Second hand car advice..

[iceman (Mike)]

So my car hasn't been found yet, but I can't be without a car so I need to go and buy a (new) used car. If they eventually find my stolen car, I'll just have to sell it.

I figured i'd try the Wisdom of Crowds to help me with my purchase.

- Budget: Up to $10k
- 4 or 5 doors (not 3)
- Small to medium car
- Auto or Manual, doesn't matter
- Ideally km's under 120k
- Ideally newer than year 2000 build
- Not a Hyundai

- Private or Dealer, and why? Private seems to be cheaper, but obviously no warranty etc

What are your thoughts?
What's a good buy of a good car?
Makes/models to avoid?

Thanks

[DavidU (Dave)]

Mike, for $5k I got the wife a Volvo 850 sedan. 100k km, full leather air con cruise, very nice 5 cyl motor. AND it fits my 12" Dob in the boot.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ighlight=volvo

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Hi Mike

I got a 99 Camry about 2 years back for $9000 and haven't regreted it yet and they have only got cheaper since then

[spearo (Frank)]

I drive an old 92 Nissan Pathfinder turbo diesel.
I doubt they would cost very much , even if newer in model and they seem pretty tough beasts (diesel ones anyways). Only had to replace the fuel pump seal kits (apparently not an issue in later models?)

frank

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys, qualified the criteria a bit.

[gmbfilter (Geoff)]

I was recently shopping for a sub $5000 car for my son.
There are a lot of Hyundai 's around
Central Coast prices seem to be about $1000 higher than Sydney

Some homework will give you feel for the market, a low price probably has a weeks rego left and needs 4 tyres
Under 100K dealers have to give a warranty

Good luck
PS
Try to have FUN

[rmcconachy]

Mike,

If all you want is `just a car for getting between A and B' then I'd suggest a Toyota Corolla or Camry (base model and as few kilometers/years old as possible within your budget). If you are happy with a bigger car that is still cheap to run then I'd suggest a Falcon with factory fitted LPG. Toyota vehicles tend to be very reliable albeit pretty soulless and there are lots of them around so parts are plentiful and cheap. A Falcon will likely be not quite as reliable as a Toyota but you can pack more astro toys into one and it is still cheap to run (LPG is cheap and so are parts).

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Ive bought cars at commercial auctions, they are huge and on almost everyday in Sydney. Cars go for some 30% less than Dealers (thats where the S/H dealers buy them, they seem to be trade ins from new car dealers) and most often cheaper than private. They guarrentee ownership.

Its a frantic experience though, and you cant test drive them (but you can start the engine), so you need to know what your looking at, or take someone who does.

Ive seen some eyepopping deals just fly by due to no-one bothering to bid. A typical auction has hundreds of all sorts of cars.

[Tandum (Robin)]

I picked up a 97 Golf Hatch for the boy child last month. 85K on the clock with full log books for $6500. I got my mechanic to put in a new timing belt, front wheel bearings, bleed the brakes and a service for another $700. Great little car to drive and he recons he's getting just under 500Km to a 40litre tank of fuel.

[morls (Stephen)]

there's a good book called "the dog and lemon book" that gives in-depth reports on second hand cars.

a quote: "if you can't afford a new mercedes you certainly can't afford a second-hand one"

goes through all sorts of things, what models hold up well, typical problems, very in-depth. not sure where to get it though, a friend loaned me his while I was looking for a car...

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

Hi Mike

I got a 99 Camry about 2 years back for $9000 and haven't regreted it yet and they have only got cheaper since then

Oh I forgot to mention this one had 140000 on the clock when we got it

[TrevorW]

Toyota can't go wrong, you should pick up a Camry V6 for that price and year I go for V6 over 4 cylinder especially ones with higher K's, my 2000 V6 has already done over 230000 klms and still going strong no major problems the brake pads are original

[acropolite (Phil)]

I'm with the others who recommend Toyota, if you can find a suitable Toyota go for it, in my experience they're better built and last longer than any of the other brands.

I had a Toyota 4 Runner for 16 years, all I replaced was brake linings, tyres, batteries and replaced the top radiator tank at 120,000K.

Contrast that with the Ford Econovan (Mazda manufactured) I had from new previously, the roof had completely rusted through in 5 years and it leaked oil badly at 120,000K's when I sold it. We had a similar Ford/Mazda Van at work and the motor failed in less than 150,000K's

We drive Toyota Hiace Van for work, the boss is the original Mr Maintenance, the Van's usually serviced annually, when I go on Holidays.

The Hi-Ace has been equally reliable despite going around 50,000K's and 12 months between oil (or was it treacle) changes, it's done over 300,000K's and is uses absolutely no oil between changes.

[Esseth (Alan)]

Just make sure that the vehicle is not encumbered, i deal with people daily that have bought second hand cars only to find out they owe money before the vehicle can be re-sold down the road.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

+1 on a toyota as a bit of a workhorse

[Chi Sao (Jason)]

Diesel Volkswagen, I've got a 2008 model Jetta and average 960 km per 55 L tank. I've had Toyotas, Kia's Driven Family Fords and Mercedes as well as Jaguars Unless I win lotto I think VW will be my next car.

Solid build and the selling point for me was the safety rating for the family. The Jetta has a BIG boot for its size.

Cheers

Jason

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

+1 for Toyota. The only thing less breakable that a reasonably maintained Camry is a Landcruiser.

[norm]

Hey Mike,

+1 For Toyota too. Second car is a Corolla Ascent 2006. Avg 300+ Km per week. Souless, a bit bland, unexciting, but it is reliable and I can't fault it yet.

If you want piece of mind, try HatchBack World Haberfield.

Norm