Buying a car in QLD
Discussion
I'm from the UK and over here until about Christmas time for a mix of work and travelling on my time off.
I've been in brissy for 3 weeks and liking it a lot but it's became apparent to get work I'm probably going to need to get a car.
Classic catch 22 of having to spend money to be in a position to make it :-)
When buying a car should I insist on a RWC? Is that the same as a UK mot which checks the major safety issues such as brakes, tyres etc? I then need to get registration which is the same as UK road tax?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've had a look at the info online and I'm not 100% of it
I've got a budget of around $2,500. Any suggestions on what to go for or avoid? I appreciate it's a low budget!
Seen a few ford falcons including some with lpg kit, never seen these before and the opinions on here seem mixed. Also seen mitsu magnas, and a Subaru impreza (non turbo) which seemed a bit cheap.
Doesn't have to be a big car but would be a bonus, in NZ we bought a Mitsubishi Delica which was awesome but far more expensive here.
I've been looking on gumtree mainly, anywhere to look?
Hi Kev
You need a roadworthy certificate (think it must have been issued in the previous 3 months) to register a car in QLD. If you buy a car without one, the previous owner will have de-registered it and handed the number plates in. You will then need to get the car checked and a RWC issued before you can register it and get new plates.
There is no annual roadworthy check in QLD, so a car that has been in the same hands for years may be in dire condition.
I went through a couple of cheap sheds last year whilst waiting for the cars we shipped from GB to arrive, and decided to steer well clear of cheap stuff without a RWC - on the assumption that a certified car commands a much higher price, so anything without a ticket has probably got problems. I found $3000 was about rock bottom price for anything acceptabe that was legal & not obviously in need of significant spend.
Gum tree and notice board adverts at the shops were the best source.
Also think about air con. Not essential now, but will be in a few months (and will be hard to sell on in December without it).
Good hunting ! Let us know you get on.
Cheers
Ian
You need a roadworthy certificate (think it must have been issued in the previous 3 months) to register a car in QLD. If you buy a car without one, the previous owner will have de-registered it and handed the number plates in. You will then need to get the car checked and a RWC issued before you can register it and get new plates.
There is no annual roadworthy check in QLD, so a car that has been in the same hands for years may be in dire condition.
I went through a couple of cheap sheds last year whilst waiting for the cars we shipped from GB to arrive, and decided to steer well clear of cheap stuff without a RWC - on the assumption that a certified car commands a much higher price, so anything without a ticket has probably got problems. I found $3000 was about rock bottom price for anything acceptabe that was legal & not obviously in need of significant spend.
Gum tree and notice board adverts at the shops were the best source.
Also think about air con. Not essential now, but will be in a few months (and will be hard to sell on in December without it).
Good hunting ! Let us know you get on.
Cheers
Ian
Hi Kev, & welcome to my little part of Oz.
Yes roadworthy certificate is essential, & for you, something with a few months registration left when you want to sell would be a good idea.
Don't forget to allow for transfer of registration to your name, which includes third party injury insurance. Car insurance is essential, but with low value things check a third property damage policy. We got one quite cheaply for a teen daughter, when comprehensive was more than the value of the car.
If you buy privately, do check Car Facts for secure title.
There are some good back yarders around who repair insurance write offs. We have a good one, who has supplied each of our kids their first car at low price, with great reliability. A few of our kids friends have got cars from him, & all have been happy, so these people can be OK.
Yes roadworthy certificate is essential, & for you, something with a few months registration left when you want to sell would be a good idea.
Don't forget to allow for transfer of registration to your name, which includes third party injury insurance. Car insurance is essential, but with low value things check a third property damage policy. We got one quite cheaply for a teen daughter, when comprehensive was more than the value of the car.
If you buy privately, do check Car Facts for secure title.
There are some good back yarders around who repair insurance write offs. We have a good one, who has supplied each of our kids their first car at low price, with great reliability. A few of our kids friends have got cars from him, & all have been happy, so these people can be OK.
Hi hasbeen, also looking for a chaep run about for the son at uni, been looking at 2.5-3K not much going that is not shi#e, having said that he got through 3 cars in 18 months!!!! When will people understand to change driving habits in the wet. Cars are just expensive here and often little more than crap. any suggestions appreciated (yes along the lines of a 1.6-2l 4Cyl.).
Google [bot] said:
Without a doubt where my money would be going if that was my criteria. Yep it is hard to beat a Toyota of the slightly older school. We had 2 Cressidas. One did 170,000 for my wife, then my son did another 100,000 before he retired it to go 4WD off roading. The other did 377,000 as a family & tow car, & is still my paddock basher.
Then again, both my daughters had 1990s Hondas as first cars, a Prelude & a Civic, which gave great service until they replaced them, more for prestige than any other reason.
My favorite car is my Triumph TR7, which many would say, precludes me from being a suitable person to give advice on choice in cars.
Then again, both my daughters had 1990s Hondas as first cars, a Prelude & a Civic, which gave great service until they replaced them, more for prestige than any other reason.
My favorite car is my Triumph TR7, which many would say, precludes me from being a suitable person to give advice on choice in cars.
Hi,
Thanks for the replies, Good to get things a bit more set - avoid anything without a RWC is the rule from now on!
I'm chasing two different jobs this week, one in retail which doesn't need a car ( 15min cycle) and one labouring which will need a car ( here there and everywhere). I've experience in both so hopefully get one of them, still waiting to hear from a few others but it's a tough market so just got to keep going at it. The labouring work seems pretty busy as it's a friend of the people we're renting flat from so a good foot in the door.
I'm looking at something Japanese, I know $2.5k isn't a lot over here and buying a shed seems far more difficult than the UK.
I'm from Scotland - I need air-con already!
I was a little tempted by
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/shailer-park/cars-v...
Which isn't japanese, or particularly cheap to run, and has a short registration, but it reminds me of an omega plod car :-)
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/loganlea/cars-vans-...
Trying to avoid anything that looks too good to be true! There's a tidy A4 at $3250 + registration and a few impreza's luring me as well.
I'll see how job responses go and let you know what I buy - sure it'll be shed'tastic.
Thanks for the replies, Good to get things a bit more set - avoid anything without a RWC is the rule from now on!
I'm chasing two different jobs this week, one in retail which doesn't need a car ( 15min cycle) and one labouring which will need a car ( here there and everywhere). I've experience in both so hopefully get one of them, still waiting to hear from a few others but it's a tough market so just got to keep going at it. The labouring work seems pretty busy as it's a friend of the people we're renting flat from so a good foot in the door.
I'm looking at something Japanese, I know $2.5k isn't a lot over here and buying a shed seems far more difficult than the UK.
I'm from Scotland - I need air-con already!
I was a little tempted by
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/shailer-park/cars-v...
Which isn't japanese, or particularly cheap to run, and has a short registration, but it reminds me of an omega plod car :-)
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/loganlea/cars-vans-...
Trying to avoid anything that looks too good to be true! There's a tidy A4 at $3250 + registration and a few impreza's luring me as well.
I'll see how job responses go and let you know what I buy - sure it'll be shed'tastic.
Edited by KevD28 on Monday 19th August 12:54
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