A family of 4; 2 adults, 2 kids of 4 years and 1 year. We have a 2003 Camry. We are looking for a 7/8-seater for when in-laws are here. What are your thoughts on a 2006 Estima 61k 7-seater for $13k vs a 2006 Estima 80k 8-seater for $12k. Any other advice on getting a used car for a young family is greatly appreciated.
Advice Needed: Buying a Used Car
Ameowzon on 03/12/2019 - 19:55
Comments
pfft inlaws, thats what roof racks are for
pffft inlaws, that’s what other cars are for
FTFY…
Nah, I think the roof rack is better, and make sure they are strapped upright.
Might want to check insurance prices on the Estima. It’s an import, insurance wouldn’t be cheap because I wouldn’t imagine parts are easy to get
On a $13k car, you could probably get away with just 3rd party. Comprehensive would provide less than $13k on market value anyway.
True. For the same money, OP could have a 2009 Tarago Ultima V6. 3 years newer, few more kms but with a better name to deal with later on
V6 Taragos are bloody great. Did you know they accelerate quicker than a Phase 1 GTHO?
6 blokes on board. Secondary country road. 160kph and rock solid on the road. I love them. 4 cylinder not so much.
pardon my ignorance but isn't an estima just a tarago? Or are their subtle differences?
That ad is weird - why would they get it professionally cleaned after the sale?
pardon my ignorance but isn't an estima just a tarago?
I believe so, but the issues will come with insurance (the Estima not being in many insurers vehicle lists), and possible issues with servicing (until you find the right mechanic who knows an Estima is a Tarago)
why would they get it professionally cleaned after the sale?
Could be desperate for cash now? Not sure…
That ad is weird - why would they get it professionally cleaned after the sale?
I think I've seen the reason for this in a movie somewhere…
Which is more important? Age vs mileage? I always think it's mileage, but let me know…
Both. Either one can have shitty service history. Estimas are an import, so they get little use in Japan and spend a lot of time close to the ocean getting salt spray for the first few years of their life.
You're looking at 13yo cars. It would be normal to find cars of 2006 vintage with 130,000kms minimum!
Just check the history but don't get won over by the low mileage on the Estima when insurance will be a pain, and servicing/repairs might be difficult (despite being based on a Tarago)
Lol, who buys a car to fit the in-laws in haha. Tell em to hire a car won’t stay as long.
They are here for good, so, maybe ideas on how to get them deported instead?
RIP OP
this
Haha can’t help you there, good luck
Tell them to buy their own damn car then.
Get their own car, aren't they adults? Can't they use a bus? Are they going to be living with you too? Oh my I can't imagine the kind of living hell that would be! Moving out of home and getting some privacy is one of the best parts of growing up!
based on seeing the old people driving around Harris Park and Hurstville I'd rather they didn't buy their own car…
From a highly experienced buyer and seller of cars….
Nobody can give advice without thoroughly examining both cars and going through all the records.
OP should bite the bullet, pick one and then get a full inspection organised.
Usually a preminary inspection and test drive by the buyer will sort out the differences very quickly
What engine in the estima? As spackbace has shown, you can get a Tarago for that price, and will be easier to sell, as well as track the service history, and whether the odometer has been wound back.
The best car for the in laws is whatever one they want to buy for themselves.
Wow, haven’t see a “how to buy a used car” thread in at least 20 mins…
I sell plenty of Estimas, they're good strong and reliable vehicles with parts-o-plenty basically being a better equipped Tarago V6. 61k vs 80k there won't be a whole lot of difference in my experience. The most important thing to check is that the 6 speed auto shifts smooth since they have an issue with a bearing inside them shedding aluminium dust which causes the trans to fail but it will show early signs of failure with rough down-shifting, and also an engine tick which although is more common in the Aurions, it is also a problem in the Taragos and Estimas, both issues were mostly rectified on later versions (09 and up).
Drive both, inspect both and please ensure both have the dereg certificate and auction sheet to show the mileage traveled is genuine. Far too many people have been caught out by the dodgy windback dealers on Parramatta Rd in Sydney and I'm sure Melbourne would still have a few shonks around (though most have been shut down by now).
In terms of insurance, I used to direct my customers to NRMA, but they have since doubled in their quotes as of late so I now direct them to use youi. For example on an '06 Estima G I just sold, the customer had it insured for $14,000 for a 36 yr old male for $480 per year with $800 excess by going through youi compared to $1183 through NRMA.
I usually check the auto oil to see how the auto is going.
Sniff it, if it smells burnt, it will need an overhaul soon.
The same if the oil is not a bright red, but going brown, that means it is burnt,
usually by slipping clutches. (Another overhaul for me to do then)Unfortunately on these U660E transmissions, there isn't a dipstick and the issue with the aluminium dust from a spun bearing means by the time it starts to rough shift the trans is already toast, even if the fluid was clean and always changed on time.
How do they fill the trans up with oil if it has no dip stick filler tube?
@justaperson: In the 70's, when I was doing automatics, they all had it then; times change
In the 70's they take away the drain plug and I asked someone from GM about it, they said to save money.
say $1 times $50,000 is a bit of savings. It was a PITA to drain the oil without dropping the pan
How do I do this, "check is that the 6 speed auto shifts smooth"?
Thanks!
Drive the vehicle, and see if it feels jerky or makes odd noises when speeding up or slowing down. You'll know straight away because it won't feel smooth when the auto is changing gears.
Ah, yes, that I did, gotcha, thanks!
I would take a good look at the Hyundai Imax.
Only buy a diesel.
There is a reason it has won best people mover / van awards over Tarago and everything else sold in Australia for many years in a row.
Anything the size of the Imax needs to be diesel or you will go broke paying for fuel.
I've been told to avoid Hyundai, Kia, and any Korean cars in general. Is that a wise advice? Or should I be looking at those too?
Whoever told you that is a moron.
I would avoid the original 2.5 (??) Kia Carnival but the Grand carnival after that is a good car.
Honda Odyssey is a good car too.
We had 6/7 seaters for when the inlaws came to town (every 2-3 months) but only small ones. Honda Odyssey, Toyota Avensis Verso, Captiva, Outlander and others (didn't pay for them so I never got attached to them). They can be handy for that and for when your kids want to bring their friends. I'm not sure I'd go Tarago size for occasional use.
Early Hyundai and Kia suffered the same stigma current Chinese vehicles have. Modern Hyundai and Kia are much better. Sure, the might behave interior plastics that don’t feel as nice and some models are built down to a price, but they are good competition for Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda and even Toyota now. You won’t get me looking at a Chinese vehicle now, but I’d consider a Hyundai or Kia if it met my needs - and I’d probably pick them over euros.
Once upon a time the Japanese makes were considered rubbish but they’ve upped their game, like the Koreans are doing.
Bad advice.
Honestly I would take a diesel Imax over any petrol Tarago.
Look at the awards it has won. At least have a look at the car, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Overseas Imax is known as Staria and they are a lot fancier in the top end models than here - its just plan Jane styling but rock solid engine and decent handling for its size weight.
Petrol version uses 30% to 40% more fuel than diesel in every day driving situations.
Diesel has more power, better fuel economy. No brainer.
What I can find is twice the price, $12k vs $25k :S
@Ameowzon: YOu will save several grand a year on fuel….
A 2011 Imax sells for about $14k.
You are buying a 2006 Estima - a 5 year older car…..
Look at the awards it has won.
Awards mean nothing. Some massive POSmobiles have won Car of the Year (australian, European or World). Journalists don't have to live with them beyond the road test period.
@aussietivoman: I'm not sure what you mean. I've bought 2 Commodores in my life. A VB in the 80s and a VK in 1997. All the other Commodores (more than 12) in the driveway have been my (now ex) wife's company cars where she had no choice in what she got.
I'm not putting crap on iMax, just awards.
Car of the year
P76
Camira
Various VWs…
Austin 1800 (IIRC)
Various Valiants
get an mx5, let everyone else stay in the camry
I wouldnt pick any of those 2. Just spend the money on a commondore wagon and 2 extra zero-balance-public-transport-card for the in-law.
Ugh I hate that reasoning. How often are they here? You think they'll be fine sitting in the 3rd row, since the kids will have to have their child seats in the middle row?