Used car advice for a student

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nyt_wolf

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Hello fellow MyBB users.

So I have been around the forum lurking for a while but I've recently been presented with a challenge in choosing my first car. Note that I am still a university student who'll be travelling at least 40km a day 5 days a week for the next 2 years on major highways so economy and safety is a major concern along with the affordability of maintenance and repairs (reliability). My budget at the moment is +-R120000.

At the moment a family member is offering me their 2006 BMW 118i (manual) for R100000 with just over 100000 km on the clock.
My other option (through dealers) if I'm looking for something a bit newer and obviously with a service and warranty plan, is a 2013 Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion for approximately R120000 with around 30000 km on the clock (an extra R10000 and I can get a 2014 model and in some cases less mileage).

I've used the 1 series intermittently and enjoy the ride of the vehicle. Being a German made car it definitely feels solid and reliable although the only worry is maintenance costs (especially if something breaks as I'll be paying out of my back pocket). I had used it for a month during campus times and it's economical enough to get me through the month with only 1 refill at the end.

I have not yet driven the i20 but from others' experience with the car it seems pleasant. Since it has a warranty left, I would think part replacements wouldn't be much of a financial concern? And depending on how new the car is, there will be some portion of a service plan left. I'm not sure about how my personal use may effect the fuel efficiency I receive but I'm sure that a 1.4L engine compared to a 1.8L would present a noticeable difference?

Anothing thing to note, although not related to the driving experience but more personal enjoyment is the loads of additional features on the Hyundai.

These are basically my thoughts and I would really appreciate your guys' input and views on the matter. All advice is welcome!

Thanks and cheers!
 
Your first paragraph states the parameters: economy, safety, and affordability.

The Hyundai will win hands down with regard to economy and affordability, which in my mind is critical given that you won't be earning for another 2 years. Yes, the BMW will drive better.

Buy the Hyundai! Get a 2nd hand German luxury when you're 30. My 2c. :)
 
Offer the family member R80k or R90k for 1 series and take that. A R30k - R40k saving between that and the Hyundai goes a long way towards putting cash aside for maintenance issues. The BMW 118i has a relatively simple engine and there's lots of independent workshops that can service them. You're also spoilt for choice on parts - a simple thing like brake pads can have so much variety that it keeps part prices down on BMW's and VW's specifically. Phone places like Goldwagen and ask them for prices on service kits - it's a fallacy that all BMW's are expensive to maintain...

Don't assume that the Hyundai is going to be cheap/free on maintenance just because of the plan. Let me explain - let's say they cover the basic service and find out that your clutch or shocks needs replacing - they have the "convenient" habit of claiming driver abuse and not covering it. Do yourself the favour of reading Hyundai's warranty and service plan exclusions for years 3,4,etc - there's so many exclusion clauses that allow them to opt out for many items.

Also, check on insurance premiums. Whilst a 2013/14 model is going to sell below retail value and look like good value, the insurance value and associated premiums are still going to be at either replacement or market values - i.e. much higher.

I'm not saying buy the BMW by default - it still needs to be in excellent mechanical condition to be considered but may not necessarily be more expensive to maintain just because it's considered a Germany luxury car. The bigger factor to consider would be the fact that BMW is 10 years old and more will need replacing, but if you've saved R40k upfront, then you have some buffer for that.

Lastly, you should have room to negotiate with a family member on price, which is a luxury you won't have with a dealer (within reason).

Good luck with your choice of car either way.
 
msm said:
Offer the family member R80k or R90k for 1 series and take that. A R30k - R40k saving between that and the Hyundai goes a long way towards putting cash aside for maintenance issues. The BMW 118i has a relatively simple engine and there's lots of independent workshops that can service them. You're also spoilt for choice on parts - a simple thing like brake pads can have so much variety that it keeps part prices down on BMW's and VW's specifically. Phone places like Goldwagen and ask them for prices on service kits - it's a fallacy that all BMW's are expensive to maintain...

Don't assume that the Hyundai is going to be cheap/free on maintenance just because of the plan. Let me explain - let's say they cover the basic service and find out that your clutch or shocks needs replacing - they have the "convenient" habit of claiming driver abuse and not covering it. Do yourself the favour of reading Hyundai's warranty and service plan exclusions for years 3,4,etc - there's so many exclusion clauses that allow them to opt out for many items.

Also, check on insurance premiums. Whilst a 2013/14 model is going to sell below retail value and look like good value, the insurance value and associated premiums are still going to be at either replacement or market values - i.e. much higher.

I'm not saying buy the BMW by default - it still needs to be in excellent mechanical condition to be considered but may not necessarily be more expensive to maintain just because it's considered a Germany luxury car. The bigger factor to consider would be the fact that BMW is 10 years old and more will need replacing, but if you've saved R40k upfront, then you have some buffer for that.

Lastly, you should have room to negotiate with a family member on price, which is a luxury you won't have with a dealer (within reason).

Good luck with your choice of car either way.
Click to expand...
Haha!
 
Jaslaaik, when I was a student, I didn't have a budget....or money.....though I always had money for booze.
Is this what they call "first world problems"??
 
VW Up! Can be had for 110-120k. More comfortable and rides way better than hyundai i10/20 and you can get one that's just a few months old. It's frugal too
 
Go for the Hyundai. You'll have less issues as cars develop them over time. Usually I'd recommend the BMW but for a student, the i20 makes more sense
 
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