Can AI pick an awesome car (or 6) for me?

Depending on a number of factors (including suddenly winning some money and/or Subaru engine implosion – whichever occurs first) I’m looking forward to my next car. But can the suddenly influx of all things AI pick something for me instead of me doing all the hard work? Let’s find out!

Skynet, tell me of the future..

While plenty of people have been uber busy putting the likes of Chat GPT and its variants through it’s paces, I’ll admit that I’ve only thrown a few burning questions its way. Riveting and pointless stuff like asking if it would like some mead (cos I’ve got a bit left):

And then a random question I had one morning about an episode of the beloved Red Dwarf. Turns out it’s watched the series too (possibly.)

Not life changing advice really but pretty good given the idiotic things thrown its way. But out of interest this morning, I started wondering about second hand cars. Could an AI pick my next ride if I gave it some things to factor in? It was time to punch some keys and see what happens!

Skynet, this is what I want you to consider as you AI pick…

So I came up with a short list, punched it into ChatGPT and got a pretty rock solid list back in return. Yes it didn’t include the things I’d really like to drive (anything Lexus, Volvo S60 etc) and yes it was pretty much along the lines of what I expected but I did ask an AI to pick six possible cars for me and that’s what it did!

As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experience driving cars or purchasing them. However, based on available data and expert reviews, here are six cars that meet your criteria and are generally considered to be reliable, affordable, and fun to drive:

1. Toyota Corolla (2007-2013): The Corolla is known for its reliability and low maintenance costs. It’s also fuel-efficient, with a combined city/highway mileage of up to 7.4L/100km. The sedan model offers enough room for a family of four, while the hatchback provides extra cargo space.
2. Mazda 3 (2009-2013): The Mazda 3 is a popular choice for those who want a fun-to-drive, reliable car that’s also practical for everyday use. It has a sporty design, excellent handling, and good fuel economy (up to 8.6L/100km). It also has a spacious cabin, making it a good option for families.
3. Honda Civic (2006-2011): The Honda Civic is another reliable and practical option for families. It has a reputation for being well-built, with a comfortable ride and good fuel economy (up to 7.6L/100km). It also has a spacious interior and a large boot, making it a good choice for families.
4. Hyundai i30 (2008-2012): The Hyundai i30 is a reliable, affordable, and practical car that offers good fuel economy (up to 7.2L/100km) and a spacious cabin. It also has a stylish design and is fun to drive, with good handling and responsive steering.
5. Ford Focus (2008-2011): The Ford Focus is a well-built and reliable car that offers good fuel economy (up to 8.1L/100km) and a comfortable ride. It also has a spacious cabin and a large boot, making it a good choice for families. The handling is also praised, making it an enjoyable car to drive.
6. Volkswagen Golf (2005-2009): The Volkswagen Golf is a popular choice for those who want a reliable car that’s also fun to drive. It has a well-built interior and offers good fuel economy (up to 7.9L/100km). It also has a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride, making it a good option for families.

Please note that when buying a used car, it’s important to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic to ensure it’s in good condition and has been well-maintained.

-Chat GPT giving me some solid advice on car choices.

Out of curiosity, I tried the exact same question over at KoalaChat, and while it was a little less detailed, it was the same list in the same order:

Sure, here are six cars that fit your criteria:

1. Toyota Corolla – The Corolla has long been known for its reliability and low maintenance costs. It’s also fuel-efficient and offers a comfortable ride for a family of four.
2. Honda Civic – The Civic is another reliable and economical option. It’s also known for its sporty handling, making it a fun car to drive.
3. Mazda3 – The Mazda3 offers a balance of reliability, fuel efficiency, and driving fun. It’s also a stylish car that looks good on the road.
4. Hyundai i30 – The i30 is a popular choice for families due to its spacious interior and affordable maintenance costs. It’s also fuel-efficient and has a comfortable ride.
5. Ford Focus – The Focus is a fun-to-drive car that offers a good balance of reliability and fuel efficiency. It’s also a spacious car that can comfortably seat a family of four.
6. Volkswagen Golf – The Golf is a reliable and fun-to-drive car that offers a bit of European flair. It’s also fuel-efficient and has a comfortable ride, making it a good choice for families. However, maintenance costs may be slightly higher compared to other cars on this list.

-Koala, also love the Corolla reliability. Oh what a feeling.

And out of both pretty much the same list, I’d probably be okay with the Civic, Focus or Golf. But what if we change a few of the parameters around – will both AI’s pick the same cars again or will there be differing thinking this time around?

The updated question: Please recommend seven cars here in Australia under $10000 second hand that are generally reliable, not expensive to maintain, seat a family of four comfortably, have leather interior, big boot space are fairly economical, easy for the home mechanic to work on and fun to drive.

First up was the koala doing it’s AI pick thing:

Sure, here are seven cars that fit your criteria:

1. Toyota Camry – The Camry is known for its reliability and low maintenance costs. It offers a spacious interior, a large boot space, and comfortable leather seats. It’s also fairly economical and easy for home mechanics to work on.
2. Honda Accord Euro – The Accord Euro is a reliable and fun-to-drive car that offers leather seats, a spacious interior, and a large boot space. It’s also fairly economical and easy for home mechanics to work on.
3. Ford Falcon – The Falcon is a spacious car that can comfortably seat a family of four. It offers leather seats, a large boot space, and a fun-to-drive experience. It’s also easy for home mechanics to work on.
4. Mazda6 – The Mazda6 is a reliable car that offers leather seats, a spacious interior, and a large boot space. It’s also fuel-efficient and fun to drive. Maintenance costs are also fairly low, and it’s easy for home mechanics to work on.
5. Subaru Liberty – The Liberty is a reliable car that offers leather seats, a spacious interior, and a large boot space. It’s also fun to drive and has a fuel-efficient engine. Maintenance costs are also fairly low, and it’s easy for home mechanics to work on.
6. Hyundai Sonata – The Sonata is a reliable car that offers leather seats, a spacious interior, and a large boot space. It’s also fuel-efficient and easy for home mechanics to work on.
7. Nissan Maxima – The Maxima is a reliable car that offers leather seats, a spacious interior, and a large boot space. It’s also fun to drive and has a fuel-efficient engine. Maintenance costs are also fairly low, and it’s easy for home mechanics to work on.

-Koala’s love Camrys, it’s true.

Chat GPT on the other hand decided that seven cars with those criteria was being too greedy and promptly gave up with its attempt at an AI pick. And no matter how hard I asked, there was no list of its own forthcoming. Oh well, no AI pick this time around.

Okay, we’ve got some good general advice right there for sure – but could AI pick actual models in my neck of the woods?

Skynet, what AI pick bargains are near?

Please find me the closest to Albury New South Wales Australia: Volvo S60, Volvo Xc70, Lexus is250 or Honda Accord Euro under $10000

(Yes I know it’s none of the ones it’s recommended me so far, I’m just looking to see what else it can do.)

Sadly, it’s not an option with AI picking things…yet.

Unfortunately, as an AI language model, I do not have access to real-time information on the availability and location of specific cars for sale. However, I can suggest some online marketplaces where you can search for these cars within your budget and location:

• Carsales.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au
• CarGuru.com.au
• Autotrader.com.au

You can use the search filters on these websites to narrow down your results to your preferred make and model, location, and price range. Once you find a car that interests you, be sure to inspect it thoroughly and take it for a test drive before making a purchase.

-Koala, probably hoping I’ll buy a Corolla from one of these services.

Interestingly CarGuru is a car accessory shop, so I’m not sure how that ended up on the list, but at least it gives you an idea on where to start.

Skynet, I am very stubborn in my choices..

Now say you were a brand loyalist and wanted just one make of car to park in your driveway, well Koala seems ready for that too. I asked it about Volvo’s in my limited budget (under 10k) and it gave me three options I wasn’t considering:

Volvo is known for producing safe and reliable vehicles, and there are several models that you can consider buying under $10,000 in Australia. Here are three options that you may want to consider:

1. Volvo S40 – The S40 is a compact luxury sedan that was produced from 1995 to 2012. It’s a reliable car that offers good fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride. You can find a second-hand S40 under $10,000 that is around 10-15 years old.
2. Volvo V50 – The V50 is a compact luxury wagon that was produced from 2004 to 2012. It’s a practical car that offers a spacious interior, good fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride. You can find a second-hand V50 under $10,000 that is around 10 years old.
3. Volvo XC90 – The XC90 is a midsize luxury SUV that was produced from 2002 to 2014. It’s a safe and reliable car that offers a spacious interior, good off-road capabilities, and a comfortable ride. You can find a second-hand XC90 under $10,000 that is around 10 years old.

When buying a second-hand Volvo, it’s important to inspect the car thoroughly and check its service history. Look out for signs of wear and tear, such as worn-out brakes or tires, and make sure that the car has been well-maintained.

-Thanks again Koala, you’ve worked hard today!

No love for the V70 Station Wagon or XC70? Well okay then. What about Lexus cars with the same budget? I’m expecting IS250s, ES and maybe a Rx330 or RX350 here and Koala has give me…

Lexus is known for producing luxury vehicles that are reliable and comfortable. Here are three options that you may want to consider when looking for a used Lexus under $10,000 in Australia:

1. Lexus IS250 – The IS250 is a compact luxury sedan that was produced from 2005 to 2013. It offers a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and good handling. You can find a second-hand IS250 under $10,000 that is around 10 years old.
2. Lexus ES300 – The ES300 is a midsize luxury sedan that was produced from 1991 to 2003. It offers a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and a comfortable ride. You can find a second-hand ES300 under $10,000 that is around 15-20 years old.
3. Lexus RX330 – The RX330 is a midsize luxury SUV that was produced from 2003 to 2006. It offers a spacious interior, a comfortable ride, and good off-road capabilities. You can find a second-hand RX330 under $10,000 that is around 15 years old.

When buying a second-hand Lexus, it’s important to inspect the car thoroughly and check its service history. Look out for signs of wear and tear, such as worn-out brakes or tires, and make sure that the car has been well-maintained.

-Koala again, telling me exactly what I thought. Good to know!

Okay Skynet…er…Koala, one more stupid AI pick question..

Worst car to buy under $10000 second hand in Australia?

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, but I can provide you with some information on the cars that have received criticism or negative reviews over the years. Here are three cars that you may want to avoid when looking for a used car under $10,000 in Australia:

1. Holden Cruze – The Cruze is a compact car that was produced from 2008 to 2016. It received criticism for its poor reliability, low-quality interior, and lackluster performance.
2. Ford Fiesta – The Fiesta is a subcompact car that was produced from 1976 to 2019. While it was praised for its handling and fuel efficiency, it received criticism for its poor reliability and high maintenance costs.
3. Volkswagen Polo – The Polo is a subcompact car that was produced from 1975 to present. While it offers a comfortable ride and good handling, it received criticism for its poor reliability and high maintenance costs.

It’s important to note that every car has its pros and cons, and it’s up to the individual buyer to determine which car is best suited for their needs and budget. Before purchasing a used car, it’s important to do your research, inspect the car thoroughly, and take it for a test drive to ensure that it meets your expectations.

Real-Time Data

-Koala, doing all the hard yards for me!

They weren’t on the list before but they certainly aren’t now! Thanks for the AI pick there Koala! (And I hope your headache gets better soon Chat GPT..)

Hmmm, food for thought! Thanks for the AI pick(s) there Skynet!