Advice On Buying A Car Time Again!

[hamiltonau]

Ok its not mine as everyone knows im a broke ass train guard but a close friend has enlisted my help in selecting her next 'baby' as she calls it.

She CAN drive manual and does want something 'sporty' but other than that is a total noob and considers me the closest thing she has to an expert on cars. I know.

God help her.

Anyway i thought i would see if i could glean some tidbits out of the clearly more knowledgable minds on here about which direction to head with her purchase...she has 45k ish to spend and has narrowed it down to either.

A late model fast Forester

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/subaru-forester-2011-12576439?base=1216&vertical=Car&eapi=2&Page=6&sort=Price&cr=75&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294963801%204294963567%201216&silo=Stock&Range=Price:40000,50000~1

A V8 06 BMW X5 or the newer (07-09) but slower 6cyl E70 X5

An 09-11 HSV GTS VE 2 with 317 KW

A Nissan 370z

A brand new ish Jeep Cherokee Laredo

One of the rarer GTO Monaros (though im thinking u get more bang for buck with the VE sedans)

and um..the list could go on i guess but thats what we will be looking at thur/fri on Parra road, clearly she is happy with a bit of room but is willing to sacrifice it for something sexy enough.

I managed to steer her away from an Audi TT which was a bit of a fave of hers but hey, i want to drive it sometimes too and possibly at the track. Hence a fast Commordore or 370z but then again a bit of room in the back could be 'fun' too as long as its got some poke when needed..

anyone had experience with any of these rides?

[Humbla]

Hey Pat,i'd go the the 370 sex on wheels and great for road or track,son in law had a very fast late model clubby went like the clappers.I never felt safe cornering at high speed,i know nissans handl and break better so drive both,see what you both think.Straight line speed or the whole package.

[GTR-N1]

Geez, that's a big spectrum there Patty?

MY06XT Forester of mine is a quickie - the MY11 is good; bit heavier; but I'd get a Manual (the one in that link is an Auto)

My Foz has too many Kms to interest her, but have a look around.

Neil our former Prez is a big fan of the slightly older X5 I think.

Coming up to the end of the financial year may play into her hands > especially at the end of a month (re: monthly figures)

[10 4]

http://www.carsales....00&sort=default

http://www.carsales.....5&sort=default

http://www.carsales....40000,50000~0.5

http://www.carsales....ax&sort=default

http://www.carsales.....5&sort=default

http://www.carsales....~1&sort=default

http://www.carsales.....5&sort=default

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/audi-s4-2005-12118816?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294967194%204294966997%201216%204294967177&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,50000~1&sort=default

http://www.carsales.....5&sort=default

So much choice srs. Don't buy a HSV / Forester or whatnot.

Edited May 29, 2012 by 10 4

[Cowboy1600]

Geez there's some shitboxes in that list.

A Jeep? X5? Seriously, both buckets of crap.

You redeemed yourself with the 370 though. I could think of much better ways to spend $50k than on a VE Clubby (F6 Typhoon anyone?)

A Forester would be a good choice too.

Some other suggestions:

FPV GT/GS/F6

Liberty Sedan

Ralliart Lancer (not quite as hardcore as an Evo)

Lexus is250

Audi A4

[hamiltonau]

thanks guys, just working through your list now 10 4, not sure the Porsche will fly but its a surprise to see them that cheap.

Terry, do you know if neil had the 3litre six or the bigger 4.8l V8 X5? Forester would have to be manual for sure so will narrow the search, some of them look nice..ish.

Cheers Genelle re 370, love them myself but might have to do more work to bring her around..

[hamiltonau]

Geez there's some shitboxes in that list.

A Jeep? X5? Seriously, both buckets of crap.

FPV GT/GS/F6

Liberty Sedan

Ralliart Lancer (not quite as hardcore as an Evo)

Lexus is250

Audi A4

buckets of crap? lol anymore specific criticism? i have been watching some independant video reviews online and reading up a little when i have the chance and most reviewers seem to love the X5, of course it is an SUV so its always going to lose out dynamically to a 370 etc

She is more of a holden girl (even though she grew up in thailand) so its doubtful an F6 is in the equation plus i think they look waaay to much like HWP cars whereas at least the HSV models differentiate themselves from the SS models even if their styling is a little controversial.

the rest of the list is ok except for the Audi, i owned a 99' A4 for a few years and it was a total f**ing lemon.

will look at a late model Rex or Liberty for sure.

[warps]

Don't waste your time on a Foz - they're past their prime.

$45k will buy a brand new Rex with change left over. Not much else in the new car market will touch it for all round performance in that price range (and definitely a better option if she doesn't have mad driving skilz - I can imagine an inexperienced driver in a 317kW commodore with worn suspension and tyres)

370Z would be a sexy beast - how about the new Toyota '86. Meant to be a driver's car (in terms of pure driving fun, rather than tyre shredding straight line speed).

for a bit of classy grunt, she can pick up a 2000-2002 BMW M5 manual (5 litre V8, 400hp). They're meant to be the most robust of the M5's and have plenty of go to keep her happy. Of course a 10 year old BMW could end in tears if anything goes wrong.

The lexus - meh I admit they're fantastic cars, but they are so booooooring. No passion. It's like driving a camry with a fancy badge on it.

some of the hot hatches are meant to be uber quick and fun (Renault Megane 250RS, Golf R or GTi). Have not had any personal experience with tose euros, so only going by what the motoring journos say about them.

As mentioned above - she seems to have a very diverse range to choose from. She really needs to understand what she wants / needs from the car, then work from there.

Edited May 29, 2012 by warps

[hamiltonau]

thanks warps, great post!

the hot hatches would be too small which helps narrow it down somewhat, rex, M3/5 and 370 are definitely on the short list though. Im not sure how much fun the M5 would be around wakefield but im sure it would be amazing on the road.

To be honest i didnt think of anything as new as the FT86, love the idea of getting something a few years old and saving a bundle on depreciation but the 86 would be pretty tempting and probably hold their value for a while..will definitely have a look at them.

lol at lexus verdict, she drives a Camry now so another version with a shinier badge? no fanx

[GTR-34A]

Evo X...

Pretty good all round, has plenty of room, would be great on the track.. Not so good on fuel, but wouldnt be any worse than a big V8 of SUV etc...

[The Bogan]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/bncis/details.aspx?Cr=2&R=12566324&keywords=&trecs=67&__sid=137850451BD6&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&SearchAction=N&seot=1&__N=1216 1246 4294963800 4294963801 4294739757&silo=1011

[GTR-N1]

Neil is an expert on breakdown stats and demand on replacement parts.

2000-2002 V8 M5 so long as all services are done and low Kms is about right. Bit heavy, but very robust and quick.

[hamiltonau]

yeah she is kinda leaning towards the X5 but replacing that first letter with an M would always be a win in my books. 02' sounds a bit old, are the M5's worth a bit more than M3's?

That subaru looks very nice MLR but its in QLD and ...do they even make STI's anymore? i heard the next model WRX will be on a completely different platform to the impreza. Should be spanking hot.

[GTR-N1]

Hahaaa. I can't believe I typed M instead of a X - Lol

An E39 M5 would actually be superb!

May $50K would get you a nice specimen!

[hamiltonau]

aaahh the post makes more sense now.

freudian slip perhaps?

im guessing the E39 is older than the E46, not sure if she is willing go that old, what is it with chicks and needing to have the latest thing?

[GTR-N1]

E39 - 5 Series continued up till 2003

E46 - 3 Series went to '06 I think or thereabouts

[levinboy]

I reckon one of these

Liberty STi

if you can find a wagon even better for her space dilemma

[hamiltonau]

thanks Nick, will drive on for sure.

Terry, unfo cant find an M5 of any kind between 35 and 50k

really hoping i can get her in a 370 after doing more research but a fast sube or even an older M3 would do nicely.

[10 4]

Get the M3 in my links earlier..

E39s never stay on the market long... Even those with 250k+km get sold really fast.

[eiresgaus]

Another vote for a '06/07+ Liberty 2.5 GT. My mum drives one back home and I love it. Should have the SI-Drive with different modes for a teensy bit more economy around town etc.

Do the earlier hatchback WRX STI's not go for around 45k or less now? They must.. would have a search but im off to bed..