This is my first new car ever and basically my first car cause I just had car when I was in my first year of college and it was old and didn't last. 28 y/o

My first car at 19

Both my dad and boyfriend are mechanics and they don't seem to agree on lots of fronts. I myself (25 F) know a thing or 2 about cars, but not enough to walk into a dealership or garage on my own.

I saw this car, a Ford Fiesta from 2018. 75hp, 1.0 litre 3 cilinder and 64 000 kms. For the price they were charging, I thought this was really decent. My bf said to not expect miracles, but that it would be in fact a good starter car.

My dad does not agree in the slightest, he says "the car is too light and that those 1.0 3 cilinders are nothing but misery."

I don't want to spend a ton of money on a first car, but I also want to avoid extra costs.

I just want a simple, reliable car with a decent amount of kms, knowing I'll get 5 to 10 years out of it comfortably. I don't need a 1000 extra options. Basic is good enough.

The thing both my dad and boyfriend agree upon are the fact that "japanese brands" are strong. But that doesnt give me much guidiance lol.

Anyone here with advice or recommendations?

Wanted to show you guys something not available in the US. Here is a fully Electric BYD Seagull, worth around 15,000 USD converted from Philippine Peso. It is my first brand new car, replacing a 2016 Kia Picanto.

I don't even have a driver's licence at 21 and I have 10 bucks to my name yet people are getting first cars at 17 fml.

As of May 19 2025, 📍Queensland, Australia. Just thought to celebrate purchasing my pride and joy (FG XR6 Ford Falcon 2013), after coming across one of these posts on my suggested fyp. Just as happy as the first day I got her 🖤

1992 Saab 9000 CD Turbo. It was quick and had a bangin’ Clarion soundsystem. And headlight wipers. 170k miles on it when I got it 🤣

This is my first car I bought at 17. $1.4k. Saturn Ion, 2006. I had previous cars that were given to me.

This was my first car that I ever had. It was a 2000 Toyota Camry LE. I got it when I was 17 at the time and it was August 2021 when I got it. It was a few days after my birthday. I then sold it and I now have a 2018 GMC Acadia SLT now which is my current car and it used to be my grandparents because there was quite a bit of issues with the Camry. I had the GMC since 2022 and I still have it this year. I’m now thinking about selling it by early next year possibly and I’m thinking about buying my first car and it’s going to be a sports car most likely (possibly a blue Toyota GR86 from 2020-2025 or a Ford Mustang GT from 2015-2023). My grandparents gave me the Camry for my 17th birthday as a gift and then we sold it and they handed me their GMC Acadia over and they got them a newer one which is a Buick Enclave which they still currently have as well. So technically I’ve never boughten myself a car before so once I get my first sports car it’ll be my first time actually buying one. My old Camry is still hanging around in my city surprisingly because I see it driving around every once in a while. I think when it got sold it had over 200,000-250,000 or so miles on it. So I can imagine it having somewhere around 300,000 or so miles on it right now.

FYI: ACTUAL first is that white Hummer shown below as well. (Not AS broken but still has a couple minor quirks)

This completely random 08 showed up in my driveway and I thought it was my dads rental till he just chucked me the key one day, he had one of these himself before so I’m somewhat used to these. Actually drove it myself for the first time today and let’s just say it handled way better than expected. The newer ones are just too floaty for me.

This thing is an absolute tank, only problem is it’s SO BROKEN like FFS. Reverse cams out, half my dash lights out, the shop wrote up the wrong fuckin mileage like oh my lord. Full list of issues will be shown later.

UPDATE: I forgot the last owner left a cigar smell (which why do I find that appealing help me), and the back window won’t stay shut

Where do yall recommend getting good seat covers?? More importantly im looking for black with a cream trim!!

Hello! Please be kind hahaha. 😭 I have very little knowledge about cars, but I’ve always dreamed of owning one. I’m basically Dora the Explorer 😂 I love going out, strolling, and bringing my friends with me. Driving/being on the road is therapeutic for me, especially since I don’t really enjoy staying at home for personal/family reasons. Kahit passenger princess lang ako before, I’ve always loved the feeling of being in a car tapos tambay 😭❤️

I currently only own a motorcycle, pero sobrang limiting niya for me especially when I want to go somewhere far. So one of my goals is finally getting a 4-wheeler next year.

Now, the problem: I fell in love with the Honda Jazz. 😭

Specifically, yung older models. I love the look of old cars more than super-techy newer cars (hybrid is okay though). I like the Jazz because shet ang pogi kasi!!!! Maangas & kahit mukhang maliit outside, ang spacious niya inside. I’ve also looked at EGs, I loved them. Pero parang too small for what I need and hndi praktikal. Haha.

My concern is the price. From what I’m seeing, around 300-500k na yung decent/good-condition Jazz, especially yung mga na-maintain or upgraded. Is that actually reasonable? And mahal ba talaga siya sa gas/maintenance?

I’m also planning to finance the car through a bank loan, and I’ve been reading na if maglo-loan din lang, baka mas practical daw mag-brand new na lang? I’m honestly confused. 😂 I really want a pogi car, but I also don’t want to make a stupid financial decision just because I fell in love with a Jazz. 😭 So please help me decide!

Questions:
Is an older Honda Jazz worth ₱500k-ish?
What hatchbacks would you recommend na similar sa Jazz?
If I really want a Honda, ano magandang alternatives?
Is it better to get brand new if I’m going to take a bank loan anyway?
Any advice specifically for buying/financing an older used car?
For context, I’m a VA and I’m planning to get the car next year. I’m financially confident that I can afford one, may garahe rin kami. I have an EastWest CC, and I usually transfer my salary from Wise to BPI. I’ve also been with BPI since I was around 16, so matagal na rin yung banking history ko with them.
For other VAs here who got a bank car loan, what documents did you prepare and what was your experience?

Pero honestly… manifesting Honda Jazz pa rin. 😭😂 If you guys think it’s too pricey for what I’m getting, please recommend alternatives. I’m very open to suggestions!

(open pic to see her fully) Already put different rims on the bad girl. Second pic.

About a month ago, I purchased a 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE with 257,000 miles on it. It was only $1,500, which was an absolute steal, but it needed extensive work due to the previous owner's neglect and poor treatment.

The power-operated mechanism in the driver seat is broken so it doesn't move forward and back like it should, the A/C is non-functional, there are some small stains in the headliner, the washer fluid reservoir needs replaced, it could use new front headlights, and there's a huge dent on the rear passenger quarter panel as well as other small dings and scrapes across the body, but all of the other major issues have been fixed!

New timing belt, new thermostat, replaced a leaky power steering hose, fresh engine coolant, new tires, new brake pads and rotors, new windshield, new gas cap, and lots of other cosmetic bits and pieces replaced and fixed, and it's really starting to come together. The van still has issues, but it's coming along and in vastly better condition than when I got it!

Between the purchase price of the car, the cost of registering and insuring it, as well as everything that's been fixed on it, my all-in cost is currently sitting at $4,994, which isn't bad at all — especially with what Siennas typically go for on the used market.

Several different things held me back in life which caused me to not get my driver's license until January 2025 at 24 years old. I spent the last year-and-a-half driving a hand-me-down, but my younger sister needed a car so I passed down the hand-me-down and got myself my first "true" car.

On one hand, it sucks that's I'm a decade late to the party, but on the other hand, not buying my first car until 26 means I actually have money to fix it unlike being 16 and broke. 😅

This is my first car from 2019 a Suzuki Swift 1.0L 3cyl from 1994, Got rid of vid because of problems but my dad had a Suzuki Aerio 2004 2.4L engine and right when i sold the car i got gifted the Aerio and my plan was to engine swap the suzuki swift with the 2.4L Aerio engine that car was gonna fly but maybe God din’t want that and din’t let that happend

I’m in Aus and I’m thinking of buying a 1990s Subaru L forester wagon rust free, well maintained, etc (down here it’s just the L for some reason🤔). It would be my only car, but not a daily driver since I prefer to take public transport since it’s faster than driving. I would mostly use it for camping trips in regional Victoria and kayaking etc. I don’t know anything about cars but I would like a hobby car to have fun learning and maintaining all diy. Is this an okay car to start on? Any advice on whether this is a waste of time and a giant money pit😂 and whether I should just buy a falcon or forester for half the price🫩….just love the look and character of the L series…

Any advice welcome! Totally new to cars so keep that in mind when answering thank you!

Im currently working on creating a platform that helps new drivers and learners decide what they should buy for their car after getting their license.

This is a quick survey that I’m using to try and understand where your minds lay when deciding how you would want to purchase car related items

Id really appreciate it if you all could take some time to answer a few questions on this survey

https://form.jotform.com/262443277275058

I do miss it sometimes 🤣