Overhaulin'

hi everyone. im about to buy a new/used car, but dunno which one is better?.?

I have a few options but since im a newbie in this, i need help.. Im looking at A) Honda Civic ESI 92/93 model. they are cheap but how to check whether the engine is good? After using it till the COE ends then buy new car. B) Lancer GLX 1.6 (A). new car. C) Mazda 3 1.6(A) or the luxury sedan. Lastly i also heard the Kia Cerato 1.6(A) ia also cheap and affordable. Im really confused as im a firs time buyer and a new driver. pls help me with the decisions, its greatly appreciated.

Public Comments

1. I never agree with an used car especially after more than a decade. You'll be spending more of your time in the garage repairing the car than at home. Forget it. Any car within 5 years still can be considered but not with this 15 years coming to 16 car. Honestly, I would go for Mitsubishi because I feel Japanese cars are always more reliable. Mazda is a not bad car but it is too expensive. Among all the 1.6 categories, Mazda is the most expensive. Kia is from Korea. Well, it is not that bad but still not as reliable to a Japanese car. So you know the answer... Lancer GLX 1.6
2. I think you should get a used car. I am driving a 1992 Starlet, it's not giving me any problem so far (for more than 7 months). Honda Civic ESI is a great car. 92/93 model should cost you about S$13,000 with COE till 08/2011 (the COE for that month is about S$18,400). It's very difficult to say by word how to check whether the engine is still good, you got to test drive the car. Of course, if you have no budget, getting a new car of course will be better. But you need to know that the new car you buy only cost 1/3 of the price, 2/3 of it are Government tax, COE, ARF and etc. Take an example, the current price for Lancer GLX 1.6 (A) is about S$51,000. The OMV is about S$11,400, thus ARF = S$12,540 (110% of OMV) Duty = S$2280 (20% of OMV) Latest COE price is about S$17,000. Which meant total Government tax is 12,540 + 2280 + 17000 = S$31,820 (exclude GST). Out of S$51,000, you are paying to the Governement S$31,920 exclude GST!!!!! If you take 10 years loan, plus interest will be more than S$40,000. Which meant you are paying S$5000 tax every year (plus road tax) just to own a new car!!!! So, if you want to be another high tax payer, then you may buy a new car.
3. It is better to buy a used car for your first car, especially for new driver. Gain more driving experience then buy a new car with lower insurance cost. You can buy a cheap used car from seized and government car auctions, which can save up to 95% of retail price. Most of them sold at such auction are in good condition. By the way, you also can resell it to make profit quickly. To get more "buy used car cheap information", pls visit http://www.toponegoods.com/carcheap.htm