Best Relatively Cheap Car?

[D3RV]

Hey wassup all, recently I posted a thread called "Best 1st Car?". It recieved an overwhelming response and I've decided to take the advice that the majority of the posters gave: "Get a pretty cheap 1st car so you learn how to drive properly before getting something with more power", what also got me to this conclusion, was the massive insurance premiums and excesses for imports. (Since I'm 17).

So guys I was wondering if you could help me out with finding a good-o- 1st relatively cheap car. I want to get something that has a little kick in it.. No '82 holden Barinas with 55KW of Front wheel power.

PS. No Holdens and fords please, too many Yobbo's sailing around.

Thanks alot

-Derv

Edit: $8000 is the figure. Maybe a lil' more, maybe a lil' less

Edited September 8, 2005 by D3RV

[Oz]

Hey wassup all, recently I posted a thread called "Best 1st Car?". It recieved an overwhelming response and I've decided to take the advice that the majority of the posters gave: "Get a pretty cheap 1st car so you learn how to drive properly before getting something with more power", what also got me to this conclusion, was the massive insurance premiums and excesses for imports. (Since I'm 17).

So guys I was wondering if you could help me out with finding a good-o- 1st relatively cheap car. I want to get something that has a little kick in it.. No '82 holden Barinas with 55KW of Front wheel power. 

PS. No Holdens and fords please, too many Yobbo's sailing around.

Thanks alot

-Derv 

Edit: $8000  is the figure. Maybe a lil' more, maybe a lil' less

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

derv go after a atmo silvia there cheap cars have a number of good mods that can be done with little hassel & parts are easy to come by e.g. ---->

Ad Details:

MAKE/MODEL: Nissan Silvia

YEAR: 1992

ODOMETER: 67,000kms

PRICE: $7,995.00

GEARS: 4

BODY: 2 door coupe

COLOUR: black

TRANSMISSION: 4 speed automatic

ENGINE: 2.0lt 4cyl

CONDITION: Excellent Condition

low ks safety cert finance easily arranged bank rates tap air conditioning, alloy wheels, CD player, central locking, electronic fuel injection, power steering, power windows, road worthy certificate, tinted windows.

[thrtytwo]

you can get a cood condition 92 S13 with an SR20 for 8k easy. possibly even some mags if your lucky.

i was interested to read an article the other day saying for under 10k the best power to money car you can buy is the 1988 mitsubishi galant

t GTV4 turbo or something like that. cant remember but it wasnt a pretty car lol

[krush]

in all honesty, i have nothign but praise for the Toyota Paseo that my mate owned. apart from the fact it had no torque (1.5ltire engine eat your heart out), and was damn small, the thing was economical, reliable, and looked half decent (though some think theyre ugly). it even had a bit of up.. just a bit..

if youre looking for a car that you and your girl can get around in, and noone else, then i reckon itd be a great car. its gonna be first on my list to look at if i ever sell the skyline. i think theyre up around the 87kw mark, but being like 900kg its enough to get your moving..

[Maxx]

civic EG si

1.6L twin cam

kill 2L n/a s13 easiler in straight, kill most things through the hill

[D3RV]

I was thinking of getting a Silvia but I thought the insurance on a Silvia would be too high since they're imports.

PS Gotta get a manual

[KIL.08S]

Perhaps an MR2 SW20. My mate just imported one and had it on the road for $7000. Great fun little car with good looks and will go plenty well enough in non-turbo form for what you want.

[melbmaniac]

in all honesty, i have nothign but praise for the Toyota Paseo that my mate owned. apart from the fact it had no torque (1.5ltire engine eat your heart out), and was damn small, the thing was economical, reliable, and looked half decent (though some think theyre ugly). it even had a bit of up.. just a bit..

I think i must win in the smallest first car award here

I drove a Rover Mini Cooper 1.3i 1993 model....with a 1.3 Litre 4 Cyl engine

Advantages were, really light weight so it feels fast and went well and its very cheap to run with fuel etc. and looks pretty good if you get a good one

Disadvantages were, its not everyones piece of cake.

but i think if you wanted a cheap first car that was pretty good what Krush said is a good idea. But also think of other options, maybe an older model Civic or something along those lines (cheap to run and cheap to buy)

Good luck with your decision

[predator]

Its good that you're thinking of going for something a little cheaper to start off with. I know I had a lot of close calls in my car, and a lot of mates wrote off their car in the first 12 months, etc.

also remember it should be easier to sell a cheaper car in 12 months or whatever when you are sick of it. If you get something reasonable popular then it shouldn't be too hard, as there'll always be another dude/ette who just got their p's and will be looking for the same sort of car.

When you 18, etc circumstances can change a lot so often the cheaper car means you can always 'get out' if u need to much easier and sell it or whatever if you decide you want to go overseas, get a new job, etc.

[Boostzor]

Mr2? are u crazy? do you know how unstable those are? doesnt really fit the criteria of low-mid power cheap car.

Corrolla of any sort would be good, i know its boring but they hold value ok, have a bit of go and are reliable/economical. If there are any around try getting a sprinter domestic comes with the 4ac but hey u cant have it all.

ps: Minis are gold!!! feels like ure going 10times the speed u really are.

[Big Rizza]

List of FUN cars to be had under $10k. Not a complete list, just those I could think of:

- Alfa Romeo 75 Potenziata (141kw non turbo RWD)

- Alfa Romeo 164 (up to 147kw, non turbo, FWD)

- BMW 325i E30 (125kw, non-turbo, RWD)

- BMW 735i E23 (150kw, non-turbo, RWD, top of the line limo for $5k)

- Diahatsu Charade Turbo (50kw, turbo, FWD, 700kg!)

- Eunos 800M (149kw, supercharged, FWD)

- Eunos Cosmo (220kw, turbo rotary, RWD, only cheap as 15yo import)

- Holden Calibra Turbo (150kw, turbo, AWD)

- Holden Commodore VL Turbo (150kw, turbo, RWD)

- Honda City Turbo (81kw, Turbo, FWD, 720kg!)

- Honda CRX Si-R (118kw, Non-Turbo, FWD)

- Mazda 323 4WD Turbo (110kw, turbo, AWD)

- Mazda MX5 (86kw, non-turbo, RWD, only cheap as 15yo import)

- Mazda MX6/626 turbo (100kw, turbo, FWD)

- Mazda RX-7 Series 1 to 3 (77kw, non-turbo, RWD)

- Mitsubishi Galant VR4 (148kw, turbo, AWD)

- Mitsubishi GTO (206kw, turbo, AWD, only cheap as 15yo import)

- Mitsubishi Starion (110kw-125kw, turbo, RWD)

- Nissan Bluebird SSS (112kw, non-turbo, FWD)

- Nissan March Superturbo (81kw, supercharger, turbo, FWD, 770kg!)

- Nissan Silvia (up to 150kw, turbo or non-turbo, RWD)

- Nissan Skyline R31 Passage GT (140kw, turbo, RWD)

- Nissan Skyline R31 Skyline Silhouette (114kw, non-turbo, RWD)

- Peugeot 205 GTi (up to 100kw, non-turbo, FWD)

- Porsche 924 (from 95kw, non-turbo, RWD)

- Porsche 944 (Up to 155kw, non-turbo, RWD)

- Saab 900 Aero (129kw, turbo, FWD)

- Saab 9000 2.3 Turbo (147kw, turbo, FWD)

- Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (118kw, turbo, FWD)

- Subaru Liberty RS (147kw, turbo, AWD)

- Suzuki Alto Works (47kw, turbo, FWD, under 600kg!)

- Suzuki Swift GTi (74kw, non-turbo, FWD)

- Toyota Camry V6 VZV21 (117kw, non-turbo, FWD)

- Toyota Celica GT4 (136kw, turbo, AWD)

- Toyota MR2 (107kw, supercharged, RWD, mid-engined!)

- Toyota Soarer MZ21 (172kw, turbo, RWD)

- Toyota Supra MA70 (179kw, turbo, RWD)

- Toyota Chaser (154kw, turbo, RWD)

- Volvo 740/760 Turbo (134kw, turbo, RWD)

It's by no means a complete list, but I have tried to provide a large variety of car styles, from European bricks like the Volvo to small nimble japanese cars like the Swift.

If you think this list is long, the number of cars I investigated before settling for my skyline was HUUUGE! And my shopping list included some more boring cars like the Nissan Maxima and 4cyl Camrys.

Of couse the biggest bang for your buck comes from a $500 1970-something Toyota Corolla on a gravel track. Be a rally god!

(Corrections to any stats listed are welcome)

[Konrad]

I would also recommend,

1989-92 MX83 Toyota Cressida (147kw, 3.0L RWD)- but yeh autos...

N14 Nissan Pulsar Q/SSS with the SR20DE (102or so kw). Insurance for Q i've heard is cheaper than SSS and has SSS running gear....in manual form would be my choice. (good handling, good power and bonus torque of 2.0L when others have smaller engines, decent size too- 4 door, but not TOO big..).

[Big Rizza]

I would also recommend,

1989-92 MX83 Toyota Cressida (147kw, 3.0L RWD)- but yeh autos...

N14 Nissan Pulsar Q/SSS with the SR20DE (102or so kw). Insurance for Q i've heard is cheaper than SSS and has SSS running gear....in manual form would be my choice. (good handling, good power and bonus torque of 2.0L when others have smaller engines, decent size too- 4 door, but not TOO big..).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cressida is a good idea, grunty performance but highly comfortable. I reckon you could chop a few pre-VS commodores with that, which would no doubt bring a smile to your face! Parts should be easy enough to come by as well, plus you get Toyota reliability and economy. Could probably get some Supra go-fast bits to fit pretty easily, as I beleive both run 7M engines (albiet turbocharged in the Supra). Maybe even a full engine swap? I've seen some big power out of the 7Ms before

I wouldn't recommend an N14 Pulsar SSS. They are so hideously overpriced for what they are. Just had a look on Carsales.com.au and they are all over $7500, and go up nearly $14000 with a few bolt ons, and for that money you may as well get the real deal N14 GTiR rather than an SSS pretending to be one. And those prices are private sales, not dealership sales. Many of the stock standard models are more than what I paid for my R32 GTST!!! The SSS have a reputation of greatness due to having the SR20, which seems to push prices up unreasonable amounts IMO. But with nearly 1200kg to cart around, even the fabled SR20 is only good for 0-100km in the 9 second range. Everyone seems to love them though! Am I insane?!?!!?!?!?

NOTE: Redbook put the resale value of a 1992 N14 Nissan SSS Pulsar at $3200 - $5100. That is not accurate in my experience, but if you can find one in that price range then I could give it a much stronger recommendation.

[Big Rizza]

in all honesty, i have nothign but praise for the Toyota Paseo that my mate owned. apart from the fact it had no torque (1.5ltire engine eat your heart out), and was damn small, the thing was economical, reliable, and looked half decent (though some think theyre ugly). it even had a bit of up.. just a bit..

if youre looking for a car that you and your girl can get around in, and noone else, then i reckon itd be a great car. its gonna be first on my list to look at if i ever sell the skyline. i think theyre up around the 87kw mark, but being like 900kg its enough to get your moving..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Haha! Missed your post the first time looking through, but it gave me a GREAT IDEA for a first car!!!

Based on a Paseo (I think), it's economical (same 1.5 litre as Paseo), reliable, won't get you into trouble with big power, BUT you have my personal guarentee that it will turn just as many (if not more) heads than any other car in the $7500-$10000 price range. And the car is....

A TOYOTA SERA!!! Most awesome doors ever put onto an economy car!!! I really wanted one of these for my first car when I was young and naive, but they were pretty pricey a few years back. Since then I almost completely forgot about them!

Of course, it will be slower than the standard Paseo (not a rocket) because the doors add weight. I did see one with a full 3SGTE engine conversion though!!!

Some great pictures from the original japanese brochure here. Worth a look regardless of whether you want to buy the car or not!

[D3RV]

Man you guys have high opinions for the Paseo. A friend of mine has one, I had a ride in it and the thing struggled to go up hills. It was that weak.. Probably was the actual car since it only cost 4.5K

(I'm saying less power then the 55KW Barina)....

[Big Rizza]

Man you guys have high opinions for the Paseo. A friend of mine has one, I had a ride in it and the thing struggled to go up hills. It was that weak.. Probably was the actual car since it only cost 4.5K

(I'm saying less power then the 55KW Barina)....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont really rate the Paseo, I just said it reminded me of the Sera. I said I wanted a Sera when I was "young and naive." As performance cars, both are seriously lacking. But the Sera's doors are still awesome!

[D3RV]

I dont really rate the Paseo, I just said it reminded me of the Sera.  I said I wanted a Sera when I was "young and naive."  As performance cars, both are seriously lacking.  But the Sera's doors are still awesome!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

haha no worries I missread. Yeah the doors are sweet

[Konrad]

Haha!  Missed your post the first time looking through, but it gave me a GREAT IDEA for a first car!!!

Based on a Paseo (I think), it's economical (same 1.5 litre as Paseo), reliable, won't get you into trouble with big power, BUT you have my personal guarentee that it will turn just as many (if not more) heads than any other car in the $7500-$10000 price range.  And the car is....

A TOYOTA SERA!!!  Most awesome doors ever put onto an economy car!!!  I really wanted one of these for my first car when I was young and naive, but they were pretty pricey a few years back.  Since then I almost completely forgot about them!

Of course, it will be slower than the standard Paseo (not a rocket) because the doors add weight.  I did see one with a full 3SGTE engine conversion though!!!

Some great pictures from the original japanese brochure here.  Worth a look regardless of whether you want to buy the car or not!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sera is certainly a unique car dunno if it would be what you want tho. Certainly not a performance car at all...amongst other problems you'll be sick of all that glass. I imagine it'd heat the car up pretty fast, on hot days you'd wanna have some dark dark tints and good a/c.

And as for the cressida, yep has the 7M-GE from the supra. Parts are actually getting harder to get, you pretty much have to go genuine, and get raped by toyota in the process. They're a great car and very well equipped, and yes can certainly keep up with VN/P commies... Blown head gaskets were common in the 7M, but by this stage of its life that probably would have been fixed, or DIY its not that hard. Toyota redesigned the headgasket and their factory torque settings for the head bolts were too low. I just used a genuine headgasket, new set of bolts and washers and torqued to 72ft/lbs (toyota recommends only 55 or so). Never gave me any trouble.

And remember, the cressida shares the same platform as the JZX80 JDM chaser/mk II/cresta, with the 1jz-gte engine (as seen in the soarer). Conversion is very simple and 12 sec passes are only a few mods away i shit you not.

Incase you were wondering yes i used to own one, sold it for the r33

[WazR32GTSt]

don't get any car with a 7M-GE engine! i had an MA70 supra with the 7M-GE and blew 2 headgaskets...

my personal recommendation is:

R31 skyline (aussie-delivered version)

- car is cheap

- parts are cheap

- very reliable

- sporty but practical

- its a skyline

Warren

[lwells]

BUT you have my personal guarentee that it will turn just as many (if not more) heads than any other car in the $7500-$10000 price range.  And the car is....

A TOYOTA SERA!!! 

Problem is everyone will be sAfrican Americaning or laughing at you