Best Compact Cars of January 2012

The Mitsubishi Lancer is back in the running so it goes back to #1.

The Hyundai i30 gets pushed back into second place. Comes with a full size spare, which is more than can be said for the other two.

While currently cheaper than the i30, fuel consumption is slightly worse and you only get a Space Saver spare tyre.

Best Light Cars of January 2012

This month an extra $1,000 was added to the price of the Hyundai Accent Elite sedan, so now it's no longer at the top as even a $1,000 can make the difference in this segment.

The cheaper prices of petrol have also made diesel not as attractive as it normally is pushing the Ford Fiesta out of the running.

The Hyundai i20 goes from third to first thanks to being good overall when it comes to price and fuel consumption.

Even after the changes in 1st and 3rd, the Suzuki Swift still comes in second place. Comes with a space saver spare tyre.

The new Holden Barina makes it in third place. The fuel consumption is nothing to write home about but you can't argue with the $16,990 price tag.

Best Cars of January 2011

Happy New Year All! Let us see what are the choicest cars in 2011. I in fact may be getting a car this year so it makes this blog even more relevant to my circumstances. One of the changes I will be making is that the prices quoted will be WA prices from now on.

In terms of January, not much has changed in terms of the leaderboard besides the prices.

#1 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating
• Made in Japan
• Subaru resale value

Cons:

• None

#2 Mitsubishi Lancer SX

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating
• Made in Japan
• 5 year, 130,000km warranty

Cons:

• None

#3 Honda Civic Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 year, 140,000 km warranty (for a limited time)

Cons:

• Thai import

Best Cars of January 2010

With stricter requirements on what qualifies as a viable car, I only had a list of 4 to shortlist from... these are the three that came out top (and these are including cars from the Light class).

#1 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• All-Wheel Drive


• Subaru's good resale value


• Larger class

Cons:

• Space Saver Spare

#2 Toyota Yaris YRX Sedan 1.5i

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,998

Pros:

• Good Fuel Economy


• Full Size Spare

Cons:

• Smaller Class

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,990

Pros:

• None

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Smaller Class

Best Compact SUVs of January 2009

Once again, it's a battle between 3 Japanese Compact SUVs all around the same price. This time though, the Nissan X-Trail overtakes the Toyota RAV4.

#1 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Alloy wheel standard


• Alarm standard


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#2 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Full size spare tyre


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Alloys extra

#3 Nissan X-Trail

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• ESP Standard

Cons:

• No Full-size spare


• Alloy wheels extra


• Alarm extra

Best Medium Cars of January 2009

Same contenders as last time, same rankings.

#1 Kia Magentis

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,886

Pros:

• Ridiculously low price


• Alloy wheels standard


• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

#2 Toyota Camry Altise

Base Model Estimated Price: $27,990

Pros:

• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard


• Includes alloys

Cons:

• A bit thirsty on fuel

#3 Mazda 6

Base Model Estimated Price: $30,830

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• ESP standard


• Full size spare


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Premium unleaded recommended


• Alloy wheels extra

Best Compact Cars of January 2009

The Subaru remains but now the i30 and the Ritmo are added to the line-up. The Ritmo is very cheap but the i30 beats it with value for money.

#1 Subaru Impreza

Base Model Estimated Price: $26,680

Pros:

• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Poor fuel economy

#2 Hyundai i30

Base Model Estimated Price: $22,972

Pros:

• ESP Standard


• Full size spare


• Alarm standard


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Metallic Paint extra


• No alloys standard

#3 Fiat Ritmo

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,990

Pros:

• Cheap price

Cons:

• No ESC


• No full-size spare


• Metallic Paint extra


• No alarm standard


• No alloys standard

Best Light Cars of January 2009

With a new year comes a new rating system. Safety is now under tighter scrutiny and cars that seemingly had 5 star ANCAP ratings, actually didn't (obviously varies for models - ANCAP sometimes reports on higher trim levels which have more safety features). Extra charges has been increased to $3,000 additional value as well.

Since the Punto is now the only true car to have a 5-star ANCAP rating even at its base trim level, it is also now #1. The Ford Fiesta enters the list at third place.

#1 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,590

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Safe

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,500

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Extra year warranty

Cons:

• No full-size spare

#3 Ford Fiesta

Base Model Estimated Price: $15,990

Pros:

• Made in Germany

Cons:

• No full-size spare