Buying a new 2nd hand car

[oneightoo]

thats right..

ive decided the calibra will be gone by the end of this year, possibly, hopefully sooner.. im over having only 2 doors..

so the last few days i've just been trolling all the usual car sites, trying to decide on what i wanted.. i had no idea.. so i made myself a list, the car had to be:

1. have 4 doors
2. sporty in looks
3. have a decent engine
4. be under $25k
5. not fwd
6. have a stereo that can be replaced easily
7. less than 5 years old
8. NOT a turbo

now this didnt leave a lot of cars out there to choose from, and after many hours of searching everywhere you could possibly think, joining countless forums to find any issues i have chosen the.......

Subaru Impreza RS

it has:

1. 4 doors
2. is sporty in looks
3. has the 2.5ltr engine from the liberty
4. is priced between $20-$25k
5. is awd
6. i can put the new stereo i just bought into it
7. is less than 5 years old
8. no turbo

finding one of these is hard enough let alone finding the clolour i want - Black

i went to my local Scooby-Doo dealer about an hour ago, as the last thing i needed to make my mind up was to actually look at one.. i like the look in person, it has all the WRX sports extra's without the obvious.. is very comfortable to sit, more so than the calibra.. but there were things about it i didnt like, they were:

1. it was silver (i like it in silver, but really wanted a black one, no biggy really)
2. it's got scuff marks on the front left bumper, scraped along something..
3. theres a few scratches around it
4. it appears to have stains from perhaps sap on the roof, dealer reckons they can be buffed out.

other than that it's great, i really like the comfort of it.. just curious as to how much it would cost to have the scratches repaired..

and also, what mods will i do.. i've already got it figured out that it would immediatley recieve a lowering, a cat back exhaust, new rims, and the installation of my new touch screen stereo/amp/sub..

so, whats everyones thoughts on the RS Impreza?

does anyone have any other suggestions of a 2nd hand car thats fits my needs? i'm open to all suggestions, i'm in no rush to sell the cali's and buy a new car, but i think i will def need to soon.. i'm really getting over the 2 doors thing..

this is the one i looked at today..

Click ME !! (http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/SUBARU/IMPREZA/New%20South%20Wales/csn1174915.aspx?State=NSW)

Now this one is priced like this until the last day of June for stocktake purposes.. As of July 1 it goes back to $24,990..

[jsantos]

have you driven it?

[oneightoo]

yeah have driven it..

have driven heaps of WRX's before but never an RS.. doesnt seem to be too much of a difference.. cept the power really..

[bornwild]

RS is a WRX wannabe....sorry, doesn't look good to me nor is it a good quality car.....

[OPC]

RS is a WRX wannabe....sorry, doesn't look good to me nor is it a good quality car.....


hehehe

and apparently subaru charges like a wounded bull for services

well that's what a mate of mine said who has actually owned about 4 WRX's

[JohnBu]

why no turbo?

the impreza is a pretty frumpy looking car and the only reason to buy one is because of the turbo!

anyway, it won't go back up to $24,990..

you can pick up a VY Commodore SV6 or BA Falcon XR6 for similar money...

why no FWD? i'd go an Mazda 6 over the RS.

[oneightoo]

RS is a WRX wannabe....sorry, doesn't look good to me nor is it a good quality car.....

yeah i'd imagine you'd get the whole "couldnt you afford the wrx" line, and i really dont care about that, i dont need to be first off at the lights to feel good.. quality is fine by me, its what you expect for a car under $25k


hehehe

and apparently subaru charges like a wounded bull for services

well that's what a mate of mine said who has actually owned about 4 WRX's

ive never had a service done at a dealer..


why no turbo?

the impreza is a pretty frumpy looking car and the only reason to buy one is because of the turbo!

anyway, it won't go back up to $24,990..

you can pick up a VY Commodore SV6 or BA Falcon XR6 for similar money...

why no FWD? i'd go an Mazda 6 over the RS.

no turbo because i dont need one, or want one..

i know it wont go back up to $25k, wouldnt buy that one anyway, it's the first one i've looked at..

dont want fwd because i want something different.. my last 5 cars have been fwd and now i want either awd or rwd, also, i drive to the snow a lot and awd means less likely to need chains, and they can be a bitch..

not to keen on the commodores or falcons, i do like the sv6, and have thought about it, but i'd prefer a smaller car..



i'm not dead certain on the RS, but it's leading my list at the moment.. any other suggestions please throw them out there :)

[bornwild]

I'll have to go with the SV6 and XR6 suggestions. Seems like it's what you're looking for. If you want a smaller car, that's good for under $25k, check this out.

Subaru Liberty MY04, $26,500 (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/SUBARU/LIBERTY/details.aspx?Model=LIBERTY&__Nne=20&__N=4294963801+82+4294963605+834+285+257&Make=SUBARU&State=Victoria&silo=1003&state_id=82&distance=25&Cr=1&seot=0&__sid=1136E9EC8323&R=1251509&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&trecs=144)
If you ask me, it's worth the extra dough.

Another one here (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/SUBARU/LIBERTY/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C 1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastMod ifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&Make=SUBARU&__Nne=20&R=1158334&PriceMin=20000&PriceMax=25000&state_id=82&__N=4294963801+82+395+413+4294963605+834+285+257&distance=25&trecs=14&Model=LIBERTY&__sid=1136E9EC8323&silo=1003&Cr=3&seot=0&State=Victoria) for $24,750, a 2005 Model. And what do ya' know it, another one here (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/SUBARU/LIBERTY/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C 1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastMod ifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&Make=SUBARU&__Nne=20&R=1258114&PriceMin=20000&PriceMax=25000&state_id=82&__N=4294963801+82+395+413+4294963605+834+285+257&distance=25&trecs=14&Model=LIBERTY&__sid=1136E9EC8323&silo=1003&Cr=5&seot=0&State=Victoria), a 2002 model for $20,000.


As someone already said, Impreza is a shit car. If you get an Impreza you only get the WRX or the STi. Whereas the Liberty is a nice car in a lot of trims. All 3 mentioned above have that very same 2.5L engine and all are AWD.

I really do hope you go for a Liberty.


PS. Another one here (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/SUBARU/LIBERTY/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C 1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastMod ifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&Make=SUBARU&__Nne=20&R=1158334&PriceMin=20000&PriceMax=25000&state_id=82&__N=4294963801+82+395+413+4294963605+834+285+257&distance=25&trecs=14&Model=LIBERTY&__sid=1136E9EC8323&silo=1003&Cr=3&seot=0&State=Victoria) for $24,750; 2005 model with 11,500kms on the clock.

PS#2. You're gonna love this BLACK (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/SUBARU/LIBERTY/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C 1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastMod ifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&Make=SUBARU&__Nne=20&R=1348420&PriceMin=20000&PriceMax=30000&state_id=82&__N=4294963801+82+395+414+4294963605+834+285+257&distance=25&trecs=34&Model=LIBERTY&__sid=1136E9EC8323&silo=1003&Cr=4&seot=0&State=Victoria) one. $25,100.


Here are some other ones I'd suggest you to have a look at.
VW Bora 4motion 2.8L V6, 2001 Model, black (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/BORA/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C 1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastMod ifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=Victoria&PriceMax=30000&state_id=82&PriceMin=20000&__Dx=mode+matchany&trecs=4&Model=BORA&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746+82+395+414+4294964993+834+285+257&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1003&keywords=4motion&__sid=1136E9EC8323&Cr=1&distance=25&__D=4motion&seot=0&__Ntt=4motion&__Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&R=1345255)
Lexus IS200 2.0L V6, 2000 Model, Silver (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/LEXUS/IS200/details.aspx?PriceMin=20000&__Nne=20&PriceMax=25000&__N=4294965468+82+395+413+834+285+257&Make=LEXUS&State=Victoria&silo=1003&state_id=82&distance=25&Cr=3&seot=0&__sid=1136E9EC8323&R=1316482&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&trecs=5)
Audi A4 B5 Quattro, 1.8L Turbo V4, 2000 Model, Silver (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/AUDI/A4/details.aspx?PriceMin=20000&__Nne=20&PriceMax=25000&__N=4294967194+82+395+413+834+285+257&Make=AUDI&State=Victoria&silo=1003&state_id=82&distance=25&Cr=3&seot=0&__sid=1136E9EC8323&R=1381730&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&trecs=19)
This one is also very nice, a FWD though...shame: Audi A3 1.8L Turbo V4, 2002, Black (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/AUDI/A3/details.aspx?PriceMin=20000&__Nne=20&PriceMax=25000&__N=4294967194+82+395+413+834+285+257&Make=AUDI&State=Victoria&silo=1003&state_id=82&distance=25&Cr=4&seot=0&__sid=1136E9EC8323&R=366953&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&trecs=19)
Audi A4 B5 Quattro, 1.8L Turbo V4, 2001 Model, Black (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/AUDI/A4/details.aspx?PriceMin=20000&__Nne=20&PriceMax=25000&__N=4294967194+82+395+413+834+285+257&Make=AUDI&State=Victoria&silo=1003&state_id=82&distance=25&Cr=13&seot=0&__sid=1136E9EC8323&R=704127&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&trecs=19)


Then there is the Accord Euro as well but you don't want a FWD. :)'

My point being, theres heaps of other cars more worth the money than the Impreza RS...Isn't the RS around 25k brand new anyway??

[oneightoo]

I would prefer a liberty, it was orignally my first choice.. but after searching the net for them they seemed too expensive.. tho i shall search on..

i will have to have a drive of one.. i wouldnt get any older than an 04 tho..

i wouldnt say the impreza is a shit car, it's obviosuly not the best out there also.. i think it's a good car, handles well, the RS has that extra power too.. i dont need all the luxuries a lot of cars come with..

[Wraith]

182, that's exactly what I was going to suggest while I was reading through your initial post.......

ie: how about a 5 year old Liberty.....

The shape before the current one, they have everything you want and look heaps better than the Imprezas and should now be well under 25k :)

[oneightoo]

i dont like the look of the model before the current one.. if i went a liberty it'd have to be the current shape..

[Wraith]

Fair enough, hopefully you'll find one in the price bracket your aiming at :)

[oneightoo]

i think this weekend i shall spend it test driving a few cars..

1. Liberty
2. Impreza RS
3. XR6 & maybe an XR6-T
4. SV6

any other cars that fit my "wants" list that i should try and get a ride in?

[Wraith]

I dare say an XR6T will certainly grab your attention and possible vote ;)

[bornwild]

i think this weekend i shall spend it test driving a few cars..

1. Liberty
2. Impreza RS
3. XR6 & maybe an XR6-T
4. SV6

any other cars that fit my "wants" list that i should try and get a ride in?

Check my revised post above.

[oneightoo]

I dare say an XR6T will certainly grab your attention and possible vote ;)

maybe, but still, i dont really want a turbo.. i havent been overly impressed with the way the falcons drive.. my mates sv6 ute is fun, but it's also a ute..


Check my revised post above.

quite an impressive list!!

liberty's seem to be cheaper in vic.. road trip perhaps.. you're right i do love the black one :p

the bora looks nice, but that interior?? not my cup of tea..

i dont mind the lexus, tho it looks a little bland to me, and i want a manual..

dont mind the audi's.. tho they are slightly older and with more km's.. i was hoping to get something newer with less km's..

thanks for the help there bornwild!!

[bornwild]

maybe, but still, i dont really want a turbo.. i havent been overly impressed with the way the falcons drive.. my mates sv6 ute is fun, but it's also a ute..



quite an impressive list!!

liberty's seem to be cheaper in vic.. road trip perhaps.. you're right i do love the black one :p

the bora looks nice, but that interior?? not my cup of tea..

i dont mind the lexus, tho it looks a little bland to me, and i want a manual..

dont mind the audi's.. tho they are slightly older and with more km's.. i was hoping to get something newer with less km's..

thanks for the help there bornwild!!

I'd do anything to see you not buy an Impreza RS :p:D...for your own good :D:D

[oneightoo]

lol sounds like you really have something against them? any particular reason?

i'm not dead set on buying one, it's just one that fits what i want, well until these other suggestions were made..

[bornwild]

Well I can't say anything against them besides that they look horrible, inside and out, and just feel like a plain cheap car. In a WRX this does not matter because you go thinking "look, they used the cheapest plastics to save on weight" but in the RS it's just.....I don't know.....I've sat in one at a couple of motorshows and it just isn't my kind of car at all, especially considering that Black Liberty I showed you before!

:)

But no, I do not have any factual reason to dislike the RS....but plenty of sensual reason.


I don't wanna impose my subjectiveness on you so, I'll leave it. :D

But yeah, LIBERTY FTW!! :D:D:D:D:D

[oneightoo]

lol it's cool, i want to hear what people think of this car and any others i may choose..

i'd really prefer the liberty, but i have set myself a limit on what i want to spend, and that includes on insurance (which is part reason for not wanting a turbo)

[pred8r]

What about a Honda something? (or are they all fwd)
a Maxima? (or are they also not rwd)
Rav4?
Vitara? (lowered and on 20"s.....mmmmm)

Calais or Fairmont Ghia? (similar pricing to xr6/xr8 s/ss but better specs)
Berlina/Fairmont? (similar spec to above but cheaper)

Citroen something?
Renault?

Dodge Calibre? (Bahahahah)

Audi?

p.s. If i was going a Liberty, I'd find a nice B4

EDIT: It may be outside the 5yr limit you have but theres also various HSV's (inc. the odd grange too) and the Tickford made TS50, TE50 and TL50's to look for too.
IIRC the AU3 TE/TL series had the 5.6lt stroker and with a few mods apparently out performs the BA/F XR8's. (ref. www.fordforums.com (http://www.fordforums.com))

EDIT2: Or a fair bit older - EB XR8 sprint. (IIRC 220kw donk and EL GT running gear)

[EL BURITO]

but u are old now. how much is insurence at your age on a WRx?

[oneightoo]

rav 4 and vitara no - dont want a "4wd"

higher spec commo or falcon no - dont need/want the extra luxuries

i dont trust the french lol..

i'll have a look at some audi's tho there interior's aren't my taste..

[oneightoo]

but u are old now. how much is insurence at your age on a WRx?

haha easy tiger - i did an AAMI quote and it was $2200 for the WRX

where as the RS was $850

[EL BURITO]

haha easy tiger - i did an AAMI quote and it was $2200 for the WRX

where as the RS was $850
you know i dont mean it that way. thoes quotes are hight guess that is the price for living in sydney thou.

dam that is a big price for living over there. just did the WRX quote on a new one and it was $2700 and 5 years younger

[shoey85]

hey i know u dont want a FWD but how could you go past the veccy C its got sooo much more than any other cars on the market for what they go for now, i mean u can get a l8 04 with f/a ks cdxi sooooo nice for bout 25k, i went non opel once b4 tell ya what it just didnt work for me, the other cars i had were pus! like holdens top modle 97 st8o PUS! and then a bran new ECHO PUS yes u can laugh but i had my reasons 4 the echo...



go opel!

[bornwild]

haha easy tiger - i did an AAMI quote and it was $2200 for the WRX

where as the RS was $850

There's something wrong with that quote for your age.

You don't happen to live in Redfern???

[oneightoo]

lol nope, live in sutherland.. which i didnt think would be an expensive area for me.. but i have had some blemishes on my driving record..

[jsantos]

hmmm http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/HOLDEN/COMMODORE/details.aspx?PriceMin=20000&__Nne=20&PriceMax=25000&__N=80+713+42+395+413+499+834+285+257&seot=0&State=New%20South%20Wales&silo=1003&state_id=80&distance=25&Cr=14&__sid=1136FD0566AA&R=1327554&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=22

[maloo97]

I tend to agree with your selections matt.

1) Imprezer Rx.
(The mrs has one and i find it gr8 to drive. goes good for a non turbo, handels well and tes awd, looks great priced good)
2) Ford Falcon Xr6T. (Looks ok. nice v6 with back up turbs. id go late Ba or early Bf. nice alrounder but drinks a fair bit of fuel)
3) Hsv Vx xu6 commodore. (nice sleek its a holden rwd 180+)
4) Mitsubishi Evo
5) Nissan Skyline Turbo or non in the 5 door sedan.
6) bit out of your range but consider the Ford Focus xr5.


And well if ya thinkin of sellin ya blue cali id be interested.

[Tfer]

hey i know u dont want a FWD but how could you go past the veccy C its got sooo much more than any other cars on the market for what they go for now, i mean u can get a l8 04 with f/a ks cdxi sooooo nice for bout 25k, i went non opel once b4 tell ya what it just didnt work for me, the other cars i had were pus! like holdens top modle 97 st8o PUS! and then a bran new ECHO PUS yes u can laugh but i had my reasons 4 the echo...



go opel!

I agree with most of this..... I know the Veccy C CDXi is FWD but it appears to have everything else you require ;)

And from my experience, I have not had a lady in the Veccy who has not been impressed with the leather interior, nor the heated seats......

[oneightoo]

I tend to agree with your selections matt.

1) Imprezer Rx.
(The mrs has one and i find it gr8 to drive. goes good for a non turbo, handels well and tes awd, looks great priced good)
2) Ford Falcon Xr6T. (Looks ok. nice v6 with back up turbs. id go late Ba or early Bf. nice alrounder but drinks a fair bit of fuel)
3) Hsv Vx xu6 commodore. (nice sleek its a holden rwd 180+)
4) Mitsubishi Evo
5) Nissan Skyline Turbo or non in the 5 door sedan.
6) bit out of your range but consider the Ford Focus xr5.


And well if ya thinkin of sellin ya blue cali id be interested.

i will be selling her soon, i'll give you first look before she goes up for sale :)

[oneightoo]

I agree with most of this..... I know the Veccy C CDXi is FWD but it appears to have everything else you require ;)

And from my experience, I have not had a lady in the Veccy who has not been impressed with the leather interior, nor the heated seats......

i like the look of the vec c, IMO, it's the best looking vectra ever and didnt get the advertising it deserved from holden.. but thats another thread..

my parents have a vectra, i do like them, but they're not my kind of car to drive around.. the leather and heated seats are nice, but i dont need that and i cant say i actually like leather seats, i prefer cloth to be honest..

the little extra luxuries are of no importance to me in a car.. i like a car to be quick but not based on performance and not a super car.. simple yet can get the job done..

[Wraith]

I too thought the Vecce C suggestion was a good one, but not to your liking...as with alot of other good ones there...

Looks like you'll have to settle for a current shape Liberty, maybe concentrate your time/efforts now - especially if your in no hurry - on finding a good one that's in your price range, you might be lucky and find someone who needs to do a quick sale or is desperate and get yourself a bargain ;)

[Apex]

What about a Lexus IS200 6-speed?

[oneightoo]

had a look at one on carpoint, $25k, looks a good car, have never driven one tho.. i like the shape and the interior is to my liking..

i'm going to try and find one and drive one..

[rjastra]

IS 200 is slow slow slow.....

I reckon a late model RS2.5 Impreza is a good thing. Especially the harder to find hatch. Apparently the cheapest upgrade is to find a discarded STOCK WRX cat back exhaust and fit it to the RS :)

Do you need a manual???
If not, then the bargain of the century is the Magna VRX AWD. 5 speed auto + 3.5L v6 + AWD.
Should be way under $25K.

[Wraith]

had a look at one on carpoint, $25k, looks a good car, have never driven one tho.. i like the shape and the interior is to my liking..

i'm going to try and find one and drive one..

Totally agree, I was wrapped in these cars when they were first released in the late 90's, love the dash design too, but the new car purchase price quickly put me off....

If you can get a one in good nik for 25k, that'd be great :)

As rjastra pointed out though, despite having a very sweet engine, they are very slow, in terms of acceleration....

The newer IS300 has fixed that 'a little'....

[oneightoo]

yeah need a manual.. well, want a manual.. if the magna came in manual i'd snap one up, in fact i reckon if that magna came with manual it'd be a very popular car..

[Apex]

IS200
1. have 4 doors YES
2. sporty in looks YES
3. have a decent engine YES
4. be under $25k YES
5. not fwd YES
6. have a stereo that can be replaced easily YES
7. less than 5 years old YES
8. NOT a turbo YES

Go drive an IS200 and see what you think, I had one for a few years and have to say its the best car I have ever owned, drove 10 times better than the Astra ;)

They aint that slow either, 118kw is more power than a few of the suggested cars!

Coming from someone that has owned one of these I can 100% recommend one, any questions regarding these cars don’t hesitate to ask!

My Old Car

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/cuttte.jpg


Sorry not the best shot, it was featured in NZ Performance car a few years back!

[oneightoo]

thanks mate, i will def try and get a test drive of one..

[SIMid]

thanks mate, i will def try and get a test drive of one..

Check out the link on the ClubCalibra site I posted up. ;)

[Wraith]

IS200
1. have 4 doors YES
2. sporty in looks YES
3. have a decent engine YES
4. be under $25k YES
5. not fwd YES
6. have a stereo that can be replaced easily YES
7. less than 5 years old YES
8. NOT a turbo YES

Go drive an IS200 and see what you think, I had one for a few years and have to say its the best car I have ever owned, drove 10 times better than the Astra ;)

They aint that slow either, 118kw is more power than a few of the suggested cars!

Coming from someone that has owned one of these I can 100% recommend one, any questions regarding these cars don’t hesitate to ask!

My Old Car

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/cuttte.jpg


Sorry not the best shot, it was featured in NZ Performance car a few years back!

Yes, they were and still do look very good - I love them in the black and grey colours :)

Good to hear they're not as slow as quoted figures make them look :)

[oneightoo]

yeah i saw that one.. i like it.. might check it out.. tho red isnt my colour..

[Wraith]

yeah i saw that one.. i like it.. might check it out.. tho red isnt my colour..

Man, I thought I was fussy LOL :D

[oneightoo]

lol this will be my 8th car..

i want it to be exactly what i want..

[Wraith]

lol this will be my 8th car..

i want it to be exactly what i want..

So does that mean that your 'current ultimate car choice' is a Magna.....

Oh Nooooooooo :D

Please get the Lexus :)

[bornwild]

I still reckon the liberty is a much better car than the Lexus. Seeing that you can get a younger liberty for the same money as the lexus.

We should have a poll on what car 182 should get :D

My vote goes straight to the Liberty!!! :D

[digifish]

lol this will be my 8th car..

i want it to be exactly what i want..

Looking at your list,

1. have 4 doors
2. sporty in looks
3. have a decent engine
4. be under $25k
5. not fwd
6. have a stereo that can be replaced easily
7. less than 5 years old
8. NOT a turbo

perhaps you want a rebuilt Ford Escort :)

http://www.theescortagency.biz/carsforsale.htm

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/100-greatest/03-large/41-ford-escort.jpg

[oneightoo]

is it less than 5 years old?

[digifish]

is it less than 5 years old?

...that's why I posted the link to the 'rebuilt' site.

Actually, don't ignore restored older cars, there's some gems out there with a lot of $$$ spent on them.

Or you could give in and get a 2nd hand CDTi :P

digifish

[blueraven]

V35 skyline import? :)

fits every criteria ;)

[oneightoo]

lol digifish, you love ya diesels :p hehe

im not quite ready to save the environment just yet..

as for the V35, cant say i like the look of them.. saw one around my area a few months ago, wasnt impressed.

[gman]

If I was looking at your list, either the IS200 Lexus or an Audi A4 would be my picks...

You don't need a fast car, but a good quality 4 door that looks good and goes OK....

German built is pretty good (my parents have had 3 and all perfect) or the best outta Japan for build quality (Lexus has beaten BMW and Merc in world standards test and consumer satisfaction)....

But top of the list would be the IS200, get the body kit they did for them from the factory in Black...Nice wheels and when you get sick of the 2lt 6 cylinder engine, buy a 2nd hand 3sgte Beams engine from a Jap/US spec IS200 and off ya go ;)

Lots of after market Jap parts too as its called the Altezza in Japan (I know 99.9% of people already know this, but just in case) and they love to race the RWD's over there...They are really quick and handle v.nicely too.....

[Wraith]

best outta Japan for build quality (Lexus has beaten BMW and Merc in world standards test and consumer satisfaction)....

This is true and it's exactly what Toyota set out to do when they started off the Lexus line !!!

Mazda had only limited similar success with it's Eunos line.

I believe however that they're both based in Korea not Japan, not that - that makes any difference in the quality anyways....

My 1st choice in this thread also still is an IS200, you'll have to stick to a 2002 or 2003 model however to remain within budget, but that still fits the criterea :)

[oneightoo]

i'd be happy with any 2002 model car, dont want to go older than that..

i'll try and get a test drive of the IS200, in black they look pimp..

[Apex]

Good man...

Also check out http://forum.altezzaclub.org.au/index.php?act=idx for info on the Altezza/RS200 this is a great NZ/Ausi club.

[Nawtee]

For all things Lexus related, check out
http://alscforum.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

Great bunch of guys and can answer all questions you have. Neil Griffiths imports alot of cars for people, he's based in Canberra, and Lew Radburne, based on the GOld Coast has imported quite a few Lexus'. If you have questions, they'll more than likely have the answers, ha ha.

[rjastra]

IS200 is slower than a bog standard TS AStra Sri 2.2L

[Apex]

IS200 is slower than a bog standard TS AStra Sri 2.2L

Are they?

Mine wasn't :D

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/tteett_4.jpg

[gman]

IS200 is slower than a bog standard TS AStra Sri 2.2L

Speed wasn't one of the original criteria... But as shown above, with a turbo or even a Beams 3SGTE, these are definately NOT slow... ;)

[rjastra]

Are they?

Yes..


Mine wasn't :D ?


So? :D

[xplosv57]

1. have 4 doors
2. sporty in looks
3. have a decent engine
4. be under $25k
5. not fwd
6. have a stereo that can be replaced easily
7. less than 5 years old
8. NOT a turbo

Something that ticks all those boxes, and seeing that i am slightly biased....

What about a VX/VY SS or even a VY SV8, great sleeper!!!!

They got 4 doors, SS are sporty (SV8 is too, just a little sedate), have a VERY decent engine, definetely aren't FWD, can replace the stereo easily (VX although much easier than VY), VX Series 2 were out in 2002 so they all cover the age criteria and aren't turbos!!!!

If i had to choose from your second list of cars, id go with the XR6T, still spewing a little i didn't get one, but my Holden bias was too strong!! Got a few mates with them, and they are an absolute weapon!!!!!!

Also got a few mates with XR6 N/A and constanty kick themselves for not getting the turbo!!!!! Would be the same getting an RS over a WRX!!!

Will your other Cali be a daily driver??? Or will the new car be the daily??

[oneightoo]

yep, i'll be test driving one for sure!!

[xplosv57]

So you still got the other Cali as a daily driver or is the new one being bought as a daily??

[oneightoo]

both cali's will be sold.. the new one will be the all the time driver..

[bornwild]

I love your thread title.

"Buying a new 2nd hand car" :D :D :D :D

[xplosv57]

Ahhh righteo, so i guess another priority would be fuel usage, which both the SS and the XR6T aren't too great on, myself having a daily driven V8, its an expensive thing to do!!!!

Tough choice pal, so many good cars out there, maybe try how i did it, just go on impulse and buy the first nice car you see!!!!

[Wraith]

Yeh, it's a tough one........

Being fussy and a limited budget will certainly do that, I wish things were different for you and you could get your hands on a new Evo 10 rallyart variant, I think you were really keen on one of these :)

182 I can't believe your getting rid of both Calis :eek:

Very interested to hear what you think of the IS200 after you try one out :)

[oneightoo]

yep, it's time to sell both i think..

its the 4 doors thing that i really need..

would love to wait for the new evo, but still even the ralliart version is more than what i want to spend on a car..

fuel costs dont concern me too much, i dont do to many km's a week, about a tank a month or 600km's a month is what i do..

[oneightoo]

I love your thread title.

"Buying a new 2nd hand car" :D :D :D :D

ta, that was for you big fella :P

[FiestaFreak]

soz no FORD??????

[xplosv57]

Fark 600km a month, i do that every week!!!!!!! Hence why its expensive running my V8, im looking into a daily driver bmw!!!

Good luck with the choice, its one tough decision!!!

[xplosv57]

soz no FORD??????

XR6T is a Ford last time i checked................

[FiestaFreak]

XR6T is a Ford last time i checked................

Heyzzz yeahaw!!!!! Who can read allz this thread.

[bornwild]

Youz broz, wallaz habibiz!

[Wraith]

hahaha :D

182, if fuel ain't too much of a concern and forced induction causes insurance concerns with high premiums, maybe as Xplosiv's suggested a good ol V8 Commo might be a worthwhile prospect afterall :)

[bornwild]

hahaha :D

182, if fuel ain't too much of a concern and forced induction causes insurance concerns with high premiums, maybe as Xplosiv's suggested a good ol V8 Commo might be a worthwhile prospect afterall :)

I certainly agree with that, low maintenance costs. :)

Look at a 2003-2005 SS or something. :)

But you do have to take into account that this kind of cars have been given a thrashing.

[mackeysam]

mate in all honesty i would go for the suby. i have a 2001 impreza gx and seriously if you want quality and something that is economical and something will last then the subaru is your best bet! i work as a motor mechanic working on stuff like mercs and beamers and after a day of driving those things around, at the end of the day when i get back into my car, it feels and drives 200% better than any of that other expensive stuff. if u want more info just email me. [email protected]
cheers mate

[CAL.16V]

Are they?

Mine wasn't :D

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tteett/tteett_4.jpg



you sold that to get a sri-t ??? why ?

[bornwild]

:p:p:p:pBecause the IS200 is such a good car:p:p:p:p