What Car Should I Buy?

[KezR33]

With a max upper limit of say; $18,000 but a preferable limit of $15,000 what car should I buy? More than happy to spend less too. Some limitations;

Has to be a car not typically viewed by the public (or mainly the police) as a hoon car.

Preferably secondhand.

Reliable.

Non turbo.

No V8s.

Doesn't need to be overly economical, but nothing that guzzles either.

A bit of guts, nothing performance wise, but a bit of zip in traffic.

A nice car - nothing ugly, and something I can take a bit of pride in.

Ones I am considering are; MX5, old BMW (although I hate these cars, so probably not), an old Lexus, Prelude, or convertible Celica.

Thanks for any input.

[R33GOD]

integra type r gets my vote

[Count Grantleyish]

Corolla Sportivo

[HEKT1K]

prelude VTIR... very smooth, very nice.. with no bad community image. Although they aren't great below 5k rpm lol

[.:: GimpS-R34 ::.]

Commodore...

[scathing]

Forget the Lexus. They're gutless without a turbo or a V8. As are non-turbo Celicas. I'd rule out a Type-R as well, as they do get looked upon as hoon cars. I know it's "eye of the beholder" kind of thing, but I haven't seen a Corolla that I liked the look of.

I am quite fond of the last generation Prelude VTiR. I reckon they look really good, and the engine should pull OK. It's bigger than an Integra of the same generation, so it should be a bit more comfortable. Alternatively, an EK Civic VTiR coupe. The hatch looks a bit ghey. If you want some guts, they have to have VTEC.

Alternatively, you could consider a N14 or N15 Pulsar SSS with the SSS badges shaved off. It then just looks like a cooking Pulsar, but the SR20DE in the front has reasonably good torque for its class.

[AlexR34]

Don't listen to all these lamoes lol Just get ur self a corolla hatch, its a good car and it will fill all your needs and save you money. END OF STORY BOOM ! lol

[madbung]

Subaru liberty wagon.

[Smitizen]

integra type r gets my vote

DC2 or DC5? Both are awesome and i second this motion! V-tec is the sh*t yo.

[GTS4WD]

DC2 FTW!

[R33GOD]

dc2

[KezR33]

I do like the sound of the Subaru Liberty. They have a boxer engine too?

I'll look into Integras too, although I much prefer the way Preludes look.

I'm quite keen to get a convertible, besides MX5s and Celicas what other cheap models are avaliable?

No Commodores, I know they're all over the road but P plates + Commodore = hoon. Plus I just dislike them.

[.:: GimpS-R34 ::.]

P plater + VL, VK, VN = hoon

[NYTSKY]

Ill get flamed for this but only saying it because i own one.

Get the latest model Proton. Looks are ok but the main reason is reliability and economy.

The things never have any problems if looked after and the fuel economy can only be compared to a Prius!

Im currently getting 600kms out of a 40l tank.

Thats 6.6L/100km!!!

[madbung]

Yeah the liberty is a boxer engine 2.0 or 2.5ltrs

Safe, reliable, good value....shit I should get myself one.

Vehicle 2001 SUBARU LIBERTY 3GEN MY02 RX

Price $17,999 *

Kilometres 58,740

Body 4 door 5 seat WAGON

Colour SILVER

Transmission 5 speed Manual

Drive type 4WD

Engine 4 cylinder Unleaded Multi-point injected 2.5L (2457cc)

Reg Plate AJ99MJ

VIN JF1BH9KJ41G031950

Stock # MCS82

Comments 1 OWNER FULL SERVICE HISTORY,VERY RARE WITH SUCH LOW KLMS,SO BE VERY QUICK

[jay1]

go the prelude VTIR

[Tezzah]

Volkswagon Golf.

[GTS4WD]

Shame you said non-turbo

LOOK AR THOSE GUARDS! *drool*

[Beelzebub89]

Integrale ftmfw! Where is that car and how much?

[GTR-N1]

I have a 4th gen Prelude VTiR with 4WS

Pros:-

i) Looks as if it's going fast whilst it's stopped

ii) Great stance and pose - mean looking to the extent that Alfa Brera lights are so so simliar

iii) H22A1 Engine is solid with reasonable pull at 4800 revs & 142 Kw at 6800rpm

iv) Fuel consumption is about 9l/100Km

v) Good depreciation despite it being discontinued. Originally $53K; can get it now for $9800 in good nick $175,000km

vi) Corners flat and stable. The AUD 5th gen did not have 4WS. The ATTS version is rare (where the outside wheels rotate quicker on corners than the inside wheels.

vii) Great sounding engine

viii) DOHC with VVT, 4 valves/cylinder, multipoint inject'n is bullet-proof

ix) Is chippable despite compression ratio 10:1

x) Susp'n, bushings made to last

Cons:-

i) Rust in sunroof

ii) Rust around window seals

iii) Rust around boot water channels

iv) Heavy front end with FWD can lead to understeer, so one must brake early and accelerate out

v) Synchro wear

vi) Gear box wear

vii) Electronic 4WS can break down (but unlike the Mazda MX6 it doesn't default to full lock - WOW). It would settle into straight pos'n

I could ask no more of a daily than this - to step out of this car and go into a Skyline takes little adjustment

Tez

PS The 5th gen Prelude doesn't look as good as the 4th gen but the ATTS version is worthwhile if you can get one.