New Car Decision

Amaroo Park · 26 May 2002, 05:27 (Ref:296345)

Well the time has come to sell the trusty old VP SS Commodore. More time and money needs to be channeled into the race car. But what to buy in the 4 cylinder segment of the market here in Australia. Working in a Fleet company I get to drive most new models that come onto the market. But it doesn't make the desicion any easier.

elephino · 26 May 2002, 09:27 (Ref:296412)

4 cylinder segment...hmm...I had a similar dilemma. But it depends on how much can be spent.

While I haven't driven it, it appears the Holden Barina is the best bet at the small end of the market, though they say the Clio is a good buy.

In the middle ($20k-ish), there are the Pulsar and 323, while not forgetting the Astra too. Out of them, I'd say the Astra. Don't bother with the laser as the 323 is identical in most ways and yet better. The Corolla has improved with the new model too.

A bit above that, and the segment I bought my car in, there is a lot to choose from. It depends on what you want though. If you want performance and space then you cannot go past the Impreza RS (my car

). Performance without space are the 206 GTi and Clio Sport. Then there is the Astra SRi but I found too many niggling problems with it for my liking but it drove ok and was cheaper. The other option is the 323 Astina SP20. Not a bad car, but not a match for the rest. Laser SR2, don't even bother.

Anything else?

elephino · 26 May 2002, 09:33 (Ref:296420)

Ah yes, I forgot the Vectra and Mondeo. You're better off with the others.

Liberty is a good car but if you're not worried about the extra space in it, and unless you're getting the B4, buy the Impreza RS.

Then there are the luxury cars. BMW 318i is nice but just not...I don't know, it just feels as though it is missing something (mainly performance). Audi A3 is ok and nicer in feel than the Golf but the Golf is cheaper but either way I could never get comfortable driving them. A4 looks good, haven't driven the current one though. Mercedes C180, buy the BMW. Lexus IS200 is a very nice car and good alternative to the BMW. Not as good from a handling perspective but still very good. Volvo S/V40, buy the Merc. Saab 9-3, buy the S40. Peugeot 406, buy the Saab..just kidding, the 406 is ok - about equal with the Saab from experience. Alfa 147 is ok and lots of fun to drive but some things just don't quite work right to have as an everyday car for me. Alfa 156 is a better looking, personally, 147 and slightly slower. That pretty much covers the basics.

Oh and I forgot to mention the Lancer before...and so should you.

calais · 26 May 2002, 10:16 (Ref:296449)

how much are you selling the VP SS for?????

StuiE · 26 May 2002, 12:22 (Ref:296534)

What is the value that you are allowed for this car?

i cant really say any more, elphino said it all (and better than i would have

)

TimD · 27 May 2002, 10:20 (Ref:297280)

Holden Barina? This is the Vauxhall Corsa in the UK. If you like good handling, and progressive cornering, do not buy a Corsa/Barina.

I've got one, and... well, just don't!

Bomn · 27 May 2002, 10:30 (Ref:297295)

Why not just buy an old Torana and have some fun for a while. Must be almost time for a mid life crisis.

woodyracing · 27 May 2002, 11:37 (Ref:297396)

Holden Barina = Vauxhall/Opel Corsa ?
i dont understand these car manufacturers, why not have the same name globally ??

StuiE · 27 May 2002, 12:27 (Ref:297454)

because they are stupid,

some people put Opel badges on euro Holdens here

Morris 1100 · 27 May 2002, 12:50 (Ref:297477)

Quote:

Originally posted by woodyracing
Holden Barina = Vauxhall/Opel Corsa ?
i dont understand these car manufacturers, why not have the same name globally ??

We tried that but Aussies didn't like Vauxhall Vivas but Holden Toranas sold well!

Amaroo Park · 28 May 2002, 10:44 (Ref:298316)

I have just been given a Pulsar Q to drive around for a week. At the moment I am pretty impressed but I will take it for a drive on the weekend and see how it goes

Crash Test · 28 May 2002, 11:38 (Ref:298373)

Colinbond in a Datsun?? What a sellout!

My regular road car is a Mondeo... solid car I spose, haven't really had any dramas with it (except it badly needs a wheel alignment...), and it's fairly simple to maintain... then again, I'd trade it for a Torana

The other family car is an A class Merc. Hrmmm, it's like a cross between a go-kart and a bus. After it took a year to run the engine in, it goes like a champion... so long as you keep your right foot planted at all times. Decent brakes, responsive steering, a paranoid inducing amount of body roll, fantastic in the wet, and sensational sequential shifty thing.... I wouldn't buy one though- people always look at you funny ("Hey buddy, you're suppose to leave the buggy at the golf course...")

Morris 1100 · 28 May 2002, 12:03 (Ref:298389)

If you get a Datsun your friends won't talk to you!
Get a Barina they are fun on dirt! (Pity about the stone chips)

Amaroo Park · 28 May 2002, 12:20 (Ref:298396)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bomn
Why not just buy an old Torana and have some fun for a while. Must be almost time for a mid life crisis.

Got the Torana. But no where near old enough for the midlife crisis yet

DAVID PATERSON · 29 May 2002, 03:20 (Ref:299065)

Bondy, buy a Datsun and you will make a whole new bunch of friends. They come out of the woodwork. What sort of Torana do you have and is it the race car?

Seriously though, like the others here, I'm keen to help. What use will the new car be put to? How much luggage, how many passengers, how many miles, city or country and of course, the biggie, how much do you want to spend?

Amaroo Park · 29 May 2002, 05:45 (Ref:299100)

Quote:

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
Bondy, buy a Datsun and you will make a whole new bunch of friends. They come out of the woodwork. What sort of Torana do you have and is it the race car?

Seriously though, like the others here, I'm keen to help. What use will the new car be put to? How much luggage, how many passengers, how many miles, city or country and of course, the biggie, how much do you want to spend?

Thanks David. The Torana is an LJ XU1 which is in the process of becoming a Group NC car. I am in the fourtunate postion though if there is something I might like to try I just get the purchasing dept at work to get one in so I can drive it for a few days. The only really concern is that is around $20000.00. Other than that it is all pretty open. Oh and it must be manual.

Crash Test · 29 May 2002, 06:52 (Ref:299121)

BTW- if you want to see a pic of my Mondeo in "action" on a "racetrack" (with no driver behind the wheel....ekkkk!

) go to p30 of this weeks Auto Action

StuiE · 29 May 2002, 07:29 (Ref:299140)

does it have to be a new car?

if not the N14 Pulsar SSS is pretty good

and stop dissin Nissans!

DAVID PATERSON · 29 May 2002, 08:09 (Ref:299163)

Bondy, come over to the Racers' Foruma and tell us all about the Torana, i am VERY interested. Have you done any racing before.

I assume you're not planning to tow with your new 4 cylinder jigger. If it has to be new and under $20K, there's much to get excited about. Are you sure you want to sell the VP SS, they're a bloody nice car. I suppose the Holden Astra is the pick, but also look at the Corolla, Laser and Pulsar.

If it doesn't have to be new, I'm with GTR, try and find a nice N14 Pulsar SSS, or maybe an Impreza RX.

Airhead · 29 May 2002, 08:57 (Ref:299217)

Have any of you guys tried a VW Bora? I looked at a V6 2.8L - 6 speed manual today but didn't go through the BS with the salesman to drive it.

Could look good in the garage next to the Ducati. But I'd have to part with the Fairmont.

Amaroo Park · 29 May 2002, 10:31 (Ref:299311)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
Have any of you guys tried a VW Bora? I looked at a V6 2.8L - 6 speed manual today but didn't go through the BS with the salesman to drive it.

Could look good in the garage next to the Ducati. But I'd have to part with the Fairmont.

V6 goes like a rocket. The V5 is an absoulty heap of

You keep thinking that it has a permenant miss in it

Airhead · 29 May 2002, 10:39 (Ref:299316)

Umm, really does develop 150 kws then? Plus AWD. A WRX contender at $10,000 more in price. Or is there more to it?

elephino · 29 May 2002, 10:51 (Ref:299324)

colin, it does have a permanent miss, it is called the 6th cylinder

The Vauxhall/Opel/Holden Barina/Corsa, for the price bracket, is one of the better cars around. The previous model was just scary though. I drove 4 or 5 of them and in each, the brake pedal went virtually to the floor before doing anything.

I used to have a N15 S2 Pulsar SSS. And that was a great little car once decent tyres were put on it.

Crashy, you like the A Class? You actually like one? (yes, I know how you got it, which might explain some of why you like it) I had one for a weekend test drive and it had to be one of the worst cars I've driven as a driver. It was uncomfortable to sit in and gave me a bad back for a week. It wasn't too stable either and I didn't think much of the brakes. They worked but not exactly consistently. The seating position was at least good for seeing ahead and took it on a nice road near the Hunter Valley and, well, I managed to get it going quickly but I wasn't too confident it would do what I wanted when I wanted. If you wanted to go around a corner at speed you needed to give the car a bit of warning.

Amaroo Park · 29 May 2002, 10:51 (Ref:299326)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
Umm, really does develop 150 kws then? Plus AWD. A WRX contender at $10,000 more in price. Or is there more to it?

Honestly go and have a drive of the V6 it is worth putting up the Bull S**t

Airhead · 29 May 2002, 11:04 (Ref:299336)

Fair enough. I like the Teutonic look and feel. I'll go and see if the guy minds me burning his fuel for him.

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