Australia’s new car market soared to new heights in 2015 with more than 1.1million new cars sold across the country. The title of Australia’s highest selling car has been a raucous battle between Toyota and Mazda for the last two years with the Corolla and Mazda 3 trading blows in the race for supremacy. In 2015, The Toyota Corolla was victorious in selling 42,073 units to the Mazda 3’s 38,644. 
If, like us, you find the idea of buying a new Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3 slightly nauseating, you have probably considered a number of second hand alternatives that could be had in the same price bracket. The Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla are priced in the vicinity of $25k once you end up in one with a level of spec that you can live with every day. Neither the Mazda 3 nor the Toyota Corolla are the cheapest new car that money can buy, but the popular vote has deemed them to be the most sensible. So, let’s take a look at some less sensible options.
2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI
| Price: $29,500 | Mileage: 12,000km |
Location: Magill, SA |
For those looking at a new car for less than $30,000, you really should test drive a secondhand Mk6 Golf GTI before you make your decision. The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6 is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding drives for the money. With 155kW/280Nm from its 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Golf GTI is capable of sprinting to 100km/h in 6.9sec and is arguably the most competent performance hatchback on the market.
2010 BMW 125i Coupe
With only 20,000km on the clock this 2010 125i coupe is a bargain for less than $30k. The BMW is powered by a sweet, naturally aspirated inline 6 capable with 160kW/270Nm of getting you to 100km/h in 6.4sec. With a combined fuel consumption of 7.9L/100km the 125i isn’t quite as efficient as the Corolla, however, a significant boost in brand prestige should see a definite increase in smiles per mile.
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 is one of the most competent performance cars of all time. With a sorted chassis, all-wheel-drive grip and a 195kW 2.0L monster lurking under the bonnet, the Evo 8 is all-weather competent and smart enough to keep the most average driver on the straight and narrow. With 149,765km on the clock this Evo is on the higher side of things, fortunately however, if something does go wrong there is an abundance of parts available and it shouldn’t be too expensive.
2004 Porsche Boxster
That’s right, for the same price as a Toyota Corolla you could be travelling in style in one of the world’s most competent sports cars- the Porsche Boxster. We’d hate to think what it would cost if something went catastrophically wrong, however, when serviced on time and taken care of the Porsche’s robust 2.7L flat-six is extremely robust. With 168kW/265Nm on tap the Porsche Boxster is capable of getting to 100km/h in 6.4sec. It must be noted that Car Repair, Service and Maintenance is going to be significantly higher than a Toyota Corolla.
DISCLAIMER
We are aware that these cars may not deliver the same level of reliability that you would expect from a new Toyota Corolla, however, there is more to life than reliability.
