Please read the disclaimer first.
A few days ago I had a conversation with a friend from Romania about used cars.
She said that she is studying from autumn, but stays at home, so now she has to pass her drivers license exam and to buy a car.
On my question, what kind of car, she spontaneously told Suzuki Jimny.
Looks good, has a small engine, has an elevated sitting position, you sit higher than the rest and it looks like you can go offroad.
Here is a car from 2008 with 1330 qcm, cost about 6000 €, has a four-wheel drive, was driven around 100000km.
But with such offers stands usually no guarantee and means scrap.
It also needs 9 liters.
Off-road vehicle as a beginner who has to drive 100 km a day?
Curious, I have asked a little what is important to her and got the following criteria:
- She wants to have a good overview, so SUV or something like that.
- She does not want to have to switch, so automatic gearshift.
- She needs an air conditioning.
- It should cost max 7000 €.
- She wants to buy it from D, because cars in Romania are used harder than usually and are generally more expensive
- It should still run 100.000km and of course it should not be broken constantly, be economical etc.
Better no off-road vehicle
I advise against the Suzuki, because for a daily tour of 2x50 km is relatively impractical, loud, little driving comfort, relatively expensive in consumption and she has to switch gears.
And if there is so much snow on the highway that you need a four-wheel drive, you have to drive very slowly.
This is not an option for a 50km path.
Then you stay home anyway.
But I immediately fell apart from the old A-Class and with restrictions B-Class, apart from various off-road vehicles.
Golf Plus would also go, you sit there also somewhat higher, but costs just as much and has no star at the front (resale).
Specifically, I have suggested to her:
A150 Year since 2007, to eliminate the rust problems. Prices start at 100,000km from 4500 €.
The car is as short as the Suzuki, 3.85m, has only 1.498 cc / 95hp, consumes about 7 liters, the seats are slightly increased, the automatic should be good.
Of course, i can not tell her how high the insurance and annual taxes are.
But she can check it online by herself.
Nothing else is to be desired
As a "luxury variant" the B170 from 2006, with prices from 6000 € at 100000km.
But with 1700ccm and 115 hp, because it is somewhat heavier and also half a meter longer.
It consumes about 8 liters, one liter more as the A150.
The small engine I would not recommend, because I think that is too small for this car and the intended purpose.
Taxes, insurance are certainly more expensive, as more displacement and more horsepower.
Equipment and interior are essentially the same as the A-Class.
additional costs
Transfer costs by freight forwarder cost between 500 and 900 €, plus the fees in Romania and the tax and insurance. That is certainly again around the 1500-2000 €.
All together, the A150 seems to me the most sensible choice. But what do I already know.
Maybe her choice, the Suzuki, is not so bad.
He needs 600 liters of gasoline per year more at 30,000Km running, you have to switch, but maybe the repair costs are much lower.
But she has to find this out by herself.
When I had put all this together and emailed her, I was unsure enough to write this post and ask you if that is a sensible recommendation.
Maybe you know other cars that meet the requirements and are more suitable.
What do you think?
Disclaimer
This is just a translation of one of my,, posts. I try to improve my English skills, but without feedback is very difficult. In particular, I have difficulties with grammar, in the tense, and, of course, with proper nouns. Words, I could not find a clear translation for, I label with a * . So, please correct me whenever it is necessary.
Thank You