Tis the season of giving and if you have car-age kids, it's their season for receiving.
Long promises — some say bribes — of successfully finishing secondary school usually include the lure of a car for the youngster. A car that Mum and Dad invariably pay for. But what to buy?
We're not just talking about a mode of transport here. Parents have to present a list of cars that will maintain the ever-fluid needs of a 17-year-old full of the unpredictability that only bless adolescence and the clinically insane. The car must be all things to all teenagers — look expensive, run cheap, carry all the friends, small enough to park easily and like their bedroom, never need maintaining.
For the parents, the criteria is different. It must be cheap (and who cares if it looks cheap), run cheap, preferably be big enough to absorb minor and major dingles, and unlike their bedroom, easy for their children to keep clean.
Clearly, we are on two different planets. If you are the parent and thinking Volvo 240, please immediately reappraise your relationship with your child because the phrases ‘your next car’ and ‘Volvo’ should never be uttered within their earshot. Even taking out the 240, your task is compounded by the huge choice. Now Carsguide is making it a bit easier.
Listed here are six cars — three new and three used — that try to find the middle ground to what you, as parents, want and what them, as children, are going to get. There are a dozens of others to choose from.
Be aware that you're probably going to choose price as the starting point. But you should attempt to sway your offspring from big-name European exotics (parts and repair costs will cause mental anguish); sports-oriented cars (insurance costs will keep you poor); anything capable of high performance activities (like a red rag to a policeman and high on tyres and fuel); and cars that have a reputation for poor safety and quality.
Basically, the cheaper a car when new, the shorter its shelf life. The more expensive when new, the more it will cost to maintain.
In no particular order, here's six to contemplate:
NEW
NISSAN MICRA ($15,990)
This baby gets love-hate reactions to its looks and is clearly women-oriented. It's cute, practical and well equipped. Few will want more than the Micra's offerings of four doors and a boot, airconditioning, automatic transmission, electric windows, CD player, two airbags and ABS brakes. Add $2000 for four more airbags, alloy wheels and 6-disc CD.
Engine: 1.4-litre 72kW/137Nm
Transmission: 4-speed auto
Economy: 6.8 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 3/5 stars
HYUNDAI GETZ SX ($15,340)
Perennial favourite for the budget-conscious buyer but the Getz also wins on style. This three-door SX isn't the cheapest Getz (the S model is $13,990) but it comes standard with ESC for must-have safety. It's well equipped with CD/USB/iPod and Bluetooth, airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors and two airbags and can be optioned with more airbags and automatic transmission.
Engine: 1.6-litre 78kW/144Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Economy: 6.2 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 3/5 stars
SUZUKI ALTO GLX ($14,490)
New Indian-made baby five-door is one of Australia's cheapest cars. But though it starts at $12,490 for the GL, we say this GLX is better because of the ESC. Standard kit includes airconditioning, front electric windows, CD/iPod, six airbags and the ESC/ABS combo. Tiny engine only feels the heat when the car is packed. Otherwise it runs on an oily rag.
Engine: 1-litre 50kW/90Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Economy: 4.8 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 4/5 stars
USED
HOLDEN COMMODORE (2000-2003) ($7000-$10,000)
There's probably more Commodores in Australia than noses so they're cheap, plentiful and have a ready source of parts and people to fix them. Best of all, it's a lot of metal for the price and choose ones with better safety — Acclaim, for example, and post-2002 Executives have two airbags — for more protection. Most come from fleets so expect high mileages (120,00km-plus) and could be worked hard, so inspection is vital. WARNING: May be too powerful for beginners.
Engine: 3.8-litre 152kW/305Nm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Economy: 11 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 4/5 stars (2002)
TOYOTA COROLLA (2000-2003) ($9000-$11,000)
Matches the Commodore for parts, repair facilities and numbers though is better built and generally enjoyed a more private early life, hence mileages may be lower. But despite popularity, good ones are scarce and prices are high making finding the right car at the right price difficult and even suspect. Inspection before purchase is vital. WARNING: May not be powerful enough for beginners.
Engine: 1.8-litre 85kW/154Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Economy: 7.5 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 4/5 stars
NISSAN PULSAR (2000-2003) ($7500-$10,500)
Often plays second string to the Corolla and yet shares most of the endearing features of economy and simplicity. Likewise needs inspection before purchase. Pulsars came in a choice of engine, transmission and body styles so there's more variety for the buyer yet it may be difficult to get exactly the one you want. No warning applies.
Engine: 1.6-litre 86kW/147Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Economy: 7.2 l/100km
ANCAP Safety: 3/5 stars
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