Perth - Best source for a car on a budget?

[Dave_newcastle]

My 19yo son (from the UK) has been in Perth for the last six months and is now looking at buying a car to run about in and get to his work. He doesnt have a high budget at all (probably around $2000). He has been looking at adverts on Gumtree. I was wondering is there a better newspaper / magazine or website that he could look at to find a vehicle from a private seller? Where would a Perth resident with a 15 yo, two owner, 150,000 km car that they have owned for the last eight years or so - cherished and maintained, but now surplus to requirements look to sell it?? Thanks in anticipation

[Progressive]

Just been through the same myself. Wanted to spend as little as possible, ended up spending more than i had hoped. For $2,000 I think that it will be a struggle to find anything that is not an absolute shed.

However, trawling gumtree and similar sites might come up with something. I know somebody who picked up a ten year old Mazda 6 with reasonable miles (km's) for about $4,000.

Edited to add some more helpful information: I found 'carsales' website helpful to get a feel for the market. This is similar to auto trader. Asking around his work, friends or in the pub might assist. For that price range I think through a friend will be best, or on gumtree.

Edited by Progressive on Sunday 5th May 11:21

[Ten Four]

Gumtree is by far the best site.

[Progressive]

+1 for the $5,000 'starting price'. A few people I know have used this benchmark.

As a consolation, when he comes to sell the car it will have retained much of its original value at that price point. People buy ten year old cars here, run them for a year and sell them on for what they paid for them.

[Dave_newcastle]

Thank you all for the comments. The more I have looked this afternoon the more I see that he needs to increase his budget.

[Bibbs]

Gumtree <- free online
CarSales <- more expensive cars
Quokka <- local free ads

But $2000 will not get much at all.

If he's near Vic Park, tell him to get down there. There are *lots* of dealers, and the further away from the city the cheaper the cars.

He'll then get an idea of what his budget should be.

[Colonial]

On that budget?

I'd be looking at the east coast and drive it back.

[Bibbs]

WeirdNeville said:

But that's a Grand in fuel, several hundred in re-rego, the risk of a pit inspection, plus 5 days of your time!

It would be a great top gear challenge, but beyond that I think it would be financial suicide.

I'm not sure I'd want to drive a $2k Hyundai Getz across the middle either.

The train would be over a grand per person as well.

[Colonial]

WeirdNeville said:

But that's a Grand in fuel, several hundred in re-rego, the risk of a pit inspection, plus 5 days of your time!

It would be a great top gear challenge, but beyond that I think it would be financial suicide.

Yeah, but it would be fun

[Colonial]

WeirdNeville said:

My mrs was recently 'told' she was working in Brisbane for 3 months, but that they would get a flat so that I could come too.
I spent about half an hour planning that journey so we could at least have our car with us before realising exactly how "un-fun" it would be - with one driver and an 18 month old child in tow, at any rate.

Thankfully the Brisbane gig fell through.

Mates > 18 month old in this particular instance

[james280779]

When we arrived, I bought a non running 94 jeep cherokee which had been flood damaged. Had an ants nest in the head lining.

Cost me $3500 and was mega cheap for the above reasons, another $3000 to sort out to a good level and get rego'd. At the time it would have been $10k plus for one like that. I ran it for two years and got back exactly what I had spent.

High entry level but you dont tend to lose too much cash!

Might be worth looking up here in Darwin- its a place that alot of army types are posted then have to leave pronto. Cars are frequently for 'urgent' sale, its not too much to get them transported to Perth but....... you will have to do the Rego or do as every Australian does- dont bother re-rego and drive on the other states plates.


found something like this-

one thats already Perth Rego so just a matter of shipping it back down
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/darwin-cbd/cars-van...

Edited by james280779 on Tuesday 7th May 00:49

[james280779]

another one

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/darwin-cbd/cars-van...

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/darwin-cbd/cars-van...

seems the backpackers are arriving, I would wait until they are due to fly then offer them half the amount. Its better than nothing.

Loads of ex backpacker cars dumped at the airport as they cant sell them.

Edited by james280779 on Tuesday 7th May 00:56

[james280779]

I have just offered 2k for this one and told them to keep the camping gear

see what happens


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/darwin-cbd/cars-van...