Hi all. I'm a young female (well 35 years young) and I'm wanting to buy a hatchback with a budget of $6k tops. Super cheap on petrol and good to drive around town. I'm wanting something that won't give me too many issues and won't cost me much at the mechanics if I put it in for a service every 6 months. I started off looking at VW Golf around 2001 until I read about transmission issues and parts being expensive, then Honda Fits (good fuel ratings) around 2005 which apparently also have transmission issues. So now I'm onto Mazda Demio and starting to think I should buy a bicycle because I'm getting confused. Would really appreciate some advice from those in the know. Thanks.
matarautrader,
Feb 12, 3:42am
Call into Millars Car Centre. Someone there will give you good advice.
petal_91,
Feb 12, 3:56am
Yeah Mazda Demios are pretty good, lots of boot space and nothing too complicated that might go wrong and be expensive to fix.
They have a nice and simple 4 speed standard automatic that is pretty reliable. None of that CVT, or DSG nonsense.
vtecnet is spot on with his comments. The Mazda Demio has either poor, very poor or dreadful safety rating depending on its year of manufacture. I wouldn't even let my dog travel in one. The safety rating of the vehicle is the most important factor that you need to consider when buying a vehicle unless you're one of these people that think that they're never going to be involved in a crash. You can see the safety ratings by typing "used car safety ratings'' and getting Google to find it. It will be: "Buyers Guide to Used Car Safety Ratings 2014-15" @ aa.co.nz website.
vtecnet,
Feb 12, 4:29am
The crash test only emulates crashing into a car of equal weight (it says so on that website) , so yes, if you crash into another small 900kg car you might live and the car has a 4 star rating in that scenario if you crash into my 5 Series BMW thats 1600kg you may not, despite my car having the same rating on that website, you can't beat physics. The real world tests are more useful, as they are obtained from researching real car crash data.
mack77,
Feb 12, 4:38am
"vtecnet" is correct once again. The crash tests quoted in my posting above are the same ones that he refers to and are arrived at as a result of actual crashes in Australia and New Zealand.
got2trade,
Feb 12, 5:26am
Thanks. I called my mechanic today who told me not to touch a VW Golf as they are expensive for parts. He told me to buy a Toyota or a Mazda 3 (assuming that is like a Familia).
What are the polo's like? The have smaller engines that the golf after a quick flick through of the listings and I'm wanting to save on fuel costs.
mugenb20b,
Feb 12, 12:26pm
Polo is just the next size down from Golf so it's still a Volkswagen. Generally, European cars are cheaper to run than Japanese and are nicer to drive but can get expensive when they go wrong.
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 12:44pm
Golf transmissions was an issue with the dsg double clutch boxes in later cars and these boxes were in VW, Audi, Skoda etc. an earlier car in your price range will have a standard torque converter gearbox not a dsg. Then there is matter of dsg boxes being used in millions now so the recall was actually pretty small. Even little ford have them now.
The golf and polo are the corollas of Europe. If you find s local specialist workshop that favours these euros it won't cost any more as there is great parts supply. There is nothing odd or weird about them. Hell we used to assemble golfs, renaults, etc here in NZ decades ago.
Imo the best car is the best you find that you like. If a really nice polo, with full service history, careful ownership, and garaged and looked after comes up at reasonable price grab it. If it's a ford and you like it, same. There are very very few lemons out there and if you find something that your not sure of ask here. For instance early Kia no. Holden bought in some crap Korean dross with Holden badges like viva. Run. Daewoo run.
Any ford, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, VW, Skoda, Audi is a good car. Mazda Demeo is an old fashioned car that's true. Mazda 3 is better but more dollars.
I hear VW polo. Lady friend just got one and loves it. It's simple conventional mechanics but nippy and fun to drive with a quality air. She found a good one and paid dealers price for long term value.
Find a good one that feels good, works well. Looks looked after, has service history, and you like. Get it checked, ask here in case it's a model you are not aware of. A great Skoda is better than a stuffed Mercedes.
got2trade,
Feb 12, 1:26pm
Thanks so much for the advice. I have considered everything said and have decided to go and visit a garage that specialises in VW and the likes as I very much like the Golf's and had my heart set on that. My main dilemma is that I have about a week to get a car as my employment depends on it and it's not as simple as catching a train or bus temporarily.
Oh and this was the car I was first interested in Listing #: 846079494
kazbanz,
Feb 12, 2:36pm
I honestly feel that with your budget you are asking for trouble looking at a golf or polo. $5000 bets you into a DY series Mazda demio from 2002 to 2007 depending on miles.It gets you into a Toyota Vitz or Platz. All of which might bore you to death but will give good reliable service.
poppajn,
Feb 12, 2:42pm
Toyota Vitz/ Echo.
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 3:50pm
$5000 buys a really nice 2003 golf with conventional auto and low kms. A good one will give great service.
twincam1,
Feb 12, 4:10pm
Does he pay you commision?
kazbanz,
Feb 12, 4:35pm
-money where mouth is then--wheres a $5000 2003 golf with low k'm ?
trogedon,
Feb 12, 4:39pm
MGBGT
countrypete,
Feb 12, 6:08pm
Huh! You're only saying that because you KNOW it will break down, and then the OP will have to use a pushbike. Your masterplan at work!
tamarillo,
Feb 12, 6:10pm
An 02 with 130km at $4500. An 03 golf 2lites with 105 km at 4500 in chch. Plus few 02-03 golfs with less than 130km on no reserve auction at present and I'd put a buck on none getting over $5000. It's what things really sell for that matters. You're very cynical it seems, try searching first!
got2trade,
Feb 12, 6:39pm
I have spoken to a European specialist mechanic this morning and explained I was interested in the golf and also the 2005 Honda fit and he advised me to go for the Honda fit. Have seen an 03 Toyota corolla on side of the road today 179kms asking $5350ono but I'm pretty sure I'm going to hate driving it as it seems large/high at the back and I need something with good all round visibility like my old 95 Nissan pulsar I just sold. I'm currently borrowing a 95 BMW hatch and it's awful to park and reverse of that reason and if a small child were behind the vehicle I'm sure they wouldn't be seen either. Due to the fact that I'm not out on the open road (couple times a year maybe) I'm not too worried about having all the best safety features but want to be happy with how my new car drives/feels and be proud to own it. I've been checking out the ford focus but again too high at the back but the fiesta looks good. Have also applied for a 3k top up from the bank to add to my savings of 6k but yet to hear back. Ideally I'd love to spend 4k and have cash in the bank still but not at the risk of being unhappy with my purchase or buying something that is just too old.
skyblue17,
Feb 12, 7:11pm
Golf may be a bit of a 'waste' around town. The Polo would suit tho. Talking to a young (23) woman the other day who scored a 2009 Golf off Trademe. It was a red one and immaculate (altho she had stone chips on the bonnet resprayed). She paid $6000 and her father (Sth Auck car dealer) encouraged her to get it. So my point is that bargains are around if you have the luxury of time to watch and wait.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 12, 7:16pm
Hi got2trade, I would add my vote to the MK5 Golf (that's the new one starting 04) there are a couple of VW specialists up your way that are incredibly good value. Once is burger motor works and the other one is on the north shore, if you search posts by poster haventrader he mentioned it a while back, otherwise ask him.
If you have up to 9K available you may even be able to afford a MK6 Golf with the really low maintenance 1.4 engine and transmission. Otherwise if buying a MK5 you want to allow $1500 to bring all servicing up to date. Then you will get 5 years of really just filter and oil changes. Pretty much any car in that cheaper price range is going to need some money spent on it so don't consider that to be an extra cost just because it's a Golf. If you go about it right the Golf can be cheap to own, but you need to know what to look for and expect. If you go down that track I would be more than happy to do up a bit of a buyers guide for you so that you know what to check for and what to allow for servicing etc with a particular car.
I also have another idea for you. around 6K can buy you a Fiat Grande Punto. Those are also incredible on fuel and have a 5 star crash rating. Not as refined as the Golf but very low/cheap maintenance and parts are cheap too. They are also pretty much the same as the current model so a nice late model looking car for your money. Like the Golf they are built to do 200km/h down the autobahn so are very nice to drive and very capable on the open road.
I would also be happy to do you a buyers guide for one of those. They are a lot of car for the money and a nice low km NZ new one would be a really good bet for low cost motoring from a depreciation, running cost and service/repair point of view.
Oh, and one more thing. With regard to the Polo, don't get one in your price range. The Golf is a far better car for the money, only the really new Polo which starts around 12K is up to snuff really. Also, keep an eye on the Skoda's I saw a really nice one owner low km Skoda Fabia (much the same as a Golf as VW/Skoda/Audi are the same company) was on here for about 6K the other day.
delmic,
Feb 12, 7:24pm
I was just about thinking Tamarillo was Jazz but he cant be as they are both on here
jmma,
Feb 12, 7:28pm
Listen to the Mechanic! Not someone who is named after a fruit or someone that makes Pies (o:
kazbanz,
Feb 12, 7:42pm
You said LOW km's --how on earth do you say Low and 130km at the same time? stand in a car yard and say that and you would be laughed off the yard
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