Kindly offer advice considering fuel economy, ease of maintenance, availability of and inexpensive spare parts, availability of mechanics(both pro and kazeems), ruggedity, common faults and solutions and proness to faults.

Emmzy201:
Hyundai elantra that car is a small beast on its own

peteruuu:
Nissan Almera all the way

CityNGR:




W202 C Klasse

Sharmeenator:


Kindly explain why I should go for this

Sharmeenator:

That should be a Mercedes. Isn't it too expensive to maintain?

Emmzy201:
Hyundai elantra that car is a small beast on its own

Sharmeenator:
why almera sir?

CityNGR:
is it the one the piston flies out on motion?

RZArecta2:
99/2000 Mercedes Benz C Class, thank me later

Sharmeenator:
But why is the second hand dirt cheap compared to the new version? I have mixed feelings regarding naija used Mercedes.

CityNGR:




W202 C Klasse

HeavenlyBang:


For once, I have to agree with you. Get a W202, OP.

Also, stop buying cheap cars. They're cheap for a reason.

CityNGR:
2ND TIME

greenhulk:
U better go for a Toyota or golf 3 and leave all those cars u listed there. With ur budget most of these cars listed will probably give u more problems than the Honda I'm even seeing Maxima, Altima, Sentra, Audi a4, a6, VW Jetta in ur list. For that budget u might be getting a lemon.

Sharmeenator:
I created a thread in December 2017 seeking for advice in choosing between a Honda and a Mazda car, link here: https://www.nairaland.com/4238985/need-choosing-between-honda-baby. After all said and done, I went for the Honda Accord (baby boy) based on my budget and the advice given. My mechanic certified it OK after advising against the Mazda 626. We paid for the car, serviced it and did some body works where we discovered the underneath of the car to be badly rusted due to being parked for too long. The car turned out to be a nightmare.

Since I bought it, I have been a very regular customer at different mechanic workshops. I have changed nozzles (can't count), pumps like 4 times, injectors, power steering pump, steering rack, rusted fuel lines (took us months to fully solve this issue), shafts, ball joints, thyroids, back and front lower arms (welded) and many other minor things which can consume a lot when you calculate how many times you have to change them. There's no month I use the car I don't visit the repair shop. If I should mention everything I have faced in the space of 1 year, 4 months, this post will be too long. My car has broken down on the road; in the middle of the road several times during the day, late at night, sometimes causing traffic (can be so embarrassing eh!). I have spent so much on the car; even my wife is jealous. My experience has been awful that I'm so scared taking the car out especially with my family in it.

Despite all these, I don't regret buying it, as I have learnt so many from these experiences being a first car. To prevent a repeat, I'm here seeking expert help and advise to guide me in buying another car (the Honda is up for sale). I have seen many cars online within the range of 400k to 600k (my small budget ). I'm lost for choice. Mechanics advised I go for Toyota like it's the only brand in the world. I really don't like the Toyotas my budget can afford to buy. I have some cool models and brands in mind but I don't know which to go for and which not to go for. Kindly offer advice considering fuel economy, ease of maintenance, availability of and inexpensive spare parts, availability of mechanics (both pros and kazeems), ruggedity, common faults and solutions and proness to faults.

Cars in consideration includes but not limited to the following:

Nissan Maxima
Nissan Altima
Nissan Sunny
Nissan Primera
Nissan Almera
Nissan Sentra

Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Bora

Ford focus
Ford Taurus
Ford Escape

Chevrolet Aveo

Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Elantra

Skoda (I'm nor sure about this brand)

Audi A4 and A6

Honda civic (is it true it's leg doesn't pull like other Honda brands?).

All within 2000 to 2006/2007

I will appreciate your kind help.

CC:
Gazzuzz
Captainking
Automotive1
diportivo
Ikenna351
Larrixauto2017
Autojosh
Mynd44

HeavenlyBang:


Don't get used to it.

bamzyboa:
OP, I had a similar experience with my first car, same baby boy. Honda is a good car but we bought the badly used ones. My second car was also another baby boy which I enjoyed and love. Very rugged and smooth Even my mechanic places calls to ask if I travelled. So, it is not about the brand sometimes but how is it managed and maintained. Give new car of same brand to different people and check their maintenance report from the users after a year. You will understand my point. I'm not very good in technicality of cars to advise of a particular brand but you will be good with a healthy one of whichever brand you choose.

chukel:
I just like the 2 of u

OPUSDEI1:
OP, from your list, your best bet is 2004/2005 Honda civic that has not been abused and if you can drive manual, more peace of mind.

CityNGR:


To a certain extent.... You're right. Heard a golf 3 driver complaining about village people behind his inability to pay for his instalments.... That the car had been nothing but trouble ever since.... I asked him to open the hood...lo and behold... I saw the troubles plaguing him... All springs were constructed.... With bed springs... Even the one on the carburetor... The one working with the throttle pedal... Then a plethora of other managed things.... I had to just bluntly tell him... CHANGE YOUR MECHANIC!!

bamzyboa:
OP, I had a similar experience with my first car, same baby boy. Honda is a good car but we bought the badly used ones. My second car was also another baby boy which I enjoyed and love. Very rugged and smooth Even my mechanic places calls to ask if I travelled. So, it is not about the brand sometimes but how is it managed and maintained. Give new car of same brand to different people and check their maintenance report from the users after a year. You will understand my point. I'm not very good in technicality of cars to advise of a particular brand but you will be good with a healthy one of whichever brand you choose.

obekediamondfuto:


except of course one is pipedreams.....
I know a guy who once bought an Infinity and in less than a year bought a corolla to support the infinity, and in less than 2weeks wanted to sell it off, then later told us that he gave it to his wife to use.

Guess why?