Considering a new car, advice?

[Blitz_]

Ive had the corona for about a year now, saved up a bit of cash here and there and im prepared to sell it and start looking for another car. Being a corona, it was reliable, pretty good on fuel, but looked like one of paris' dogs and had pretty much no character to it, but she got me from A to B.

Looking around in the classifieds and what not i was sifting through the different cars in interest. My aim is to purchase a car, and eventually, through either modifications, rebuilding, restorting, and what not, I hope it to cost no more than $10K.

Alot of factors went through my head, availabiltiy of parts, running and maintainence costs, etc etc. At the moment im looking for something more old school than new. The TC cortina is at the top of the list, followed by a 69 / 71 corolla.

Do any of you have any advice on purchasing a car that is so old? Any recommendations of a car that is old school, has alot of character to it and will be easy to work on and source parts? Cheers in advance for any help or advice, ive asked a few people around and i was wondering what your all of you in the aussie forums thought

[pimento]

I've an '85 E30 BMW 323i. One of them would fit your bill. They're tough, reliable, easy to source parts for and it's a great chassis for starting with. Look nice too. They're pretty easy to find a rust-free example of too, and they'll go forever. Ours has 340,000kms on the clock, and still going strong. Sure the parts can cost more than others, but they also last longer and it's not hard to do it yourself.

Insofar as selecting your car, same as anything really.. carefully test drive it, inspect for hidden rust coming through from the inside, and if in doubt.. get a mechanic to check it out.

[clutch-monkey]

leyland mini! just bought one for $800.

[nota]

Good examples of older cars can be very dependable IME, but will likely require more (albeit cheap) maintainance than later models

We need more info .. .. so what are your preferences in a car Blitz?

what mix of economy vs performance?
manual/auto?
are luxury features important to you?
any body-type or size limit?
any engine-size limit?
lpg possibility or petrol only?
typical usage of vehicle?

and may I ask what is your initial price-point?

[pimento]

Minis are a good choice, but pay careful attention to the bodywork, as that will be the most expensive part to fix up. I just priced my mini at A$12000+ to do the body on.. which is too much for me unfortunately. Anyone want an old roundie Mini-Van?

[Blitz_]

Originally Posted by nota

Good examples of older cars can be very dependable IME, but will likely require more (albeit cheap) maintainance than later models

We need more info .. .. so what are your preferences in a car Blitz?

what mix of economy vs performance?
manual/auto?
are luxury features important to you?
any body-type or size limit?
any engine-size limit?
lpg possibility or petrol only?
typical usage of vehicle?

and may I ask what is your initial price-point?

cheers for the feeback guys! I never really thought of a beemer to be honest, and why? exactly what you pointed out, the price of parts! but if what your saying is that thier tough and reliable, its a good option. Coincedently, I saw a terrific M3, or clone M3 that is, old school one, turned my head instantly, P plater as well.

what mix of economy vs performance?
with the amount of deaths on our road, im inclined to say more economy than performance, though my mate is a detailer so i'll make the engine bay look a million miles, rather than making it go that fast lol.

manual/auto?
doesnt bother me.

are luxury features important to you?
if it has windows that go down and up, a radio and a demister, ill be a happy as a fat man in a cake store.

any body-type or size limit?
haha i love coupes actually

any engine-size limit?
not really, staying away from the 8's though.

lpg possibility or petrol only?
never considered it actually, dont really mind whichever.

typical usage of vehicle?
day to day i guess, but im willing to buy a p.o.s to extend the life of a loved one ( the car that is )

[pimento]

Well, a radio and a demister cuts out most minis, though these items can be installed. The parts thing for a BMW.. obviously it depends on how well looked after it has been for how long the existing parts will last, but mine's been rock solid really. Servicing once a year for an expert opinion on things would yield a grand a pop probably, but I used to just change the oil, filter and plugs myself and leave it at that. Just don't use a BMW dealer for it, and you'll be fine. I can guarantee that the one you saw wasn't an M3 though, the E30 M3 wasn't available in RHD!

[SlickHolden]

Does anything in particular grab your eye at all??.

[nota]

I'll be predictable and open with something like this for $6k
http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/me...pp=12&d=0&nv=1

3 litre engine is more economical than Falcons or Holden 6cys, yet easily as fast as an equal-price (but likely tired) XR8 or 5-litre Commodore SS! They do go well and are burnout-capable but importantly they're invisible to cops/thieves and sleeper insurance rates too. Great to drive, you can feel the difference as against primitive local ox-carts. Outstanding handling & ride, and overall quality of construction, also safety. Not just non-threating but intruiging to chicks (compared to what your mates drive!) and drips with quiet luxury. These W124 Benz have proven very durable

_______

I was recently in the market for a cheapie here in Canberra and came across a very tidy Ford NC Fairlane Ghia V8 with 200,000kms, was an ex-Govt limo. All the bells & whistles, 6-stack CD, smooth, huge & super comfy, it seemed ace mechanically with almost faultless appearance in/out, a well cared for car. Great candidate for the Govt's LPG conversion rebate. Definately a bargain for a mere $2500, imo

[Blitz_]

Originally Posted by pimento

Well, a radio and a demister cuts out most minis, though these items can be installed. The parts thing for a BMW.. obviously it depends on how well looked after it has been for how long the existing parts will last, but mine's been rock solid really. Servicing once a year for an expert opinion on things would yield a grand a pop probably, but I used to just change the oil, filter and plugs myself and leave it at that. Just don't use a BMW dealer for it, and you'll be fine. I can guarantee that the one you saw wasn't an M3 though, the E30 M3 wasn't available in RHD!

lol didnt know that at all! It was definetely badged as an M3, had a great set of rims, red and i think, half a rollcage, but cheers for the info, i thought all m3's were available both left and right hand drive.

i love the old corollo's, circa 69, 71, as well as the tc corty's, personally the TD's would are a bit too square. The very old corona's look pretty good as well, RT40? I can't really remember the correct name. Datto's were in my mind before ...until i read about hte price of restoring one Haha really anything old school, preferably a coupe that has alot of charisma

[Blitz_]

Originally Posted by nota

I'll be predictable and open with something like this for $6k
http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/me...pp=12&d=0&nv=1

3 litre engine is more economical than Falcons or Holden 6cys, yet easily as fast as an equal-price (but likely tired) XR8 or 5-litre Commodore SS! They do go well and are burnout-capable but importantly they're invisible to cops/thieves and sleeper insurance rates too. Great to drive, you can feel the difference as against primitive local ox-carts. Outstanding handling & ride, and overall quality of construction, also safety. Not just non-threating but intruiging to chicks (compared to what your mates drive!) and drips with quiet luxury. These W124 Benz have proven very durable

true true, looks pretty good, although im in western australia. What are the costs of possible taking one back to here? Wild guess its probably ALOT.

Wouldn't mind a project car where, as i gradually build up funds, i can transfer that into parts for a cheapy car.

just a general question to all of you, what are your experiences with project cars and restorations in general?

[IBrake4Rainbows]

General rule of thumb - never buy a project car as your only means of transportation.

It's better to keep the Corona as a reliable day-to-dayer and buy a cheapie project car to work on. that way you can have the best of both worlds

[Blue Supra]

^^^ got it in one, my day to day car has been off the road for over 5 months now as its my project AND daily and i wish i had a little 4 banger run about as well now.

[Blitz_]

Fine point if i do happen to choose to go down the project path, ill make sure to have a p.o.s. to drive around to get me from A to B. My mate crashed his CRX, got a Datto, and that broke down as well. He has to live with driving his dads pulsar.

[nota]

Originally Posted by Blitz_

true true, looks pretty good, although im in western australia. What are the costs of possible taking one back to here? Wild guess its probably ALOT.

Don't they sell Mercedes in WA? Oh wait .. here's one
http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/me...&pp=2&d=0&nv=1

I'm sure there are many others that come along over there in WA

Wouldn't mind a project car where, as i gradually build up funds, i can transfer that into parts for a cheapy car.

just a general question to all of you, what are your experiences with project cars and restorations in general?

As a generality, most aspirants I see who start with crap usually end up with likewise. At best, tarted-up crap. I guess you could achieve those dreams (some do) after lots of $$ and hard work (and no car in the often-long interim) .. and btw most who do never get their vast amounts of 'invested' money back when selling .. or maybe you'll buy a junker project, and after a few years of turmoil & expense (and no car) end up with what? .. an ex-project junker

Meh, it's almost always cheaper and not to mention a hell of a lot easier to just go and buy (and enjoy) a decent car from the onset