Car Advice for a Student

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CrazYmonkeY159

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Hello all.

I am in the market for a car, my 21st birthday just passed and my parents said that they are going to get me some wheels.

Now as topic says. I am a student (in Cape Town) looking to buy a 2nd hand car (most likely a hatchback of sorts). my parents gave me a budget of R100 000 max but obviously something cheaper would be preferred (and i dont like smooching of my parents so i also would prefer something cheaper)

Now i know going through Autotrader/Gumtree has its dangers (scams etc) but has anyone had good expirience with buying car(s) from people through sites like these?

Second question: Is it worth my time to give repo/2nd hand car auctions a try? what sort of savings can you make on vehicles that are being auctioned off?

Thirdly. thanks in advance this is my 1st post on this sub-forum
 
Depends on what matters more to you.
You can get reliable and good cars from BOTH dealerships as well as private seller through Gumtree etc.

Gumtree has the advantage, that often the sellers there are looking to sell owing to financial constraints, or just for a quick hassle free sale. So if you see a car for R50k, you can haggle them down to even 30K if you're obstinate enough.
But obviously you have limited guarantees etc. But look, you gotta do your homework - check papers, check registration etc. Also insist on a recent roadworthiness test along with a full service history. Whoever can give you the completest paper trail is obviously your safer bet.

Car dealerships - I think their major advantage is that you're almost certain the car isn't stolen or badly encumbered. And if it is, you have legal options against the guys.

With both options play it safe and slow. Don't rush in if you're not sure/confident.
 
Completely agree with dudesweet! Check of all papers from full service history to registration is very important especially with a private sale.

Just a couple of add-ons. Stay away from demo models or cars with a rental history.

With regards to mileage, get as low as possible under 100 000km. At this mileage and after things get expensive. Major service etc. and the value of the car drops much more. ( think selling the car again)

At your budget something like a Toyota Yaris might be a good buy if you're looking for good reliable transport.

Otherwise have fun looking and like dudesweet said dont rush.
 
Also consider eventual maintenance costs and fuel consumption obviously. Something popular like a polo is a lot cheaper to repair than rare cars.

There is a lot of scams running, if u do meet a private seller then use services like some banks offer where u meet on their premises to do the deal. My uncle was held at gun point last year buy "prospective buyers" for his car.
 
Just don't forget it at the Rat & Parrot the morning before an exam on the otherside of campus.
 
I'd go look at dealerships first as they may provide you with a service plan, always useful to have.

Obviously if you go private you should do what others have said above, but I'd do that and a little extra.

If you see a car you want to buy get the seller to take it to the AA and get it tested. If any problems are found as a result of the test then its the sellers responsibility to get it fixed, not yours. That way you avoid buying a car and then realizing its wheels are not aligned properly etc.
 
Further to D34M0n7's point below, don't work with sellers who refuse to get the car checked up. A lot will refuse because they know something will turn up. You're going to be made to sign a voetstoets for sure, but you'd rather do that after the car's been put in a good state if repairs are due. Thereafter she's your baby to take care of.
Also - don't hesitate to test EVERYTHING. open boots, sit in each and every seat inside. test each door handle (inside AND out!). window rollers. the works. Good luck man!
 
phaktza said:
Just don't forget it at the Rat & Parrot the morning before an exam on the otherside of campus.
Click to expand...

Sorry man i don't go to Rhodes i go to UCT :D

On a serious note. thanks for the advice, the crucial point im getting is

-Make sure the car has decent documentation
-Be thorough in checking the vehicle
-Be safe as possible (i like the bank idea)

My older brother got his car from auction (Wesbank) and his car is still running fine (Nissan Almera hatchback, not many of those around ehh) so in our family we have a good experience from car auctions.
 
There is nothing wrong with demos or ex rental cars, despite what naysayers have to say.

Very often the little old lady car has had a hellish life of slipped clutches and short corrosive (to the engine) trips, whereas the demo and the rental have been well maintained as a necessity.
 
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