Are there any exciting new affordable cars worth buying?

[Bibbs]

Pommygranite said:

Bibbs said:

custardtart said:

HSV Gen F. Huge step up from the VE, go take one out for a spin

It'll only leave me disappointed. Disappointed with what I've got when I have to drive home.

Bit like going to a strip club hey

Not the ones in Perth.

You thought there were plenty of cars with "No Fear" branding.

[Pommygranite]

custardtart said:

No, I hate to say it but I was really impressed by the R8. The M3 interior (and the M135i) used a lot of cheap feeling plastics and the seats in the R8 were much more comfortable and supportive.

The M3 felt smaller, more agile and generally a much tighter package but and this is relative, it felt like it had nowhere near as much low down torque. In the R8 you could stick it in 3rd and cover off any situation but the M3 really wanted to driven hard.

Oh and the R8 with the 340kw SV pack was a shade over 70k , lots of car for the money but depreciation is scaring me quite a lot.

Thanks for that. Its nice to hear. Sounds like the R8 is very much more suited to life here given there is little chance to get moving to the point the torque becomes a non issue.

With regards to depreciation I'm wondering if that $70k is $50-55k after 12 months. An M3 surely isnt far off this in terms of real $ lost?

The R8 for me is the most desirable (almost affordable) car out there - monster engine, nice gearbox, lots of kit, easily serviced and great whether you're cruising along or getting a move on. Looks good and I cant find much wrong with it apart from the preconceived opinions of others but I figure thats based on 20 years ago and trashed up 20 yr old bogan HSV's.

Bibbs said:

Pommygranite said:

Bibbs said:

custardtart said:

HSV Gen F. Huge step up from the VE, go take one out for a spin

It'll only leave me disappointed. Disappointed with what I've got when I have to drive home.

Bit like going to a strip club hey

Not the ones in Perth.

You thought there were plenty of cars with "No Fear" branding.

I've never been to one here and have no desire to. I might as well just burn $50 notes for fun.

[Bibbs]

Pommygranite said:

Thanks for that. Its nice to hear. Sounds like the R8 is very much more suited to life here given there is little chance to get moving to the point the torque becomes a non issue.

Have a climb over my VE on the Barbagallo day

Pommygranite said:

I've never been to one here and have no desire to. I might as well just burn $50 notes for fun.

$50 .. well that's entry and a drink.

[Pommygranite]

Bibbs said:

Pommygranite said:

Thanks for that. Its nice to hear. Sounds like the R8 is very much more suited to life here given there is little chance to get moving to the point the torque becomes a non issue.

Have a climb over my VE on the Barbagallo day

Pommygranite said:

I've never been to one here and have no desire to. I might as well just burn $50 notes for fun.

$50 .. well that's entry and a drink.

Thanks mate, will do that.

Back on topic..,look at it..just look at it - gorgeous for $20k. I had a 156 in the UK and really liked it so I'd have another Alfa.

[Bibbs]

Pommygranite said:

Back on topic..,look at it..just look at it - gorgeous for $20k. I had a 156 in the UK and really liked it so I'd have another Alfa.

Yeah, they look nice.

But poorly built and FWD wouldn't be excitement for me.

It was the generation (or two) before, but the 164 I had for a few years was so unreliable. The V6 may sound great, but when it's being taken to a garage on a low loaded every month you get bored.

I still want a 75 as a weekend toy though.

[Pommygranite]

Bibbs said:

Pommygranite said:

Back on topic..,look at it..just look at it - gorgeous for $20k. I had a 156 in the UK and really liked it so I'd have another Alfa.

Yeah, they look nice.

But poorly built and FWD wouldn't be excitement for me.

It was the generation (or two) before, but the 164 I had for a few years was so unreliable. The V6 may sound great, but when it's being taken to a garage on a low loaded every month you get bored.

I still want a 75 as a weekend toy though.

3 numbers - 164. Case rests!

Mine was fab for a FWD and sounded great, no issues.

The later versions are much better as long as they're maintained. A GT is ringing the bell I must admit for $20k.

75? Farking Rover?

[Jader1973]

Pommygranite said:

The later versions are much better as long as they're maintained.

The 156 wagon my mate had must've been the odd one out then - perfect service history but barely ever worked

He admitted it looked fantastic parked on the drive though

[Bibbs]

Pommygranite said:

3 numbers - 164. Case rests!

Mine was fab for a FWD and sounded great, no issues.

The later versions are much better as long as they're maintained. A GT is ringing the bell I must admit for $20k.

75? Farking Rover?

Alfa lost their way when they became a "posh Fiat".

But then we'll not agree .. you drive a Ford for crying out loud!

[Pommygranite]

Bibbs said:

Pommygranite said:

3 numbers - 164. Case rests!

Mine was fab for a FWD and sounded great, no issues.

The later versions are much better as long as they're maintained. A GT is ringing the bell I must admit for $20k.

75? Farking Rover?

Alfa lost their way when they became a "posh Fiat".

But then we'll not agree .. you drive a Ford for crying out loud!

Says the man that bought an Alfa when they were still rubbish and currently drives a Chevy...sorry I mean Vauxhall

[Bibbs]

Pommygranite said:

Says the man that bought an Alfa when they were still rubbish and currently drives a Chevy...sorry I mean Vauxhall

Nope, Alfa was given to me for nothing. And I still felt ripped off Used it for a couple of years commuting, as it gave better MPG than the MR2.

Yet to find a Chev or Vaux badge. But I'm sure they are there somewhere. Probably on the parts that are about to break.

[papahet]

Pommygranite said:

Thanks mate, will do that.

Back on topic..,look at it..just look at it - gorgeous for $20k. I had a 156 in the UK and really liked it so I'd have another Alfa.

Yeah but you have a wafto barge devoid of any motoring pleasure for daily work. Don't you fancy something for the weekend with a bit of fizz to it?

Sure the Alfa is kind of stylish and I'm sure it is a nice place to sit but its hardly a fun sports car for the weekend.

Absolutely get a manual something. Daily driving it would send me mad but for occasional use I wouldnt have anything else.

[Pommygranite]

papahet said:

Pommygranite said:

Thanks mate, will do that.

Back on topic..,look at it..just look at it - gorgeous for $20k. I had a 156 in the UK and really liked it so I'd have another Alfa.

Yeah but you have a wafto barge devoid of any motoring pleasure for daily work. Don't you fancy something for the weekend with a bit of fizz to it?

Sure the Alfa is kind of stylish and I'm sure it is a nice place to sit but its hardly a fun sports car for the weekend.

Absolutely get a manual something. Daily driving it would send me mad but for occasional use I wouldnt have anything else.

I think I'd want a car enjoyable at any time rather than a split. What would you get in terms of a car for every day, every occasion?

A 355 Spider, manual, no challenge rear grill would be the perfect lotto car here for the weekends

[papahet]

I would compromise and put up with a manual for a daily and for me it would have to have good dynamics from factory so I don't need to dick with the handling to much for track work and end up with something that is compromised for the road.

The best condition, latest model possible that you can afford MR2 turbo would make a decent daily and fun weekend car. Quick, comfy, reliable etc.

Sti or Evo would work to. For a daily I would lean towards the Sti as the servicing is less of a burden. I had a WRX with a few handling mods that did not ruin the ride. It was a great fast road car, boring as watching cricket to drive on track though.

E46 M3? Servicing at Perth prices is probably terrifying. Never really desired an M3 to be honest, one of those cars I would like to have a go with for a few months but not really keep for life.

If you go back to the $40K budget you can get a Boxster S, they are supposed to be a decent steer.

I'm just guessing here to be honest because I would not go down this path. Having a combined daily and fun car did not work for me, you rack miles up on it and it just becomes a means of transport to you and you stop caring about it. When it gets to the weekend you would rather do something else than get back behind the wheel of the car you drove all week.

[ajg31]

I thought the OP ased for idea's for NEW cars below $40k, not a list of second hand cars under $40k, or did I misread the thread?

GT86 has to be the only car that is an Aussie bargain but that has already been rules out. I cannot think of a single other car tbh...

[Bibbs]

ajg31 said:

I thought the OP ased for idea's for NEW cars below $40k, not a list of second hand cars under $40k, or did I misread the thread?

GT86 has to be the only car that is an Aussie bargain but that has already been rules out. I cannot think of a single other car tbh...

You didn't mis-read .. but it quickly spiralled into a 'new = don't bother, go for something older'.

[Mc F]

GT86 look nice especially the ones that have the Turbo's fitted.

Not sure they offer this in Oz yet.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-new-toyot...

[Colonial]

Bibbs said:

You didn't mis-read .. but it quickly spiralled into a 'new = don't bother, go for something older'.

What? On PH? Never.

[Pommygranite]

ajg31 said:

I thought the OP ased for idea's for NEW cars below $40k, not a list of second hand cars under $40k, or did I misread the thread?

GT86 has to be the only car that is an Aussie bargain but that has already been rules out. I cannot think of a single other car tbh...

This. I did ask about new cars but nothing seems worthy GT86 apart.

[papahet]

I think the point is that in Australia there is truly no exciting car you can buy brand new for under $40K.

Mc F said:

GT86 look nice especially the ones that have the Turbo's fitted.

Not sure they offer this in Oz yet.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-new-toyot...

Avo turbo or custom if you want to buy locally.

[Lambchopski]

papahet said:

E46 M3? Servicing at Perth prices is probably terrifying. Never really desired an M3 to be honest, one of those cars I would like to have a go with for a few months but not really keep for life.

Awesome cars but I am very biased because I own 2. One in Adelaide and one in Scotland. I'm looking to sell the first to fund the shipping of the second. If anyone wants a very keenly priced and good example of an E46 M3 then let me know!