Used automatic - advice please?

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migp4ad

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I am looking at getting myself a cheap used car. It will be my first car, (been doing the scooter thing for a while now), and I am looking at getting an automatic. The problem is I have a very limited budget - I am looking at spending no more than 65 k - maybe 70 at a push. I haven’t yet seen much that appeals to me, and I know that at that price range, I am limited as far as options go. Whatever car I buy will not be doing a lot of mileage, and will mostly be travelling short distances. I expect to probably do no more than 250-300 km’s per month. There are only 2 cars that have recently piqued my interest, but I have read some very mixed reviews about both of these models, and I don’t know whether they will be worth my while. The one is an Alfa Romeo 147 http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree...fa-Romeo-147-2-0-Selespeed-W0QQAdIdZ321754744 the other is a Proton Savvy 1.2 http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree...on-Savvy-1-2-AMT-Automatic-W0QQAdIdZ322567455. I am not bothered about resale value, as I know both are lousy that way, what is more important for me is buying something that will not fall apart after a few months. I have every intention of looking after them and getting them serviced regularly, as without doing so I know I will be setting myself up for expensive problems later. Any thoughts or opinions or other recommendations would be highly appreciated!
 
I'd avoid both of them to be honest - reason being both are out of service plan but still new enough to have complicated electronics that will be expensive to fix.

When a car is more than 2-3 years old, it becomes guaranteed that there will be problems with it that are expensive to fix. Even cars that have been routinely maintained will develop them. Both of those cars will have issues, and both will cost quite some bucks to fix.

Either budget R40k for the car and R30k for repairs, and even that might not be enough, or buy the newest car you can for your budget.

Yes the Proton Savvy is R40k but I've never seen a dealership for it anywhere. Nor an independent mechanic. Who will you take it to when it has issues?

I drive an automatic old Mercedes Benz - a 1994 E320 to be exact. I love it, but I've had to spend R50k on it this year fixing it up. I bought the best one I could find for R40k, in February this year. Yes, I got unlucky with it and it is possible to find a used car in better condition than mine was. Point is, be careful, lest you buy something you cannot afford to fix.

Also - make sure to get an expert opinion on it. Someone with expert knowledge about that particular make and model. It helps.
 
That Alfa is beautiful but @ 144 000 KM it better be your weekend car.

Proton - looks like a bargain but I am not so sure about the brand, especially here in S.A.

How about a Getz?
 
Thanks for the advice. The Alfa has already been sold - wow, that didn't take long! I stand to be corrected, but I thought Proton was backed by Imperial? There are 2 dealerships in the WC that I know of. But yes, it is as yet an unestablished brand in SA. I know that Hyundai and Kia are regarded as "safer" purchases, but to be honest, it all depends on whether I end up buying with my heart or my head.
 
msm said:
Thought they were cheap as chips to run - guess I was wrong.
Click to expand...

There's a good saying - nothing as expensive as a cheap mercedes.

I think on the whole that they are cheap to run, provided you dont run into major maintenance issues. I mean, ordinary maintenance is not expensive, especially if you dont use dealer parts. What made things expensive for my car is A) it was a farm car, and it was only after I bought it that I discovered it wasnt as maintained as well as I thought. That cost me a R20k service back in January. B), that particular series of cars suffers from two common faults, that are both expensive to fix, and both occurred at the same time, on my car. A cylinder head gasket leak and a wiring harness failure. If you find a 124 with those issues fix - and I suspect most will probably have them fixed by now - then they are not too expensive to run.

Having looked at several similar cars back when I bought mine in January, I guess the problem is that finding a good one is very difficult, and it takes time. Most owners of those cars just dont look after them, which is why they fall into a state of disrepair, and then they get expensive to bring back to good health. If you look after them, then they are very reliable and inexpensive. And bloody amazing to drive, I love mine.

migp4ad said:
Thanks for the advice. The Alfa has already been sold - wow, that didn't take long! I stand to be corrected, but I thought Proton was backed by Imperial? There are 2 dealerships in the WC that I know of. But yes, it is as yet an unestablished brand in SA. I know that Hyundai and Kia are regarded as "safer" purchases, but to be honest, it all depends on whether I end up buying with my heart or my head.
Click to expand...

if you want, I can ask the Mercedes Benz club of SA if anyone has a good automatic for you? You might be able to find a better quality automatic Merc through the club. If thats what you want of course.
 
Ancalagon said:
if you want, I can ask the Mercedes Benz club of SA if anyone has a good automatic for you? You might be able to find a better quality automatic Merc through the club. If thats what you want of course.
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Thanks for the offer. I'm not keen on the typical Mercs, they are just too big - I would prefer a smaller car, say the A series, or even one of the smaller sportier models - though I doubt I'd get one of those within my budget!
 
Cool no worries. Yeah I doubt you would get an A class in your budget!
 
msm said:
Thought they were cheap as chips to run - guess I was wrong.
Click to expand...
They are.

I own a 1993 190E 2.3 Sportline. It has 223k km on the clock at the moment. I get about 12l/100km in city driving and it drinks no oil. The service parts from Mercedes cost about R450 (air filters, spark plugs, etc...) and I have a Merc guru who services the car for me for R300. In general parts are expensive, but less expensive than a modern Polo or Ford.

You generally have things that fail due to age....for instance my ignition barrel locked down and it cost me R1400 to have a technitian called out and replace with a new barrel. The whole kit is about R3k (ignition barrel, locks, etc....to use one key)....I recently replaced my fuel pump at a cost of R1120 for the pump and R50 to have it installed...

An old Mercedes Benz is just difficult to keep off the road. Their smoothness on the road are just incredible. I can still comfortable cruze at 160-180km/h with my car on the open road and you pizz new car owners off when they can't shake you off their tail.

Get an old 123 series Merc....230E automatic.... indestructible...

EDIT: Oh yes...what I forgot to mention was that my Merc guru is probably 70 years old...these guys are still the old school mechanics. He replaced my timing chain this year for R843 including parts and labour. He had a 'trick' to changing the chain.....him and his two trusted mechanics (who has been working for him for the last 15 years)....these mechanics are not easy to find though...
 
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shog dude, stay away form the Alfa.

friend of mine had a 147, the engine cooked (seized) for no reason (no warning lights) and he had endless arguments with Alfa about getting the engine replaced.
They finally relented and a month or two later the NEW engine died as well.
He got rid of shortly after.
Alfas are pretty but pretty useless when it comes to reliability.

Rather get something that you KNOW is:
reliable
cheap to run
cheap to service

Opel Corsa
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201140188044581
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201142188080303

Toyota Yaris
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201142188082401


I'll even take this FUGLY Rover before I take an Alfa.
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201139188021700

:-)
 
For R70k? Not a chance. Plus service costs would be too high.
 
Yes, there some to some horror stories involving Alfas out there. I guess at my budget range I am asking for trouble by considering buying one? Funny thing is, people are buying them. I've seen 2 in my range over the past week - they have both been sold already. Oh well...
I don't know much about the Hyundai Accent. As far as automatics go, any year/model to look out for in particular or are they all pretty much the same? I have seen a few cheapish first generationones for sale. In general, are they any good?
 
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