please we need some advice and guidance. Am helping my son buy a car, but it is like the blind leading the blind. His first 2 cars. welllll let's say we all make mistakes. This time we want to make sure he gets a semi decent car. But we don't know where to start. He is a student, has around 4k, will NOT buy another vehicle without a pre purchase inspection (twice burned) and moving back to the city (Wellington) in the next 6 weeks. He, of course would love a Subaru B4 but am not so sure. He needs something that is 'suited to a young man', economical, a good reliable vehicle, 4 door, will be traveling often back to Palmerston North so cheap but not too nasty. Low running and maintenance costs would be a bonus. I have scoured the listings but I simply have no idea what is good and what isn't apart from my own car lol (which isn't for sale and he couldn't afford it right now). I have saved a couple on my WL but would really really appreciate if anyone who loves looking through listings could point us in the right direction. Many many thanks.
tamarillo,
May 27, 6:08pm
If he's going to Wellington is it fair to say he'll use public transport a fair bit there? If so then most miles will likely be on open road so reasonable size car is needed. Is he interested in cars or would he be happy with something really boring but dependable?
madj,
May 27, 6:12pm
He loves cars but mostly as a 'boy' eg, his first car was a 2 door nissan skyline but it proved to be a bit of a lemon sadly, his next a nissan bluebird which he was burned. Fair to say, and I don't know if it is possible he wants a car like a B4 that looks good but has the reliability of something boring and dependable. I think if it comes to a decision on compromise it will need to look reasonable and be more towards the boring and reliable. He knows in the future when he is earning he can get 'the dream' but it is hard not to look with your heart. Hope you know what I mean. Yes he will likely use public transport while doing his internship but will be traveling often.
madj,
May 27, 6:18pm
No not nana at all lol, you are on the right track indeed. I personally like sportyish like cars as well, so kinda knows what he likes so have been searching for a while today online but I am just getting confused so I really appreciate the help :)
2sheddies,
May 27, 6:22pm
I would definitely recommend forgetting about Subarus, especially older, well thrashed turbo versions if reliability and low fuel and maintenance costs are a concern. Insurance could be costly also. Trouble with them is, they're cheap to buy and go fast. so popular with the hoons who wreck them. Much like the Skylines.
carstauranga001,
May 27, 6:22pm
What? That's a Subaru Impreza, nothing at all to do with Ford or Mazda. I'm thinking you put up the wrong link?
madj,
May 27, 6:28pm
The models I prefer are toyota, nissan, honda and mazda. Mitsi's at a push and if there is such a thing a good subaru (my sister had a fully kitted wrx which was very nice). He found out the hard way about an older skyline so we are keen to avoid any of those traps again, hence why we are asking here. I realise that everyone will have an opinion and I am open to look at anything and pass them on to him. None of us here are great at the finer aspects of which is a good car and am glad we don't do this often.
tamarillo,
May 27, 6:38pm
Arguably Nissan isn't always in same category, some of their cars are rather inferior cheaply made cars. Exception might be Primera which is very popular. I'd add ford to that list. Good laser (actually a Mazda) , decent mondeo is good open road car. Agreed to miss mitsi , of course there's some good ones but there's a lot of really bad cars too! Best car is one that does job, has no known great problems, is well looked after and serviced with proof. Has good parts availability (not orphan import) , drives well and feels tight, and checks out with mechanic. And has some appeal to driver as then he'll look after it and want to keep it serviced! Have limited looks to your area, but adding Wellington would open up lots of stuff.
franc123,
May 27, 6:38pm
This can't be emphasized enough, if you are after low cost motoring the last thing you want is an old B4 Legacy in your life. The chances of finding a genuine low k impeccably maintained one are pretty low, most are just too buggered to be worth considering these days. People have sunk 5 figure sums into as many years of ownership keeping these things on the road and that doesn't include fuel and insurance.
tamarillo,
May 27, 6:42pm
Two left of field possibilities depend on access to good specialist service centre that can get parts and knows the cars. VW golf. The European Corolla. Well serviced ones can do huge miles. Tend to be better open road cars than jap cars of same era as that's what VW built them for. BMW 318i. Very solid cars that are great on open road but not too big. Nice to drive, great steering etc. can do huge miles but best to have someone who knows them to service it, though can last years with just oil and filter changes.
tamarillo,
May 27, 6:44pm
Agreed. What about a simple manual 1500 Impreza though? Understood they were very sound.
madj,
May 27, 6:45pm
Thanks so very much so far, I can pass that on to him although I suspected subarus not a desired car i can emphatically tell him why. I am quoting you guys to him. it was so hard to watch how disappointed he was with the last 2 cars (although he did have to learn that lesson on his own it was a very hard one).
2sheddies,
May 27, 6:47pm
Definitely second the Laser. Had 3 older ones over the years and all were totally reliable. Great wee cars. As said, can be made to look quite sporty with some aftermarket wheels etc.
madj,
May 27, 6:53pm
I know how he is feeling though with buying from the heart I did the same but thank goodness it paid off, I have had trouble free motoring for the last few years and maintain my car well, and I love it. I want him to have the same thrill as well with a well thought out purchase but we simply don't have the expertise and none of our friends either. I know your advise and guidance will be invaluable
2sheddies,
May 27, 6:56pm
You soon learn after going through a couple of lemons that were bought mostly on appearances alone that looks aren't necessarily top priority. You start to worry less about that and more about getting something reliable, efficient and easy to maintain, even if you don't feel quite as cool in it. It's no use having a fancy blinged up boy racer car that spends more time off the road than on it, and nearly sends you to the poorhouse due to endless breakdowns. Thats even less cool. Reliability and practicality before 'coolness'. I reckon.
madj,
May 27, 6:58pm
Agreed :). am hoping he also sees sense :)
m16d,
May 28, 3:44am
Could it be that his style of driving is what has caused the 1st 2 cars to crap out.
kazbanz,
May 28, 6:53am
medj-Reading through your posts im getting a picture. First of all his second car-A Nissan Bluebird should be very reliable. This to me indicates a couple of possible causes. 1)it was already no good 2)his actions or lack of mechanical sympathy caused issues. if it was definitely 1) then a decent PP inspection will hugely reduce the chances of a repeat. But number 2 really needs to be considered. The other thing is that he is a student. So "looking good" really shouldn't be on his priority list. -he can think about that when he's working personally if 4k is his actual budget Id be asking his yearly maintainence budget.-this pays for tyres/brakes/servicing etc. if its a yearly amount of around $1000 then go ahead and buy a $4000 car. If you get a blank stare then I'd be factoring in this stuff into the purchase price he can spend. Good car tidy needing a couple of tyres and a service -Theres $500 ish needs to be found fairly soon for example. Good car with cambelt due within 10000km then again theres $600 ish on average to find. Sorry if this seems a lecture Im just concerned he rushes in buys a car then either wrecks it due to lack of symopathy or lack of maintainence. To be hone3st a late 1990's bluebird would be one suggestion I would make. less sought after by the boy racer types. For 4k you are getting into Nissan Sunny/pulsar 1500cc early 2000's DY5 Mazda Demio's with higher milage might be another answer. Toyota Will is something a bit left field but is basicly a Vitz/echo. They are cheaper than mainstream models but its only the looks that a different-mechanically they are the same as the echo. -mitght be funky enough
kazbanz,
May 28, 6:57am
madj--I would just run by us the specific car he might be looking at as first line of defence,-DEFINITEKLY for his budget Legacy B4/wrx etc would be a very bad call.
budgel,
May 28, 8:45am
I would be wary of automatic Golfs in that price range.
intrade,
May 28, 9:31am
here is what i would do in wellington you want a automatic so that limmits it to 90s toyotas only with 3 or 3 speed and overdrive automatic transmissions from aisin . next it needs to be 4 cilinder petrol from toyota. model wont matter and then rust is the number 1 issue on these older vehicles . checks you can do by looking under oil cap if its lookes like oil has been baked in to the oil filler cap= tipical toyota owner neglect doing oil changes only when it seems to go slower up hills . also automatic trans pull dipstick when engine runs and mesure fluid level hot or cold depending on what the vehicle is warmed up or not fluid colour should be nice red whine like colour if maintained and smell fluid should not have burned smell to it .
tamarillo,
May 28, 2:00pm
Intrade, don't see op saying it has to be auto. Indeed suggest will use buses in city so car at weekends, nights, trips home to palmy. Plus kid likes cars. So maybe manual advised?
madj,
May 28, 5:49pm
Thank you everyone definitely helpful posts, and for the record his first 2 cars were impulse buys and were not good to start with despite advising to get a pre purchase inspection (which we did with his 'mates' car which proved to leak oil) he went with his heart. We have all been in his shoes and wanted more than we can realistically afford and he is still young and making his own decisions - with a little help. He is a driver with 4 years experience and still a lot to learn. He loves manual cars and is his preference (but with his budget an auto may be the only choice) and yep he probably drives them a bit rough, but I wasn't a brilliant driver when I started either and I learned through my mistakes as well. He has always looked after the cars he has had despite the lemon status, they have always seen him from A to B with no mechanical issues. He knows that looks arent the end all and be all and knows he cannot afford the car he really really wants but can afford a car he needs, but hey even I at his age wanted things to look good and it took me 20 odd years to get that lol From his last bad experience once all finances are sorted we will try and work a budget with him including running and maintenance cost, he is entering an internship in another month and with his qualifications and if it works out it will likely lead to a good job, but we are not counting chickens before they hatch. I am resigned to the fact that as much as trying to help him he may still decide to do something dumb but even I at my advanced age am still guilty of that. I am passing on all the advice from here and I do appreciate the time ppl are taking. Once we are close to a decision if still involved lol (he may sack me as a vehicular acquisition advisor yet! ) I will definitely post here for advice. By next week available finances should be sorted and we shall be in serious looking mode. Being in Wellington he knows the public transport is great so is planning on using it. Thanks everyone
nesta129,
May 28, 6:00pm
I would fore-go the subaru B4 unless you have its whole service history and its manual. The bluebird would be a good buy or even a primera. If he wants a sporty car thats cheap on gas,reliable.Go for a honda integra or civic.The EG and EK civics are very good.There are 4 door ones.Parts are cheaper,the cars are easier to work on (pay less in insurance,I presume)
safteystv,
May 28, 7:40pm
what about the 3l b4 .
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