From the point of view of the car market, 2021 can be described in one word – scarcity. The lack of cars led to a sharp increase in prices and dealer diktat. It is no wonder that so many car owners switched from new cars to used ones, as a result of which worthy copies for good money were swept away in just a couple of months. By the end of 2021, a decent used car should literally be caught. Of course, after the new cars, the prices for “used” cars have also risen, so the monitoring that we conducted a year ago can be safely updated. We are looking to see if it is possible to buy something worthy with no more than 500,000 rubles in your pocket.
Traditionally, the word “worthy” in our understanding has specific characteristics: age – no more than 10 years, mileage – no more than 100-120 thousand km, legal purity and a confirmed service history.
With all due respect to the progress of the domestic auto industry, in 2022 you still want to continue driving a foreign car. It is also highly desirable that the car has one or two caring owners, and does not walk around “hands”. In general, to buy and not think much about what to do with it now.
The result both pleased and disappointed. The positive trend is that there were noticeably more offers on the market in January 2022 than at the end of 2021. That is, there is at least some choice in terms of models, the number of options and, most importantly, prices. Well, the negative trend is related to the cost: if even a year ago for 500,000 rubles you could safely count on a European foreign car of the “golf class”, now the level of the car will have to be lowered to the B B + segment, and look at solid cars or crossovers with a magnifying glass . So.
Datsun on-DOmi-DO
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of issue: 2015-2018
Mileage: 40-80 thousand km
Engine: 1.6, manual/automatic
Yes, yes, of course, it is clear that Datsun has nothing to do with foreign cars, but formally it is. In addition, representatives of Nissan, whose ownership included the Datsun brand, at one time stated that Japanese specialists really worked on finalizing the Grants and Kalina, who tightened the nuts and tightened the clamps so that the car still differed from AvtoVAZ products.
In any case, Datsun today is the only way for 400-500 thousand rubles to buy a very fresh 3-5 year old car with a minimum mileage in a more or less decent configuration, the main trump card of which will be … an automatic transmission! It is a wide selection of versions with a gun that allows you to give the Datsun the status of the first car in the family. Well, all the shortcomings of VAZ origin, as usual, are compensated by the relative cheapness of repairs and the availability of spare parts.
Renault Logan Sandero
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of release: 2012-2016
Mileage: 60-100 thousand km
Engine: 1.6, manual/automatic
The main “transplanter” of Russians to foreign cars once again saves the situation in the domestic car market. The simple and indestructible LoganSandero did not rise in price during the pandemic so much, and therefore remained one of the most sought-after foreign cars.
There is one problem: if earlier for 450-500 thousand rubles you could choose a second-generation model, now you will have to give preference to restyled versions of the first generation. Actual versions of “Logan” are also found, but mainly in the simplest “taxi” versions with an 82 hp engine. Well, you will have to forget about the automatic machine and a decent package – for 500 thousand such a “Logan” is now practically impossible to buy.
Nissan Almera
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of issue: 2013-2017
Mileage: 70-100+ thousand km
Engine: 1.6, manual/automatic
The main alternative to “Logan” is his Japanese alter ego. The body of the Nissan Sylphy was pulled by the Japanese onto the same Logan of the first generation, resulting in a unique car that is almost C + in size, and at a price slightly more expensive than the products of the domestic auto industry.
Yes, you can’t even remember about the gloss of interior decoration and modern options – everything is nowhere cheaper from the early 2000s, but a spacious interior, a large trunk, air conditioning and even sometimes an automatic machine can be found in the Nissan Almera. Add here the “Logan” endurance, as well as fairly fresh specimens, and you will get a simple, unpretentious car for every day for not very much money. The main thing is not to run into a former taxi with twisted mileage.
Chevrolet Aveo II Lacetti Cobalt
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of release: 2012-2014
Mileage: 80-100 thousand km
Engine: 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, manual/automatic
Once one of the leaders of the Russian market – Chevrolet – has left a good legacy of inexpensive models to this day.
Yes, all of them do not shine with thoroughbred driving characteristics, special quality factor and quality, but they are distinguished by pragmatism, inexpensive maintenance and good comfort. And, for example, Aveo II also looks good. Up to 500,000 rubles, you can find the last remnants of a good workhorse Lacetti, as well as a practical Cobalt sedan, which even meets with a machine gun. In general, if you categorically dislike the peasant “Logan” or “Almera” based on it, you have a direct road to Chevrolet.
Skoda Fabia II
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of release: 2012-2014
Mileage: 80-100+ thousand km
Engine: 1.2, 1.4, mechanics
If for no more than half a million you want a full-fledged foreign car created by Europeans for Europeans, then, first of all, you need to contact Skoda.
For the specified amount, today you can choose a worthy copy of the second generation Fabia – this is a very practical and roomy city car with thoroughbred driving habits. True, you will have to rely on 10-year-old and only the most basic versions with a fervent, but weak 1.2 motor for 70 horses. Occasionally, you can also find slightly richer versions – 1.4, but most of these options have a range of 100 thousand km.
In any case, you will have to look at the technical condition carefully – Fabia was in demand in corporate parks. An automatic machine that came only with a 1.6 engine is safely excluded for the indicated amount – such versions of Fabia today cost under 600 thousand rubles.
Opel Corsa
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Year of issue: 2012-2013
Mileage: 90-100+ thousand km
Engine: 1.0, 1.2, mechanicsrobot
The direct competitor of Skoda Fabia from Opel is one of the most popular cars among the beautiful half of humanity, because there are enough hatchbacks in smart colors on the market.
True, all of them, as a rule, have been painted more than once and with a mileage of 100 thousand km, given that Opel is not the standard of German reliability. Another important nuance – “Corsu” can be chosen with a robot instead of mechanics, but you need to remember that the EasyTronic transmission is extremely capricious and inconvenient to use. But in general, if you check the technical condition, it is also one of the best urban options.
Renault MeganPeugeot 308Citroen C4Opel Astra
Photo: screenshot from auto.ru
Release year: 2012
Mileage: 100+ thousand km
Engine: 1.6, mechanicsautomaticrobotvariator
If the above cars are absolutely not suitable, you can hunt for a full-fledged European “golf” class, which, due to the urgency of the sale, sometimes comes across in good condition.
First of all, you need to watch the French. Good news for those who are afraid to buy a Peugeot or Citroen – by 2012, the PSA concern had overcome almost all problems with the 1.6 EP6 engine and its ancient AL4 automatic machine, which received a new control unit and became known as the AT8.
So the models 308 and C4, if, of course, they have not been killed and wound on a pole in 10 years, they may well still serve. The same applies to Renault Megan, in which you need to carefully look at the condition of the variator. If you’re lucky, for half a million on the market you can also meet the Opel Astra H in the most basic trim levels. Also a worthy representative of the class, but only with a manual transmission.
Checking the service history and condition of the body for all cars is strictly required, since 500 thousand rubles for all these cars is below the market price, which means there must be a reason for dumping.
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