Good value car <$5k ?

ChurchMouth on 19/02/2017 - 13:28

Hi guys,

Thanks in advance for your assistance, it will really help cut down the time I spend researching this stuff.

I am looking for a second hand car. In the past I have owned a 1992 Nissan Pulsar hatch (Was a great car to get me by, I spent about 1k for it and ran it into the ground after 1.5yrs with no paid service), and then have just driven my (now-ex) girlfriends Toyota corolla hatch 2002 which we bought from her parents (probably out of pocket around 5k).

Now I am looking for my own car but really don't want to spend more than 5k as:

  • I don't drive too often living close to the city in Perth (maybe 2 short trips to the shops and a few trips to go to the beach on the weekend for example).
  • Although I have generous savings I don't want a significant portion tied up in a car.
  • If it is less value I can worry about it losing value less due to wear and tear.

My preferences:

  • I like hatches for being able to chuck bulky things in the back occasionally.
  • I also like the car quiet as I hate loud noises (this is at odds with having a hatch back, what to do?).
  • Wouldn't mind adding roof racks for even more versatility (like carrying a surfboard someday).
  • Auto as I have never tried manual and don't have license for that (WA).

One car that has taken my interest is the 2008 Ford Focus Hatch (I like the looks and it is a hatch). I can see them around the $5k pricepoint on gumtree between 100-150k kms. However I have no idea if this year and model is getting me bang for my buck.

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

    • ShirokaZe on 21/02/2017 - 14:05

      I don't find general Honda maintenance any to cost more than other cars if you don't service at dealerships. Only thing you need to stick with OEM for is the transmission fluid.
      Mazda 6s are good. I've never owned one, but I owned a 3 SP23 that has the same engine. Keep an ear out for driveshaft clicks when taking off in high klm examples.
      Meganes aren't for everyone. They are fantastic cars except the engine/gearbox mounts are a constant issue and require a very expensive ($1500-2000) belt service every 4 years. That and the rear end is an acquired taste.

    • goodcopbadcop on 22/02/2017 - 13:30

      Not many around - so not so popular. Parts are imported and servicing will be more expensive than similar year models for Toyota or Mazda.

  • Abaddon on 21/02/2017 - 12:10
    +1

    X-Trail? Nissan and plenty of room to throw stuff in the back. Some decent prices around on the early models.

    • Euphemistic on 21/02/2017 - 13:43

      ..if you don't mind the ugly stick walloping it received.

    • Bargainkappa on 21/02/2017 - 18:37

      Good luck finding an X-Trail for that price

  • roundnumbersonly on 21/02/2017 - 12:53

    You'll have less choice if you're sticking to auto only. I would go for Corolla as 1st option (although it will be tough finding one with low km's that is only a few years old) or a Honda Jazz (you'll probably have to settle for high km's). You might possibly get a mazda3 in that price range too.

    But like others have said, you might find something on gumtree that has low KM's, is an 07-08+ model with logbooks. Just test drive and inspect whatever fits your criteria.

  • p1 ama on 21/02/2017 - 17:04
    +2

    Just get something like a 2005 Camry for around $5k. Don't recommend Corolla because they tend to be priced higher than similar year/km Camry (people tend to prefer small cars when buying old for some reason). Solid car, good space inside and in the boot. Boot would be bigger than any small hatchback and plenty of power for day-to-day driving. With the V6 version, you can get some serious zip out of it as well.

    Personally, I've driven both a Camry and a Corolla. Depends on how you drive, but I always found the Corolla to have rubbish throttle response, was always a bit too slow out of the blocks and really drives like a city car. It's not the sort of car you'd want in Australia with its big, wide roads.

    • goodcopbadcop on 22/02/2017 - 13:44

      Depends on whether you find a 4 cylinder Camry as a lot on the car websites are 6 cylinder and naturally they will have more "grunt" because they have a larger engine. They use more fuel too! Most Corolla's from 10 years and newer are 1.8cc's or 1.6cc's if older. I've driven all these and 1.8cc Corolla will give you a good amount of power, it will be zippier and easier to park and get around than a Camry - no matter what engine size the Camry is. The manual Corolla feels like it has more get up and go than the automatic - but you can't drive manual anyway. And the cost of Registering it will be less for the Corolla because it is a 4 cyclinder and weighs less than the Camry. However, I have noticed in looking on several websites that you can pick up a good priced Camry within your budget if you're looking for a sedan with heaps of seat and boot room. But Camry's don't come as hatches! And plenty of Corolla's travel the big wide open roads in Australia. I've travelled from Adelaide to Perth with 2 other people in a Corolla - no problem.

      • p1 ama on 22/02/2017 - 20:45
        +1

        V6 isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if you live in areas with a lot of hills or do a lot of highway driving. In areas with a lot of hills, because you're revving a 4-cyl much more, its fuel efficiency drops dramatically and you're actually not that much better off vs. a V6.

        I agree with you - the reason why the manual Corolla feels a bit zippier is because it's geared slightly more aggressively. It also has worse fuel economy due to the more aggressive gearing ratios, but that's an expected trade-off - you can't have your cake and eat it too.

        Of course plenty of Corollas travel the big wide open roads, but the ride quality in a Camry is usually much better - the cabin build is better, it has a beefier suspension, so the ride is much smoother and less jittery, also generally much more quiet. I also prefer the interior of a Camry, plus the chassis is a bit tougher as well.

        I know I might sound a bit biased towards the Camry, but that's not the case at all. These days, I drive neither the Corolla nor the Camry, but the experience I've had with driving them both is that the Camry is a much better value buy. At the end of the day, I think you get much more "car" for your money with the Camry, but I know there are benefits to the Corolla too (e.g. easier to park, fuel economy…etc. as you say).

    • kangaroo on 23/02/2017 - 12:05

      Used Corollas are more dearer than Camry of the same year, due to better fuel savings. This is why Corolla tend to retain high second hand value.

  • etto on 21/02/2017 - 21:32

    If you go the Corolla route, go for a manual unless if you want any chance of getting up a steep hill. Fuel economy is fantastic though.

    • ChurchMouth on 21/02/2017 - 21:32
      -1

      Theres no steep hills in Perth WA

    • ChurchMouth on 22/02/2017 - 15:05

      Can't drive manual (see OP)

  • virhlpool on 21/02/2017 - 22:23

    If you don't mind hatchback, Toyota Yaris or Hyundai Getz all the way. Cheap, reliable and compact.

  • s313 on 21/02/2017 - 22:28

    what about suzuki alto or swift..

  • sed8ed on 21/02/2017 - 22:48
    +1

    I second the Yaris recommendation!

    I have one… and it's bulletproof as far as I am concerned.

    Great on fuel, handles well, is surprisingly roomy (Seats fold down, can fit a big screen TV in there, it's a tardis)

    Mines done over 160k now (2007 model)… I just change the consumables/fluids and put tyres on when due.

    A friend of mines has done 300+k… Still runs nicely.

    My local mechanic knows of a family owned Yaris nudging 600k (Highway kilometres)!

  • Cheapsize on 22/02/2017 - 08:37

    In my opinion there are three possible car brands/makes I would choose based on my experience with speaking with mechanics and hearing their opinions and my own personal research when I was buying a car with a similar view.

    Hyundai Excel - More reliable than its given credit for
    Subaru imprezza - quality engine and AWD mostly owned by people that wouldn't really thrash the car.
    Toyota corolla - the earlier the model the better they actually retain value. Later models started to see quality issues particularly with brakes. For example you had to brake harder than normal. People didn't participate in the recalls. (2010 - 2015) 90s models I've seen go to nearly 500,000 kms if regularly maintained.
    (personal opinion)

    This is all my opinion and two cents.
    Check out who owned the car, why they are selling it and kms to make a decision.
    Ideally you want Elderly, low kms, log books, non smoker if you don't smoke.

    Bonus:
    However as a dark horse the ultimate run into the ground reliable cheapo throw away car is….
    Lpg Falcon. Cheap to run, will give you 5 years if you service every 6 months with a thick oil and valve seat lubricant.
    Don't bother fixing anything.

    • Euphemistic on 22/02/2017 - 14:56
      +2

      "Subaru imprezza - quality engine and AWD mostly owned by people that wouldn't really thrash the car."

      Except it does look like a WRX and wannabe boy racers buy them and dream of driving a WRX. Don't buy one with a wing or fully sick wheels.

  • kangaroo on 22/02/2017 - 13:15

    Corolla wagon might fit your choice, they stoppped making them after 2006

  • Grayfox on 22/02/2017 - 16:00
    +1

    I can vouch for a Toyota Yaris. Been driving one (new) since 2009 and never missed a beat.

  • dono2 on 22/02/2017 - 18:37

    go to the car auctions pickles ect, you will get a great car out there

    i got a ford falcon 2013 (june last year) few little scratches and 1 little dent, 68000kms, log books for $8700 (including pickles $500 fee) no rego

  • bluephonebox on 22/02/2017 - 22:08
    +1

    I swear by Toyota Starlet

  • Connectworldau on 22/02/2017 - 22:08

    Brought this today from Manheim Altona
    http://www.manheim.com.au/home/item/itemunavailable?itemID=0… for
    $4500.00 including admin fee. However, still have to pay for roadworthy and transfer fee.

  • crentist on 23/02/2017 - 03:39

    toyota echo is a good car. was my first car, then mum sold it and got a yaris, and a few years later i got myself another old echo on a $3k budget. all solid, good fun cars
    along the way i also borrowed an old boss's echo for a few months. he hadnt taken care of it properly, and it had done 250k km with the last oil change at 30k about 10 years earlier. apparently all he had done in that time was top up the oil now and then. car still ran well, never had any issues with it in the time i had it
    also had a mechanic friend mention that it was pretty much the most bulletproof car, and the only one his manager thought was any good because they saw everything else on the road break down all the time

  • ChurchMouth on 26/02/2017 - 16:14

    OK so I am looking seriously at the MAZDA 2 or 3. Seems to hit the Hatchback requirements and be a reputable manufacturer (japanese) and widely available.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join