First car for a 20 y.o female

L[Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 22:57

Hi everyone,

So, I’ve had my red Ps for a few months now (pretty late) and I’ve been saving up money to buy a first car. My dad works full-time in the city and I drop him off to the train station during the weekdays and he drops me off to work on weekends. I want a car that’s reliable enough to just get me to work (10mins away from my house), but also just in case I have to travel far.

Currently, my dad owns a 2014 RAV4 and he doesn’t want me to get a small hatch such as: Suzuki swift. He’d prefer for me to drive a small SUV or a sedan.

I have roughly $4k in savings and I was wondering if I should get a loan or save more money, maybe another $6k to buy a car? I’ve been looking at Honda Civic or accord, Hyundai i30/sonata/Elantra, Kia cerato, and Mazda 3. Do you reckon that a private seller is reliable or should I just stay with a dealership?

Thank you ~

Automotive Car

closed Comments

  • jjjaar on 16/10/2019 - 23:04

    Currently, my dad owns a 2014 RAV4 and he doesn’t want me to get a small hatch such as: Suzuki swift. He’d prefer for me to drive a small SUV or a sedan.

    Ok, but what do you want?

    I personally prefer hatchbacks because of their size and ease in both driving and parking. If you actually want an SUV then sure, get that, but don’t get something because your dad says it’s what he wants you to get. Unless he’s paying… that’s a different story.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:11

      I’m pretty independent, so I’d rather buy the car myself than have to rely on my dad.

      I’m used to the RAV4, but I don’t mind a smaller car. I’ve never driven a smaller car before, so it’s hard for me to compare the two. I’m just trying to get some ideas, before I choose.

      • p1 ama on 17/10/2019 - 00:17

        I’ve never driven a smaller car before, so it’s hard for me to compare the two. I’m just trying to get some ideas, before I choose.

        Go drive a smaller car before you buy one. Don't buy before you've had the chance to genuinely drive one around.

        I wouldn't recommend a "small" car - i.e. the Yaris/Swift/Mazda 2 class. I'd jump straight for the Corolla/Mazda 3/Impreza class if I was just aiming to get an "A to B" car.

        I have roughly $4k in savings and I was wondering if I should get a loan or save more money, maybe another $6k to buy a car? I’ve been looking at Honda Civic or accord, Hyundai i30/sonata/Elantra, Kia cerato, and Mazda 3. Do you reckon that a private seller is reliable or should I just stay with a dealership?

        Yeah, I reckon around $6k should be enough to get you a clunker that'll last you the next few years until you earn some more money. Remember to set aside $1.5k for rego and insurance and you'll be good to go. All of the cars you've listed there are fine.

        Dealership or private seller doesn't really matter. The majority of cars are not lemons. If you don't know anything about cars, get someone to inspect for you.

  • Melb69 on 16/10/2019 - 23:05

    Also what state are you in. Can you dad chip in some funds. Insurance on your dads name would be cheaper. Dealer, but if you have a mechanic friend private is ok if all the books check out. RWC. RACV can do a full check, but will cost.

    A Kia for 10k would have well over 100k kms and probably at least 5 + years old. have a search on carsales.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:14

      I live in qld, I prefer to be independent than have to rely on my parents, but it’ll definitely go under his name.

      Unfortunately, no mechanic friend but my brother recently bought a Honda Accord from a private seller and it’s pretty good.
      I’ve been search on there for the pass few months but majority of the ones I see from dealerships are just mirage, micra, etc. cars that are pretty crappy and I’ve read negative reviews on them.

    • p1 ama on 17/10/2019 - 00:14

      Insurance on your dads name would be cheaper.

      Don't do this - at some point you will have to start getting your own insurance and it will be expensive then. Not to mention that it will only be cheaper if you don't list yourself as a driver. It's fraudulent if you intend to do this and you may well get denied when you try to make claims in the future.

  • epicttiimm on 16/10/2019 - 23:06
    +1

    Ozbargain's favourite car: Camry

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:15

      Yeah, nah I’m good. 🤢

  • Godric on 16/10/2019 - 23:11
    +1

    Don't Finance, use your own coin to purchase a vehicle

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:20

      Yeah, I’ve been told by friends and brother to just save enough money to buy a car, never finance because the interest is not worth it. Thanks for the confirmation!

  • activ8newbs on 16/10/2019 - 23:18

    I would argue you don't have enough money for a car yet. Maintenance is expensive. Insurance tires servicing rego damages/mishaps etc

    Keep saving.

    You wouldn't want to milk your savings dry. Save for a rainy day. At least a couple $thousand.

    • epicttiimm on 16/10/2019 - 23:21

      username checks out

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:24

      So, you reckon about $15k in savings and go from there? I pretty much pay for my dad’s car to get maintenance and replacing the tires as well, so roughly know how much I have to pay.

      Thanks for the advice though, really helpful.

  • SydStrand on 16/10/2019 - 23:27

    It's your money, and since I don't see him chipping in to make up the difference, it's not his call either.

    There's a reason why every other person's first car is a Swift. They're reliable and affordable. I'd also chuck used Yaris, Mazda2, Hyundai Getz on that list.

  • kahn on 16/10/2019 - 23:30

    If you get a Subaru WRX, then you'd not only drive a fun car, but get plenty of attention from the fellas. Just make sure you have a witty response when they holla at you.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:36

      Ty for your suggestion, but I don’t need the attention of creepy guys by having a Subaru. They can just watch me as I reverse parallel perfectly into car park 💁‍♀️

  • Bluberry on 16/10/2019 - 23:47

    BMW for 80K? It might make a great investment.

    But seriously if you want hassel free value for money car that does everything and works for most of lifes possibilities (including kids) buy a camry.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:50

      Tried to bargain for $80.01? Not sure why the website crashed?

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 23:52

      I thought Camry aren’t that great? I’ve had car rides in them before, but felt uncomfortable riding in one? Road, driver or just the car?

      • PinzVidz on 17/10/2019 - 00:03

        Mechanic with 30 years' experience here. You've probably only been in povo-pack Altises? Ataras are much nicer.

        Camrys are ridiculously bulletproof, provided you maintain them. I always recommend them. For your budget, look at a 50 series (ASV50R), late 2011 onwards.

        Otherwise, if looking at smaller, Corolla ZRE-182R hatch (mid 2012 onwards) or ZRE-172R sedan (2014 onwards) preferably in a manual. I hope you have a manual licence? Reason I say this is the auto is a CVT, dreadful things to drive, but reliable.

        Mazda3 worth a mention as well. Budget should get you into the first of the previous shape (late 2013 onwards).

        • Ghosteye on 17/10/2019 - 00:22

          What about subaru imprezas? I'm in a similar situation to her (but with finance already sorted) and I was taking a looking around at mid 2000 imprezas.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 00:36

          Ohhhh thank you! I’ve just had a quick search on carsales, some camrys are coming up within my budget, while I can hardly find the Mazda 3 around my area.

          I’m actually auto. My mum’s friend is looking to sell me her 2014 Corolla (not sure of the actual model). Should I still buy it?

          • PinzVidz on 17/10/2019 - 00:43

            @[Deactivated]: See if I can work out the model. If it's a hatch, it'll be a ZRE-182R, as they first released 2012. Don't be put off by my comments on the CVT (that's just the driving enthusiast in me), they're very reliable.

            If it's a sedan, it will either be the older gen 150 series, or current 170. 150 is okay and has old school 4 speed auto. 170 has better safety and has the CVT like its 180 series sibling.

            Do you have more info, variant (Ascent, Ascent Sport etc.), km? How much does she want for it?

      • p1 ama on 17/10/2019 - 00:35

        I thought Camry aren’t that great?

        What makes you say that? It's the most versatile and reliable car you can get for the money.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 00:38

          Just from previous experience of riding in one. Not exactly sure what year my friend’s car was, but I just remember being uncomfortable in them.

          • p1 ama on 17/10/2019 - 00:40

            @[Deactivated]: What made it so uncomfortable?

            • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 00:46

              @p1 ama: Might’ve been the road or just his driving, but I feel like the car doesn’t speed up fast enough? As you can see, I’m pretty clueless 😔

              • p1 ama on 17/10/2019 - 00:50

                @[Deactivated]: Camry has basically the same engine as a RAV4, but would probably be a bit lighter so it doesn't make any sense that you think the Camry is slow but your dad's RAV4 isn't. Either way, I think it's probably your mate's driving. Camry is a good first car so I reckon you should give it a fair shot and test one out before deciding against it.

                • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 00:52

                  @p1 ama: I’ll definitely try it out now. Thank you so much for changing my mind. Massive help!

      • Bluberry on 17/10/2019 - 00:41

        Having owned a nissan sunny, Mitsubishi mirage, honda accord, prelude and an integra, Merc c200, a toyota rav4 and a camry, imho the camry wins hands down.

        It is indistructable, can take a lot (i mean a lot) of abuse, cheap to fix, has loads of space. I circumnavigated Australia twice in my camry (who needs a 4wd!). Its done like 4million kms or something and hasnt skipped a beat. Once you get a bit older you appreciate these things :)

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 00:47

          I’ve been seeing about 150k+ in the odometer for some of them. Do you think they’re still worth the $10k even tho they’re a decade old?

  • PinzVidz on 17/10/2019 - 01:02

    OP banned?!?

    Anyway, this would be my pick for the budget. Nice Atara SL with things other variants don't get (Blind Spot Monitor, JBL stereo etc.).

  • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 01:04

    2001 daewoo matiz, great looking car.

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