4 cyl cars to $8,000?

[4vxc]

I'm looking for a 2nd car up to around 8k needs to be a 4cyl manual, have seen Getz with low k's but I have never really had much to do with small cars so could use some advice, thanks.

[RG]

My mrs was looking at this bracket recently. We went with an 01 Suzuki Baleno and she couldn't be happier. Half decent looking, moves when you hit the go pedal, good brakes, decent steering, a decent safety rating and it even does well on the highway. All that with great economy so we are happy.

[Pat Riley]

I think Nissan Pulsars around 2001 or 2002 model are the best value for money in this range.

Nissan Pulsars on Carsales

[baboon]

Go for a 2005 Toyota Echo and dont look back. Good luck.

[Fairlane]

Getz for sure, seen nice ones with around 100k on them for 7G. Otherwise i suggest the good old Ford Laser, 2001 models are worth that money now. Astras & Vectra's are worth a look but service prices can be scary

Toyota Echo & Corolla are overpriced, Mazda 2's & Civic's still too dear, Jazz too new, Lancers have been thrashed by P platers, and im personally not a huge Pulsar fan.

[ea90gl]

A decent Hyundai wouldnt be too bad, not sure if I just got lucky or what but I picked up a 97 Sonata 2.0ltr manual for 550, spent about $300 to fix eveything up and she drives great with 187000 on the clock. Feels like it will last a while too. Just research the cost of parts, if it wasnt for the pick a part I go to eveything would have cost about about $650 from around the wreckers instead of the $300 all up. My cousin who is a panel beater also tells me hyundai parts are expensive

[Captain Stubing]

I hired a Getz for a week, while my car was in the panel beaters.... it was okay as a means of transport... a cheap car to run, but that's all!

And... Not comfortable to sit in!

[Airmon]

N16 Pulsars are great, but definitely go the 1.8 over the 1.6, if you can find a Pulsar Q or SSS with the 2.0l even better!

I was recently in the same boat, ended up with an older Mazda 626 wagon, was alot cheaper then what you are looking at, but for the price the room, comfort and go it had was great and for a 2.2lt is pretty good on fuel. Only downside would be safety, but for your price range you can be alot better off.

[Martys-Bionic-XR]

I got myself a 1999 subaru liberty RX (2.5ltr) including stampduty it came in jsut under 9k...which is a baragin

[Creampuff]

daughter's boyfriend just bought a 2002 Corolla with 41,000 kms ...immaculate condition for $8000...great car.

[JerseyVics]

I had a Huyndai Getz rental car in Saint Martin... could barely make it up the hills. I also had a Toyota Yaris (echo) in Aruba, and that was better, but still felt slower than the speed of smell!

--Russ

[SSVPom]

Don't get a pre'07 Hyundai Elantra as the manual gearbox / clutch set up is awful to drive... we had one.

The Auto would be OK, as the manual gearbox was the worst part of the car we thought !

[XR Martin]

Last model Lasers and 323s are about that price and are pretty good.

[Gabbs]

Nissan pulsar are great cars. Just picked one up this week a 1998 pulsar which was in great condition for 6000. It was an auto hatchback. Knocked 3 grand off the price so if you are going car hunting at a dealer play hardball cause they need to sell them.

[4vxc]

not really a Nissan fan, have driven a Echo before seems a bit weird but probably better then Hyundais?

[4vxc]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Last model Lasers and 323s are about that price and are pretty good.

thanks, thats something I could look at also

[XR8AU2121]

Check www.pickles.com.au they are always selling ex-rental 3 door manual Getz. There are so many, check the fixed price option that you are sure to find a good one.
They are selling at auction for $8,000/$8,250. They are around 14 to 16 months old with 30,000 odd k's, so there is heaps of factory warranty remaining. (Hyundai's have 5 year, 130,000k warrantys)
While they will not break any speed records, if you just want basic reliable transport with 7lt/100k's, or less on the freeway, they are hard to beat.
My daughter just bought one from Pickles Sydney and apart from a couple of stone chips on the front bar it still looked like new inside and drives perfectly. It still has factory warranty until August 2012.
Check them out.

[XR Martin]

Edit: No matter, already said

[290v]

My wife and daughter both drive KN Lasers had no problems with them wife bought hers new in 2000 the daughter bought hers 3 months ago for $7000

[Nickxb]

I saw an 03 focus with 116000 on the clock go for $6000 today at auction. Hit those places for a deal