What second hand car to buy?

jase1

Japanese-wise I don't there's such a thing as a bad car from Japan -- even the ones with common faults are usually as reliable as anything else overall. However I'd suggest avoiding the Almera 1.5 if it has low mileage without meticulous service history -- they are prone to camchain problems which usually don't happen if the car is well-used and serviced correctly, but low-mileage ones can be a problem. If in doubt, don't buy one.

Mitsubishis tend to be cheaper than other Jap cars and are just as reliable in my experience -- good budget options.

Re Korean -- Hyundais are better than Kias and Daewoo/Chevrolets at the price you're talking about -- in particular the Getz is a very good little car (but might be too small for you). Daewoos need regular cambelt changes and if they don't get them the tensioners do sometimes go, so make sure you spend the £200 to get the job done if the car hasn't had it done recently. Other than that, the engines and transmissions are strong (Mitsubishi in the case of Hyundais and newer Kias, Mazda for older Kias, GM/Vauxhall for Daewoo) and shouldn't be troublesome -- none of mine have been (I've owned five Korean cars, some into old age).

All that said, I should put a good word in for Seats and Skodas as well -- good, solid VW technology for less money.

Kilty_2

jase1 wrote: »

Japanese-wise I don't there's such a thing as a bad car from Japan -- even the ones with common faults are usually as reliable as anything else overall. However I'd suggest avoiding the Almera 1.5 if it has low mileage without meticulous service history -- they are prone to camchain problems which usually don't happen if the car is well-used and serviced correctly,

:mad: really?

I've got one with 105k on the clock and no history to speak of - should I be worried?

jase1

Kilty wrote: »

:mad: really?

I've got one with 105k on the clock and no history to speak of - should I be worried?

Oops... :rotfl:

As I say I know of a few people who have run this engine to stupid mileages without issue, but I also know of a few who have tootled around and run up say 30K in 7 years and then had trouble with the chain. It seems to happen when people don't service them properly.

I'd be replacing the oil with 10W40 semi every 6000 miles/6 months on these.

Kilty_2

Hmmm... it has a small oil leak which appears to be from the sump so I wasn't going to risk undoing the drain bolt, guess I'll need to now :rotfl:

Local place does oil + filter change for £27.50, I'll let them break the sump....

s_b

most jap cars dont come from japan
so one shouldnt base assumptions on badge
£2000? me would buy fiesta mk6 petrol with the nice horrible interior off widow twanky, run it for 18 months and sell at a profit:D
proper money savin advice
just have to find mss twanky now with her doctors note saying she canny drive no moore

Matt1977

I see the Nissan Almera has already been mentioned. Built in Sunderland, UK rather than Japan, it has to be said. My sister has a 1.5 petrol and I don't believe she has has any trouble thus far with hers - I did hear that this is better reliability wise than the 1.8 petrol.

I have a 2.2 diesel dCi Almera with an engine that pulls like a train. I did pay a £1k premium for this over the equivilent petrol engine. If its only a few thousand miles a year than a petrol engine one would be OK.

If the Almera is too old then I would recommend the Nissan Note or Qashqai.

Other manufacturers worth considering are Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

s_b

Matt1977 wrote: »

I see the Nissan Almera has already been mentioned. Built in Sunderland, UK rather than Japan, it has to be said. My sister has a 1.5 petrol and I don't believe she has has any trouble thus far with hers - I did hear that this is better reliability wise than the 1.8 petrol.

I have a 2.2 diesel dCi Almera with an engine that pulls like a train. I did pay a £1k premium for this over the equivilent petrol engine. If its only a few thousand miles a year than a petrol engine one would be OK.

If the Almera is too old then I would recommend the Nissan Note or Qashqai.

Other manufacturers worth considering are Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

he only has 2 grand mate:)

Matt1977

s_b wrote: »

he only has 2 grand mate:)

Oh yes. I was under the influence of alcohol when I posted that.

The Nissan Note & Qashqai are definately out then. Toyota Corolla, Mazda 323, Mitsubishi Colt/Lancer and Honda Civic are all worth considering.

nickj_2

jase1 wrote: »

Japanese-wise I don't there's such a thing as a bad car from Japan -- . .

toyota? was it last year they seemed to be having major fault recalls every other week

worried_jim

nickj wrote: »

toyota? was it last year they seemed to be having major fault recalls every other week

I thought that it turned out to be dumb Americans who didn't know the difference between the loud and quiet pedals.