looking for a used car...

[HULK_I6T]

A guy I know was involved in an at fault accident last week and wrote off his car. he only had 3rd party insurance so car scrapped..

He needs a car to commute to work so he asked me what he should get. He has lost a bit of money on the written off vehicle but wants something cheap, enough space/safe enough so he can drop his two kids off to daycare of a morning and not give him many issues.

So as you do.... logged onto carsales and ive given him a search criteria that are "musts" to get a decent car (absolute minimum spec)

Maximum price < $10,000 (he cant really spend more than this
Kilometers < 120,000 (so the car still has a bit of life left in her)
Years > 2004 (more than 10 years old will start giving problems)
Engine cc > 2000 (usually more than 2.0L will be a reasonably spacious car for kids)
Location : NSW (he doesnt want to go across the country for a cheap car)

In this price range id also stick to a popular make/model for availability of parts and cost.. Toyota, ford, holden etc. But there is no search criteria to include multiple brands etc..

Any other criteria that should be added? or any of the above criteria need to be relaxed / changed??

DISCLAIMER: Im not saying that cars that fall out of this criteria are of scrap value, but its very different from owning a car from young to old than buying a car that's already old or high mileage etc not knowing its history.

[FPV+fteT3]

Check rear main oil seal.

[Express]

2005 Honda Accord Euro $9,700

He says its been 100% reliable and excellent inside and out.

I'd still check the rear seal though.


http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...3368162/?Cr=25

[MAGPIE]

A Camry, they are good for a 5 sec 0-100

[Grippy]

What about the EL Falcon you're currently selling Hulk?

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by Grippy

What about the EL Falcon you're currently selling Hulk?

Its not mine. Selling it for a friend. He wants something newer, told him about it already.

[sly_ba]

You seem to know all there is to know about buying "mint" cars... Why ask us.

You could always give him some tips on what his neighbours/friend will think of any new purchase? Or perhaps some advice on "living within his means...

As others have said, better check that rear main seal...

[Iggle Piggle]

Damn, poor bastard! A maximum price of only $10k, well that puts his gross annual income at only $20k if we apply the 'Spend Half Your Yearly Salary' model.

[GasoLane]

It would be helpful if people addressed the thread subject and not the poster.

[Mont5.0]

Coupla good buys in for sales section

[cs123]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Coupla good buys in for sales section

Speaking of which, shouldn't this thread be in the Sales Yard?

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

A guy I know was involved in an at fault accident last week and wrote off his car. he only had 3rd party insurance so car scrapped..

He needs a car to commute to work so he asked me what he should get. He has lost a bit of money on the written off vehicle but wants something cheap, enough space/safe enough so he can drop his two kids off to daycare of a morning and not give him many issues.

So as you do.... logged onto carsales and ive given him a search criteria that are "musts" to get a decent car (absolute minimum spec)

Maximum price < $10,000 (he cant really spend more than this
Kilometers < 120,000 (so the car still has a bit of life left in her)
Years > 2004 (more than 10 years old will start giving problems)
Engine cc > 2000 (usually more than 2.0L will be a reasonably spacious car for kids)
Location : NSW (he doesnt want to go across the country for a cheap car)

In this price range id also stick to a popular make/model for availability of parts and cost.. Toyota, ford, holden etc. But there is no search criteria to include multiple brands etc..

Any other criteria that should be added? or any of the above criteria need to be relaxed / changed??

DISCLAIMER: Im not saying that cars that fall out of this criteria are of scrap value, but its very different from owning a car from young to old than buying a car that's already old or high mileage etc not knowing its history.

Perhaps you could let us know what you recommended to him and then we could give you some feedback?

[Beastie]

Might also suggest to your mate to maybe go <$9K and get comprehensive insurance on their next car with the difference.

[Sabantien]

Plenty of decent cars in that criteria. I'd definitely be taking The_Beast's advice and using change on comprehensive insurance.

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by The Beast

Might also suggest to your mate to maybe go <$9K and get comprehensive insurance on their next car with the difference.

Lol good point.

[Raptor]

You could still get a reliable BA/BF with double or triple those kms.

So select Ford / Falcon, blow out the age a few more years and disregard the 'as new' under 120 thou kms limit.

Could include Territory's as well

[Franco Cozzo]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-3390941/?Cr=0

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by Raptor

You could still get a reliable BA/BF with double or triple those kms.

So select Ford / Falcon, blow out the age a few more years and disregard the 'as new' under 120 thou kms limit.

Could include Territory's as well

You don't need to blow the kms too much to get a decent Falcon.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...3329596/?Cr=11

Or go the Fairlane Ghia still within the age range. http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-3458650/?Cr=1

[blackf6]

Get an ex hire car.

[Whitey-AMG]

Hulk, you need to prove you are a real person. Im starting to think you're a spambot. Your thread creating abilities and frequency are amazing.

[tonys6550]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-3390941/?Cr=0

Nah, The handbrake and indicator stalk is on the wrong side!

[b2428]

My Mondeo diesel when I can figure out a price and replace the starter motor. Honestly for space, economy, reasonable get up and go and handling they are pretty darn good. I stepped out of a BA fairmont. The fairmont was more comfy in a soft soft way, But the mondeo eats it for breakfast through the bends

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by tonys6550

Nah, The handbrake and indicator stalk is on the wrong side!

Nah yours is on the wrong side

[SSD-85]

$5-6k car, use the change to correct potential issues & mod.

Or does that make too much sense? Since obviously paying $10k for a car & having no money to fix what could go wrong in the immediate future is the better option. All of that being solely based on the idea that it being under 10yrs old & having under 120,000kms means that it will have NO issues for a long time....

[tonys6550]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Nah yours is on the wrong side

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by Raptor

You could still get a reliable BA/BF with double or triple those kms.

So select Ford / Falcon, blow out the age a few more years and disregard the 'as new' under 120 thou kms limit.

Could include Territory's as well

I tried to push falcon to him but he thinks he will be punished on fuel economy. But falcons are tough and any repairs are relatively cheap offsetting fuel economy gains of smaller cars.. people need to digest this.

But still have to be careful with falcons... most xt falcons have spent their time thrashed as a hire car. Much better to go fairmont/g6/xr as private buyers usually pick em up and treat them properly.

Xt hire cars are probably worse than ex coppers.

[CoupeKing]

If it can deliver a Pizza then it's reliable.

[buggerlugs]

So this one is " A guy I know" not "a friend of mine"...............
Can't wait for tomorrows new thread............

[timeout]

This wouldn't be for old mate who had a leaking rear main would it ??

[MercurySilver]