doesn't change my view on thier looks though Still, I'll add it to the list.

There is a wide range of Audi's available Gav, such as the 8P that does have lots going for them. B7 are much nicer looking in my eyes. Whilst there are some cheaper (under 20K) ones available, they're generally over 100K kms and 05/06 models. (7/8years old atleast). Nicer, lower kms ones can still be upto 30K. Still have my concerns about the CVT though, and manuals are scarce.

Octy VRS, is high on the list. lots of kit, for reasonable money. Late model examples and low kms too. I think the TDI VRS' are a bit harder to find, and tend to command a slightly higher price. Need to figure out if they're worth the extra few G or not.

Probably wouldn't go for a Tig. An Amarok on the other hand, now you're talking! (And now I'm dreaming)

[anthony]

I am surprised noebody has suggested a nice Jetta...

[Ideo]

Renault Megane 225 Cup.

[Sharkie]

Buy a new Mazda 3 for $20K driveaway. Will outlast any new VW, be less expensive to run and maintain, be ultra reliable and after 10 years be worth double what an equivalent $20K VW would be.

As a bonus, its a better drive than anything VW offers sub $30K.

And it pains me to say this as a VW enthusiast, with 10 previous VWs (2 currently in the house and #11 on the way), but for a reliable troublefree runaround no VW can touch it.

BTW, you can get into a TSI base Amarok SC for less than $25K new and a base TSI DC (both with no options) for $28K.

[VWindahouse]

Agree with the outlast part and resale part sure. Very nice to drive but completely different feel to VW's (can't explain it) but one thing you couldn't be more wrong about is the servicing and running costs. Work for one of Brisbane's largest dealerships for long enough to tell you that for certain plus my Brother in law is currently finding that out the hard way with his new CX7 Diesel. Plus not to mention my Ex who bought the top of the range Mazda 2 Genki who's ECU crapped out a month after the warranty was up and was told it was $2,000 just for a replacement plus labor and it had a perfect Mazda log book service history (yep hit you every 7,500kms) and was told sorry but that's the best we can do. And that was my mates dealership lol Mazda

But yes class winner for sure!

[slowmotion_93]

MKV GTI.

However, I did only pay 21k for my Golf. Brand new dsg. 77tsi though but its great!