Which car should I get?for family of 5 & to work only. Budget about $500(car installment & petrol included)?

Question

Which car should I get?for family of 5 & to work only. Budget about $500(car installment & petrol included)?

Answer 1

I guess you're in Singapore, right?

Breakdown of owning a car in Singapore, which everyone knows but no one cares until they have felt the pinch. Basically, at $500 per month you can't go far, honest. I am guessing you are below 30 years old and I am budgeting for a 1.3Litre sedan. So, here goes.....

1. First time car owner, below 30 years old insurance $1400

2. 1.3 Litres Saloon car road tax for new car $600

3. Average petrol tank size for a 1.3L car 43L

4. Average fuel consumption for a 1.3L car (urban) 10 km /lit

5. Parking fees $95/month

So, with all that in, your annual budget is $6000

Lets take away all the fixed operating cost $2095. So, you will have a balance of $3905 of annual budget for car instalment and petrol which adds up to an average of $325/month. With a petrol price shooting up and cost $2.40/lits and you fill up twice a month to a total of $103.20. which wil lthen leaves you with a budget of $222/month for car instalment.

So, at $222/month you can afford a 5 year old used car. But, you may want to heed the above answerer advise. Because you will be in trouble if your car breaks down and needs repair

However, to me driving in Singapore requires a budget of at least $1500 each month that includes contingencies eg towing, parking fines, servicing, repairs etc. Otherwise, stick to public transport.

Answer 2

if your looking for a car that cost $500, that will hold that many, sorry to tell you, you wont find one. but if you mean $500 a month then go with the Suzuki grand vitara. starts at $18,000. i never had any bad words to say about mine.

Answer 3

For $500, you are really asking to buy somebody's problem - not a car.

You will have to up your budget to about $2000 for a decent car.  To help you, let me give you some guide lines:

Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car

(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.

(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.

(3) test every button, k**b, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can).  Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc.  then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc.  Test the high beam, low beam, etc.  Test (flip) the visor.  Test the alarm.  Test all 4 doors.  Test the rear defogger.

  *****   TEST EVERYTHING.

(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up.  Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).

(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.

(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc.  It is normal to see some oil and grease.  But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.

(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something.  If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).

(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection.  He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious.  Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer.  They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com.  Just more expensive.

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MSNBC had a news story on where is the best places to buy used cars. The used car dealers were on the BOTTOM of the list. They are pros at negotiations (and you and I are rank amateurs), they are pros at hiding problems on their cars, etc.

The private sales (newspaper, etc.) were the best places. The seller will not tell you all the problems, but they don't know how to hide them.

And a private seller are at MOST they are equal in negotiation skills to you and me.

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My 94 Civic can get 41 MPG (and I was doing 72 for the mileage test). The engine + tranny + suspension runs like new. It ain't no beauty but it is rock solid. If I had to sell it, I would not get more than few thousand dollars. This is the kind of car you want to look for.

Just take your time, as good old used cars are cheap but hard to come by.

good Luck...