is there any such thing as a quality used car?

[RAPID_BA]

I went over to carcity at mitchinbury with a girl I know to “keep the bast¤»ds honest" so to speak. She is not overly fussed on what just had a budget and wants a quality car in excellent condition.

I walk past and see a mazda 3 that looked ok, it had a low km sticker on the windscreen, I looked on the sales card and it had 138000km, low km? Not in my book, other than that the freyed seats turned me away.

Other cars in the yard were either had excessive scratches, door trims damaged or misses, interior panels missing, rough bodies, new light and on other side old light.

We stumbled onto a commodore which sort of looked ok, took it for a drive. 1hen cold the gearbox didn't know what it wanted to do and at idle hunted all over the place. I bring the car back and tell the salesman and he acts all surprised.

All the cars are also high in price and rubbish condition. Being a ford fan I noticed every ba-bf had stripes all over them, even fairmonts. All of the cars are parked on loose rocks so you can't really see if they leak oil etc. One car on its windscreen had written "only 173000km"....only ???

There was a 1.4 litre hyundai getz, ex hire car with 60000km for $12990, few scratches and scuffed dash, for a joke I said any cheaper for cash he says $12500 no less. I even tried to haggle, he wouldn't budge. YOU CAN GET ONE BRAND NEW FOR $12990 PICK YOUR COLOUR!!

I think that all the quality used cars out there are not for sale, a quality used car that is actually for sale is very very rare, most people offload cars because there is something wrong with them

Are my standards too high or do people/yards just offload the rubbish? We left the yard and I told her to either look for a mint private car or save up a bit more and grab a new lancer or something.

[Franco Cozzo]

138,000 isn't really very high kilometers, I'd call 300,000+ on the high side.

Even then, I'd take a car with a full service history with 200,000km over a car with 100,000km and no service history at all, or one/two over that period.

[RAPID_BA]

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

In saying that, In that yard, even cars with 50000km looked like that had 200000km. - just couldn't believe the bad condition.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.
.

Theirs your problem and looks to now become hers,unfortunate that.

Their are FG XR6T's with over 100kms on them and you wouldnt pay 10k for one.......

Would you pay 10k for one with 99,000kms?

Plenty of quality cars around these days,just need the eye/cash at the time to secure them.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

In saying that, In that yard, even cars with 50000km looked like that had 200000km. - just couldn't believe the bad condition.

Cars are a bit more robust than what you think, especially when they've been taken care of. Hardly the down-hill run if its been looked after.

Two family friends have cars with 500,000km+ which they bought new and still on their original engines, one has been through a few clutches and a tail shaft, the other an auto.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Two family friends have cars with 500,000km+ which they bought new and still on their original engines, one has been through a few clutches and a tail shaft, the other an auto.

For interest sake none of these are Falcons either, an early 90s Subaru Liberty and a 1990 Honda Integra.

[lockieoc]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

What decade are you living in?? any car built in the last 10 years is easily good for 200k, sure thrash it a bit and your going to begin to shorten its life but seriously..... 100k and its all down hill from there??
You have established in the past that Car City isnt up to your expectation so why keep going back? why bother buying from a dealer just so you can get a crappy warranty, plenty of private sellers out there willing to do a deal.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

In saying that, In that yard, even cars with 50000km looked like that had 200000km. - just couldn't believe the bad condition.

Could I interest you in a W427 with 138,000k's on the clock for only $11,990?

Or what about my 65 stang with only 8000 miles on the clock. Too bad the clock only goes to 100,000. No service history either.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by irish2

Could I interest you in a W427 with 138,000k's on the clock for only $11,990?

Man, I'd take that. I assume you're not serious though

I've always bought used and as of yet never bought a lemon. Sure they all had their little problems, but even new cars can still have faults.

Sounds like the car yard you went to Hulk is a bit dodgy. Some of the little yards are. So are some of the big ones. But like has been posted there are some quality used cars out there, and 100,000kms isnt over the hill unless it's a little buzz box that has been thrashed.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by irish2

Could I interest you in a W427 with 138,000k's on the clock for only $11,990?

.

Too many km. If I want a w427 ill pay w427 price but I want a mint one (under 40000km). People buy nice cars but don't wanna pay the right price and cut corners and buy high mileage to save some $. I won't buy over 100000km for over $10k, over 150000km never pay over $5k but over 200000km I won't buy at any price. But that yard wanted top price for high km over the hill cards

I'd rather a low km genuine AU XR for $10k over a high km over the hill fg XR for the same price..

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Too many km. If I want a w427 ill pay w427 price but I want a mint one (under 40000km). People buy nice cars but don't wanna pay the right price and cut corners and buy high mileage to save some $. I won't buy over 100000km for over $10k, over 150000km never pay over $5k but over 200000km I won't buy at any price. But that yard wanted top price for high km over the hill cards

I'd rather a low km genuine AU XR for $10k over a high km over the hill fg XR for the same price..

I too was a stickler for kms aswell, obviously the lower the better thats why i bought a new car.
But you cannot use you blanket rule of kms vs price to all cars, it just wont work.

[RAPID_BA]

One yard that I just can't believe actually sells cars is australian fleet sales on parramatta road. I went there about 6 months ago and they had a el ghia with 170000km for $18990 next to it a vq statesman for 21990

i bought a el ghia with low km for $7200 maybe 5 years earlier. the salesman said its negotiable, I was thinking 3000-4000. That's the place that gives the high trade ins but hammers the buyer on the car they buy, absolutely hammers them

[irish2]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Too many km. If I want a w427 ill pay w427 price but I want a mint one (under 40000km). People buy nice cars but don't wanna pay the right price and cut corners and buy high mileage to save some $. I won't buy over 100000km for over $10k, over 150000km never pay over $5k but over 200000km I won't buy at any price. But that yard wanted top price for high km over the hill cards

I'd rather a low km genuine AU XR for $10k over a high km over the hill fg XR for the same price..

If you really saw a W427 for $11,990, with those km's, you would be able to make $80k profit on it the next day. My example was to show you how silly the blanket statement is.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

In saying that, In that yard, even cars with 50000km looked like that had 200000km. - just couldn't believe the bad condition.

Again, there's your issue.
The Volvo I just bought for my wife had 193000k's on it and it's a 12/06 build car. This car was $95K new, I paid $26K for it on an online auction. It has full service history and I had it checked by an authorised Volvo service centre after I got it and it came through with flying colours.

Never pay more than $10K for a with 100K's on it..........pfft........you're excluding some very excellent vehicles that are out there, especially European quality cars.

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

For a car over 100000km I would never pay over $10k for it, regardless of the car, year, service history. Its done the work already. You don't want to buy a car on the downhill run past its best.

.

A car with over 100,000 on the clock is actually a on the uphill run. All the new car faults are already found and fixed. Maybe if it was over 200,000, that's a different kettle of fish.

The secret to buying a 2nd hand car, is your budget and patience. Car yards can be a good place, because of the warranty they give with a 2nd hand car. And yes there can be some horror stories attached with that too, but the same applies with new cars.

[SLO AU XR8]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

A car with over 100,000 on the clock is actually a on the uphill run. All the new car faults are already found and fixed. Maybe if it was over 200,000, that's a different kettle of fish.

The secret to buying a 2nd hand car, is your budget and patience. Car yards can be a good place, because of the warranty they give with a 2nd hand car. And yes there can be some horror stories attached with that too, but the same applies with new cars.

Exactly. I bought a car with 258xxx on it, knowing that it had been recently re bushed, Koni shocks fitted, exhaust replaced and a few other minor upgrades done. This was a private sale, and I never looked at another car. I purchased said car 2 months ago, and have since done 7500k's and had one minor problem, in which the car spat a power steering belt. So much for old and crap!

[LOCO XP]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

A car with over 100,000 on the clock is actually a on the uphill run. All the new car faults are already found and fixed.

couldn't agree more. plenty of quality used cars out there. 100,000km is nothing for a quality car. doesn't take long to get an idea of what's decent and what's rubbish. but there is no absolute rule to it. all car purchases have some inherent risk. new or used, warranty or not. New cars risk depreciation and uncovering post-production defects, regardless of the warranty...repairing faults in a brand new lemon apparently isn't much fun. Not talking from experience, not in a position to buy new, as such very happy to bypass depreciation and buy quality used cars. That being said, if I could buy new, I would. But for now, more than happy to pay well over $10k for the missus' XR6T with 102,000km. As for the car yards, steer clear of the big name yards. Ethical sellers are out there, have a friend that purchased a supposedly low km HSV Senator for a nice price from one of the big guys down Melbourne way, some time later bumped into the previous owner, it had done at least double the km on the odometer, and copped quite the proverbial hiding. The non-HSV instruments gave away the dash swap, but that was quite some time after the purchase. Buyer beware. There are quality used cars, but gotta look in the right places.

[mickbundy]

Sounds like you picked the wrong dealer
There are quite a few quality second hand vehicles, should try the government auctions and such or try several car yards. Cheers

[nstg8a]

depends on what year the mazda 3 is whether or not 138k is high or not. if its last years model yes its high, if its the first model 3 then its probably not bad.

does sound like you picked a wholesale yard or something to wander round? they are the only yards i see round here that are willing to stick cars on the yard that look shabby.

but theres plenty of quality used cars out there, but small used cars are always in high demand so attract a higher price, which imo makes them look like not much of a bargain next to a late model commodore or falcon.
just depends what the individuals needs are.

[T3man]

define "quality"

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by T3man

define "quality"

My definition "as brand new"

[FreddyDUZ747]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

My definition "as brand new"

Define "as brand new"

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by FreddyDUZ747

Define "as brand new"

A used car that hasn't done any kilometres?



New car registered by dealer?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

My definition "as brand new"

Ill never buy another second hand car, unless its a project car. After buying a new car, i havnt looked back.

[Sam_Boss260]

I think you should try different car yards

[Glen 5150]

I think you answered your own question? Didnt you post recently about a mate of yours with a dud HSV that he back traded and offloaded? You can't blame the dealers all the time for stretching the truth about a quality used car, plenty of dodgy people out there also? Plenty of great cars out there, the more you look and the more patient you are, the luckier you get i've found?

[TheInterceptor]

Yep there are quality used cars....

My courier was a country council car (unsure for how long) but all of its 149xxx (at time of purchase) has been done out in country. Couple of minor bits that werent in top condition but are superficial and does not bother me.

Mechanically tops. Cost 3 grand cheaper than average market price and got the bonus of a great colour, not cardigan white or city silver.

Theyre out there, just a game of hide n seek (and a pro inspection!)

[XRGhia]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

Yep there are quality used cars....

My courier was a country council car (unsure for how long) but all of its 149xxx (at time of purchase) has been done out in country. Couple of minor bits that werent in top condition but are superficial and does not bother me.

Mechanically tops. Cost 3 grand cheaper than average market price and got the bonus of a great colour, not cardigan white or city silver.

Theyre out there, just a game of hide n seek (and a pro inspection!)

Look at the EB Fairmont also... 220,000 on the odometer, and all that needed fixing was the 4x4 ride height (still haven't fixed that yet )

$1400, with a month and a bit's rego.... That was the first car we looked at/inspected, and was very happy with the condition so payed for it then and there, then left for home...


Everything worked, strong engine... Just goes to show that these old, and good cars are still out there

[fatcorty]

Plenty of people get rid of cars that have nothing wrong with them, leases expire, boredom, change of family situation etc.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by fatcorty

Plenty of people get rid of cars that have nothing wrong with them, leases expire, boredom, change of family situation etc.

True but very very rare. Most are flogging off a problem.