Hi, Im planning to buy a car (sedan/hatch) with a budget of around $8000. What car should/can i get for around that price and is reliable and fuel efficient? Im a guy and 19 years old
First Car What Should I Get?
TRD on 19/05/2015 - 13:11
Last edited 19/05/2015 - 18:05
Last edited 19/05/2015 - 18:05
Comments
Auto/Manual? Guy/Girl? How tall are you? Frequently carry passengers or planning to?
Auto,Guy,1.7m, carry a few passengers, driving to uni and work
I hate to say it but maybe a Camry. Not sure how new they would be in your budget, but will be big enough for friends, big enough to go away for a weekend with friends or a gf, not very girly, 2.4L is still pretty economical
Edit Quick search for WA finds you'd be able to get 2007/2008 for your budget. Still pretty new, 4 star safety
thanks for the suggestion
I'm surprised there are still no army of camry downvoters:) Camry is probably the best choice if you want the biggest car for money with minimal cost of ownership. Almost any other car will be more expensive to own.
However I'd never by Camry when I was 19…just saying. More like Golf GTI.
However I'd never by Camry when I was 19…just saying. More like Golf GTI.
Haha I know, it's not the biggest and best or anything, but for $8k it's gonna be hard to find something reliable and go-fast!
Would help if the OP got a black Camry or even dark grey, seperate it from the 'older' owners
@Spackbace: would be even better to get Aurion imho - same price and reliability with better engine.
Hatch > Sedan: More boot space. It doesn't sound like a big deal but when you are sitting at BBQs Galore with your new purchase only to realise that there is no way it is going to fit into your sedan you will be thinking "WHY OH WHY din't I get a hatch!"
Manual > Auto: Until I actually owned a Manual I didn't understand this. A lot more control over the vehicle helps in every aspect of driving. The only exception is if you know you are going to be in stop/start traffic daily EG: Working in the City.
I've owned 1.8l, 2l, 2.5l, 3l cars and I've found for me that I prefer the 2l to 2.5l bracket. Decent power when you need it and not too horrible on the Fuel.
07 1.8l Astra CDX: 7l/100km
03 2.5l Forester: 9.5l/100km
97 3l Magna: 13l/100kmFor $8000 you should be able to pick up any number of hatchbacks. The corolla is a great choice for reliability and safety. I know a few people who have had them and no major issues that I've heard of.
It is important to note that a car will only be reliable and last if you are willing and stick to the maintenance required. Oil changes and the like. If you let the car go it will fall apart quickly.
Pick a car before you go out looking at lots and don't let you sales person push you into buying something else.
This is all based on my experience with the cars that my wife and I have owned and I am in no way an expert. Please also note that this all is just one mans opinion and the car you choose is the car that YOU will have to live with. Don't let anyone tell you that you NEED to buy a specific car because at the end of they day its going to live in your garage, not theirs.
Last bit of advice. NEVER use E10. its cheap but crap. You will get less KM out of a tank which negates the saving and it doesn't do good things for your engine. Stick with 95 or 98 if you can.
Any particular reason to stick to 95 or 98 for all vehicles? For sure not all engines are designed for it.
Any evidence that "it doesn't do good things for your engine."??
Ethanol has a tenancy to "dry" certain rubbers in fuel systems and can cause problems, but in any vehicle which specifies E10 is fine to use, it is FINE TO USE! They have specifically designed the fuel system to handle the ethanol. I know, it sounds strange, who would have thought that the engineers who design vehicles understand what's safe to put into their own vehicles.
Ethanol has an advantage over regular petrol, it helps remove water from the tank. Over time water will make it's way into the tank, generally through condensation. Because oil and oil based products don't mix well with water, the water settles to the bottom of the tank (this is why aircraft have special valves at the bottom of tanks to check for water in the fuel). When you introduce ethanol to the mix (which does mix with water), it helps the tiny amounts of water mix with the fuel which will make it's way through the fuel lines and harmlessly be burnt by the engine. This is why when you suspect water in a tank, throwing in a bit of metho helps.
If you allow water to build up in the tank, it'll start to oxidise the metals. You'll end up with clogged filters, jets or injectors.
So sure, if your car doesn't allow E10 to be used, don't use it unless you're replacing fuel system components, but the general "E10 is bad for your engine" is a complete load.
As to using 95 or 98, that in itself is a bit of a fallacy. All higher octane fuel does is suppress knock and pre-ignition. This allows for electronically controlled timing to advance the timing resulting in slightly more power and better fuel economy. Of course, that needs to be weighed against the extra cost of the fuel. The real advantage of "premium" fuels is they generally more refined and contain more cleaning agents. This is important in keeping the combustion chambers clean as any build ups tend to create hot spots which can cause pinking, or worse, detonation. The complex bit is more refined and better cleaning agents isn't inherent to higher octane fuel. Higher octane fuels GENERALLY have these properties, but it's no guarantee.
Of course, you have to weigh up the extra cost of premium fuel against throwing in a can of top end cleaner every time you do a service.
Sorry for the useless comment but this guy knows what he's talking about. Lovely summary of octane purpose.
regarding hatches -
1) please note, not all the hatches out there have rear seats that fold flat allowing maximum storage space.
2) a hatch feels and drives sportier (in my opinion)
3) a modified car will definitely have been thrashed so stay clear.Interesting observation about hatchbacks being sportier. Looks - maybe yes, some. But drives - that's where magic comes:)
At this age (I'm assuming early twenties) get a car you'll enjoy driving, save the Camry for later on in life.
Get a falcodore!
3 year old hyundai getz auto. Still under warranty and within your budget. My daughter picked up one for $7k. She loves having a car that is relatively new and feels secure because there is less chance that it will breakdown on her (maybe that's me thinking that).
Remember that it really is a buyer's market in 2nd hand cars so always knock the price down.You mean 4yrs old right? They stopped making them in 2011
She bought it last year :)
i20 for 2012. There are a few in that price range on Carsales.I second the Toyotas, probably the Corolla. I'm driving a corolla now, very fuel efficient.
My first car in Australia was the celica though and it was cheap and fun to drive for a first car but not fuel efficient and passengers would not be too comfortable. Consider it though.
I was in the same situation as you. 19 with around 8k.
I ended up getting a used accord euro. These things are gorgeous and are very spacey. There are leather seat variants or normal seats. I'm getting 500kms each 60L tank but thats surburban driving. If you're driving to uni and work via highways and stuff you'll get upwards of 600kms.
You could probably find a really nice one for 9k, auto or manual.
Falcodore? Lol $8000 for first car. My how times change. My first car was a 1974 Honda Civic. hopping $1400 that took me a year of saving. Best car until i burn't the engine out. Silly oil!
Whatever car you choose. Test drive a few different models. Think of how long will you keep it for? Resale value? Don't get a small hatch if you intend to have a few friends in you car, no back leg room is not appreciated. If you dont want to drive with your seat close to steering wheel either, beware. Look for a car that is ecomical, to drive, reliable history, easy to drive and park if you are not so confident etc.
If you intend to insure it, the price you pay will depend on the car, where you live etc so perhaps research that too. Just beware of hatches with little leg room and if u want to just chuck stuff in your car quick for uni or work with mates in the car where will you put it eg) back packs/bags. Do you want a good audio system?
Also don't let others sway you. You have to drive it. Everyone's past experiences will differ and used car salesman often just want to sell a car they can't get rid of. You may get a later model car with basic features or an older model car with a better brand history and more mod cons for your budget. Your choice.
My only bad car experience was a Toyota Camry funny enough. Big time lemon. Never looked at Toyota the same. I prefer a sporty or zippier car. Yes my term. For someone else it would be another car. I had Honda, Hyundai, Holden and Mazda. All great cars for me but i looked after them well too.
Hopping is Whopping btw.
5 door manual hatch is very versatile. Search on carsales for a start - you can narrow it down to 5 star safety, fuel less than 7l/100km, keyword warranty, max price $10,000 (I have found that $9k listings may get you to $8k with proper haggling - get your money organised to give the seller a fast transaction). Newer than 2010, less than 60000kms will get you something small, basic and reliable with some resale potential till you buy the hot hatch after you have no claims discount. Beware ex-rentals. Its worth waiting/paying for private 1 owner vehicle. When you have found "the one" Save $250 for a proper inspection like Stateroads to check compression and paint thickness etc. etc.
Toyota Corolla hatch in black isn't too bad. Looks manly and cool and seats are foldable. Trouble is, it's so hard to see black at night.
My top recommendations:
Mazda 6 & 3
Subaru Impreza / Forester / Outback / Liberty
Honda Civic / AccordFor $8k, you're probably looking at early 2000's to 2006 models with around 120-150,000kms.
It'll be a rare find if it's got less than 100,000kms.
Plenty of spare parts at wreckers and eBay if things need replacing.My preference is for hatch & wagon over sedans.
Young ppl need to move stuff around a lot.Other word of advice:
- Dont buy the first car you see.
- If there is no service history, walk away.
- If the seller is dodgy, details not checking out, selling in a public place (not at their residence): walk away.
- Do a REVS check.
Good luck !
Is holden crude sedan an option ?
I'd be looking at something fuel efficient, probably a sedan or hatch (a reliable one) for about $8,000.
But I highly recommend Toyota. My girlfriend and I both own indestructable 1999 Corollas.