Advice on first car

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Ferox

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Hello guys,

I'm don't really know much about cars and i'm looking to get my first car at the end of the month. ;)
I would like to some advice on what i should go for or more important what to avoid.

I'm looking to spend around 25k to 32k, and i'm a student so want to get a car that is reliable, light on petrol and cheap to maintain.

First options that came in mind were Toyota (Tazz, Conquest, Corolla), VW (City golf) and Fiat (Uno).

I know that my decision should depend on the actual state of the car; but on your opinion which one should i go for or which one i should avoid?
Is there any other brand or model you would suggest?

I have seen other "better" cars such as Hunday Accent and Polo Playa, etc in decent conditions and around the same price; would they be much expensive to maintain?


Thanks in advance for your time and input.
 
Toyota Yarris Hatchback 2006-2010 models. My little yarris does 16.2 km/l (city driving, from Fourways/Bryanston to Wits and back every day), and when a chop skipped a red light and hit me, parts were surprisingly cheap (waaaay less than when my sister had her accident in a Daihatsu). (New Yarris is even uglier than the older ones, and a lot more plastic. The 2006-2010 models are A+)

Not many other cars feel as solid and metaly as the yarris, and very few have the economy of it.

Toyotas tend to be quite inexpensive to maintain, and the parts are generally very reliable. VWs are above average in maintenance costs and I've heard horror stories of everything breaking simultaneously in a Fiat.
 
I have a Citi Golf (1995 1.3 carb 4 speed) and my wife has a Tazz (1.3 carb 5 speed I think around 2003/4).

They seem to cost about the same to maintain (which seems relatively inexpensive) but personally I'd choose the Tazz out of the two.

It's nicer to driver, more modern inside and perhaps most importantly - quite a lot lighter on fuel!

In city driving I average around 9L/100 and she averages around 7L/100 (both of us driving conservatively).
I don't know how much the 4 speed vs 5 speed would influence the fuel consumption though.

I would expect an Accent or Polo Playa to cost more to maintain due to the expected smaller availability of spare parts (& generic spare parts) since there are far less of them on the road.

Hope this helps and happy driving!:)
 
Thanks Richard :), i also like the tazz; that is the car that my driving instructor had, and it was a pleasure to drive :).
About the Polo Playa, i guess you got a point; but I wonder how much expensive would it be to maintain it cos i really would love to getone, and actually besides maintenance costs i was wondering why anyone would sell such a car for less than 35k.

@Agentrfr thanks for your feedback, after reading that I moved fiat to the bottom of my list; and i didn't find yet Toyota Yaris that fits my budget but if I find one I would definitely consider it.
 
Dont ever buy a Fiat Uno (itailian) or any french/american car, they just give a lot of troubles. German cars such as VW,BMW,Merc are great due to the availability of aftermarket parts.

I would recommend a VW (Golf 3/4,Jetta 3/4)
 
Are Opel cars reliable? cos my older sister used to have one and it broke down almost every 2 days, i think the problem was with the gear box or something
 
Buy something that is reliable & cheap to service/run.

You cannot go wrong with toyota as boring as they are. honda & hyundai are other good brands.
 
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