Buying Used Car - Suggestions?

linglingling on 19/08/2019 - 15:37

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a used car thats reliable but I have no idea how to shop for cars and not many of my mates have much knowledge either. I'm scared of buying a lemon.

I've been looking at a few cars and I'm pretty much decided on a Toyota Corolla.

My budget is around 10k. I've spoken to a few dealers about a Corolla and I reckon I can get a 2012 Ascent hatch for 10k with about 100kms on it.

Is there anything better/am I getting good value?

Is there any other tips with buying a used vehicles.

Automotive Car

Comments

  • pantsparty on 19/08/2019 - 15:46
    +20

    Don’t buy from a dealer. You will get a better car buying privately without the ridiculous dealer markups.

    • linglingling on 19/08/2019 - 15:52
      +4

      My biggest worry not knowing much about cars was that with a private seller, there might be issues with the car and a dealer is more reliable. Is that not true :[

      • EightImmortals on 19/08/2019 - 15:53
        +1

        Depends on the dealer.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/08/2019 - 16:09
        +12

        I disagree with pantsparty. If you know nothing about cars then buying from a dealer is a smarter move than potentially buying a lemon privately.

        Not sure on your State OP, but in VIC we have a stat warranty for cars less than 10 years old, less than 160k kms, that covers you for 3 months and/or 5000km. So something like the car you've been looking at would be covered and provide an element of protection. Stay away from dealer 3rd party warranties however.

        Make sure the air conditioner works! Was caught out a long time ago.

        As for the car, I've owned 2 Corollas. Love em. This can mean the used prices are a bit higher than others (Hyundai etc) but don't let that deter you. They are great cars.

        EDIT: Just saw you're in NSW - Similar stat warranty applies

        • linglingling on 19/08/2019 - 16:15
          +1

          The dealer said they had a 3 month warranty, is that what he was referring to lol

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/08/2019 - 16:16
            +1

            @linglingling: Yes, most likely.

          • seal the deal on 21/08/2019 - 08:50

            @linglingling: The warranty usually only applies to cars with low kms. They'll state the number in the fineprint, a dealer will most likely not mention this unless you explicitly ask.

          • Indi24 on 21/08/2019 - 09:16

            @linglingling: Dealer statuatary warranty applies when car doesn't have any manufacturer warranty left. Recently bought a car and realised this.

      • HighAndDry on 19/08/2019 - 16:14
        +5

        Dealers are not necessarily more reliable. Whether from dealer or private, I'd always go have the car checked out by a mechanic you trust (and choose - and not chosen by the seller).

        If it's all clear after that, given it's a Corolla, honestly there wouldn't be much difference between private vs dealer in terms of reliability or problems.

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/08/2019 - 16:15
          +10

          I'd always go have the car checked out by a mechanic you trust

          And always make sure to mention this AFTER you've got their best offer. Otherwise after going through the process of getting it checked, potentially spending money on that check, they are less likely to negotiate when they know you'll want it :)

    • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2019 - 18:55

      ridiculous dealer markups.

      Along with the ridiculous lies .
      Not that every used car dealer is like this, but a family member of mine traded in her old car after winning a small money prize at the club.

      Next week her car was out front of dealership listed as 'with full log books .

      IMO The only benefit of buying from a dealer, is there are some, rules about the sale, a warranty of sorts. But I think that only lasts 3 months from date of purchase, and unless you have the car fully gone over mechanically, there are likely defects covered up.

      I know someone who toom his daughter's first car apart, then found faults covered under law, which the dealer had to fix. Even then, it was a hassle to chase up the dealer to do the right thing. They eventually fixed it, but the average person wouldn't have even known about it, if your like me and know little about cars and engines.
      Note If you are in Sydney area, when I was searching gumtree for cheapest price on vehicles, the cheapest of a particular model vehicle in the search would often be from a 'dealer'. If you are in Sydney area, I could check gumtree and find their company name etc.

      • Nebargains on 21/08/2019 - 13:12
        +1

        What is wrong with it saying 'with full log books'? Did it not have any log books? What is the lie here? I am a little confused.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2019 - 13:18

          Sorry, I intended to edit, after I realised it was unclear. Thank you for mentioning it, to remind me.
          she had no paperwork like log books or anything like that . Just a poor, elderly and injured pensioner who probably had her son's fix her car if anything went wrong, because she certainly couldn't afford logbook servicing (high medication costs, limited income).

  • EightImmortals on 19/08/2019 - 15:53
    +9

    Make sure to take it to an independent mechanic for a good check over BEFORE you buy it.

  • jabroni on 19/08/2019 - 15:58

    toyotas are a good choice so just get the lowest kms you can find with log book history

  • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 16:00
    +12

    Subject to mechanical inspection.
    Subject to clear PPSR (this can be done while you're there).
    Full tank of petrol included.

    Just a note that you might be required to take it to the nearest service centre yourself to get the inspection done, which would mean time off work etc.

    Look for mis-matched panels. Open bonnet, check the screws which hold the bonnet onto the car. If these look like they've been taken off, it's highly likely it's been replaced or repaired at some point in it's life. Likewise, you can check the bolts holding the doors on. They should be totally painted. If they've been taken off, they will have taken the paint off around them.

    Check service history. Check it has the book, who the first owner was, how often it was serviced.

    Check for smelly trees. If there are any, particularly in that car and no others, walk away.

    Make sure all buttons on stereo and steering wheel work. These aren't covered under statutory warranty.

    • ESEMCE on 19/08/2019 - 16:03

      Smelly Trees?
      It's obviously an autocorrect fail, but I can't work this one out…
      Tyres maybe, due to burnouts? (in a Corolla?)

      • craigoss on 19/08/2019 - 16:05
        +4

        Air freshener's I'm guessing

        • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 16:22
          +3

          Yep!

          Not an autocorrect fail lol but yes some used car yards will use them to mask smells - smoker/country/pet/general BO

      • HighAndDry on 19/08/2019 - 16:15

        I'm going with air freshener as well, maybe to mask up smells of burning clutch/engine oil/etc?

      • brendanm on 19/08/2019 - 18:18
        +1

        Who hasn't heard of smelly trees? Used to mask vomit, smoking etc smells

        • ESEMCE on 20/08/2019 - 12:41
          -1

          I know them, but I'd call them Air Fresheners, cause not all of them are tree shaped

          • brendanm on 20/08/2019 - 15:54

            @ESEMCE: Surely you could still equate smelly trees with air freshener though?

            • ESEMCE on 21/08/2019 - 15:47

              @brendanm: Well I can now, but clearly not at the time.

    • linglingling on 19/08/2019 - 16:09

      Thanks thats really helpful.

      The Corolla I took a look at last weekend was something that really interested me cause it passed all those tests, at least form what I can see.

      It also had a logbook that showed it was serviced every 10k kms and then every 6 months.

      However when I revved the car, there was a bit of smoke? coming from the exhaust and the dealer seemed extremely over the top of the cliche car salesmen and as it was the first car I saw I didnt want to pull the trigger.

    • coin saver on 19/08/2019 - 20:10

      "They should be totally painted. If they've been taken off, they will have taken the paint off around them." Most cars have there doors taken off after painting and put back on further down the assembly line.

      • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 20:12

        Nope, check those screws on any new car, they'll show no signs of removal vs a used car where they've been replaced. On a new one they get sprayed over

        • coin saver on 19/08/2019 - 20:18

          The doors are taken off after painting to make it more ergonomic to build them and prevent damage to the doors it also makes it much easier to access the interior of the car for fitout.

          • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 20:20

            @coin saver: I know what I've seen as a new and used vehicle salesperson.

            Go check your own car if you don't believe me.

            • coin saver on 19/08/2019 - 20:23

              @spackbace: I worked in the industry for 40yrs and toured numerous car plants was even involved in designing the mechanical engineering to do this at one car plant. (assembly pilot build vehicles)

          • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 20:26

            @coin saver: Since I really can't be bothered with these to & fro, here's the screw on a new Camry which holds the side fender on:
            https://m.imgur.com/a/SH0h84G

            If it had been replaced, you'd see a silver 'circle' where the octagonal top would form when being twisted on and off and removing the paint

              • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 20:33
                -1

                @coin saver: Really, I need to take a pic of that bolt painted as well?

                Yeah no. According to you, the bolt in the pic I just took shouldn't be painted because you know all… Yet it is.

                • coin saver on 19/08/2019 - 20:47
                  -2

                  @spackbace: A simple google search will prove you wrong regarding the doors. I have even posted a picture of a Camry on an assembly line with the doors off.

                  • spackbace on 19/08/2019 - 22:51
                    +1

                    @coin saver: sigh

                    Quit badgering me. I've shown proof of a painted bolt which holds a fender on, which would show signs of removal and is something to check for when you look at used cars.

                    Now unless you want to disagree with that, gtfo if you're not going to actually help the OP

                    • coin saver on 20/08/2019 - 13:58
                      +1

                      @spackbace: Can see why you are a car salesman.Do you think the manufacturers throw out any car that gets a dent in the fender?Or maybe strip them back down and run them back thru the paint shop?

                      • spackbace on 20/08/2019 - 14:03
                        -1

                        @coin saver: Do you have anything helpful for OP, or are you just going to keep badgering me?

                      • EnALup on 20/08/2019 - 15:24
                        +1

                        @coin saver: What backspace is trying to say is that even the nuts and doors are painted , when you screw them back to car and use spanner/keys, paint will get off and you can see it clearly.

                        Secondly repaired doors also sound wierd when closing compared to rest of doors.
                        checking Bonut nuts and door nuts is quite crucial to see if a car had issues in the past at personal level.

                        Rest, you can take it to NRMA ( if you are a member) and get a detailed report.

                        • coin saver on 20/08/2019 - 16:38

                          @EnALup: The doors are removed after being painted and put back on near the end of the assembly line there is no damage done to the bolts because they use the correct tools and torque settings.

                          • EnALup on 20/08/2019 - 21:56
                            +2

                            @coin saver: We are discussing damage during repainting after an accident.

                          • 2025 on 21/08/2019 - 01:49
                            +1

                            @coin saver: Learn something new everyday! I didn’t think it was possible to remove those bolts without evidence. Thanks!

                      • Blitzfx on 21/08/2019 - 11:24
                        -1

                        @coin saver:

                        Can see why you are a car salesman.Do you think the manufacturers throw out any car that gets a dent in the fender?Or maybe strip them back down and run them back thru the paint shop?

                        lol. In typical fashion, he dodged your question and labelled it as badgering, a sign of getting rekt when backed into a corner with no logical explanation.

                        Tried to pull rank, leveraging experience but couldn't back it up with logical arguments.

                        • spackbace on 21/08/2019 - 11:28
                          -2

                          @Blitzfx: Oh hai random sideline stranger!

                          Nope, since coin saver actually dodged my point in the first place. This all stemmed from this:

                          "They should be totally painted. If they've been taken off, they will have taken the paint off around them." Most cars have there doors taken off after painting and put back on further down the assembly line.

                          Which brought nothing to the whole topic of helping someone to look at a used car. He could've simply said "good point but not the door screws, but bonnet/fenders yes". But no, he persisted to push a ridiculous point, even when pictures were shown of painted bolts on the side fenders, something which would show signs of removal if they had been removed due to accident repair.

                          So I chose not to persist with someone stubborn, even when my point was proven.

                          Now, do you have anything to add to the OP's issue?

                          Tried to pull rank, leveraging experience but couldn't back it up with logical arguments.

                          Nice edit. You mean my picture of a real painted bolt wasn't enough evidence for my argument? Yeah well done

                          Gaggy clearly got what was going on, why cant you or coin saver? Why is it that difficult to understand how to check for sign of accident repair?

                          • coin saver on 21/08/2019 - 16:16
                            -1

                            @spackbace: You are so full of it. Never once did i mention fenders (although i could) your quote that i posted in my first comment only referred to the doors.

                            • spackbace on 21/08/2019 - 17:30
                              -2

                              @coin saver:

                              your quote that i posted in my first comment only referred to the doors.

                              Oh did it? Funny that, here's my original comment which can clearly be seen above:

                              Open bonnet, check the screws which hold the bonnet onto the car. If these look like they've been taken off, it's highly likely it's been replaced or repaired at some point in it's life. Likewise, you can check the bolts holding the doors on.

                              Didn't see that huh? I can't edit a comment after it gets replied to, so it was there all along. Doors came after the bonnet comment. In fact your quoted line was in reference to that bonnet comment, doors came after the fact.

                              Might be time for a trip to Specsavers.

                              Now, since you've clearly misread what I first posted and decided to go on on your own little tangent which was completely unhelpful to the OP, are you done replying? Or are you going to persist down your doors path and just completely disregard what I actually first said in my original comment? Or do you like cherry-picking parts of comments to suit your rant?
                              If you'd like to persist then we can do this dance all day, but it depends on how much of my comments you'll actually read, since you seem inept to actually read and comprehend a full paragraph.

                              • coin saver on 21/08/2019 - 19:20

                                @spackbace: You need a lesson in English literature the comment i quoted was preceded with " Likewise, you can check the bolts holding the doors on." which continued with my original quote "They should be totally painted. If they've been taken off, they will have taken the paint off around them."

                                • spackbace on 21/08/2019 - 19:30
                                  -2

                                  @coin saver: In the English language, we generally read along the sentences, left to right and top to bottom. In which case, the paragraph goes like this:

                                  Open bonnet, check the screws which hold the bonnet onto the car. If these look like they've been taken off, it's highly likely it's been replaced or repaired at some point in it's life.

                                  Now, here's a lesson in English:

                                  Open bonnet, check the screws which hold the bonnet onto the car.

                                  Seems fair enough, yes? Ok so we're checking the screws which hold the bonnet onto the car. Ok and the paragraph goes on:

                                  If these look like they've been taken off, it's highly likely it's been replaced or repaired at some point in it's life.

                                  Note the "these" which is in clear reference to the bonnet screws, since we haven't discussed anything yet. We can't suddenly go to the next sentence to find meaning in that term, since it clearly refers to something we've just mentioned, in this case the bonnet screws, as they were in the previous sentence.

                                  Now, we could try using your understanding, however I'm not drunk enough to work out where you got it from and why you cherry-picked 1 sentence, then used the sentence before it to form your argument, while completely missing the sentence before that, as if it never existed.

                                  Sorry, I better stop writing since you clearly don't read full paragraphs.

                                  • 2025 on 21/08/2019 - 20:54
                                    +2

                                    @spackbace: I’m confused - when he said they are taken off on the production line after painting, you replied “Nope”

                                    You also said “Likewise, you can check the bolts holding the doors on. They should be totally painted. If they've been taken off, they will have taken the paint off around them.”

                                    But they have been taken off!! In the factory!! This statement is just plain incorrect lol

                                    That’s false and misleading isn’t it? If the factory can do it, surely any highly skilled master of their trade could it as well?

                                    You’d better stop writing. Mostly because it’s wrong.

                                    • spackbace on 21/08/2019 - 21:11
                                      -2

                                      @2025:

                                       I’m confused

                                      Congrats you summarised your comment in the first 2 words, well done 😂

                                      • 2025 on 21/08/2019 - 22:23
                                        +1

                                        @spackbace: Thanks! It didn’t take much effort
                                        Perhaps you could copy paste this and you could do the same in your next comment:

                                        “I’m wrong. Intact paint around the door bolts means nothing. Broken paint, on the other hand, may indicate that the door has been removed”

                                        I mean, your op was mostly good advice. But to make the conclusion that all is ok because the paint around the bolt is OK? That’s a bit far fetched.

                          • Blitzfx on 22/08/2019 - 01:31
                            +1

                            @spackbace: What edit? Like you commented later, you can't edit after a reply.
                            The evidence is quite apparent https://youtu.be/k4-eJsFdxaU?t=368 in several points in the video.

                            You make claim that it is an absolute fact with 100% certainty, and implying it happens to all cars, which is clearly false.

                            You even quoted your own misleading statement

                            Likewise, you can check the bolts holding the doors on. They should be totally painted

                            Paraphrasing with emphasis on your inaccurate statement:

                            Likewise, the bolts holding the doors on should be totally painted

                            HMMM

                            Why is it that difficult to understand how to check for sign of accident repair?

                            Why is it that difficult to understand that video evidence conflicts with your statement?
                            -Person buys car.
                            -Car has marks where the bolts are on day1
                            -Car is resold, was never in a crash prior.
                            -You, in particular, inspect the car
                            -You falsely claim this should be totally painted

                            On a side note:

                            Now, do you have anything to add to the OP's issue?

                            The hypocrisy of you trying to be the champion of helpfulness and/or staying on topic is amazing.

                            Spackbace commented on Car Accident - Need Advice (Have Third Party Only Insurance)
                            as I have 3rd party insurance only Gets a comfy chair

                            Oh I guess that was SUCH helpful advice that the OP needed.

                            Granpa: Discharged from Public Hospital - No One Able To Pick Him Up.

                            Literally everything you said in that thread offered zero immediate help to the OP, which is what they needed and who is actually in a much more dire situation than this car thread.

                            I don't expect any sort of point-by-point reply. Running away and dismissing the entirety of a comment as 'badgering' after being called out is what you do best.

                            Blitzfx on 22/08/2019 - 01:31 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
                            • spackbace on 22/08/2019 - 01:38

                              @Blitzfx: What is with you 2 being so stuck on the door bolts.

                              As I said later:

                              He could've simply said "good point but not the door screws, but bonnet/fenders yes".

                              Like you've both just completely discounted the painted fender bolts from your comments and honed in on 1 point about door bolts and proceeded to rant and rave about it, all while bringing nothing more to the table!

                              Oh and yes I was helpful in that post. Grandma and grandpa needed to go to a home. Family are now looking to put them in a home.

                              Unless you had some amazing piece of advice in that thread that really improved grandpa? Did you even post in there?!

                              Are you really that daft that you feel the need to have a go at me for not helping, when not once have you helped that OP, or this one? You just want to continue this lil crusade against me without once stopping to help out in here?

                              😂 Are you going to digress any further off track? Any other comments of mine you feel like going for next? God knows I've got enough there to keep you busy I'm sure 😂

                              • Blitzfx on 22/08/2019 - 01:44
                                +1

                                @spackbace:

                                Like you've both just completely discounted the painted fender bolts from your comments and honed in on 1 point about door bolts and proceeded to rant and race about it, all while bringing nothing more to the table!

                                No one is discounting that fact. That may/may not be factually true. I didn't dig that deeply. No one is contesting that.
                                You however made the comment about the doors, which is false.

                                Oh and yes I was helpful in that post.

                                Really? Where was it that you helped before being shit on by everyone?

                                Unless you had some amazing piece of advice in that thread that really improved grandpa?

                                You suggest that I'm offering advice or bothering to stay on topic on these sorts of threads, which I make no claim to. So I don't particularly care.

                                Are you going to digress any further off track?

                                The only one off track here is you diverting the conversation away from how wrong you are. Called you out on a lot of points and you addressed nothing.

                                I suppose we should expect that kind of tactic from you. Diverting the customer attention away from car defects, except in this case diverting people's attention way from your flawed logic.

                                • spackbace on 22/08/2019 - 01:46

                                  @Blitzfx:

                                  I suppose we should expect that kind of tactic from you.

                                  Ah wrong, I sell new cars 😂 what do you do?

                                  • Blitzfx on 22/08/2019 - 01:52

                                    @spackbace:

                                    Ah wrong, I sell new cars 😂 what do you do?

                                    I didn't make a distinction between new or used.
                                    Plenty of known manufacturer defects that roll off the line but aren't worth recalling for. Some more pertinent to one customer than another.

                                    Whatever dude. You have a good night.

                              • coin saver on 23/08/2019 - 07:33
                                +1

                                @spackbace: "What is with you 2 being so stuck on the door bolts. As I said later:He could've simply said "good point but not the door screws, but bonnet/fenders yes"." Or you could have quite simply said sorry i was wrong after the evidence was presented to you and moved on.

                                • 2025 on 23/08/2019 - 08:26
                                  +1

                                  @coin saver: The attitude he has displayed is a relic from days past when accountability, honesty and integrity were not easily verifiable with a google image search.

    • MountFranklin on 23/08/2019 - 17:49

      So I'm trying to understand what to look for. Spackback is correct about bonnet and fender bolt removal but wrong about door bolt removal.
      You can see evidence of bonnet/panel bolt removal but not necessarily bolt removal off door?

  • dcep on 19/08/2019 - 16:03

    Are you based in Gold Coast ?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/08/2019 - 16:19

    If you change your mind and start looking privately, definitely recommend you read through this thread from start to finish first.

    • Baysew on 19/08/2019 - 16:41
      +1

      AKA "Didn't Check Under Bonut" thread

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/08/2019 - 17:03
        +1

        Always check under the Bonut. Always.

        • CrankyCarrot on 18/09/2019 - 11:27

          I always check under the Bonut, for Donuts.

    • brendanm on 19/08/2019 - 18:19

      Damn the engine completely blew off, must have been a brisk wind

  • whooah1979 on 19/08/2019 - 21:07

    VW Golf and Skoda are normally popular on Ozbargain.

  • godofpizza on 19/08/2019 - 23:08

    i had the same budget goal about a year ago when my 05 corolla was written off. With a 10k budget, the best you could find is a 2012 ish model with about 100k.

    mind you model after 2012 came with 5 star ancap rating, the series before than wasn't.

    the worst thing you'll come across are either:
    * owners selling cars purchased from auctions or from leases/rental cars with unknown history. So it good to talk to the seller about how long they have had the car for.
    * look for sign the car had been repaired ( there heaps of youtube video to show you what to look for)

    best of luck, the corolla is a very popular car so there alot of people who are interested but be mindful that there are heaps of them in the market.

  • Caped Baldy on 19/08/2019 - 23:55
    +1

    Aww my last comment got deleted.

    Anyway, can't go wrong with Japanese cars generally. Toyota did a refresh around that time so accent sport and above have reversing cam with GPS.

    Make sure to get a mobile mechanic to check the road worthiness. This will cost you hundreds but may save thousands. And get a ppsr report!

  • Ugly on 20/08/2019 - 08:40
    +3

    You can get a 2015 / 2016 Kia Rio for $10k. Similar km but with 2 or 3 years of factory warranty, rather than 3 months from the dealer.

    Example - https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2016-kia-rio-s-manu…

  • raptormesh on 20/08/2019 - 10:02
    +3

    Sorry OP purely because of your name I have to share this https://www.lingscars.com/

    • kangatrich on 20/08/2019 - 11:45
      +1

      jeezz man, mark that site as nfsw. I could get fired if my boss was behind me when I clicked it

      • raptormesh on 20/08/2019 - 14:45

        Sorry about that, I have no idea how to edit my post now.

      • Serialazy on 20/08/2019 - 15:09

        haha after your comment, I just had to look…

        • Mok3 on 20/08/2019 - 18:28

          Maybe don't browse OZBargain during you're work time, instead of blaming people for questionable links?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 20/08/2019 - 22:59

      This website is art.

      Reminds me of GeoCities.

  • The tiger on 20/08/2019 - 10:21

    My 2006 auto Toyota Yaris with some 120,000km still runs beautifully.I gifted it to my grand daughter who just loves it and it has been with her for one year. If I disposed it to a dealer I presume he would just give me most $1,000.00 to $1,800.00.

    • kolorijo on 20/08/2019 - 14:17
      +2

      You'll be surprised how much it would fetch. Quick gumtree check would suggest around 4-5k.

      • brendanm on 21/08/2019 - 10:20

        Gumtree isn't a dealer…

  • Freitag on 20/08/2019 - 12:36
    +1

    +1 for inspection by a mechanic, any car can have problems.

  • mousie on 20/08/2019 - 13:08
    +2

    10k doesn't buy you as much car as 12k
    12k is a real sweet spot in the second hand market.
    How many Ks are you doing, how many passengers, Kids Dogs, What type of Ks are there?

    As Spackbase has said, PPSR

    Buying a car from Pickles / Graysonline or other auctions you can pull a condition report.

    Second hand Euro's are a nightmare in terms of out of warranty spares, South Korean / Jap all the way here.

    Old school things to check
    - Paint / Panel damage
    - Tyre Wear
    - Transmission shifting without hesitation
    - Oil / Liquid leaking under and over bonnet
    - White / Black smoke from exhaust system
    - Temp
    - Oil Health
    - Service interval history.

    Don't want to get stuck with a Lemon - second hand from a Dealer mate but not the dodgy guys on Parramatta road, loko for a branded dealer with service history at the same dealearship.

  • illegal on 20/08/2019 - 15:28

    Hello

    I've been in a similar situation. Folks here advised me to get a Toyota or if I'm not bothered about the logos, get a Hyundai or Kia. A couple of my friends too asked me to get a Hyundai as they were using it and the maintenance cost is pretty affordable. I got a Hyundai Accent Sedan 2016 model (Automatic transmission) with 83k kms on the clock for 11k from a dealer. I took a mechanic to the car yard and got the vehicle checked. All went good and now I drive a Hyundai accent sedan. The vehicle still has Hyundai new vehicle warranty till 2021. If you need, I can give the contact details of the dealer (VIC) from whom I got the vehicle. Pretty reliable and professional - from my experience.

    All the best.

  • srr on 20/08/2019 - 17:12

    Try pickles.com.au they have fixed price offerings with the same warranty as a dealer. Prices are ok, and a fast moving stock suggests people are buying from them

  • funnysht on 20/08/2019 - 18:06

    1.Toyota

    1. Buy something with at least 6months of warrantry left (that way you know there aren't any major oil engine issues-otherwise the seller would have fixed it under warrantry)

    2. Do an inspection after it

  • casho on 20/08/2019 - 18:19
    -3

    Name checks out

  • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2019 - 18:22

    imho 10k is where cars start being 'decent', and not just throwaway shitcans.
    Is the owner normal? Service history?
    Avoid any 'selling car for cousin' or 'moving overseas'

  • Danger on 20/08/2019 - 19:30

    Also, check if timing belt has been changed. It usually needs replacing around $100K and can cost you $600+. I wish i knew about this when i bought my Lancer few years ago.

    Edit: Never mind, just checked online and Toyota Corolla from 1998 has timing chain which doesn't need replacing for the life of car i believe

  • aussieolfaction on 20/08/2019 - 19:51
    +1

    Get a PPSR report using the VIN number of the vehicle before you even go to see the vehicle. This will weed out vehicles that have been written off for whatever reason. It will also show you how much money is owed on the car, if any.

    Next thing to do is to ensure that the car has a full and verifiable service history. This is important.

    Next thing is to get an independent mechanic to perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the car. I've used stateroads on more than one occasion, and will happily recommend them. I'm in no way related to them, other than the fact that I'm a happy customer. I believe RACV also does these inspections. The top level of this inspection should cost you no more than $350, and it's worth every cent in my opinion.

    You cannot go wrong with a Toyota corolla. Other comparable options that come to my mind are the Hyundai i30, Mazda 3, Kia Cerato, Subaru Impreza.

  • OneJay on 21/08/2019 - 00:17

    I have a 1990 Corolla. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth but at least the engine is bulletproof ^_^

  • BluebirdV on 21/08/2019 - 08:41

    Bought a 2008 Hyundai Getz with 212,000 km on it for $1800 a month ago. The owner was a teacher who drove it back and forwards to work in the country. So hopefully clutch will last. Have driven it about 1000 km and seems to be running well. It's got rego until December. At least if something does go wrong I didn't spend much in the first place.

  • Inshinshishimop on 21/08/2019 - 11:26

    Put a bit more money into it and get a golf, Mazda 3 or 6. The interior is heaps better. Leather seats and reverse camera is a must personally (once you experience it you can never go back). You could also check out the Impreza for under 10k.

    • brendanm on 21/08/2019 - 13:08

      I hate leather seats. Hot in summer and cold in winter.

  • fozzie on 21/08/2019 - 11:26

    If you buy privately, once you find what you want just get a mechanic (plenty of mobile ones) and get the car checked. Looking at the history of the car (services etc), will also give you an idea about how well it has been looked after.

    A great place to buy is facebook and there are dedicated groups as well where cars are listed cheaper than carsales.

    Also keep an eye on dealers as sometimes they do sell at a good price.

  • couldnthaveknown on 21/08/2019 - 12:10

    Hey mate, I dont think this has been mentioned - I would highly recommend you get an independent car inspection service to have a look at a second hand car you buy. I used to use one called state roads but that was more than 10 years ago and there might be other alternatives around. Essentially, a mechanic goes to the car's location and checks it top to bottom - we are talking testing the pressure of each piston, looking for paint thickness (repainting means accident right) and then some.

    I always feel much more comfortable buying a car after they've looked through it - and if they find anything, you can use the report to nego the price down some more.

    This service might cost a few hundred bucks, but would provide peace of mind for sure. Watch out for car dealers. They are more snakey than a python's anaconda.

  • Jackkkkkk on 21/08/2019 - 12:28
    1. Don't finance through dealership or purchase from dealership.
    2. Set your expectations lower. If you really don't have 10k, don't buy a 10k car
    3. Inspect cars during the day, bring a torch at night. Check service books.
    4. If you can wait, usually a better car comes up the next day after purchasing (ie lower KM's)
    5. Bring a mate, who knows about cars and how to inspect if you can't do point number 3.
  • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2019 - 13:53

    I usually pop the bonnet and listen to the engine when it's cold idling for any weird noises or rattling sounds then check underneath the car with the skid plate removed for oil leaks. If it passes those two tests then I take it for a quick cruise. Steering full lock right for a couple of circles then full lock left for another couple of circles then driving straight up to 100km/h then I let go of the steering wheel for a bit to test drift before braking hard. I then test any features like cruise control/speed limiter etc. If it passes all that then I usually just buy it and hope for the best.

    No secondhand car is ever going to be perfect so there is always going to be a little bit of luck involved in the purchase no matter how much testing you do.

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