Used Corolla - Recommendation to Choose between Two Examples

LRebu on 14/12/2022 - 11:18
Last edited 14/12/2022 - 16:00 by 1 other user

Hi all, hope someone can help me out choose second hand car.

I have two options one is $16k and the other $20k.

They are pretty much the same models but major differences:

Both cars are about 110k km Toyota Corolla Fielder (imported from Japan)

$16k:
- Very nice interior leather seats and give you a luxury feel
- $4k cheaper
- Less hassle to buy (local in Qld)
- Black colour
- Reverse camera

$20k:
- 4 years newer model (2017 vs 2016 2013)
- White colour (which may be more marketable?)
- Cruise control
- English head unit as opposed to Japanese for the other one
This is to be transferred from Victoria to Queensland and I have added $1k for travel, inspection, etc
This one does not have reverse camera and seats are cloth but still not too bad for my liking

Thanks in advance if you make a comment

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 14/12/2022 - 11:24
    +14

    4 years newer model (2017 vs 2016)

    tHeY dId ThE mAtHs!

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 11:57
      +1

      Ahaha sorry, 2017 vs 2013

    • HeWhoKnows on 15/12/2022 - 18:58
      +1

      Here is the best recommendation

      Firstly

      No 2 cars are the same!
      Choose the one in the best condition and best service history.
      You have made no mention of number of owners which is indicative of issues.
      Choose the one being sold by original owner
      If being sold by a dealer choose the local one so you can get warranty
      Go and take the car for a drive yourself - if you cant DONT BUY BLINDLY!
      Then be sure to get a professional mechanical inspection

      Secondly

      People here cannot choose for you.
      Nobody here has had a close look at the cars or done a mechanical inspection
      Hence nobody here is qualified to make any recommendations.
      You OP will be buying and driving the car
      So its your choice and your choice only.
      Take the right precautions and actions!

      PS There are probabaly over 1000 Corollas for sale in QLD.
      Why buy interstate?
      I can assure you the interstate seller wont be interested in entertaining all the extra work involved.
      Corollas are always in high demand.
      They will just elect to sell to a local cash buyer.
      And probably both have been sold by now if they are any good and priced correctly

  • Murkymerv on 14/12/2022 - 11:33

    Why can't you research these car's your referring too , there's plenty of reviews out there from car magazines and owners.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 14/12/2022 - 11:51
      +2

      Noob.

      Always good to get someones opinion that maybe an expert

      • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:02

        Ive been doing 'research' but was indecisive. Like the interior and cheaper price of older car but then not sure what is its worth after say 4 years. The newer car also has Cruise control installed and Japanese menu changed by a dealer. It's silver

        https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2017-toyota-corolla…

      • Seraphin7 on 14/12/2022 - 16:07
        +3

        Always good to get someones opinion that maybe an expert

        Agree.

        Nek minit … instead I'll go to OzBargain for snarky comments from random punters served on the tangent.

      • HeWhoKnows on 15/12/2022 - 19:02

        Correct
        Thats rules out everyone here
        Because nobody has seen either car nor carried out any mechanical inspections.

  • dwillia on 14/12/2022 - 11:36
    +4

    how can we recommend something thats based on preference like colour?

    what are their service histories like?

    I'd go the first one and bank the coin

    • ForkSnorter on 14/12/2022 - 11:39
      +1

      Multiple surveys have found white cars are much less likely to be involved in car accidents than other colours. Black is the worst. The fraction of a second longer it takes to see the car is what increases the risk. White cars are also much cooler than black in the hot sun.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 14/12/2022 - 11:52
        +3

        Now someone tells me!

      • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:03

        This was also told to me by my brother who was 35 years ago trying to sell a brown car and had problems in finding buyers

        • Nugs on 14/12/2022 - 13:36
          +3

          "35 years ago trying to sell a brown car and had problems in finding buyers"
          but was it triple brown? brown interior, brown paint & brown vinyl roof?
          .

          • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 13:49

            @Nugs: Haha barely remember the colour was brown and my brother was not happy based what they discussed

      • Clear on 14/12/2022 - 16:24

        Black is the worst.

        Probably because they're old people in BMW's who can't indicate. The stereotype is so real.

  • ForkSnorter on 14/12/2022 - 11:38
    +2

    Never buy a car without cruise control if you plan to to a lot of driving, especially long distance trips (more than 1 hour). In my opinion

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:04

      Agreed. I actually do driving and always long for cruise control when not fitted. It can be fit for $800 though

    • freefall101 on 14/12/2022 - 18:24
      +1

      But then I can't sit on the freeway going somewhere between 70 and 120km/h, annoying the shit out of everyone like most people seem to do.

      • xylarr on 15/12/2022 - 11:30

        And from my experience, Toyotas under read (or is it over read?) by a lot - i.e. if the speedo is reading 100, you'll actually be doing 93.

  • Ughhh on 14/12/2022 - 11:41
    +3

    The $16k one doesn't have cruise control?? I thought it was standard now, like Air con and powered windows.

    • ForkSnorter on 14/12/2022 - 11:46
      +1

      I think very few Japanese use cruise control, because they drive such short distances. They're more likely to just drive around town or in the mountains, where it's useless.

      • quietsarcasm on 14/12/2022 - 11:52
        +1

        And because they basically ignore speed limits over there

        • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:05

          Yes, the only imported Japanese cars of the same model in Carsakes that have cruise control are ones fitted by dealer. They also changed language on the Head unit

  • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 11:42
    +3

    There is a 2017 Corolla hatch in NSW for $20k with $64k on the clock private sale. Unless there is a really good reason to buy an import with high kilometers then don't!

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:09

      Was looking for hybrids (both those Fielders are hybrid, consumption is like 5l/100km).

      Have driven a rental one for 10 months

      • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 12:13

        Consumption when aircon is almost always used is 5L or slightly less even if they advertise for 3-4L/100km based on standard tests

        • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 12:32
          +5

          Don’t buy cars based on fuel savings. If that is the case buy a Tesla.

          Petrol Corolla only does 6-7L. The fuel savings you’ll end up paying more in insurance and maintenance.

          I drive a Corolla Hybrid and on 4L/100km. The increased up front cost would take 5 years to get back. Your fielder might not last that long. A few of the cells in the battery might need to be replaced or rebalanced soon.

  • Wiadro on 14/12/2022 - 12:25
    +5

    I wouldn’t touch a Japanese domestic market imported car into Australia.

    • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 12:35
      +1

      Only if it is basically the same car as here and a good discount (or a collectible). Current gen Corolla wagon is one but they are asking $40k for a second hand (buy, ship, complied). No thanks!

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 14/12/2022 - 12:33
    +6

    Import, hybrid, unknown history, nearly a decade old.

    What could possibly go wrong?

    • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 12:36
      +4

      Over 100,000kms so the seller is thinking of shifting it before maintenance cost goes up!

      • Stopback on 14/12/2022 - 12:56
        +1

        The Japanese aren't like western nations

        They normally take great care with their belongings

        It's a Shinto thing

        • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 13:02

          I drove one rental car same model 2015 for 10 months. Only ever needed oil, petrol, and water.

        • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 14:17
          +1

          They normally take great care with their belongings

          I suspect OP isn't buying it from Japan, shipped & complied. I think it is off some guy in Melbourne.

      • Top G on 14/12/2022 - 13:03
        +2

        100,000kms is just like a starter course for a Toyota

        • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 14:17
          +2

          If driven and maintained correctly.

  • riff.79 on 14/12/2022 - 13:12
    +2

    Leather plus black colour plus QLD = sweaty back in summer. Avoid if cabin comfort is a concern.

    • Muzeeb on 14/12/2022 - 14:05

      And I can guarantee it's not leather. It's PVC leather look. Yuk!

      • riff.79 on 14/12/2022 - 14:16

        Pools of sweat. Nothing worse when driving a car in summer imho. It’s not comfortable.

  • Bid Sniper on 14/12/2022 - 13:25
    +2

    Kia Cerato or Hyundai i30

    • kerfuffle on 14/12/2022 - 13:38
      +1

      BuT hYbRiD

  • Nugs on 14/12/2022 - 13:44
    +1

    what I don't get is the power output.
    from carsales data
    petrol engine
    54.0kW @ 4800rpm
    'alternative' engine
    45.5 kW
    combined power
    73 kW
    is electric power throttled in dual engine mode to avoid drivetrain damage?
    .

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 14:06

      I know nothing about automotive power but probably yes

    • netjock on 14/12/2022 - 14:16
      +1

      It is because it is a 1.5L Atkinson engine. The Corolla hybrids here are 1.8L

    • JimB on 14/12/2022 - 16:28
      +1

      The peak power from both engines doesn't occur at the same time.

      54kw is the peak power from the petrol engine @ 4800rpm

      45kw is the peak power from the battery powered engine but could be at '2000rpm'.

      By the time you're doing 4800rpm, the battery powered engine is only producing 19kw.

      • Nugs on 14/12/2022 - 16:45

        electric motors have constant torque (available) - power is torque x rpm, so power increases with revs
        https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/electrical-motors-hp-torq…
        .

        • JimB on 14/12/2022 - 16:50

          OK beats me.

        • Gdsamp on 14/12/2022 - 18:32
          +1

          every other article suggests that electric motors actually have max torque from 0 rpm, falling as rpm increases.
          In this context, the ICE engine probably produces its max power (torque x RPM) at high rpm, while the electric motor's torque is lower at that rpm.

  • jaygriz on 14/12/2022 - 14:45
    +4

    Check insurance for the import - it will probably put you off. (if you plan on comprehensive)

    I drive an imported Tarago (Estima) - its basically uneconomical to insure.

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 15:37

      This is uploaded current insurance for a similar car. Insurance suitable for Uber (cl 26) is circa $1500 annually (?)

      How does it COMPARE to non-import I have no idea.

      https://ibb.co/jGZf21R

      • jaygriz on 14/12/2022 - 15:43

        you can easily get quotes for yourself - takes a few clicks. At a guess I'd say the domestic corolla would be somewhere between 1/2 and 1/3 the price of that. That was my experience when I did the numbers for my Estima.

        • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 15:53

          It says 1200 (entered my current rental plate number which was picked up by NRMA as Imp-car) vs 1000 ( corolla hatch)

    • spackbace on 14/12/2022 - 15:53

      I drive an imported Tarago (Estima) - its basically uneconomical to insure.

      I'm looking at getting one of those, in hybrid. Insurance estimate I found wasn't that bad

  • Euphemistic on 14/12/2022 - 15:34
    +3

    I wouldn’t recommend an import. While they may look the same as our local models there can be differences that make them more difficult to get parts for and insurance may be higher.

    I’m sure there are other corollas available in this price bracket. As above somewhere, you could save $ by buying non hybrid and slightly older and out that toward the little bit extra fuel you use. Keep in mind also that when you are driving highway the hybrid is not significantly more economical than non. It’s better in stop start traffic certainly, but even then not by a lot and also comes down to driving style.

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 15:43

      For my style of driving it's 5L vs 8L per 100 (tested on a Hyundai i30).

      Driving around 40k/year so the petrol difference is 1200L per year approximately $2000

      Plus more time spent at petrol stations

      • Muzeeb on 14/12/2022 - 15:53
        +1

        As above - Does that 40k kms include highway or regional driving or strictly suburban/city streets?

        • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 17:09

          I basically did uber (everything)

      • spackbace on 14/12/2022 - 15:54
        +2

        Worth noting that at the odometer, plus your mileage, the health of the hybrid battery might come into question pretty quickly

        For local models, it would be $3-4k for a replacement, have you checked pricing for the import?

        Not to mention, the Corolla import might need 95 RON, local petrol models would be 91 RON, which would kill your fuel savings

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 15:56
    +1

    110k km too much.You will need pay $ for maintenance later. better forget it.

    • Hydralyte on 14/12/2022 - 19:18
      +1

      It's a Toyota. Will go past 400,000 km with proper maintenance.

      • Hackney on 15/12/2022 - 07:11

        As will most stuff.

        • Hydralyte on 15/12/2022 - 19:58

          Yeah, no.
          Maintenance doesn't mean rebuild an engine or a completely destroyed crank. Show me how many mercedes above 400,000 km there are vs Toyotas.

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 19:45

    If the previous owners look after it well.If not ! you will risk with your $.
    I would not buy it.

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 19:48
    +1

    pay a bit more for less km.( get someone help you test drive before you purchase.).

    • Rebu on 14/12/2022 - 20:39

      Is short test drive basically to see if engine runs smoothly and brake/transmission are ok?!

      I once did a test drive of an 11-yo Renault for $7k it was so good and normal. Then off the dealer's yard and to highway it was all good. Next day stuck in traffic for half hour and transmission got hot and afterwards the changing of gears were not smooth. Dealer didn't get it back because it was more than 10 year old or some such rule. So it ended up being rarely used until scraping a couple years later.

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 19:50
    -2

    My opinion better forget about hybrid car, not worth

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 19:53
    +1

    reverse camera you can install separate after you purchased car.Does not cost much.

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 19:54

    Toyota cars always in good performance, reliable & good quality.

    • spackbace on 14/12/2022 - 20:04

      5 comments over 9 minutes, nice one!

  • Brucet on 14/12/2022 - 20:15

    Thank you dude… LOL…..

  • PinzVidz on 15/12/2022 - 02:37
    +1

    Don't worry too much about head units if they're in Japanese, they can easily be updated.

    Generally Toyota use a 200mm double DIN (unique width to Toyota, standard ISO is 180mm). Although Toyota have adopted the tablet-type screens in most of their vehicles over the last few years outside the JDM market, the JDM models still mostly use 200mm double DIN spaces. Kenwood make a few head units that fit perfectly into the space, are mostly plug and play, and plus gives you the opportunity to bring the car up to 2022 car audio standards with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those old shitty Fujitsu/Denso head units certainly won't have ACP/AA considering it took Toyota forever to introduce it into their vehicles (around 2019 onwards).

    If you're looking at something without a camera, a decent quality one can easily be fitted.

  • tabitha731 on 15/12/2022 - 07:11
    +1

    2017 model. There are new features in the newer models than wat there was in the 2013 model.. I've got a 2014 Toyota corolla and the following year's models have so many more modern useful features.

  • 82norm on 15/12/2022 - 08:15
    +1

    Look for a 2nd hand Corolla locally. I don’t think it’s worth the hassle.

    • kerfuffle on 15/12/2022 - 08:44
      +2

      To be fair on the OP, there aren't any Corolla hybrid wagons in the local market, hence the Fielder

      • Rebu on 15/12/2022 - 10:00

        Local ones at this price range could have 200k on the meter.

        But the above comment on hybrid batteries is very important as it costs $2k-$8k and will need replacement sometime in 120k-160k meter. I think battery replacement can make it very costly

  • azero on 15/12/2022 - 09:26
    +1

    If you want to buy a japanese import, go here and get the auction cert with a translation and see the original condition.

    It prevented me from buying a repair grade elgrand Best $75 I ever spent. Also ask if the seller has the auction sheet and export cert.

    https://japancarhistorycheck.com/

    Also go here and check the recall status.

    https://www.toyota.co.jp/recall-search/dc/result

    I wouldn't buy unless it is a recent import so you know that the airbag recall etc.. is done.

    Ask the seller to send a pic of the japanese compliance sticker, so you can get the original japanese vin. Not the australian one.

    Also, I wouldn't buy unless the local version of the car is significantly more expensive.

    • Rebu on 15/12/2022 - 10:01
      +1

      Thank you appreciate the comments

  • Mark1159 on 15/12/2022 - 15:09
    +2

    You’re aware a Toyota dealer probably won’t dare touch it?

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