First Time Buying Used Car

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  QuickToThePointless on 04/08/2015 - 19:52

  +6

  Remember to check under the bonut things.

  If the big thing is leaking, avoid purchase.

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  altomic on 04/08/2015 - 20:41

  there is a 2004 toyota camry up the road being sold by a good mechanic 137,000 kms asking $4200. I'd be buying something like that.

  • 

    tradiesunited on 04/08/2015 - 21:06

    where?

    • 

      QuickToThePointless on 04/08/2015 - 21:20

      -1

      Probably not within walking distance of your house

      • 

        tradiesunited on 04/08/2015 - 21:49

        ok

      • 

        altomic on 04/08/2015 - 21:50

        Bris Vegas unfortunately.

        A very sound car in great condition with low KMs being sold by a honest mechanic who I've been using for the last 6 years and trust.

        just pointing out that there are decent inexpensive cars.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 06/08/2015 - 14:45

        @altomic:

        just pointing out that there are decent inexpensive cars.

        Trouble mostly lies in finding a seller you can really trust though, isn't it?

• 

  trex on 04/08/2015 - 22:45

  You could read this

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  spackbace on 04/08/2015 - 23:05

  Only you can decide what size suits you,and you can go from there.

  Do you want a small hatch like a Swift/Alto/Barina/etc etc
  Medium size like Mazda 3/Cruze/Corolla
  Larger like a Camry

  Work that out, work out manual or auto, and then check Gumtree/Carsales

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  January on 05/08/2015 - 15:00

  I think Toyota models have a low fuel consumptions.
  Gumtree offers a free car valuation tool that can help with your decision.
  http://www.gumtree.com.au/pages/car-prices/

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  Zachary on 05/08/2015 - 15:31

  +2

  Here's a list of stuff to check when buying a used car or really any car for that matter, which I made up a while ago when attempting to purchase my own car for $500; I wanted to make sure it was mechanically sound. The rest I don't really care much for if it's only $500.

  At the end the seller was grumpy because I was going through a checklist and he was like "What, I should charge you $50 an hr for this!". To be honest, yes it went longer than usual but I wanted to be sure and he didn't seem to be the patient type. I got the car in the end anyways. :P

  https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ozh0zgkm3ijy1h/Checklist%20summar…

  For $7k, I would go through everything on my list.

  Usually the small cars are fuel economical. Buy one where repairs are minimal, I'm not sure if there is a small car that is both economical AND repair costs are much less than any other cars.

  Yes do check car history and all that stuff, it's all in that dropbox link I gave ya!

  Get a qualified mechanic to check your car. If you have a friend or someone who knows their way around cars (or is qualified mechanic and know pretty much everything there is to a car)can go with you to buy your car, he/she can help check your car while you're there.

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  toniyellow on 06/08/2015 - 11:37

  I would say, don't completely discount used car dealers.

  I had my heart set on a Suzuki Jimny, because I wanted 4WD, but also fuel economy, and cheap to repair - it was highly ranked on the NRMA car operating costs survey, a good place to look for an economical car.

  I looked at a few on gumtree, and a few on dealers along parramatta rd. The best of the lot was at a dealer. It was in great condition. It had all the service records for 6 monthly services since it had been purchased. All the ones I could find one gumtree were beat up, or had high ks. There was a different dealer down the road selling the same car, same colour, same model, same year for $3k more. I was so nervous at the time, because I felt like it was only possible to be ripped off at a dealer. I couldn't understand how a different dealer down the road was selling the same car for more, I thought this one had to have something wrong with it. I took it for more than one test drive, I wavered, I brought more than one person to come look at it. In the end it was exactly what I wanted and couldn't get it cheaper elsewhere, so I bought it (paid in cash and knocked 10% off the price) and 4 years later I've never had a single problem with it.

  Maybe I just got lucky and found a unicorn. But if after you research your ideal car you find one at a dealer, I wouldn't completely ignore it based on just that. Sure they are out to make a profit, but most private sellers aren't giving cars away for cheap either unless they are really desperate for cash.

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  Falchoon on 06/08/2015 - 14:36

  With a dealer you get warranty and guaranteed title, but you pay more for these priviledges than if you were buying privately. You have to weigh up if these things are important enough to pay extra for or take the chance that the car could have a major machanical failure the day after you buy it or find it's stolen.

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  Brucet on 07/08/2015 - 15:21

  I suggest you buy Toyota car make because they are more reliable than any other.,

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  Brucet on 07/08/2015 - 15:21

  Get someone who know about cars with you when you purchase.