What car?

[madazrx7]

OK I have seen this done heaps in General Gassing but the suggestions aren't much help in Australia... so:

I will soon be getting some cash (recently seperated, ex wife buying me out of the house).
Probably around $100k, not enough to buy another house yet (in early stages of a newish business).
My only vehicles ATM are my Merc Vito van for the business, and a shared FC3S RX7 turbo (road licenced trackday car). Both only 2 seaters. Ex is keeping the BA XR6.

I have 2 young daughters so will need a car capable of seating at least 3 (yeah I know but a McClaren F1 is slightly over budget).

Thinking of sticking most of the cash in a term deposit or similar, but can't help thinking that this may be my one opportunity to own something special, even if only for a year or so. If I was to spend say $50k plus, I would need to be VERY careful that it was something that had already suffered the worst of it's depreciation so I didn't lose TOO much...

Any suggestions?
Criteria: 4/5 seats, enjoyable to drive (but not a pig, with the van & RX7 I would like something 'pleasant' for general use)
Fuel economy not really an issue, wouldn't be doing a lot of miles.

Tim

[vyt]

How about an RX8? Only ever seen good reports on those. No idea if that fits the budget though.
Then of course there is the Monaro if only for the sound.

[madazrx7]

vyt said:

How about an RX8? Only ever seen good reports on those. No idea if that fits the budget though.
Then of course there is the Monaro if only for the sound.

Yep, both already on the list

Thinking an RX8 is most likely, I have had rotaries almost continuously since 1979...

[htsd]

Here's some suggestions... don't forget your stamp duty over here will be nudging $4k for a $50k sticker price :'(

Mitsi Evo 8 (either GSR or MR spec, www.autowholesale.com.au in Perth)

Stretch to Skyline R34 GT-R (www.autoworx.com.au have one at big discount at the mo, in Perth)

New Subaru Liberty GT, although you'd take the depreciation hit on it.

Mazda 6 MPS or Mazda 3 MPS (same problem as above)

VW Golf R32 (as above)

Ford Focus XR5 turbo (as above)

Ford Escort RS Cosworth www.chalker.com.au/For%20Sale.htm (and I will die of envy!)

To be honest, if you really want to feel you own a special car, I'd look at European cars. They're just so well built, so pleasant to drive, so well spec'ed, they're hard to turn away from. Everything about them is 'just so'. Even the best Japanese sports cars can't provide the same experience. They're also very very safe as well if you're carting the kids around in it as well.

Also if you are browsing, include Adelaide in your searches as its not too far away and stamp duty tends to be half that of WA which is a tidy saving.

[madazrx7]

htsd said:

Also if you are browsing, include Adelaide in your searches as its not too far away and stamp duty tends to be half that of WA which is a tidy saving.

Cheers Matthew, yes I am looking interstate. Russell (who owns the RX7) recently bought an Audi A6 in Adelaide, saved many thousands on both the purchase and stamp duty.

[seandudding]

I currently spend most of my time in London, but spend approx 3 - 4 moths a year in Sydney.

I need to buy a car for around 50k AUD I can leave there as renting cars in Oz has to be the most expensive in the world. I need the car to carry more than 2 people, but also be able to take it to the Event O'Neill days at Eastern Creek.

I will be interested to see what comes up in this thread.

[Kiwi XTR2]

madazrx7 said:

. . . I will soon be getting some cash. Probably around $100k, not enough to buy another house yet (in early stages of a newish business). . .

Hi Tim, You can tell me to MYOB but . . .

I'm generally quite (OK very) conservative, and in the position as you've outlined it, there is no way I'd drop half my personal equity into a car.

I'd put no more than $10-15k into a 4-5 seater and put the rest on deposit. Or if you understand where the market is going, into an investment property.

P.S. I'm not trying to ruin your day . . . honest !!

[madazrx7]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

madazrx7 said:

. . . I will soon be getting some cash. Probably around $100k, not enough to buy another house yet (in early stages of a newish business). . .

Hi Tim, You can tell me to MYOB but . . .

I'm generally quite (OK very) conservative, and in the position as you've outlined it, there is no way I'd drop half my personal equity into a car.

I'd put no more than $10-15k into a 4-5 seater and put the rest on deposit. Or if you understand where the market is going, into an investment property.

P.S. I'm not trying to ruin your day . . . honest !!

We've had CRAZY escalation of property values in Perth in the last few years, taken us from being among the cheapest to I think the second most expensive in Australia.
I believe we have reached the limit of this, and maybe not a bad time to have my money OUT of real estate... in my current position (newish cash business) I couldn't get a mortgage even if I wanted one.
I'm going to do a lot of research, and try to buy smart, and take the opportunity to enjoy a decent car, even if only for a year or so. Have a look at my car history in my profile... for a confirmed petrolhead it's a rather disappointing collection...

[GAjon]

I can certainly recommend the Mazda 6 MPS, it's never going to be rated in the UK because it's not got a German badge, but if your interest is the cars specification and capability, over brand, it's worth seriously considering.

John

[pombstard]

2-y-o Forester XT should be about $30-35K
15-y-o E34/E39 BMW M5 should be about $35k
Newer E39 535/540 would be entertaining

Any number of Mercs for special cruising - mid-70's 450SLC for about $10k

Personal choice would be a 1 or 2-y-o Liberty 3.0SpecB - reckon about $40-45k

[madazrx7]

GAjon said:

I can certainly recommend the Mazda 6 MPS, it's never going to be rated in the UK because it's not got a German badge, but if your interest is the cars specification and capability, over brand, it's worth seriously considering.

John

Like the look of the 6MPS, but prolly still a bit new yet, prefer that someone else takes the worst of the depreciation, so maybe in another year or so..

[GAjon]

Yeah, I expect depreciation will be massive, so, like you say, all the better for finding a good low mileage used model in a couple of month’s time.
Mines a company car so the hits not that bad, although it qualifies for a hefty tax contribution.
Took mine out on a track day beginning of September with the TVR club and it didn’t embarrass itself, which isn’t bad for a big four seater saloon.
Any way good luck with your car hunt.

John

[Steve-B]

why not have a wander over to www.oz-clubbies.com and consider building a Clubbie? You can get a quite decent Westie, PRB, or even a Caterham for about 1/3rd -> 1/2 that money mate. Either get a built and on the road Clubbie or build it yourself. The money you save you can buy a shed for driving during the week
I've imported my Caterham SV from the Uk when we imigrated, but there's TONS of good Clubbie about that give far more driving fun.

[madazrx7]

Steve-B said:

why not have a wander over to www.oz-clubbies.com and consider building a Clubbie? You can get a quite decent Westie, PRB, or even a Caterham for about 1/3rd -> 1/2 that money mate. Either get a built and on the road Clubbie or build it yourself. The money you save you can buy a shed for driving during the week
I've imported my Caterham SV from the Uk when we imigrated, but there's TONS of good Clubbie about that give far more driving fun.

Funny you should mention that... (or have you been stalking me? )
Oh I see you replied in my other thread
www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=139&t=283609
www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=71&t=295099
That is another project that I haven't mentioned on this thread, a bit longer term but I'm planning to build a 7 style kit with a turbo rotary engine as a road/track weapon.

Still want a "nice" car to drive and take the kids out in. As I said, it will prolly only be for a year or 2 until I decide to buy another house.

[tim the pool man]

Rather than start a new thread I've resurrected my old one. Finally getting the money coming through soon (hopefully next week) so I'm shopping again

Over the past year I've changed my mind a few times, was sure it was going to be a Clubsport R8, then thought I had settled on the RX8, drove one again last week and it was most enjoyable...
However, I am now CERTAIN that a Monaro is the answer. The RX8 is just too much like hard work (much as I love sports cars, for the intended purpose I really prefer lazy performance).
The Monaro also solves the issue of the R8 not looking very "sporty".

So now all I need is to find a straight, low KM, yellow VZ Monaro...

[tim the pool man]

Well I've found the car, just hope the $ comes through quickly.
Having it inspected tomorrow (It's in Sydney, I'm in Perth)

http://www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Here's the car I'm looking at.

autotrader-ad

[Snickers]

hey mate, i've been doing a half arsed attempt to sell my 86 420 sec benz

cool comfy 2 door cruiser but plenty of room in the back
looking for around 19k

Edited by Snickers on Wednesday 20th February 09:06

[chunder]

Just couldn't resist commenting that I reckon that is a cool car.