What Economical Car Would You Buy

[predator]

rolla.. u want something a) cheap B) parts cheap c) doesn't use much petrol d) ..not.. too slow .. thats probably most of them. .and as there are so many around you can beat a good price, or take your pic of which one you are after.. Rather than looking for the 3 or 4 turbo "cool hatches" or whatever in the state at any one time which may or may not be trouble.

i've heard of a few that have bought daily hynundais or whatever else and its cost heaps as they just aren't as reliable.. spoils the point of a cheap car..

[zymotic]

I test drove one of those new shaped toyota corollas a few months back and was pleasantly surprised with the zippy 1.8L. A roomy small car. Compared to the 2004 pulsar a much more enjoyable car to drive. Those new swifts have also had a lot of good reviews.

[sewid]

Heres a crazy idea,

Why not take the r33 back to stock?

Take off the huge exhaust, wind the boost back down.. and dont floor it everywhere! There you go, an economical car and you didnt have to spend a cent, and your not driving a shitbox.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doesn't work like that. A stock as a rock R33 is still a gas guzzler. Change the ECU or lean it out a bit with an SAFC and you're going to wind up with more power and less fuel consumption.

[retrotec]

The solution to all your problems

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...bayphotohosting

[CEF11E]

I just went out and got the DETGEP system for my car!

[GTshortie]

2002-2004 Toyota Corolla Sportivo approx $25k

1996- 1998 Honda Civic VTi-R $15-20k

1999-2003 Toyota Celica $20-$30k (these can go for around 20k friend got one 1 year ago for 19k 90,000kms

1999-2002 Lexus IS200 $25-$30k

1999 - 2000 Nissan Pulsar SSS ??..

pay a bit more:

New Mazda 3 $24-26k?

Honda Civic $24k

NIssan Pulsar eer.. maybe maybe not haha

my 2c

[Driver]

pft

new pulsar u can get new from about 20k flat.

likewise with the astra

[PHATR32]

SSS pulsar, gives you the option of a easy sr20det swap later on!!!!!

[the stink]

i would go a new turbo diesel hatch, but they are priced aroung the high 20's low 30's so probably out of your price range. diesel is more expensive but diesel engines are more efficient so they end up costing less to run assuming difference between the price of diesel and petrol doesn't get too extreme. or you can go to the local truck stop with a jerry can

peugeot 307 1.6 HDi $30k

6.1 l/100km city 4.3l/100km highway

VW golf 1.9 trendline TDi $28k

economy is slightly worse than peugeot i think

only thing with these might be the cost of servicing/spares.... at least you would save on spark plugs.

[PHATR32]

and diesal is cheap now is it?

[JaFF]

Thanks for all your reply's guys.

I'm kinda leaning towards a 2000 SSS pulsar or a newish corolla. The sportivos seem to be a bit over the 20K limit though so pulsar is more likely.

Thanks again for all your input.

[Daniel_]

and diesal is cheap now is it?

When you use half as much it is

Edited August 26, 2005 by Daniel_

[dan.1337]

i'd say corolla or civic vti-r

[insu]

I'd go for either: A mitsubishi FTO GPX Mivec!!

Or have you considered one of the new levins available under sevs?

1.6 litre, 20valve, 6spd manual! sure they're front wheel drive but every review I've read has praised them!

I'm sure they couldnt be that bad on fuel....

[thommo]

peugot 306 1.8L petrol

try 800km to a tank, and not terrible to live with

[predator]

Or have you considered one of the new levins available under sevs?

Aren't they just a glorified Corolla?

[ELI]

my vote is for the pulsar sss, friend of mine has one and ive driven it a fair bit, very fun, very good car, if i was to sell my car i would probly be looking for a sss

[thrtytwo]

go a integra or prelude VTi-R. from memory the teg is 128kw stock...not sure for lude. But 4 cyl and cheap on insurance too, i got quoted $400 full compo for a 17 year old P plater. cant be too bad on fuel either. PLUS VTEC LAH!!

[Maxx]

i really suggest u test drive a civic vti-r b4 u settle on a pulsar SSS.

Driven both and i believe civic will kill pulsar on straight & corner.

Better built quality and keep their value better too

[Big Rizza]

Renaultsport Clio! Surely the best value hot hatch on the market! It won Motor's Bang for Your Buck award a couple of years back if you care about such awards. 124kw isnt much, but ain't too shabby in 1000kg. 0-100km/h in a shade over 7 seconds. Plus you get 4 airbags and 1/2 leather interior. Official fuel consumption 6.8 l/100km highway, 9.0 l/100km city. Can pick up used for under $20k now.

Check out M5 Board for some info on the Clio. I realise a BMW forum is a wierd place for Renault information - but its a good thread! The posted pics are worth looking at.

Hmmm... if I'm not careful I might convince myself to buy one!

If you are just worried about fuel consumption, the 1st generation Toyota Prius (not sold here - the first one we got was the mkII) is available under SEVS for under $20k. Less than 5 litres/100km. Alternatively check out the locally delivered Honda Insight - most fuel efficient vehicle ever sold in Australia, (a little impractical though). Although Hybrids look like they are going to be poor for resale value - particularly the Insight.

If all else fails, VTEC honda civic or integra should be a bit of fun, and probably more tunable than the renault. I still would go the Renault though.

Or get a scooter.