Buying My First Car, Is This Camry a Good Pick?

Could Be Better on 09/02/2022 - 19:08
Last edited 09/02/2022 - 19:34 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I'm a second year university student looking to buy their first car. I really need it since I'm starting an internship soon that requires a car (and the location isn't very accessible by public transport).

The car market right now isn't looking too good but I will need one soon… I'm only considering used cars because I can't afford a new car + scared of damaging it (only just got my Ps). My budget is around $15k and below and I've been looking at models like Camry, Corolla, i30 and the like, nothing too zippy, just a reliable car to get from A to B. Also looking for something that can seat a couple of people as I get asked to drop off family members and friends often.

I was looking at these:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-toyota-corolla…
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-toyota-camry-h…
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-toyota-camry-a…
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2010-toyota-camry-h…
Are they decent? If not, could you steer me in the right direction? Which questions should I ask the owner?

Thanks so much for your insight!

EDIT: removed previous listing as it was sold

• 

  randomusername2017 on 09/02/2022 - 19:13

  +1

  OT … but is this true?

  FEATURES FIRST CAR BUYERS LOVE:
  - USB audio input
  - IPod connectivity
  - Front cup holders
  - 16" alloy wheels
  - Storage compartment in centre console

  • 

    kerfuffle on 09/02/2022 - 21:05

    +1

    Nah. I want Bluetooth connectivity, none of this cable bs

• 

  spackbace on 09/02/2022 - 19:15

  https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/QuickVINSearch

  Pay $2, then come back and ask how it is

  • 

    ConsumerAffairs on 09/02/2022 - 19:26

    +6

    https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/ppsr-car-histo…

    Use this link and pay nothing to check it.

• 

  Drakesy on 09/02/2022 - 19:20

  Ooof
  Thats a fair bit for a first car.

  My first car was $5000.

  I'm of the firm belief your car should really only cost about 25% of your salary. Especially when you're starting out.

  Plenty of 2009, 2010 cars would be equally reliable

  • 

    stedmaster on 09/02/2022 - 20:08

    Yeah maybe something like a Getz would be better to start off with.

    I've been driving one around for 5 years and I drive it like a hot hatch often.

    Very reliable car, as long as its serviced correctly/regularly, mines even an auto.

  • 

    Mechz on 09/02/2022 - 20:12

    +3

    Mine was $1000, who really cares? Cars cost what they cost NOW.

    10-15k is quite reasonable.

    • 

      Drakesy on 09/02/2022 - 20:15

      But if you're on a lower income (internship and grad level) you'd want to minimise your risk to depreciation. Which given the covid conditions right now may not be an issue but in 1 to 2 years time would be significant.

      • 

        Mechz on 09/02/2022 - 20:25

        Probably not so much of an issue on a Tojo that will last another 10 years.

  • 

    dust on 10/02/2022 - 09:12

    +1

    The second hand car market is insane at the moment.

• 

  mrklaus on 09/02/2022 - 19:21

  I'm far from an expert, but that mileage looks … excessive? (for a 2016 car, I mean)

  • 

    Caped Baldy on 09/02/2022 - 19:24

    About 700km a week if it's 5 years old. Pretty excessive.

• 

  Archi on 09/02/2022 - 19:29

  +2

  That's more 30k km driven per year.. that is a lot

• 

  pantsparty on 09/02/2022 - 20:02

  +2

  These cars all have very high mileage. I’d be surprised if you couldn’t find something with much lower mileage for $15k.

  Eg I found this in 30 seconds, and lots more - full service history, under budget, low kms.

  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2011-toyota-corolla…

  Another:
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2012-toyota-corolla…

  Another - how about a Yaris?
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-toyota-yaris-y…

  Another:
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-toyota-camry-a…

  Mazda 3 is also a great choice:
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-mazda-3-neo-bl…

• 

  Kangal on 09/02/2022 - 20:22

  All of these Toyota's have low milage, they're practically brand new.

• 

  epicman on 09/02/2022 - 23:50

  You may want to avoid the higher mileage Camry hybrids as the expected lifetime of the battery in those is 160,000 km and is pretty expensive to replace if it does fail. The Camry as a first car is a good choice but you should try and find the lowest mileage examples in your budget so it has a long life ahead.

• 

  pegaxs on 10/02/2022 - 07:25

  +1

  Jesus… those prices. That 2014 hybrid Camry is about $5k over value. Pre-Covid tax, that would easily be a sub $10k car.

  • 

    Baysew on 10/02/2022 - 12:46

    The High Yield guy was correct.

• 

  cashless on 10/02/2022 - 15:40

  All too expensive for first car.

  Camry for $5k, talk it down to $4.5
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2000-toyota-camry-t…

  Can probably get this one for under $4k
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2002-toyota-camry-c…

  And this one for about $1k
  https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2001-toyota-camry-c…

  • 

    epicman on 11/02/2022 - 21:30

    +1

    I used to advocate for cheap first cars until I saw this video of a 2015 corolla crashing into a 1998 corolla (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xidhx_f-ouU), giving the most inexperienced drivers unsafe cars isn't something that I would recommend. If the original poster is in a financial position to afford a safer car then by all means they should purchase a safer vehicle than end up regretting it in the worst ways.