I need a car to commute in, but don't want to blow the bank. Help?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › I need a car to commute in, but don't want to blow the bank. Help?

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#1122899 6-Sep-2014 07:46

Thanks for the suggestions guys. How about something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.nz/used-cars-for-sale/toyota-mark+x/1292700 ?

I saw a listing on Trademe that said that car had a chain cambelt, so that is a plus for me.

I have a few general questions:
Even if I get a car from a dealership is it still a good idea to take it to mechanic to get it checked? Also are warranties usually worth it?
How much do on road costs, cost?

Lurch

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#1122909 6-Sep-2014 08:35

They are a V6 so it will go through the petrol so not good for stop/start commuting but amazing for open road driving. :-) I can't really talk as I have a V6, but starting to feel the pinch when filling up :-/

Batman

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#1122912 6-Sep-2014 08:39

Toyota mark has no local market. No local parts. Think European servicing costs.

Batman

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#1122913 6-Sep-2014 08:39

Stick with corolla and jazz.

Wade

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#1123011 6-Sep-2014 11:45

I would look firstly at ex-lease NZ new cars, they are competitively priced, fully serviced and generally sound cars. Most companies have all the required checks and balances in place to ensure staff don't abuse company vehicles so a lot of the old myths you hear about ex-company cars are not fact

gzt

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#1123121 6-Sep-2014 14:07

cnor152: Thanks for the suggestions guys. How about something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.nz/used-cars-for-sale/toyota-mark+x/1292700 ?

I saw a listing on Trademe that said that car had a chain cambelt, so that is a plus for me.

It's a nice car, very low kms, good value. But if I understand correctly it is japanese/china market only and in small numbers. Engine might be something standard but a few other parts may have some challenge. Maybe someone with more knowledge can comment on that, my car fu is weak.

Imho, on the chain/belt thing. If you keep cars for 50kkms maybe think about chain/belt economics but otherwise the difference is overblown.

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jonathan18

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#1123136 6-Sep-2014 14:37

MikeAqua: Buying from a used car dealer often costs more than buying private. In theory you have some protections from a dealer but they are not easy to enforce, so be careful who you buy from. You are likely to get better after sales service buying a used car from a new car dealership, but you will pay more.

Given the experience we had with a Nissan Primera (01) about three years ago, I think I'd always purchase from a dealer. The car - despite an inspection - had a blown head gasket (the dealer paid to replace the engine) that was picked up soon after purchase, and then only a few weeks later the gear box went (the dealer paid for this as well, the cost being fairly significant). The dealer honoured his requirements under the CGA - and clearly made a loss on the car as a result. In a private sale, I'd have had NONE of this protection. Three lessons I learnt from this:

* buy from a dealer (preferably a reputable one, and certainly always a registered one)
* never buy a P12 Nissan Primera
* stay away from cars with earlier generations of CVT gear boxes (ie, all but current models). (Personally, I'm still cautious - once bitten, twice shy and all that - and didn't consider cars with CVTs when replacing the Primera earlier this year.)

Re that Toyota you linked to - I'd agree you won't need a 2.5l V6 - it'll be a gas-guzzler (our Primera was a 2.5l 4 cylinder, and had dire fuel economy). For your purposes, a 1.8 l would be more than adequate.

Personally, between the Corolla and the Jazz/Fit, I'd choose the Corolla (but the 1.8, not the 1.5 that sometimes come in the import models). I have a good level of experience in both, and this would be my preference (primarily as I find the engine far more convincing on the open road than in the Jazz, and also as the Jazz has a noisy cabin).

cnor152

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#1123146 6-Sep-2014 14:54

What about a Bluebird guys?
http://auckland.2cheapcars.co.nz/vehicle.aspx?stockno=5737

I sat in the Toyota X today, it is very comfy. Also on the 2cheapcars site, the fuel saver is only 400 dollars more for the 2.5 Toyota X than that 1.8 Bluebird. How can that be?

Also is it hard to get the GPS thing to work for these jap cars?

gzt

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#1123168 6-Sep-2014 15:37

Nissan anything is not known for economy.

But also be aware you might be doing more kms than the fuel saver standard estimate.

No opinion on bluebird here.

jnimmo

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#1123197 6-Sep-2014 16:01

Loved my Nissan Sentra (96) - if I could have found a newer version with airbags I probably would have got another

cnor152

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#1123199 6-Sep-2014 16:06

For that Bluebird, they safety rating is only 2 stars. Why would that be?

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#1123203 6-Sep-2014 16:10

cnor152: For that Bluebird, they safety rating is only 2 stars. Why would that be?

Safety features cost money, Although 2 is rather low for a 2005.

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#1123207 6-Sep-2014 16:19

I don't trust Mitsubishi. That's from experience, every one I had gave me more problems than benefits.

I don't trust Nissan, but I only from stories.

If you want reliable stick to the two I gave you. Of course it's up to you :)

qwertee

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#1123289 6-Sep-2014 18:25

Hi

I would suggest a Honda Jazz or Fit hatchback
Oodles of trunk space, seats fold down, a reliable economical car.

I drive a 1.5 L Honda Aria FIT ( the sedan version of the Fit)
Paid $8k for a 2006 model with 60K on the clock.

Take it for a drive and also get your mechanic to check it out.
I bought 1 years mechanical warranty for peace of mind.

jonathan18

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#1123310 6-Sep-2014 19:54

Remember, you'll pay a premium for a Corolla, given what people are willing to pay is based on the assumption of its reliability etc, however it'll probably retain its value at a similar rate when you come to sell it.

My suggestion is go and test drive a few cars as well - find out which ones you actually like to drive, and try them out in both urban and open-road settings.

You may also find the last edition of the Dog and Lemon guide useful - it'll be available at your local library. The reports are all now available on its website (I recall you can buy individual reports or a 'pack' of them, and I remember seeing such packs for sale on TM at one point.) This suggestion, however, will possibly elicit some contrary views...

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