The Best Family Cars for Brisbane in 2025
Looking for a family-friendly ride that can handle Brisbane traffic and weekend trips? Here are our top picks.
Buying your first car? Here's everything you need to know, from budgeting to registration.
Buying your first car is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you've just got your licence or you're finally saving up for your own wheels, this guide covers everything Queensland first-time buyers need to know.
Before you start browsing Carsales, get your budget sorted. And we don't just mean the purchase price.
The True Cost of Your First Car:
| Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | Your budget |
| Stamp duty | 2-4% of purchase price |
| Registration transfer | $35-$50 |
| Insurance (comprehensive) | $1,200-$3,000/year for under-25s |
| Pre-purchase inspection | $150-$300 |
| Safety Certificate (if needed) | $80-$150 |
| First service | $200-$400 |
| Fuel (monthly) | $150-$300 |
The golden rule: Budget 15-20% extra beyond the purchase price for these costs. If you're looking at a $10,000 car, have $11,500-$12,000 ready.
First car budget sweet spots:
| Budget | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| $5,000-$8,000 | Older reliable models (2010-2015), higher km |
| $8,000-$12,000 | Sweet spot for first cars—newer models, lower km |
| $12,000-$18,000 | Near-new cars, very low km, still under warranty |
| $18,000+ | Consider if you really need this for your first car |
For most first-time buyers, we recommend used cars. Here's why:
Used Car Advantages for First-Timers:
When New Might Make Sense:
The numbers:
A new Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport costs around $30,000. A 3-year-old version with 40,000km costs around $22,000. That's $8,000 saved—enough for years of fuel, insurance, and servicing.
Non-Negotiable Safety Features:
Since 2018, all new cars in Australia must have:
For first cars, prioritise:
Practical Considerations:
Fuel efficiency matters: You're probably on a budget. A car using 6L/100km vs 10L/100km saves ~$1,500/year at current fuel prices.
Servicing costs: Check service intervals and costs before buying. Some European cars cost 2-3x as much to service as Japanese equivalents.
Parts availability: Common cars = cheap parts. If something breaks on a Toyota Corolla, every mechanic has experience and parts are everywhere.
Insurance: Get quotes BEFORE you buy! Insurance for under-25s varies wildly by model. A "boring" Corolla might cost $1,500/year while a Subaru WRX costs $4,000+.
Based on reliability, running costs, safety, and insurance, here are our picks:
Best Overall: Toyota Corolla
Best to Drive: Mazda 2 or Mazda 3
Best Value: Hyundai i30
Best City Car: Suzuki Swift
Best for Road Trips: Honda Jazz
Private Sale:
Dealership:
Online/Interstate:
Broker (that's us!):
Before You Pay Anything:
1. PPSR Check ($2 at ppsr.gov.au) This checks if the car:
Never skip this. If you buy a car with finance owing, you could lose both the car AND your money.
2. Service History Review Ask for:
No history = red flag. Walk away or get a professional inspection.
3. Pre-Purchase Inspection Costs $150-$300 and is worth every cent. The mechanic checks:
4. Test Drive Take your time. Test:
Safety Certificate (Roadworthy): In QLD, you need a Safety Certificate to transfer registration. The seller should provide this for private sales. It's valid for 2 months or 2,000km.
Registration Transfer: Once you buy the car:
Stamp duty: Calculated on purchase price:
Expect to pay more. Under-25s pay higher premiums everywhere. But you can minimise costs:
Tips to reduce insurance:
Types of insurance:
| Type | What It Covers | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | Your car + others + theft + damage | Yes (for newer cars) |
| Third Party Fire & Theft | Others' cars + fire/theft | Okay for older cars |
| Third Party Only | Only other people's cars | Minimum for old cars |
Avoid these:
1. Buying on emotion That sports car looks amazing... but the insurance will kill you. Think practically.
2. Skipping the PPSR check $2 could save you $10,000+. Don't skip it.
3. Not budgeting for ongoing costs The purchase price is just the start. Factor in all running costs.
4. Buying privately without inspection "It runs fine" isn't a mechanical assessment. Get it checked.
5. Financing more than you can afford Weekly payments add up. Calculate the total cost before signing.
6. Ignoring insurance until after purchase Some cars cost 3x more to insure. Check BEFORE you buy.
At SEQ Car Brokers, we help nervous first-timers all the time. Here's what we offer:
Car finding: Tell us your budget and needs, and we'll find suitable options. We search the whole market, not just one lot.
Inspection: We check cars before recommending them. No lemons.
Negotiation: We know the market and push for the best price.
Paperwork: We handle the transfer, rego, and admin.
Advice: Not sure what to buy? We'll give you honest guidance based on your situation—no commission motivation.
The best part: Our service often costs less than the discount we negotiate. You get a better car at a better price with zero hassle.
Don't stress about doing this alone. Whether you want full hand-holding or just someone to check a car you've found, we're here to help.
Get in touch for a free chat. We'll give you honest advice about your budget, needs, and options—no pressure, no sales pitch.
Your first car should be exciting, not stressful. Let's make it happen.
Your friendly local car brokers serving Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast. We help everyday Queenslanders buy, sell, and finance vehicles without the stress.
Whether you need help buying, selling, or financing a car, our friendly team is ready to assist. Drop us a message and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Quick question or ready to chat? We're here for you.
Looking for a family-friendly ride that can handle Brisbane traffic and weekend trips? Here are our top picks.
Range anxiety, charging networks, and air-con usage. Is an EV right for your lifestyle yet?
Don't buy a lemon. Use this comprehensive inspection checklist to spot problems before you hand over your money.