New Car - Suggestions?

[DexterPunk]

I have started thinking about a new car, I'm going to need one eventually... The next four weeks that i'm not allowed to drive are going to be frustrating. I find myself trying to be adult about things and buy a sensible car, yet I always seem to end up looking at Evo's or WRX's etc. I do like a car thats fun to drive.. since it's something you spend a lot of time in, I'd like something that puts a smile on my face. However something like an Evo or Rexy is not really accessible for the money I have to spend ($15,000 tops!) unless it's around a 1998-2000 model... which is really getting a bit old. It seems something like a 2003-2005 Falcon XR6 turbo can be had for that kind of money. This seems like it may be a bit more sensible, they are common and thus parts aren't hard to find and most mechanics will be familiar with the car. The only thing is i prefer smaller manual cars... Maybe I should look at an Impreza RX or a nice Liberty? Doesn't quite have the balls of an XR6 Turbo though.

[w00dsy]

[DexterPunk]

Touché!

[Sambo]

Why not look at a small hatch back, something like an ek9 civic. Those things are great fun to drive with the vtec engines. It would be brilliant on fuel as well.

[DexterPunk]

Hatches are indeed fun! Used to love my old rolla... I'll have a look into that, thanks Sambo.

[ysu]

I thought you'd be after something reasonably massive - or are you thinking the lightning does not strike twice in the same spot?

[DexterPunk]

Big cars annoy me. They are a pain to park etc. I really do like smaller cars... a Falcodore would be the absolute limit on the size of a car I could drive. Safety I feel is something that seems to improve the newer the car is, not necessarily directly proportional to the size of it.

[nutty]

Nissan Cube

[ysu]

wish everyone would think that way.
I've recently seen a "compatibility issue" video (where though ???). It was a test collision between a 4wd and a 10yo civic, the 4wd crashing into the side of the small car. It would be bad anyway, as it was at high speed, but the fact that the big car caught the civic well above the chassis (pretty much in the middle of the door) resulted in the front of the 4wd crushing the civic's side nearly to the other side.

Sadly this compatibility problem gives a big disadvantage to smaller cars at crashes, even if you have side airbags. Having said it; a falcodore would not fare too much better at this either, I reckon.

[Sambo]

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 028588B7B3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Something like that Dex, thats not an EK9 its the one after. But Type R for 14k isn't bad. The Ek9's will be even less. Even a standard VTI-R has a 8000rpm red line.

[DexterPunk]

Yeah I had a bit of a look around on carsales.. nothing much in Victoria at the moment. What year were EK9's?? and im guessing a Type-R is a 'VTI-R' ??

[GT VIRUS]

Ford Focus Zetec 2.0... But i suggest that to everyone

[durbster]

Obvious really, MX-5. It ticks more boxes than anything else out there.

[smithcorp]

A Euro hot hatch. Safer.

[DexterPunk]

Ford Focus Zetec 2.0... But i suggest that to everyone

I was looking at the XR5's but they are only made from 2006 I believe and still around the 20 odd thousand. About 5-6k out of my price range.

[Exar Kun]

Clio 182 cup. Awesome fun!

[Quincy]

Kombi.




Greatest vehicle on earth. end of story.

[NeilPearson]

I have a lovely 2006 VZ SV6 up for sale, wish it wasnt but it is.

[bengatta]

don't forget to warn him about the lights sambo....

[Sambo]

Yeah I had a bit of a look around on carsales.. nothing much in Victoria at the moment. What year were EK9's?? and im guessing a Type-R is a 'VTI-R' ??

I am not the biggest expert on Civic's but I think an ek9 is ~'98. I don't think a VTI-R was a Type R. You may find that the Type R's of EK9's were import only similar to the NSX-R's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_Type_R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An EP3 Might be worth looking at? Independent suspension 2L monster, plus being a more modern car it will have a bit more safety thrown in.

[DexterPunk]

Clio 182 cup. Awesome fun!

http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/det ... FACC6AA604" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow! 131Kw and a kerb weight of only just over a 1000kg. Might be worth a look.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... &silo=1011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[9ra55h0ppaH]

Ford Focus Zetec 2.0... But i suggest that to everyone

I was looking at the XR5's but they are only made from 2006 I believe and still around the 20 odd thousand. About 5-6k out of my price range.

I Drive a LR Focus ST170, they get the worked Zetec motor (130kw instead of ~100kw) its the precursor to the XR5, they are available for well under 14k these days

They are a great looking car, Mine hasnt skipped a beat... lots of mod cons, enough grunt to keep yourself occupied... only downside i think is that its got a rather large turning circle... but you get used to that quick enough


I dont know i would have bought mine if i was to do it over again (not quite fast enough for me) but i dont regret buying it

[nutty]

Im not a huge Civic fan.. they are really overpriced based on the cars of similar age/features.. that being said they will hold value well at least.

I guess you really just need to figure out what you want..

Local? Jap? European? How does that effect you in terms of parts/servicing and importantly insurance
size? Smaller then a Falcondore doesnt narrow it down.. do you want a hatch or a coupe? 2 or 4 door?
Do you want something sporty? or more of a cruiser.. as a owner of a "sports" it has plenty of downsides (ride/insurance/unwanted attention) but I wouldnt have it any other way.

Personally some great buys around are Honda Accord Euros
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... CB306F5392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... CB306F5392" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are plenty of better examples above 15k you could talk down too..

They go decent enough, look good.. good features and will hold there value well.. and being a honda assume reliable and cheap insurance/servicing... Been thinking about upgrading my daily to one.. tho I want a Cube

[DexterPunk]

Not bad Nutty... decent price for the year and the kms.

Generally the sportier the better I don't mind the harder ride and squeezing into a smaller car for the reward of better handling. I enjoy small cars, they are easy to park etc. The reason I mentioned the falcodores is because for the price you seem to get a lot of pluses... it seems the most sensible option so far. there are 2005 XR6 Turbos with about 115,000 k's for around the $15,000 mark... and I'd hope I could get them down to around the $13,500.

[nutty]

Whats Insurance on a XR6 turbo? also how many km do you do per year? XR6 turbos tend to drink quite abit too