Hi all, I'm an oldie and I never spent much time around cars when I was younger.
I was in an accident a few months ago, but the car was too damaged for it to be repaired so I'm now looking for something to replace it, but I've got no clue which store or website to look for a car…
I just want something reliable and it needs to be a sedan. Something between $2,000 and $7500 would be ideal, which isn't much I know, but that's all I can afford.
Your time is appreciated!
Good advice.
9) Narrow your search to into a shortlist of 3-4 car choices.
Personally I don't narrow my choice to certain makes or models, but I just look for a good deal of the size car that I want.
I suspect modern cars are getting pretty reliable no matter the brand, but like you I would choose Korean/Jap cars over European, and European over American.
Just going off a quick Carsales Search, the top picks for you seem to be:
(most appropriate/best choice)
- 2009 Toyota Aurion Sportivo/AT-X
- 2007 Honda Accord Euro
- 2010 Holden Commodore Omega
- 2009 Ford Mondeo
- 2007 Mazda 6
- 2009 Hyundai Sonata Elite
- 2009 Toyota Camry Touring/Altise
- 2006 Subaru Liberty
(^upto my "cut off" point^)
(these next cars at bottom are okay/meh)
- 2007 Honda Accord VTi
- 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 2007 Nissan Maxima
- 2005 Toyota Avalon
- 2005 Kia Optima
- 2006 Mitsubishi Magna
(least appropriate choices)
Hope the OP sends you a personal thank you letter for doing the basic research for him!
Simply typing "car" into google search takes to you carsales…
Putting so much effort into your reply to help someone is great, I wish I could vote multiple times.
Thanks guys : )
+1 This should go in the wiki
Do we have a wiki?
Spackbace in 3…2…1… :P
:) Suzuki haven't done a sedan for a few years. Not since SX4 sedan
Not since SX4 sedan
Can I ask a very genuine question? Did that model name lead to just millions of great jokes around the dealership?
Nah :)
Spackbace in 3…2…1…
No doubt recommending a Suzuki..
No doubt recommending a Suzuki..
Quite swiftly too..
Don't make S Cross. The Mighty Boy will Jimny up an answer as soon as he has finished his Cappuccino.
He always talks Baleno (Baloney) anyway
How about auction yards like manheim or pickles?
Those are gambles because you don't get much time to inspect the car, and can't take it on a test drive.
Also depends on the auction day.
Theres people there that start bidding, and the price can exceed gumtree.
If you must go the way of the auction, take your mechanic or a friend.
Be ready to make a shortlist of cars, and your maximum offer.
Get your finance and transport ready, as they want you to pay and drive away on the day.
…
Also you will be disappointed by yourself.
Because there might be a couple cars you put on your shortlist and your cut-off price, for example:
- $6,000 - 125,000km - 2009 Hyundai Sonata Elite
- $7,000 - 120,000km - 2010 Holden Commodore Omega
- $7,000 - 90,000km - 2008 Honda Accord Euro
Scenario 1:
Then the auction starts, and the Hyundai rolls on the chopping block first.
You make a bid, and manage to steal it away at $5,300 and you are satisfied.
Then you stick around to see how your other choices go.
The Commodore barely gets sold for $5,800 and you're upset.
And no-one bids on the Honda, so someone snags it at its starting price of $1,000.
Now… you get really really start fuming.
This happens quite often on auction days.
Scenario 2:
And the opposite happens too!!
The Hyundai gets sold for $5,000 when you could've had it for $5,300 and be satisfied.
But you say "Hey I got two better options coming in".
The Holden comes and it immediately gets bumped up to $8,000 in price.
Now you get worried, do I bid on the Holden and pass my cut-off price, or do I wait for the last car?
The Commodore get's sold for $8,500 and you convince yourself that it was too high.
Then the Honda comes, and you're nervous, and you raise your cut-off price to $8,000.
But before you know it, it gets bid upto $9,000… then $9,500… then its sold for $10,000.
You have no car. You wasted your whole day.
And you wished you bought the Hyundai much earlier, because it was a good price.
This scenario also happens quite often on auction days.
…..
As you can tell, auctions are quite volatile and you gotta know what you are doing.
Wow you know everything :)
This is exactly what happens and that's why I don't recommend it unless they're tight with money.
I agree, it's all a gamble. Having said that, my parents bought their last 2 cars from auctions, and there were no problems with it.
I appreciate the posts!
To clarify, I'm only looking for a 2nd hand car and definitely not something new.
Not sure what state you're in, but that budget buys a ~2011 Hyundai Elantra. So only just out of factory warranty, but probably one of the newest options available
Thanks so much, but I really don't want a Hyundai.
There's a million posts about this topic already, but here goes….
…Japanese cars are first choice.
Then it is Korean/Australian tied for second choice.
Third choice are European cars.
Forth choice are American cars.
Last place are crappy cars like Proton, Tata, Pyeonghwa, etc etc…
For buying used cars….
1) If you're buying used, look for used
2) Don't go to Car Yards (they sell you a worse car AND at higher price)
3) If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is (car might have some hidden fees)
4) The car's visible condition must be satisfactory (no signs of accident, no oil leaks, etc etc)
5) Aim for newest build date/model as its better for parts (ideally <10 years old)
6) Lower amount of Km's accrued are desired (ideally <100,000km)
7) Efficiency differences between used cars don't vary that much, however Performance Metrics do… so get something with sustainable power/to your satisfaction.
(ideally 4-6 cylinder, and 2.0-3.5L engine, 5 gears)
8) Look at the available cars that meet your expectations (brand, model, year) from carsales.com.au to establish which choices are in your budget:
carsales-search
9) Narrow your search to into a shortlist of 3-4 car choices.
10) Look for your car's advertised in carsales and gumtree:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/cars-advanced
11) Contact the seller
12) Test drive the car, and inspect it with your mechanic or local car-guru
13) PPSR check before buying
14) Bargain/Haggle for a good a price, pay cash if it helps
15) Make the transaction, also make sure to have photo ID from the seller (just in case)
16) Enjoy!