First car – Sensible verses ‘image’ for son

[SVD]

Originally Posted by nerida67

why do people look at imported rubbish
they mite sound cheapish and go fast,when theyre goin
but the repair bills are astronomical

Because my japanese imported "rubbish" has lasted longer then my falcon has cost me less to run and modify, and is more fun.
It really grinds my gears how a lot of you guys write imports off as rubbish and crap because of tools who own, drive, modify them.

[kezzer]

Originally Posted by SVD

Because my japanese imported "rubbish" has lasted longer then my falcon has cost me less to run and modify, and is more fun.

Wait till you have an accident, will be alot more fun then your falcon :togo:

[SVD]

Originally Posted by kezzer

Wait till you have an accident, will be alot more fun then your falcon :togo:

http://www.ancap.com.au/results/sear...1+00%3A00%3A00
just an example, AU2 is worse to be in then an MX-5 (2000)
only with the BA did they catch up to the imports
http://www.ancap.com.au/results/sear...1+00%3A00%3A00

so according to ANCAP either import (not including the Hyundai etc... dishwashers) or Local they are as safe as each other so there goes your argument.

[JC807]

+1 for a Hilux, truly unbreakable, great for throwing anything in the back (fishing gear, RC cars, tools, girls - anything your son is into). so cheap to run, and could even do a turbo build on the 2.7, 4 cylinder RZ motor - plenty out there making huge power.

[Marduk]

Originally Posted by Aufairghia

$2000 85 toyota corolla, the thing was indestructible!! no matter what i threw at it just kept eating it. Cant beat good toyota quality for a first car.

I so x2 this. I owned one as well it's absolutely indestructible and is cheap to run.

If you want a Celica you should go a 6th Gen GTFour :P

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by SVD

Because my japanese imported "rubbish" has lasted longer then my falcon has cost me less to run and modify, and is more fun.
It really grinds my gears how a lot of you guys write imports off as rubbish and crap because of tools who own, drive, modify them.

There is a bit of difference between a 'Grey import' and an import by an authorised dealer. Grey imports are shocking and a gamble on what you are actually going to get!



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First car for me was RX4 coupe, periphial ported 13B, 4 speed. Cops loved it. Man that was a fast as fook car. Let him learn either way, right or wrong it has to be his decision. Just support his ideas and thoughts on what car is right for him.

[ebxr82nv]

Originally Posted by auxr

He has to make the choice in the end, but jeez - just steer him away from a Celica.

unless its a gt4

[S3SR]

what about an older model hilux or so, 4cyl, drive it into anything, take it anywhere, get the turbo diesel model and not be an absolute pig on the road.... toyota reliability (was then anyways :P )

[rag top]

Any idea what he wants to do for a career??

If it is a trade, steer him in the direction of a ute.
Uni, something cheap to run, fuel wise and maintenance.

[Joshmcmillan]

I have a friend that just bought a 94 Nissan NX-R with 120,000 k's for $4250, nice sporty looking 2dr coupe.

[Wallie]

i would say anything up 1995 until he if a confident driver. more power while on your p's i flog my kh laser to within a inch of its life on my p's more power means harder flogging.

good starter kf/kh tx3 N/A has sporty look, 1.8L DOHC so has a bit of poke but not excessive, decent motor as its built by mazda. heaps of parts available from both kf/kh & Mazda BG, and in the future can convert it to a turbo

[mik]

15 k you could probably pick up a nice xr6 on gas.

[WIKIDSTIX]

i think best bang for buck would be a subaru my99-00 rx impreza (non turbo)

awd, 4 wheel disc brakes, 5 speed manual, driver and passenger airbags.

you can get a low kilometer easily for 10k. the non turbo boxer motors last forever + their easy to get parts and upgrades.

[Cheese3]

Maybe I could share some input!

I'm turning 22 soon and I was looking back at the amount money I have spent on cars! I've always enjoyed BMW coupes! So my first 2 cars were a 95 318is then a 02 330ci both fantastic cars with handling and safety but parts wernt cheap! Now I have a bucket as every day car an a T3 I couldn't be happyier but that's off topic! I wish I went more practical with cars! I always go to music festivals, camping and the snow! I always borrow a mates caravan too! I wish I bought a GU Or GQ patrol! Nice safe car/practical/tough looking rig! They arnt quick or sporty but as a young guy a car that can do everything and holds alot of cargo and mates I wish I had!

[jphanna]

some great suggestions here no doubt. he is definately looking to 'feel' like he is in a sporty 'image' machine to impress his mates ....even if its all looks. that suits me fine at this stage in his life.

there is a bit of foward thinking in this process. facts to consider.

1. when it has a problem, can a local mechanic fix it?
2. if he crunches something while parking, is there going to be panels readily available. (i smashed a VL calais once, try getting bits for the front end of one of those....)
3. if we get an over 10 year old car, does the manufacturer have to supply parts anymore for that model?

bottom line is how many of us got to drive what we want for a first car?

i was handed over my dads VK valiant, (at a time when anything made by chrysler was laughed at), and i stuck some of those 6 inch charger sports wheels, (not the 7inch alloys) a charger sports steering wheel, lowered the front bolts slightly on the torsion bar front end...and i was in heaven.

[Jack91]

I think you are straight on the money with the AU XR6.
Easy to drive (wont get hairy in the rain)
Plenty of power but very well controlled, so he probably wont touch it power wise for quite a while
Very reliable, just like all AU;s
Parts are easy to get, but the front bumper or quad lights are pretty expensive
Very attractive (my opinion)
Easy to maintain
Theyre at that point now I dont think the AU XR's are going to get any cheaper, you can get good AU xr6's for well under 10 grand.
And with a momo wheel and in manual trim, they do seem like a sporty car.

Really no other choice, dont go import.

[XR_Strider_GuY]

I say find a clean example Condition 1 AUIII XR6 VCT. I did own an XR6 HP and whilst they are quicker due to weight, the live axle is no where near as polished as the IRS and the VCT has a limited slip diff and if he goes the manual a slicker, shorter shifting gear selector. Yes the VCT/XR8 had an upgraded shifter over the HP and base model.

Try to find one of the last AUIII XR6 ST they have the factory rebel kit with 18inch wheels and some other goodies. Whats more is that they built only 125 of these i believe.

[Joshmcmillan]

Yeah an AU XR6 would be great.... power wise, it just depends what you think he's like. I know plenty of people on P plates that would get in any car, powerful or not and go faster then they ever should, yet I only ever drive 2 BA Falcon's and a 3L Turbo BT-50 on my P's and I never go over the speed limit.. it just depends what type of person he is and if you think he will be sensible enough if you get him a car like an AU, or whether you think he would be safer in a smaller car. Another thing to think of is chances are even if he did go faster in the AU, an AU in a 150km/h crash might be safer then some little cars in a 100km/h crash.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by jphanna

1. when it has a problem, can a local mechanic fix it? AU
2. if he crunches something while parking, is there going to be panels readily available. (i smashed a VL calais once, try getting bits for the front end of one of those....) AU
3. if we get an over 10 year old car, does the manufacturer have to supply parts anymore for that model? No they don't. Thats why its good to stick with something that there is plenty of ..... off the shelf at at the wreckers ...... AU

bottom line is how many of us got to drive what we want for a first car? ME ... XY Panel Van

Answers above



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[block58]

^^ +1

With an AU he can get sensible and good image at the same time (unless he got an AU1 Forte)

I'm not even a learner driver yet and I already have my heart set on an AU Fairmont.

[xdc351]

Personally I'd be after an XR6, preferably BA and they're getting around the 10-15k mark.

If he's after an import an early 90's 320i or 325i would be a seriously cool car for a P plater.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by xdc351

Personally I'd be after an XR6, preferably BA and they're getting around the 10-15k mark.

If he's after an import an early 90's 320i or 325i would be a seriously cool car for a P plater.

I had an older (late 80's) Audi ..... great cars and I would consider very safe ..... but servicing is horrendous. For the RWC I had to get a new driving light .... second hand was close to $600.00, then everything else that needed doing. Then the timing belt needed doing ... sold it when I found out how much! A 'P' plater bought it .... poor bloke



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[divine_afg]

I vote for an AU - S, SR, Fairmont Ghia or XR

Though I would go for EF-EL XR. Save up the rest once the he's more experienced then get into something even more IMAGE worthy BA-BF XR6-T

Good Luck

[seduced_xr]

Originally Posted by xdc351

Personally I'd be after an XR6, preferably BA and they're getting around the 10-15k mark.

If he's after an import an early 90's 320i or 325i would be a seriously cool car for a P plater.

ive had my licence for 5 months now and picked up a BA XR6 with 68 000km for 15k. i feel ive made the right choice.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by jphanna

last celica model in 2000. it is sporty looking, 4 CYL, has toyota reliability

Dont let facts get in the way of a myth. These things may have a high redline but they dont like to rev. We managed to split a piston in one of these testing out the VVT. Talking to a former Toyota tech, it wasnt the first time they had heard of it either.

[Franco Cozzo]

On the BMW front, 328i coupes are fairly nice and have a bit of punch and style, only problem is its a bit squeazy if you are 6ft like me. My head was just lower than the roof by about 2cm.

[deesun]

My son chose his car, I was surprised he had done some homework. Two door coupe, along the Silvia style but without the stigma and horendous parts price and availability trouble. Lightweight, a 2.5litre V6 and a power to weight ratio not dissimilar to my BA XR6. Some very good samples still around. Japanese reliability and although I was concerned with the rear setup he has had a faultless run from his Mazda MX6 4 wheel steer.

[GHO57]

My first car was $600 nissan exa, had to repair alot of parts. Something newer would be the way to go. :

[mrbaxr6t]

for me when the time comes I want my kid in the highest ancap star rating car I can get them, first cars get smashed in the majority of cases, put your kid in the safest thing you can get hold of and tell them when they are off their p's then you will get them something else.

All my mates went out on their p's and bought nice cars, and they all got smashed and ruined, unless times have changed first cars get smashed if you get him an image machine his image will be shattered when he bends it