Buying a cheap daily, advice needed!

[BradZ]

Hi guys, I'm chasing a daily to keep the ks down on my falcon. I've found two different cars that have caught my eye but I can't decide. One is a Laser tx3 turbo with 180xxx, 5sp manual, absolutely immaculate paint job and condition by the looks. The other is an El falcon sedan, also 5sp manual but with 300xxx on it for the same price. If you had the choice what would you pick? I know very little about tx3's but it's caught my eye for some reason. Does anyone know much about them? Are they a decent base for modification? Thanks in advance

[westoftown]

I'd pick the TX3 in you situation, ESPECIALLY if it's the AWD model.

Why? Because variety is the spice of life, and hopping in a TX3 as opposed to another falcon would change things up a bit, I myself got my first non-Ford ride a few months ago as a daily hack, it's a 4AGE Corolla, it's not boosted or anything but boy is it a fun little rocket, same would apply even more-so for the TX3!

Hope this helps

[BradZ]

Nah it's not AWD. But yeah it doesn't look like something that will attract police either lol

[xisled]

If you are trying to save money, neither of them cars, as the falcon will drink about as much as your car currently and the laser being turbo, probaly use around the same amount of petrol.

Why are you trying to keep the ks down, I would just enjoy your BF. Next 5 years the BF will be worth around half of what it is now. No point keeping a standard car that will drop 50 percent value in 5 years.

[Nic85]

As above. Regardless of how many KMs is on the car in a few years, it'll still be worth half of SFA.

[falconnut]

Agreed, keep running the falcon.

Maybe looks into gas to keep costs down?

[Werd.]

I came into this thread thinking "GET A LASER!"

I'm glad you've decided on the TX3, don't get the EF Falcboat. You'll have soooo much more fun in the laser. Nice engine, DOHC, high rev limit (7500RPM IIRC).

I did 6.5/100 on a trip to newy recently, with plenty of hooning. Though I've just got a SOHC 1.8 EFI GLi lol. Bit different to the TX3.

The falcon is ready to start breaking at 300k, the TX3 has another 120+ to go.

[BradZ]

I won't have my bf in 5 years, no way. I want to sell it before it hits 100 xxx. gas is definitely not an option. I guess when I think about it. I want another car for during the week as my falcon attracts a lot of attention in my town. And I feel the tx3 seems to have plenty of performance upgrades available.

[saber]

Originally Posted by westoftown

I'd pick the TX3 in you situation, ESPECIALLY if it's the AWD model.

Why? Because variety is the spice of life, and hopping in a TX3 as opposed to another falcon would change things up a bit, I myself got my first non-Ford ride a few months ago as a daily hack, it's a 4AGE Corolla, it's not boosted or anything but boy is it a fun little rocket, same would apply even more-so for the TX3!

Hope this helps

+1

The TX3 would be great fun to get around in. The hardest bit would be finding one in half decent condition!

By the looks of it you have found a TX3 in decent condition...grab it while you can!

[Nic85]

Another thing you may want to consider is the age of the vehicle you want to buy. The TX3 are about 1989 or something aren't they? Being a turbo car, of that age, expect things to go wrong. Parts should probably be fairly cheap, but it'll most likely need constant maintenance.

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by BradZ

I want another car for during the week as my falcon attracts a lot of attention in my town. And I feel the tx3 seems to have plenty of performance upgrades available.

i'd like to offer my bestest advice, so which way is the thread heading now? So the prerequisite for the "daily" is what random car would make a good daily?, or is it only out of the 2 cars would make a good daily? or is it which car out of the TX3 and EL would make a good car to detract attention away from whatever is causing attention youve gathered with your white n/a xr6?

[RAPID_BA]

It's a clear win to the el falcon.

You asked for a cheap runabout.

the laser turbo will be more fun but it's an old car. With old cars stuff needs fixing. The el is cheaper for parts and parts available on every corner.

Try rebuilding the tx3 motor when the turbo kills it. For an el jump on Ebay and grab another motor for money in your wallet.

The question shouldn't be which is more fun for a cheap car. It should be which is more reliable, cheaper on parts, availability of parts.

[BradZ]

Well, I would have liked a manual falcon for a daily but can't find anything in decent condition. from what I've read the tx3 seems to be a fun car, but as I said I know nothing about. If you have an idea for a good daily, by all means let me know! Only other thing to remember, I cannot, no matter how hard I try, keep a car stock.

[AU Mont]

how cheap is cheap?

[Windsor220]

The FWD Tx3s are the quickest of the lot. They have issues with the crank keyways wearing out and also the gearboxes arent that strong even with the FWD ones so be careful.

I wouldn't buy a Falcon as a run about. Especially an EL. They are a tank.

[chamb0]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I wouldn't buy a Falcon as a run about. Especially an EL. They are a tank.

I will go in to bat for the EL, though maybe find a lower km one. I would, and did, buy one as a runabout and have no regrets. My duel fuel EL is my daily and it ticked all my boxes: cheap to buy and run, plenty of parts, easy to work on and mod, versatile (towing etc), still look more than ok for their age, and don't have much further to depreciate. I don't need it to blow my mind, that's what my other car is for. They're roomy but not a huge car. Personally I was sure to seek out a low km example - fortunately there's plenty out there to choose from.

All the best for your search whichever way you decide to go.

[nstg8a]

For a daily I'd go the el, the tx3 would be awesome, but too tempting to 'enjoy'. The el is what it is.

Perfect daily.

[Marquis]

If you want a daily drive think about an auto unless you can restrain yourself. Manuals are to tempting to give it a bootfull. We bought a duel fuel El for $2g a few years ago for weekend highway fangs. We clocked 340000 on the way home today and it is smooth as silk. Very impressed with it. My Holden loving neighbour bought one about 6 mths ago because of how good ours is. I could not get him out of ours on the way to Bathurst the year before last. He drove most of the way. Not bad as he is a Holden nutbag. It is economical on petrol aswell. We drove over 4.5 hrs on half a tank

[ebzery]

i brought a barina cheap 1 owner car well mantaned,all good -----------------

except that went turning right and useing the clutch the steering nuckle pulled my foot up and jamed it between the firewall steering.

[Bossxr8]

The gearbox's in the TX3 Turbo are made of glass, so be weary.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The gearbox's in the TX3 Turbo are made of glass, so be weary.

Front wheel drive ones aren't quite as bad, still not great but it's the awd traction and exuberant driving that kills them.

[Kryton]

Cant believe no one has even looked at the most obvious thing first.
How much is either going to cost to get a RWC on?
The "cheap" car may not be that cheap in the long run, especially considering how much harder it is to get a RWC in Vic these days.

[HLC]

I would have thought a white bf xr6 NA would make a good daily? Definitely more economical than a clapped out EL, and I'll go out on a limb and say more economical than a 23 year old laser.

I would be asking myself why my plain white falcon gets attention...


And as davway says, what about RWC etc??? If I was buying a daily, I'd be buying the most mundane heap of crap. Excel, Fiesta, Corolla, Barina, whatever. Any boring cheap FWD 4cyl that runs on the small of an oily rag. It's a daily.. Save your coin for your weekender.

[xisled]

I would say no matter what car you drive you are going to draw attention. A white BF XR6 is common as. 2 of them in my street. We need more info as I class the car you drove a cheap daily.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by xisled

If you are trying to save money, neither of them cars, as the falcon will drink about as much as your car currently and the laser being turbo, probaly use around the same amount of petrol..

add to that rego and insurance are you any better off at the end?

[302 XC]

I never understand how one would consider buying an oldish car as a cheap daily when theres a new newie sitting in the driveway ......
Seems like goin backwards to me
Drive what you have that you know whats wrong with,dont drive like a tool and you wont attract attention
An old EF or an old TX3 seems your cheapie budget is that cheap,
Poor man pays twice ....

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I wouldn't buy a Falcon as a run about. Especially an EL. They are a tank.

This is something you'd need to seriously consider. The EL is a fantastic car on the highway, smooth and comfortable, but around town they are exhausting to drive. They're a lot bigger than they look and handle like a water bed on wheels. The harsh ride and poor safety rating in the Laser would really bother me though, so drive both of them and pick the one you like the best would be my advice.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Cheap run about?

Festiva, Echo, Mirage, Starlet, Savy, Sirion, Barina, Excel, Accent, Ka....

Set a $ limit, and buy the best serviced, safest car, lowest km and longest rego car from the above.

Cheap to keep on the road, cheap to insure with 3rd party and will use half the fuel of a Falcon...

I would never buy a full size family car as a cheap run about. I think the TX3 would be a better option, but that may be desirable to theives.

[xisled]

I would suggest an excel. They are cheap to run, and plenty of parts around.

[ebzery]

as above