Help Me Pick a Car

LGalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 14:53

Hello fellow ozbargainers,

I am in search of some automobile advice.

Wife drives a Mazda 3 which is great, cheap to own and run. It's worth about 16k.

I also have a luxury European vehicle which is driving bliss, but it drinks premium fuel and servicing hurts even independently. I cannot service it myself due to proprietary tools and computers being required.

I like cars and like to have a bit of power at my disposal but I am reviewing our finances and trying to cut back where possible.

Option 1:

Should I sell the nice car in favour of a more reliable, cheaper beater (Magna? Falcon?). I am not too picky but only require:

  • Reliability,
  • Availability of parts,
  • DIY serviceability.
  • Cruise Control,
  • AC
  • Wagon preferred, or hatch.
  • Decent fuel consumption.

Option 2:

Or sell up and buy a cheaper good car (approx $20k). I have my eyes set on a particular Renault (…I know) but parts and DIY servicing is very manageable. This would still leave me a decent amount of cash from the difference in values.

Option 3:

I have a 36 year old Volvo in pretty mint condition sitting in my garage which is literally unbreakable but it uses 15L/100km for a humble 4cyl.
I don't know how I feel about driving that daily.

Option 4:

Sell both Volvo and my car and buy a better small work van (e.g. Kangoo, Caddy etc.) and use that as a daily and for commuting to my two jobs. One requires a van, the other doesn't.

Option 5:
????

I do about 25,000 km per year.

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 12/01/2021 - 15:09
    -1

    4+ options…?

    You need to help yourself and narrow that down, then ask for assistance.

    • Euphemistic on 12/01/2021 - 16:13
      +8

      I think they are well thought out and not a bad few suggestions. Much better post than many of the recent ‘which car’ posts.

  • zuruhara on 12/01/2021 - 15:24
    +3

    if i were you i would sell some of the cars I already own and get a common brand new car (guaranteed reliability, part availability etc) rather than looking into magna, falcon etc.

  • Bisah1342 on 12/01/2021 - 15:42
    +1

    I reckon the fuel off the volvo alone is a big enough factor (IMO) to get a new car.

    Why dont you look into a Toyota slightly used i.e 2015-2019.

    Can get a few nice ones for about 20k.

  • Zachary on 12/01/2021 - 15:43

    uses 15L/100km for a humble 4cyl.

    6 liter engine? Damn, must be a monster 4 cylinder engine, equivalent to a v8 or a turbo/supercharged 6 cylinder…thought humble 4 cylinder engines only use at most 5L/100km……

    • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 15:48

      Yeah nah, 2.3L 4cyl. I was keeping it because their value is going up slowly. 36 years old and less than 100,000 km. It's mint. It's not registered due to lack of use. I'm thinking to let it go.

      • chartparker on 12/01/2021 - 15:58
        +1

        Just hold onto it as long as you can if it's a desirable model

    • Presence on 12/01/2021 - 16:02
      +6

      5L/100 is unachievable for anything but hybrids or very small cars. Most 4 cylinder cars sit in the 6-9 range.

      • Phlume on 12/01/2021 - 16:08

        Have achieved 4.4L/100KM in my new corolla driving mixed city and highway. Not Hybrid either.

        • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 16:16
          +1

          I have gotten 4.3L/100km in a 1.8l Mazda 3 but it was about 600 km of downhill freeway driving. Hardly a usable figure.

        • Presence on 12/01/2021 - 16:20

          That's quite a bit better than what it's rated for. Good work.

  • Euphemistic on 12/01/2021 - 16:07
    +3

    Engine swap the Volvo. Japanese turbo 4cyl, make it ‘reversible’. Better power, better economy. I think most of the value in older cars is the aesthetics, keep it looking stock but make it mechanically reliable.

    • Quantumcat on 12/01/2021 - 19:51
      +1

      Nice idea. I love the look of 60s VW bugs but put off by it being difficult to get serviced etc. Would have loved to buy one that someone took all the internals out of and replaced with modern stuff

  • tmcn85 on 12/01/2021 - 16:17

    get a Camry daddy cool

  • Muzeeb on 12/01/2021 - 16:23
    +2

    I also have a luxury European vehicle

    Why is the make/model so secretive?

    • What is rrp on 13/01/2021 - 11:30

      you have a 33% chance of guessing the make.

  • elgrande on 12/01/2021 - 16:26
    +7

    Option 5: sell your 3 cars and buy 12 scooters and a fishing rod.

  • brendanm on 12/01/2021 - 17:17

    What is the euro vehicle?

    • Daabido on 12/01/2021 - 17:32
      +4

      1995 BMW 316i Compact.

      • Muzeeb on 12/01/2021 - 19:13
        +1

        Euro luxury peaked with this car

  • brad1-8tsi on 12/01/2021 - 17:21

    When I was doing 25k/yr in a European car my largest expense (that hurt) was depreciation - around $4k/yr
    2nd Insurance - $1k

    PULP98 Fuel ~$3000 didn't worry me that much as it at least had a purpose.

    Servicing was $350/yr with $600 at yr4 and $1200 at year 7.

    Exactly what are you driving that requires a special computer and special tools? What is the fuel consumption in L/100km (not km/tank)

    • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 17:43

      I cannot access the underbody to access the sump etc. I need special tools.
      Fluids require factory stuff and it is very difficult to buy the correct spec aftermarket fluids in Australia. Importing from overseas is not cost effective.

      Also, annoyingly - the car has no dipsticks and access fluid levels needs to be done through a computer. Although oil is accessible through some complex menus.

      I found an aftermarket software to help with a DIY service but that ended up bricking my entire software leaving me unable to essentially drive the car (ie. no speedo, tacho, etc.). It cost almost $5000 to fix but was (thankfully) covered under warranty.

      The car is 3 years old and I'm fed up with it now.

      A minor service would have cost me $980ish at the stealership. $400 at an indie.

      Consumption is approx 10L/100km. I am not too concerned about the depreciation as I had purchased the car off the first owner who was struggling financially and bought it for about 15-20k less than what they were worth at the time.

      • brad1-8tsi on 12/01/2021 - 17:49

        So it's either a Merc, BMW or high end Audi.

        Obviously the love affair is over.

        The old Volvo won't cut the mustard. It's a special breed of person that can daily drive an old timer after having something modern.

        By yourself a Caddy. They are quite livable as a commuter

        • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 17:52

          I love the old tank but you are right. Whilst it is comfortable, 0-100 in 19 seconds is difficult and lacking the little modern bits and bobs adds up.

        • Muzeeb on 12/01/2021 - 19:16
          -1

          A minor service would have cost me $980

          I'm thinking a Cayman / Boxster here. Still don't understand why it's so secretive. Just say the friggin make / model FFS.

          • May4th on 12/01/2021 - 23:19

            @Muzeeb: even a poverty spec base merc will set you back a grand for a routine service at a euro spec

  • nubzy on 12/01/2021 - 17:27
    +1

    Renault, Peugeot, Citroen all great. Renault is a bit boring now though unless you get an RS model. Reliability and overall quality of Peugeot and Citroen these days is excellent. Buy a used one with the Aisin transmission, you get amazing value for money and a great car to enjoy and most of them only use around 6-7L/100km.

    • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 17:36
      +4

      Yup. I never bought into the misconception of (modern) French cars being rubbish. They depreciate hard so I find it a good way to capitalise on someone else's initial loss.

      I was looking at slightly used Clio RS to keep for about 5 years or so. The EDC worried me for a bit but it seems pretty decent across the years.

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 12/01/2021 - 17:35

    Get a new Mazda 3 or 6 in Hatchbacks. Alternatively, Corolla hatchback, Kia Cerato, (7-year warranty) Hyundai i30. Also consider the camry.

  • pao2x on 12/01/2021 - 17:36

    Do you really need a Small Van for work or a medium or so SUV will work?

    • GalaxySkater58 on 12/01/2021 - 17:46
      +1

      Yes, I have height clearance issues with items being carried.
      I looked at utes but they are pricey with less cargo space. Loading my stuff in and out of the back of a tray would be much more difficult.

      I figured a Kangoo, Caddy or Berlingo (etc) would be better as I don't need iLoad size and I could drive the Caddy to my primary job (only require it for A to B transport). My second job requires me to actually use the van for it's purpose.

      • pao2x on 12/01/2021 - 17:52

        Well Caddy is probably best then, also if you can claim tax credit for the van this is a no brainer to take a van

  • May4th on 12/01/2021 - 17:51
    +2

    Still waiting for someone to jump in with "tesla model S" without reading the post..

  • May4th on 12/01/2021 - 17:55

    3-5yo mazda 6 wagon - looks good, reliable and reasonably fuel efficient. if you want more grunt and less fuel efficiency toyota aurion is good value for 20k

  • oscargamer on 12/01/2021 - 18:11
    +2

    Sell both and get an RS280

  • mini2 on 12/01/2021 - 18:45
    +2

    Find a 850R wagon.

  • subydooby on 13/01/2021 - 08:36

    Go for a white one…

  • Superunknown on 13/01/2021 - 08:40
    +1

    Option 2 all day. As someone who likes cars, don't waste your time driving something you won't enjoy. So much enjoyment to be had just bumbling around town! Make the mundane enjoyable. That said, maybe you are the type to enjoy driving a beater?

    Volvo seems like a seperate discussion. Don't drive it daily if it's mint. If you never drive it, sell it unless there is some sentimental attachment.

  • OzHunterNSW on 13/01/2021 - 10:53
    -5

    You are all over the place possibly like how you drive upon the road.

    You speak of "re-assessing" and so too your young man thoughts.

    It's time now to embrace the autumn years. Sell your cars and buy something more modern with all the attachments you speak of. Forget about the days of racing people at the lights, of wind in your hair, of 16c per L, those days are gone.

    How many women on the side have you picked up with your "European" car - none, bc no one care except you.

    Just buy that work ute and appreciate being alive.

    • GalaxySkater58 on 13/01/2021 - 13:48
      +3

      what are you even talking about

      • chartparker on 13/01/2021 - 13:50
        +4

        I think he had a stroke somewhere around the start of his thought leak…

        • Techie4066 on 13/01/2021 - 19:20

          You should check his comment history, it's nothing but snarkiness. He had a stroke long before he joined.

          • chartparker on 14/01/2021 - 07:17
            +1

            @Techie4066: Oh wow that's a deep rabbit hole of indecipherable mental diarrhea…

  • thardy456 on 13/01/2021 - 11:09
    +2

    How about a used EV, very quick takeoff, you can pick up a 2017 Renault Zoe which has a decent range of around 300 km +. Literally no servicing costs, very low fuel costs (approx. 1.5 l/100km equivlent) and they hold their value really well because Australia has so few electric cars.

    Or go test drive a Tesla Model 3, although it's not a hatch and they cost a fair bit, around $70k onroad but they do 0 to 100 kph in 5.5 seconds !!

    • chartparker on 14/01/2021 - 07:17

      How much did you pay for the Zoe and how many KMs were on it?

      • thardy456 on 14/01/2021 - 12:30

        I haven't bought one, there is currently one available on carsales with 16,000 kms. I have previously owned some early EV's Leaf, iMiev, planning on purchasing a Tesla M3 this year.

  • alexwar on 13/01/2021 - 12:24
    +2

    My only comment is that better to keep what you know and keep them instead of getting a used vehicle that you are really blind to the true history. Yes Japanese Toyota/Maza/Nissan/Subaru pretty safe with some abuse….but you know the history of your vehicles and has already suffered the initial depreciation..keep it

  • Techie4066 on 13/01/2021 - 19:17
    +1

    Hey, what's wrong with Renault? The last standard Clios and Meganes sold in Australia were great, they look so good and aren't even pricey. The drivetrains are sometimes shared with Nissan, so cheaper servicing there. Don't even worry about the EDC, they use it in SUVs such as the Kadjar too.

    I'd steer far clear of a Magna or Falcon.

  • Legoncy on 14/01/2021 - 09:10

    Seems like the only person who knows your circumstances the best is you - based on the information you have provided i would sell your luxury car, and that Volvo and just buy a work van if that's what you require.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/01/2021 - 09:45

    Don't sell the Volvo. Unregistered it's not costing you anything to hold on to. If it appreciates, great. If not, you have a cool car you can do something cool with if/when you have time.

    I honestly think you should get a caddy van. They're a great little car. A polo underneath right? Or is it a golf… Either way. They're awesome. Most of the capability of a full van but they drive great and sip fuel. You can do all sorts of household tasks with them. And they're comfy enough to take on a road trip with the back loaded up with camping or sports gear (or a bed!). Resale is good too bc they're a commercial.

    Sell your euro car, as someone else said - we get the feeling that the love affair is over. If it were me I'd sell the euro and the mazda, get the best used low kms caddy I could find and spend a bit extra and get a nice newer mazda 3. That way you replace most of the luxury you lost but you gain reliability (and arguably beauty).

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