u/Bulky_Dig3987

Hi everyone,

I’m currently looking to buy my very first car and would love some realistic advice from the community. My budget is between $5,000 and $10,000 AUD. I just need something reliable and economical for daily commuting.

Since this is my first time navigating the used car market, I have a few specific questions:

1. Dealers vs. Private Sellers: With a sub-$10k budget, am I better off looking at private sales (like Facebook Marketplace or Carsales) to get a better price, or should I stick to licensed used car dealers for the statutory warranty/consumer protections?
2. Year, Model, & Engine Capacity: What specific makes and models should I be looking at in this price range? I prefer smaller, fuel-efficient engines (maybe around 1.3L to 2.0L) that are cheap to run and maintain. I've seen a lot of recommendations for the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and Suzuki Swift, but I’m open to suggestions on which specific years or generations offer the best value right now.
3. Mileage (Kilometres): Realistically, what kind of odometer reading should I expect for $5k–$10k? Should I be worried about cars that have crossed 150,000 or 200,000 km, or is that completely fine as long as there is a full logbook service history?

Any tips on what to look out for or hidden trap doors to avoid when inspecting a car would be incredibly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!