Need Your Guidance on Buying Car for First Time in My Life!

Lshaymu on 20/05/2017 - 16:47
Last edited 20/05/2017 - 17:24

Hi guys,

I have decided to purchase a first car in my life after driving goget carshare for almost entire my uni life. So please guide me through my car buying journey.

So far, my budget limit is $19,000, but I really don't want to spend over $18,000 unless I am missing huge value because of extra grand.

I was gonna buy a secondhand small hatchback, but recently have changed my mind to small SUV streams. Although, after few research, I find my budget may not adequate for those stream.

So far, I watched few youtube videos and read reviews and found myself wanting Mazda cx-3.

I've lurk thru carsales.com and found cheapest cx-3 is 20G.

Before I decide myself, other candidates were Honda HRV and Mitsubishi ASX.

Although, I already fixated on Mazda cx-3, I want ozbargainer's opinion on my decision.

Do you think I will successfully get one with my budget? or Should I change my mind? , Is there better car that suits me? etc..

I care about modern city look design (exterior, interior), fuel efficiency and little bit of practicality for Costco, IKEA, Woolly shopping.

I prefer Auto since my gf can't drive manual yet.

With all the information flood, I find myself little disoriented. So, please guide me!

Thanks,
John

Automotive

Comments

  • Islund on 20/05/2017 - 17:12
    -2

    A very good second hand golf can be had for that price.

  • altomic on 20/05/2017 - 17:17
    +2

    why get a SUV?

    why not a regular mazda 3 hatch?

    get a second hand with low KMs.

    plenty of mazda 3 hatches with less than 40,000km for under $12,000

    e.g. this red 2009 hatch auto with 18,0000ms for $12,000

    so cheap. it's a mazda so it's reliable. 18k is nothing for KMs. there would be room to negotiate there. and $12000 - that's $6K left in your pocket.

    • shaymu on 20/05/2017 - 17:38
      -1

      Thanks, but that red colour is deal breaker for me. I will look further and broaden my options.

    • modsec802 on 20/05/2017 - 17:56

      Questionably low KMs for a 8 year old car

      • kerfuffle on 20/05/2017 - 18:21

        Maybe they're like me and don't use it as much; I've done 52Ks on my Corolla which I bought brand new in 2012

  • spackbace on 20/05/2017 - 20:09

    Yeah a CX3 isn't very big, isn't really high off the ground… May as well have a Mazda 3

    • popcornready on 21/05/2017 - 09:09

      I believe the cX3 is based on the Mazda 2 interior, so it's actually quite small and impractical

  • doctordv8 on 21/05/2017 - 10:02

    Hello Mudda…..
    Hello Farda…..

    Here I am at….. Camp Used Car Larder…… H e l P.

    Hey John, think about what has been said so far….. Do you need an SUV style or want and SUV style, ie CX3 or similar? More car equals generally more to buy and maintain/run. Also call and quote for insurance so you have an idea of yearly fixed costs, and an idea of weekly running costs between vehicle types in general once you narrow it down to a few options.

    If you still have that as your choice, ok, keep looking and comparing. Take notes, and you can build a data base of what is out there for the price and condition, age and klms, extras and options.

    If you choose a dealer/car yard, you will pay more(usually), but you may get more choice and a Warranty (pending $$ and legal requirements) assuming they are good people. Check online for reviews too.
    If you choose a private sale, you could save money, but you take a little more risk - seriously phone a friend here.

    So, find a friend/family person that has been there done that, or at least join NRMA for advise once you have a few vehicles on your short list. Vehicle inspections are worth it once you have found your final few.

    Never fall for that once in a lifetime deal, or it won't last or there are 234889 guys coming after lunch to buy it. Too much a full on pressure sell or if it's too good to be true etc etc…. but it is possible to find very low kLM vehicles. My show pony only does around 5000k/yr for eg & there are little old ladies only driving to church on Sunday. Another idea, as it is your first car - hail damaged can save a lot of money if you don't mind the golf ball effect.

    If thru a dealer, EOFY deals will appear very soon, and you could save a few $$ near June 30.

    If you can, chat to people with the vehicles you are interested, and ask them about the good and the bad. Be careful not to freak people out thou, choose time and place wisely and be polite and open. (I have done this in caravan parks when looking for a mobile home/bus, and could not stop them talking once they start).

    Look interstate too, that one good deal maybe 1000k away, but if it is legit, win win. I hitched from Darwin to Melbourne to buy a Big Tourer Suzuki a few years back only with a chat on the phone and photos out of a magazine. Not one buying issue with the bike, but the crappy Holden I was hitching in blew up half way down the guts.

    Do not rush, there are hundreds of vehicles to choose from once you start looking. Car sales sites have good info pages on what to look for for almost every car sold here for last umpteen years, read and read some more on any and all reviews out there.

    But going to back my 1st 2 lines, your parents/family, can they help? Good luck.

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