looking for a real cheap car for my daughter to learn in as i dont want her driving mine. is this worth a look or are vehicles with values this low usually a can of worms! Thanks. heres the link. http://www.sella.co.nz/motoring/cars/nissan/9kdl6z/
mugenb20b,
Feb 18, 10:15am
The car itself is actually good, BUT check for: 1. ANY signs of sludge under the oil cap, use a torch to shine inside the rocker cover. It should look golden / brown, not black, sludgy and gritty (if that makes sense). Walk away if you see any signs of sludge. 2. Listen for ANY squeaking sounds from the rocker cover (cam cover) area. Run away quick, if you can hear any. 3. A rattle on start up, should last less than a second (not necessarily a big problem, but is common). 4. Check the colour and smell of automatic transmission fluid. walk away if it's dark brown or smells burnt. It should be red and clear (but that's rare on an old car). 5. Green coolant. If there's any signs of rusty water around the engine bay or in the radiator, this will cause problems.
In that price range, you probably won't get a perfect car, but at least you can check the above items. Good luck.
gammelvind,
Feb 18, 10:18am
What he said ^^^^
kazbanz,
Feb 18, 11:36am
I agree 100% with mugen. He has it wel covered off. With the old anthrax thoughcheck the operation of both front seatbelts and haul out the spare -you are looking for rust in the well from leaking boot seals
mugenb20b,
Feb 18, 11:44am
I forgot to mention. Check the tyres, most people forget about them, but it's another $400 to replace them. Also, check that you have a spare tyre that fits and tools required to change it. Again, an often overlooked item that will cause a major headache if you have a flat. I see this kind of thing weekly.
dannydmp,
Feb 18, 2:34pm
Thanks for all the info mugen & kazbanz. will get in contact with the owner for a look tomorrow. seen heaps of these bluebirds on the road so cant be too bad. Have just looked at a tidyish but quirky/weird looking 1993 mazda ms-8 efini 2.0L for 1500 bucks today. are they any better! drove real nice & had a modern look to it but seemed to guzzle the gas on the test drive, or maybe its just because i gave it a bit of a workout! ;P
kazbanz,
Feb 18, 2:47pm
Danny--the generic answer re MS8--RUN --run VERY fast.They were luxury cars but just don't seem to have aged well.They have a bit of a rep for blowing up gearboxes and other random acts of explosive nature In your price bracket the niissan is a much safer bet.-and heaps better fuel economy too
fordcrzy,
Feb 18, 3:10pm
You can't learn to drive in an auto. For gods sake get a manual and teach her how to drive. Not just steer a car. If you can't master driving a manual them you shouldn't have a licence.
easygoer,
Feb 18, 6:44pm
It makes more sense to me that an auto is the best option to learn in, once you have learn t how to handle and place the car on the road and gained some confidence then learning a manual will be far easier later on, having said that I started off in a 1936 Chev when autos were a luxury item and I had no trouble learning.
easygoer,
Feb 18, 6:44pm
It makes more sense to me that an auto is the best option to learn in, once you have learn't how to handle and place the car on the road and gained some confidence then learning a manual will be far easier later on, having said that I started off in a 1936 Chev when autos were a luxury item and I had no trouble learning.
vjregal770,
Feb 18, 7:00pm
Don't forget to get an AA check so you can have a detailed report on bugger all.
cowboy110,
Feb 18, 7:20pm
I'd be quite comfortable buying that car at that price for my daughter as a first car.At the end of the day if it all goes tits up you haven't lost too much.They are reasonably bulletproof engines and if you take mugens advice you should be sweet.
aredwood,
Feb 18, 11:06pm
If She does learn in an Auto make sure she doesn't become a left foot breaker. And if she does the restricted test in it she will have an "automatic only" license.
granada,
Feb 18, 11:36pm
Thats a bit harsh, some of the most talented race car drivers are left foot breakers
p_rock,
Feb 19, 12:09am
Yep, auto's are better for beginners.
mugenb20b,
Feb 19, 6:54am
What's wrong with left foot braking! I do it from time to time, you just shouldn't use both feet at once, unless you are reversing in a tight spot or something.
And, left foot braking is a MUST (actually "riding" your brakes would be a better term) when going off road and you are descending down a long slippery track.
ceedoubleyou,
Feb 19, 7:27am
It's only $1300 for ch***ts sake! If any of those things you say do crop up, get the wreckers to pick it up and you still get $200, car will only cost $1100. When my daughter comes home for a 2 week hols, I'll get her one of those, stick back on Trademe with $1 reserve, cheaper than a car hire.
ceedoubleyou,
Feb 19, 7:27am
It's only $1300 for ch***ts sake! If any of those things you say do crop up, get the wreckers to pick it up and you still get $200, car will only cost $1100. When my daughter comes home for a 2 week hols, I'll get her one of those, stick back on Trademe with $1 reserve, cheaper than a car hire. I remember I had a '93 Galant that had reached $900 bidding and a a guy came to inspect, gave it a good going over, and I thought you gotta be kidding, it's just $900, you can't get a bloody trailer for that!
bestgames,
Feb 19, 8:37am
$900 is $900.
electro2000,
Feb 19, 8:49am
amen to that ! and teach her how to read the temp gauge first Teach her how to drive backwards as well
electro2000,
Feb 19, 8:57am
so bloody true , I just sold a car for $1600one idiot rung me up and says can you pay for an aa check! piss off mate has a new warrent and 6 month rego what more you want. The guy I sold it to only wanted it for a year i said to him you'll probably get your money back at the end of it -we had it for a year and half and we only paid $1500. some people expect the world for a cheap car
dannydmp,
Feb 19, 8:33pm
Thanks kazbanz re: the exploding mazda MS8 Efini. will keep well away! went & looked at the bluebird today with the daughter. car was gud for the price & would of bought it but daughter didnt like the beige exterior & poo brown interior! grrr. kids these days! everything on it worked too, was tidy apart from blistering on the bonnet & a knock on the rear left. had a slight vibration through the car in reverse but i would just put that down to a worn gearbox mount as it still drove pretty smooth. typical daughter response "i still want the ms8 efini, its a nicer color than the bluebird" kids these days. the car hunt goes on!
farmer25,
Feb 19, 8:50pm
Yeah stay away from the MS8.Had one, was a piece of junk.The dash mountedgear lever would jam in park,the wing mirrors all stopped working,the dash electrics would go all loopy,and the ignition had to be virtually rebuilt.And I was the first NZ owner.
mileyfan73,
Feb 19, 9:42pm
Cheap doesn't always necessarily mean it's crap,my current car only cost me a grand and it's the most reliable vehicle I've ever had!But some are definitely better than others!Good luck :)
ceedoubleyou,
Feb 20, 5:13am
I have to admit, I'd steer clear of old Mazdas, bought a '94 2.0L Astina for the daughter, thought it was in good nic, everything seemed to work, but within a month, lil' things started to break, not enuff to chuck it, all fixable, but just annoying.
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