Cars you could kick yourself for overlooking

[prktkljokr]

Just interested in what cars you didn't like for some reason when they came out, but kicking yourself you didn't grab one when they were cheap.

I can remember the VK Brock Commodores when they were sitting at Shacks in Fremantle, but thinking why buy one when you could get a standard V8 Commodore for less, I purchased a used 308 4 speed VB instead

Also the Peter Wherrett turbo Sigma, I though who would want a four cylinder Sigma

[Brodes]

Early 2000's, turned my nose up at a 2 door XB, stunned they wanted 8k for a 6 banger.

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[kcodezd]

I remember going through an early unique cars mag in my teens about the same time I bought my first car re- user name. A XY phase 3 with The Allan Moffat in its credentials, for a measly 40k.

Secondly a Lincoln Continental in the same mag quite a few years later I made a call for, but was too late, that appeared in a little known movie called The Matrix.

[LoBelly]

Originally Posted by Brodes

Early 2000's, turned my nose up at a 2 door XB, stunned they wanted 8k for a 6 banger.

Early - Mid '90's just after purchasing a house: for months drove past a nice looking XC Cobra ~351 4-Speed $5,000 said the sign
Eventually saved a 'spare' $5k and decided I go have a look (even tho it wasn't a GT) - gone.


Excellent thread by the way...

[Sprintey]

Great thread.

I got the important ones, the XW and the ED. There's not much kicking to be done, but it's more to do with new cars I should have bought and rationalised away at the time.

AUIII XR8 blueprint auto on runout in late 2002 - Horsham dealer. Was working through there and saw it sitting there and unloved. Would have been a fun car.

AUII red wagon also lonely on runout, Hamilton dealer mid 2002. If they made it today I'd buy it new.

Also should have just gone in and bought both a 2016 final petrol Territory (was on strike as no AWD on the petrol) and also a final Calais wagon. Had the savings, but justified against because reasons. It would have been nice to own them from new. Also comparative bargains from today's perspective.

[thefargo]

I'm ashamed to say that in 1984 I said NO to a XY , 351, red with the stripes and roo image. he was a friend and was asking $1,500. it needed a battery. I have to live with the memory of this.

[XR Martin]

ZC Fairlane 302 for $3500 around the year 2000.
And a year or so later a manual ED XR8 Sprint for about $15k.
Manual T3s around 2010-2015, which were going for about $30k. However if I bought one I doubt I would have been able to get the FGX. (Without selling it)

[tbro4123]

This is going to make a lot of people laugh, Peugeot 504.


Had to go and pick up a company car from Armidale after the rep took crook, the distribution manager said we'll take my car.



So I fronted up next morning and no bloody manager or so I thought, went in had a brew and asked were his company XD was, "at home, not taking that heap of s hit that far". now to be honest the GM was a tight ar sed mongrel and everyone except directors got the mighty gas guzzling 3.3 ltr sedan or wagon, some were lucky and has swapped for XC sedans (4.1) before the others knew what was coming.


So off we go with me driving "as ya might as well get use to driving a performance vehicle, I shut up, (I drove an LC XU1 to work) and just drove. Now it wasn't anything on the Torana in performance, but by the time we hit Singleton via the Putty Rd I had a lot of respect for that little wog box. It handled, rode beautiful (mind you anything was comfy after the Torana) stopped on a dime and we didn't stop for fuel till after Tamworth.



Yep, great touring car a lot like my Volvo 242GT, but not as comfy as my best mates brother 125S Fiat that he purchased for $600 at 4 years old. So that is my car that being pig headed about only buying Aussie I missed out on some fun runs.


Another car I enjoyed driving was a Clubman GT, mate owned the Mini Shop in Kingswood and knew everything there was to know about Minis except how to drive em hard. So every time a speed trial or track day with the SDCC was on Tezza got to drive it. Have some pics somewhere of me going through BP at Oran park on 3 wheels. Even got free driving tuition from Mick O'Hare and Don Holland.



The good ol days.


Terry

[kevino]

Originally Posted by tbro4123

This is going to make a lot of people laugh, Peugeot 504.


Had to go and pick up a company car from Armidale after the rep took crook, the distribution manager said we'll take my car.



So I fronted up next morning and no bloody manager or so I thought, went in had a brew and asked were his company XD was, "at home, not taking that heap of s hit that far". now to be honest the GM was a tight ar sed mongrel and everyone except directors got the mighty gas guzzling 3.3 ltr sedan or wagon, some were lucky and has swapped for XC sedans (4.1) before the others knew what was coming.


So off we go with me driving "as ya might as well get use to driving a performance vehicle, I shut up, (I drove an LC XU1 to work) and just drove. Now it wasn't anything on the Torana in performance, but by the time we hit Singleton via the Putty Rd I had a lot of respect for that little wog box. It handled, rode beautiful (mind you anything was comfy after the Torana) stopped on a dime and we didn't stop for fuel till after Tamworth.



Yep, great touring car a lot like my Volvo 242GT, but not as comfy as my best mates brother 125S Fiat that he purchased for $600 at 4 years old. So that is my car that being pig headed about only buying Aussie I missed out on some fun runs.


Another car I enjoyed driving was a Clubman GT, mate owned the Mini Shop in Kingswood and knew everything there was to know about Minis except how to drive em hard. So every time a speed trial or track day with the SDCC was on Tezza got to drive it. Have some pics somewhere of me going through BP at Oran park on 3 wheels. Even got free driving tuition from Mick O'Hare and Don Holland.



The good ol days.


Terry

Those are 4 great cars.
I remember being destroyed by Fiat 125 s on Wellington Auckland drives
Mind you i was only in a 1300 Mark 1 escort which I thrashed the living daylights out of.
God I miss manuals.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by kevino

Those are 4 great cars.
I remember being destroyed by Fiat 125 s on Wellington Auckland drives
Mind you i was only in a 1300 Mark 1 escort which I thrashed the living daylights out of.
God I miss manuals.

kev I jump in my 6speed miami with great pride and absolute pleasure every single time

My uncle had the Fiat 125 followed by a Alfa2000 both manuals.
I should have bought that Alfa never thrashed till I got in it sometimes and in perfect nick and low k's.
Those little things went hard and handled till they fall apart lol.....

The countless Falcons/and worse holdens I overlooked because I couldn't put myself in one, a family A9X ffs I passed up - I'd be counting those $$$$'s for sometime now haha.

[prktkljokr]

When I got my P's there was a I think 1974 Maserati Merak in red for $4000 needed a paint job, but I wasn't fussed as the old man owned a panel shop at the time, I was about to drop a deposit on it and the old man cracked the $#!t$ telling me it wasn't worth it and it would be a money pit, I saw one a few years ago sell for $115000, Thanks Dad.

[Captain Stubing]

I took a 4X4 XY Falcon ute for a test drive, it was 1986, it was $6.500, they wouldn't come down $500 for my Toyota T-18 trade.

[willo56]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

Just interested in what cars you didn't like for some reason when they came out, but kicking yourself you didn't grab one when they were cheap.

I can remember the VK Brock Commodores when they were sitting at Shacks in Fremantle, but thinking why buy one when you could get a standard V8 Commodore for less, I purchased a used 308 4 speed VB instead

Also the Peter Wherrett turbo Sigma, I though who would want a four cylinder Sigma

one that haunts me a bit still is a 1976 Holden HX LE Coupe for sale i went out to look at around 1995 that was a little cosmetically untidy but i ended up walking away from as i thought the owner wanted to much for it - about 8K or so ....ughhhh

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by willo56

one that haunts me a bit still is a 1976 Holden HX LE Coupe for sale i went out to look at around 1995 that was a little cosmetically untidy but i ended up walking away from as i thought the owner wanted to much for it - about 8K or so ....ughhhh

Exactly the same with me and same price $7990, only it was in 1983 trading a HZ wagon in.
Looked at 2 cars on a lot, HZ 308 Premier and the LE side by side same price.

Just couldn't afford the insurance as a P plater for the 2 door.


But at least the Prem didn't get away.




A few vans later in the late 80's and knocking back a friends Sandman.

[au2000]

Hmm 2 big regrets in 3 months..
1995 at all ford day.. was offered an xr gt for 15 grand.. and passed it up

3 months later.. i was in maffra and the ford dealer there had a silver xt gt on the lot.. 19 grand as is
Cut up grille.. rally lights in the grille and on the rear boot.. rollcage.. number plate attached to the bonnet.. KAG 00.....

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.. moron...

[Dr Smith]

Not so much me, rather my brother's thinking "what if"..our father bought a brand new XW Falcon 500 wagon, on run out at the time as XY was released...and he added a heater as an after-market option, no rear seats belts at the time which were added by a dealer a few years later...or he could have bought a XY V8 for $500 more...

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Not so much me, rather my brother's thinking "what if"..our father bought a brand new XW Falcon 500 wagon, on run out at the time as XY was released...and he added a heater as an after-market option, no rear seats belts at the time which were added by a dealer a few years later...or he could have bought a XY V8 for $500 more...

$500 Was a lot of money back in the day ! New Falcon then was say $3000 or so.
Remember when a New Falcon was $30.000 ? then that would make that $500 = + $5000.

My G Dad bought a New XW 3.6L Fairmont wagon, bucket seats, T Bar. in Gold and roof tack. I sat in that one trip and put my feet up on the glove box lid, and i still remember that he said directly, get you feet off the dash ! haha.

As for cars that i over looked, well not thinking of in terms of money to be made, as that's a jerks trip ?

But for value as a good car that one can drive with pleasure to drive fast or hook in with value for driving it quickly, that it responds to commands willingly ? or is a great ride comfort to do many KM everyday just plodding along or quickly and reasonable on fuel !

But more likely it's what do you need ? A ute, P van, wagon, Sedan, 4x4 ?

I suppose a Holden Overlander back in the day i should of bought ! but when i brought up that issue back then, boy was that a s fight with most 4x4 people, but i stuck to my guns ! and just look what people in 4x4 drive nowadays is much like an Overlander for comfort, but who drives junk like most of 4x4's of the 60's 70's.
They said the 5.0L was gutless, i agree but that issue could be easy fixed !

The Overlander is the one that i overlooked in getting but i could not afford such.

[Franco Cozzo]

R33 GTR Skyline, just got off my Ps but I decided I didn't want to spend $25K-$30K on a 20 year old car

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...AG-AD-22858529

Oof

[raised by monkeys]

2 door torana with worked 186 for 2k. Dad encouraged me to buy a XF falcon. Probably saved my life but didnt make me 50k richer.

[ford71V8]

Too many unfortunately.
74 Landau I agreed to purchase but parents, insurance costs, and the brother of owner getting all upset put a stop to grabbing that for $8k.
A 76 LTD, in the family, sold off after years of (loudly) showing interest.
XY GS, again in the family, sold off quietly, found out months too late....had never mentioned buying because I thought it would never be sold.
XY Fairmont station wagon. Supertidy, 100+ photos of every inch of the car, asking $12k only about 10-12 years ago, wasted too much time deciding if a wagon was the right choice.

And then there's the hundreds of missed opportunities in the ol Trading Post every week through the 90's

[FTE217]

haha the Trading Post, what a bible eh.

[smoo]

Red EB XR8 manual on original rims the old man’s mate was selling when I was at highschool. He wanted $4k for it.

In 2013 I procrastinated and missed out on 3 cars.
A Le Mans blue BMW E39 M5 for around $30k.
A VG Valiant Coupe with the 318 for $18k.
A W108 Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 for around $35k, can’t remember exact figure.

That was also the time a DC2 Intergra Type R could be had for as low as $7k.

[digitalpunk]

When looking for my first car in 1999 I spotted a MK1 Escort for about $1000 (prob cheaper) in a petrol station. It wasn't in the best condition but drive able, was a 4 door and just a standard model so nothing special. My budget was $6000, my Dad tried to talk me into buying it and doing it up over time. Thought I knew better and I did want a car I could just jump in a drive to work or hang out with mates in so went for a KE Laser for $5500 instead. I really regret it now because I'd love a little MK1 in the garage.

Just before that was an XP 4 door around the corner from our house for $1500. It was a 3 on the tree, again, not in the best condition but was an old mans daily so road registered and could've used as a daily quite easily back then and now would make a great Sunday driver with plenty of battle scars.

When in high school (around 97/98) on the same street as us was a late 60s VW Beetle for $500. Again, a daily driver but not in the best condition but would've made a great cruiser.

I think of those 3 missed opportunities often.

[RHR]

Old man was offered a mkii escort 2 door. Was family friends who worked for Ford at homebush.

Was a 2 litre and had a few little non standard goodies on it.

Old man sadly turned it down and I ended up doing up an XR Ute with him.

[XR Martin]

Oh I remember around 2015 or so looking at NSXs and you could get a manual for around $60k.
I was seriously tempted but knew a final Falcon was just around the corner.

[66FAIRLANE]

1988 I think it was. XY GT $10000. Something wasn't quite right. When I ran the numbers it was a genuine XW GT that had been 'converted' to an XY. I passed.

[XP6]

An AP5 Valerie, Dad had her from new traded it in on a 94 Superloo Liberty barely 2 weeks before I started a good paying job, I said to him I want it.
Would have still been in the driveway now... at my wedding I said to the Oldman, Valerie would've carried the bride better than that friggan Statesman... poor fella was almost in tears!

[eb2fairmont]

1997 - XR gt for 15,500

[ToryMikey]

2015 - I was 21 and freshly off my P plates. I lived in Queensland at the time. A car dealer in Moorooka was selling a Heritage Green EF XR8. Manual. Sunroof. The whole enchilada. $3500.

I shouldn't be spending my money. Got to save for a house deposit instead.

Idiot.

[yanknbank]

Passed on a VK Charger with the 360 V8 Hemi back in the day (around ‘91 if memory serves).
It had sat in the ol’ blokes garage for years and was only driven on the odd occasion. He didn’t want it, had no further use for it and was letting it go for $2,500. Young family at the time, didn’t have the $ and said thanks but no thanks.
Realising I’d made a blunder, I went back a couple of weeks later to do the deal and he’d GIVEN it to his brothers nephew. Still kicking myself to this day. You idiot!