Old or New

mac · 24 Jan 2003, 22:16 (Ref:485027)

In a couple of months time, I'll be looking at getting a new car. I'll be looking at spending around $20,000 or less.

I don't know whether to go for an old or a new car.

If I go with a new car it will probably be either a Holden Barina (Opel Corsa) SRi, or a Mazda 2.

If I go with a used car it will probably be something like:

- '91 BMW 525i
- Ford Probe
- 4.0L Ford Fairmont AU
- Holden Calibra
- Holden Astra GSi
- Honda Civic VTi-R
- Early to mid '90s Honda Prelude
- Early model MX-5
- Mazda MX-6
- '94 Nissan 200SX
- Peugeot 306 S16 or 405 Mi16
- Toyota Celica (mid '90s)

What are your thoughts?

coln72 · 25 Jan 2003, 00:21 (Ref:485126)

depends on what you are going to use it for
Freeway cruising go the Falcon. Actually look for an XR6 if you can find on cheap enough...

For fun anything on your list would do except the calibra and the probe

marcus · 25 Jan 2003, 02:59 (Ref:485219)

mac i just bought a VT commodore for well under 20 thousand and it chuffed with it , on a long trip the milage is fantastic and around town it is quite good as well.

depends if you want a big car or a small hatch back type of car , but dont discount the good old commodore mate

woodyracing · 25 Jan 2003, 03:11 (Ref:485229)

Id go for a used car, mainly because you have more choice of higher spec cars than for a new one at the same price.

mac · 25 Jan 2003, 21:58 (Ref:485895)

I left off the following:

- Eunos 30X
- Eunos 500
- Toyota Soarer

I just don't know what to do. I look for something with great handling, steering and gearchange, with a bit of squirt to match.

Any more thoughts would be greatly welcomed.

mac · 25 Jan 2003, 23:18 (Ref:485934)

Oh, and I also forgot Nissan Pulsar SSS.

That's part of my problem, there is so much to choose.

I wan't something that is OK day-to-day, but is great going for a bit of a fang through the twisties.

mtpanorama · 26 Jan 2003, 11:10 (Ref:486278)

Go for an XR6, i know of a good one that will be for sale soon, right in your price bracket. http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=32093

As Marcus says, you really have to decide whether you need a big car or just a hatch. You can also pick up Corolla/Pulsar/Laser that are only a few years old for the sort of money you are looking to spend.

StuiE · 26 Jan 2003, 12:55 (Ref:486375)

Only problem with the soarer is that it's so hard to find a manual one, only 5% were manual apparantly

If i had $20k (and i don't

) I would go for a 180SX, and spent the rest (if any) on mods....or insurance.

Maybe you could get a Scoobi Liberty RS for that price, same chassis as the Impreza apparantly, you could probably pick up a 13BT Series IV/V RX7 for that money too.

...and I've probably made decisions even harder now

Bomn · 26 Jan 2003, 12:59 (Ref:486381)

I have a holden gemini diesel for sale that would fit into your price range. One careful owner, The other nine were pricks.

Morris 1100 · 26 Jan 2003, 13:01 (Ref:486387)

Were you the careful owner or one of ... many!

Bomn · 26 Jan 2003, 13:07 (Ref:486395)

not telling.

mac · 26 Jan 2003, 22:21 (Ref:486801)

The Gemini sounds .................... interesting.

Thanks, but no thanks.

I'm not sure what I'm thinking now, only that I'll keep thinking.

I've looked at some EL XR6s and don't mind them at all, however I think I'll look for a slightly different one, thanks, mtpanorama.

moffman · 28 Jan 2003, 22:35 (Ref:488757)

Are you driving it everyday? Is fuel economy an issue? Looking to do track days in it? I need some more information mac

Dani Filth · 29 Jan 2003, 07:17 (Ref:489087)

go for the Pug 306

mac · 29 Jan 2003, 23:05 (Ref:489993)

moffman, I will be driving it every day, and fuel economy may be an issue, but not a massive one. I may do the odd track day, but overall I want something that is OK around town, but more than up to the task of a blat through the twisties.

Morris 1100 · 30 Jan 2003, 05:28 (Ref:490192)

Quote:

Originally posted by mac
moffman, I will be driving it every day, and fuel economy may be an issue, but not a massive one. I may do the odd track day, but overall I want something that is OK around town, but more than up to the task of a blat through the twisties.

Sounds like the Diesel Gemini is the go!

gsr · 30 Jan 2003, 11:39 (Ref:490441)

Quote:

Originally posted by mac
I will be driving it every day, and fuel economy may be an issue, but not a massive one. I may do the odd track day, but overall I want something that is OK around town, but more than up to the task of a blat through the twisties.

Under 20K , to do all of the above. Honda VTR1000 forget the car , can't beat a bike for fun and good around town.

moffman · 31 Jan 2003, 01:29 (Ref:491245)

Go the XR6 mate & if you go the bike route the VFR800 is a much better bike than the VTR

daz90 · 1 Feb 2003, 19:51 (Ref:493133)

get a ford mondeo 2.5 v6 sti if u can in australia. can you?, or a vauxhall vectra 2.5 sri, i know someone who has the 2.0 litre sri and it is one fast motor, so the v6 must be one hell of a car. i think holdon make the vectra, and here in the uk you can get one for less than ten grand easy

Pure GT · 7 Feb 2003, 23:12 (Ref:500091)

Quote:

Originally posted by daz90
get a ford mondeo 2.5 v6 sti if u can in australia. can you?, or a vauxhall vectra 2.5 sri, i know someone who has the 2.0 litre sri and it is one fast motor, so the v6 must be one hell of a car. i think holdon make the vectra, and here in the uk you can get one for less than ten grand easy

Only 1 prob Daz, Your 10 grand equates to $36000 over here.
We've just blown his budget.

mac · 7 Feb 2003, 23:19 (Ref:500097)

The only SRi I can afford is a Barina/Corsa, which is still a pretty damn good car.

moffman · 8 Feb 2003, 01:35 (Ref:500217)

One thing you must do Mac is make sure it is rear wheel drive they are much more fun!

mac · 9 Feb 2003, 00:18 (Ref:501052)

Yeah, rear wheel drive is better, and it is fun. But you're wearing blinkers if you think the only good cars out there are rear wheel drives.

Still looking though, and I'll let you all know what happens (complete with pictures).

Wrex · 9 Feb 2003, 00:43 (Ref:501086)

Mac, go the Honda VTi-R.

Great handling, great fuel usage, excellent reliablity, holds it's value and classy little car to boot.