Ask an expert

Hi there,

Would you kindly provide your expert guidance and advice regarding my details below, please. I have been reading through all your feedback and forum going back about 50 pages and researching elsewhere. Based on the recommendations I had visited car yards yesterday and found that a couple were not suitable.

- Budget: $6,000 - $7,000 but can stretch to $8,000 - $10,000 however would take another month or two.
- Purpose: 1) commute to work (10mins), 2) transport elderly couple and 3) handle steep hills as will regularly take them (hills) on a daily basis.
- Focus: safety, affordability, reliability, elderly friendly and some power.
- Not focused on: car colour and shape.
- Background: female and auckland based.

I have read recommendations about the following but found upon physical inspection:
Toyota Passo - not enough leg room in backseat and my head was scraping the ceiling.
Daihatsu Boon - found that my head was scraping the ceiling in the front.
Toyota March - too small.
Toyota Vitz - too small as well.

However, would you please provide your advice and guidance in regards to the following cars, which I am currently looking at:

1. Mazda Demio 2004 - 2006
- yesterday a dealer told me that I'd not be able to find this car in my price range and if I did that it would be a damaged import that had been repaired but I have seen another couple of dealers in Auckland selling a couple at this price, one a car dealer (2cheapcars/AA appraised in Manukau, Auckland) and the other an importer (Real Wholesale Cars in Westhaven, Auckland). How do I know or what do I do to ensure it's not one of these, please?
- I like these but I haven't tested if access/exit is good for the elderly.
- however most dealerships had sold out of these yesterday in my area (West Auckland)
- what price and mileage should I be looking at, please?

2. Toyota IST 2003, 113,000km, asking price $6,540.00
- TradeMe listing but says r.m.v.t. in description

3. Honda Civic 2005, 93,101km, asking price $8,500.00
- dealer
- import
- non-CVT

5. Nissan Cube
- I have seen that the seat high is quite high but have not read about good reviews
- your honest advice given my circumstances, please

6. Suzuki Aerio 2002, 86,500km, asking price $6,900.00
- dealer/aa appraised

7. Toyota Platz 1999 - 2000
- I have seen a few listed with dealers within $6,000 - $7,000
- just under 100,000kms

8. Toyota Corolla runx hatch
- I have seen these in the $9,000 - $10,00 range
- Year 2001 with just under 100,000kms
- what price should I be looking at if I consider these please?

9. Daihatsu YRV 2000
- private sellers, I have seen a couple
- $5,000 - $6,000 priced
- under 114,000kms
- yes I would look at getting a pre inspection report if I went with a private seller, trying to stay away but have seen a couple of these

10. Suzuki Swift Wagon R 2000 and a 2004
- dealer/importer
- under 110,000kms
- $6,000 and $7,000

Thank you for answering and I look forward to your reply.

Many Thanks
Kala

Wow!! You have done so much homework yourself that there's not much I can add. At the end of the day, you have to like the car and be satisfied with the dimensions etc, and you've obviously spent a considerable amount of time doing your own research in this area.
Really, the options you've suggested are all fairly good, but here are a few points to consider.
One thing I can't quite understand is that you think the Toyota Vitz is too small but are considering a Platz. These 2 cars are the same, with the Vitz being a 3 or 5 door hatch and the Platz being a 4 door saloon.The Demio is also a very good car, but really the same size and a direct competitor to the Vitz.
The Nissan Cube might not be to everyone's taste in the styling department, but has a good reputation for reliability.
Ideally, go for something with low mileage (around 100,000km is OK) and if you want to ensure the depreciation isn't too bad, go for one of the major brands. Perhaps Toyota, Honda, Mazda.
As you've identified, avoid CVT transmissions and direct injection engines (eg; Toyota D4, Mitsubishi GDi, Nissan Nio Di).
If I understand you correctly, you are not so keen on the very small cars, and prefer something with a little more room. On that basis, the Toyota Ist or Corolla, or the Honda Civic would be excellent choices.
I'd recommend a pre-purchase inspection for a vehicle in this price range.
Once you've narrowed it down and settled on a model, feel free to get back to us for any further advice.

Hi Abayliss :)

Thank you kindly for your prompt reply with guidance, pointers and tips.

Yes, I have found the car after a weekend spent in the hot sun - Mazda Demio 2006. After physical inspections along with the elderly citizen hopping in and out of the backseat with me in the driver's seat; we found the Mazda Demio 2006 to be the most accommodating.

Toyota Vitz vs. Toyota Platz - Yes, to be honest I was not able to physically inspect the Platz over the weekend but I was able to test the Vitz. The Vitz although my type of car lost out because there was not much legroom for the backseat passengers compared to the Mazda Demio. Also, it was much easier access/exit for the elderly person or average adult sitting behind me in the driver's seat.

Nissan Cube - Yes, I had considered these as well and was waiting for your advice. I tested a couple of models over the weekend but either it was less on legroom space for the back passengers or I couldn't adjust the front seat without affecting the front passenger's comfort. The others were outside my price range or over 100,000kms. High seating was good for older people.

Toyota 1st - I tested it but although I liked it, again legroom in the backseat was not very spacious and access/exit for older person wasn't as easy compared to the Mazda Demio 2006.

Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic - Yes, thank you for confirming these two. I did like the Toyota Corolla, however it was a little bit out of my price range and seating for older person was slightly too low.

Thank you for reading my essay and replying promptly. Most appreciated but more importantly after reading through the previous posts throughout the forum, one can put all the advice and cross-reference it with other sources. Most helpful :) Thank you!

Ps. Yes, I am not fond of the small cars but I felt most comfortable in the Mazda Demio out of them all.

MAZDA DEMIO 2006 - Further advice please.

I would like help with the following please:

1. How much can I haggle with a dealer if asking price excl. O.R.C. (On Road Costs) is between $7,000 and $8,000, please?

2. Does this mean that the Mazda Demio 2005 and 2006 are CVT?

3. What else should I keep in mind with this model, please?

4. I understand CGA in purchasing from a dealer so does this mean that I necessarily don't need to purchase the 1, 2 or 3 year mechanical warranty?

5. If something goes wrong under CGA and I buy a car across the otherside of Auckland, do I have to take it back to their premises or can I go to a local garage? Would I have to pay for the tow truck charges if the car is not drivable?

6. Are the wheels and car parts easily available in NZ?

7. Also, I will only be purchasing from a Dealer and having said that, even if the Dealer is AA Appraised, can I still order a pre inspection to be carried out?

8. Does the Mazda Demio 6 have much power going up steep hills with three adults in it? I haven't tested the steep hills as of yet.

9. I have seen "facelift" models with less asking prices than the others? What is your advice on these, please?

I am grateful for your assistance and I know it's a lot of questions so thank you very much Abayliss :D

Many Thanks
Kala

The Demio is a very good choice with a good reputation for reliability. So, in answer to your questions;
1. The price you can haggle with the dealer will vary from dealer to dealer and car to car. In this price range, the dealer does not have a great deal of room to move as it's not like a $50k car where the dealer will have a larger margin. If you can get the dealer to throw in the ORC, it would probably be fair.
2. No, Mazda don't use CVT's, and they drive all the better for it!
3. It's a good little car with no known major problems. Ask about the servicing (any history etc) and perhaps have the dealer do a service if no history is known. Also (as with all fresh imports) check to see if there are 2 keys. Many Japanese imports only arrive with one key and replacements can be expensive.
4. The CGA has its limitations, so problems occuring after say 3-6 months after purchase would more than likely be your responsibility. Having said that, the Demio isn't a high risk car so I wouldn't say a warranty is a must have, but it could give you some peace of mind.
5. Both the buyer and seller have obligations in the event of a failure under the terms of the CGA. The buyer's responsibility is that they must give the seller the opportunity ro remedy the problem. So, yes, in most instances you would need to present the vehicle to the dealer for rectification. In the event the vehicle is not mobile, the towing costs should be negotiated with the dealer. In fact, any costs need to be agreed first. Therefore, you couldn't incur costs first and expect the dealer to pay later (towing included). As I've said, the Mazda Demio has a great reputation for reliability, but in the unlikely event of a breakdown, the first thing you should do is call the dealer to discuss how the repair will be approached.
6. Parts should be very readily available for the Mazda Demio.
7. Yes, it is advisable to have a pre-purchase inspection carried out, even on an AA Appraised car, as the appraisal isn't a full inspection, it is a service to dealers to give them an indication as to whether the vehicle is suitable to be sold on their yard.
8. "Much power" is a very subjective term. Most Demios are 1.3 litre. They are not powerhouses, but they have adequate power for a small runabout. Some have a 1.5 litre engine which has a little more power. In reality, if the main purpose for your purchase was to have a car capable of regular open road trips on steep hills with 3 adults, I'd be recommending something different. However, if your main purpose is economical transport, it's a great choice and will still get up steep hills fully laden on the odd occasion it may be required to do so.
9. In reality, the facelift was some minor styling upgrades to the grill, headlights etc. I'd rather have a really tidy, low mileage pre-facelift car than a tired, worn out facelift model. The 2006 Demio should be the facelift model. The new model came out the following year, during 2007 and there's a significant price jump to that model.

Hope this helps.

Abayliss :D

Thank you again for your prompt reply and detailed information.

It helps immensely!

I will follow your recommendations and advice.

Have a great week Abayliss!
Thank you!
:)
Kala

Abayliss :)

I've yet to purchase a Mazda Demio, am still shopping but wanted to ask if a Mazda Demio 1.5ltr with 90,000kms, tiptronice for sale at $8,000.00 is okay? Year 2004? Also, are 1.5ltr okay?

Am asking as have narrowed down a few cars and trying to figure out which to have a pre inspection carried out on. There are a few 2002 - 2004 models with low mileage between $7,000 and $9,000 mark that I don't quite understand in terms of pricing.

Also do you know if there is a difference in terms of legroom space between a year 2004 and year 2006 model?

Thank you, Abayliss
:)

As far as I know, there's no difference in legroom between the 2004 and 2006 models.
The price seems OK but it's no bargain. At that mileage, it might be just a little on the high. There seem to be a few advertised with lower mileage around a similar price, so perhaps you could bargain them down $500 or so?
The 1.5 is good.