Ideas for used cars around the 6k mark?

Misha Bakunin on 04/05/2023 - 10:10

Just got told my Honda integra , in very good condition otherwise, has been written off due to bonnet and front bumper damage. Worth at least 7k giving the low kilometres etc but I'll only get paid out 3k based on 'Redbook'. Not sure if I can buy it back and repair it myself etc but I'll find that out in due course.

I have about another 3k ish to spend on top of the 3k payout. Its been 15 years since I looked at the used car market so I'm a bit clueless with the market.

Anyway I'm a city driver at 193cm tall so looking for a car that would suit occasional inner and outer city / suburban driving.

Any recommendations would be appreciated… Thanks :)

Automotive

Comments

  • jv on 04/05/2023 - 10:11
    -5

    Tesla

    • Misha Bakunin on 04/05/2023 - 10:12

      Lol out of my budget clearly

      • jv on 04/05/2023 - 10:14
        -2

        Most of the ones around here would hardly do 5k in a year. Mainly used for school drop offs and then off for a latte with the other mums.

        • MS Paint on 04/05/2023 - 10:26
          +1

          Latte seems a bit mundane.

          More likely a skinny doppio with caramel.

    • HeWhoKnows on 05/05/2023 - 12:18
      +1

      Search Gumtree Cars
      Plenty to choose from there

  • Nugs on 04/05/2023 - 10:14
    +7

    if you want more than $3k payout you will need to demonstrate the value
    ads for the same car are easiest way to show what owners think they are worth
    whether they are getting close to that value or not is another thing
    .

  • MS Paint on 04/05/2023 - 10:15
    +8

    You can negotiate the payout figure. Never accept the first offer. Just gather evidence of recent similar sales and present it to the insurance company.

    • Misha Bakunin on 04/05/2023 - 10:20

      Thanks!

    • brendanm on 04/05/2023 - 10:46
      +2

      Very much this. Give them a few examples of similar cars, and the prices.

  • Boioioioi on 04/05/2023 - 10:59
    +2

    I had a few of the new mitsubishi mirages for a few years. Great car. Cheap as chips to run, can get manual ones for about $5k, and 5 star ancap rating.

    Not exactly glamourous but they're reliable. Averaged 5.4l/100KM, and not a single thing broke or needed work other than regular oil changes over 140,000km

    • highon2str on 04/05/2023 - 11:13

      that's some really good fuel consumption figures from an 'old' car!

    • solidussnake on 04/05/2023 - 13:41
      +1

      I drive my wife's 2010 Yaris, 1.3lt runs E10 and has done 214,000 so far with minimal issues

    • bjd533 on 05/05/2023 - 10:17
      +3

      Second Mitsubishi. Due to them not being a car people get excited about for some reason their discounts and prices are no joke.

      Did 200k on a Magna a few years back, zero issues.

  • lppepper on 04/05/2023 - 11:12
    +2

    2006/2007 Accord CM5 with the 2.4L 4-cylinder. Bought a 2007 in late 2019, have only had to do basic servicing since. Currently 172,000km. Bit boring of a car but tons of space, comfy. VTI-L is the one if you want leather and electric driver's seat.

  • bym on 04/05/2023 - 11:13
    +1

    I can't believe nobody has suggested Camry yet.

  • onetwothreefour on 04/05/2023 - 11:31
    +5

    Camry

    • Hackney on 04/05/2023 - 15:55
      +1

      Just make sure it comes with the obligatory cardigan on the back seat, that ‘adds’ value!

      • Bob Svargis on 05/05/2023 - 09:25
        +1

        You forgot the hat just under the rear window and the box of tissues.

    • Jaxy on 06/05/2023 - 04:37

      What year tho? The gen 5's were tanks, but gen 7's and up are kind of garbage. I don't hear too much about the Gen 6's, save for electrical issues.

  • montorola on 04/05/2023 - 11:33

    Falcon on gas? lol

  • solidussnake on 04/05/2023 - 11:36
    +1

    2005 es lancer

  • sumyungguy on 04/05/2023 - 11:59
    +7

    Another option is to get a quote from a second-tier body repairer, which your insurer may consider acceptable and save writing-off your car. This happened recently with a friend who found that top-tier repairers quote double the price of the second-tier. You may get to keep your precious and also can be proud of your sustainability. Much more stuffing around needed to purchase your wreck and go through the repairable write-off inspection process.

  • altomic on 04/05/2023 - 12:16

    where are located?

  • Miami Mall Alien on 04/05/2023 - 12:23
    +1

    You're going to have a hell of a time hunting around for a decent used car purchase at that price point.

    I'm honestly not even sure you can get a decent used car for $6K anymore that doesn't have a ridiculous amount of kilometres on it.

    People are asking for insane amounts of money for everything, even a Ford Focus Gen II from 2004 - 2010 is around $10K now for a decent example.

  • Mishgy on 04/05/2023 - 22:21

    I recommend looking at an older Volvo, purely because they tend to be overlooked and are quite cheap. They also tend to be very reliable, parts are cheap as they are generally off the shelf bosch or Valeo. But at your budget, I'd recommend you look at spending a bit more as at that price you could end up with something that is very high km or hasn't been taken care of.

    • Hackney on 05/05/2023 - 06:00
      +1

      Have to agree on the Volvo, just great cars especially from the 80’s & 90’s.

      • Euphemistic on 05/05/2023 - 06:47
        +4

        While I agree that they were well built a long time ago, if looking for a cheap, everyday car get something that is common.

        Unless you’re a car enthusiast you want something that local mechanics are familiar with and that parts are readily available for. Being able to pick up parts quickly from a wrecker or parts shop can mean the car will be back to fully functional a lot quicker. If the car is uncommon it may be harder for a mechanic to diagnose faults and will likely mean that parts need to come from OS which will delay repairs.

        If you are asking this question on a forum, you don’t have the knowledge or experience to purchase a car that isn’t common. Japanese or Korean hatchback should be the go to, but one that you can drive down the road and see half a dozen today.

    • Ade99 on 05/05/2023 - 08:22
      +1

      At that price point you may be buying some one else's problems….

  • Sinnerator on 05/05/2023 - 08:38
    +2

    YOUTUBE - fix your car yourself, you DO NOT want to be buying a used car in the current climate.

    The prices are still beyond stupid and you will buy an unserviced 15 year old sh!tbox for $6k which will cost you betwen $7K and $14K to fix within your first 12 months of ownership. Unless you have a blood pact with a luck god.

    • Euphemistic on 05/05/2023 - 19:42

      Disagree. Just have to be sensible with your choice. There’s thousands of cars out there still running well over 15yo and 200,000km. Pick something that’s relatively simple and common. Make sure whatever you pick you see quite a few of before buying. If there’s plenty on the roads, they are reliable enough.

      Could buy a $6k car, buy another in the unfortunate event it fails in a very expensive way and still be in front compared to buy ANY new car.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2023 - 09:12
    +2

    If it's just body parts that need replacing buy them from a wrecker's yard and fit them or pay someone to do it for you.
    You may like the multi colour effect or could buy some cans of spray paint.

  • Bob Svargis on 05/05/2023 - 09:27
    +2

    I'd try and fix it myself. The second-hand car market is just a joke right now. If you can get the vehicle back, get a panel beater to sort out the bonnet and bumper for a cashie job. You could even paint it yourself if you're reasonably handy and have the time.

  • Speckled Jim on 05/05/2023 - 18:17

    I'm with the three S members above. Particularly if it's a DC era 'teg (as opposed to the later RSX type).

  • Toph Beifong on 06/05/2023 - 13:10

    This is how insurers make money. At the start they tend to overestimate the price of the car so you pay more in premiums. And when time comes to make a claim they pay you a fraction of market value.
    You need to demonstrate to your insurer that in order to replace your written off vehicle with a similar one, it will cost $6k-$7k. Look for ads on Carsales/Gumtree/Marketplace.

    Is any part of the chassis/structure or radiator damaged? If it is only damage to the bumper and bonnet I would go to some wrecking yards to find those parts and get a smash repairer to re-paint and install.

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