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The $52k question: Which car would each CarAdvice journo pick?

Celebrating 52 episodes of the CarAdvice podcast, this question was put to each writer on the team: if you had $52,000, what new car would you buy?


You can catch their responses on this week's show, but if you can't get away with some listening time, we've listed each below.


It is a practical sleeper. I’d option it up with a couple of things, about $5000's worth, which comes in underneath the criteria, and I have enough left over for a party!


Holden Commodore SS V Redline: $54,990 (this guy can't follow rules... forgive him, he's from Geelong)

A car that I have chosen is fitting for this time of year, and this year in general. I feel that if you haggled, you would get it for $52,000! It is a car that is worthy of the price tag, and, given it’s the last time we will see ever see a locally produced Commodore or Australian car, it would be one that I would love to see in the garage.


I would buy the car that I just did. I’d have to skip the leather to bring it under the price point, and maybe negotiate a bit harder with the dealer, and have the dual cab ute that myself and every other Australian is busy buying off the shelves.


Matt Campbell

Ford Fiesta ST: $27,490
Nissan Navara: $19,490

I’d choose two cars and still come under budget. I would get more seats, practicality and fun than most people would.


Ford Focus RS: $50,990

I’d buy the Ford Focus RS because I think it’s a performance car bargain, and it’s super cool.


I would consider a Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ. But I love my commercial vehicles, so at $46,780 I would consider a Renault Trafic because they’re cool and I like them.

But, the one I would probably have to go with, is a Holden ute. If you go with the SS, you still get the 6.2L V8 and you get one of the last ever Holden utes to be created. And if you get it in the SS, it’s $43,990, which leaves you a little over $8000 to spend on fuel and tyres.


Volkswagen Golf: $22,840
Mazda MX-5: $33,340

I’m going to go with two cars. One of them being a base model Volkswagen Golf manual, and for the weekend, thought I’d hop into a 1.5L Mazda MX-5. So maybe for a fraction over $52k, I’ve got two cars - one very practical Golf and one very exciting and enjoyable MX-5. What could be better?

(Tony's a founder, so we're going to ignore his inability to budget...) 


Triumph Street Cup motorcycle: $17,000
Hyundai i30 SR: $35,190

I wouldn’t buy a car first up, I’d get a Triumph Street Cup motorcycle for $17,000 ride-away. With the change, I fancy the new Hyundai i30 SR Premium. I haven’t driven one but it looks great, and I’d be happy to gamble.


Holden Commodore: $47,490 - $51,690

I would buy as much Holden Commodore V8 as my money could stretch to, and then I’d park it in my garage and put it up on blocks, and in 30 years I’d be a millionaire.


I would buy the Skoda Superb 206TSI sport line [If you're listening to the podcast, I meant the wagon! - Stevo]. I think it's just over $52,000, but I think I could screw them down on price!


I’d maybe get the Audi A3 cabriolet, but it would be the base model. Maybe the Subaru BRZ and have a little bit of cash leftover to go shopping... But it would have to be the Volkswagen Scirocco R Wolfsburg.


Peugeot 2008: $32,990

My car would be an updated Peugeot 2008 because I like the look of it. If I were to buy a car in that price range, I’d buy something the kids could trash, people could open doors and run trolleys into, and wouldn’t have to care too much, but it would also be something that nobody else has, and given Peugeot’s current success in Australia, I think it would be unique.


Subaru Outback: $42,240

My set of requirements is pretty unique. I want something that is spacious and roomy - because the best things in life involve your friends and all your stuff - but I don’t want an SUV, I want a wagon.

Because I like to drive, I want a manual gearbox. Manual wagons in Australia are incredibly hard to come by. There’s only two that are any good within the budget. One is the Skoda Octavia RS, and one is the Subaru Outback diesel. The fact is that if I want fun, I can ride my motorbike, so I’m going to go the Subaru Outback 2.0D with a manual gearbox.

Not exactly flashy, cool and sexy, but for me, it’s a lifestyle car if ever there were one and ticks so many boxes, and I’m just going to be boring and choose that.


Ford Focus RS: $50,990

I would be taking a Ford Focus RS because it’s about time I didn’t have to make a sensible decision and that is the least sensible decision I could make. I would take a Nitro Blue one with the upgraded tyre pack and all the trimmings.


For that money, I wouldn’t think twice about buying the VW Golf GTI 40 Years, but I have a soft spot for the Mazda MX-5. Seeing as I don’t have a family to worry about fitting into such a small car, and that I love the feeling of wind through my hair on a weekend road trip, this is a no-brainer for me.


Podcast

Listen to the CarAdvice team talk about their $52,000 car below, and catch more like this at caradvice.com/podcast.


What car would you buy for $52,000? Let us know in the comments below!

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