Looking for a Good Second Hand Car around $4500, Any Recommendations?

Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 03:03
Last edited 17/05/2019 - 03:15

My car is having problem with power steering and also start motor as well, been quoted $2200 to replace the power steering and $600 for the start motor. Very old car, done 290000km on it.

So I am in need of a cheap but VERY Reliable Car for work.

My needs are:

Auto (if possible)
Low mileage (Under 150000k if possible, i know its a bit hard with the money i have)
Don't care about the brand
Accidental free

I am thinking about this one here:

https://www.carsguide.com.au/cars-for-sale/D_10487021/MITSUB…

What do you guys think? Any recommendations if not the one above?

Thanks many

Automotive Car

Comments

  • epicttiimm on 17/05/2019 - 03:14
    +5

    Most cars are under 1.5million km on the odo mate.

    Jokes aside, a Camry or Corolla is your best bet. Here is a quick Carsales search with your criteria sorted by price low to high

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 03:16

      Ooops. Fixed:) Thanks for point it out:)

      You reckon Camry and Corolla is better than Mitsubishi 380?

      • kerfuffle on 17/05/2019 - 06:36

        Yes. I mean, do they still make the 380 these days? That says it all.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:35

          Pretty sure they dont make the 380 anymore

          • 11hobos11 on 19/05/2019 - 21:03

            @Aerith-Waifu: Yea but I had a 380 and they're solid as. The only real issues they face are the radiator letting go and window regs. Mostly reliable otherwise. Just expensive to insure since parts aren't available as easily as toyotas

            • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2019 - 21:44

              @11hobos11: I also had a 380 and it was classic Mitsubishi. Old but indestructible drivetrain/chassis, absolute garbage interior.

              Plus, these days, a 380 is way too thirsty I wouldn't go near it.

      • EightImmortals on 17/05/2019 - 06:37
        +3

        Horses for courses, I'm still driving a Magna, it's a great car and apart from wear and tear stuff it doesn't give me any issues. If cabin size and engine power are important to you then maybe a 380 would suit better. If those things aren't a concern then maybe a Camry. If you go for a 4C Camry your rego will be lower too (cos government thieves use any excuse to steal more money from us and having 2 more cylinders is as good an excuse as any I guess). Would be tempted to get a 380 myself if the right one came up at the right time. If not then a Camry would be my second choice.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:24

          Thanks for you input, sorry whats a 4C Camry? Some kind of special model or something?

      • brad1-8tsi on 17/05/2019 - 08:22
        +2

        You reckon Camry and Corolla is better than Mitsubishi 380?

        380 was a reasonable car and they are quite reliable. Some parts might be an issue as it was a short lived model in Australia.

        Are you fine with ~13L-15L/100km fuel usage?

        • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:24

          Oh good point, I didnt think it will be that much for the 380……

          • 11hobos11 on 19/05/2019 - 21:04
            +1

            @Aerith-Waifu: realistically around the city you'd average 11-13 depending on how heavy footed you are

          • brad1-8tsi on 22/05/2019 - 07:53

            @Aerith-Waifu: My (ex)wife had the V6 Magna at one point. It liked a drink but all her cars did - lots of stop/start traffic I assume.

            She had a V6 Captiva Flexfuel. 20L/100km on E85

        • BartholemewH on 23/05/2019 - 17:50

          380 is a $1000 car imo. If your budget is 4500 aim higher.

          • brad1-8tsi on 24/05/2019 - 07:56

            @BartholemewH: He appears to be looking at dealers. $1000 cars instantly become $3500 cars.

  • Euphemistic on 17/05/2019 - 06:51
    +1

    What sized car do you want/need? Corolla or Hyundai i30

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:26

      doesnt matter, as long as its auto, accidental free, low mileage i am fine. Also no european…

  • altomic on 17/05/2019 - 06:55
    +4

    do you need a "large" sedan like a 380/magna? e.g. carrying stuff or 5 passengers? or long travel.

    or would a small car be ok ? - e.g. mazda 2 or 3, hyundai elantra, i30 , kia rio, etc?

    smaller car means less fuel consumption, which means cheaper to run.

    • pegaxs on 17/05/2019 - 07:37
      +1

      This is what I was thinking. If it’s a commuter car just to get to work, get something small and cheap to run.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:27

      Actually now I think about it, a small car would do just fine. I didnt taken fuel into consideration before.

      So which of the cars above would most likely be around the $4500 mark but still have many many years to go? (I want to keep the car for 7 years if possible)

  • iforgotmysocks on 17/05/2019 - 10:07
    +1

    Kia

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 17/05/2019 - 10:38

    depends on what you define as Low Km? for me low KM is under 60,000 but for some people low km is under 200,000…

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:28

      For me under 150000km, but for the money i have its not easy

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 17/05/2019 - 15:36

        You should be able to fine a decent car for that probably 12-15 years old tho

      • [Deactivated] on 19/05/2019 - 21:45

        Go to carsales.com.au, put your price limit and km limit and limit it to Japanese brands in your area. Pick a few you like, test them, buy one.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2019 - 10:58
    -2

    VW or Audi

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:28

      No european………..too expensive to service

    • brad1-8tsi on 22/05/2019 - 07:55

      Having owned a VW Golf and now a Skoda it's not what I'd recommend although they are both fun to drive.

      I would buy another bug though.

  • dcep on 17/05/2019 - 11:36

    keep the car

    grow some biceps, do without power steering

    find another mechanic to replace the starter motor for 400

    • brad1-8tsi on 17/05/2019 - 11:56

      Agreed. $600 seems high

      The starter motor in the Accord failed last month. Found a mobile guy on Gumtree that replaced it for $300. Cheap ebay starter was going to be $160 so i thought it fair value.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:30
      +1

      Aircon is also gone, along with 3 new tyres needed very very soon. Plus some other issues like which makes me decide to get rid of it.

      • Seedy seed on 24/05/2019 - 08:36

        Lol, you want to spend 4500 on a new car that will undoubtedly cost you 2000 in first 6 months because no one sells a car that works fine.

        Tires are a part of owning a car, pony up the 300 for a cheap set.

        Get a cheaper mechanic, prices vary, mobile guys can usually be alot cheaper as no garage ect to pay for.

        As for power steering is it the pump or line? What model car ect.

        You would be better served repairing the one you know whats wrong then buying new problems. Also ac is prob only a regas, can be had for 1-200 where i live.

  • Banana on 17/05/2019 - 14:16

    Make sure you read this post.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:36

      Did I read this right?

      He found out the problem after 6 month of using it?

      Is this even real? No pre sale check?

  • Ryanek on 17/05/2019 - 14:34

    6 cyl, 3.8 L

    Fuel consumption will kill your wallet

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:34

      Yeah, putting into the consideration now for sure.

  • brendanm on 17/05/2019 - 15:25

    What sort of car do you have?

    • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:33

      Honda Accord (bought at the auction but later found it had 2 repairs done due to accidents, so its on borrowed times)

      • brendanm on 17/05/2019 - 15:35
        +1

        What's the actual issue with the power steer? Is it an accord euro? Somewhat common for the high pressure power steering hose to fail.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 17/05/2019 - 15:42

          Yes its a Euro.

          What happened was when I was driving it a very loud whining noise emerged from the car. I am certain the funny noise is coming from the power steering pump next to the belts. Now whenever i step on the gas it makes this sound, and is a lot worse when i turn the steering wheel. My brother thinks its the pump losing the pressure. I went a local mechanic and he said its going to be very costly to repair and quoted me around $2200 for the parts and labour to fix it alone

          • brendanm on 17/05/2019 - 15:45
            +2

            @Aerith-Waifu: Yeah nah, it's most likely the hose has been leaking and your pump is now dry. Fill the pump up with fluid before you actually damage it, you will then be able to see where it's leaking from, it's very likely it's the high pressure hose. Should be $2-300 approx. The euro is a great car, you would be insane to swap one for a Mitsubishi 380.

            Edit - even if the pump was dead, they are insanely easy to replace, it literally sits right up high on the motor completely accessible, and wreckers would probably have one for $100-150

  • the Unforgiven on 17/05/2019 - 21:12

    Honda Civic, my 2005 was cheap to buy & they are a very reliable car

    • Aerith-Waifu on 18/05/2019 - 01:49
      +1

      I will look into it. I like honda cars actually

  • Shark on 18/05/2019 - 18:45
    +1

    mate, go a Corolla such as this one. Toyota reliability and fuel efficiency of approx 7.7 L/100km combined.
    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Toyota-Corolla-2008…
    Just negotiate down to your $5K budget.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2019 - 00:13
    -3

    My recommendation is that you spend more money.

    • Aerith-Waifu on 20/05/2019 - 00:17

      How much more are you talking about here by the way?

      I can go as far as $5300. That is the most I can afford at the moment:(

      • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2019 - 00:20
        -2

        Get another job then. If you want decent transport, you have to pay for it. $5k is an obscenely low amount to pay for a car, you're not going to get anything decent.

        • Aerith-Waifu on 20/05/2019 - 00:24

          I just need a reliable car for work, cheapy but reliable.

          With getting another job idea, I have been applying since August last year and I can't land on anything casual or part-time…..

          So at the moment, this is all I can afford:(

          • Hybroid on 20/05/2019 - 00:27

            @Aerith-Waifu: Considered a cheap and cheerful scooter bike to commute to work?

            Haven't made it to Perth yet but understand rain is not an issue there so might be a good temporary solution.

            • Aerith-Waifu on 20/05/2019 - 01:56

              @Hybroid: Not when work place is 22kms from my house……………

              Otherwise I will go for a scooter for sure.

        • Euphemistic on 20/05/2019 - 06:27
          +1

          Plenty of people have cars values around $5k that are reliable. Burnertoasty is a bit of a car snob and probably wants you to spend over $30k. If I had a $5k budget, I’d be satisfied I could get a suitable car, I bought a $1500 corolla years ago and it was perfectly reliable if a little worn out in the cosmetic side.

  • 11hobos11 on 20/05/2019 - 21:39

    Why not look into getting an is200, they're pretty cheap and they're basically toyotas underneath. A bit gutless but they're as good on fuel as camrys while still having some creature comforts

    • Aerith-Waifu on 22/05/2019 - 05:27

      Is200 from Lexus?

      • 11hobos11 on 22/05/2019 - 07:32

        Yep, the first generation ones

    • brendanm on 22/05/2019 - 11:40

      Delete, can't read

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