Making the most of being in Aus (What car)
Discussion
Myself and my partner are quite a way down our visa process and looking forward to relocating to Aus (looking like Adelaide but not confirmed).
Anyway, one of the things I'd love to research on the car side is how I can make the best use of being in Australia. I've read with dread about some of the attitudes speed-wise, but there's nothing I can do about that. What I can do something about is the metal that I'll be driving.
So I guess this is a what-car, but I'm specifically interested in cars which are rare/non-existent in Europe OR probably more relevant - cars that are perhaps getting prohibitively expensive in Europe but haven't got the same following in Australia and therefore may be cheaper.
I did think JDM stuff might fall into the latter category but CIvic prices tell me that was a bad theory.
In other words I'm a skinflint and despite car ownership in Australia looking more expensive than the UK I want to find an angle where I'm cheered up. Rough wishlist:
- Sub 1200kg
- Enough room for 2 people a weekly shop. Anything else is great but a bonus
- Enough power to be interesting. In my book that's at least 90-100kw
- Under $7k
- Reliable. I know this seems obvious and of course no car is perfect but especially at the start of the move getting hit with a big repair bill would be depressing
- Convertible (though unless anyone has any amazing ideas this isn't going to be possible looking at the leggy MX-5s in budget)
Current car is a pretty new Fiesta. Not the ST but the 140bhp Ecoboost. I'm not expecting the same comforts as I know the budget is low.
Anyway, one of the things I'd love to research on the car side is how I can make the best use of being in Australia. I've read with dread about some of the attitudes speed-wise, but there's nothing I can do about that. What I can do something about is the metal that I'll be driving.
So I guess this is a what-car, but I'm specifically interested in cars which are rare/non-existent in Europe OR probably more relevant - cars that are perhaps getting prohibitively expensive in Europe but haven't got the same following in Australia and therefore may be cheaper.
I did think JDM stuff might fall into the latter category but CIvic prices tell me that was a bad theory.
In other words I'm a skinflint and despite car ownership in Australia looking more expensive than the UK I want to find an angle where I'm cheered up. Rough wishlist:
- Sub 1200kg
- Enough room for 2 people a weekly shop. Anything else is great but a bonus
- Enough power to be interesting. In my book that's at least 90-100kw
- Under $7k
- Reliable. I know this seems obvious and of course no car is perfect but especially at the start of the move getting hit with a big repair bill would be depressing
- Convertible (though unless anyone has any amazing ideas this isn't going to be possible looking at the leggy MX-5s in budget)
Current car is a pretty new Fiesta. Not the ST but the 140bhp Ecoboost. I'm not expecting the same comforts as I know the budget is low.
First of all cheers for all the responses!
Jader1973 - Leftfield suggestion but I see why you put it out there as it meets a good few criteria. Unfortunately it also makes me want to cry when I look at it. I didn't even realise Aus got a totally different Capri!
Bibbs - I might well do the full Aus experience for me, but this is going to be a shared car at the start so it's got to be something that the missus is comfortable with.
Ten Four - Some excellent suggestions. The MX-5s I was really disappointed by though. I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer because I figured the climate might help with the rust but there is 1 NB in all of SA and it's probably priced about x4 that of the UK. I'm going to follow up on the other suggestions but the Swift seems like the 'head' choice and as a Fiesta owner it's sort of a natural place to be that I know the missus would drive also.
AussieFozzy - I may indeed go full-on Aus but not at the start due to the shared car thing. By making the most of Aus I didn't necessarily mean Aus-only metal but is that the only stuff that is 'good value' in your opinion? 4x4 is a good shout but many were Chery/Great Wall. Are there any hidden Chinese gems or are they all crap?
AW111/PomBstard - Gotcha. Can understand how AC is an absolute must as well as a convertible being crap when it's roasting.
Lambchopski - Thanks! Yeah I made the mistake of looking at stereotypes of each city out of interest and I can see it's not everyone's first choice. I think from what we have looked at it seems a great choice but I guess at some point you have to just jump in and be prepared to twist if it doesn't work out.
Google - Thanks for the pointers. I can see me in either of those when we are fully settled and I can think more about me. If you don't mind me asking what engine is in the XA, and what is the rego/tax like in your state for it?
Hasbeen - Yeah I'm being a bit short-sighted and thinking of the 8 months but I get what you and the others are driving at RE melting. RE MX5s see doubts above. RX7s I love but my brain went rotary>short journeys>disaster. I'll check availability (edit - Christ they are pricey). TR7 I have much love for but availability is obviously challenging. MR2s were on my current UK list post-Fiesta but it breaks my heart that for a sorted one I'm looking at x3 the cost.
I think part of this is I just need to adjust with the fact that cars cost more and hopefully when we're setup and not spending GBP that won't hurt as much.
Jader1973 - Leftfield suggestion but I see why you put it out there as it meets a good few criteria. Unfortunately it also makes me want to cry when I look at it. I didn't even realise Aus got a totally different Capri!
Bibbs - I might well do the full Aus experience for me, but this is going to be a shared car at the start so it's got to be something that the missus is comfortable with.
Ten Four - Some excellent suggestions. The MX-5s I was really disappointed by though. I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer because I figured the climate might help with the rust but there is 1 NB in all of SA and it's probably priced about x4 that of the UK. I'm going to follow up on the other suggestions but the Swift seems like the 'head' choice and as a Fiesta owner it's sort of a natural place to be that I know the missus would drive also.
AussieFozzy - I may indeed go full-on Aus but not at the start due to the shared car thing. By making the most of Aus I didn't necessarily mean Aus-only metal but is that the only stuff that is 'good value' in your opinion? 4x4 is a good shout but many were Chery/Great Wall. Are there any hidden Chinese gems or are they all crap?
AW111/PomBstard - Gotcha. Can understand how AC is an absolute must as well as a convertible being crap when it's roasting.
Lambchopski - Thanks! Yeah I made the mistake of looking at stereotypes of each city out of interest and I can see it's not everyone's first choice. I think from what we have looked at it seems a great choice but I guess at some point you have to just jump in and be prepared to twist if it doesn't work out.
Google - Thanks for the pointers. I can see me in either of those when we are fully settled and I can think more about me. If you don't mind me asking what engine is in the XA, and what is the rego/tax like in your state for it?
Hasbeen - Yeah I'm being a bit short-sighted and thinking of the 8 months but I get what you and the others are driving at RE melting. RE MX5s see doubts above. RX7s I love but my brain went rotary>short journeys>disaster. I'll check availability (edit - Christ they are pricey). TR7 I have much love for but availability is obviously challenging. MR2s were on my current UK list post-Fiesta but it breaks my heart that for a sorted one I'm looking at x3 the cost.
I think part of this is I just need to adjust with the fact that cars cost more and hopefully when we're setup and not spending GBP that won't hurt as much.
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