My First Car Purchase - assistance required

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So much has been said about servicing costs, so maybe that's something I should take into account. Can anyone give me an approx figure? And how many times a year does one service their car?? Uncle of the +1 who works for RACV says it doesn't matter how reliable a car is you still have to service it regularly?

So far the list is down to:
05-06-07 Audi A4 B7 Multitronic
brand new Mazda 3 (the 2.0 ones) --> it's common as muck like Toyota but at least it looks trendy

i liked the look of the Fiat Punto too but if I wanted the semi auto version (rather than manual) i could only go for the base model.

And much as i like the new VW Golf, to get one with decent specs would be a fair way beyond my budget. I figured by the time depreciation sets in it's not that worthwhile.

(and no i refuse to look at Holdens, Fords or any Korean cars -- associate them too much with people who put sheepskin covers on car seats :p)

thegurio said:
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...
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Well if the stock options and profit share I've been offered as part of my employment next year do well.... I'll be gunning for a BMW 3 or 5 series. :D
 
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QF009 said:
So much has been said about servicing costs, so maybe that's something I should take into account. Can anyone give me an approx figure? And how many times a year does one service their car?? Uncle of the +1 who works for RACV says it doesn't matter how reliable a car is you still have to service it regularly?

So far the list is down to:
05-06-07 Audi A4 B7 Multitronic
brand new Mazda 3 (the 2.0 ones) --> it's common as muck like Toyota but at least it looks trendy

i liked the look of the Fiat Punto too but if I wanted the semi auto version (rather than manual) i could only go for the base model.
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I think there are some cars that come with free servicing for the first 2 or 3 years these days. Not sure which ones, but that might be a consideration.

Shame you don't want to look at fords, the Focus looks fairly good. But then I think Top Gear do bag it. But speaking of top gear and your interest in Fiat, they did suggest that the Fiat 500 is the best small car to get. Supposedly V trendy around notting hill.
 
Looks good. But big-ish car. I'm also not sure about how pricing goes on Audi, but it has got 70000 kms, how does pricing compare for similar car with around 40 to 50k.

Have you checked suggested used car prices from - like RACV or Glassers (?) guide, or the red book. I think if you google it you can get a suggest price for used cars in good condition with X kms.

Edit: sorry if I sound negative. Just focussing on the negatives as I'm sure you know all the positives.
 
A lot of the used A4s are around the 25-30k range, and they've all got like near 100k km or over, which as I understand is when you have to replace stuff as far as European cars go. Have seen a few 2005-6 B7s in the 90-100k km mark for 29k.

This is a B6 so it's a model behind, but it has a lot less KMs. Plus ive not seen many Audi wagons around before so that gives it another tick. :)

I will defo keep looking. I really do want an Audi if i'm getting a used car. Value wise it's $28k (am hoping to get 2k or so off this) for $80k worth of technology, quality, street cred etc. Pity Beemers don't depreciate as much hey. ;)
 
Hmm have tried posting twice but both posts disappeared...:confused:

Anyhoo I found another 2004 Audi A4, it's a B6 Multitronic, sedan, half the KMs (i think it's like just under 40k). And it's $1000 cheaper. I wonder what's the catch other than the fact that it's a sedan and not a wagon.
 
 
QF009 said:
Hmm have tried posting twice but both posts disappeared...:confused:

Anyhoo I found another 2004 Audi A4, it's a B6 Multitronic, sedan, half the KMs (i think it's like just under 40k). And it's $1000 cheaper. I wonder what's the catch other than the fact that it's a sedan and not a wagon.
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Much, much less KM. That's why there isn't much price difference. That's a good buy IMHO.
 
medhead said:
Umm, I tried posting as well and got a message about needing Mod approval. Have I finally pushed past the limit :shock:
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Oh so that's what it is. I think the posts triggered some anti-spam software on VB given that carsales is a commercial link.
 
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QF009 said:
Hmm have tried posting twice but both posts disappeared...:confused:

Anyhoo I found another 2004 Audi A4, it's a B6 Multitronic, sedan, half the KMs (i think it's like just under 40k). And it's $1000 cheaper. I wonder what's the catch other than the fact that it's a sedan and not a wagon.
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On the low Kms. I'm not sure, one hears stories about winding back the Odometer.

I can't help but suspect that this would only be the case for cars that have surprising lower Kms. One rule of thumb is about 15 to 20k per year. But who knows what the truth is.

one guide woud be http://www.redbook.com.au/
 
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medhead said:
On the low Kms. I'm not sure, one hears stories about winding back the Odometer.

I can't help but suspect that this would only be the case for cars that have surprising lower Kms. One rule of thumb is about 15 to 20k per year. But who knows what the truth is.

one guide woud be Car Prices - Search Car Prices & Values Online - Red Book
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The 2nd dealer seems more reputable too - they deal primarily in Skodas which is a VW brand. Which would imply more experience with luxury cars.

The one that advertised the wagon sells primarily Protons. :shock:
 
medhead said:
On the low Kms. I'm not sure, one hears stories about winding back the Odometer.

I can't help but suspect that this would only be the case for cars that have surprising lower Kms. One rule of thumb is about 15 to 20k per year. But who knows what the truth is.

one guide woud be Car Prices - Search Car Prices & Values Online - Red Book
Click to expand...

That's a load of crock! ;)

I find that with luxury cars, they often have lower KM. Whether it's because they do more inner-city driving rather than driving out all around the place, I don't know; but sounds plausible to me. Also quite often the car doesn't get much use due to the owner's travelling either for work or personal :rolleyes:

Every Lexus I've picked up at a good price, this has been the case.
 
I look forward to Chapel St/St Kilda being a 25-30mins drive rather than an hour on public transport. :p
 
QF009 said:
Hmm have tried posting twice but both posts disappeared...:confused:
Click to expand...

medhead said:
Umm, I tried posting as well and got a message about needing Mod approval. Have I finally pushed past the limit :shock:
Click to expand...

The spam filter caught your posts due to the embedded web links looking like the posts may be spam. So the posts were flagged for moderation. I have approved them so they will now appear.
 
Thought as much, thanks NM!

Looks like I know what I'm looking for now, will go test drive both cars some time over the weekend or next week. :)
 
Flashware said:
That's a load of crock! ;)

I find that with luxury cars, they often have lower KM. Whether it's because they do more inner-city driving rather than driving out all around the place, I don't know; but sounds plausible to me. Also quite often the car doesn't get much use due to the owner's travelling either for work or personal :rolleyes:

Every Lexus I've picked up at a good price, this has been the case.
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Umm, you drive a lexus, that explains a lot. :p :cool:

Have you also considered that luxury cars are also more often leased and the biggest tax break for leasing is when the car does more then 25000km per year. Those people with lots of money tend to have that money because they know how to make the most of these situations. Those in business also have a lot more running around to do.

As I said it is a rule of thumb. It has held up for all the cars I've owned over the last 18 years. Except for when I lived in Sydney and only drove about 3 kms a week. So I'll stand by it as a pretty good rule of thumb. But with everything there will always be the exceptions, just suggesting to look for kms in about the right range.

edit: Cheers for the approval, NM.
 
medhead said:
Umm, you drive a lexus, that explains a lot. :p :cool:

Have you also considered that luxury cars are also more often leased and the biggest tax break for leasing is when the car does more then 25000km per year. Those people with lots of money tend to have that money because they know how to make the most of these situations. Those in business also have a lot more running around to do.

As I said it is a rule of thumb. It has held up for all the cars I've owned over the last 18 years. Except for when I lived in Sydney and only drove about 3 kms a week. So I'll stand by it as a pretty good rule of thumb. But with everything there will always be the exceptions, just suggesting to look for kms in about the right range.

edit: Cheers for the approval, NM.
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*doinks medhead on the head* :p:eek::mrgreen:
 
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