First small car $2000

tradiesunited on 11/12/2015 - 20:54
Last edited 14/12/2015 - 22:02

Dear ozbargain er,

I'm looking to buy a second hand car as a first car. I want to spend maximum $2000. The car should reliable and small. It should also be fuel efficient and automatic transmission.
Any advice would be great

UPDATE
1999 Nissan Pulsar LX N15 S2 Auto for $1000, thoughts?

I would like to ask about the process of buying the used vehicle privately. How do we exchange the money and how do we have evidence of the change name for the vehicle. So basically the general steps of acquiring the vehicle when you decide to purchase.

Many thanks in advance,
T

Automotive

Comments

  • boonanza on 11/12/2015 - 21:47
    +4

    Four months ago you were looking for a First car but had $7000 to spend https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/205705
    What happened to the other $5k was it Dick Smith?

    • tradiesunited on 11/12/2015 - 21:54
      +3

      dickie consumed it whole

      • montorola on 12/12/2015 - 13:24

        I think it's time for dick to withdraw…….from the retail market…

        • captobvious on 12/12/2015 - 20:23

          I blew my load at dickies too now broke

  • supnigs super skids on 11/12/2015 - 22:22
    +4

    Go look up a Toyota starlet as a start. In your price range you would need to be quite lucky to get any car which would meet those requirements. Best get one that is cheap to maintain too. I would suggest Japanese cars in the 90's.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/12/2015 - 23:21

    I got a 6yo Hyundai Getz with 78kkm for $2000, but a dent in back end (I fixed). Car is 100%, 5.5L/100km, and easy to drive. No idea about auto as only drive manuals.
    Suggest look for hail damaged, or dented, if you want good car that cheap.

  • altomic on 11/12/2015 - 23:49

    daihatsu charade.
    suzuki mighty boy

  • Cave Fire on 12/12/2015 - 00:28
    +3

    Put your requirements into Gumtree and sort by year descending and then choose something with the least mileage. Then look for the cleanest car possible. Try to test drive more than five and avoid making an emotional purchase.

  • captobvious on 12/12/2015 - 00:54

    The answer is Lancer

    • 2jzzzz on 12/12/2015 - 08:40

      CE Lancer or Mirage is a good choice. So is anything Toyota from that period of overengineering.

  • Mumbles on 12/12/2015 - 04:03

    Another alternative is to consider small engine motorcycles. $2K can almost can buy you a brand new scooter.

    • captobvious on 12/12/2015 - 20:22

      I went to the moped store, said "(profanity) it"

  • wretchd on 12/12/2015 - 11:29
    +1

    Hi Tradiesunited, I suggest ask the question on Whirlpool's Auto forum. Let them know where you are located (Sydney?) and they might have a suggestion. It would help to how much you want to use your car km/week or if you plan any big trips in it. Ask if they can suggest a guide for buying a cheap car.

    Please know that $2000 for a car is not a lot and often cheaper cars have problems and need more spent on them.

    Have you a friend with good mechanical knowledge? They might be able to help you with the choice or getting a better deal. Many cars have a timing belt in the engine that needs regular replacement (depending on model, every 60,000 to 100,000km). It can be costly to replace. If the car you are buying has a timing belt, check when it was last replaced. Not replacing it in time can expensively damage the engine. Try and get a car with a timing chain, they usually last much longer (exception)

    Older automatics don't get as good fuel economy as manuals. Generally, smaller cars get better fuel economy. Hatches can carry more than the equiv sedan.

  • voiletmay on 12/12/2015 - 14:17
    +1

    By complete accident we found a car wholesaler who was really good when we were buying my daughters first car (2010 getz) a few months ago. Going back to him early next year when other daughter will need a car.

    Maybe try and find a car wholesaler. This guy buys 30 ex-hertz rental cars at a time and sells them off one by one.

    Daughter and I had no idea what we were doing at all, but we got it so right with this guy, came with a 3 month warranty, all the transfers, 6 months rego etc included in the price. Just did our research and decided a 2010 hyunadai getz was the best first car. Guy had teenagers so made sure he was selling teens good/safe cars.

    • JOCKz on 16/12/2015 - 20:05

      Yeah i dont know violet. I trust used car salesman as much as i do crocodiles.

      • doctordv8 on 24/12/2015 - 14:09

        You trust crocodiles????????

        • JOCKz on 24/12/2015 - 17:03

          Only the cute cuddly kind

  • tradiesunited on 14/12/2015 - 21:18

    1999 Nissan Pulsar LX N15 S2 Auto for $1000, thoughts?

    • supnigs super skids on 17/12/2015 - 23:50

      Go with someone who knows about cars and how to fix them. Get their opinion. Cars in your price range, expect to spend money to get them going and road worthy. No use spending just as much or more than what you paid for a car to get it on the road. learn manual to open up your options. Manuals are much more reliable and cheaper to fix. Good luck

    • doctordv8 on 24/12/2015 - 14:10

      A pulstart sludge for only 1 G? Sounds a bit sus. But then again, all pulstarts are a bit sus.

      (Sorry Nissan)

  • tradiesunited on 21/12/2015 - 23:30

    Why are people selling toyota echo 2001 all at ~180000km close to 200,000km. Is there a major serivce at 200,000km?

  • doctordv8 on 24/12/2015 - 14:23

    Back in my day, the answer was more simple. 2 bits for a saddle, a 1/4 for reins and a blanket, the nag itself was negotiable around 3-5 dollars and the buggey…wait I don't need no buggey, I ain't no darn sheila!!!

    Ha ha. Merry Xmas.

    Everyones ideas above are so far so good. There is only 2 'MUST' things, stick to your budget, and allow the $$ to get every one checked until the checker would buy it for his daughter.

    By the time a cheapie is only woth about 2 g's, the price has already bottomed out. Mechanicals are cheaper to repair than the body/rust etc, but you want safe not pretty. At 2 g's you don't have a lot of bargaining power, but you do have tons of choice, and private will generally be cheaper than dealer. I don't think there is much dealer warranty at 2 g's, so private/dealer are close there, and 99% of all dealer cheapies are private trade ins anyhow mostly being sold at close to cost. Ask you friends about anyone about to sell or trade up, and good luck, but do NOT buy the first one you see because it has fat wheels, a huge stereo, black tint or other mods that will say, 'don't buy me, I am an accident or traffic fine waiting to happen, before I die prematurly.

    Does ebay and Paypal have buyers protection for cars? Worth looking into a local one there.

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