What interesting car would you get for $6000?

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toyonut

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Topic # 161691 16-Jan-2015 11:46

Been sold a good car by a family member, but it is pretty boring and a bit too thirsty. It is a Honda Torneo 1.8 manual with low K's and is in great condition, but I don't really like it. I'm more of a small car guy.
I figure if I am going to be paying back a car, I want it to be something I actually want to drive.

All that said, what car would you recommend for $6000 or so? I figure I can get that for the Torneo and have a bit of cash to play with as well from selling the Demio.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that an MX5 fits, but want to get some suggestions for if I am missing something interesting. MR2 is cool, but too difficult to fix from experience. Maybe a good Vitz RS or small hatchback might work too.
Doesn't need to be super grunty, just fun to drive, manual, cheap to run and something a bit different.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

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Reply # 1216025 16-Jan-2015 12:02

Having a quick look on TM and cars $3000-6000 all look very similar and boring, thats if you want something modern, If you limit to search to cars from the 70's and 80's there a bit more interesting stuff.

Paulthagerous

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Reply # 1216026 16-Jan-2015 12:03

+1 for the MX5, and having read similar posts before on here, there will be quite a few more :)

For the money you are talking, you could get a pretty tidy original model (NA), or you could even get one of the second gen (NB) ones, and it may not even have very high KMs. People will argue all day about which is better, I personally prefer the NB as it is a little more refined, but more people seem to prefer the original so the price difference isn't actually that great. My old man has a 2000 RS model, 1.8l so not *as* fuel efficient as the 1.6l but still far from a guzzler. He would have had that for 5-6 years now, and has had no issues with it whatsoever. And it's a daily driver, not like it sits around all the time doing nothing! He was originally looking at buying an old MGB or Triumph (because he's from that generation), but once he drove an MX5 that was it. All the same fun with modern, Japanese reliability :)

The main thing though is that it is SO MUCH FUN to drive - while my car is much faster, it simply doesn't put as much of a smile on my face, and if I could live with 2 seats and a small boot I would!

My advice - take a decent one (ideally a NA and a NB) for a drive and see what you think. Chances are within 3 corners you will be convinced!

Krishant007

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Reply # 1216041 16-Jan-2015 12:06

Ohh I would have sold you my Honda Jazz 2006 (NZ New) if you were interested. It is not manual, but does have paddle shifts. It is a small car, extremely versatile and just a joy to drive around the city. I was looking at getting a new car this year for myself so was about to put this up for sale. Recently serviced and also did the transmission flush as well. It is in great condition.

PM me if you are interested.

geekiegeek

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Reply # 1216066 16-Jan-2015 12:54

an old VW Golf GTI maybe?

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Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1216070 16-Jan-2015 12:59

I have one of the below... in red, under 100,000 on the clock and you can get them in top condition for under 6k.
Alfa's are just sooooo much fun to drive!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-729721321.htm

lxsw20

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Reply # 1216073 16-Jan-2015 13:06

I agree with MX5. Cheap to buy, cheap for parts, easy to maintain, lots of 3rd party bits if you want to play with it a bit. You really can't go wrong.

Talkiet

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Reply # 1216076 16-Jan-2015 13:17

MX5 for sure... Great fun cars.

Nice topic Idea. I've just sold my car (2008 V6 Toyota Vanguard) and am currently driving a beater Peugeot 306XSi (Great fun actually) and looking for something nice in the $25k area. I have pretty much decided on a 2010 Skyline Crossover (I like electronic toys) but they are rare as hens teeth with the spec level I want.

But for 6k... I'd get an MX5, CRX (you'd get a very nice one for 6k) or Suzuki Swift.

Cheers - N

MikeB4

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Reply # 1216077 16-Jan-2015 13:19

A Lada 2105 ? yes

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heylinb4nz

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Reply # 1216086 16-Jan-2015 13:37

Fiat Punto Arbath ???

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/fiat/auction-829573706.htm

Offer $3000, use the other $3000 to get fresh paint, cambelt, service, and perhaps some grippy rubber.

heylinb4nz

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Reply # 1216098 16-Jan-2015 13:44

Rover MGF, similar to MX5 without the stigma :)

Some low km ones avaiable in $6000 range or less
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-827873722.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-814773863.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-829862476.htm

Paulthagerous

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Reply # 1216103 16-Jan-2015 13:50

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heylinb4nz: Rover MGF, similar to MX5 without the stigma :)

Some low km ones avaiable in $6000 range or less
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-827873722.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-814773863.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-829862476.htm

An old colleague of mine had one of those, not a bad car to drive, but it was the very opposite of the 'cheap to run' the OP is after. He looked after it well, but it constantly had issues that cost a lot more to fix than any Japanese car would have cost.

heylinb4nz

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Reply # 1216107 16-Jan-2015 14:04

Was going to suggest a Ralliart Colt, but that would be biased considering I have one:)

That said there are some around the $6500- $7500 range on Trademe. Quite a practical car and good on gas (even for turbo). Although the non Ver R ones are tiptronic and can be a bit snappy when the power is delivered.

I drive my Ver R hard everywhere + its been modified and still manage only 11L per 100 kms (all town driving). Open road I see about 7-8L per 100.

toyonut

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Reply # 1216112 16-Jan-2015 14:07

Friends don't let friends buy MGF's! Father in Law gave me his old one when he started working for Honda and they gave him a company car. It was in poor condition to start with, granted, but It was horrendous and very difficult to do anything mechanically on. Lots of British "quirks" that you just wouldn't see on a Jappa. Too far ahead of its time suspension which is not made any more, badly designed soft top, bolts made of cheese, engine design issues due to it being an overly bored and stroked K series first built in the 80's. Cooling system is atrocious, it just goes on and on. Fun to drive though.

Want to stay away from Euro's unless it is really good. Jappa's are everywhere and parts are plentiful. Heck, with an MX5 and an engine hoist, I could swap an engine in an afternoon. I would probably look at the newer spyder MR2's, have seen a few in that price range.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B