Please suggest me a good car.

[Niranga Dilshan]

I have had 3 cars so far. First was a Kwid manual, then a 2017 manual Picanto and then a brand new Mahindra KUV 100 manual.

I sold the Mahindra because I got an overseas job offer and put the money towards buying a house. I failed my medical and did not leave country for the job.

I am looking to buy a car now but can not afford a new one. My budget is max 3mil. Could you please suggest me a good car? My requirements are:

1. Ideal if its manual
2. It must be reliable, I know nothing about under the hood of cars, I can only drive well.
3. Must have good parts availability
4. I need to use it for at-least 5 years. I am not so worried about selling it with a profit when the time is up
5. Good for long runs, I need to go on distant trips 
6. I do not prefer hatchbacks. Sedan/Wagon/Pickup are ok

Thank you very much

Niranga Dilshan

(If you are selling such a car, please do get in touch with me)

Edited October 14, 2024 by Niranga Dilshan

[matroska]

 

 

  On 10/14/2024 at 3:34 PM, Niranga Dilshan said:

I am looking to buy a car now but can not afford a new one. My budget is max 3mil. Could you please suggest me a good car? My requirements are:

1. Ideal if its manual
2. It must be reliable, I know nothing about under the hood of cars, I can only drive well.
3. Must have good parts availability
4. I need to use it for at-least 5 years. I am not so worried about selling it with a profit when the time is up
5. Good for long runs, I need to go on distant trips 
6. I do not prefer hatchbacks. Sedan/Wagon/Pickup are ok

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1. This is great since manual versions of cars that come in both Auto and manual transmission go for a lot less than their automatic counterparts - plus they don't change hands as much as the more sought after auto variants. 

2. at 3 Million we are sadly looking at cars that are old - so the reliability is a big question mark that relies solely on how the previous owners have taken care of it. But what you/we can do is look for models that have a potentially lesser likelihood of being unreliable and maybe ones that are easier to fix/sort out. 

3. This means that you have to stick to the mainstream brands

4.,5 duly noted.

6. This eliminates the Indian hatches which is the obvious choice in your budget range. Essentially you're looking at Manual Sedans and Wagons in an age where everyone is clamoring for Automatic Hatchbacks. This opens up a lot of possibilities for you. Such as Mazda BJ5P/BJ3P Familias, Nissan N16's (1.3 Manuals) , Corolla Wagons (EE102/3/6/8) - and a lot more. (I do not mention Lancer CK or Honda EK since most of them are riced, hacked and overpriced now) Why don't you do a price wise search and narrow down  

 

[PreseaLover]

Nissan Presea R11

Nissan Bluebird U13 ARX

Toyota Mark II GX100

Nissan Cefiro A33

Nissan Laurel 

Menna mahaththaya gannawanam ganna waahana

[iRage]

  On 10/16/2024 at 9:23 AM, matroska said:

Corolla Wagons (EE102/3/6/8)

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Sadly these are utter garbage thanks to poor maintenance by cheap owners. They are also made to be more than what they are.

  On 10/16/2024 at 11:10 AM, PreseaLover said:

Nissan Presea R11

Nissan Bluebird U13 ARX

Toyota Mark II GX100

Nissan Cefiro A33

Nissan Laurel 

Menna mahaththaya gannawanam ganna waahana

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I know a guy who had that exact list of cars....I hear the guy migrated to Europe or something. Last I heard of him the guy was going mad trying to find parts for Bluebird ARX.

All the cars are solid choices provided they were well maintained and loved. Sadly most of the ones that come up for sale seem to be the ones that are not in very good shape. Parts for the Cefiro, Presa and Bluebird are a bit hard to come by in SL.

The Mark II, any X100, X90 or X80 car these days are going for really high prices so it might be out of your budget.

[Niranga Dilshan]

Thank you to all the gentlemen who has replied.

Is a 1998 Toyota Tercel a good choice?

[iRage]

  On 10/17/2024 at 10:45 AM, Niranga Dilshan said:

1998 Toyota Tercel

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That depends on what your expectations are.
When new, these were entry-level robust cars just like the Corolla, Sunny, etc..of the period. Entry level as in they were smaller and didn't have as many bells and whistles as its bigger brothers. In many ways it is "sort of" the sedan of the starlet

If the car is in good shape and has been well taken care of then it is a nice car. After 26ish years and a list of (mostly cheap) owners it would have the same plight as the Corolla, Sunny, etc..of the era.

[Niranga Dilshan]

  On 10/18/2024 at 6:16 AM, iRage said:

That depends on what your expectations are.
When new, these were entry-level robust cars just like the Corolla, Sunny, etc..of the period. Entry level as in they were smaller and didn't have as many bells and whistles as its bigger brothers. In many ways it is "sort of" the sedan of the starlet

If the car is in good shape and has been well taken care of then it is a nice car. After 26ish years and a list of (mostly cheap) owners it would have the same plight as the Corolla, Sunny, etc..of the era.

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Thank you good sir 

[Niranga Dilshan]

I decided to wait until the import restrictions are lifted