First Car

[dblstR]

Im looking for a good cheap first car. Im looking at spending 2k or less for a daily driver until i can save for something a bit nicer later down the track. Im in SA and would like some advice on what a good car would be. Im a big skyline fan so was considering a R31.

Suggestions?

P.S manual car only

Edited February 11, 2009 by dblstR

[willL]

for 2k a manual aussie r31 would be all you could get really skyline wise..so id stick with that idea.

Edited February 11, 2009 by willL

[RBwhatever]

ummm...manual R31? Problem solvered. You get your manual skyline and its 2g.

[GTS4WD]

Nah man!

VW Golf GTi Mk2!

190E Merc

Their old, yes. But its your first car. You want something with kinda cool!

YAWN! R31.. How many of those do you see!?

[sneakey pete]

YAWN! R31.. How many of those do you see!?

Not many?

Then again, i don't normally see many skylines at all here.

[dblstR]

Is there any common issues with R31s i should know about when looking for one? Price difference between turbo and non turbo?

[-FIGJAM-]

civic, corolla seca, ect ect

or

Falcon, commy, magna for extra power...

[some_cs_student]

Is there any common issues with R31s i should know about when looking for one? Price difference between turbo and non turbo?

You'll only be able to afford the Aus built RB30 R31's, not a turbo model if you've only got 2K.

Diff whine is common in the R31's not a major issue but common, check for rust and the tyres been used. The R31 is fine in dry weather, just not the safest in wet weather unless you've got good tyres.

The silhouette model is the top of the range manual but has a premium on it...it also had LSD from memory.

[R31Nismoid]

Is there any common issues with R31s i should know about when looking for one? Price difference between turbo and non turbo?

you wont get turbo for 2k

common issues are AFM, CAS and the ignitor thingo

otherwise fairly reliable

[Krishy]

for my first car mate i got a camry

then later on upgraded to a S4 RX7 and now a R33 Skyline

the whole point is that get something reliable for that price...

since your on your P's mistakes are bound to happen mate and you will learn a lot that way in case of driving

then when your on your Full license...2 years time or so then upgrade to a nice turbo and with a relatively clean record you will be able to do alright with insurance as well...

good luck with it all mate

hope this helps

[burkill]

4th of 5th gen toyota celica.

if you've got 2 grand, i hope you have more for running costs

[R31Nismoid]

To be honest though a Ford KA-KE laser are one of the best little tampon taxi's you can get.

A few mates (including me) all brought a few of them and not one of us had any running issues with em and drove them 110% everyday of the week and the only thing (out of owning two) that died was a start motor which really wasnt a big deal because you can virtually get in the engine bay yourself to changing it is easy there is that much room

They loved being flogged hehe, good economy too!

I remember taking mine down the Great Ocean Rd here... considering its twisty and limited to 80km/h you could push it to the limit and still not loose your license as it didnt have the balls to accel upto 90-100, but you could throw it into a 40km/h corner @ about 60-65 and just laugh as it screeched all the way around

Dont get an auto one though, manual for sure, much more fun

[buggor34]

I agree with the lasers, they are unbreakable! Also for around 2g you could find a decent civic or n13 pulsar

[GTR-32U]

i would highly recommend a Corolla SX or GTi. You will find them in that price range, My one has near 300,000 k's on original engine and still doesnt blow smoke. Still happily spins to 7500 rpm and will totally decimate your carby 6 banger Commo and Falcons...Yet cruising will still get 500+km to a tank of fuel 40 litre tank as well. I would stay clear of the Skylines until you can afford the one that you really want. Otherwise your just going to spend money doing it up when it really isnt the car you have your heart set on.

[dblstR]

i wont be spending money doing my first car up, apart from perhaps a low budget stereo.

[bozodos]

n12 pulsar FTW (for 2k you could even maybe possibly find a rough turbo one)

I had some awesome times in my 300 dollar special, ended up junking it when the alternator died though (not viable to buy a new one lol)

[Modena]

Corolla for the win!!

[R33_Dude]

Fun cars i have owned for under $3000 off the top of my head:

1987 Prelude 2.0i

1988 Accord 2.0i

1991 Integra LS (I think it was, hell fun car, insurance was pricey)

1985 Civic hatch (I actually want another one for an engine conversion)

198* Lancer hatch (basically an early mirage)

Can't-remember-the-year Alfa 33

A Alfasud (electrics caught fire during the night - however I did buy it for $300 while building another car)

1991 Laser (that thing was a FWD rally car made out of granite, mithril and hardened weetbix by the dwarves of middle earth loved it, crashed it, pop the bumpers back out with a heat gun and a gentel persuader, repeat)

N13 Pulsar Vector with LSD option - hilarious car

what else? Well of the R31's, Falcons and Commies I have driven in this price bracket they were mostly nowhere near as fun as the front wheel drive 4 bangers. Mostly in way worse condition for the money too.

Edited February 16, 2009 by R33_Dude

[tricky_dan]

ke70 for the win! actually u get a LOT of car for your money in an r31 (prob better buying than a ke) and more comfortable etc..

[FULOCK]

Is there any common issues with R31s i should know about when looking for one? Price difference between turbo and non turbo?

I strongly suggest R31 all the way!!!

I had that as my first car and owned it for 8 years!!! Very sad when I sold it - if I could have afforded it and had somewhere to keep it, as well as my new R34 I would have definately kept it!!!

Personally I love the Ti Models

Beautiful/comfortable interior

Full elects, Cruise control

they were all auto - unless it was converted (like I did with my one )

Some had LSD - if you want it you can get it done, dont know how much it costs these days, it cost me $550 back in 2001

If you get the Series 2 (1986,87) - its the same transmissions as the VL's had (only difference in then manual is 5th gear to the VL)

The Series 3 (1988,89,90) Auto is different - its Electronically controlled ( I was told its the same auto as what the 300ZX and some Patrol's had)

They are fine as long as you look after them and service them when needed

Cant do Shift Kits on them ( I was told anyways ), the older Auto's you can.

Don't do Nuetral to Drive 'rev n dumps' coz that kills the Auto pretty quickly as I learnt (was planning the manual anyways)

Common issue i've found with them is the power steeing lines sometimes leak fluid, and the steering rack under the car, check for oil leaks.

Once they get to the high 200,000k's you might need a new water pump

Check all the bushes, tie rod ends etc.... normal wear and tear that comes with the age of these cars.....

You might have a few oil leaks from the Roccer Cover - sometimes easily fixed with a tightening of the screws with a screw driver, easy.

Apart from the two above, you wont have any issues if you dont drive it as hard as I did alot of the time.....

My parents still own a Series2 which they've had since 97 - still going strong.... driven it everywhere, including upto QLD and back to Melb.

If you drive it normally, service it every 10,000k's, if you drive it hard, every 5,000K's (just oil and oil filter), and I guarantee you that engine will be bullet proof!!! spark plugs approx every 15,000k's or so......

they dont rattle and squeek like a Crumbledoor, and dont leak oil like a old Falcon.

Electrics are the best you'll find in a car that age - window's dont take 10years to open and close like a VL Calais

with My Series 3 Ti

Auto with only 2.5" Exhaust and pod filter - got 91rwkw

once converted to manual, same mods - got 98rwkw

I bolted on a t3 Hi-Flow, intercooler, VL turbo Injectors, etc pretty basic setup - got 127rwkw on 7spi

then with extra injector and 10psi - 165rwkw in 2003

When I bought it in 1999 it had 226,000 I sold the car in 2007 - still on 10psi new owner put it on the dyno - still had 164rwkw

and that engine had over 300,000k's, Engine Never opened from Factory, completely untouched!!!!

My point to all the above!! I think the R31 Skyline is defiantely one of the Best Cars ever Built in Australia!!!!!

Reliable, Powerfull, comfortable etc.....

Only reason I broke stuff on mine in the early days is because of the way I drove it..... which goes for any car if driven hard

one day When I can afford it - I will own one again built for track purposes only!!!!

Ohh, for price diff these days check out www.r31skylineclub.com

I know i'v rambled on abit but yeah..... R31's ROCK!!!

Edited February 19, 2009 by FULOCK