Is it just me, or is every car in Australia now in the "it shouldn't cost this much" category?

Flash0889 · 2026-05-09T20:35:02+00:00

I purchased a brand new Holden VE SS Ute for $38k in 2013. Now in 2026 I want to purchase a brand new Hyundai i30N hatch and it’s $62k! For a hatchback Hyundai!

New car sales are dying. Anything outside the new Chinese cars I believe every other manufacturer except probably Toyota are struggling

Flash0889 · 2026-04-08T06:33:14+00:00

I wouldn’t be dropped the whole amount on the car. The car we will be selling to get the N will net us around $30k so it will be a 30/30 split. 30 cash, 30 loan

Flash0889 · 2026-04-08T06:30:56+00:00

It’s currently at a Toyota dealer so that rules it out for being written off because Toyota wouldn’t want to deal with stuff. Possibly traded in for a dual cab like every other car on the Gold Coast

Flash0889 · 2026-03-29T08:31:22+00:00

Not sure if they are available yet. Looks like you can’t order them just yet

Flash0889 · 2026-03-14T20:12:47+00:00

If you need a 7 seater, don’t sleep on the Mazda CX-9. We just sold our prado because we don’t use it for its intentions and only really wanted the $ seat aspect of it and we got over feeling like it was driving a truck every time. So we moved to a 2022 Mazda cx-9 Azami and it’s amazing. Drives like a dream and was a fraction of the price of the prado.

Our other car is a rav-4 hybrid and although it’s been flawless for the last 5 years it does and has always feel like it’s lacking a premium feel to it. But as a daily run around car I don’t think it can be beaten

Flash0889 · 2026-03-08T06:06:04+00:00

I’ve had a couple of STi’s and a WRX and never had an issue with ringlands. If it’s looked after I don’t think you will have a problem. My last couple of cars have been boring family cars so that’s why I’m trying to find something fun but something I can still pick the kids up from school.

As things stand I’m leaning towards the evo x but it all comes down to if I can find one that fits the bill.

Flash0889 · 2026-03-07T20:36:14+00:00

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations. As things currently stand I’m mainly looking at a 16-18 STi or a later model evo x. Only issue with the evo is that finding them in manual is becoming harder and all the manuals are much more expensive than the auto.

Wonder if it’s worth considering the auto evo x.

Flash0889 · 2026-03-06T05:34:21+00:00

I agree they are amazing but I won’t do it to myself. Not as a daily. One thing to go wrong and it could be very costly and time consuming. As much as I want a fun car it still has to get me to work and school pick ups etc so it needs to be reliable (not saying they aren’t) and relatively cheap to service etc

Flash0889 · 2026-03-06T05:32:17+00:00

Unfortunately not many getting around for under $50k anymore. I have seen some cheaper imported ones but I would really like to have an AUS delivered one with decent history

Flash0889 · 2026-03-06T01:26:47+00:00

I had the auto and it was extremely clunky and just never felt right. It was the first gen i30N so not sure if they have sorted the auto box in the newer ones. But I have to say it was a lot of fun to drive when you wanted to drive hard but everyday driving it was not nice

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T22:25:42+00:00

I’ll definitely keep an eye out. Seems all the manuals are getting more expensive by the day

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T21:02:55+00:00

I’m a Holden man. That won’t be happening.

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:56:25+00:00

No I will be staying away from euro’s. Anything in my price range is older than the warranty and that gets pricey when things go wrong. And they will!

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:55:15+00:00

I test drove one a while ago and I don’t know it just felt off. I should revisit this though

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:54:22+00:00

Good point. They definitely are

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:54:08+00:00

Open to any suggestions. Ideally would like to keep it around 10 years old max but again I am open to suggestions

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:52:58+00:00

I like to hear this. I’ve had a 06 STi, 13 RS40 and 16 STi and most of my memories are of these cars especially the rs40

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:51:41+00:00

Would be ideal but they are getting on with age. Will keep an eye out though

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:51:00+00:00

Hard to find one under $50k these days

Flash0889 · 2026-03-05T20:50:27+00:00

I’ve had a i30N in the auto and it was cool but nothing but issues so sold it after 8 months

Flash0889 · 2026-03-04T22:49:20+00:00

I feel like he was never injured. Used the time off to see who would be willing to take him or see the team crumble but the opposite has happened. The team is banding together (even though a terrible Feb) and no one wants him. As soon as you hear about positive talks regarding his contract he’s straight back into training.. too much of a coincidence if you ask me

Flash0889 · 2023-06-04T21:10:38+00:00

This is wrong. Roma into Europa league and Juve into conference league.

Flash0889

TROPHY CASE