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Thread ID: 140343 2015-09-27 09:15:00 Tips for buying a used car Nick G (16709) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1408974 2015-09-28 20:31:00 I'm going to have a look at and test drive the Toyota tonight, if I like it and it looks good to me I'll probably get one of the aa pre purchase inspection checks. Nick G (16709)
1408975 2015-09-28 20:58:00 Hi Nick G,
If you are interested at all, I am selling my Holden Commodore Acclaim station wagon. It is the 2003 model and has done 226,000 kms. Am asking $6,500 but can let it go for $6,000. It's in very good condition and has full service record WOF Rego etc. pm me if you want to know more, or see photos. It's not on Trade me yet.

Cheers, LL
lakewoodlady (103)
1408976 2015-09-28 21:12:00 Caldina is a fairly reliable car but at that age and mileage it's definately worth getting it checked out. Check the cam belt has been changed and the gearbox isn't showing signs of trouble. They were specifically targeted at the same market as the legacy so I see a theme developing here....

Basically it's a corona in station wagon form with different styling.
dugimodo (138)
1408977 2015-09-28 21:31:00 Time to join the AA and get them to check. Cicero (40)
1408978 2015-09-29 00:04:00 Hi Nick G,
If you are interested at all, I am selling my Holden Commodore Acclaim station wagon. It is the 2003 model and has done 226,000 kms. Am asking $6,500 but can let it go for $6,000. It's in very good condition and has full service record WOF Rego etc. pm me if you want to know more, or see photos. It's not on Trade me yet.

Cheers, LL

Thanks very much for the offer, it's appreciated :) sadly 6k is quite a way out of my budget for a first car.


Caldina is a fairly reliable car but at that age and mileage it's definately worth getting it checked out. Check the cam belt has been changed and the gearbox isn't showing signs of trouble. They were specifically targeted at the same market as the legacy so I see a theme developing here....

Basically it's a corona in station wagon form with different styling.

Yea, I like wagons :p They suit the kind of stuff I transport.


Time to join the AA and get them to check.

Already a member :)
Nick G (16709)
1408979 2015-09-29 01:46:00 I hate, hate, hate boring cars with a passion.

But we can't all afford our dream non-boring car.....and one advantage of boring cars, is they are less of a thief magnet.
pctek (84)
1408980 2015-09-29 03:56:00 boring car : sure , mine is.
It doesnt really matter when your stuck in traffic jams, 1st 2nd gears most of the way to & from work.
Just need a comfy seat & a heater :-)

After losing $10k on my non-boring car years ago, I'll stick to my $1500 junker .
I never again have to worry about car parks & associated scratches & dings caused by idiots who fling their doors open & have it thud on your panels.

As long as I dont start thinking, hmmn, Ive got the oldest car that I see on the road. What have I done with my life/Money ?
1101 (13337)
1408981 2015-09-29 04:48:00 I hate, hate, hate boring cars with a passion. But for a first car, on a low budget, a Corolla or Civic would be my picks. You want something that generally just works, and is easy and cheap to fix if it does go wrong. There's very little that can match those two for those categories. I would love to say "Get the Subie, you won't regret it!" - and you won't while it's working. But at 250k kms, when you have to shell out another $2k - $3k to fix the engine/transmission/something else in 6 months time you'll regret it.

Also, assuming reliability and such is a big desire and you're not particularly mechanically adept yourself, I would absolutely shell out the $120 or so for a reputable mechanic to do a pre purchase inspection to make sure any major things are caught and help you make an informed decision. Even on a cheapie $2k car, another $100 here or there for a bit better insight into it's state is well worth it imo.

We tend to forget the function of a car, to get us from here to there.
Cicero (40)
1408982 2015-09-29 05:49:00 But remember Cic, we're all headed to the same place, it's how we get there that matters! :p Nick G (16709)
1408983 2015-09-29 06:25:00 But remember Cic, we're all headed to the same place, it's how we get there that matters! :p
I thought getting there was the point.

Most of us might yearn for the Bentley, but in the end it is just a mode of transport.

I have to say that when my chariot is a SX4,
Cicero (40)
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