What car up to about $35k ??

[frosty-11]

Hello all,

After having spent far too long looking on carsales etc for the last few months I might actually soon be in a position to sell my current Celica and get something a little bit quicker! I had a 94 MR2 Turbo for several years and nice as the Celica is it's doesn't exactly 'convincingly' pull away from your average tradie ute !


However, I seem to be hitting a bit of a stumbling point on price, I'm looking to spend up to about 35k, for something in rwd or 4wd (Im sure Integra's & top end Focus's & Astra's etc are lovely and all but I have served my fwd time )


For my budget I seem to be able to stretch to, something like a TT Supra, late S15, R33 GT-R, or XR6 Turbo(of some sort), but as much as they have their own strengths nothing seems to really stand out so far, so I was wondering if anyone can please add either any suggestions on something else or have any opinions on the cars I already mentioned - as any ideas would be much appreciated


Cheers all,
Gareth

[deviant]

How much do running costs figure in to your budget?

An Evo or STI is the most obvious in the Jap range...but running costs are high and I couldnt justify it when I looked in to it.

I had a look at the RWD jap stuff for a while (Skylines, Silvias etc) but struggled to find one that had not been thrashed to the point of being on its last legs and crammed full of modifcations the police take a rather dim view on. Insurance is highh on them because so many teenagers have them...Having said all this with the goverments latest round of anti-car laws I think lots of people will be forced to give them up so look out for some really cheap cars popping up.

Some Monaros fall in to the price range as do various SS Commodores.

I looked at XR6 Turbos to...bloody quick for the size and weight but I couldnt stand the interior quality and struggled to find any in manual let alone ones that the first owner had bothered to tick any options on.

If I wasnt looking for a new daily and I had $35,000 to splash out on a car I would go and give Westfield a check and have a weekend toy instead.

[toomuchbeer]

deviant said:

If I wasnt looking for a new daily and I had $35,000 to splash out on a car I would go and give Westfield a check and have a weekend toy instead.

Now that sounds like a good idea. I could save the pennies by buying a cheap run a around to get me to the train station, and build a Westfield, which is something I have always wanted to do.

Plus, it beats having to watch the St TV over here.

I think I may have to do some research on this.......

[deviant]

www.oz-clubbies.com is the place to find all the latest info.

Its definately not as cheap as in the UK but most people seem to be able to get a reasonable Westfield on the road for $30K. This is a decent read: http://www.mywestfieldbuild.com/

Also be aware that there are both Westfield UK cars and Arrow Sportscars (nee Westfield Australia) available....as well as Amaroo, PRB, Leitch, Caterham, MNR, GTM...

There are a couple of workshops in Perth that sell and build the cars, the name 'replica motor company' rings a bell.

[frosty-11]

he he he a Westfield would indeed but a cracking car, I have a lot of respect for anything that can shame many cars with just a 2.0 engine!

TBH though Im looking for something a little more.... not mudaine but livable shall we say... and I can sort of of forgive semi-crappy interiors if the car makes up for it in how it drives - hence I guess I could proab handle the ford (not to sure about Holdens though )

Running costs are kind of whats pushing me away from a STI / EVO / GT-R I for now I think - having a nother dig I just discovered that 350z's are just in my price range hmmmmmmm ?


The reason for my post in the first place is I havent really been looking at cars in this price range til very recently, and rather than jump on the first thing that seems good I was wondering what perhaps not so obvious cars I should perhaps consider - like the westfield lol - but just a lil more practical if poss.

Thanks for the suggestiosn so far though everyone

[deviant]

A 350Z wouldnt be a bad buy but I have a feeling ones in that range are the very early Aus delivered cars that were not as refined as later cars.

I think you could find a good RX8 for the money but again fuel costs are a concern.

Not muh choice is there really!

[toomuchbeer]

So what are the Holden Commadores like? I like the look of the current SS-V, but hear so many people (not ozzies I would add) say nooooo.

So come on guy's, whats the low down on the Holden fleet.

[noumenon]

I've driven a vauxhall vxr8 (disguised holden). Big, heavy, wallowy. Even with the big v8 soundtrack, I still wouldn't.

For a cruiser I'd pick a 5 or 7 series (though very expensive in Oz?).

Is a Boxster S in this price range?

[Fiddlemesticks]

I got given a Commodore VE Omega (3.6 V6 i think) as a rental car. It was actually ok. Nice enough steering and interior for the cash and size. Boring with a few cheap bits, but overall ok. However the engine wasnt that great - a bit wheezy.

Me, for $35k my choice would be a Commodore SSV or a Golf Gti and i'd take the Golf due to the economy and the polished feeling. However the SSV in Black with red leather is a great looking car and a lot for the money.

[frosty-11]

The R32 Golf instead of the GTi looks OK - bit too pricey still though (I do 'enjoy' the "euro" premium they put on cars out here) and not really that far away from FWD.


I really don’t want to go down the Commodore road though – I drove a very similar V6 as a hire car, and tbh (the 2007 base V6 Mustang aside) it had one of the most feeble engines going (imo) and some of the worst visibility in any car I have ever driven (mustang aside again here P.O.S – I was so disappointed lol)

I really hope I’m missing something with the used car market, as it’s either a jap turbo’d something (minus police attention / insurance) an overpriced golf (insanely overpriced) S3 or something more domestic /less exciting ?


I may just have to ‘find’ another 15k and see what’s about for 50k – things seem to get a whole lot more interesting at that price range

[deviant]

noumenon said:

I've driven a vauxhall vxr8 (disguised holden). Big, heavy, wallowy. Even with the big v8 soundtrack, I still wouldn't.

For a cruiser I'd pick a 5 or 7 series (though very expensive in Oz?).

Is a Boxster S in this price range?

A decent Boxter S is twice the OP budget!

[Colonial]

Try the 8L Audi S3. Come down in price and could pick up a nice 04 (last of them) for around 30k max.

[noumenon]

deviant said:

noumenon said:

I've driven a vauxhall vxr8 (disguised holden). Big, heavy, wallowy. Even with the big v8 soundtrack, I still wouldn't.

For a cruiser I'd pick a 5 or 7 series (though very expensive in Oz?).

Is a Boxster S in this price range?

A decent Boxter S is twice the OP budget!

Ouch! I am slightly worried about my inevitable stint in Australia. I don't mind paying for nice motors, but knowing that it's doube the price of the UK is going to sting.

[RN318]

Have a drive of the Mazda MPS3.
Relatively low running costs, very quick car and some decent features for its price. It's an awesome car and should easily fit in your price range!

Check this one out: only 7,000kms.......pretty much new!!

Mazda MPS3

Edited by RN318 on Tuesday 26th August 14:59

[frosty-11]

The Mazda 3 mps thingy was looking like a real winner for a moment there... 2.3 turbo'd all the toys, blah blah - ...... a quick car review later - its FWD - nooooo and it's dead in the water lol - Im sure it might 'feel' very well weighted etc but not for me I don't think!


I have found another option (sure to divide opnion) ......





2001 Mustang Cobra
4.6 L V8 - with proper (revised) suspension ...... all for 30k!! hmmmmmmm even Aus delivered..... I think I may be on to something here -anyone ever had any experience with these / this series of Stangs please ?

Edited by frosty-11 on Wednesday 27th August 01:55

[deviant]

$30K?!?! As in thirty thousand australian dollars including on road costs?

[frosty-11]

yes yes and yes!

They go upto 45k aud it seems - but can be had for less!

- Shall we start a local club in few months

[deviant]

Hmmm....2 door coupe...RWD...big engine at the front driving the rear wheels...no doubt a good range of bolt on toys from the USA...I never really thought to look at one of these before, off to do some research now!

[frosty-11]

lol Me too - meet back here tmrw and share what we found ?

[noumenon]

Leaf springs and solid rear axles. Drove the new model. Looked nice and had a great v8 soundtrack. But you'd go faster in any hot hatch. Depends what you're after really.