Buying my first car

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by Cyco

fpv, how do you get such crappy economy? I can get better than that out of the Saab, and its not exactly driven easily, nor super aero....

It seems to be the average economy for N13's. Other than that the engines got f-all torque and i do alot of stop-start driving.

[h22a]

toyota Corrola is a good buy for that sort of dollar

[nota]

You could terrify the neighbourhood in something like this or maybe a cheap TR/TS Magna as its a buyers market for those. Far too many others candidates to list, from 180Bs to Tarzans, but the luck is in the legwork and again I would focus on individual condition above age or specification

Tip #1: I'd also keep my eye out for low-km 'grannies specials' like Spaz got - something that has been well maintained and hasn't had the ring flogged out of it. A couple of grannie examples I've come across just within the last few weeks include a one-owner GC Galant + 11 months reg + serviced + a mere 88,0000 log-booked kms, and which looked like new for $1500 - or the '78 Renault Virage (not a bad car, I had one myself) also one dilligent owner with an amazing 55,000 kms from new, for around $660 (iirc!) with no rego but in RWC

#2: Because some States like Victoria stupidly don't require compulsary annual vehicle inspections there are far too many still-registered cars getting around in unroadworthy condition, and many of these have lapsed down into very poor condition indeed. Hence if novices buy a car which does not have a current RWC certificate its all too easy for them to end up with a still-rego'd but otherwise rooted car that will require major (read expensive) repair before the buyer can even transfer the rego into their name. So to avoid that trap a PRE-purchase inspection, or at least bringing along someone with mechanical aptitude, can prove a very wise move

#3: In this price range you'll find that vendors are selling their car for a reason and, with rare exception, the reason is their cars are in some way defective and need money spent on them. So even with a RWC it's a prudent move for the buyer to keep a minimum of about $500 left in their pocket, for outstanding servicing and/or repair requirements

[whiteballz]

Im co-incidentily in the same price bracket for my second car as mentioned, and found a mazda savannah with the vynal roof and everything in original and maintained condition for $2000, Also a 1969 Corolla for $2500 in good nic. all very tempting.

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by nota

In contrast my mate kept unremittingly punching the guts out of his TX Gemini Repco delivery van, from new, and experienced few problems despite 4 years of continual savage slogging. Btw those RTS vans were credited as being the 'world's best handling commercial vehicle' in their day and may still be a contender for that title

Mine was a TC 1600cc.. Cost about $800 to fix that motor but it wasn't the same so we replaced it with a used, Which went in a couple of years doing timing chains.
Mums Gemini was just a dud lemon..

The old TC was very nice handling with 3" lowering and 16" rims, Bloody worked motor loved it, But in the wet 360's with ease..
But i was dragging the Commodores and Falcons of the day easy.
Stood out massive Kermit Green!.


Since we are selling cars, BTW I'm not selling this..
But..
Easy to work on, Parts easy to source, Takes a beating, Good power, Ease to drive, Long but not as wide as larger cars.
Better Fuel econemy then given credit for...
450 Average local, 600+ highway with ease.

If you don't care for looks and just care for driving this is your car..
My sisters BF has a VN Exec, POS! It's dirty, Smells Soft saggy suspension rattles ticks slaps, But drives perfect still, And runs on Gas, And he just uses it for the car to get around and not care about, He's had it for years and he treats it like a dirty dog!. But it goes from A to B to C.

HOLDEN COMMODORE VP II Executive 1993 details - CarPoint Australia

And no my mothers VP isn't a ugly POS.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

For your requirements don't overlook vehicles like the Mazda 626 or the Ford Telstar, either.

Magna's and Camry's are definately a safe bet.

[NSXType-R]

Originally Posted by whiteballz

go for an '89 honda civic, they're marshmellows to drive, reliable and cheap to run/isnure, save up for a better car till you can afford it.

I'm selling my silvia and looking to do that.

Didn't think you were selling that car.


But, going back on topic, the Civic would be a good bet. Corolla is a close second.

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by IBrake4Rainbows

For your requirements don't overlook vehicles like the Mazda 626 or the Ford Telstar, either.

Magna's and Camry's are definately a safe bet.

I could have got him one of them for $200. MY auntie drove one POS but drove her once a month over 600km in a weekend.. She pissed it off for the Merc.

[Blue Supra]

Magna and Camry are excellent bet.

If you want a hatch, N14 pulsars are coming down to low prices. Highly recomend one of those from personal experience.

Ford Laser is also a great choice, they run on an oily rag.

[motorsportnerd]

Originally Posted by h22a

toyota Corrola is a good buy for that sort of dollar

You'll be hard pushed to get that shape Corolla for under $2K. I helped my flatmate buy one - and his cost $4K on the road. His one is an auto though.

Would still be a good buy - but more likely you'll need to look for the last of the RWD Corollas or the first shape FWD Corollas to keep it under $2K.

Also, I'm with IB4R. Don't ignore the Ford Telstar/Mazda 626. I had two of these - both from the mid 80s. My father ran an '86 and then a '93 Telstar. All gave excellent service.
The first Telstar/626 from '83 to '88 should be able to be picked up in pretty good nick from under $1000. The next model which was sold from '88-'92 AT series should be from about $1000-$3000. The '92 shape onwards will be harder to find for under $2K. Some of the post '92 AV shape will have the 2.5 litre V6 engine.
I'd look for about a 1990 Telstar TX5 or 626 Sporthatch with a 5-speed manual gearbox and under 200kms. Should be a fair few of those around in good nick for under $2K. Main thing to watch for on Telstars/626s are the head gaskets - the engines are pretty bulletproof provided they've been serviced and never run short of water. If they've run short of water they will do the head. A carefull mechanical check - as Nota advised - will tell you if the engine is fully sound. And you want want to avoid a Ford badge, just go for the Mazda version of the car instead.

A couple of examples:
FORD TELSTAR TX5 AV Ghia 1992 details - CarPoint Australia
- later series AV model, high kms, but cheap.
FORD TELSTAR TX5 AT Ghia 1988 details - CarPoint Australia - 1988 AT series Telstar TX5.
Original AR series 1985 Telstar: FORD TELSTAR TX5 AR Ghia 1985 details - CarPoint Australia

Also, as Nota mentioned - Magna TR/TS are dirt cheap.

If RWD is of utmost importance you'll be limited to the Falcon/Commodore or an older pre-80s small car like a Corolla, Escort, 626 RWD, Torana, Gemini etc.

[Falcon500]

Originally Posted by motorsportnerd

And you want want to avoid a Ford badge, just go for the Mazda version of the car instead.

A couple of examples:
FORD TELSTAR TX5 AV Ghia 1992 details - CarPoint Australia
- later series AV model, high kms, but cheap.
FORD TELSTAR TX5 AT Ghia 1988 details - CarPoint Australia - 1988 AT series Telstar TX5.
Original AR series 1985 Telstar: FORD TELSTAR TX5 AR Ghia 1985 details - CarPoint Australia

Also, as Nota mentioned - Magna TR/TS are dirt cheap.

If RWD is of utmost importance you'll be limited to the Falcon/Commodore or an older pre-80s small car like a Corolla, Escort, 626 RWD, Torana, Gemini etc.

Only diffrence is paint quality and a slightly better fit and finish which doesnt account for much on a modern shitter imo.

[Blue Supra]

Have a snoop around on ebay for a price guage, usually the first place to reflect price changes is there.

[nota]

Speaking of paint quality and a slightly better fit and finish

allclassifieds | View Car

[SlickHolden]

Car for mrs Nota

[Blue Supra]

arent we all up bright and early? Im at work, whats your excuses?