should i buy a petrol car in 2023

Short answer: yes, if you need affordable wheels now and don’t fancy planning your life around charging, a petrol car in 2023 still makes sense in Australia.

They’re cheaper to buy, easy to refuel from Cairns to Kalgoorlie, and the used market is a smorgasbord.

But you’ll pay in running costs—fuel is fickle, servicing is regular, and resale may soften as hybrids and EVs keep hogging the spotlight.

If you mostly do short city trips and can charge at home, a hybrid or EV could be smarter; long country hauls or tight budgets still favour petrol.

Buy something efficient, service it on time, and don’t overcapitalise—your future self (and wallet) will applaud.