Help Me Find The Cheapest Car That Won't Break

SpaceNinja on 04/05/2017 - 10:06
Last edited 06/05/2017 - 01:06

So I need a basic, cheap, reliable car to commute daily from carpark (arranged near bus stop) to work, about 3 km.
Which is the cheapest car I can buy that will be clean, low maintenance and reliable enough to not cause any head-aches ?

Budget is around $3k.
Looking at 2004 model or newer.
Smaller engines preferred.

Any suggestions, links, pointers welcome :-), thank you.

Update:
Guys, thank you so much for the suggestions. Based on the recommendations I have increased the budget to ~$4500 max.
And sorry pushbike, bicycle etc is not possible due to terrain.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • tomleonhart on 04/05/2017 - 10:33
    +24

    3km ? Get a pushbike

    • Euphemistic on 04/05/2017 - 10:38

      Can't give any more than one upvote!

  • Euphemistic on 04/05/2017 - 10:44
    +3

    $3k car is a bit of a lottery. If you must buy a car (see comment above) go and pick a small hatchback from any Japanese brand, or even Hyundai, Holden (the little ones are Korean) or Ford. Avoid Euro for service and parts cost, avoid chinese for .. I shouldn't need to explain.

    Get the poverty pack as there is less to go wrong. Get a manual, again less complex. Don't expect that it will like running only 3km to and from the station, it is one of the worst conditions for driving a car, short trips.

    • ATTS on 05/05/2017 - 11:12

      Hi would like to know why are short trips bad for the car? and how many km is considered short?

      thanks

      • miicah on 05/05/2017 - 14:56

        Engine doesn't get up to proper operating temperature.

  • Ryanek on 04/05/2017 - 11:02
    +2

    Toyota Corolla is the car you a looking for.

  • Fergy1987 on 04/05/2017 - 11:30

    Most definitely a pushbike……not worth it with insurance and rego and the rest of that junk for 3km….

    or walk…..

  • MrMister on 04/05/2017 - 12:34

    I recommend a Toyota Avalon 2004 or better. I have one at home at it runs like a beauty. No problems, ever. I admit It's driven daily for picking up kids and doing groceries (all within 5KM), but that's about it. Will do the odd 10-15KM trip to a mates house. Have driven it to the Gold Coast from Sydney and back - no problems! I'm no car lover, so my car isn't serviced twice a year, regularly maintained or even sheltered in a garage! IF anything comes up, I'm going to naively assume that most mechanics have Toyota parts in abundance, so it'll be cheap, quick and easy if any problems arise.

    Only thing is…I'm not sure you can find them at $3K. Maybe around the $4K or $5K ranges.

    NOTE: This is quite a big car. Also has a powerful V6 (I can already hear the damn car enthusiasts telling me it's no match for a V8), so petrol consumption isn't eco friendly? Superior comfort and no headaches though…

    +1 For the Corolla suggestion by Ryanek.

  • altomic on 04/05/2017 - 13:33
    +1

    if you were in Bris then I'd really suggest this 2002 daewoo matiz with 55,000kms manual for $1600. -super low price, super economical, tiny - so good for parking.

    or this former Eagle Boys Delivery Car 2007 Hyundai Getz for $1200

  • SpaceNinja on 08/05/2017 - 19:07
    +3

    Ok so bought a Honda Jazz 2008 for 6k. Great condition, 1.3L, 85k kms. Thanks guys, particularly Euphemistic for invaluable advice :-) .

    • Baysew on 09/05/2017 - 19:51

      Seems like a good choice. Bigger budget yielded a better car.

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