buying a cheapy run around

[Steamy Tom]

Hi guys,

some general advice please, looking for a cheap run around that is remotely reliable and easy to fix/service for a struggling family member.

what would you look at and consider.

Generally i would steer clear of an automatic on an older car like what i am expecting, what are your thoughts?

the current main contender is a 1998 fiat uno 1.1 manual
second is a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual
third is a 1999 hyundai accent automatic

all have fairly high km, between 160k and 220k

thoughts?

 

[TheJman]

Hey man, what sort of budget are you looking at?

 

[Grouter]

Uno will rust and collapse (personal experience).
Auto transmission will be expensive to repair if it gives trouble.
I would go for Hyundai manual transmission.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Hey man, what sort of budget are you looking at?

honestly as low as possible whilst still getting something in mildly decent condition, i wouldnt really be able to spend more than 30, would like something as low as 15 but offers at that range look a little sketchy, would probably be most comfortable between 20-25

 

[TheJman]

Have you a look on autotrader to see what is out there - I'm not sure you're going to get away with R15k.

Personally, I would look at what ford or Toyota has - not sure price wise where they sit at though

 

[Terence1983]

For your budget, look at an older model carb model.

I myself am driving a 1995 Uno fire 1100 with 256k on the clock, if you have a very basic knowledge of cars, perfect to do your own maintenance on it, cheap, light of fuel (I get 18km/l in mixed driving but mainly urban), parts are cheap. Ive done brake hoses and ball joints myself with not too much hassle. Servicing is also as easy as can be. Contrary to popular belief, parts are actually easily to come by for these cars.

And by the way Hyundai parts are ridiculously expensive, 1 water pipe for my moms Getz was R1000+.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Have you a look on autotrader to see what is out there - I'm not sure you're going to get away with R15k.

Personally, I would look at what ford or Toyota has - not sure price wise where they sit at though

yeah been looking around, you can get an old tazz from around 25ish but generally condition doesnt look great

 

[Steamy Tom]

For your budget, look at an older model carb model.

I myself am driving a 1995 Uno fire 1100 with 256k on the clock, if you have a very basic knowledge of cars, perfect to do your own maintenance on it, cheap, light of fuel (I get 18km/l in mixed driving but mainly urban), parts are cheap. Ive done brake hoses and ball joints myself with not too much hassle. Servicing is also as easy as can be. Contrary to popular belief, parts are actually easily to come by for these cars.

And by the way Hyundai parts are ridiculously expensive, 1 water pipe for my moms Getz was R1000+.

yeah both me and him have fairly good knowledge of cars, i can do basic servicing, oil changes, spark plugs, brakes etc, some other odds and ends

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

the current main contender is a 1998 fiat uno 1.1 manual
second is a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual
third is a 1999 hyundai accent automatic

I had a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual for donkeys years, same mileage. Never once had an issue with it. Reliable

 

[Grouter]

I forget you're probably in Gauteng (?), so rust not an issue there like it is here on the coast.
Otherwise the Uno is not a bad little car. We had one for ten years.
The inner CV joint boots retain the oil in the gearbox / differential assembly, so make sure they are intact. When they split, you lose all the transmission oil all over the road (crap design TBH) so check that out.

 

[Steamy Tom]

the current main contender is a 1998 fiat uno 1.1 manual
second is a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual
third is a 1999 hyundai accent automatic

I had a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual for donkeys years, same mileage. Never once had an issue with it. Reliable

so we have had a hyundai 130xs and also the 150i in the family before so yeah thats also one of the reaons they are on the list

 

[Steamy Tom]

I forget you're probably in Gauteng (?), so rust not an issue there like it is here on the coast.
Otherwise the Uno is not a bad little car. We had one for ten years.
The inner CV joint boots retain the oil in the gearbox / differential assembly, so make sure they are intact. When they split, you lose all the transmission oil all over the road (crap design TBH) so check that out.

yeah in gauteng

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

so we have had a hyundai 130xs and also the 150i in the family before so yeah thats also one of the reaons they are on the list

like you said, you just need a run around affordable car.
so nothing fancy, just pretty reliable and as long as you service it yourself once a year it shouldnt give you much trouble if you dont drive it hard.

go for it

 

[WaxLyrical]

Check out the Fords:
Icon
Fiesta

Also Hyundai Getz if you can find one.

 

[TheChamp]

Hi guys,

some general advice please, looking for a cheap run around that is remotely reliable and easy to fix/service for a struggling family member.

what would you look at and consider.

Generally i would steer clear of an automatic on an older car like what i am expecting, what are your thoughts?

the current main contender is a 1998 fiat uno 1.1 manual
second is a 1997 hyundai accent 130xs manual
third is a 1999 hyundai accent automatic

all have fairly high km, between 160k and 220k

thoughts?

The earlier Hyundais are unbreakable, whatever you do, don't buy a Fiat Uno.

 

[TheChamp]

For your budget, look at an older model carb model.

I myself am driving a 1995 Uno fire 1100 with 256k on the clock, if you have a very basic knowledge of cars, perfect to do your own maintenance on it, cheap, light of fuel (I get 18km/l in mixed driving but mainly urban), parts are cheap. Ive done brake hoses and ball joints myself with not too much hassle. Servicing is also as easy as can be. Contrary to popular belief, parts are actually easily to come by for these cars.

And by the way Hyundai parts are ridiculously expensive, 1 water pipe for my moms Getz was R1000+.

No man, why does it need to be a carb?

 

[Steamy Tom]

Check out the Fords:
Icon
Fiesta

Also Hyundai Getz if you can find one.

thanks for the suggestions, i had a very quick look so far, seems like they just a little out of my range for something decent

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Rolla 16v twincam , it just keeps on going!

Aunty has the auto, think its 3 speed but keeps on working!

 

[Steamy Tom]

so i will keep looking but there is a fiat that i kinda like, the one hyundai just looks less looked after and th other is an auto. a bakkie would be first prize bu yeah anything cheap there is really in bad shape

 

[Lupus]

Starts as cheap, until it breaks and then it's no longer a cheap run around but a big door stop.