New car

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zac007
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savage388
I like this idea but getting something that doesn't eat savings is harder than it sounds. If you can get a decent job then by all means get a little beater and save up, you'll be happier in the long run. However if you think this is your only shot go for it, some times are fun and some you'll hate yourself but you'll have what you want in your driveway every night.
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Get something like a Yaris, and it will hardly depreciate in the few years you use it. Yes, it will still cost you money, but tons less than an old, slow, 6-cylinder non-turbo Falcon or Supra.

If he really wants some rear wheel drive fun, given the restraints given for P-Platers, he would be better served by a Miata or a non-turbo 200SX than a big, heavy old Supra or Falcon with the lower-spec engines.
 
niky
If he really wants some rear wheel drive fun, given the restraints given for P-Platers, he would be better served by a Miata or a non-turbo 200SX than a big, heavy old Supra or Falcon with the lower-spec engines.
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niky, you win. I agree, the BMW, 200SX, and Miata are better options than the Supra/Falcon.
 
I've driven a '12 FG XR6 auto from NSW to To the 2012 Melbourne GP. 3 adults, 1 child, full luggage. 1,000km, 12 hours and not a soar back or bottom. We had the car for a week and the transmission was the best auto I've ever driven. As basic transport its good. If saving money for fuel is no concern, its a good car. The interior is pretty much the same as my BA mk2 XR8 which is a letdown.

My brother owned an '84 E30 318i that was converted to E30 M3 everything but body panels. Chipped to rev with no limiter, it was a quick car that could scare stock 750cc GSXRs on the freeways. He bent the valves twice and 16valves are not cheap(but this was back in '96). Keep in mind this was also in NY where I'm from. Moving here, in Australia, the prices for parts and cars are steep. If you can fix most things yourself like most of my friends, either car can suit. Just budget for the dealer for things best left to trained technicians.
 
niky
If he really wants some rear wheel drive fun, given the restraints given for P-Platers, he would be better served by a Miata or a non-turbo 200SX than a big, heavy old Supra or Falcon with the lower-spec engines.
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Autech Silvias are more than likely out of price range to be fair; They have a pretty considerable premium over even the Spec R 200SX/Silvias. All the Australian-delivered 200SXs were turbocharged.

NB MX-5 is a bit of a better proposition.
 
I've seen p-platers driving S2Ks if the MX5(I love them as working for a Mazda Dealer) as the techs say, "too salon owner" for you.
 
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I think an oldish Civic or even a neat little CRX make a great, fun, revvy car that's reliable if not already thrashed, and can be tastefully modded both internally and externally without ending up looking like a dick's car.
 
Given the location, I'd still suggest the Laser/SP20 over the Civic. Civics have mostly either been thrashed or command too high a premium for one that's not a pile of rust. Lasers can be had at not a bad price with a punchy 2.0 as a wagon (better handling than the sedan, actually) and are great driving cars. Best of all, given the Australian climate, you don't have to deal with the dreaded rear end clunk that plagues Americans.

Squint sideways and they sort of look like Falcons... :dopey:

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Not to say that you can't have fun in a big ol' rear-wheel drive car with not much power. But you won't be having the kind of fun you may think you will be having.

Murcie_LP640
All the Australian-delivered 200SXs were turbocharged.
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How unlucky you poor Aussies are.

05XR8
I've seen p-platers driving S2Ks if the MX5(I love them as working for a Mazda Dealer) as the techs say, "too salon owner" for you.
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Somehow I get the feeling that's out of the price range, too.
 
Zac007
How bout an old 3 series bmw? Never been in one how do they drive?
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I'll get flamed for this but the e36 3 series are very nice cars and the 325i made pretty good power and I see them for sale here regularly with over 200,000 miles
still in decent shape. Go find one and take a test drive, everyone has different preferences, but imo they are nice.
 
Don't know why you'd get flamed. Lots of people here love the E36 and E30.

It's E46 and up where opinions start to diverge a lot. Fine cars, but really thirsty and slow with the four-cylinder motors, and electronics can be a pain in the patootie sometimes.
 
niky
Don't know why you'd get flamed. Lots of people here love the E36 and E30.

It's E46 and up where opinions start to diverge a lot. Fine cars, but really thirsty and slow with the four-cylinder motors, and electronics can be a pain in the patootie sometimes.
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I was sure someone was going say about a kid and a rwd coupe especially something german. The only E46 that I would have is the m3. The rest dont look as good as the older ones.
 
E36 would definitely be in the top end of my list of cars. I've driven one, and it was high mile 318i sedan, yet it still felt tons better than anything else I had driven that far. There was tons of feedback from each corner of the car, and it felt like it shrank around you like a snugly fitting glove.
 
Leonidae@MFT
E36 would definitely be in the top end of my list of cars. I've driven one, and it was high mile 318i sedan, yet it still felt tons better than anything else I had driven that far. There was tons of feedback from each corner of the car, and it felt like it shrank around you like a snugly fitting glove.
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I actually still want one. Almost sold my car twice for an e36, but I think I'd miss the power. They are way up the list for me too, so op you cant go wrong with one.
 
niky
How unlucky you poor Aussies are.
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:sly:

niky
Somehow I get the feeling that's out of the price range, too.
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Your feeling is justified; there's a couple of S2000s under $20k but they're not really worth the trouble of looking at. A good example would be about $25,000.

The older Beemer is a tricky one; most of the E36s here aren't really that flash and getting a little long in the tooth; E30s are a good cheap option but I'm fairly sure the bigger-engine ones will command a pretty high insurance premium. The two Beemer Series' that I'd consider are the E46 3-Series (320/325i would be good, low on premiums but still decently equipped both features and engine wise) and the E39 5-Series (530i M-Sport MAY squeak under $15k, which I'm going to assume is Zac's price bracket considering his original two choices; 540i is where it's at but alas, not allowed on P's).

The Audi A4 1.8T Quattro would also be a decent choice and good news: it's P-Plate High-Performance Restriction exempt despite being a turbocharged model.

If you're looking at solely rear-wheel-drive, the Beemers would be a good way to go. Just make sure with the 6-cylinder models that the cooling system has had its refurbishment(s) done on time as in the harsh Australian summers the plastics will easily become brittle and eventually break. Recommended mileage in between replacements is 80,000-100,000km. Another solid RWD suggestion would be the Toyota MR2.

Otherwise if you're open for other drivetypes, I once again open-heartedly recommend the 3.0R Spec.B. Fun, decently quick, cheap to insure and service. Fuel economy tanks a bit in the city but it'd be worth it.
 
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Yeah, but I'd be wary of used Audis of that era. They tend to share problems with VW's, which means electronic woes of many sorts. Also, BMW's get same/more power with N/A motors, which I still associate with better reliability. And then there's the soundtrack of that 6-cyl inline motor. :sly:
 
Yeah I can attest for the sound of an N/A straight six. The M20B25 in my E30 is very vocal and sounds more raw and sweet than later engines.
 

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