Buying my first car. Corolla or Focus??? edited: What about Honda Jazz guys?

Ls00107546 on 05/10/2013 - 14:47
Last edited 07/10/2013 - 22:32

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy my first car in Sydney region. I have been told to go for Toyota Corolla because of its reliability and cheap service costs ect.

However I find it is hard to find a decent one with my budget of under $7500. Then the Ford focus came to my mind, it is possible to get a 2005 or 2006 for under 7k ( car sale). But I have been advised not to go for Ford Focus. Dunno why!!!

Does anyone here have experience about these two types of car? Really appreciate any advice.

Thanks all

Automotive

Comments

  • frondono on 05/10/2013 - 15:27
    +1

    i would definitely consider buying from a government/fleet auction if you hadn't already, they should have both makes. probably a little bit more than your planning to spend but you will get a much newer year model/better car. i bought a 2007 model in 2008 direct from easyfleet i'm pretty sure (it was a while ago). i spent $22,000 for a car (dual cab 4wd ute) that retailed for $40,000 and it had 50,000km on the clock. insured it for $34,000 and it is still insured for more than i bought it for (well it's currently insured for $21,900) as the policy changes this month. you definitely roll the dice but i think it would be hard to be disappointed as they vast majority are serviced as part of their lease deal. oh focus was the best selling car in the world last year, but that's not saying much as there is a big difference between 2012 and 2005, toyota has the name though.

    • s00107546 on 05/10/2013 - 20:07

      Thanks Fron, I did have recommendation from a work mate. Found there seem to be alot of Toyota Corolla 2010 2011 in auction at the moment (outright price is around 16k). Well, it is like double my budged, since i only need a car for driving around and picking wife from work (10min drive max).

      • frondono on 05/10/2013 - 20:48

        shite man i was thinking like 11-12k but i don't know much about it. they are only 20k out right? right?

        • s00107546 on 07/10/2013 - 08:31

          They are around 16k outright for corolla and 17k for Camry. But mostly depend on its km I think. Maybe you get lucky in auction.

  • wa01 on 05/10/2013 - 19:05
    +1

    under $7500.
    A 2005-7 Hyundai Getz is about all I could find. Barinas and a few tiny cars with 1-1.2L engines.
    I bought a 2006 Getz and it's ok, but wouldn't recommend to anyone honestly.

    Any Toyota seems the most common advice.
    My experience is to buy older but with LOW kms, is better than the reverse.
    A 10yo car with 60-70,000 kms can still be in top condition.

    And get it checked by someone who knows cars.
    2nd hand car dealers are still worthy of their reputation.

    You can wake up again.

    • s00107546 on 05/10/2013 - 20:35

      Yeah, Toyota is like the most common car around. I don't understand why Ford Focus has a lower price compare to toyota Corolla.

      • gmail92 on 06/10/2013 - 03:48
        +1

        I'd say because the market demand for Ford Focus is a lot less than that of Corollas, so hence priced less. Same reason why Lancers appear to be overpriced and 380's tend to be underpriced (Noone wants the 380 even though its a decent car).

  • mikzter on 06/10/2013 - 08:49
    +1

    I have owned numerous Toyota's since 1975 and two more recent Ford's. The two Ford's of which I still own one have been a continuous source of issues. You fix one and weeks later something else pops up. The Toyota's, well they just ran and did the job. You will find heaps of Ford forums where die hard Ford lovers state, this will be my Last Ford, it spends more time in repairs than I drive it.

    • s00107546 on 07/10/2013 - 08:23

      Thanks Mik. With your feedback I think better off spending little more $ and get a Corolla.

    • altomic on 07/10/2013 - 20:22
      +1

      My first car was a 1975 Toyota corona. Awesome car. It went and went and went.

  • padfoot07 on 06/10/2013 - 22:59
    +1

    I bought my first car this year and went for a Corolla 2003 model. I spent about $7,000 on it, and it has been pretty good so far. Low kilometres, regular services, clean interior, etc.

    It is also pretty good on petrol.. doesn't seem to be using too much!

    The only problem is that it is a boring car, although if you want a car that will give you no problems, then just go for the Corolla. I sometimes wish I bought something more exciting, although as a first car I think the Corolla will be fine.

    • s00107546 on 07/10/2013 - 08:28

      Spot on. It's really annoy and costly to have your car fixed every 2-3 weeks. I have found some good deals on car sale for corolla 2004-2005, there a Honda Jazz GD VTi 2006 selling for 6800.

  • aim54x on 08/10/2013 - 11:45

    I had all sorts of issues finding the right car….but I would definitely say the Corolla if you can find one, but have a look at the i30 (first gen) they are a nice car if you can get one at the right price. The Jazz is also a very worthy target.

  • polina on 18/10/2013 - 14:59
    +1

    My first car was a Honda Jazz GD 2008 - it was an excellent car! My second (and current) car is also a Honda Jazz… a GE this time. I've never owned a corolla so cannot give a fair comparison of the two…
    If you have any specific questions about the Jazz feel free to ask
    Good luck car hunting!

    • Thenarrator on 29/05/2016 - 21:47

      what are the pros and cons of the jazz?

      • polina on 30/05/2016 - 14:20

        I guess this depends on who you are and your needs for the car. For me, personally, pros were small size, fuel economy, 'magic seats', good visibility, easy to park due to flat rear window, an affordable car in terms of purchase price and running/servicing costs. Cons - slightly underpowered (even the 1.5L - I wouldn't even consider the 1.3L)

        • Thenarrator on 30/05/2016 - 14:56

          cool. how does the pros described differentiate jazz over other small size car say yaris? im thinking of one of the 2 atm.

        • polina on 30/05/2016 - 15:15

          @Thenarrator: Sorry I couldn't really compare to the Yaris as I've never had one.

  • frostee on 21/10/2013 - 20:41

    If you fancy a Honda Jazz have a look at a Civic too :)

    • Thenarrator on 29/05/2016 - 21:46

      civic is over 20k!! too pricey dont u think?

  • adn on 22/10/2013 - 01:23

    civic hatchback for your budget. anything goes wrong, alot of parts to swap over from other hondas.

  • skskskskzzz on 29/05/2016 - 23:35

    +1 for Civic 2006-2011, something like this
    http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/allawah/cars-vans-utes/2006-h…
    You can give up the leather seats and sunroof for a VTI/VTI-L coming in at a bit less ~6000 (1.8 and 2.0 is about the same)
    They look better than a Corolla IMO and there are heaps of wreckings

    BTW the Focus is built in South Africa and can be known for having bad quality control

  • codename47 on 31/05/2016 - 14:49

    Friend of mine had 2005 Ford focus Manual with 125000Kms. He sold it for 5200 after a year of driving. It was nice car but had few issues such as engine would hesitate to start every now and then but would run okay in the second attempt to start it. Paint quality was really bad. Paint was fading on some parts.

    I would definitely suggest Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Mitsubishi Lancers if you don't mind these brands.

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