My First Car Purchase - assistance required

[Keith009]

Thanks Simon. I was also thinking that - if a car is more reliable, doesn't that mean they'd require less servicing/maintenance and hence be cheaper to run in the long term?

Some interesting comments on new car vs old. I like brand new as it's just 'nice to have' I suppose. The 'new car smell' when it's just fresh out of the box. Though the thought of driving a Bimmer is rather tempting... I wouldn't want anything older than 2008 though. I mean, it's like fashion - why not have everything nice and new?

I set the 30k budget as I thought it's my first car and being a poor starving student that budget seems about right. I'd want to work for a few years and gradually increase that budget and go into Bimmer or Porsche territory. Like graduating from Kenneth Cole to Prada. Oh wait...

I have a similar aversion to 3dr cars. I dont know - they just don't look right. And they're not necessarily cheaper anyway from what I've seen.

I know it seems totally irrational but there ya go.

Yeah medhead I'm told Toyota is the way to go because they're apparently v dependable and has good resale value. Then again everyone seems to have one. It'd be like wearing the same outfit as someone else at the same party if I bought a Toyota...

Are you chasing the 50K of Velocity Points

Huh??

 

[medhead]

I set the 30k budget as I thought it's my first car and being a poor starving student that budget seems about right.

:shock: My first car I got for $12050 + on roads, during a year in industry placement after my 2nd year at uni. Financed through personal loan, I thought that I'd be rich finally having a job, but the repayments were about $50 a week less then my pay. Needless to say it was a big lesson in financial dealings - but I did get the laon paid off in 10 months

Just on the question of new vs old. Everyone should buy a new car at least once in their life. I've had my new car, my second car I got from QLD government auction and the 3rd car secondhand from a dealer.

My next car will be from the government auction. This is because the cars are relatively new (<2 years), they've been looked after depending on the department (i.e. don't buy ex-police vehicles) and they can be cheap. On the price factor the QLD government vehicles are basically a comodity, there is a wide selection of the same type of cars and they basically go for the same price so you can pick the best car and get it for the same price as the worst car. All the dealers are at the auction and taxi owners, so you know these are the cheapest car around. But if doing this be careful, because the SA government auctions are quite different people here actually go out and value the car depending on usage and all that.

Of course, government auctions don't have a big range of cars and certainly nothing very trendy or funky.

BTW: to whoever is considering the Prius - why waste your time? They are expensive and you can easily get the same or better fuel economy in a normal car of the same size.

 

[Keith009]

I just spoke to Dad. He reckons a Golf is the way to go out of that list, but he's adamant that I ought to buy a Honda or Volvo. They don't look particularly appealing other than the CRV - but I don't want something so big.

He seemed quite critical of the Fiat. Given the old man is somewhat of a car enthusiast i trust his opinion on that one. Didn't say anything about Mazda or Toyota. Except, I probably ought to check out the resale value as well.

Oh and... "never buy Korean!" Which kinda reinforced my perceptions of brands like Hyundai or Kia.

 

[docjames]

QF009, I'm somewhat of a car nut so feel qualified to answer a question on this forum for once!

None of the cars you list in the OP are bad cars.

The best drive is by far the golf of those you list, but the mazda isnt far behind.

The punto is half a size smaller, and the resale is unlikely to be as good due to lack of brand trust/familiarity (in Australia) but is a decent car.

The corolla is just everywhere, and boring. I certainly would NEVER buy one as my own car, but plenty of people do and they give trouble-free motoring if without any real style or excitement.

Your issue will be that the golf will be more expensive than the 3, but will be worth stretching for (note: I own a MkV GTI and mrsdoc drives a 2005 Comfortline 2.0L petrol)

In the MkVI golf there is a new 1.6L diesel just being released. On what you're describing, i'd try and find the $$ and get into that. Expect to drive away at roughly rrp without adding any options (ie if RRP is 31990 + ORC then you should be aiming to drive away from the dealership @ roughly rrp, of course supply and demand and delivery times will make a small difference to this). Any options you add figure on adding to the driveaway price (how much depends greatly on what is in stock / on the boat / needed to be ordered from the factory).

I agree with comments that a broker may be helpful, but you need to do your research first, get a rough price (the dealer will try to get you to sign there and then but always make sure you "go home to think about it" unless you're CERTAIN you've got a killer deal.) I do like to try and do the deal at a dealer who's "looked after me" with test drives etc, rather than use their "services" and then screw them on price totally or buy across town to save a couple of hundred $$.


Have you considered a Focus TDCI (diesel, well speced, just been updated to new bodystyle, will get it onroad for <$30k) - that would actually be my pick other than the golf (we ended up with golf but it was a near thing and if repeating the purchase today would be very hard decision and probably come down to price).

PM me if you want more comments.

 

[markis10]

Huh??

All new Fiats earn 50K of Velocity Rewards if the dealership participates!

 

[MDC]

I know you said you didn't want a 3 door car, but how about the Fiat 500. That's what I'd be getting if I was after a little city runabout.

Another car to think about is the Subaru Impreza. Sub 30k, a bit more expensive to run than a Corolla, but it's a very safe car. I'm onto my second Subaru now and can't say a bad thing about them.

 

[Keith009]

Yeah was looking at Fiat 500 too. It looks so cute! The boyf is tempted to get one for himself if i didn't end up getting a Fiat. But I ultimately decided that it was much too small.

All new Fiats earn 50K of Velocity Rewards if the dealership participates!

Ooh.... Almost enough for another trip to LA in J!

I just saw a Fiat Punto on the road whilst coming back from coffee and it looks so sexy! I'd get one of those cause it looks so nice, but the old man said that Fiats break down quite a bit? It does have a 5* safety rating and seems very fuel efficient. I just wish they have auto transmission.

 

[thegurio]

QF009, you know what i think from FB so i wont re-iterate them again. All i will say is that the Corrola is a piece of garbage and very low on features hence the cheaper price - Toyota are like Tel$tra, they trade on their reputation not features. Steer well away from the Punto, we have a 05 Swift (in the same category) and its cheap and tinny and just not what you're after... Go for the Golf and you wont be disappointed. Don't go for the Diesel, unless you do over 30,000 a year it wont pay for itself and to fill up with diesel is dirty and smelly!(I say that from a test with 2 four wheel drives over 100,000 k's and the difference was in the $100's when the fuel spent was in the thousands. And it was in 05 that it was carried out.)

 

[Keith009]

Golf is on top of my list for sure. But I'll also try the Punto anyway simply because it's so trendy.

Also, does anyone know if Fiat has a fully auto Punto?? All i could find were manual and "dual logic transmission."

Yeah i noticed that every man and his dog drives a Toyota which kinda puts me off having one now. Like Holden, Ford, Hyundai etc. At least Mazda is vaguely stylish.

 

[notzac]

I'm not much of a car person (in terms of knowing techie stuff - I like driving though!) but, from your list I'd choose the Mazda. They're lovely cars to drive, and shouldn't cost too much to maintain. Also, the recommendation to look at a ex-demo BMW is a very good one.

 

[munitalP]

... Also, the recommendation to look at a ex-demo BMW is a very good one.

A man of style...



Mr!

 

[Keith009]

An ex-demo Bimmer for $30k? As in virtually brand new?? Where? :shock:

 

[Ric]

Check BMW website for demos and go through the dealer list for the 1 series.
Do throrough research and go to actual dealers.
Prepare to do some tough negotiating and also be prepared to sign on the dot when you think you got the price you want.....show your cc and challenge them that you will sign if they give you your price. Most will take at least $5000 on cc.

I got my somewhat spec'd Beemer 5 (demo) at around 14% off the basic RRP and with ONLY 61 kms on the clock!!!:mrgreen:

From my experiences, suggest you do the buying around the second half of Dec when year end sees dealers trying to chase quotas (or higher quotas.....to get their trade rebates??!!)

Maybe Mr! can take you to his friendly Beema dealer?

 

[Keith009]

I don't mind getting this if i can bargain the price down to below 30k with cruise control thrown in:
BMW Melbourne > Search for a Used BMW

Looks nice.

Umm... is a used bimmer really > new golf? Might be a dumb question but when I said i don't have a clue I really meant it.

 

[straitman]

Umm... is a used bimmer really > new golf? Might be a dumb question but when I said i don't have a clue I really meant it.

This will of course depend upon how 'used' the Bimmer is.
They are great though:!:

 

[munitalP]

The offers made (PM), I'll take QF009 if he likes...

I bought my convertible from Nick Theodosi Prestige - he was about 5% cheaper than Melbourne BMW and about 7% cheaper than Doncaster BMW - when a lot of hard earned $$$ is being handed over, a couple of % means a big saving!

Best advice - find what you like - 2nd hand beema or a new Golf or whatever, then negotiate a new price - walk away if you don't get near the price you want - there will be another one equally as good somewhere else...

Private sales will also trim at least another 5% off the top - for example, an A4 or a 120 with a complete service history, there's litle risk buying private - and lets face it, it is unlikley to have been hooned on a Friday night up and down Lygon St...:shock:


Mr!

 

[samh004]

I have a Corolla, it's a great car. The new ones look great, but I'm content with what I have. Needs a clean though.

I haven't looked at all the ones you've listed, but if you're going to be doing city driving, I'd look for the smallest one, as it really helps when you want to parallel park between two SUV's

 

[Flashback]

I don't know that program but will certainly look into it! I think I'd still see a dealer at some point to get the 'full service' - i mean, if I want to buy something like a car I want to physically check it out first. Someone told me about a similar website but I can't remember what it was ...:/ I believe it's free too, i think they simply do a web search for you.

Do you get some time to decide whether you want to purchase through Austwide Motor Search after quotes are produced? I mean, I'd go and do a test drive, then return to purchase through them if the dealer wouldn't play ball in the manner described.

I'm also paying up front so that ought to bring the price down. No point doing financing for a depreciating asset. I suppose I'd have to pay by cash/cheque for the best deal though, rather than insisting on AMEX payment.

I just spoke to Dad. He reckons a Golf is the way to go out of that list, but he's adamant that I ought to buy a Honda or Volvo. They don't look particularly appealing other than the CRV - but I don't want something so big.

He seemed quite critical of the Fiat. Given the old man is somewhat of a car enthusiast i trust his opinion on that one. Didn't say anything about Mazda or Toyota. Except, I probably ought to check out the resale value as well.

Oh and... "never buy Korean!" Which kinda reinforced my perceptions of brands like Hyundai or Kia.

Personally I'd be looking at a Mazda 3 (your budget will allow for the SP23) or the Honda Civic. YMMV

 

[Keith009]

I'm getting around the idea that used cars are great value - someone explained to me the concept of depreciation (as in, let someone else take the hit). 2006 Audi A4 B7s for under $30k seem like superb value...? And I was assured that they too have that 'new car' smell after all the conditioning.

 

[thegurio]

I'm getting around the idea that used cars are great value - someone explained to me the concept of depreciation (as in, let someone else take the hit). 2006 Audi A4 B7s for under $30k seem like superb value...? And I was assured that they too have that 'new car' smell after all the conditioning.

We bought a 05 Swift last December and yes it did have the new car smell still. Having said that since buying the Sportwagon in June, there really is nothing like it and worth every cent you lose! Having said that the only way to play the system if you're going to get on the treadmill, you have to keep on the treadmill i.e. when your time on your lease is up you get another new one and so on and so forth...