Best First Car for Fresh Graduates [New & Second Hand]

Have trouble choosing the best first car for fresh graduates? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! Below are the top 5 vehicles, including new and second-hand cars, which are cheap and reliable for students entering the workforce.

Getting your first car, especially as a fresh graduate, is like stepping into a library with plenty of books to choose from. So, you must have some guidelines for picking a car suitable for your usage and budget.

Making a wrong decision may put you in a difficult financial situation in the long run. It’s not uncommon for young Malaysian youth to fall under bankruptcy due to the repayment of car loans. Hence, it is best to avoid it by being realistic and not purchasing a car outside of our range.

You should choose a car based on your annual income as a rule of thumb. Say that your monthly income is RM2,500, making an annual income of RM30,000. It would be ideal that the car you are looking for is RM30,000 and below.

But of course, it depends on your monthly commitment as some may be able to pay a little more.

Alternatively, you can also go for a second-hand car as there are plenty to go around. Let’s put it this way, if we look at a second hand BMW, you might be able to afford it. However, keep in mind that there are costs like road tax, car maintenance and perhaps car insurance. These things can cost quite a bit, too, especially for higher-end cars like a BMW with more expensive road tax and maintenance than a local Proton Saga.

Thus, the second-hand cars we listed here have reasonably road tax, maintenance and are within a reasonable price of RM20,000 to RM50,000.

Here are the top 5 First Car for Fresh Graduates:

Perodua Axia

It’s almost a crime to not list Perodua Axia here as one of the best first car for fresh graduates. With a price as low as RM23,367, you will be able to get a brand new Axia. With that being said, if getting the lowest spec of Axia doesn’t appeal to you, you can go for the GXtra variant or higher. They offer better safety features, appearance, as well as overall performance.

Perfect for daily travels between school, work and home, Perodua Axia is ideal because of its small size and fuel-saving capabilities. Due to Axia’s ECO Driving mode, it is said to be able to travel as far as 22.5km for every litre of fuel.

Don’t let its’ small size fool you! Although it may appear like a tiny car, the car space inside is pretty spacious compared to a Perodua Kancil or Kelisa.

With 6 available variants, Axia has a starting price of RM23,367 to RM41,427. Axia’s overall safety feature receives 4 Stars rating from ASEAN NCAP Safety Rating. Additionally, the highest specs will get you Advance Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), ISOFIX, Front Corner Sensors.

Proton Saga

Amongst locally branded cars, Proton Saga is undoubtedly one of the most affordable first car for fresh graduates can buy. One of the main reasons many students would at least consider this model its’ because it is a sedan.

With the additional space you get from the Proton Saga, 5 people can fit in the car comfortably. The extra boot space at the rear is suitable for your student road trip!

Proton Saga’s price ranges from RM32,800 to RM42,800, depending on the variant. If you look at the price of this car, you can tell that it is one of the most affordable.

One thing that Proton Saga is famous for is its’ handling. In fact, many would say that it is better than its’ direct competitor, the Perodua Bezza. Although Saga’s fuel efficiency may not be superior to a Myvi or a Bezza, it’s still affordable. You can travel up to 100km with 5.7 litres of fuel.

On a side note, if you’re all about style and performance, the Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition that goes for RM42,800 can be a good choice.

Proton Saga is equipped with safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (Esc) with Traction Control (TCS), ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist (HHA), Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Reverse Camera, ISOFIX.

2020 Perodua Myvi

Next on our list is the King Of the ROAD, Perodua Myvi 2020, 3rd Generation. This car comes with 2 engine choices which are 1.3L and 1.5L. It’s no doubt that this car is one of the most popular cars in Malaysia, even amongst non-students.

The reason could be its attractive look, car performance, and relatively affordable price, which goes from RM41,292 to RM52,697.

Perodua Myvi has a unique fuel-saving feature capable of moving as far as 21.1km for every litre of fuel. It has a special Eco Idle mode. The engine would shut off automatically when your car stops at a red light or just idling. Hence, the car will reduce fuel burning while driving, ultimately reducing your fuel consumption. Myvi’s safety features are on par with other cars launched in the year 2020 as well.

Oh, why is Myvi the King of the Roads in Malaysia, you might ask? Well, aside from being one of the most popular cars being sold in Malaysia, you’ll be able to find plenty of memes with Myvi in various situations. You’ll find that Myvi can do incredible feats thanks to Malaysians. Warning! Some feats might just be plain ridiculous, funny and shocking.

Perodua Myvi 1.5 SE 2016

Should the 2020 Perodua Myvi be a little too pricey for your budget as a fresh graduate, you can consider the previous generation Myvi (second-hand car). The Myvi 1.5 SE 2016’s second-hand model goes for around RM34,800.

You’re looking at the previous generation ‘King of the Road’ as there’s still plenty of 2016 Myvi on the road today. Hence, an indication that there are plenty of spare parts around and undoubtedly easy to find workshops to maintain your car.

The 2016 Perodua Myvi 1.5 SE comes with safety features like Brake Assists, ABS, EBD, Alarm, ISOFIX, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Immobilizer, and reverse sensors.

Toyota Vios 1.5 J

Not a fan of local brands and want a foreign car as the first car for fresh graduates? You can check out the 2012 Toyota Vios 1.5 J. Obviously, a new RM75,000 Vios will be out of range for most graduating students. As a great alternative, you can look into the 2nd Generation Vios, which cost less.

On most second-hand car websites, you can find Toyota Vios 1.5 2nd Generation sells at around RM30,000 or lower. It depends on which year it was made, though. This car is an excellent choice if you are looking for a comfortable and durable sedan.

Like the 2016 Myvi, the 2012 Toyota Vios is one of the more common second-hand cars with easily accessible spare parts. Although you will be getting a slightly older car, the Vios is very durable. Routine maintenance is all you need for your car to serve you well.

Safety features included in the 2012 Toyota Vios 1.5 J are Power Boot, Reverse Sensor, Brake Assists, Abs, EBD and Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) for the front seat. It’s no wonder why Toyota Vios is a famous choice, not only for students but also for others.

Ready for your first car?

Please remember to not only consider the selling price of a car, especially when you’re looking at second-hand cars. You can get a Mercedes for less than RM30,000, but that wouldn’t be a good idea!

It’s also important to note that older cars need more maintenance. So keep a little bit of extra cash just in case. You can either upgrade your second-hand car or just spend on some safety/comfort features.

Every car component has its’ own lifespan, so make sure you change or fix them before it’s too late. Doing so will surely save you more money in the long run. Good luck!

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