Searching For A First Car

[ignuz]

Hey guys, recently got my P's (auto license, as there was no availability of a manual car for me to get my manual license) and i'm looking for a used car..

I have a price range of $0 :lol: to 15k

I've been looking at some 1990+ 318i and 320i BMW's... for around the the 7,5k-15k mark... Any info regarding these would be very helpful..

And i've been pretty keen on a s13... although i haven't seen many around NSW for sale that seem worth while...

So basically the 318i, 320i and the s13 are my top ideas at the moment..

I would just like any info, ideas, comments about anything that i've said.. perhaps you've driven them and they are crap anything at all to get me in the right direction.

Appreciate your time

Edited November 7, 2005 by ignuz

[LO_R33]

Skyline all the way:) I drive my mates S13 sometimes and it just doesnt feel up to standard of the skylines drivechain! he has the silvia Q sr20de manual, its immaculate though, prob the best and neatest one ive seen. Its fairly quick and has some bite if thats a car your after, he got his for a decent price too... also. i supose you have restrictions so your going to have to be looking at the NA range.. so i would suggest a N/a skyline in either the r32 series if you like the shape, or the newer r33 shape.

At the end of the day though, its your choice as YOUR the one that has to drive it. So i suggest you go take a few for a drive and see what you think..

Dayne

[ignuz]

Yea i'd love a line but, with all the restrictions.. i'd rather wait until i can get the real deal..

[DLuded]

my mum has a 1999 318i and they have absolutely NO power at all. i wouldnt tell anyone to buy one personally

[evil_weevil]

im sure some guys on here will laugh....bout how bout a Magna Sports?

Mine did 15.6 stock at WSID, cheap to insure, great on fuel, beats the rival falcadores, only downfall is its FWD.

oh, did i mention mines for sale? perfect for you!!!!

[ignuz]

im sure some guys on here will laugh....bout how bout a Magna Sports?

Mine did 15.6 stock at WSID, cheap to insure, great on fuel, beats the rival falcadores, only downfall is its FWD.

oh, did i mention mines for sale? perfect for you!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol i'll pass =P might look around then i guess for a s13..

[r34_skyline]

17yo driving a 91' BMW = cheap showoff. sorry, but i had to say it. unless u can tell me otherwise.

for 15k u can get something near new like: echo, swift, colt etc.

i hope u've taken insurance, maintance, raining days and loan into consideration aswell.

good luck with your purchase.

[Patto-]

I'll back up the magna sports suggestion. They are pretty quick. It also has a tiptronic auto. Other than that I can't really think of any other decently powered cars that a nsw p plater can drive.

Although by the sounds of it your after more show than go. The 318i and what not are absolutely gutless and would be even worse with an auto.

[racsov500]

R31 S3 TI

[Big Rizza]

BMW have some sensational 6 cylinder engines in their 3 series (and now a good V8 in the upcoming M3 too), but I reckon their 4 cylinder engines are lacking. Tag that with an auto tranny and you won't be going anywhere fast at all. so I definitely would have to say no to the 318i. If you go a bimmer, I would have to say get a 325i or higher or else you will be very disappointed in the performance.

If you can afford an SMGII transmissioned BMW //M3 for, oh, around $110k second hand, that would be ideal if you go for the 3 series . Actually, would it even be legal for someone to drive a sequential clutchless manual on an auto lisence? There's no clutch, but it's still technically a manual.

My recommendation is go for something with a bigger engine. It may sound stupid on first glance, but auto transmisions really sap small engines of their power, much more so than big engines I have found. So something like a Magna sports might be a good idea. Or something with an RB25 in it

Edited November 7, 2005 by Big Rizza

[aussie_tul]

go and get s13

[ignuz]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, i'm pretty keen now on searching around for a s13.. or if possible a 32...

[evil_weevil]

i think thse guys hit the nail on the head here...go the magna sports

oh, and as well as the auto bmw is gutless, just a show thing really!!

[ignuz]

hmmm what about this? (silvia)

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/...5&cs_trans_id=1

seems like a nice tidy package..

Edited November 8, 2005 by ignuz

[Big Rizza]

Sorry, link isn't working for me.

Nat-atmo Silvias are generally pretty reliable I have found, provided oil changes have been done regularly. My mates '92 Silvia is on the verge of death after 200,000kms on the rev limiter, with only minor maintenance being undertaken (spark plugs, coolant, oil changes etc.) I've never known someone to thrash their car so hard and at 190,000kms it was running just as well as my old 190,000kms Hyundai Lantra, which had been pampered it's entire life (been in the family since new). So provided that the previous owners weren't insane, and the kms aren't rediculous, you should be fine. It would probably be easier to fix than a bimmer anyways

[Rj34GTT]

Why dont you try looking into

Pulsar GTi-R nice cars quick aswell..

[Big Rizza]

Why dont you try looking into

Pulsar GTi-R nice cars quick aswell..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't think they came as an automatic. Plus there might be issues with power to weight ratio for P Platers. The Bluebird came with SR20DET AWD in automatic guise though. It still might not be P plate lagal though.

EDIT: According to http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/23967/, the turbo AWD bluebird comes in at 110kw/tonne, so it might scrape in as P-Plate legal. But I don't know the full story with the restrictions as I'm in W.A. where the new 1000 horsepower Bugatti Veyron will be P Plate legal . Actually, that is a little scary

Edited November 8, 2005 by Big Rizza

[Patto-]

Anything with a turbo is illegal in NSW thanks to our new laws.

Same goes for v8s, superchargers or any NA car defined by the rta to be a "high performance" 6 cylinder. Also I'm pretty sure your car cannot have any mods either.

When I got my p's it was legal for a p plater to drive anything.

Edited November 8, 2005 by shyster

[paulr33]

id say a cheap ass vl auto then when your 23 get a skyline n learn manual

first car insurance will be in the povo braket so dont get a mad car, will cost heaps

[ignuz]

Another new step for me now... I have decided to look for a manual.. seeing as i originally wanted my manual license in the first place but, my cousins car was unavailable too much... so basically looking for a manual now...

quick question on that.. now that i have my p's.. do i need to do another 50 hours manual? or can i just learn cruise in pass and done?

Are 33 manual and 32's non turbo's classified as a high performance 6 cyl?

Oh i've also heard it's pretty easy to by pass the P plater laws..e.g family has 1 car.. parents claim they need it for business... you get the car you want turbo etc and are allowed to drive it.. not entirely clear on it.. but that's how my mate ended up with an r33 turbo.. I'm also in a similar situation to him.

Edited November 8, 2005 by ignuz