What to buy for $70 - $80K

[astonmartinv8]

Hi There,

You might have seen my other post asking for advice on whether I should bring my car to Oz.

This post is to ask you what you would buy for the money above, which is what I might spend.

I have owned Lexus GS models for the last few years up to a 2005 GS430.

My wife and I normally keep one "sports" saloon rathet then two cars, so the car has to be fast / sporty, but also refined to cope with long distances. I like GT type cars ideally, not too focused - I have a motorbike for that.

However, I just don't think there will the opportunity to sit on the motorway at 160 kph like you can in the UK (if it's quiet), so maybe I should have a complete rethink. More money isn't an option, but spending less is!!

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Marcus.

[ariddell]

You could go down the big Aussie v8 route which can be quite fun when you first arrive.

RRP on a brand new HSV Clubsport R8 is about $65k or $75 for the GTS which gets you a load of car for your money. I think the Vauxhall VXR8 has been getting some pretty good reviews in the UK as the imported version of it.

Failing that you'll be looking at some fairly ordinary uninspiring BMWs. Going from carsales.com.au of what's on it WA from $70-80k.

2007 320i $72k
2004 530i $75k
2005 330i $73k

Makes the decision on if to bring your Lexus or not even trickier with that sort of selection available ehh.....

[deviant]

Are you in to doing trackdays, sprints and the like?

Personally I would spend half the money on an 18month only Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore and spend the rest on a used Elise or a Westfield or something along those lines.

Falcons and Commodores suffer horrendous depreciation...especially the top spec ones so I would not want to buy new.
Obviously your a sports sedan man but hot hatches seem to be a decent buy here, the few used ones popping up in Perth are selling for list price because of the months of waiting list to get them here.

[kiwisr]

ariddell said:

2007 320i $72k
2004 530i $75k
2005 330i $73k

Those prices make me nauseous.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/420322.htm

[deviant]

I try to not look at the classifieds on here to often...makes jesus cry when you look at eh price of cars in the UK, the range and the trackday specials your still allowed to have on the road!

[RN318]

Get an E46 M3. Excellent value for money and the car passes every test!

[Mattserati]

You willpick up an '05 - '06 Audi S4 for that sort of money if you look in the right places. Better car all round than the M3, except possibly for absolute on the edge handling, but as you said you were in favour of a more GT feel, that should work in your favour.