Car ideas

Mr Cube · 02-01-2008, 12:43 PM

Just wanting to get some other thoughts on what car I should buy next in these parameters

4cylinder
around $20k no more then 25K

Needs to have some get up and go, as I will be getting rid of a xr6 ute, so can't go any slower then that.

My initial thoughts are an MY01 WRX or MY99 STI, but Im open to other ideas.. Got some??

Fairlane · 02-01-2008, 01:29 PM

Mazda 3 Sp23
Ford Fiesta Xr4
VW Polo GTI
'05 Toyota Corolla Sportivo

Just a few you could check out of the top of my head. The Mazda 3 is supposed to be a top drive.

Ok the Fiesta and GTI will be a touch slower, but in the twisties these cars will hold up.

MITCHAY · 02-01-2008, 01:29 PM

You can find a MY03 WRX for that sort of price too. Just have to look around. Great cars but expensive if you're young.

Also other than that maybe a 200SX?

paul_r_d · 02-01-2008, 02:14 PM

Fiesta Xr4

Quicksand · 02-01-2008, 02:21 PM

97 Nissan Bluebird SSS

Most underrated 4 Cyl in it's class. Climate control, digital heads up display, grunty 2.5L 4Cyl engine (get the 5spd manual), premium sound (6 speakers with 6" splits, 6 x 9's and tweeters), cruise control, all wheel steering (or so i have been told) and a good size vehicle (midi sedan). We used to get 12km's per litre city driving and up to 16km's per litre country driving. Plenty of torque

These things were apparently sold for less than they cost to build but thats the price of failure for the previous nissan models. Mines done 330,000km's so far and hasn't missed a beat

vztrt · 02-01-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Mazda 3 Sp23

Gets my vote.

Casablanca · 02-01-2008, 02:56 PM

the nissan range are quite good but you automatically get steroetyped as a ricer and therefore a hoon id personally go xr4 though i really liked the wrx.

Tobey · 02-01-2008, 02:59 PM

SP23 is a bit out of budget unless you get one with over 100,000k's. They are however a very nice car.

If you want something more economical what about egas ute. They are going in your price range.

Mr Cube · 02-01-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

You can find a MY03 WRX for that sort of price too. Just have to look around. Great cars but expensive if you're young.

Also other than that maybe a 200SX?

Yeah forgot to mention the reason the Ute is going, is because I need 4 doors, so the 200 is out though as a single man they could be the go..

Have you got a Rex?

MITCHAY · 02-01-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cube

Yeah forgot to mention the reason the Ute is going, is because I need 4 doors, so the 200 is out though as a single man they could be the go..

Have you got a Rex?

Yeah I got a MY03 and I've seen some good ones go for between $23-25k. I paid $27k for mine nearly 1.5yrs ago now with 53 or 54k on the clock.

Kryton · 02-01-2008, 03:57 PM

VW or Subaru should be your first point of call.

Yellow_Festiva · 02-01-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThundaBird

97 Nissan Bluebird SSS

Most underrated 4 Cyl in it's class. Climate control, digital heads up display, grunty 2.5L 4Cyl engine (get the 5spd manual), premium sound (6 speakers with 6" splits, 6 x 9's and tweeters), cruise control, all wheel steering (or so i have been told) and a good size vehicle (midi sedan). We used to get 12km's per litre city driving and up to 16km's per litre country driving. Plenty of torque

These things were apparently sold for less than they cost to build but thats the price of failure for the previous nissan models. Mines done 330,000km's so far and hasn't missed a beat

Thought they had a 2.4L but anyway...

Actually, the Bluebird had a 2L (SR20???) 4x4 turbo... I was looking for one for ages... till one zoomed past me with a "4 sale" sign on the back... was $6000! but by the time I was abe to get close enough for the number it vanished in the distance :(

Now that would be a sleeper with some poke!

Rev28K · 02-01-2008, 05:00 PM

For a new car there isn’t much for $20k.

If you are prepared to go the Jap import route where you cant be 100% of the history of a car and getting parts can be a hassle, there are a lot of alternatives.

6 cylinder:
Mitsubishi Legnum (2.5 litre V6 AWD turbo)
Toyota Aristo – Lexus Gs300 (3.0 RWD Turbo)
Toyota Chaser (3.0 RWD Turbo)
Nissan Stagea – (2.5 V6 Turbo – GTR AWD drivetrain)
Various Skyline variants – GTS, GTR, etc.

4 cylinder –
Nissan Silvia/180sx, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 (yum) and various WRX’s. Some of them are only available for track/rally use in Aus so make sure.
There were even a few Lancer Evo 7-8-9 GTA (automatic) Wagon versions coming in – practical, quick, 4 cyl, easy to drive.

A friend has just got an 18K Stagea and he really loves it. When he has finished fiddling with it should be quite rapid. He also had an MR2 Turbo before he had kids.

If it was me I’d go the Lancer Evo wagons, Aristo or the Stagea

Mr Cube · 02-01-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Yeah I got a MY03 and I've seen some good ones go for between $23-25k. I paid $27k for mine nearly 1.5yrs ago now with 53 or 54k on the clock.

how do you find the fuel economy on them and I guess just the general drive.

I originally wanted a MY99 until I contacted the dealer and was shown a black 01, nice car and fun to drive, though a test drive for 30mins is not the best indication for a daily driver in the traffic, not that Canberra traffic is too thick.

Quicksand · 02-01-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Thought they had a 2.4L but anyway...

Actually, the Bluebird had a 2L (SR20???) 4x4 turbo... I was looking for one for ages... till one zoomed past me with a "4 sale" sign on the back... was $6000! but by the time I was abe to get close enough for the number it vanished in the distance :(

Now that would be a sleeper with some poke!

Yep you are right 2.4L in the Australian version sorry my bad

They did a 2L turbo in Japan (i think the engine was affectionally nicknamed "Tizzer" or the like).

blueoval · 02-01-2008, 06:34 PM

03-04 Honda accord euro FTW!

about 7.8L/100km city driving

classy looking cars, great refinement and comfort. Plus if you get the luxury model, you get heated leather seats, HID's, auto sensing wipers, sunroof, foggies as standard.

MITCHAY · 03-01-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cube

how do you find the fuel economy on them and I guess just the general drive.

I originally wanted a MY99 until I contacted the dealer and was shown a black 01, nice car and fun to drive, though a test drive for 30mins is not the best indication for a daily driver in the traffic, not that Canberra traffic is too thick.

Yeah well if you can keep the boot out of it it's pretty good on fuel and even if you didn't it's not that bad really and I can't imagine it being more than say an SS or XR6T. A tank lasts me about 500km usually and I don't drive soft.

Well the drive would be quite different to a Falcon or Commodore. No where near as comfortable but that's what I liked about it, it's a drivers car. Very raw.

You have to give it some revs to get moving so sometimes in stop start traffic it can be a pain if you're not in the mood which is about as much as you can expect from a 4cyl which is like a base Impreza until you're on boost.

The gears are quite close as you might have found out so be prepared to shift quick on a spirited run.

Mine is a daily driver and to be honest it's not the best for daily driving but you get used to it and a it's a lot more fun. The 2.5l on the other hand I have heard is much more driveable.

It's quick in a straightline but really comes into it's own under brakes and in corners. You can wave goodbye to most cars going down the Clyde!

Only thing I've had to replace on mine is front rotors and pads but I suspect I got jibbed there. Other than that its still going strong with no problems at all.

Mr Cube · 03-01-2008, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the advice I think Im sold on the Rex. Now just got to find a good one...

MAGPIE · 03-01-2008, 06:37 PM

If you can stretch to a Version 8/9 WRX do it, they look the biz just look at kooky's to see that (Show us your non-ford ride thread).

I used to average 9.85 l/100k in my Version 9.

The only aspect I didn't like was the rear seat legroom... pathetic !

If I didn't have a child I would still own an Impreza, easily the most fun car I have ever owned.

xbgs351 · 04-01-2008, 09:26 AM

VW Golf powered Dallara. As quick as a V8Supercar for $22K.

http://www.australianformula2.asn.au/

http://wolfracingf3.com/Home/home/Main

Mr Cube · 04-01-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

The only aspect I didn't like was the rear seat legroom... pathetic !

If I didn't have a child I would still own an Impreza, easily the most fun car I have ever owned.

I noticed that also, though Im not planning on being in the backseat that often. and I figure if my passengers whinge, they can walk. ha ha

My daughter is only 20months at the moment and its not going to be the famiy car, just my work transport and second car, though on occasion the car seat may have to go in.. Do you rekon that would be a problem?

MITCHAY · 04-01-2008, 11:17 AM

I think I've used the back seat like twice in the whole time I've owned mine. Meh I always get drivers seat anyway

Should be fine for a small family.

Steffo · 04-01-2008, 11:22 AM

Sticking to the 4-cyl stuff...

Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup
Peugeot 206 GTi180
Subaru Impreza WRX (03ish)
Nissan 200SX S15

Something along the lines of the above.

MITCHAY · 04-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Sticking to the 4-cyl stuff...

Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup
Peugeot 206 GTi180
Subaru Impreza WRX (03ish)
Nissan 200SX S15

Something along the lines of the above.

Already mentioned 200SX. He needs 4 doors

Mr Cube · 04-01-2008, 02:09 PM

Yeah after seeing Kooky's rex, Im sold on the 03.

cool xd · 04-01-2008, 10:45 PM

what about a lancer evo? great little car, pocket rocket! WRX's are fine but they're like bums, everyones got one.

MITCHAY · 04-01-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool xd

what about a lancer evo? great little car, pocket rocket! WRX's are fine but they're like bums, everyones got one.

The ones you could buy with that sort of money would be hard to find (I mean newer ones) but I was just about to mention it. Seen a EVO 6.5 for $27k a while back!

MAGPIE · 05-01-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cube

I noticed that also, though Im not planning on being in the backseat that often. and I figure if my passengers whinge, they can walk. ha ha

My daughter is only 20months at the moment and its not going to be the famiy car, just my work transport and second car, though on occasion the car seat may have to go in.. Do you rekon that would be a problem?

I don't see that being a problem, and they have good sized boot which helps.

Mr Cube · 05-01-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool xd

what about a lancer evo? great little car, pocket rocket! WRX's are fine but they're like bums, everyones got one.

Yeah I like the Evo, my Black Kelpie X is named Evo after the car..

I rekon this one would be a perfect fit in my family. But how to convince the wife, she isn't a big fan of the Evo look.
http://www.topsecretimports.com.au/car.jsp?k=STK049

Also Im not sure about the import market, things to look out for, servicing etc etc..

JC · 05-01-2008, 11:32 PM

Cubey - is there anything wrong with the Ute? If not, have you considered installing a kid's seat in the ute? It sort of fits in between the two front seats, on top of the console - sounds weird, but apparently works well. I've seen one in a BA ute, and I'm sure I've seen a pic of one on here too!