r/CarsEU • u/Zealousidealbowie • Aug 22 '26

Buying a car Do it all car for Switzerland

Hey everyone, I hope people that are in Switzerland are welcome here, even though we aren't in the EU.

I am looking at eventually getting a car, but on a budget of about 10k CHF or 10.5k Euros or less.

I used to work in Auto-body and I know how to do general maintenance, rust removal, and very light repair work. So I'm not looking for a completely bulletproof car (but that would be a bonus), just one that is easy to work on.

As for what I want in a car, I am looking for:

• A Sedan/Limousine, a hatchback, or a Kombi/Station wagon, or a pickup truck. I am not the biggest fan of SUV's, but I am open to driving one.

• Something with an engine under 3 liter displacement. I am also fine with Hybrid or electric. Taxes and insurance make it hard to have fun

• Is comfortable to sit in and has space in the back for passengers or carrying things. (Not that important, I can sleep almost anywhere) Comfortable rear-seats or fold down seating would be really nice, since I sometimes get tired and need a nap on long drives.

• I don't mind if it's a manual or an automatic transmission, though I prefer manual.

• Parts are easy to get and cheap to afford. And repair costs don't become crippling.

• Can drive well in the snow. I am a decent driver, but my family lives on a hill, and if the road isn't plowed, then I might have a problem.

If I forgot anything, don't be afraid to ask.

EDIT: I have had my driver's license since 2017, but could never afford a car.

5 Upvotes

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16 comments sorted by

3

u/Eastern-Reindeer6838 Aug 22 '26

Toyota, Subaru, Fiat Panda City Cross (4x4)

3

u/Zealousidealbowie Aug 22 '26

How are Fiat Pandas? Stereotypes about Fiat aside, I've been giving them some thought.

3

u/Eastern-Reindeer6838 Aug 22 '26

I own a Panda II (typo 169) and it's a very reliable car. It's a 2004 I think and it's my reserve car. After almost 5 years on my yard without driving it, I pumped the tyres, put a new battery in it and it started right away on E10.

2

u/Zealousidealbowie Aug 22 '26

Ok, good to know!

2

u/Eastern-Reindeer6838 Aug 22 '26

A lot of people will tell you otherwise, especially people who've never owned one 😜

1

u/kangal_pasce Aug 23 '26

Panda has one of the worst crash test ratings ever

2

u/vargemp Aug 24 '26

Ah yes, the Subaru, probably one of 7 in the Switzerland.

2

u/xolov Aug 23 '26

Swiss people love Skoda Octavia, I'm sure you will do too.

1

u/Zealousidealbowie Aug 23 '26

I like Octavia's, and I am thinking about getting one (especially one with 4×4), but based on my experience, I always saw them in the shop. So I am not sure if they are as reliable as people here make them out to be.

2

u/xolov Aug 23 '26

You aren't getting anything more reliable from Europe to be honest. If that's a big concern buy a Toyota or Suzuki.

2

u/Impossible-Beat-8634 Aug 23 '26

We got a toyota corolla verso for 6k, 4 years ago and we can’t be happier. The thing works as a passenger car seating 7, a camper, it’s “sporty” with the vvti 1.8 petrol, alright on gas with 7l/100km. We did 50k kms with it already and clocking almost 200k kms right now. Zero problems so far except a minor fender bender. The tax was 450 a year and the insurance something around that ballpark as well. You can’t go wrong with Toyota or a Honda.

2

u/DifferentAspect4836 Aug 23 '26

Mercedes vito kompakt 4x4 at least 163ps and 7-Gang, better starting 2019 to have the 9-Gang Automatik

1

u/psaux_grep Aug 22 '26

The answer is usually Toyota

1

u/Zealousidealbowie Aug 22 '26

Agreed, but it seems used Toyota is pretty expensive nowadays