Ask an expert

Perhaps you should consider a push bike,they are cheap to repair. Sorry could not resist.

The maintenance costs are more or less the same. It is much easier to carry out fault diagnosis and repair work for a manual gearbox whereas automatic transmissions have complicated internal components, including electro-valves, valve body, and electrical wiring, clutches and brakes, etc and repair work is reserved for the automatic transmission specialist. For this reason it costs less to repair a manual gearbox and fuel efficiency is normally better too.

Thank you.

hi
just wanted to get some feed back on this car specs given below: economical, efficiency, spare-parts, ease of maintenance, fuel efficiency.

2001 Nissan Pulsar ,1.6cc, 4 cylinder , manual, chain driven, has done over 160km, fan belt has to be replaced (given up)/

Can you give approx price for second hand car with above specs?
Why does the fan-belt give up?any possible scenarios?

Thanks,
JP

I'm sure we've discussed this model previously in this thread. It's a good model, k's are a bit high on this example but not astronomical. Fan belt just a maintenance item, so probably just old and worn out (it's a very minor issue).
It's in the same ball park as almost all the other cars we've discussed pricewise - say around $4k - $5k.

JPereira- Its a good idea for you to actually get out and test drive these cars and then come back to the AA experts for their opinion on it. You've moved from Audis to Runxs to Pulsars to Hyundais and back to Pulsars :)

Price can vary on the condition of the actual car and individual service items that the car needs to be done- eg- if that Pulsar has 4 new tyres then in will be worth more than one with low tread etc. Even the colour can affect the price of the car!

While in general a Toyota might be more reliable than a BMW you might find out that a well serviced BMW might need less maintenence than a Toyota which hasn't had regular servicing etc. So it all depends on the actual car so you should get off the computer and go have a look :)

hi,
thank you for your opinion and feedback. yes I have been looking at a wide spectrum of vehicles, confusing to most since I am new to this and not really sure what to look at hence ask the experts.

Also I am in a different region and most of these cars that are advertised are in different regions. So I do not have the benefit to inspect them physically but go on anecdotal evidence, feedback given to me by seller, opinion of experts and my own individual research.

I am not test driving or inspecting the car physically. I have a limited budget to operate with as well so need to stick within the parameters ($5k).

Its quite difficult to find a good car , with low miles, well maintained within that price range.I am mainly looking at Jap imports now (pulsar, sentra,toyota, mazda.etc)

cheers,
JP

If you don't know much about cars its best to look within your own region than buying a car sight unseen in Auckland. Also cars can look great in photos but if you acutally inspect it you'll see the dings, scratches, recent panel work etc. You also have to factor the shipping of the car or your airline ticket to Auckland and the gas to drive it down.

You have to test drive the car and inspect it to see if you're happy with it. There is a world of difference as to how a 1.6 Hyundai and a Audi A3 will drive.

I disagree- there are plenty of cars out there for that price but that market - $5k and under is quite competitive and the good cars sell quick. You also have to budget that cars at that price will need some maintenence too eg-