Best Cars of April 2010

Due to a change in criteria (increase in limit to $28,000) and a model going on sale (Mitsubishi Lancer) the scoreboards have changed once again.

#1 Mitsubishi Lancer Activ

Base Model Estimated Price: $21,990

Pros:

• Sedan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• Made in Japan


• 5 year, 130,000km warranty


• Awesome sale price

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 3 Maxx

Base Model Estimated Price: $27,507

Pros:

• Sedan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• Made in Japan

Cons:

• None

#3 Hyundai i30 SLX

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• One of the largest choices for under $28,000


• 5 year unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• Korean cars have a perception of poor quality


• Only hatchback models available

Once again a change in limit

Due to a change in circumstances, the price limit has increased to $28,000. It basically reflects the same price as a mid-spec Honda Civic (which is similar to the car I've got now).

Best Cars of March 2010

No changes here except the Kia Cerato Limited Edition is even cheaper.

#1 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Subaru's good resale value


• Sedan


• Made in Japan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• Slightly larger than current car


• 3 year, unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• None

#2 Kia Cerato Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• Sedan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• One of the largest choices for under $25,000


• 5 year unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

#1 Hyundai i30 SLX

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• One of the largest choices for under $24,490


• 5 year unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• Korean cars have a perception of poor quality

Best Cars of February 2010

Once again I've changed the criteria. Basically I now compare cars to what I currently own in various facets such as fuel economy, size, safety, etc. The finalists are surprisingly similar to the one before last month's, although in a different order.

#1 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Subaru's good resale value


• Sedan


• Made in Japan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• Slightly larger than current car


• 3 year, unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• None

#2 Kia Cerato Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $22,990

Pros:

• Sedan


• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• One of the largest choices for under $25,000


• 5 year unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

#1 Hyundai i30 SLX

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating


• One of the largest choices for under $25,000


• 5 year unlimited km warranty

Cons:

• Korean cars have a perception of poor quality

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

New Year and New Criteria

With the arrival of 2010 I've decided I'll change the criteria somewhat to even further limit options - I'll now only look at assessing 5-star ANCAP cars, however I will include Light cars as well.

The reason for the change is that I want to ensure whatever our next car is will be safe foremost and I don't mind the downgrading of size since some Light Cars are actually getting larger in size (almost to the point where they are the same size as smaller Compact Cars).

Best Compact Cars of December 2009

The i30 still stays on top as best value for money, however the Cerato is now even better value, pushing into the leaderboard, and so is Subaru's Impreza, which is currently on sale. All contenders have ESC standard.

#1 Hyundai i30 SLX

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Great Warranty


• Best fuel economy out of contenders (7.2L/100km)

Cons:

• None

#2 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• All-Wheel Drive


• Subaru's good resale value

Cons:

• Poor fuel economy (8.9L/100km)

#3 Kia Cerato Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• Great Warranty


• Full Size Spare

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value