8 Best Used Cars for Mums Under $20k

The best used cars for mums on a budget

mums are naturally thrifty. Ask anyone. They'll tell you how their mum used to darn their holey socks. Or how they could make a delicious pasta sauce that fed the whole family for a fiver.

From buying second-hand school books to making play-castles from empty packing boxes, mums know how to save. It's true, they always seem to make ends meet, even on a (very) tight budget.

It's the same when it comes to family cars. Mums know how to spot a bargain. Here are our picks for the top eight used cars for mums under $20,000.

Want to find a great car loan too? Check out our car loans page.

8. Holden Astra

Australians typically pay a premium for 'prestige' German automobiles. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, they all cost a packet. Smart buyers, though, they ignore the fancy (expensive) badge, and go for something better.

The Holden Astra may be called a Holden in Australia, but it's actual a German made vehicle from European car manufacturer opal. It's simply 'rebadged' for our shores.

What does that mean? It means smart shoppers can pick up one of these expertly engineered German automobiles without the prestige price-tag. It's no more expensive than other family cars from Holden.

7. Kia Sportage

Kia have come a long way in recent years. Today, they're on par with many other manufacturers of family cars. In terms of safety, performance and practicality, Kias are just as good as their rivals.

However, despite the quality improving in leaps and bounds, the price of Kia vehicles has remained impressively low. The cheapest Kia starts at just $14,990 (new) and secondhand they're even greater value.

The Kia Sportage is among the most well-priced used cars for mums. It's a decent-sized SUV with plenty of space for the kids, the pets, the sporting equipment, the school bags, the bikes, and much more.

6. Hyundai i30

drive just about anywhere in Australia today, and you're likely to see at least one Hyundai i30 on the road. It's not surprising. The i30 has been one of the best-selling family cars in this country since its release in 2007.

This plethora of i30s on the market, means that you're always in a good position to haggle. If you can't get the price you want, just move on to the next car yard over, there's sure to be another model for sale.

The i30's five doors, hatchback and wagon shape mean that there's plenty of space, and if you ever need more, the back seats simply fold down for additional storage.

car	from price*	seats	doors	warranty	ancap safety rating
2015 Holden Astra GTC	$15,800	5	3	3 years / 100,000km	5 star
2013 Kia Sportage si	$16,200	5	5	5 years / unlimited km	5 star
2014 Hyundai 130 active	$12,100	5	5	5 years / unlimited km	5 star

*prices are as listed on redbook.com.au. warranty valid from date of first sale.

5. Ford Falcon

there was a time when the Ford Falcon was the number one car for Aussies. While those days are over, there's no denying that the falcon has been getting Australian families around for generations.

The ford 'ecoboost' engines installed in the later models are more fuel efficient than previous iterations. So be sure to shop around for those. Otherwise, the falcon can be thirsty when compared to other family cars.

A 3-year-old (2014) model features a 5 star used car safety rating too. So you can have that extra peace of mind of knowing that of all the used cars for mums, yours is one of the safest.

4. Mazda cx-5

when it comes to great used cars for mums, Mazda really does have you covered. For small families, there's the budget-priced Mazda 2 and for medium-sized families there's the hugely popular Mazda 3.

For the large family or the family that likes to think big, though, there is no doubt that the Mazda cx-5 is the optimum choice. It's a great SUV with all the practicalities that that entails.

If you can, choose a model with Mazda's safety pack. It includes a stack of excellent safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, low-speed autonomous braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.

3. Subaru xv

like the Kia Sportage and Mazda cx-5, the Subaru xv is a family SUV with plenty of everyday practicalities. Unlike those family cars, though, it's also got the looks to make the neighbours more than a little jealous.

The xv's sporty lines, sleek lights and stylish wheels make it a real looker. It's also well-equipped, even at the base models. Spend a little more, and you can have luxuries like a sunroof or heated seats.

The xv was also one of the first Subaru family cars to be sold with 'auto stop start'. A system which saves fuel by turning off the engine when it's not needed, such as when you're waiting at the lights.

 

2014 Ford Falcon FG x$16,400543 years / 100,000 km5 star

car	from price*	seats	doors	warranty	ancap safety rating
2013 Mazda cx-5 maxx	$20,100	5	5	3 years / 100,000 km	5 star
2015 Subaru xv 2.0i	$19,500	5	5	3 years / unlimited	5 star

2. Kia carnival

got a big family? A really big family? Then the Kia carnival is for you. It's one of the few used cars for mums available today with enough space to transport half a football team - no joke.

In the carnival, you get 8 seats as well as a huge amount of storage space. And that space only increases if you fold the seats down. There's also a massive array of cupholders, cubbies, and compartments.

In terms of safety, the (2011) carnival features side and curtain airbags as standard, as well as abs, esp and electronic brake distribution systems, and that earns it a 5 star used car safety rating.

1. Toyota Camry

There aren't many manufacturers of family cars that can contend with Toyota for reliability. For decades, Toyota has been the gold standard for tough rugged performance, day in day out.

The Toyota Camry is no exception. It's well-made, well-equipped and well-priced. And if anything does go wrong, genuine parts are easy to source. It's an all-round solid and affordable car.

Older models with the electric/petrol hybrid engine are available for less than $20,000 too. So, if the price of fuel is regularly on your radar, the hybrid is one of the best models to choose.

car	from price*	seats	doors	warranty	ancap safety rating
2011 Kia carnival s	$15,800	8	5	5 years / unlimited km	4 star
2014 Toyota Camry	$14,900	5	4	3 years / 100,000 km	5 star

"mums are naturally thrifty. ask anyone. they'll tell you."

We finance used cars for mums

At Rapid Finance, we provide loans for most situations. Our team are specialists in finding finance to match individual needs and circumstances. Whatever your situation, we may be able to help.

Whether you're looking to finance a Toyota, Hyundai, Holden, ford or any other family cars, we could secure for you a better car loan deal. It's what we do!

Learn more on our car loans page or call 1300 467 274