Help Me Choose, CR-V or Verada

Lmorphic22 on 10/10/2020 - 13:57
Last edited 13/10/2020 - 16:16

Update: I can see now both were overpriced, I ended up buying a very clean 07 Mitsubishi 380 with 177k for $5500, was originally $5000 but it needed a timing belt and a service so the dealer agreed to have all that done before I took it.

Wasn't 100% sure at first but it had been serviced regularly at a Mitsubishi dealership and with one owner and seems to be a car without any major faults. I'm happy with it!

Hi, Looking for some help!

Buying my first car and I've narrowed it down to these two options, both from two local car dealers.

  1. 2005 Honda CR-V (300km, 2 months rego) for $5000

  2. 2003 Mitsubishi Verada wagon Ei (170km, 9 months rego) for $6000

I'm looking at these two because they look to be reliable and practical, they both have a tow bar and roof racks too.

They both have a good service history, drive well and are in good overall condition, the Verada has just had a new exhaust installed too.

Can't decide which one to go for I like them both, the CR-V is known to be very reliable and is safer with side curtain airbags, but the Verada has almost half as many Km's and longer registration. My first thought was the Verada was a little over priced but im not sure, which looks like the better buy?

Cheers.

Poll Options

  • 3
    Honda CRV
  • 20
    Mitsubishi Verada
Automotive Car Honda Mitsubishi

Comments

  • Hithere on 10/10/2020 - 14:09

    Buy the car you are happiest driving.

    Ask the stealership if you can have each one for 1 day and the car that makes you smile is the one for you.

    The stealership will probably throw in another 12 months rego for the Honda in the negotiation process.

  • DannyC on 10/10/2020 - 14:20
    +1

    Buying my first car and I've narrowed it down to these two options, both from two local car dealers.
    2005 Honda CR-V (300km, 2 months rego) for $5000
    2003 Mitsubishi Verada wagon Ei (170km, 9 months rego) for $6000

    If it is down to these 2 I would probably go with the Verada. It is a 17 year old car that has done only 170,000 km's, which is very low by Australian standards.

  • Brucet on 10/10/2020 - 14:51
    +1

    i pick 2 Mitsubishi Verada

  • ESEMCE on 10/10/2020 - 14:56
    +3

    Wow used car prices are ridiculous at the moment!
    I sold a 2005 Magna Wagon with similar km last year for $1500!
    Comparable models were advertised for ~$2000 at a stealer.
    Yes it's a Verada, but the only major difference (especially given the mid-cycle update the Magna had) is the velour versus fabric seats and a nicer looking dash (with the fake wood trim)

    I'd go the Verada, they're great, reliable cars.
    Keep your eye out for (or even just completely bypass) the heater core as it apparently sits right above the ECU computer and if/when it leaks will cause major damage.

    • brendanm on 10/10/2020 - 16:55

      Haha, just remove the heater! Who needs it!

  • mskeggs on 10/10/2020 - 14:58
    +3

    I've owned a Verada, and was happy with it for definitions of happy that encompass reliable and low cost motoring, but it is unexciting.
    A CR-V at 300k is well at the end of it's life.

    I know used car prices have risen lately, but I do think both options seem expensive. I would certainly make a low offer, as neither will be cars in high demand, I would think.

    Have you considered buying privately? Dealer warranties don't apply for these old cars, so you are really no safer buying from a dealer than privately, in my opinion.

  • imnotgoingtopayrrp on 10/10/2020 - 15:54

    The Verada is going to be ultra reliable if it's been maintained.

  • brendanm on 10/10/2020 - 16:14
    +4

    The crv for me. Wouldn't be paying $5k though. You can get a verada for $500 and a carton of vb on gumtree.

    Edit - also, very weird couple of cars to end up with.

    • mskeggs on 10/10/2020 - 16:49

      Curious about this, as you clearly know plenty about cars.
      I would think the 300k on the clock for the CRV points to just about everything being well worn, so even if it wasn't the engine or transmission needing attention, stuff like suspension and radiators and fuel pumps etc. etc. are on their last legs by then.
      I'd be concerned to get another 100,000km out of it would mean lots of mid-range cost things like those needing work.

      • brendanm on 10/10/2020 - 16:54
        +1

        Honda are exceptionally reliable. I'd expect that it's had some bushes etc done over it's lifetime. Obviously I would recommend getting it inspected, it could be an absolute pile with everything worn out, however I've seen plenty of cars with 300k+ that are in better condition than those with half the KMs, simply because they've been looked after.

        In addition, I don't like the veradas. Transmission issues, oil leaks endlessly, very dated interior, handles like a boat, terrible paint, guzzles fuel.

        • ESEMCE on 10/10/2020 - 23:35

          These are the 3.5L Mitsus.
          They simply do not have the engine problems like the old 3L
          And were pretty good on fuel too for a 6.

          • brendanm on 11/10/2020 - 09:32

            @ESEMCE: I'm aware of that, I never said engine problems, I said oil leaks. 12l per 100 or so is pretty high.

  • Presence on 10/10/2020 - 16:47
    +1

    Why did you narrow it to these two?

    Are these really current market prices? Both seem exxy for their age.

    • brad1-8tsi on 13/10/2020 - 12:06

      There's $2k of dealer margin in both of them.

      Crazy prices unless they are really schmick

  • bazingaa on 10/10/2020 - 17:56

    It was $4500-$6000 for 2008-2010 Lancer in the beginning of the year (I think basic model is 4 star ANCAP and 5 star ANCAP model is there as well). That price for a 2003 Verada is insane. I think it also comes with timing-belt it will cost you nearing 200k km. Look for 2003-2005 N16 Pulsar (timing-chain), 2002-2007 Lancer CG/CH (timing-belt so beware of the changing cost) etc. Factor insurance, rego, general service cost as well.

    • brad1-8tsi on 13/10/2020 - 12:07

      5 star ANCAP from 2008 is 3 star ANCAP now.

      They love to move the goal posts

  • Euphemistic on 10/10/2020 - 20:12

    $5k for a 300k car? No thanks unless it’s a special/rare/vintage/classic car that I plan on restoring or customising. I’d want a’regular’car to be much closer to 200k for that money.

  • Trance N Dance on 10/10/2020 - 20:17
    +4

    Neither, continue looking for something better. Both of those are worth half those asking prices at best….
    Considering a 2005 Camry with 200-250km on the clock can be had for under $4k

    Are you in a regional/rural town by any chance?

  • Willco88 on 13/10/2020 - 12:10
    +1

    JESUS 6K for an old verada unless it is one owner mint condition no way look elsewhere. I personally don't trust or like used car dealers everything they sell is marked up for 100 % profit and most of them have their own mechanic do things on the cheap…..

    Verada also will be a heavy car and use alot of fuel like 12L/100 if not more.

  • morphic22 on 13/10/2020 - 16:14

    Yes actually they were asking $6300, I've realized both of these cars were overpriced.

    I ended up buying a very clean 07 Mitsubishi 380 with 177k for $5500, was originally $5000 but it needed a timing belt and a service so the dealer agreed to have all that done before I took it.

    Wasn't 100% sure at first but it had been serviced regularly at a Mitsubishi dealership and with one owner and seems to be a car without any major faults. I'm happy with it!

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