Best car under $35k ?
Discussion
Ok, I have the opportunity to take a package option and give up my company V6 Sonata and buy something for myself.
My partner has a Camry, which is perfect for her, and I have a TVR for weekend fun, been through the 4WD phase and hate ute's.
I will be using it to drive from the Northern suburbs to Perth CBD for work and then as the general use family car so prefer 4 doors (or at least 4 decent seats), under $35k and newer than 10 years old. It must be fun but comfortable to sit in at rest whilst parked on the freeway.
I don't like Holden's, Impreza's are too common and generally prefer normally aspirated inches to turbo power but AWD does appeal.
If you could get Audi RS2's here that would be the weapon of choice but otherwise what can anyone recommend ?
Early Falcon FPV GT or worked TS50 ?
Lancer EVO thingy ?
BMW M3 ?
My list ran out there and I have no experience of any of these - comments welcome.
My partner has a Camry, which is perfect for her, and I have a TVR for weekend fun, been through the 4WD phase and hate ute's.
I will be using it to drive from the Northern suburbs to Perth CBD for work and then as the general use family car so prefer 4 doors (or at least 4 decent seats), under $35k and newer than 10 years old. It must be fun but comfortable to sit in at rest whilst parked on the freeway.
I don't like Holden's, Impreza's are too common and generally prefer normally aspirated inches to turbo power but AWD does appeal.
If you could get Audi RS2's here that would be the weapon of choice but otherwise what can anyone recommend ?
Early Falcon FPV GT or worked TS50 ?
Lancer EVO thingy ?
BMW M3 ?
My list ran out there and I have no experience of any of these - comments welcome.
My Personal favourite would be an Evo. You would be looking at an Evo 6 or 7 for that money so 1999-2004ish with approx 50-80,000KMS on it.
They are incredible (loony) bits of kit but dont forget that with normal daily driving you can do a clutch every 12months and they need servicing every 4500KMS or else there will be trouble ($$$$)!!!!
Highway only use will see you get 400KMS from 50L but this will drop if your not carefull with your right foot. Expect 120KMS on a trackday!!
Impreza's are common but there is the attraction of it being a locally delivered car so insurance and servicing is no trouble.
I looked in to M3's and was put off by the quality of cars available in that price bracket. you would be looking at a 1997-1998 with over 100,000KMS on the clock!!
If all it is going to do is the daily grind then I would look to buy some sort of Commode or Foulcan. You could get something with a few options and low KMS for the money and you would be left with more money for the toy car.
Jeez even spending $35K its still a struggle to find a decent car!!!
They are incredible (loony) bits of kit but dont forget that with normal daily driving you can do a clutch every 12months and they need servicing every 4500KMS or else there will be trouble ($$$$)!!!!
Highway only use will see you get 400KMS from 50L but this will drop if your not carefull with your right foot. Expect 120KMS on a trackday!!
Impreza's are common but there is the attraction of it being a locally delivered car so insurance and servicing is no trouble.
I looked in to M3's and was put off by the quality of cars available in that price bracket. you would be looking at a 1997-1998 with over 100,000KMS on the clock!!
If all it is going to do is the daily grind then I would look to buy some sort of Commode or Foulcan. You could get something with a few options and low KMS for the money and you would be left with more money for the toy car.
Jeez even spending $35K its still a struggle to find a decent car!!!
deviant said:
1. My Personal favourite would be an Evo. You would be looking at an Evo 6 or 7 for that money so 1999-2004ish with approx 50-80,000KMS on it.
2. If all it is going to do is the daily grind then I would look to buy some sort of Commode or Foulcan. You could get something with a few options and low KMS for the money and you would be left with more money for the toy car.
3. Jeez even spending $35K its still a struggle to find a decent car!!!
1. I have come to the same conclusion and have my eye on an 00 Evo VI Makinen Special Edition import.2. If all it is going to do is the daily grind then I would look to buy some sort of Commode or Foulcan. You could get something with a few options and low KMS for the money and you would be left with more money for the toy car.
3. Jeez even spending $35K its still a struggle to find a decent car!!!
2. If that isn't going to work out then as far as the Commode or Foulcan then it may as well stay the Sonata !
3. Agreed - you really have to hit $55 - 65 to start to get something with a bit of presence and substance.
Look at an EVO Grey import. I went into Gran Turisimo Autos in Melbourne the other day they had some tasty ones in there at fantasic prices.
check it out www.granturismo.com.au
In the world of very cheap airfares and cheap transport its probably worth a look. I am from Sydney and would consider it.
check it out www.granturismo.com.au
In the world of very cheap airfares and cheap transport its probably worth a look. I am from Sydney and would consider it.
You will be lucky to find a used Focus XR5 (ST)...There is 1 for sale in Perth at the moment and its near as damn it the same price as a brand new 0KM one!!
I am in the same situation at the moment. Looking for something that can handle the odd trackday or sprint but can also do the daily drive in comfort and for $35-440K.
Dont worry about the turbocharged cars + hot summer day thing...they all seem to cope and the likes of Evo's massively overfuel so the can cope with the less dense air without detonating. If things get to uncomfortable the car will switch its intercooler spray on anyway!
I have been on the look out for used hot hatches but they seem to be a touch on the rare side...either they arent selling or people just dont give them up.
I am starting to lose interest in an Evo...sure nothing will go as fast for the money but they come with true supercar running costs to match the performance. Normal servicing is every 4500KM ($300+) with a major service every 50,000KM ($1000+), brake pads will cost $600 for a good all rounder and a clutch will cost $1800..and it WILL need one a year with track use!! Add on to that the higher insurance and woefull fuel economy and I just dont know if I can justify owning one...but the performance/purchase price ratio is so good!! Also remember that most Evo's are imports with an unknown history...do some research in to Evo runing costs and you will see why having a known history is important!
The Impreza STI looks a bit more promising as the service intervals are 10,000KM and I can get something with a known history, warranty and factory support if anything goes wrong. Still fuel economy is average at best and you still risk doing a clutch and several sets of mahoooosive brake pads.
I am being REALLY tempted by the idea of a Mazda RX8 at the moment. 2003-2004 models with less than 60,000KM on them are only $35-$40,000 which I think is a bit of a bargain considering the performance and all the goodies they come with. They were $60K new aswell!!
I am in the same situation at the moment. Looking for something that can handle the odd trackday or sprint but can also do the daily drive in comfort and for $35-440K.
Dont worry about the turbocharged cars + hot summer day thing...they all seem to cope and the likes of Evo's massively overfuel so the can cope with the less dense air without detonating. If things get to uncomfortable the car will switch its intercooler spray on anyway!
I have been on the look out for used hot hatches but they seem to be a touch on the rare side...either they arent selling or people just dont give them up.
I am starting to lose interest in an Evo...sure nothing will go as fast for the money but they come with true supercar running costs to match the performance. Normal servicing is every 4500KM ($300+) with a major service every 50,000KM ($1000+), brake pads will cost $600 for a good all rounder and a clutch will cost $1800..and it WILL need one a year with track use!! Add on to that the higher insurance and woefull fuel economy and I just dont know if I can justify owning one...but the performance/purchase price ratio is so good!! Also remember that most Evo's are imports with an unknown history...do some research in to Evo runing costs and you will see why having a known history is important!
The Impreza STI looks a bit more promising as the service intervals are 10,000KM and I can get something with a known history, warranty and factory support if anything goes wrong. Still fuel economy is average at best and you still risk doing a clutch and several sets of mahoooosive brake pads.
I am being REALLY tempted by the idea of a Mazda RX8 at the moment. 2003-2004 models with less than 60,000KM on them are only $35-$40,000 which I think is a bit of a bargain considering the performance and all the goodies they come with. They were $60K new aswell!!
Just a thought - have you considered buying it in another state and transporting it to Perth? Not sure how much that would cost but maybe worth considering. Just did a search on Drive.com.au (Becuase Im really bored at work today) and found several decent spec'd XR5's, cheapest being $32,500... worth a thought maybe?
I have thought about doing that...but I am slightly put off by the hassle of getting an inspection done, organising the freight and then organising new rego in Perth. If its a modified car then rego inspections could be some real bother.
Its definately something to think about though. there is a bigger range of cars available and as you have demonstrated they always seem to be somewhat cheaper than Perth cars which will offset the cost of shipping etc.
Its definately something to think about though. there is a bigger range of cars available and as you have demonstrated they always seem to be somewhat cheaper than Perth cars which will offset the cost of shipping etc.
deviant said:
I have thought about doing that...but I am slightly put off by the hassle of getting an inspection done, organising the freight and then organising new rego in Perth. If its a modified car then rego inspections could be some real bother.
Its definately something to think about though. there is a bigger range of cars available and as you have demonstrated they always seem to be somewhat cheaper than Perth cars which will offset the cost of shipping etc.
Plus I believe that if you buy in another state you pay the stamp duty at that state's rate? That could save you thousands over WA's extortionate rate.Its definately something to think about though. there is a bigger range of cars available and as you have demonstrated they always seem to be somewhat cheaper than Perth cars which will offset the cost of shipping etc.
For stamp duty rates, check out this web site, helps you work out the cheapest location for Stamp Duty for sure...
http://www.mtawa.com.au/stamp_duty_calculator.php
If you buy the car in NSW and Ship to Perth, just check that when you re-register the vehicle for the new state you dont have to pay stamp duty again?
There's got to be a low cost way of doing this and a loophole we can find to expoit!!
http://www.mtawa.com.au/stamp_duty_calculator.php
If you buy the car in NSW and Ship to Perth, just check that when you re-register the vehicle for the new state you dont have to pay stamp duty again?
There's got to be a low cost way of doing this and a loophole we can find to expoit!!
I looked at a TME EVO 6.5 over at the import place opposite John Hughes, a little tardy and way too expensive, $43k or similar.
Pushiest salesman I ever encountered came out, asked whether I was interested and I said not at that price, he said what would you pay, I said I wasn't spending more than $35k on a car, he then said ok if I go and talk to the boss and get you it for $35 would you want to take it away today or later this week.
I told him I was no longer interested.
If you are prepared to sell for $35k or under why stick $43k on the screen. By the way I was spoken to they must get a lot of idiots there as I would expect more courtesy when looking to spend $3.50.
Search narrowed though to a TME 6.5 preferably in silver - only trouble is the better half now tells me I have to give up smoking for it as originally she thought I was going to trade my weekend car, not the case !
Pushiest salesman I ever encountered came out, asked whether I was interested and I said not at that price, he said what would you pay, I said I wasn't spending more than $35k on a car, he then said ok if I go and talk to the boss and get you it for $35 would you want to take it away today or later this week.
I told him I was no longer interested.
If you are prepared to sell for $35k or under why stick $43k on the screen. By the way I was spoken to they must get a lot of idiots there as I would expect more courtesy when looking to spend $3.50.
Search narrowed though to a TME 6.5 preferably in silver - only trouble is the better half now tells me I have to give up smoking for it as originally she thought I was going to trade my weekend car, not the case !
chunder said:
I looked at a TME EVO 6.5 over at the import place opposite John Hughes, a little tardy and way too expensive, $43k or similar.
Pushiest salesman I ever encountered came out, asked whether I was interested and I said not at that price, he said what would you pay, I said I wasn't spending more than $35k on a car, he then said ok if I go and talk to the boss and get you it for $35 would you want to take it away today or later this week.
I told him I was no longer interested.
If you are prepared to sell for $35k or under why stick $43k on the screen. By the way I was spoken to they must get a lot of idiots there as I would expect more courtesy when looking to spend $3.50.
Search narrowed though to a TME 6.5 preferably in silver - only trouble is the better half now tells me I have to give up smoking for it as originally she thought I was going to trade my weekend car, not the case !
Sorry mate, i dont get the story? You wanted a car at 35k and the guy was willing to do a deal. Everyone was happy and you blanked him? I guess his manner must have been very offensive?Pushiest salesman I ever encountered came out, asked whether I was interested and I said not at that price, he said what would you pay, I said I wasn't spending more than $35k on a car, he then said ok if I go and talk to the boss and get you it for $35 would you want to take it away today or later this week.
I told him I was no longer interested.
If you are prepared to sell for $35k or under why stick $43k on the screen. By the way I was spoken to they must get a lot of idiots there as I would expect more courtesy when looking to spend $3.50.
Search narrowed though to a TME 6.5 preferably in silver - only trouble is the better half now tells me I have to give up smoking for it as originally she thought I was going to trade my weekend car, not the case !
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