First Car

I'm 17 and looking to buy a car next year. I have a budget of under $16,000. Are there any reliable cars preferably with a turbo?

After buying our house, a car - new or used - is the most significant spend of our lives. So it is a purchase we need to approach with caution and as much information as possible. Most people would prefer to park a new car in the driveway but, for many reasons, it is not always possible and so we have to, or

I'm 17 looking for my first car and am looking into getting a Golf GTI Mk 6 DSG (2009-2013). Will this car be reliable first car or will it be prone to issues?

Hyundai is rumored to debut a new sub-Kona SUV at April’s New York motor show, which may be called Styx. Aimed mostly at North America and Australia, the Styx has been confirmed for local release in the second half of 2019. Rumoured to be under 4.0 metres in length and offered in front-wheel drive only, the Styx will be priced below the Kona, which lists from $23,500 before on-road costs in Australia.Not much else is known about the Styx at this time, though its model codename is QX and that could potentially be its name in Australia. It’s likely to take its styling cues from the HND-14 'Carlino' concept car that debuted at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo, which featured a boxy body and details such as small LED tail-lights and a large glasshouse. Competing at the entry-point to the small SUV class, the Styx has been developed with cars such as the Ford EcoSport and overseas Nissan Kicks in mind. It’s likely to use the same platform as the overseas Hyundai i20, and will likely serve as the basis for a Kia equivalent within time. Internationally, a wide range of engines will be offered with the Styx, including a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. Within a few years of the Styx’s release, an electric version is expected as well. Down Under, we expect just the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol to be offered, though the electric version could be sold here too.Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Styx will be launched locally with public relations specialist Tatiana Suchecki explaining: “Yes, the ‘QX’ will be available locally in the second half of 2019.”While the Styx will be made in markets such as India, we expect Australian-spec Styx models to come from South Korea, and feature a higher level of equipment and safety features than the Indian model. 

My daughter is looking to buy her first car. Where we live is countryish, outside of Beaudesert, Qld, so she has a 40 min drive on the highway to work, but then a gravel road of about 1 km. Also when it rains we often get flash flooding or water across the roads. What vehicle options under $20,000 would be best buy?

 

I am a 19-year-old P-plater looking to purchase my first car. It’s mainly for city/suburban driving, but I generally travel to the snow each year and to properties/farms. I currently drive a hand-me-down 1998 Holden Astra, so I don't want anything that is overly large, and would prefer a petrol auto.

My budget is a pretty strict $15,000, with fuel efficiency, reliability and low maintenance and servicing costs a must.

There was a time when Australians visiting Europe were genuinely shocked and disturbed by the size of things.

The Kia Picanto commands almost half of all micro-car sales in this country, so what makes it so compelling? Price? Looks? Quality? Being fun to drive? Safety gear? Or could it be all of those things?

The Suzuki Swift GL Navigator straddles the divide between cheap and cheerful and out-and-out expensive, adding must-have stuff without breaking the bank. And it might be the best of the Swift bunch.

My wife has recently got her Learners Permit, and I'm after a second car for her to learn in and eventually drive. Ideally, we would like a small automatic car and hopefully under $10,000. I've looked at Toyota Corollas based on their reliability and relative cheap servicing costs. Are there any cars you would recommend? Are there any cars I should avoid?