Recommend a short-term car that I won't lose (too much) money on

bangiebargie on 21/11/2021 - 18:41

I need a car from January to July 2022 (temporary job in Canberra).
No particular requirements - it will be only me using the car, 95% around the city, and occasionally on a longer drive between Canberra and Melbourne.
I don't intend to keep the car after six months.

Does anyone have advice on what I can buy - new or used - that I would lose the least amount of money on, when I sell after six months?

(I don't have a strict budget limit, my main objective is simply not losing a lot of money when I get rid of the car. Anything up to $35k would be fine, but I'd want to spend a bit less than that if I could).

Automotive

Comments

  • kenzstar on 21/11/2021 - 18:53

    Toyota cars hold their value.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 21/11/2021 - 18:54
    +11

    Obviously, a high yield AMG.

  • websterp on 21/11/2021 - 19:06
    +7

    35K is decent brand new car money and most definitely not worth buying one when you are only planning to use it for 6 months unless there is a need to maintain a "certain image" while being there. Not worth the hassle of getting RWCs and dealing with tyre-kickers when trying to sell it specially when they figure out that you are in a hurry to flog off the car at the end of your 6 month term. Have a look at long term rentals as you get pretty good deals as the rental period becomes longer. Try small car rental businesses instead of the big ones(Hertz, Avis, etc.) as they would be quite happy to offer you much better rates and a package tailored to your needs. Signing up with a car sharing service would be another option.

    • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 08:48

      Thanks, great idea on the rental. I haven't been able to find anything particularly economical, but I will consider it

  • bobbified on 21/11/2021 - 19:07
    +5

    Second hand, but fairly new camry or corolla. They won't lose much value over 6 months.

  • holdenmg on 21/11/2021 - 19:24

    Hi,

    Understand the passenger of C1 is looking to upgrade.
    https://www.drive.com.au/news/imagined-scott-morrisons-next-…

    Specs:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Ministerial_Limousine#Cu…

    Maybe a good time to make a low (low) offer?

  • Euphemistic on 21/11/2021 - 19:27
    +4

    Something common worth $3k or less with enough rego to still be registered when you sell it.

    • mskeggs on 21/11/2021 - 21:23
      +2

      This.
      Consider buying and selling have transaction fees too, so a low value car is a benefit.

  • godofpizza on 21/11/2021 - 19:37
    +2

    If you not having to drive anyone around or be seen it in, maybe a used early 2000's camry or corolla.

  • deme on 21/11/2021 - 19:49
    +3

    Didn't we have a thread for this exact thing? The answer: corolla

    • bangiebargie on 21/11/2021 - 22:40

      Thanks - I did search for a thread and didn’t find anything that answered my question

  • bazingaa on 21/11/2021 - 19:58
    +1

    corolla

  • jrowls on 21/11/2021 - 20:12
    +2

    Do you need a car? Canberra is super easy to get around without one if you live in the right place. Cycling and walking are pretty great there and quick and safe. A trip to Melbourne would be much more peaceful on the plane, Canberra Airport is a dream tbf.

    I can't see you losing less than 5k in this situation factoring in rego, stamp duty, depreciation, fuel, insurance, parking, speeding fines… and so on. That's if you don't crash it! 5k is a lot of flights to Melb and Ubers around CBR for when you're too pissed to walk.

    • MrHyde on 21/11/2021 - 21:36

      5k is not a lot of flights if you can only book them a week or so in advance and you are flying at peak times. When I was doing a gig in CBR, it was easily 600-900 return between Melbourne and Canberra and higher during weeks with Parliament in session.

      • jrowls on 21/11/2021 - 21:38
        +1

        Completely agree, however old mate OP is only going to CBR for 6mo. If they're heading back to Melbourne more than a couple of times in that period that's a bit ridiculous IMO unless they're leaving partner and kids behind or something; in which case by all means, go buy a hybrid Rolla and onsell when you're done.

        There's also the bus - cheap as chips and you can sleep on it.

        • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 09:17
          +1

          My partner is staying in Melbourne for the duration of the job (and keeping our other car here), which is why I only want something for the short term :-)

          • Broke-Ken on 23/11/2021 - 10:42

            @bangiebargie: What car do you currently have? Sounds like a good time to upgrade with a 6 month transition period ;)

            Buy a new car(or second hand), of a car you both want, let the partner drive it in Melb. You take the old car and rack up the kms traveling to Canberra and back.

            When you return to Melb 6 month later, sell the old car.

            • bangiebargie on 23/11/2021 - 14:33

              @Broke-Ken: This is a great idea - only problem is that my partner just purchased that car, and that's the one they want to keep for the next 3-5 years. Alas! Thank you for the suggestion nonetheless

    • Quantumcat on 22/11/2021 - 07:02
      +1

      The train is another option as well

    • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 08:46

      Thanks - I do need a car (I have an injury that I'm dealing with so longer walks/rides are not possible), and I've heard that Canberra's public transport isn't particularly reliable. But I appreciate the suggestions out the box

      Out of curiosity what are the 'right' places to live?

      • jrowls on 22/11/2021 - 09:21
        +2

        Ah all good - just wanted to make sure it was a 'need' and not one of those "needs" people have just because they've never considered alternatives. FYI I wasn't suggesting you would be doing 20km walks or cycling - when I lived in CBR I lived within a few kms of everything I used including work, so if short rides / walks are possible it's still worth thinking about! :)

        On public transport, it depends where you work - if you live on the light rail line and near shops and your work is on the light rail line, you absolutely do not need a vehicle in Canberra. I'm less familiar with the bus system

        In terms of the right place to live, it again depends on where you work - can you share that? Happy to discuss offline in a DM if you're interested, I'm fairly familiar with CBR and it's a tricky place to get your head around if you're new.

        • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 09:45

          Thanks, that's really helpful.
          I'll be working at the National Gallery on Parkes Pl, which is in 'Parkes' (but essentially Barton). It doesn't get much more central.
          Work provides parking, but will also cover public transport costs if required.

          • jrowls on 22/11/2021 - 09:51
            +1

            @bangiebargie: Oh fantastic mate, the National Gallery is fantastic. Hope you enjoy your work there.

            I'm not sure what style of accommodation or budget you're going to have, but say for example you lived in Kingston (loads of new-build apartments, restaurants and cafes too) or Griffith (a bit older but similar), it's a flat bike ride of 2-3km that would take you less than ten minutes.
            Food for thought :)

            If you're at the NGA, you're not on the light rail line so we can rule that out.

            • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 10:32

              @jrowls: Great, thanks - I'll be buying a bike certainly, so it may be an option for commuting on my 'good days' before the second op.
              My rental budget is pretty flexible, up to about $500 a week on rent so that could get me a (basic) one bedroom in Kingston or Griffith, based on what I've seen. Getting a short-term rental is the next obstacle…

              • jrowls on 22/11/2021 - 10:40
                +2

                @bangiebargie: Ah perfect, well sounds good. If I were you and I had the case I'd try and get a hybrid Corolla then. My mum has one, it's fantastic. Super nice to drive and comfy enough for a long hwy trip. You can sell it in 6mo for not much loss, or keep it and sell your other vehicle.

                You're right re prices and locations, that's what I'd be looking at in your shoes. Now, short term rental is highly unlikely / difficult. I suggest you read up on the basic tenancy laws in the ACT - I may be wrong but I seem to recall the real estate agent explaining to us that you can either pay the lease until they find a new client or pay a certain penalty - the market is really strong down there though, so it's not hard for them to replace you. This is if you were to get a 12mo lease I mean.

              • Quantumcat on 22/11/2021 - 20:10

                @bangiebargie: You'll probably have to move further away from work with that budget, or share an apartment with flatmates. Competition for rentals in Canberra is fierce, especially for places on the low end of $. In Kingston you are competing with ANU students and public servants who just live in Canberra during the week so want something close to their work (Barton/Parkes has a few government departments in it).

                • bangiebargie on 23/11/2021 - 11:44

                  @Quantumcat: Thanks - it's good to be able to manage expectations. I can push the budget if I need to, but will follow the market I suppose!

  • holdenmg on 21/11/2021 - 20:31
    +2

    Run-DMC https://www.drivemycar.com.au/long-term-car-rentals has longer-term rentals.
    Maybe look closer to January and see what 6-month terms are available and cost.

    • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 08:43

      Thanks - not cheap, but also probably similar to what I'd lose buying and selling a car in the same period, plus costs. Will look into this next

  • plmko on 21/11/2021 - 20:36
    +3

    Just rent the car. Includes everything and won't cost more than $5k for some shit that still works.

  • shangoz on 21/11/2021 - 20:41
    +2

    Honda Jazz or Honda City, or Toyota Corolla, Low Kilometres, don't need to be brand new, but can sell it very quick around the same price.

    • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 08:42

      Thank you, will look into those

  • AndyC1 on 21/11/2021 - 21:13
    +1

    You may not need a car, but you will need a bicycle. I would wait and see where you are goint to live and where work is and then look at Riding or public transport as it will be allot cheaper. You can get a bus or plane to/from Melbourne.

    If you want a car then goolge long term car rentals or gumtree for a cheap car to buy.

    • bangiebargie on 21/11/2021 - 22:38

      Yeah thanks but I need a car

      • jrowls on 21/11/2021 - 23:24

        Why exactly?

        • Euphemistic on 22/11/2021 - 07:09

          Isn’t it obvious. The NEED a car. It’s an investment vehicle.

        • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 08:42

          I had a knee operation about a month ago and will have another in a few months. While I'd love to be more consistently active, there are good and bad days and I really do need a car :-)

          • Euphemistic on 22/11/2021 - 09:01
            +3

            @bangiebargie: It’s not really any of our business WHY you need a car, the questions posed are more to make you rethink your decision and potentially discover other options you hadn’t considered.

            Canberra is fairly cycle friendly and maybe you didn’t know that and would have been able to cycle and use public transport instead. It’s not for everyone, but some people just don’t think of options.

            • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 09:24
              +1

              @Euphemistic: Thanks.
              I appreciate suggestions outside the box - but I do need a car, and that was the first line of my post.
              Simple as that :-)

          • AndyC1 on 22/11/2021 - 09:56
            -2

            @bangiebargie: So now the real reason comes out. Helps allot if you include the relevant info in the first place so people can then give you advice based on all of the facts/info. If you leave vital info out you will not get the right info like you have been getting.

            • bangiebargie on 22/11/2021 - 10:04
              +1

              @AndyC1: I started my post by saying "I need a car" - I don't think my medical history as to why I need a car is "vital info", but I'll upload my x-rays if you like :-)

  • jv on 22/11/2021 - 09:59
    +1

    I need a car from January to July 2022 (temporary job in Canberra).

    Doesn't everyone working in Canberra get a free limo ?

  • branners on 22/11/2021 - 10:01
    +2

    Any fairly recent Hyundai or Kia will be reliable and hold its value well

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