What car thread! - $10k and $20k cars

[Fiddlemesticks]

It looks we are selling Mrs 'sticks Kia Sorento as its too big and thirsty for our needs so fancy something smaller for $20k or less, but must be 5 doors and preferably an auto. Now most of the cars that fit that bill are boring as hell, but at least they are modern. She fancys a new shape Astra and i reckon it has to be the CDX for equipment/alloys/paint etc. That or a Focus.

However over east are some rather nicer, if older small hatches - Golf GTi Mk4 1.8T, Alfa 147, Audi A3. That sort of thing.

So what should we go for?

For me i might just have $10k in 6 months to splash on something nice. Nothing ordinary, mileage is low so can be fairly thirsty it doesnt bother me but want something a bit more eye catching than the norm.

Any ideas on that one?

I cant do the $30k thing now as we cant afford so its one and one later.

[Fiddlemesticks]

Colonial said:

10k?

1972 BMW 2002 tii
1963 Mercedes Benz 220SE
early 1990s Mazda MX5 (It's PH. has to be brought up)
E30 325i/325is
S 5 RX7

20k
Bora V5
Golf GTi Mk 4
147

Well Deviant, the magna is a good shout, but big engine + main dealer price = not a whole lot of saving. However i see where are you going there.

I also prefer the focus over the astra but its the wifes and she's not as keen on the focus. I have told her to drive one as its a lot better than the astra. however she has a 316i Compact in the UK so she doesnt seem too bothered about the drive over the image

I think Colonial might be on the nubbin there. For $20k the 147 would be great, and I'm an Alfa man for sure as i had one in the UK before coming over, and i loved it. However i'm not sure about parts and getting it sorted here if needed. I know they arent that unreliable but they do need good maintenance to stay tip top and not sure if there are any Alfa garage SOR.

The GTi Mk4 is what i am moving towards but its also finding one in WA. That or the A3 1.8T, again if i can find one


On the $10k front would love the RX7 so maybe go that route. Have seen a few Preludes at that money which are quite decent. However the childhood lusting afer a 300zx has got me thinking but havent seen any that are original. Most jap cars here that are over 10 years old look like they ran into Bob Jane T Marts and drove out with cack chromed up alloys and a nasty bodykit.

[Fiddlemesticks]

Well the $10k is my bit and i want something interesting.

The Magna at $15k would be for my wife and she would rather lick the sweat off of my balls than drive a Magna....

[Fiddlemesticks]

No thats your place! and you're pretty on the market. ohh that sounds good!

[Fiddlemesticks]

in english: I like that idea. you're spot on. The Mr2 thing sounds good.

Reading your edited version it makes you sounds like a russian mail order bride....

Edited by Fiddlemesticks on Friday 14th March 06:34

[Fiddlemesticks]

ariddell said:

The Magna may have been awful but the later Mitsubishi 380's aren't quite ball sweat lickin bad. Quite fun for a front wheel drive slushmatic, nice ride, interior not overly offensive - would rather drive one than a base spec Commodore or Falcon anyway.

Is she wants image how about a Merc C class coupe - although they would be pushing a bit over the 20k mark i would have thought?

The 380 is ok, but 3.8 V6 is still a bit much on fuel.

I think if we could get an Lexus IS200 that would be ok. yeah its a 6 cylinder but only 2.0...

She would love the C Class Coupe. Almost dream car for her, but yeah a bit more than 20k

[Fiddlemesticks]

old but tempting for sub $10k

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKS...sid=11865E36771F&Cr=0&Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&State=Western%20Australia&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&PriceMax=15000&Nne=20&Model=GOLF&R=5447893&N=4294962746+83+834+285+257+410+4294962677&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&state_id=83&trecs=4

[Fiddlemesticks]

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKS...Ntk=CarAll&__D=vr6&__Dx=mode+matchany&State=Western%20Australia&Cr=0&state_id=83&keywords=vr6&R=5447893&__N=4294962746+83+834+285+257+4294962677&distance=25&Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&Ntt=vr6&trecs=1&__Nne=20&__Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&silo=1003&sid=118B1D7E7FC5&Model=GOLF&seot=0&Make=VOLKSWAGEN

Try this one. Not sure why the other didnt work.

If it does try www.carsales.com.au - VW Golf VR6 in WA - $9995.

[Fiddlemesticks]

chunder said:

Just on the 380 and the fuel comment we run 120 of them and they average under 12l/100km with a range between 9 and 14. It's not bad considering.

If you take the best of anything else you might consider as being 10 that's only $300 a yr difference for every 10,000 km driven.

Tis' very true but we are comparing our Sorento at 15l/100km and say a focus at 9l/100km so we would be saving about $1500 per annum, or $63 per every tank better off. This is just on fuel which is a fair amount. So why go half way for a bland car that is no better than say a focus? Not being arguementative but just wondering what would be the point of one?

[Fiddlemesticks]

ariddell said:

Just imagine the look of horror and disgust on the wife's face when she realises she's going to be driving it..

I think you should buy her one as a surprise if you're not bothered about getting any more action.....

Maybe buy yourself a protector for when she kicks you squarely in the plums at the same time.

EFA!