What would you buy under $20k?
Discussion
There is a good chance in the next 3-4 months that, if my house sale goes through, then i will be able to spend c.$20k on a car.
Practicality is not a priority nor more than 2 seats but would be preferable.
Ideally i'd like it to be less and keep a bit in the pot for my first choice:
Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6. I had a 156 in the UK, loved it and would really like a bit of style and euro-ness here. Could probably get one for $17k and keep $3k towards an initial revamp and service.
Ford Falcon XR6 or XR6 Turbo. Hmm, bit aussie but practical and quickish. Also relaxed for normal driving and less maintenance heavy than the alfa. Also a bit more modern.
BMW 320 or Audi A4 - smart but yawnsome.
VW Golf - as above
Any other ideas?!
Practicality is not a priority nor more than 2 seats but would be preferable.
Ideally i'd like it to be less and keep a bit in the pot for my first choice:
Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6. I had a 156 in the UK, loved it and would really like a bit of style and euro-ness here. Could probably get one for $17k and keep $3k towards an initial revamp and service.
Ford Falcon XR6 or XR6 Turbo. Hmm, bit aussie but practical and quickish. Also relaxed for normal driving and less maintenance heavy than the alfa. Also a bit more modern.
BMW 320 or Audi A4 - smart but yawnsome.
VW Golf - as above
Any other ideas?!
'Classic' shape Impreza.
Nissan 180SX / 200SX / Silvia.
Nissan Skyline.
MK 4 Golf GTI in that price range yet? How about the Polo GTI, very similar interior to the MK 5 GTI and they have the 1.8 20 valve turbo engine...good for many hundreds of bhp!
Toyota MR2 SW20 shape?
Holden Astra SRI Turbo.
You might be able to snag a Focus XR5 for the $25K mark if you were willing to push the budget.
Ford Fiesta XR4 might be that low now.
Nissan 180SX / 200SX / Silvia.
Nissan Skyline.
MK 4 Golf GTI in that price range yet? How about the Polo GTI, very similar interior to the MK 5 GTI and they have the 1.8 20 valve turbo engine...good for many hundreds of bhp!
Toyota MR2 SW20 shape?
Holden Astra SRI Turbo.
You might be able to snag a Focus XR5 for the $25K mark if you were willing to push the budget.
Ford Fiesta XR4 might be that low now.
Too late, i already burnt it!
The Nissans are a bit too old or Rice racerish for my liking.
Golf Mk4 is appealing. I did think that Mk5 Gti's (which i really like) are coming within $10k of 20k so potential and makes the Mk4 look very dated.
Astra SRI appealing. Is it a bit too well Astra-ish?
XR4 and Polo too girly....
Above the $20k mark the HSV VXR and Golf Gti really appeal but i'm not keen on finance at the current market state.
Think an Alfa will be too much hassle in this country? I had a great specialist near me in the UK made life easier.
deviant said:
'Classic' shape Impreza.
Nissan 180SX / 200SX / Silvia.
Nissan Skyline.
MK 4 Golf GTI in that price range yet? How about the Polo GTI, very similar interior to the MK 5 GTI and they have the 1.8 20 valve turbo engine...good for many hundreds of bhp!
Toyota MR2 SW20 shape?
Holden Astra SRI Turbo.
You might be able to snag a Focus XR5 for the $25K mark if you were willing to push the budget.
Ford Fiesta XR4 might be that low now.
Thanks for the response Dev. Always count on your input!Nissan 180SX / 200SX / Silvia.
Nissan Skyline.
MK 4 Golf GTI in that price range yet? How about the Polo GTI, very similar interior to the MK 5 GTI and they have the 1.8 20 valve turbo engine...good for many hundreds of bhp!
Toyota MR2 SW20 shape?
Holden Astra SRI Turbo.
You might be able to snag a Focus XR5 for the $25K mark if you were willing to push the budget.
Ford Fiesta XR4 might be that low now.
The Nissans are a bit too old or Rice racerish for my liking.
Golf Mk4 is appealing. I did think that Mk5 Gti's (which i really like) are coming within $10k of 20k so potential and makes the Mk4 look very dated.
Astra SRI appealing. Is it a bit too well Astra-ish?
XR4 and Polo too girly....
Above the $20k mark the HSV VXR and Golf Gti really appeal but i'm not keen on finance at the current market state.
Think an Alfa will be too much hassle in this country? I had a great specialist near me in the UK made life easier.
Hahaha yeah I probably spend to much time researching cars I might like to never get around to buying 
I think you have to be 18 to own a Silvia / Skyline..
The Astra you would be looking at in that price range is around the 2003 shape. They have leather and climate control but are not that different inside to the normal Astra. IIRC they have about 180BHP and at the time were considered to be a proper hot hatch.
You can get bluefin for them and whiteline do an aftermarket handling pack so they could be fun.
The latest shape can be had for the $25K mark and are miles ahead in refinement and build quality....until you try a Golf or Focus. For the price though they are very nicely equipped.
I like the VXR / HSV Astra but I have read lots of less than pleasent things about Holdens support of the car which put me off of one.
www.opelaus.com is a good source of info for Aussie Vauxhalls.
I reckon you could get a good deal on a more modern hot hatch but certainly not for $20K or less. Personally I was not that worried about financing my car...especially as the interest rate is very low.
I dont think you would have much trouble looking after an Alfa. In Perth we have 'Silly Berties' Italian car specialists: http://www.cilebertimotors.com.au/index.html
A friend of mine uses them for his Fiat X19 and a couple of blokes at work use them for their Alfa collections. I think there is an Alfa owners club in WA to.
I think you have to be 18 to own a Silvia / Skyline..
The Astra you would be looking at in that price range is around the 2003 shape. They have leather and climate control but are not that different inside to the normal Astra. IIRC they have about 180BHP and at the time were considered to be a proper hot hatch.
You can get bluefin for them and whiteline do an aftermarket handling pack so they could be fun.
The latest shape can be had for the $25K mark and are miles ahead in refinement and build quality....until you try a Golf or Focus. For the price though they are very nicely equipped.
I like the VXR / HSV Astra but I have read lots of less than pleasent things about Holdens support of the car which put me off of one.
www.opelaus.com is a good source of info for Aussie Vauxhalls.
I reckon you could get a good deal on a more modern hot hatch but certainly not for $20K or less. Personally I was not that worried about financing my car...especially as the interest rate is very low.
I dont think you would have much trouble looking after an Alfa. In Perth we have 'Silly Berties' Italian car specialists: http://www.cilebertimotors.com.au/index.html
A friend of mine uses them for his Fiat X19 and a couple of blokes at work use them for their Alfa collections. I think there is an Alfa owners club in WA to.
Is'nt she on an English license?
I've never driven a BMW 320 but I always imagined them to be rather slow and more of a cruising car than anything else.
A 330 would be nice if you can find one with sensible KMS and in a manual.
The Lexus IS200 is supposed to be a nice steer and RWD to. They did sporty models but like the BMW 320 I hear they are not that powerfull.
Does the car need to be particularly quick though?
Colonial makes a good point with his car actually...dont discount looking to buy interstate. Cars can be a fair bit cheaper than in WA and there are some good companies around that will organise everything for you so you can go door-to-door. Tim did it with his Monaro so it might be worth dropping him a line.
I've never driven a BMW 320 but I always imagined them to be rather slow and more of a cruising car than anything else.
A 330 would be nice if you can find one with sensible KMS and in a manual.
The Lexus IS200 is supposed to be a nice steer and RWD to. They did sporty models but like the BMW 320 I hear they are not that powerfull.
Does the car need to be particularly quick though?
Colonial makes a good point with his car actually...dont discount looking to buy interstate. Cars can be a fair bit cheaper than in WA and there are some good companies around that will organise everything for you so you can go door-to-door. Tim did it with his Monaro so it might be worth dropping him a line.
Well, she kinda moved to the inner city and only had a scooter so technically she needs to start again...
Should have checked that one out. Only black mark against her so far so can't complain. But it means when she gets here she will only have her p plates from what the RTA has said so turbos are out of bounds.
And yes. It needs to be quick. For gods sake man. I'm going to be the main one driving it.
Should have checked that one out. Only black mark against her so far so can't complain. But it means when she gets here she will only have her p plates from what the RTA has said so turbos are out of bounds.
And yes. It needs to be quick. For gods sake man. I'm going to be the main one driving it.
Well some good suggestions.
Liking the Lexus IS220. Would like a 330 but not that many in budget.
The S3 is a great prospect - cheers Colonial.
Finance wise, its not so much the cost, just the desire to reduce set outgoings.
I am definitely happy to look at importing. WA has got bugger all choice in anything non Falcodore so happy to look at that.
Alfa's of all type are much more prevalent over east.
I also thought about a mint original RX7, a 325ti, and strangely enough a Merc 300Ce for $8k....
Liking the Lexus IS220. Would like a 330 but not that many in budget.
The S3 is a great prospect - cheers Colonial.
Finance wise, its not so much the cost, just the desire to reduce set outgoings.
I am definitely happy to look at importing. WA has got bugger all choice in anything non Falcodore so happy to look at that.
Alfa's of all type are much more prevalent over east.
I also thought about a mint original RX7, a 325ti, and strangely enough a Merc 300Ce for $8k....
Pommygranite said:
PomBstard said:
Forester XT - if you're going to have some practicality
MX5 - if you don't need more than two seats, don't get them. And skip the roof too
I would either look like a grandad with one or a gay grandad with both... MX5 - if you don't need more than two seats, don't get them. And skip the roof too
Though to be fair, the Forester would be about as quick as most other things suggested cross country, and the MX5 would probably be about as fast, and much more reliable, than an old Merc. And probably more fun on a twisty road.
If you're bringing in cheaper, older cars, there are plenty of 306 GTI6s around. Or what about a 944 S2 - $20k would be about top-dollar for the best on the market.
BTW, I also looked at an old Merc, but couldn't live an auto box, or the horrendous fuel consumption.
PomBstard said:
Pommygranite said:
PomBstard said:
Forester XT - if you're going to have some practicality
MX5 - if you don't need more than two seats, don't get them. And skip the roof too
I would either look like a grandad with one or a gay grandad with both... MX5 - if you don't need more than two seats, don't get them. And skip the roof too
Though to be fair, the Forester would be about as quick as most other things suggested cross country, and the MX5 would probably be about as fast, and much more reliable, than an old Merc. And probably more fun on a twisty road.
If you're bringing in cheaper, older cars, there are plenty of 306 GTI6s around. Or what about a 944 S2 - $20k would be about top-dollar for the best on the market.
BTW, I also looked at an old Merc, but couldn't live an auto box, or the horrendous fuel consumption.
) and i was being slightly sarcastic however. Not sure a convertible is that ideal here given the melanoma risk, but the forester would be a laugh. I'd feel old in it.306gti6 would be a hoot so great suggestion then. I also like the 944 S2 suggestion. Thanks for those.
I suppose you offset fuel with an old merc with the glacial depreciation curve.
deviant said:
I've never driven a BMW 320 but I always imagined them to be rather slow and more of a cruising car than anything else.
A 330 would be nice if you can find one with sensible KMS and in a manual.
The old shape 320's aren't that bad, 7.9 0-60 and 140MPH top speed - not blistering but better than most jap saloons. 330's tend to be a lot more expensive. Was actually quite tempted by the new shape 325 when I was looking, 0-60 in 6.5 and 155mph and hitting the low $40k's A 330 would be nice if you can find one with sensible KMS and in a manual.
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