My First Car Purchase - assistance required

[Keith009]

Right, so how rampant is this odometer rigging business? :shock:

 

[tuapekastar]

As someone who has owned two French cars (did not learn!), they drove very nicely and were nice cars, but parts and service charges were through the roof. Could not do much yourself, as a lot of maintenance stuff required "Special Tool 106.42B, available only from Peugeot/Renault" at astronomical cost, if available at all. I've had "Mr Mobile Mechanic" almost crying with frustration in my driveway checking out a gearbox problem with the Renault. "If this was a Holden I'd have had the gearbox in pieces by now - there is nothing I can do with this car"

I don't know if this experience would extend to other European cars...it's a slightly different world these days where they just plug everything into a computer for diagnostics, and I don't think I'd be put off buying a Merc or BMW for these reasons.

But do remember what FIAT stands for - Fix It Again Tony!

You've really got to get the practicality vs. 'groovability' balance right, and it sounds as though you're on that path!

 

[medhead]

*shakes head *

Right, so how rampant is this odometer rigging business? :shock:

I don't think is is rampant very m uch at all these days. But I have still heard stories^. I don't think it'll be a problem.


^ but then I have family in the car dismantling business

 

[Matt P]

Hmm have tried posting twice but both posts disappeared...

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.

beware on the automatic gearboxes on the B6/B7 audi's (the non DSG box models anyway). They're prone to failure and cost many thousands to be replaced.

I've read (most of) this thread and still like the VW idea.

I reccomend cars (im not a dealer) to people for a living, most of my customers who ended up in MK5 (previous shape) golf's are still thanking me

avoid fiat/alfa like the plague. For the bad resale if not the unreliability.

The mazda 3 is a great car too, will have great future resale also.

 

[Flashback]

The mazda 3 is a great car too, will have great future resale also.

Agree. And you can fully spec it up with the SP23 upgrade and still come in under budget, even if buying brand new

 

[Keith009]

This just came thru on facebook:

Look at the service records carefully: around 5 yrs old is when you'll generally have to replace a lot of things on a European car. Brake pads, rotors, window regulators etc can add up pretty quickly and are quite common on Audis.

Also pay attention to the Multitronic CVT and form your own judgment- I hate them but a lot love them

Might just go with one of 'em brand new Golfs instead and be done with it, no need to worry about random things breaking down? :-|

OTOH... the 2 B6s are 2004, so maybe I should inspect the service records to see if the prev owner has replaced broken down stuff...

 

[Keith009]

Just found a 2005 A4 B7 for under $30k, but it's "private seller." 69k on the odometer so not too bad, plus it's one model newer than the other 2. Any risks buying a car from a private seller vs a dealer? I assume they won't have it cleaned up as much but that's prolly it?

2005 AUDI A4 MULTITRONIC B7 Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au

The seller lives just around the corner too!

Umm, can someone tell me what are the most important questions to ask/documents to inspect with used cars? I know to ask for the REVS, history of checks (any documentation for this??) - anything else?

edit: oh hmm... the price isn't "driveaway." oh well, scratch that.

 

[meloz]

Any risks buying a car from a private seller vs a dealer? I assume they won't have it cleaned up as much but that's prolly it?

2005 AUDI A4 MULTITRONIC B7 Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au

The seller lives just around the corner too!

Umm, can someone tell me what are the most important questions to ask/documents to inspect with used cars? I know to ask for the REVS, history of checks (any documentation for this??) - anything else?

You'll definately purchase much cheaper from private sale. You"ll miss out on a 3 month safety warranty. No biggy for that year I would think versus the savings.

Get as much info on the service history of the car.

But remember Beemers, Mercs and Audi to a lesser degree can be expensive for dealer servicing. My 5 series cost $2,800 on its last service, due to BMW being heavy on preventative maint.

If money is a consideration you can not beat the Corolla for dependability and running costs for a first car. Less street cred though.

Meloz

 

[Mal]

Veda Advantage recently launched an "Auto Check" report for consumers:

Veda Auto Report

They claim:

The Veda Auto Report provides historical and current information about a used vehicle, including:

* REVs (Outstanding Finance)
* Stolen Vehicle Status
* Written Off Status
* Repairable Write Off
* Flood Damage
* Known Odometer Readings
* Previous Sales Listings
* Current Car Valuation

Get the car's history before you get the keys!
Full report only $24.95

I'm not endorsing them, but think that they may assist with purchasing a 2nd hand car.

 

[Keith009]

But remember Beemers, Mercs and Audi to a lesser degree can be expensive for dealer servicing. My 5 series cost $2,800 on its last service, due to BMW being heavy on preventative maint.

And how much would a brand new Mazda 3 cost for servicing in comparison? It's the best compromise if I'm going down the Japanese car route i think - a lot more stylish than the Toyota. Remember, this has significant style implications when I shop/plan my outfits in future - in addition to a variety of factors, now I'll also have to think "how does this pair of shoes/pants/bag etc look as I step outside the car?" I tried to form a mental image of what could make stepping out of a Toyota look cool but failed. Not to mention that every 2nd person on the wrong side of the river (where I'm currently living, the People's Republic of Brunswick, I plead temporary insanity, but that'd soon be rectified when I move back to civilisation!) seems to drive a Toyota.

I'd assume though, that I'd have to service a Mazda more often than a BMW or Audi? There was an article (and this was a pro Mazda article mind you - they did also point out a lot of advantages) that said a Mazda needs to be serviced every 10k km/6 months which is apparently a more frequent interval than an Audi/BMW.

And any thoughts on a 2004 BMW 318i? The place we were looking at for a test drive has 2 of these for $27-28k so might as well check them out too. They're 71k and 93k on the odometer respectively - the latter is cheaper but had its last service at the 89k mark (thus implying that they're hoping to offload the 71k one before major servicing?).

Really bummed that a brand new VW Golf (by the time I fit an auto Trendline with all the basic stuff like cruise control etc) is slightly out of budget as that is 1) cool; 2) has street cred; 3) new so without all the "issues" that come with used cars; 4) of reputable quality; 5) looks "appropriate" for a first car (ie not too big and flashy).

A mate was really pushing a used BMW 320i or Audi A6 but i remain firm in my resolve that I shall spend no more than 30k for on the First Car Purchase even if it's "only a couple of grand more" for a "really, really much better car."

 

[tgh]

Strongly advise avoid used European... mileage isn't the key .. it is age.
Most modern cars are not practically repairable.

Diesel Golf is the most future proof available ( it will actually be worth something in 5 years time ).
Mazda is an acceptable generic car.

My "one rat study" says that our BMW 5 series was the most seductive but also the most expensive car we ever owned and the VW Passat that followed was almost equally sporty and faultless for the whole ownership period.

I'm a big fan of VW, they expect to knock toyota off its perch as worlds #1 in the next few years.

 

[Keith009]

A lot of conflicting advice.......:-|

 

[Keith009]

Right, the other half has indicated that he prefers smaller cars as he's a nervous driver. We found some nice 2005 BMW 1 series for under 30k, but somehow as these are sold for approx 40k (according to redbook - sounds a bit low??) new the value proposition in getting them used at 28k isn't as compelling as the Audi A4 B7 at the same price....

 

[munitalP]

I was walking through Melbourne BMW yesterday and snapped this celeb in a new 335....

Does anyone know who it is?

Mr!

 

[Flashback]

Yes... and I know about the poor judgement error he made yesterday too

 

[Keith009]

:mrgreen::mrgreen:

Well, as it turned out, BMW Melbourne had a SALE! :shock: Unfortunately that wasn't the car we got. Instead, we're awaiting delivery of our shiny new 118i. How exciting!

We were test driving a used 118i moments before but in the grand scheme of things, the cost difference between a used and a new car was negligible when the potential "issues" that need to be sorted out with the old car were taken into account.

 

[munitalP]

Yes... and I know about the poor judgement error he made yesterday too

says he who drives a Lexus

Mr!

 

[Flashback]

says he who drives a Lexus

Mr!

You're lucky I like XR6/8's

 

[straitman]

Beats me why anyone would drive a Lexus. Just a fancy (& expensive) Toyota in my opinion.

 

[Ric]

Bimmer! Way to go Keith!!
Mr! did a good job.