Not another Car thread. Advice wanted please.

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Not another Car thread. Advice wanted please.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#75508 19-Jan-2011 11:29

Looking to get a new car. (not brand new, just new to me). Don’t really know much about cars so hoping to sponge off the more knowledgeable people here

Got around $20k to spend (ideally a bit less than $20k, but could go up to $25 for something really good).

In an ideal world these are things I think I want it to be in order of priority:

1)     Station wagon or SUV (not going to be offroading, just need the size for family+dog+skis etc)

2)     NZ New (don’t trust imports)

3)     As new as possible (ideally 2008 or 2009)

4)     Low kms (less than 50k)

5)     Quite like Japanese manufacturers, but this is not that important

6)     2.0l engine or bigger would be nice, but would consider a 1.8

Are these things unrealistic to expect for that money?

Any particular models I should strongly consider? Anything I should avoid?

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155 posts

Master Geek

#428771 19-Jan-2011 11:44

Ford Escape?

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428779 19-Jan-2011 12:10

This advice might sound blunt and mean to start with, but it's not, so read on.

Go to trademe - Motors - on the left is the search, at the bottom is advanced search. You can select all of those things (price, age, k's, manual/auto, suv/wagon, engine size) by doing this you will see what is available with your requirements. (don't select local only, because that's not the point of this exersize

So now you have the knowledge that you can buy vehicles a,b,c,x,y,z. Wife might decide that b and y are ugly, you may decide you don't like c because it has only 6 cupholdrs, or whatever, then it is much easier to research vehicles a,x, and z, knowing that they suit your needs.

you will probably find something that noone would have suggested, because they don't know your tastes.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#428782 19-Jan-2011 12:20

joff_nz: This advice might sound blunt and mean, but it's not.

Go to trademe - Motors - on the left is the search, at the bottom is advanced search. You can select all of those things (price, age, k's, manual/auto, suv/wagon, engine size) by doing this you will see what is available with your requirements. (don't select local only, because that's not the point of this exersize

So now you have the knowledge that you can buy vehicles a,b,c,x,y,z. Wife might decide that b and y are ugly, you may decide you don't like c because it has only 6 cupholdrs, or whatever, then it is much easier to research vehicles a,x, and z, knowing that they suit your needs.

I've done that, and all the usual models come up - ford focus, toyota corolla, holden viva, mitsubishi lancer etc etc

However, the point of this thread was to get some impartial advice from people who have no vested interest in me buying their car.

You might find this surprising, but trademe sellers don't have a habit of putting things like:

"avoid this model, it has a bad reputation for safety"
or
"this car breaks down all the time and cost me $xx in repair bills."

boby55

1539 posts

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#428783 19-Jan-2011 12:25

IMO there is nothing wrong with Jap imports aslong as you get a newer one (07 or later) and get mechanical insurance. so if something DOES go wrong you're covered. The biggest thing is to make sure it gets a full AA check before buying.

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428786 19-Jan-2011 12:29

last 4 cars have all been Jap imports and havent had any problems with any of them. I did however use common sense when buying them as there is definitely some crap out there..NZ new and Jap imports.

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joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428789 19-Jan-2011 12:36

NonprayingMantis:
joff_nz: This advice might sound blunt and mean, but it's not.

Go to trademe - Motors - on the left is the search, at the bottom is advanced search. You can select all of those things (price, age, k's, manual/auto, suv/wagon, engine size) by doing this you will see what is available with your requirements. (don't select local only, because that's not the point of this exersize

So now you have the knowledge that you can buy vehicles a,b,c,x,y,z. Wife might decide that b and y are ugly, you may decide you don't like c because it has only 6 cupholdrs, or whatever, then it is much easier to research vehicles a,x, and z, knowing that they suit your needs.

I've done that, and all the usual models come up - ford focus, toyota corolla, holden viva, mitsubishi lancer etc etc

However, the point of this thread was to get some impartial advice from people who have no vested interest in me buying their car.

You might find this surprising, but trademe sellers don't have a habit of putting things like:

"avoid this model, it has a bad reputation for safety"
or
"this car breaks down all the time and cost me $xx in repair bills."

Haha i completely agree with that, my point was that the range of cars that suits your needs is huge, i could name 20 and i'm sure so could other people without having any doubles. If you have some ideas of models in mind in particular people will be able to give much weightier advice.

on a related note, a few cars which may fit your needs, which i like are:

Honda stream
Mitsubishi Cedia / Lancer wagon - buy NZ new, or fresh import only, unless you knwo it has only ever been run on 98 Fuel.
Nissan x-trail
Honda Accord Euro Wagon

I can't verify the prices on these match your budget as i can't access trademe from work, but i think they might fall within.

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428790 19-Jan-2011 12:43

I've just had a skim on Trademe, and Listing #: 347018588 seems to fit all your needs quite well and come in under budget too.

I have one of these, although a pre-facelift import, and although our 2l is a bit sluggish for my needs, it is a nice car otherwise. Good boot space with anchors for car seats and rear seats that fold all the way forward, but can also adjust the backrest angle which is a nice touch.

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NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#428805 19-Jan-2011 13:18

joff_nz: I've just had a skim on Trademe, and Listing #: 347018588 seems to fit all your needs quite well and come in under budget too.

I have one of these, although a pre-facelift import, and although our 2l is a bit sluggish for my needs, it is a nice car otherwise. Good boot space with anchors for car seats and rear seats that fold all the way forward, but can also adjust the backrest angle which is a nice touch.

I had seen that one, and it certainly seems to fit all my requirements.

Seems almost *too* cheap though, if you get what I mean.

Don’t really know anything about this model, but given the specs I would have thought they would be around $20k for it being that new with so few kms. In comparison to say, Ford focus, Toyota corolla etc with similar kms and similar age, it seems waaay cheaper. Makes me wonder why that might be the case – bad reputation? Poor quality build etc?

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428806 19-Jan-2011 13:26

My guess would be that there is a heeeeeap of imports of that model in the slightly older bracket which is driving the price down, ie:

Mine is a 2001, which had 76000k's. It had a full bodykit and some nice wheels. Fresh import so first NZ owners. Has factory Momo interior, tinted glass, airbags all that jazz.

If you search for similar models around the 2001-2005 era, you will see thwey are flooding in.

We paid $7600 including transport form Auckland to Wellington. And it's a pretty standard deal, you could pick up another the same no worries. With pricing like that the newer models need to stay cheap to be competitive.

Also, it is a very tough market to be selling a car in at the moment, so haggle hard, there are some really, really good deals out there.

As an aside, why are you opposed to Imports?

Edit: also, jsut because a car is cheap, doesnt mean it's bad, people can just be keen to sell for wahtever reason. Similarly, and very importantly, just because a car is around market price, doesn't mean it is at market condition, some people are very deluded about what their car is worth. If you are not a 'car person' then AA checks or similar are of good value.

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#428810 19-Jan-2011 13:29

toyota: parts and labour are cheap, ugly, more expensive than others, very fuel efficient, ultra reliable, good resale

honda: ultra reliable, but parts cost 5 - 10x more compared with toyotas, better looks, excellent resale

all japanese cars are ultra reliable in the current century - but the rest have poorer resale than the ones mentioned. imports are cheaper to buy and there is nothing wrong with them.

if you buy a european car, they will die on you one day. maybe the engine maybe the windows maybe some other electronics. servicing can cost you a bomb. this includes subarus (the service bomb bit)

fleet cars have extremely poor resale: eg hyundai, ford, ?holdens, apart from toyota (which are popular fleet cars because generous discounts are given when bought brand new)

diesels and 4WDs cost more to service and run in the long run

if you know nothing about cars and want the best deals get a newish jap and they are all as good for you in the long run. if you want the best guaratee get a toyota honda or nissan. (of course others may have an opinion!)

Batman

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#428812 19-Jan-2011 13:31

+1 for using trademe and applying my rules above!!

(of course others' opinions are respected but i've own umpteen cars in the past and may be biased based on anecdotal evidence)

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428814 19-Jan-2011 13:33

Joker i'm curious about whether your opinion is based on experience with those brands in their current form, or 'what you have heard', even if from a lot of sources.

Not saying that I necessarily disagree with your thoughts, but they seem a little like the stereotypical opinions of those makes. (Yes stereotypes are there for a reason, but not always valid)

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#428815 19-Jan-2011 13:38

haha I was writing while that last reply came through.

I will add that you really really must take all opinions on the internet especially about cars with a large bag of salt. Some people just regurgitate what they have heard, some people have an experience with one Triumph and assume all triumphs are terrible, or awesome, dependant on what their time was like with it.

So yeah, take all opinions as only that, even if presented as fact. Even (especially) mine. :)

martyyn

1971 posts

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#428830 19-Jan-2011 14:18

Ford Mondeo wagon </end thread>

Drive like a dream, european quality and IMHO 100 times better than anything from Japan.

Dont be put off by a few kms either. You can save upto 7-8k simply by accepting something with closer to 100kms on the clock. Dont forget these cars are built to do european mileages which is an awful lot more than in NZ.

Its odd. Everyone in the UK wets themselves at the thought of a car with over 100k miles and in NZ the magic number is 100k kms. Ive driven BMW's with over 400k kms and they still drive like a dream.

If youre prepared to consider a little older than 2008 then 20k will get you a cracking 2003 BMW 530 touring. Leather, heated seats, tv, sat nav (which can be converted to work here), phone (bluetooth possibly), electric everything, glass sunroof, xenon lights, dual climate control etc. Way more goodies than a Jap car can offer.

jonherries

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#428867 19-Jan-2011 16:00

I wonder why you want to spend so much on a car. Sure I am a car guy, but I hate to part with my cash for something which won't hold it's value.

But there are some things to consider, so generally my thoughts around cars are:

check the safety (rightcar.govt.nz) - note govt most likely impartial, you don't want a death trap.
reliability - finger in the air stuff here, you need an inspection on the car and even then you can't see inside the engine.
If you are in Auckland you probably will benefit from Aircon.
Most people are interested in paying the least amount in making it go, so be careful on both economy and spares.

And given you are posting this on Geekzone get a car with an awesome trip computer or OBDII connection (lots of sensors to tell you things) see: Griffin CarTrip

I also saw the article on Engadget the other week showing the prius battery has a better than expected lifetime.

I like:

Mazda 6 wagons (not sure about resale)
Toyota Avensis (talking nz new)
Volkswagen Passat (built using most of the same drivetrain as the Audis)

Then: Spend your savings on a new laptop and home theatre...

(+/- some salt)

Jon

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