Buying my first car

[Banditbandit]

After 8+ years of having a motorcycle as my only form of transport, things have changed and I now require a car... (keeping the bike though)

I've been looking on Trademe for a couple of weeks but am not entirely sure what I am looking for.

My criteria:

$3-6k ($5 and a bag of chips won't do, sorry Akzle)
Automatic
Not CVT
Not Cambelt


I've been told by some trusted individuals to stay away from early model and/or high KM CVT transmissions - the early models were prone to failure and are best avoided. But it seems like nearly every bloody car in my price range is CVT


Any suggestions are appreciated

What do you want a car for? Serious question .. town/city commuting? Sunday cruising in the country ? Picking up the wife/mistress/girlfriend (not all at the same time)? Carrying the shopping or carting rubbish to the dump? How many people you expect to carry in it ???

Having sex in the park? (don't buy a Fiat 500 then) ...

Once you work out what you need then see what is available to fit that ..

[The End]

As per the OPs criteria, had the same situation a couple of years ago. My list was simple, small, manual, NZ new and I'd prefer newer with high kms instead of other way around. Hyundai Getz is what I ended up with. Cheaper to run overall than my Busa, but not exactly swift of course. Manuals are not always easy to find, so I searched a little. If you've got a bit of time to learn and look around, it'll pay off in the long run.

The Getz is something I've been looking at, however as an automatic. What's the quality like and reliability?

[The End]

What do you want a car for? Serious question .. town/city commuting? Sunday cruising in the country ? Picking up the wife/mistress/girlfriend (not all at the same time)? Carrying the shopping or carting rubbish to the dump? How many people you expect to carry in it ???

Having sex in the park? (don't buy a Fiat 500 then) ...

Once you work out what you need then see what is available to fit that ..

Need a car for transport to and from places so that I can turn up dry (a bit tough on the bike ) and also cart the shopping around.

Looking for something cheap to run and reliable - it won't be used every day, but I need it to work when I need to use it.

Mostly city commuting however may be used for the odd 120km return distance trip.

[caspernz]

The Getz is something I've been looking at, however as an automatic. What's the quality like and reliability?

Better than I'd expected. Serviced properly, no reliability issues to date. Just ticked over 150k last month. To be fair, it's used as commuter/runabout only, not a fun highway car. Can tote lots with the back seats folded, the hatchback type of advantage.

[neels]

I'd definately go auto over CVT, most modern autos will outlive the manual drivetrain in the same car.

Toyotas are overpriced for what you get compared to the other mainstream jappas, and if you need OEM parts they are ridiculously expensive. A couple of mates who work on cars for a living recommend steering clear of hondas and subarus.

Nissan is probably the best bet for a reasonably priced car with a camchain engine, some mazdas are definately worth a look as well though, these for instance....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-936421229.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...1083827296.htm

Worth remembering that anything post 2000 is on yearly instead of 6 monthly WOF's, and the ACC levy difference is worth a look too http://www.acc.co.nz/PRD_EXT_CSMP/gr.../wpc137747.pdf

[Maha]

What about a ''2003 Holden Cruze All wheel drive, auto, air-con, 5 door only done 114,450kms reg until Jan 2017, $5500 Any reasonable offers will be considered'' in Greenlane?

Sample only --> http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...1054620047.htm

If you want to have a look just ask. The owners are moving over seas and it needs to go.

[Gremlin]

One thing I may mention, is that the manual > auto thing is changing. Market wise, the majority of vehicles now are auto, so the manufacturers are spending more on auto R&D rather than the other way around.

Case in point is the one model back Navara. The auto actually has a better reputation and word is you have to change a couple of things on the manual before it's solid. Simply manufacturers spending on auto R&D but for the utes especially, they know they have to keep supplying a manual.

Makes me happy. It's been years since I drove a manual (when learning to drive) and deliberately won't buy a manual especially with Auckland traffic. Bikes are the other way around

[neels]

One thing I may mention, is that the manual > auto thing is changing. Market wise, the majority of vehicles now are auto, so the manufacturers are spending more on auto R&D rather than the other way around.

Case in point is the one model back Navara. The auto actually has a better reputation and word is you have to change a couple of things on the manual before it's solid. Simply manufacturers spending on auto R&D but for the utes especially, they know they have to keep supplying a manual.

Makes me happy. It's been years since I drove a manual (when learning to drive) and deliberately won't buy a manual especially with Auckland traffic. Bikes are the other way around

Not to mention detuning of engines, particularly common rail diesels, to stop the torque breaking bits of the drivetrain.

I've got lazy in my old age, and drive an auto to work and back, sitting in traffic in a manual car sucks arse.

[flashg]

The Getz is something I've been looking at, however as an automatic. What's the quality like and reliability?

My mum has a 2010 getz auto, the tranz never changes like it should, it's been checked and she was told it's fine. Gotta call Bullshit on that.
I bought my daughter a Toyota vitz two door, Year 2000 model, 1000cc auto with OD. 135,000 km digital dash (cool) injected, cam chain, plug mounted coils,keyless entry. Paid $4000 goes great changes gear perfectly. It's light "pink" shouldn't get stolen. She loves it.

[Akzle]

One thing I may mention, is that the manual > auto thing is changing. Market wise, the majority of vehicles now are auto, so the manufacturers are spending more on auto R&D rather than the other way around.

Case in point is the one model back Navara. The auto actually has a better reputation and word is you have to change a couple of things on the manual before it's solid. Simply manufacturers spending on auto R&D but for the utes especially, they know they have to keep supplying a manual.

Makes me happy. It's been years since I drove a manual (when learning to drive) and deliberately won't buy a manual especially with Auckland traffic. Bikes are the other way around

lolololololololololololololol

and who the fuck do you know that uses a late model navara in anger??

They're sales reps cars. Over glorified stationwagons. And the new ones are gay.
And autos are gay.

I believe they've almost managed to mass produce an auto as fuel efficient as a manual.

[Stylo]

What about a ''2003 Holden Cruze All wheel drive, auto, air-con, 5 door only done 114,450kms reg until Jan 2017, $5500 Any reasonable offers will be considered'' in Greenlane?

Sample only --> http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...1054620047.htm

If you want to have a look just ask. The owners are moving over seas and it needs to go.

Don't buy a Cruze, they're the epitome of the badly made car ... they're rubbish



Watch this about 3.44



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt5UTFuQUys

[george formby]

Quick question. I've always avoided small engine cars with auto but I'm seeing favorable reports on dinky Jizz's, Gitz and the like? How do they go? I've had fun in dinky manuals but autos on hills or overtaking were terrible.

[RJC]

and who the fuck do you know that uses a late model navara in anger??

I believe they've almost managed to mass produce an auto as fuel efficient as a manual.

My brother has a few as farm trucks, both manual and auto. The autos piss all over the manuals.

I've always had manual Utes, next one will be auto

[caspernz]

Quick question. I've always avoided small engine cars with auto but I'm seeing favorable reports on dinky Jizz's, Gitz and the like? How do they go? I've had fun in dinky manuals but autos on hills or overtaking were terrible.

Depends on the vintage. Older 4 speed autos with small engines are like a GN250 really. Newer 5 or 6 speed autos or CVT not bad.

[Laava]

Not to mention detuning of engines, particularly common rail diesels, to stop the torque breaking bits of the drivetrain.

I've got lazy in my old age, and drive an auto to work and back, sitting in traffic in a manual car sucks arse.

Exactly! The 4wd utes of the last decade have all had problems with clutches, and this has led to them being offered as autos across the board. The new hilux has considerably more torque available as an auto, my guess is because of problems in the past with their clutches etc. All the people I know with the new autos are rapt with them