Recommendation for Budget Car $5K

ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 15:41

Hi OzB crew, thanks in advance for your advice!

Looking for a cheap car for daily use plus ability to drive down the coast or up in the mountains for the weekend occasionally.

Ideally manual, something zippy/fun to drive but also reasonable insurance. Sub 200,000 kms on the clock.

Preferably low maintenance as well. I like the flexibility of hatchbacks but open to sedans.

My budget is $5k but happy to stretch to $6-7K for the right car!

Only thing I can think of is an old Golf or Corolla. Any other suggestions for cars in this category?

Cheers!

Automotive

Comments

  • obit11 on 10/06/2020 - 15:56
    +2

    You scream 02-07 Mazda 6 to me.

    • obit11 on 10/06/2020 - 16:01

      https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hawthorn-east/cars-vans-utes…?

      Doesn't meet your manual desire. But I see leather, I see red, I see spoiler, I see alloys, I see 160000kms and I see cruise Control.

      • Nugs on 10/06/2020 - 18:37

        MPS would be better

      • nubzy on 10/06/2020 - 19:29

        Looks a neat and tidy car for the money, love the red

    • ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 18:52

      I honestly thought it would be out of my price range so didn't consider it! Thanks, will take a look at listings!

  • pegaxs on 10/06/2020 - 15:58
    +1

    Toyota Yaris
    Honda Jazz
    Hyundai i30
    Mazda 2 Neo/Genki
    Nissan Micra (the 1.6 4cyl.)

    Or have a look at this thread from a few weeks ago…

    I would avoid old Golfs. Also, as tempting as they may be, avoid old Audi "A*" anythings in that price/km bracket.

    InB4: Mr. "HaVe YoU cOnSiDeReD A pEuGeOt 2o6???" gets here…

    • brendanm on 10/06/2020 - 16:25
      +2

      What about a Renault? I hear they are excellent.

      • pegaxs on 10/06/2020 - 17:05

        I personally like a nice Citroen…

      • Drakesy on 10/06/2020 - 17:46

        I've heard Reliability is far better than any Toyota

    • ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 18:57

      I think everything on that list except for i30 would be rather sluggish and terrible handling? Mind you not expecting a race car here but if possible would like something nimble with a bit of punch when accelerating.

      • pegaxs on 10/06/2020 - 20:06

        Maybe something with a turbo on it? Does it have to be a hatchback? Does it even need to have 4 doors?

      • [Deactivated] on 11/06/2020 - 00:45
        +1

        Just on this - the Honda Jazz here has two engines. One is gutless. One has VTEC. I had one with a manual and VTEC. The car weighs literally nothing and has decent power that sits high in the rev range. Super fun to drive.

        Bonus, it's shaped like a van and the seats fold down flat. You can fit soooooooo much stuff in a Jazz. oh and they're pretty bulletproof and dirt cheap and amazing on fuel.

  • crentist on 10/06/2020 - 16:13

    For $5k the easy choice is a Yaris/Echo. Very reliable cars, unlikely to die the moment you drive away.
    Or maybe a Corolla. Or something else Japanese and small.
    Anything not Japanese should be a newish Korean car.

    Stay away from a Golf

    • Bypass on 10/06/2020 - 20:09
      +1

      The Yaris may not die but you may die in it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCbnMp_ZJKY
      The Golf gets a bad wrap. The mk6 is a heap, but the Mk7 has vastly improved reliability. I have a 2015 wagon with 247,000km on it, I bought it 2 1/2 years ago for $6000 with 200,000km on the clock, a bargain. I've spent less than $400 on maintenance (1 wiper blade,1 headlight + brake light bulb, oil every 10,000km, cabin filter)it still runs great, smooth DSG. Gets 6L/100km mixed driving and never feels slow.

      Toyota have the reliability priced in already, I'd say go for a Mazda 3 or Golf MK7

      • crentist on 10/06/2020 - 20:36

        funny, despite the video, the yaris was one of their TOP SAFETY PICKs for mini cars that year.
        all the others in that range perform worse in that test.

        and 200k after 2 years? what were they doing in it?
        dont get me wrong, i think the golf is a very nice car. we had a mk6 and i loved it, but it did end up getting a bit of warranty dsg fixing along the way that makes me wary of the older models you'd get for $5k
        What's changed in the mk7?

  • brendanm on 10/06/2020 - 16:26
    +2

    MX5.

    • Commander Shepard on 10/06/2020 - 16:44

      +1 to MX5. Should be able to get a good NB or maybe an NC if you pay a bit more. Amazing cars if you can make it work practicality wise or if you can have a second car on the side.

      • pegaxs on 10/06/2020 - 17:06
        +1

        I saw an MX5 today and it had NSW Historic rego on it, meaning they started about 30 years ago. Christ I feel old now.

    • ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 18:53

      Love the MX-5, test drove one a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, but there going for $10-15k back then. Will give it a second look cheers.

  • inherentchoice on 10/06/2020 - 16:32

    Kia Cerato. Sedan or Hatch. If you can inspect and test drive one in good condition I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

    Here's 2 x search links…

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/kia/cerato/victoria-state/m… (And it looks like there's a 2010 red one for $4k)

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-cars-vans-utes/vic/carmake-kia/…

    Would also suggest Optima but it looks like they're all autos. A newer Rio might be alright but not as zippy.

    • ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 18:55

      Would never have crossed my mind, this is why I come to OzB! Thanks!

  • Drakesy on 10/06/2020 - 16:32
    +2

    Mazda 3 SP25?

    • ryban3z on 10/06/2020 - 18:54

      Good call, cheers!

  • Dr Prepper on 10/06/2020 - 16:46

    anybody have sensible suggestion for a good place to buy a second hand car these days? Pickles/ Facebook marketplace/ Carsales?

    • brendanm on 10/06/2020 - 16:58
      +1

      Carsales, gumtree. Auctions aren't for people unwilling to take risk, especially at this end of the market.

    • DiLs on 10/06/2020 - 16:59
      +1

      Parramatta road near Granville has lot of dealerships

  • Patchy01 on 10/06/2020 - 17:11

    Few yrs old lancer? I believe they are reliable.

  • Dean29 on 10/06/2020 - 17:41
    +1

    N15 SSS Pulsar

  • [Deactivated] on 10/06/2020 - 18:46

    Would not take 5k junker out of the city

    • brendanm on 10/06/2020 - 19:07

      Lol

    • inherentchoice on 11/06/2020 - 07:53
      +1

      Why not? I take a 3k junker off-roading and driving on boggy sand tracks in the Bush and in the beach.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/06/2020 - 09:06

        Its bad enough when your clunker breaks down, its even worse in the middle of nowhere

        • Euphemistic on 11/06/2020 - 09:12
          +1

          It’s not too bad if you expect that it might break down and are prepared for that. Adds adventure to your life.

          • [Deactivated] on 11/06/2020 - 09:15

            @Euphemistic: One of the locals stops, you chat about motoring, you bring up holden going under, he starts tearing, gets in his car and drives off, good times

        • inherentchoice on 11/06/2020 - 11:57
          +1

          Plenty of very reliable $3k-$5k junkers out there that don't break down.

          Not sure what your point is as even $50k new cars break down… https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031427/I-m-sorry-b…

  • inherentchoice on 10/06/2020 - 19:48
    +1

    Hey OP one thing with buying a used manual is to find out if the clutch has ever been replaced.

    If yes, ask for receipts as evidence.

    A clutch job may cost between $700 and $3000.

    It's not a deal breaker if it hasn't been done. But you can use this fact in negotiating on price.

    Some cars might go 250,000 kms on the original factory clutch, but others might not get to 100,000. I think it mainly depends on how the owner drives it.

    If you need to get the clutch done, cheapest way might be to buy the parts on eBay and ring different mechanics to get a price to install. I also saw some mechanics advertising cheap clutch jobs on gumtree.

    Anyway maybe you already know this, but thought I'd mention it.

    • ryban3z on 11/06/2020 - 11:10

      I knew this but wasn't actively checking for it in listings so thanks for the reminder.

  • HeWhoKnows on 11/06/2020 - 08:39
    +3

    When you are only talking $5K there is NO SINGLE RECOMMENDATION!

    You need to scan everything and look for cars with:
    a) the lowest kms (under 150K)
    b) service record
    c) longest rego
    d) ideally one owner

    There are a few cheap cars to avoid
    Imported Holdens such as Holden Astra, Vectra, Cruze, Viva
    Early model Hyundis and Kias
    All European cars
    Cars with high kms (over 160K)

    Having said all that I would shortlist but not limited to the following
    Toyota Corolla, Nissan Pulsar and Mitsubishi Lancers for best value

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