What car, down under - $8-$15k and *interesting*

[mat1227]

Hello!

A question/musing for expats living in Aus, if I may.
To avoid hijacking a similar thread, I'd love some input as I struggle for options.

I'm after something that meets these criteria - a cheapish daily drive, mainly for weekend stuff, maybe the odd road trip or run to work and back:

- Essentials
A bit (lot?) of petrolhead character
Remotely sensible with potholes (Sydney is awful)
Specialist parts and labour that are cheaper than my current Alfa 916 GTV (!)
Most (all) depreciation done and dusted

- Would be nice
Ticks one of the major petrolhead boxes (turbo, wafty barge, V8, manual gearbox, something without a roof)
A bit of space (maybe pop some camping gear in the back from time to time)

• maybe*, and this is a stretch, something that wouldn't get ruined by a trip to the beach or down a gravel road once in a while. Not "fragile"

Basically interesting petrolhead stuff.

This'd be an easy call in the UK with a load of decent metal for 1-5 large, but the usual suspects here seem entirely absent. No kids or anything like that to think about, and don't do heaps of mileage so fuel not a worry.

I've found myself looking at the following:
- LS400. I had a Soarer and while the rest of it was a pup, I loved the engine. A bit sedate, dodgy air suspension and complex electrics?
- Old mercs. W124s (300te), W123s (280e), W126s (420se, 500se). Lovely in character terms, age well I reckon - but I guess most of them are heaps?
- Some very tasty looking Mk3 Jags/Daimlers around from time to time. Maybe even an XJ40. Age badly?
- R33 GTST Skylines seem to be about the only things that are kind of decent value here. Would definitely scratch a decent automotive itch but seem to attract the sort of people that aren't great to deal with (and nearly all are horribly "tuned" in a way that would make me worry with a hot summer around the corner)
- Occasionally see nice E28 and E34 535s pop up, but they are sometimes $$ for what they are (especially the former)
- Bugeye Impreza wagons, or maybe a Forester GT? Loads of them around.
- err.. MX5..? I guess a roadster might not be as great as it seems if a decent summer materialises?!

Erring towards V8 Commodores (VX's) as things stand - seem like a good way of getting a little (V8) character in a way that is compatible with local conditions, and simple ish to fix if something does go wrong (?). Which ones are decent?

Aware it's a very rough and ready thing, and sounds a bit moon-on-a-stick, but convinced this must be a common situation to find yourself in as a recent (ish) expat, and very interested in the way others have solved a similar predicament?

What have you got? Any good experiences? Terrible? Something obvious I've missed?
Any inspiration greatly appreciated

[mat1227]

Superb

Exactly the sort of irresponsible input I was after particularly like the merc, had looked at those but thought it was only coupes in my price range. Not so it seems..

[mat1227]

Yep had two E34 535s in the UK, they are fantastic old things. Maybe an E28 with all the work done (the Chris Harris drive video certainly got me looking for them). They're just so much cash.

I found a nice clean e30 325e with an M30 from the 535 transplanted into it. That was very interesting too

Mx5 wise, I'm quite tall at 6'3" so not sure if I'd look ridiculous like noddy. Need to grit my teeth, head off down Paramatta road and test drive a few things (and try to ignore what the same cash would get in the UK.. must stay away from the best bargain barge and M// threads in GG..)

[mat1227]

Awesome contributions and glad its not just me.

Particularly like the turbo Falcon, no idea what these are like to drive so will seek one out. The GTO Mitsi is something I used to love, but gives me the heebie jeebies in terms of bork potential. And the purvis.. speechless.

The timeshare speedboat is a great shout inspiring

Has anyone driven a VX Commodore SS? I recall all the reviews for the CV8 Monaro when it hit the UK at the same time, so these seem roughly like a reasonably priced 4dr equivalent. Is the manual box horrid?

[mat1227]

That is a cracking solution. From the UK?

[mat1227]

PomBstard said:

I found a nice clean e30 325e with an M30 from the 535 transplanted into it. That was very interesting too

Was that the one in Colloroy? Had a look at the ad but no further - any good?

Yep - awesome idea on paper (I remember PPC mag doing one ages ago), but somehow the ad didn't make me want to go and view. I think it was the "slamm'd" stance and polished wheels, and there was a bit of wire hanging out of the steering column in a pic. Not logical, but at that price you want it to be just so

I'm currently thinking VY SV8 Commodore is a good shout (flavour of the month no doubt..). Good mix of abilities, and ticks a big "peak oil may be around the corner" box with the LS1 (while the SV8 avoids the cheap gaudy Halfords elements of an SS, and possible tough life that would come with it).

Hmmmm

[mat1227]

PomBstard said:

Hasbeen said:

PomBstard said:

I've just bought a house and recommend getting the Porsche or whatever BEFORE buying a house. There is nowt left in the pot afterwards...

I'll second that one.
After years of racing & then sailing, I bought a house in 85. I spent the next 20+ years driving old utes & such. At one stage, for almost 6 months, my only personal transport was a 3 ton truck, set up to carry my kids horses, Oh & a horse if I felt so inclined.

I finally had to buy a TR7 that had not run for 3 years, & restore it, to get something enjoyable to drive. It was only last year that I could afford to buy something I did not have to rebuild, the Honda, before I could drive it.

Yep - wish I'd known about my own advice when I bought my first flat, just one year out of Uni. Seemed like such a grown up, sensible thing to do that, whilst it has helped inordinately with where I live now, I do read about the car-related exploits of others in their 20's with a small amount of wistfulness. Not regret, but just a plan that I didn't have at the time.

If you can do it now, do it.

All really good advice thanks, a bit of decent inspiration too (love the 911). Scratching itches to commence this weekend
(just read about electric SLSs on the homepage too. It's a sign)

[mat1227]

james280779 said:

mat1227 said:

Awesome contributions and glad its not just me.

Particularly like the turbo Falcon, no idea what these are like to drive so will seek one out. The GTO Mitsi is something I used to love, but gives me the heebie jeebies in terms of bork potential. And the purvis.. speechless.

The timeshare speedboat is a great shout inspiring

Has anyone driven a VX Commodore SS? I recall all the reviews for the CV8 Monaro when it hit the UK at the same time, so these seem roughly like a reasonably priced 4dr equivalent. Is the manual box horrid?

sorry only just seen this bit- I have a VX SS ute - the six speed manual box is fantastic, its not too baad on fuel - I got about 15mpg last time I went to the dunp fully laden with a trailer.

Cool I'm thinking that's the frontrunner.

That said I keep getting distracted by things like this. Always been a sucker for a (semi) sleeper, especially in an ugly colour

Ugly, standard looking ~500hp Skyline for $10k
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/liverpool/cars/1995...
(and how nasty is that plate)

Or that W126 560sel that keeps looking at me funny..

Edited by mat1227 on Thursday 11th October 06:33

[mat1227]

I know. An entirely bad idea

[mat1227]

Maybe better to waft around in this

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/jaguar-...

..while I'm looking

[mat1227]

Quite

Rather a long drive home for you I'd imagine!

Leaning toward this sort of thing:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rothbury/cars/2005-...
(possibly better suited to conditions, but still interesting powertrain at least - and jumping in the jag after a day at the beach/chucking camping st in would feel a bit ..unbecoming? Undignified for the old girl?)