Need help with choosing 2nd car

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ubergeeknz

3344 posts

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Vocus

#1375800 28-Aug-2015 15:55

I've put the last 60,000 on my 1997 P11 sedan with the SR20DE (had 100,000 when bought) and spent nothing aside from consumables, the top radiator tank which cracked (pretty common at this age regardless of kms), and new motors for two of the electric windows. It could use new rear shocks and springs, and the A/T grabs a bit into 2nd, but meh. This one started life with a CVT but someone had changed it for a regular 4-speed auto box before I got it (guess it packed up as the early units were wont to do).

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#1375930 28-Aug-2015 21:55

Don't write off all subies just yet. The 2.5L engine was the worst for head gasket issues. If you can find a 1.8L they are a simpler engine. And the 3L 6 cylinder engine is a far better engine than the 2.5 chain driven instead of cambelt. And about same fuel usage despite having more power.

Main issue with subies is that they don't tolerate neglect. It is important to keep up with oil and coolant changes with them.

And if you decide to get a Toyota camry. Don't get one with the 3VZFE engine. The engine block rusts which causes the head gasket to fail.

solival

160 posts

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#1376142 29-Aug-2015 16:20

Had some test drives on Corolla GL '98, Subaru (3 Litres), and Rav4.
Rav that I had a look was quite good on road bumps, but it is noisy indeed. Can you tell from your experience how much fuel on 100 km RAV4 consumes? What I found in the Internet is quite broad (from 10 to 20 litres/100km).

Also, I had a look on Nissan Wingroad on my price range, is it any good?

Corolla GL '98 was a bit dissapointing, but that was a bit abandoned car, need to check another one. Subaru takes with comfort and "bells and whistles", though suspension a bit hard, at least on the model I had a look.

Batman

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#1376162 29-Aug-2015 16:43

I can't remember fuel economy of rav4. Worse than corolla, better than Subaru 3L

shrub

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#1376165 29-Aug-2015 16:45

They are all good choices for a beater. Just need to have a look at the history if possible. Its a risk without knowing the issues its had, sometime you get lucky, sometimes it will cost you. Its the fun of owning a beater if something breaks the are all cheap to fix yourself and there are parts everywhere for all those cars listed.
But if your not willing to do your own repairs then look alot higher in price.

Batman

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#1376169 29-Aug-2015 16:52

solival: Had some test drives on Corolla GL '98, Subaru (3 Litres), and Rav4.
Rav that I had a look was quite good on road bumps, but it is noisy indeed. Can you tell from your experience how much fuel on 100 km RAV4 consumes? What I found in the Internet is quite broad (from 10 to 20 litres/100km).

Also, I had a look on Nissan Wingroad on my price range, is it any good?

Corolla GL '98 was a bit dissapointing, but that was a bit abandoned car, need to check another one. Subaru takes with comfort and "bells and whistles", though suspension a bit hard, at least on the model I had a look.

It is good on bumps bUt very bad in corners. But i tend to expect my cars to corner like BMWs so i am not the best judge of suspensions.

RUKI

1402 posts

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#1376179 29-Aug-2015 18:15

DravidDavid:
lxsw20: Toyota didn't get OBD2 in Japan/NZ until about 2000. ......

The 1997 Toyota Caldina GT-Ts and up all have OBD2.

If you want a wagon that will leave a Legacy twin turbo behind a nice ride and all the room in the world, get a GT-T. The Legacy is nicer to sit in than the GT-T and has a nicer interior, but a well looked after GT-T will be more reliable.

...

My son is in University doing his masters - not using car right now. Has to go.

http://nomand.co/2015/06/buy-my-caldina/

Asking price $4500 ono but for you as a GEEK we will give special price and personally I will through in my Toyota's OBD-2 Cable and valuable advice on full diagnostics solution. (Free with this car, not selling that standalone)
Awesome condition. Well taken care of. Only best oil (Mobil Semi) every 10K and Premium Gas.
PM to arrange viewing.

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DravidDavid

1907 posts

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#1376197 29-Aug-2015 20:17

RUKI:
DravidDavid:
lxsw20: Toyota didn't get OBD2 in Japan/NZ until about 2000. ......

The 1997 Toyota Caldina GT-Ts and up all have OBD2.

If you want a wagon that will leave a Legacy twin turbo behind a nice ride and all the room in the world, get a GT-T. The Legacy is nicer to sit in than the GT-T and has a nicer interior, but a well looked after GT-T will be more reliable.

...

My son is in University doing his masters - not using car right now. Has to go.

http://nomand.co/2015/06/buy-my-caldina/

Asking price $4500 ono but for you as a GEEK we will give special price and personally I will through in my Toyota's OBD-2 Cable and valuable advice on full diagnostics solution. (Free with this car, not selling that standalone)
Awesome condition. Well taken care of. Only best oil (Mobil Semi) every 10K and Premium Gas.
PM to arrange viewing.

That does look mint! Good colour too.

$4000 is a good deal depending on the kilometers.

Good luck with the sale. I'm not in the market for another wagon just yet. I'm too fixated on two seater sports cars at the moment! I'd suggest OP views, even though it's not a manual. Conversion kits show up that bolt right in and you could probably get the job done for $500.00. A manual GT-T usually goes for a touch under double in some cases!

MikeAqua

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#1377154 31-Aug-2015 15:13

My P11 was a 5 speed manual. I thought CVTs first appeared on the P12?

ludez:
Well the p11s do have the hyper cvts that are a real issue.But otherwise are solid and have the ca 18 engines

Mike

ubergeeknz

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#1377158 31-Aug-2015 15:22

MikeAqua: My P11 was a 5 speed manual. I thought CVTs first appeared on the P12?

ludez:
Well the p11s do have the hyper cvts that are a real issue.But otherwise are solid and have the ca 18 engines

Nope, my 1997 P11 had Hyper CVT originally, any 4sp auto from 1998 on is probably transplanted

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