Cheap but decent auto for $4k?

[rare ss]

Not a bad tezza, later model no balljoint issues..

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...7259249/?Cr=28

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by rare ss

Not a bad tezza, later model no balljoint issues..

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...7259249/?Cr=28

It would want to be with a failed transmission.

[rare ss]

I would stay away from the CR-V with the airbag issues, last time I was at Pickles there were dozens of them on the scrap heap

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

A $5K CRV will be a POS, don't buy if over 12 years old or more than 150,000 km.
Early Captivas got a bad rap, the Series II with the 6-sp auto & 4-cyl petrol are a much better car & are good buy, especially when others think they are bad, it devalues them.

Both good points.
This is the fundamental issue.
Buying any automatic SUV, for $5k in Perth, is going to be a POS. There are going to be things wrong with it, it will be worn out, and things are going to need fixing.
I have tried to suggest that she look at something more basic for now, and go for more of a dream car later on when she has some more money behind her.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Probably the one of the last Id be looking for when the criteria is Cheap (& economical) SUV sub $5k

Based on what? You'll struggle to find a more frugal diesel engine of the time (my old E Class with the 6 cylinder version 150kw/470nm 6.2l/100km highway) and as I said there is enough evidence out there to say with confidence they are a solid SUV.
But at $5k I wouldn't be betting my money on any thing in that price range being a safe buy, especially some of them with CVT trans. If going the soft roader option just get a Mazda 6 or Mondeo wagon instead...

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by smoo

Based on what? You'll struggle to find a more frugal diesel engine of the time (my old E Class with the 6 cylinder version 150kw/470nm 6.2l/100km highway) and as I said there is enough evidence out there to say with confidence they are a solid SUV.
But at $5k I wouldn't be betting my money on any thing in that price range being a safe buy, especially some of them with CVT trans. If going the soft roader option just get a Mazda 6 or Mondeo wagon instead...

When looking for Cheap you need to take the Romance out, no looking at engine power or shiny badges, the Merc may have a great engine but your looking at 20 year old Euros with high kms, they will have suspension problems.

a light weight SUV like an Xtrail is a better option - its boring but its common, many of them will do over 300,000kms without any work done on them

but we agree $5K is always going to be an issue in this segment

[Crazy Dazz]

Ok, so lets start again.
Unfortunately budget is now down to $4k, and it must be automatic, but at least she has agreed to go for anything reasonable with wheels.

So at this stage the list of potential models is necessarily long:
Fiesta/ Focus
Holden
Jazz
Elantra / Getz
Cerato
Pulsar/ Tiida
Pug
Saab
Corolla
Golf

Any of those we should scratch?
Anything in particular to avoid? How are the older CVTs hanging in?
Should we avoid turbos in this price bracket?

[Franco Cozzo]

Mitsubishi 380 is a win if its been maintained properly:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...12291939/?Cr=5

Hyundai Getz:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...20187755/?Cr=3

[Junkyard-Dog]

I second the suggestion of a Mitsubishi 380. They are a very good car and the 6G7 engine family of engines was probably the best V6 to ever go into an "aussie" car.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I second the suggestion of a Mitsubishi 380. They are a very good car and the 6G7 engine family of engines was probably the best V6 to ever go into an "aussie" car.

I've worked on precisely one Mitsubishi 380 and it was for an ignition switch, and that was it.

Those things are bulletproof.

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I've worked on precisely one Mitsubishi 380 and it was for an ignition switch, and that was it.

Those things are bulletproof.

I have had two V6 Magnas, they go ok for what they are but the front tyres do not last that long at all, especially the 3.5 litre.

I counted myself 'lucky' to get 20,000km out of a set of fronts so I can imagine the 3.8 litre would have been just as bad if not worse...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Ratmick

I have had two V6 Magnas, they go ok for what they are but the front tyres do not last that long at all, especially the 3.5 litre.

I counted myself 'lucky' to get 20,000km out of a set of fronts so I can imagine the 3.8 litre would have been just as bad if not worse...

No different to my Focus - that's probably more to do with me though

[Junkyard-Dog]

My dad has a first gen Challenger with the 3.0 (6G72). It's a bit underpowered for the size of the vehicle but has been very reliable. Only issue that has had to be fixed: leaking rocker cover due to perished gasket.

[GasoLane]

Thread title changed as requested

[Dr Terry]

The problem with any "cheap" car is any repair costs, which will be inevitable at that price point.

Forget anything Euro or Diesel, you won't be able to keep them on the road.

You need something cheap & cheerful yet reliable. I'd look at a well kept Hyundai Excel (Series III) or an early Getz. These things often come up, but go under the radar as perceived junk. History has shown these mid-age Hyundais to be quite a good long term "cheapy".

This comes from over 50 years, buying, selling & repairing cars & also selling replacement parts. I see where people waste their hard earned cash on cars they can't afford to run.

Dr Terry

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Ok, so lets start again.
Unfortunately budget is now down to $4k, and it must be automatic, but at least she has agreed to go for anything reasonable with wheels.

So at this stage the list of potential models is necessarily long:
Fiesta/ Focus
Holden
Jazz
Elantra / Getz
Cerato
Pulsar/ Tiida
Pug
Saab
Corolla
Golf

Any of those we should scratch?
Anything in particular to avoid? How are the older CVTs hanging in?
Should we avoid turbos in this price bracket?

And want rego with this ?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

The problem with any "cheap" car is any repair costs, which will be inevitable at that price point.

Forget anything Euro or Diesel, you won't be able to keep them on the road.

Dr Terry

Bingo,

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Ok, so lets start again.
Unfortunately budget is now down to $4k, and it must be automatic, but at least she has agreed to go for anything reasonable with wheels.

So at this stage the list of potential models is necessarily long:
Fiesta/ Focus
Holden
Jazz
Elantra / Getz
Cerato
Pulsar/ Tiida
Pug
Saab
Corolla
Golf

Any of those we should scratch?
Anything in particular to avoid? How are the older CVTs hanging in?
Should we avoid turbos in this price bracket?

Yes, avoid CVT & turbos @ $4k & scratch Fiesta/Focus, Holden, Pug, Saab & Golf off the list.

That should make it easier.

Dr Terry

[ute83]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I second the suggestion of a Mitsubishi 380. They are a very good car and the 6G7 engine family of engines was probably the best V6 to ever go into an "aussie" car.

Ours is nearly 500k km young. One thermostat, one radiator repair and front sway bar d bushes as well as all window regs. That's all that's now wrong. It still drives great. Paint is crap though.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by ute83

Ours is nearly 500k km young. One thermostat, one radiator repair and front sway bar d bushes as well as all window regs. That's all that's now wrong. It still drives great. Paint is crap though.

They had Crap paint from new, never seen so much Orange peel on a new car.

so much for the built in Australia for Australian conditions proverb

[ute83]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

They had Crap paint from new, never seen so much Orange peel on a new car.

so much for the built in Australia for Australian conditions proverb

I should have said the clear coat lifting.

[minheim]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I second the suggestion of a Mitsubishi 380. They are a very good car and the 6G7 engine family of engines was probably the best V6 to ever go into an "aussie" car.

The 380 was a very nice car. Had a 2007 series 3 SX for 6 years and had no issues. Things to be wary of are these days are timing belt (no timimg chain so it needs to be changed every 5 years or 100K kms) and parts are hard to get due to low sale numbers, age and being unique to Australia. From memory the left side front ball joints are out of stock and no longer available new. Also while it shares some parts with the American made gallant it does not share all eg balljoints.

Might be time to strech the budget and look at maybe a cj or ch lancer. Great cars with bulletproof reliability, cheap to repair and service with spare parts a plenty.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

I had a look on car sales for autos under $4k in WA. And there's not really a lot to choose from (21 in fact).

I then filtered from lowest kms to highest and started looking from the top of that pile.

If it was me making a recommendation, I'd probably go for this Camry. Boring as bat poo and it's got reasonably high kms, but the Toyotas are pretty reliable and parts would still be reasonably easy to get for any repair work that might be required.

If kms are a factor, then the Fiesta at the top of the list (only has 110,000km) would be the choice. 4 speed auto. If size is not a factor, then the only issue may be that the LX didn't come with a/c as standard and I can't see anything in that ad that suggests this particular vehicle has a/c. Could be an issue in the WA heat.

That's my thoughts. Hope that helps.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

I had a look on car sales for autos under $4k in WA. And there's not really a lot to choose from (21 in fact).

I then filtered from lowest kms to highest and started looking from the top of that pile.

If it was me making a recommendation, I'd probably go for this Camry. Boring as bat poo and it's got reasonably high kms, but the Toyotas are pretty reliable and parts would still be reasonably easy to get for any repair work that might be required.

If kms are a factor, then the Fiesta at the top of the list (only has 110,000km) would be the choice. 4 speed auto. If size is not a factor, then the only issue may be that the LX didn't come with a/c as standard and I can't see anything in that ad that suggests this particular vehicle has a/c. Could be an issue in the WA heat.

That's my thoughts. Hope that helps.

I'd take the WP Fiesta off the list, those things are fragile and if it has AC it's crap.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

I had a look on car sales for autos under $4k in WA. And there's not really a lot to choose from (21 in fact).

I then filtered from lowest kms to highest and started looking from the top of that pile.

If it was me making a recommendation, I'd probably go for this Camry. Boring as bat poo and it's got reasonably high kms, but the Toyotas are pretty reliable and parts would still be reasonably easy to get for any repair work that might be required.

and its from a Dealer, so should come with some sort of warranty.

I would say case closed with this one

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'd take the WP Fiesta off the list, those things are fragile and if it has AC it's crap.

I haven't had any personal experience with them, so I'll take your advice. I did a quick Internet search and they seem to get pretty good reviews. Oh well

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

and its from a Dealer, so should come with some sort of warranty.

I would say case closed with this one

^^^^^ I second this^^^^^^

Also, she should go buy some lottery Tickets with the Change !!

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

and its from a Dealer, so should come with some sort of warranty.

I would say case closed with this one

No dealer is going to give warranty on a 20 year old car.

In NSW, the Fair Trading laws provide warranty up to 10 years old or 160,000 km, which ever comes first.

Dr Terry

[UTXR8]

bought a 2011 renault megane expression yesterday for my daughter...206000 ks...auto...panorama sunroof...all the bells and whistles...timing belt done at 200000 ks and off the original owner....3.5k, rego, private sale....decent cars are out there, if you look....

[UTXR8]

also has full books as well...