Whatsa' boy (man) to drive these days?

[Lumen Miner (Mitchell)]

Hi all!

This is a bit of an unsual request, yet I feel given I know our community, that the feedback from you guys/gals would give, would be useful to me as a general consensus on the matter.

A bit about me first- (sorry) I work full time (45+ hrs /week), no uni time, have worked since I left year 12, 26 years old, have an older mans love of vintage / classic / unique motors vehicles.

Previous car history I have never been given any money in my life, I have never received anything for free, never got pocket money and have always had to earn my keep. I am grateful for being raised like this, I will give my children more, yet am for ever in debt for the lessons I have learned in my youth. So far I have earned and bought everything I own.


My car history-


Holden- VK commodore V8 5.0L (Project, still unfinished)
Ford meteor- 1.8L 4 cyclinder
Ford telstar 2.5L 4 cyclinder
BMW- 3 series2.5L 6 cyclinder
Holden- Calais VS 3.6L (Current)


Anyway, sorry for that, I feel it may be of infulence.

Please understand I am aware of what decisions I should be making at this point in life. I should be going to uni and preparing to buy a house. At this point in my life, I can not do these things, I wish I could.

Given that I wish to some how reward myself and purchase a new vehicle, given the eight years straight I have worked. Something that will really make me happy. I enjoy driving a whole heap. My current vehicle is sadly being beaten apart by others drivers.

Quick side track rant- I have never had an accident, 11 years of driving, infact at 23 I already had and still do hold, a gold license with full points. Never received a single ticket, ever. In the last 4 years of owning what was an almost, one of a kind example of a VS calais (I know it is not a vintage car, yet it is a classic shape is some people's minds), not a single dent or scratch on the body, to a very shoddy example in need of a full re-spray and extensive panel work, well in excess of the vehicles value.

The only cause for this is, the 4 different moronic drivers that decided they would drive into my car for no other reason than they were not paying attention. I now have, cracked front and rear bars, defect paint, mis-matched paint, at-least 5 dents in either side of my car from people opening their doors into it, and various other vermin inflicted damages.

"Please leave me car alone, It didn't hurt you."


The funny thing is I keep hanging in for charma, I always watch my doors when opening them, even if the car next to me is a absolute bomb, it is still someone's pride and joy, I make sure I never damage someone else's car, if I did I would leave a note, with my details.[/U]

End of rant, I just don't get it... My car gets smashed to bits by everyone and I am left with the mis-matched coloured car. The errors in colours were due to repairers getting the two tone colour wrong. They insisted it was right, I was so exhausted from walking to work without my car at 5am I just accepted the green paint they sprayed it in for blue/green = stuffed car. Now a year on the "repair" they did is failing and the bog they used is cracking and failing out.



Here is my question to you.
I have a few cars in mind. I have a budget for $25,000, I have a passion for Porshe's. I also am a fan of modified BMW's. Essentially I want something that has a whole heap of vintage style.

My number one car ever is a 1960 356 b Porsche.
Well out of my budget.

I am prepared to restore a vehicle and a 1970 911 2.2L looks like a slcik lil' car. I am open to all suggestions.


So I ask to you fine folk, I want to know, what is your favourite (affordable) car. I would be especially interested is you kept within my budget.


I know this request is weird, but I respect you folk and value your opinions.

Any comments on the matter of vintage AWESOME cars would be appreciated.

Peter If you read this, I would especially like to know your opinion on the sub $25,000 range.

Thanks for listening, commenting.

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Sub 25K, I'm afraid you probably won't find much (but see below).
The old saying:
If you can't afford a new Porsche, you can't afford an old one!
This is not ment to be flippant. The late 60's-early 70's models cost MORE to refurbish than the more recent models ('80's-90's).
I've got a '91 911 C4 that I bought over from the UK and it costs peanuts to run compared to say, a '72 911E / S.
The 1970's Porkers are lovely, light and frisky, but they're also unreliable rust-buckets with fit and finish only just above that of a 60's Skoda.
An indicator will likely set you back 3-400 squids.

Badges aside - if I wanted a sports car to actually sport around in, its very difficult, IMO, to go past a well-sorted, old-style Toyota MR2.
Apart from A Vauxhaul (Holden) VX220, of all the cars I've driven (Lots!!!)
the MR2 was the most out-and-out fun. Quick. Good power to weight and a rock-solid engine. Excellent handling, easy to drive - hits all the boxes.
Also:
A well-sorted mid-late '70's Alfa convertible. Not as expensive to run as a contemporary Porsche and arguably better looking.

Of the 'awesome' vintage cars I've driven:

Bentley Speed Six: More victories than the 4.5 supercharged. Six-seven figures. Need a B-Double license.
Jag XK 140 DHC: A monster-well fun in that "I don't care if I die" mold.
Handled like a bus.
Jag C-Type: Just...well.... just! Too much noise, too much power, no brakes - as above but more so! No comforts. Orgasmic.
Ferrari 246 GTS: The Toyota MR2+++ of its day !
Ferrari Daytona: Sell Mummy.
Ferrari F360: Sell Mummy AND Sis.
Ferrari 275 GTB 4 cam. Sell everyone!
Dodge Super Bee w/396 Hemi: 0-60 time only bettered in the last 5 years (3.91 timed at Portland IR). I owned one of these. I paid $2700 for it at the height of the oil embargo. Easy 150-200K now. Sob!
Lambourghini Diablo: No.
Lanbourghini Murciellego. Yes.
McLaren: No. Absolutely not. Silly, Silly Silly car. You will die. With a smile on your face!!!
Lotus Europa TC: If you can find one that stays together - grab it!
Lotus Elise: Involving. Depreciating. Glued together chassis not for Aussie roads.
Porsche 928: Again; well sorted, its probably the best GT car ever. (Pretty cheap too!)
MG 'F': Hmmmnnn. A bit tweedy.
MGA MKiii: Oh yes. That's it baby - right there! Very sexy little car. Quick (ish) and curiously reliable.
Honda NSX: Best Supercar in the world. 290kph with no fuss.
Austin Healey 3000 MKi: Hmmmmnnnn. Also tweedy.
Audi TT: "How would Sir like it cut this week?"
And finally:
1991 Porsche 911 C4 Woooo - hoooooo!!!
With modded suspension, EMS, exhaust and gearing ( 50-110 in 4.41)
AC is stuffed. Its covered in mud & grass. A frog lives up front and a has ding in the side door where a cow sat on it. Who cares!!!!

Getting your perfect car is like getting your perfect telescope. It'll probably never happen, but the thrill is in the chase!
G'Luck.
Peter

(PS: I assume you meant someone else!)

[Lumen Miner (Mitchell)]

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

Sub 25K, I'm afraid you probably won't find much (but see below).
The old saying:
If you can't afford a new Porsche, you can't afford an old one!
This is not ment to be flippant. The late 60's-early 70's models cost MORE to refurbish than the more recent models ('80's-90's).
I've got a '91 911 C4 that I bought over from the UK and it costs peanuts to run compared to say, a '72 911E / S.
The 1970's Porkers are lovely, light and frisky, but they're also unreliable rust-buckets with fit and finish only just above that of a 60's Skoda.
An indicator will likely set you back 3-400 squids.

Badges aside - if I wanted a sports car to actually sport around in, its very difficult, IMO, to go past a well-sorted, old-style Toyota MR2.
Apart from A Vauxhaul (Holden) VX220, of all the cars I've driven (Lots!!!)
the MR2 was the most out-and-out fun. Quick. Good power to weight and a rock-solid engine. Excellent handling, easy to drive - hits all the boxes.
Also:
A well-sorted mid-late '70's Alfa convertible. Not as expensive to run as a contemporary Porsche and arguably better looking.

Of the 'awesome' vintage cars I've driven:

Bentley Speed Six: More victories than the 4.5 supercharged. Six-seven figures. Need a B-Double license.
Jag XK 140 DHC: A monster-well fun in that "I don't care if I die" mold.
Handled like a bus.
Jag C-Type: Just...well.... just! Too much noise, too much power, no brakes - as above but more so! No comforts. Orgasmic.
Ferrari 246 GTS: The Toyota MR2+++ of its day !
Ferrari Daytona: Sell Mummy.
Ferrari F360: Sell Mummy AND Sis.
Ferrari 275 GTB 4 cam. Sell everyone!
Dodge Super Bee w/396 Hemi: 0-60 time only bettered in the last 5 years (3.91 timed at Portland IR). I owned one of these. I paid $2700 for it at the height of the oil embargo. Easy 150-200K now. Sob!
Lambourghini Diablo: No.
Lanbourghini Murciellego. Yes.
McLaren: No. Absolutely not. Silly, Silly Silly car. You will die. With a smile on your face!!!
Lotus Europa TC: If you can find one that stays together - grab it!
Lotus Elise: Involving. Depreciating. Glued together chassis not for Aussie roads.
Porsche 928: Again; well sorted, its probably the best GT car ever. (Pretty cheap too!)
MG 'F': Hmmmnnn. A bit tweedy.
MGA MKiii: Oh yes. That's it baby - right there! Very sexy little car. Quick (ish) and curiously reliable.
Honda NSX: Best Supercar in the world. 290kph with no fuss.
Austin Healey 3000 MKi: Hmmmmnnnn. Also tweedy.
Audi TT: "How would Sir like it cut this week?"
And finally:
1991 Porsche 911 C4 Woooo - hoooooo!!!
With modded suspension, EMS, exhaust and gearing ( 50-110 in 4.41)
AC is stuffed. Its covered in mud & grass. A frog lives up front and a has ding in the side door where a cow sat on it. Who cares!!!!

Getting your perfect car is like getting your perfect telescope. It'll probably never happen, but the thrill is in the chase!
G'Luck.
Peter

(PS: I assume you meant someone else!)

Thanks for your post Peter, it was very enlightening. You certainly have a wide knowledge of cars. Thanks.

[astro_nutt]

1987 Roller...

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Lumen Miner

You certainly have a wide knowledge of cars. Thanks.

.. apart from endorsing Alfa. I've had three. I thought I'd buy my second one to see if my first was just a bad example, or whether it was endemic in the brand.

It was endemic. Highly-strung, great to drive. Complete B-tard to maintain. Rusted away in my garage - out of the rain.

I then bought a third to see if the second was just a bad example, or whether it was endemic in the brand.

It was endemic. Highly-strung, great to drive as well. Complete B-tard to maintain. Rusted away in my garage - out of the rain.

Apart from that I did like them. They were fun.


As much as you won't want to hear it, my advice would be keep your car money and put it into your house instead. At your age forget the car and get your life going. I did what you want to do, and regret it to this day 20 years later. If I'd just kept my head focused I'd be having a far more lucrative life now I think. Not that I've done badly mind you, I just could have done better. Starting out in house ownership is far more expensive, week to week, than anyone would care to admit. There are so many incidentals that you just don't normally come across.

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Mitchell,

Buy a Mazda MX5, classic style, never out of favour, great to drive, reliable and with $25,000 you could look at a mid 2000 model SE (Turbo), and then the only thing you would need to do is to get used to smiling a lot more when you drive. OH, and there is the matter of the sunscreen bills.

Greg.

[koputai (Jason)]

We have an Alfa '03 GTV and it's a fantastic car. Not THE most powerful, but it's relatively light, and it handles like
a freakazoid (as long as you have P-Zero's). Many reviewers have said this is THE best balanced, best handling car ever made.
I wouldn't recommend it as your only car though, as it's quite impracticle to use, and costs an absolute bomb to keep serviced,
which you MUST do. An absolutely beautiful car to drive, get it out on a winding country road and you totally forget what a PITA
it is to own.
Chris, this one's unlikely to rust away, many of the panels are ABS, and the rest is galvanised!

My advise would be similar to Chris's though, don't spend all your money on cars. I did when I was young, and sure I had a lot
of fun, but they were all depreciating assets which set back wealth creation by many many years. Sell the Dunnydoor and buy a
$5k Toyota with <100k km on it. It will cost you $0 to own, and will last for another 15 years. Use your saved funds to get into
appreciating assets, if not a house/unit at this stage, whack it in to a good managed fund or two. You can add a little bit to the
fund each month. It sounds like you're a good worker, and if you do this you'll be on your way to a more comfortable life, you'll
be thankful for it later on.

So many people in Australia live payday to payday because of bad spending habits in the early years. With young guys it's often
cars. Contrary to popular belief, cars don't get you chicks, well, not one you want to keep. Cars and temporary women are toys,
you should only use your toy money on them.

Cheers,
Jason.

[rat156]

Hi Mitchell,

I'll also recommend an Alfa.

I've had lots of them, there are three in the driveway (only one is rusting) now.

It started out with a '79 GTV, which was full of rust, but so much fun to drive that I had to have another. Ended up t-boning a new Statesman when he did a right turn in front of me at 60kmh, written off.

Next was an Alfa 33 1.5l boxer. OK car, but built a little feebly for the way I drive, I broke it. Then an Alfa 75 2.5lV6, great power and torque, lovely engine, but it did break a fair bit, then again I was doing my own maintenance, so that's probably why, traded it on a new car. That new car was an Alfa 156 selespeed 2000 model. It was one of the first "flappy paddle" gearboxes around and was again a blast to drive, the 2l four is one of the best around, loved it, but my wife was retrenched and so we had to give it up. Then came along a 164 3l manual import from HK, this car was awesome, the 3l V6 is one of the best engines ever produced, this is a luxury saloon with great response and road holding, don't know why I sold it, but I did. Another Alfetta GTV, this time an '84 model, which I again loved, but sold to get a 3l Alfa 75 as I loved the V6 by now, then traffic got really bad on the way to work, and the 3L clutch was quite heavy. Next was a one year old 156JTS selespeed that I picked up for a bargain, again a great car, kept it for too long and the resale value went down too far, gave it to my wife to drive for a couple of years, then traded. The reason my wife got the JTS was I bought a 156GTA. This is my current daily driver, I won't sell it. Find one and drive it, you won't want to get out. My wife has a 159 2.4TD sportwagon, which apart from the turbo lag is a very nice car. In the meantime I have acquired a 1972 GT Junior which I use as a racecar (see avatar).

For $25k you could get a 147GTA, fit a Q2 diff (absolute must upgrade) and have the time of your life.

Cheers
Stuart (unashamed Alfa fanatic)

[Davros (Lauren)]

I have the ultimate sports car sitting in the garage (in pieces) its a 1949 series one 80 inch land rover.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Davros

I have the ultimate sports car sitting in the garage (in pieces) its a 1949 series one 80 inch land rover.

[Louwai (Bryan)]

I had an MGB Roadster. (soft top)
Mine was only the 1800 4cyl. But if I was to get another I'd be thinkng seriuosly about the 3.5L V8 model.

The V8's only came out std in the MGB hard roof model (known by some as the MGC), but there is a legal modification that enables the Rover 3.5L V8 to be slotted into the MGB Roadster.

Nice little cruiser.

[GrahamL]

HQ ss or minty old 253 sedan with air and all the trimmings

You wouldn't even consider parking one of these classic old girls near an alfa

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

minty old 253 sedan with air and all the trimmings

Ahhh yes. I forgot about that old girl.... I had a 1972 HG (plate Dec 72) was one of the last to come off theline before the HQ run started.
They were using up the bits. I had a 253, 4D HG Sedan with GTS dash, front buckets & ctr shift. All was original from the factory.

[Gallifreyboy]

I was seriously considering bringing an Audi Ur Quattro over from the UK for a long time. Spent a lot of time on Pistonheads and autotrader UK. You probably know 1988 and earlier vehicles can be brought into Australia and the used car market in the UK is very depressed and the exchange rate with the GBP is historically at a high. Have a play around with those websites, you will likely find something mouthwatering.

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

As much as you won't want to hear it, my advice would be keep your car money and put it into your house instead. At your age forget the car and get your life going. I did what you want to do, and regret it to this day 20 years later. If I'd just kept my head focused I'd be having a far more lucrative life now I think. Not that I've done badly mind you, I just could have done better. Starting out in house ownership is far more expensive, week to week, than anyone would care to admit. There are so many incidentals that you just don't normally come across.

THIS is THE BEST ADVISE without doubt. Reward your toil by increasing your reward and as a side benefit in the longer term, allow your self MORE CHOICES every day you wake up. Who knows you could position yourself to drive your vintage car when ever it is suitable to do so.

[DavidU (Dave)]

I also have had the pleasure of driving some nice cars like Peter has,but not a C Type Jag
I have restored a 280ZX 5 speed with a stinking hot 3 liter L28 motor,a 74 LWB XJ6 Jag, and a 59 MK2 Jag 3.8 manual. I have helped restore a Lambo urracco and Espada V12, a 36 Minerva and a 1914 Little.I had a 71 GTHO phase 3 (that would be worth close to $1 million these days), and many more cars.
I Now drive a BMW Mtech 5 and drive a 996 911 Carrera S4 Convertible.
HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I had my time over I would do as Chris says and put all that capital into property. Pay VERY close attention to this piece of advice Mitchell.Please

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

Originally Posted by taminga16

Mitchell,

Buy a Mazda MX5, classic style, never out of favour, great to drive, reliable and with $25,000 you could look at a mid 2000 model SE (Turbo), and then the only thing you would need to do is to get used to smiling a lot more when you drive. OH, and there is the matter of the sunscreen bills.

Greg.

indeed.

I drive an NB Hardtop, and the favourite part of my day is my drive to work.

[DavidU (Dave)]

MX5's are a great car ! lot of fun.

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

indeed.

I drive an NB Hardtop, and the favourite part of my day is my drive to work.

[Lumen Miner (Mitchell)]

Thanks for your opinions guys.

In regards to buying property / investing money, I said I could not do so at the moment, which was probably the wrong term as it may have led you to believe I was not planning for the future.
In the next years I will be buying properties and renovating them. The capital is being supplied by my mother as she wishes to buy several other properties, yet needs me / my brother to renovate them as she can not.

I will be compensated for my labour / recieve free rent whilst completing the properties.

Hence I am in a position, to purchase a new car.

My current vehicle is costing me more than it should and is no longer worth the money, I am putting into it.

So I am up for at least $10,000 for some type of vehicle. I would very much like to spend a bit more and get something I will be happy driving. I am not interested in hooning around and thrashing it, just looking for something with a bit of style.

$25,000 would be my limit, but more realistically I would like to spend less and restore something.


Thanks for the concern guys, but I know investing is the most important thing at this point in time. I just need something to refresh my energy levels, a nice looking car would do that for me.

In regards to "pullin' birds" that does not interest me in the slightest, only girl I "need to pull" (keep happy) in my partner of 11 years.

[Lumen Miner (Mitchell)]

Originally Posted by DavidU

I also have had the pleasure of driving some nice cars like Peter has,but not a C Type Jag
I have restored a 280ZX 5 speed with a stinking hot 3 liter L28 motor,a 74 LWB XJ6 Jag, and a 59 MK2 Jag 3.8 manual. I have helped restore a Lambo urracco and Espada V12, a 36 Minerva and a 1914 Little.I had a 71 GTHO phase 3 (that would be worth close to $1 million these days), and many more cars.
I Now drive a BMW Mtech 5 and drive a 996 911 Carrera S4 Convertible.
HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I had my time over I would do as Chris says and put all that capital into property. Pay VERY close attention to this piece of advice Mitchell.Please

M5 and a 911, your my kinda man!! Nice combo!

I am seriously considering the '96 M3, nice little cars, would love a BMW again, the commodore handles like a boat on wheels compared to my old 325.