Opinions on best/fastest car for under 4k NZD

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Opinions on best/fastest car for under 4k NZD

hydro

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Wannabe Geek

#248165 12-Mar-2019 21:17

I've got a maximum budget of 4k NZD and i'm just wondering what are some of the best cars I could get around this price range. (would definitely prefer manual but auto is alright) I've been looking around at facebook marketplace posts and found a honda torneo Euro R for 4k with only 170,000kms. Also pretty interested in Turbo mr2's but not sure if i'd be able to pick one up for that price. I'm keen on something that looks fairly sporty. Cheers :)

Bung

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#2196800 12-Mar-2019 21:39

1st April is next month 😂

If you only have $4000 give up on fast, sporty and turbo. You probably couldn't afford to fix all the things that will be wrong with an end of life car like that.

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2196813 12-Mar-2019 21:57

Cheap

Fast

Good

Rule of life is that you can only choose 2. Why is fast so important if you only have $4K? Asking for trouble IMO

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

michaelmurfy

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#2196814 12-Mar-2019 22:06

Yep she'll be expensive to maintain. And for very little gain...

Just think - speeding tickets, insurance, tyres, brakes, fuel etc. On an older car in that price range you'll be spending any money you have on the car. Instead, be smart and just go for something like a Suzuki Swift which are actually reasonably powerful for a little car. I know it is tempting to get something "fast" but you'll also regret this, fast. Also, for the money you put in to it - it'll likely not last.

Insurance is a major too - it is essential to have (you're stupid to not have it) and on faster cars it can be rather expensive - also, depending on your age etc this can be stupidly expensive.

Consider also (only judging on your age from the type of post this is - I may be wildly incorrect) in future with jobs etc. If you get speeding fines then this will show up on background checks and can ruin future employment. Just don't do it, be smart about it and get something that is reliable instead.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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Jaxson

8041 posts

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#2196816 12-Mar-2019 22:10

scuwp:

Cheap

Fast

Good

Rule of life is that you can only choose 2.

Also, if you can't afford a good quality one, you certainly can't afford a cheap one.

Goosey

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#2196832 12-Mar-2019 22:40

heres one... half of your budget and still 'hauls'....

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1981179134

:-)

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2196835 12-Mar-2019 22:41

Do you have the tools and mechanical knowledge to do your own repairs and servicing? And by repairs, could you remove and reinstall an engine or gearbox?

Best bang for buck is likely to be a well chosen older European car. But you would need the ability to maintain it yourself.

As for fast, if you must. A car with a large 6 or 8 cylinder engine would likely be the best option for reliable speed at your budget. As high fuel prices mean that such cars are getting cheaper. Non turbo means cheaper insurance.

And anything that is fast in your price range. Will also use lots of fuel.

xpd

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#2196924 13-Mar-2019 07:36

Anything popular as a "fast" car, for $4k will generally be thrashed or have some major issue.

Build a sleeper instead.... pick up a cheapie, and mod it :)

https://mightycarmods.com/ has some good stuff in their earlier years :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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jnimmo

1097 posts

Uber Geek

#2196939 13-Mar-2019 08:35

You might be able to at a squeeze get a Nissan Tiida Sport for $4k, be the envy of all who witness

tehgerbil

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#2196998 13-Mar-2019 09:45

You'll be pushing poos uphill to get a semi-decent car for 4k.

You could try for a 1.5l Corolla of sorts (Allex, RunX) for around that price.

Dial111

978 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2197001 13-Mar-2019 09:50

Old turbo cars *shudders

I love my turbo imports but fast and cheap usually translates to thrashed and problematic.

Get something reliable first for a daily than look at a toy you could pour money into when the budget sees fit.

ShinyChrome

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#2197006 13-Mar-2019 09:57

Fast cars for the street are a waste of time really, get a nice comfy cruiser that looks the part. Older Mark X's can be had for around that price: RWD, fricken reliable, look great with some decent wheels, and surprisingly good pickup for a 2.5-3.0 V6.

If you want the thrill of fast without the actual speed, get a LAMs approved motorbike. The difference between a car doing 100km and a bike is worlds apart when you don't have a cage protecting you (ATGATT though!) . You can beat most things off the line, you don't get stuck in traffic, but (hopefully) you will be so aware of your mortality that you don't want to go fast. Well, for the first couple of years at least.

You may have to kill a man though.

Coil

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#2197011 13-Mar-2019 10:02

There are a lot of good quality cars for under 4K. There are not many good fast cars under 4K.

A fast car needs go fast parts, which can add up. Fast car uses more petrol, which costs more.
If someone has a budget of 4K for a fast car, They probably don't have a budget for much else.

But none the less you asked for a cheap fast car. Starting from the top..

BMW 5 series V8, E34, E39.
BMW E36/E46 3 series 2.5L and greater.
VW/Audi 1.8/2.0 Turbo engines in Golfs/Passats/A4's. The B5 1.8T goes well and can be modified easily for a good value. Enjoy the maintenance lol..
Subaru EJ20 Turbo..
No Nissans as all RWD and have drift tax.
No Toyotas.
No mercedes
Nothing UK built
Nothing USA built

@michaelmurfy a swift is not reasonably powerful 😅😂 A Daihatsu Detomaso is where it is at for small hatchbacks.