Suggestions on The First Car

songford on 04/04/2016 - 19:25

Hey ozbargainers,

I'm currently evaluating my options as a first-time car buyer. Some backgrounds:

  1. I'm holding a learners permit atm.
  2. The budget is at around $6000.
  3. I'm currently living in Melb. I couldn't eliminate the possibility if I have to move to other cities in several months.

I'm currently looking at budget urban cars in fair condition. However, would it be wise to buy a cheaper car (when I say cheaper I mean $2k~3k range) and sell it out in future after I passed driving test, and replace it with something more decent then? What will the possible fees/processes will be involved if I decide to go that way? I'm pondering this since as a newbie I would probably scratch the car a lot in reversing/parking and it might be cheaper to repair an old car maybe?

Also saying if I register a car in VIC and move to NSW due to work relocation will there be a significant charge in this process related to car registration?

That's all for now. Thanks for your inputs and wish you all a great day.

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • GameChanger on 04/04/2016 - 19:43
    +1

    Japanese is the way to go for first car.

    Cars are a depreciating asset, so its likely you will make a loss when you resell. Personally I would just get a good car first time around to save time.

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 20:51

      Yeah I think so. And I think the price of the car will undergo a deprecation when it become a 3rd hand car instead of 2nd. Thanks for your advice!

  • QuickToThePointless on 04/04/2016 - 19:58
    +1

    would probably scratch the car a lot in reversing/parking and it might be cheaper to repair an old car maybe?

    Sounds like you are planning to bang up the car - just plan to be more careful!

    Also, unlikely you will bother repairing an old banger if you keep scratching it up.

    If its a $2k car, its very hard to justify spending $1k on panel work every time you make mistakes

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 20:51

      lol no! I'll definitely avoid banging the car if I can - however you know as a learner…

      I agree with your advice now. Thanks for that!

  • ntt on 04/04/2016 - 20:13
    +1

    My advice is find some car which is small or has a good view. Avoid big car like Commodore or Camry, when your driving skill is improved, think again.

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 20:49

      Yeah exactly what I'm thinking. I'm currently looking at Micra/Yaris-like small cars. Thanks for your advice.

      • ntt on 04/04/2016 - 21:36

        If possible you install a reversing sensors if they're not there, beleive me, you have a high chance to get rear end vs everything. About the car, make a list, do some homework, make test drives and give yourself one or 2 days to think. DONOT buy at the first sight

  • dasher86 on 04/04/2016 - 20:23
    +1

    Ensure to take into account insurance and rego for the vehicle.
    I'd suggest getting a late 90s Toyota or Mitsubishi lancer.

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 20:57

      Thanks for your advice!

  • nubzy on 04/04/2016 - 20:38

    Look at cars around 4-5k because you need to factor in the comprehensive insurance and rego as above, along with anything that might be due for replacement. Japanese cars are the best bet, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki etc. All cars in this price range are going to have faults whether it be body/paint work or minor mechanical issues but you can still get a good quality, reliable car whilst significantly limiting depreciation and avoiding annoying repayments. Probably worth paying the $100 or whatever it is for NRMA or similar to do an inspection on the car.

    • slknv on 04/04/2016 - 20:51

      For a first car for a learner driver, I wouldn't bother with comprehensive insurance - mainly because you'll probably find that for a $5000 first car, young driver with no driving history, your comprehensive insurance premium is going to be 75% or more of the cars value.

      First car - buy a cheap but reliable older car (I'm thinking honda civic, but I'm biased because my first car was a 1988 honda civic that did 350,000km extremely reliably), get third party insurance for about $400pa, and when your rating has built up a bit, and your budget has improved, then get a better car. Easily repairable, parts are dirt cheap. My brother just bought a civic EK hatch for $300 for a daily driver, and it's in amazing condition for the money but I doubt you'll get a bargain as good as that.

      Whatever you do, at least get third party property insurance on it. The amount of idiots on whirlpool saying "oh, I'm a good driver, I don't need insurance… but I mysteriously crashed into a mercedes and now the debt collectors are after me for $30,000…." I have no sympathy for.

      anecdote… I was living in UK 14 years ago and my neighbour was selling a mint condition Mk2 Golf GTi. He only wanted 1000pounds for it - I called up some insurers, and third party insurance (not comprehensive!) was 2500pounds!

      • humdingaling on 04/04/2016 - 21:31

        agree
        3rd party property needs to be in your budget

      • songford on 04/04/2016 - 22:33

        WTF $300?? You gotta be kidding me. Do you sure you haven't forgot to put a trailing 0 to that??

        I'm definitely not going to let insurance slide. I am not sure the good driver mindset is even applicable to me since I'm not even a driver yet let alone good driver. A 3rd party insurance is a must.

        I don't think 3rd party insurance is that expensive here in Oz? Is there anything fundamentally different back in UK like policies or etc?

        • slknv on 05/04/2016 - 08:50
          +1

          Three hundred bucks. Paint in very average shape and no air-conditioning but mechanically 100%. I did some repairs to it myself, like replacing driveshafts and fixing seat rails for rwc using junkyard parts, still a bargain. He bought it so he wouldn't have to daily his 250kw S15.

          In Vic, third party insurance shouldn't be more than 350-400, lack of driving history might make it a little more. UK insurance is just ridiculous especially in London.

  • spackbace on 04/04/2016 - 21:13
    +1

    Manual or auto?
    Are you a guy or girl? (legitimate question, don't have a go at me!)
    Think you'll be transporting people or mainly just yourself?
    What do you want in the car? Like is there a feature you'd love to have?

    • PVA on 04/04/2016 - 21:38

      no idea why someone would neg you.

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 22:36

      Auto. Melbourne is fairly hilly manual will be pretty nightmarish to me if I have to constantly stop-and-start.

      I'm a guy.

      I haven't thought this far tbh but for now it will just be myself using the car.

      It will be lovely to have GPS system in it but in all fairness I could just place my phone in a booth and just Google map it.

      Also 6 airbags covering all the passengers should be essential.

      I can't think of anything else tbh.

      Thanks and I don't understand why people will neg you either.

      • spackbace on 04/04/2016 - 23:12
        +1

        Probably negged coz of the gender question. Figured I would but meh, it matters, this is the society we're in!

        I do like the Swift for its reliability, but I don't know how old you'd buy for a 6k budget. Have a look and let me know :)

        Otherwise the Hyundai accent is a good size, might even find one that someone has fit a CD/usb/BT player to which would be a plus :) it's a Hyundai so parts would be dirt cheap. Just be mindful that it needs a timing belt, so be careful of cars near the 90k/180k mark.

        6 airbags in a 6k budget I would thought would be difficult :/

        If you were looking manual I would've suggested the Suzuki Alto. Yes it's a no frills car, but you'd be able to find one only a couple of years old in your budget. Might be worth having a drive of one and see what you think. Definitely cheap on fuel! Also very popular cars in India, and considering how many cars they buy it kinda says something :)

      • spackbace on 05/04/2016 - 10:11

        Just thought of a good car. A Mitsubishi Lancer :) It's a good size for 4 adults, won't go through much more fuel than the Micra and similar, and it's a decent car for a young guy to be driving!

        The 2008 shape is the same as the current 2016 shape, same engine, same gearbox, it's purely only the cosmetics that have changed over the last 8 years. That means that if you need bumpers, or anything mechanical, you'll be able to find it easily.

        Unfortunately a quick search of Carsales/Gumtree in Vic finds only 1 decent 1 @ $7,200. Not sure if you might be able to search further afield, or see how negotiable that owner is?

        4 star safety, which is damn close to 5 stars :P (some cars are only 5 stars because of 1 extra airbag. Don't be too alarmed at 'just' getting 4 stars!

        Carsales ad here (it's also on Gumtree)

        • songford on 05/04/2016 - 21:51

          …eh. Why exactly did you get negged again?

          I've managed to neutralise it anyway. Wouldn't Lancer be too daunting to drive for a noob like me? I'm interested in Micra because it's short, and so in turn will make parking/reversing more tangible maybe??

          Thanks for your advice though!

        • spackbace on 05/04/2016 - 21:56

          @songford:

          Nah, it's just the right sort of size, no need to go micro :) I started in a 1990 Mitsubishi Galant lol which is the same size as the Lancer. Easy to drive cars

      • Banana on 05/04/2016 - 21:33

        Can't use your phone as a GPS while you are on your P, even if it is "secured".

        • songford on 05/04/2016 - 21:48

          OMG you made an excellent point! I'm not even allowed to bring my phones onto my cars am I.

          Looks like I have to invest a bit more for a garmin or tom-tom.

  • RobMel on 04/04/2016 - 22:22
    +1

    Would suggest Nissan, Toyota at that budget.
    Don't go too cheap, significant security enhancement have been introduced, the cheaper you go the more you miss out on those.
    As an L or P Plater would be good to have traction control, ABS and a few Airbags.

    • songford on 04/04/2016 - 22:40

      I'm considering Nissan Micra atm.

      Well if I go after the model even the car itself is pretty cheap it should still be equipped with everything it should have in its product line I think?

      Hmm ABS should be universally equipped on newer models eh? I've read there's a Volkswagen up whose missing out some airbags but all the rest entry level cars seem to be no worries on this point?

      I have no bloody idea what is traction control.

      Thanks for replying!

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 23:28

    I think that $6000 has at least the potential of getting you into something reasonably recent and relatively safe.

    Beyond the parking misadventure that you envisage and hopefully only minor if it happens, but you do face a very high chance of being on one side or other of a proper accident in your early years of driving.

    Relative to the money you have to spend, maybe prioritise safety over some other things. Some additional things to download are linked on that second page -

    www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary/my+car…

    www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modification…

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