Are there any exciting new affordable cars worth buying?

[Pommygranite]

Just pondering on the way into work whether there are any cars that are exciting, yet affordable, worth buying in Oz.

In the UK everyone's wetting their pants over BMW M135's for £3.29 driveaway ($75k here) or F types etc but here it feels there are few few cars you ache to have that are say less than $40k.

Maybe it's just that fast manual cars here are pointless, I'm just not sure.

Is it just me?

[Pommygranite]

Bibbs said:

Not just you. It's why I had to go older.

I've never 'got' the BMW thing. I'd have a classic M3 (or the M1), but nothing else. Then you look at the 'General Gassing' and it's full of French hot hatches.

When Volvo are considered a premium brand here, you know you are in trouble.

Cheapest new V8 must be $70k.

For under $40k, it's all Korean or Chinese, and I think we'll be waiting a while for an exciting Great Wall.

GT86? 370z is $60k
What are the current Evo/Scooby going for?
What do Honda/Mazda have exciting on their books?

Perhaps its a combination of 3 things:
-Lack of choice
-Nazi policing of speed
-Using an Auto dulls the senses.

Certainly anything remotely nice seems pointless here.

I do like BMW's but they are very expensive - perhaps an E46 M3 SMG would tick the box but anything else is mega expensive or mega old.

The GT86 does nothing for me - it just seems a little pointless here. Also, given we see lots of old jap coupe stuff here still its not really a novelty. Anyone else think it looks a little dated?

370's don't have the allure of the 350 and the 350 seems old.

Current EVO's and Scooby's don't have that rally allure here as they do in the UK as the roads are just flat and dry here.

Honda? CRZ?!
Mazda? MPS?!

I did see a new Clio Sport yesterday which was kinda decent in a small bh-car way.

I've started looking at manuals purely to start enjoying cars again but it just seems counter intuitive in this country. Current list of desirables are:
Alfa GT V6
Mazda RX7
Skyline R33 or R34

Any others?! It so limiting.

[Pommygranite]

custardtart said:

I'm after new car and have been enjoying test driving the following
M3 Sedan
M135i
Holden R8
A45 AMG
Scooby WRX Sti

I had two criteria, sub 75k (ok the M3 was 2ndhand) and sub 5secs to 100kph

I can report that all of them were an absolute hoot to drive and the above order is my order of preference.

How did the HSV compare to M3 in terms of quality of product and driving - did the HSV feel massively 'stter'?

[Pommygranite]

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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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

[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

[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.

[Pommygranite]

randomwalk said:

E46 M3, great cars, but hardly new....

That's the point I spose that there's pretty much no new cars that excite for less than$40k so used it is...

[Pommygranite]

I think it is but isn't a redline c.$54k?

What did you like about the SS?