I know there is a similar thread atm but meh.
So I need my first car, here are the requirements. Tell me what you think.
$8000 max (can stretch a little more if need be)
Automatic
Hatchback
I have been looking at some rather nice 02-04 Audi A3's at the moment. I know everyone here is going to say get a Corolla or something instead but I want something a little bit more interesting. A bit of soul. Been looking at European cars mostly so far.
Oh and I am in Wollongong NSW if that helps :)
More fuel consumption though, I only want a 4 cylinder really.
I'd have to say stick with the trusty Corolla, though a Camry is arguably always better value than a Corolla 2nd hand because they depreciate more quickly, so again, newer and better car for less money.
" but I want something a little bit more interesting. A bit of soul. "
Got to hand it to the European marketing machine, only they can sell you a car with a 'soul'.
…No honestly with that $8000, check out a few cars and add-in the price of insurance and maybe 2-3 years worth of maintenance. Because you're going to pay premium for a car with 'soul'.
i was also looking at an aldi a2/a3 or a bmw 3 series in my price range. my mechanic strongly advised against it. shouldwhen something happens and note IT WILL happen, the european part will be more expensive. my mechanic recommended me a japanese car because of the high availability of parts. i now have a toyota yaris ( which i love to recommend) uses very little fuel and is great around town. one down side to smaller cars ( if it is of any concern to you) is that you get a lot of noise when travelling at high speeds (over 90km/h)
I have (and currently) own Japanese and European cars - I love my Golf GTI but you have to bear in mind that everything for the car is going to cost you extra $$, if I had to choose and I by no means know much about cars I would pick a Japanese car.
I loved my first couple of cars (late 80's Subaru wagons) and I think with most peoples first cars you love it regardless of how terrible it is.
Try A European built Holden Astra (rebadged Opel), you'll get the Euro 'soul' with the Holden spare parts/servicing and repair costs. The later model AH from 2005 can be had for about $8k or so:
Thanks for the tips everyone, it's so damn hard to pick a Japanese car. They all seem so boring to me :( There has to be something out there for me. The basic Corolla's, Yaris etc. are so plain, if I go Japanese it would have to be something a little more exciting than those.
Exciting? japanese?
Did someone say:
Nissan skyline R32/R33?
Kind of a wog car… All my wog friends have Skylines and Lancers.
there's a difference between wog skylines/lancers and well-done (i.e. not disgusting to look at/hear) skylines/lancers!
After happily driving a Toyota Camry station sedan for 21 years and finally deciding that just too many things needed maintenance or replacing at that late stage (was only valued then at $1K), I faced a close decision between a "Holden" Vectra (like a Commodore mini-me) and a neat Volkswagen Golf. Everyone I spoke to at the time said stay with the Holden for parts, etc. Found out later my Vectra is German made and everything is far more expensive than what I would have paid for the Camry .. eg New battery from RACV cost over $200, and I am due for a timing belt replacement, a maintenance cost of $1K+ apparently. Vectra has run well nevertheless, just some issues with a Cam Sensor, replaced twice last year (last time under warranty) and some new electrical issue now, hopefully not the same. I wonder how I would have fared with the Golf though; wouldn't have bought the Holden Vectra if I had known it was an imported, although German technology / manufacturing is not to be sneezed at.
On reflection, if possible I would love to find another Toyota Camry station sedan, of the same vintage as before (90) without many Ks on the clock, and obviously well cared for. Now, that would be something on my wish list - Imagine buying a mostly hassle free car (mine still had original motor that just kept going, etc) and know you would still be driving it 21 years later! Okay, you may not think of it as being "exciting" but that car saved me thousands in comparison to my friends efforts with their multiple replacements over the same period of time. That was thousands to spend on other "exciting" endeavours. That car took me to most Australian states and several out of the way destinations, and it was very comfortable to stretch out and sleep in the back when required.
Ps. My first car was a Toyota Celica coupe (72); which I suited me quite fine at the time as a young single. Only problem with that vehicle is too many other drivers apparently "didn't see" me and I eventually had to part with it because their vision problems led me to believe that other cars were going to end up in my back seat! I had that vehicle for 8 years and surprisingly sold it for more than I originally paid. Yes, you do have a fondness for your first cars, and the scenarios you will encounter. I once managed to get it stuck on a large rock on a property out back of Werribee … Don't park said vehicles in long grass!
Find yourself a Lancer, Mazda 3, Corolla (boring but reliable), Hyundai i30, Focus, Astra, anything in the "small" class range. Your budget will probably purchase a vehicle from around 2005/2006 depending on the car. You might find a model with a few extras that has "soul" but avoid Euro's for the above mentioned reasons. Make the car your own for 3-4 years, sell it off when you're cashed up, keep it serviced regularly, make some coin, purchase a car with "soul" where you can afford it.
Euros are fun to drive because of the rarity, but remember, that rarity comes at a price, often much higher than expected.
edit reading your first post, purchasing a 10 year old car is highly recommended against unless you can't avoid it. Cars are often ageing rapidly after 10 years, whether it be the engine from the kms, the suspension from rough roads/sitting around decomposing (plastics/rubbers all weather over time), or drivetrain (gearbox etc) needing replacing. Your budget is limited, but a 6-8 year old car is achievable. Remember to purchase AFTER the 100km service since that's the expensive timing-belt/chain one, or pre 80k on the clock so you can save for it over the next 20k.
I have to disagree. I bought a 1999 Volvo (yes I'm a bl**dy Volvo driver!) 4 years ago and love it. Has front and side airbags, cruise control etc. I paid 6K for it. The only issue I had was with the ABS module last year. It cost me a measly $135.00 to get a new one from the USA. That's after 3 mechanics quoted me anywhere between $1,000.00 to an incredible $2,000 to fix the problem. It took me twenty minutes to install the part and some Googling to find the potential issue.
Do your research and don't put your faith in the mechanic. I would have spent loads of money for absolutely nothing.
The car drives great, is reliable and conserves fuel very well and best of all for an "old" car, is safe.
I recommend good old Google and eBay to find your answer.
Good luck!
Okay I found a car which seems like it satisifes my criteria as well as a lot of what everyone has said here. It's $9.5k (which I expect I can negotiate down as the listing has been up a while) for a 2008 Holden Astra Diesel with 138k on the clock. Seems like a pretty good deal particularly if I can negotiate the price down. Unsure what diesel is like but the car looks pretty, good condition, good price and very closeby.
I paid 7K for my genuine one owner (retired lady) 02 Holden Vectra, with 90,000kms on the clock. (I knew it was coming up for the major timing belt etc service). Kms sound reasonable for an 08 Holden Astra to me. When I buy a used vehicle I have only bought one owners; seems to have made a difference to me - these cars seem to have less problems than most and are usually properly run in. I don't know anything about the diesel just not my preference.
As soon as I purchase a vehicle I say I am happy and expect spending $1K on maintenance a year. Then is also the time to start saving towards your next vehicle too. Avoiding finance contracts is the best advice anyone can get in my opinion; and you have already started yourself on the right track there.
Ps. Have an RAC check done on vehicle first; certainly doesn't hurt, and at least may identify a few things that may need attention in the near future.
Thanks for the tips! :)
you couldnt pay me enough money to look at a Vectra or any Opel 'Holden'
they are not Holdens at all so good luck with maintenance
$8k Audis are fine until you need anything done on them and they dont drive special (say like a BMW 3) so whats the point unless you want to impress people who dont know any better
First time I had ever bought a Holden too! Pity you weren't around at the time I bought it; everyone at the time said yes, yes, buy the Holden … etc. etc. But isn't that the way of things, to find out after you purchased a vehicle? The Vectra runs quite well actually, I have been pleased with it, apart from a paying a little more, just that minor cam sensor problem so far. I have had 2 Toyotas and 1 Ford so far; the Ford gave me lots of little problems than you could poke a stick at, but it ran well too … 3 nieces/nephews all drove that in succession though, for many years when I purchased the Camry. Maybe I will let my son have the Vectra (when he gets around to getting a licence…) and buy another Camry, but somehow I don't think I'll find another car out there that will last 21 years without any major problems. Pity, they don't make them like that anymore. I don't enjoy buying cars or parting with them either.
Frostee is doing all the right things; saved his money (no finance), asking the right questions (although) ending up with all sorts of advice! I'd hate to offer any serious advice on cars because of this. This is his first car so I hope he has fun with it, whatever it may be; it is a learning experience after all. He'll be well on his way to saving for another one by the time whatever he gets starts playing tricks on him.
I would look to ebay motors and buy a car for $500-$1k. Just keep watching the listings and bid for anything under $500 you like and go as far as 1k. Look for manual transmission.
With a cheap car, you can avoid insurance costs as there is not much value in the car to insure. Learn to filter oil, break using the clutch, avoid potholes & run the car slowly in the morning for 5 minutes and your maintenance costs will be zero.
I don't want a POS car though, not saying a need to spend lots but I don't want a rubbish car either. Also automatic is a must for me.
I bought myself a 04' Alfa Romeo 156 Ti JTS top of the line model for 7.5K, 86,000Km on the clock at the time of purchase which was last year around November
How are the costs for insurance and servicing? Every Alfa deal on Carsales looks too good to be true! Some of the cheapest, newest cars on there.
watch some top gear and you will know why
My old boss used to only drive Alphas. More often than not they were the curtesy car Alphas. One time even that changed to another car because the curtesy car broke down.
They have this reputation for a reason.
Holdern Cruze 1.4T or 2.0 diesel, the prices are dropping fast and ebay/carsales have ones for under 12k. The diesel is the pick….
i dont think there are many 1.4 turbo automatic cruzes for anywhere near $8k since the newest once is 2010?
Considered a 2002ish liberty? You can pick up some decent ones for around 8-9k and they are AWD, feel the grip!!!
I do my own car repairs, have repaired Nissan 300zx, Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra TS, Holden Commodore.
Majority of mechanics will recommend buy a Japanese car preferability Toyota. After fixing my sisters Astra I definitely see why.
European cars have more potential to end up as Money pits, the longer you keep them. In europe they tend to change cars more regularly, so not really built to last. Servicing a euro car is more of a pain harder to get to areas and parts are expensive unless you ship from overseas.
Hands down I would recommend Toyota Corolla. Drives like a go kart and not slow like a Camry, so very enjoyable to drive unless you have 4 ppl inside. I know its plain and boring interior, euro cars are better in that department but euro cars comes at the cost of servicing. Toyotas will require less parts replacement and last longer..
If you have to get a euro car, then Holden Astra AH is a good one to get.. Astra's have a lemon name tag but thats mainly with the Previous Astra TS and maintenance neglect.. AH is a solid ride, but source parts of UK as holden charges between 3 to 7 times more for same parts.. Spare Parts here http://www.vauxhallworldparts.com/
With Euro cars never skip on maintenance, be on the ball since once you neglect maintenance it will bit you back. My sisters Astra water pump was about to explode which would have taken out the timing belt meaning destroyed engine. Genuine spare parts sourced from UK was $500 AUD, same spare parts from Holden was $3000.
Japanese cars its okay to neglect a tiny bit they tend to complain less, but with any car that has timing belt make sure its replaced within proper service internals.
Good idea to join a car forum when you have selected and learn how to do your own servicing, your wallet will thankyou.
As an avid Ozbargainer I am definitely looking at learning how to do as much as possible myself. I think I would enjoy it actually I love putting stuff together :) The Astra I have found and am at this point intending on buying is a 2008 Astra CDTI (Diesel) which is $9.5k. What is your opinion on the diesel variety? Everything I have read so far about the Astra diesel looks really good (namely more performance and better fuel consumption compared to the petrol)
If anyone is still lookig at this thread I bought a 2005 Honda Civic sedan from a dealership today for $9k. Really happy with it, good condition and only 75k km on the clock. Glad I didn't end up with the Astra it anything European. I know Civics are great on the reliability factor, it looks really nice to me (got a spoiler and some shiny chrome trim) and it drives well. Over the moon at the moment!!!
cngrts man..you did right choice…
Nice choice! The Civics have definitely got a good name for themselves as years passed. Stay on top of regular servicing (learn how to change oil and air filters, drain and replace oil fluid to save money) and take it to a mechanic every 20-30k on the clock. Don't miss the big 100k service, but save for it. It'll be a big one, usually timing belt etc.
Get brakes checked and as long as you drive sensibly, expect new pads every 50k on average. If you hear metal grinding or just don't feel as confident with it, get it checked.
Was it auto? Should be fine, if manual, keep an eye on the clutch every 2nd-3rd service.
Have fun with your new auto!
Yep it's an auto. Trying to get some seat covers, floor mats and dash mat at the moment, very excited for my new car. Picking up tomorrow!
I bought floor mats from KMart yesterday for $12. You may like to check that.
I am looking at buying some custom ones made for the specific vehicle model. Expensive but they are so pretty :)
eBay is your friend when it comes to aftermarket Auto pieces. I bought a boot liner for my Mazda 3 Hatch, best money ever invested. Cost me $100 incl. postage back in the day but quality is top-notch and never a spill to be had!
If you live near a marketplace (eg. Queen Vic in Melb, or Caribbean Gardens), often there's a stand that sells car covers etc etc. If you have time, checking one of them out and asking for mats etc could prove a potentially cheaper alternative.
I honestly reckon with $8000 you should go for an Australian car, maybe a Holden Commodore, because they depreciate quite quickly compared to Japanese or European counterparts, you can get a pretty new Commodore (i.e. less than 10 years old) for around that much.
They're also great to maintain in that parts are available and cheap. For a first car, especially on a budget, I'd recommend against a European car purely because of maintenance costs.