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-   -   Any BHPians up for a meet in Australia? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-bhp-meet-section/56250-any-bhpians-up-meet-australia.html)

Its been a week since I have arrived here .I have come here for my studies .Would love to catch up with BHPians if there are any.

now a days, spadiwal is in sydney.

Hi. I have recently come to sydney.. I need some help from fellow BHPians for buying a 2nd hand car here.. Can any1 pls help??

I am in Sydney, but yet to get my driving license even :) .. So there isnt much I can do to help you right now.

But Indian licence is accepted here!! :)

@Zerocritical: welcome to Australia mate (read it maayt..:D) I dont know if you are familir with these site:
New & Used Cars – Search New & Used Cars For Sale - CarPoint Australia
Used Cars & New Cars for Sale | Car Sales | Car Reviews | www.drive.com.au
Used Cars & New Cars for Sale - Find Car Sales, Caravans & Motorbikes - Trading Post
Used Cars - New Cars - Search New & Used Cars For Sale - carsales.com.au
Cars for sale | New & Used Cars | Car news, reviews & blogs at carsguide.com.au

search on these sites as these are most popular with second hand sellers. Chances are you'd be able to get a car of you choice pretty soon but don't forget to bargain. Second hand goods be it a car or furniture, trading is much like we have in India. Keep second hand dealers as you second hand choice and don't go for what they say, use your judge the things yourself. Always start bargaining from 60% of the price that is quoted on the car. Private sellers are mostly ok with the price they ask but do try a little bargain. I hope this'll help.

Not for me..for PR visa, its valid only for 3 months. And the freaking driving test guy failed me because I didn't do the head checks at traffic lights :Frustrati

My sister's family live in Sydney. They recently bought a 2007 camry from government auctions here.
Government Auctions

Yeah its a very good site for reliable and immaculately kept cars but one has to has a budget of $8000-10,000 or more. For a student it'd be bit too expensive but if budget allows then no second thoughts about it.:)

Thanks for the links... They are really useful!!

Yeah.. for student visa, we dont have the 3 months restriction!! :)
for PR, they must have issued a learner's licence.. you can re appear for test after one week...
By the way, whts " head checks at traffic lights" ??

Thanks for the link.. but this falls outside my budget... my budget is around 6k.. hopefully i get a 2000+ model with less than 150k kms run.. :)

Any suggestion which car i should be looking at?

Look Left Right Left or Right Left Right (based on the side of road you drive on) before you start. I guess thats what he meant by head checks.

Thanks.. this would help me when i give my test.. :)

hi thr... this is mezereo in sydney.... would luv to catch up any bhpians in sydney...

btw zerocritical, al da very best fr ur car search..

Thanks mezereo.. would love to meet up.. lets plan a sydney meet sometime?

Back to my car search.. still waiting for suggestions.. My budget is around $6k..
I have shortlisted the following:
1. Holden Astra : Australian made.. hence cost of ownership would be less (my guess) - getting around, 2000-2001 model, 150k kms run, for 6-7k before bargaining
2. Toyota Corolla (Toyota for reliability) - getting around 1998-2000, 170-180k run for 7-8k before bargaining
3. Honda Civic (Again for reliability) - getting around 1998-2000, 170-180k run for 7-8k before bargaining
4. Holden Comodore: (Again Aussie made) getting around 2000-2001, 150-160k run for 7-8k before bargaining
5. Mistubishi Magna: getting around 2000-2001, 150-160k run for 6-7k before bargaining

I have ruled out Hyundai, Daewoo since ppl here say that their engine starts giving trouble after 200k kms...

I am more inclined towards Astra as it gives good FE and suits my budget.. My cousins here suggest me to go for either a Toyota or Honda.. Least inclined towards Magna as it gives a FE of not more than 6-7kmpl

Suggestions pls..

Hi Maite.. Welcome to Sydney. I would say go for Holden or Toyota. Holden cars because as you said the maintenence costs would be minimum. Toyota because its known to be reliable.
You can also have a look at the numerous pre owned car dealerships around the Paramatta road. You can bargain for a good price.
Carcity is a pre owned car mart and you can get a better bargain there.
Cheers maite have a great time here!!