Quick small car

[QldKev]

A few months ago I sold our 4wd, so we have been sharing cars in the household; and it is getting painful. We still have the VX Berlina as the main car, and now it has hit 120K I'm not too worried about adding up lots of more km on it.

I'm after a small car for running around town; budget $15K. The wife wants a little corolla or something along that lines. She was looking at a Barina as you can get them priced well drive away, until I read the stuff on here and have now steered her away from it.

I'm thinking something a bit more fun to drive; but can deliver ok fuel economy when driven nicely, and has enough power to have fun in. I was thinking obout pulling out the old 4AFE from the sons corola and putting in a 4AGZE, but the car is a bit old n rough around the edges.

I'm not in a hurry to get a car this week. Any ideas on a car for this budget?

QldKev

[CLUBRED]

Civic VTiR? Type R if you push your budget out a touch more.

[GODSMACK]

I think getting a new car for $15k or under, drive away with warranty is the way to go.

If anything happens to it, its covered, plus if its just a run around, performance is hardly a priority.

[GODSMACK]

Civic VTiR? Type R if you push your budget out a touch more.

Good cars, but very expensive to service...

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

Previous generation Renault Clio Sports are around that price range and not that old. Quick, small, 5 star ancap and a lot of fun. Motoring journos gave them a great wrap.

[aratic]

What about a Peugot 206 GTi 180? You can pick them up for around 12k or so and they are still reasonably new (5-6 years old). I reckon they are the best value hot hatch for the money and age, only thing is they're French :jester:

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

What about a Peugot 206 GTi 180? You can pick them up for around 12k or so and they are still reasonably new (5-6 years old). I reckon they are the best value hot hatch for the money and age, only thing is they're French :jester:

Another good pick. I actually prefer the look of these over the clio but from what I have seen in the write ups the clio is the better car. I've driven the Clio and really liked it for a fwd hatch. Haven't driven the peugeot myself but the seats are just pure porn in the peugeot.

[csv rulz]

Suzuki Swift GTi - always got a good wrap,
so did the Ford Fiesta XR4

[QldKev]

Thanks for the replies

I've never touched a Renault / Peugot cause always have been worried about parts/services. Are they not too bad?

Do they still make the swift GTi, I though they stopped production about 15 years ago?

What about a Holden Astra?

QldKev

[notorious_benny]

My wife owns a current model Ford Fiesta Zetec, while its not exactly fast in a straight line it is fantastic around corners and is pretty 'zippy' around town.

I have know idea if you can cheaply mod them for more power but the chassis could handle a bit more oomph easily.

We picked it out of all the other baby cars for its sporty dynamics if that helps at all.

Edit: if you get an 09 or early 10 model it will be the German built one as well ............. the new ones coming out will be built in Thailand.

[KAL SPL]

Nissan GTI R awd !
Get a decent example for under 10k and spend few grand on it , bloody quick and reliable as far as I know.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1990-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Off-White-5sp-M-Hatchback-/120633515647?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1c16515e7f

[SiLENCE]

My mrs has a mazda 3 - its been extremely reliable in the 3 years she's had it, feels quite pokey to drive and handles exceptionally well..

[feistl]

General rule of thumb is to steer clear of anything from Europe (Including the Astra) and anything from Korea.

That said, one of the forum sponsers were selling a Hyundia I30 Diesel which had been modded to get around 1000km per tank. Not really sporty, but had loads of torque and looked pretty good. They were selling for under $15k IIRC.... (There is a thread around if you do a quick search)

Otherwise stick with anything japanese.

[Docka83]

[quote=KAL SPL;1814826]Nissan GTI R awd !
Get a decent example for under 10k and spend few grand on it , bloody quick and reliable as far as I know.


My previous car, 94 model. Went like shit off a shanghai. You could buy one now in good condition with fresh forged engine and turbo for around 8k.

[Podge]

Nissan GTI R awd !
Get a decent example for under 10k and spend few grand on it , bloody quick and reliable as far as I know.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1990-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Off-White-5sp-M-Hatchback-/120633515647?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1c16515e7f

Agreed... you dont get much quicker in a hatch

They are reliable as long as you arent trying to get every last ounce of power out of them and respond pretty well to mods. Gearbox can be the weak link but is fine for most applications.

[CLUBRED]

You can get a Lancer GSR of the same vintage as the import GTIR for around the same coin or cheaper, personally think the Lancer is the better option, extra doors, 2L evo engine conversion etc etc.

[csv rulz]

U should also be able to pick up a decent Astra Turbo for that sort of money.

[added]

+ 1 for the focus or the swift.

My sister has a new swift and it is damn good to drive, even considered trading in the ss to get one for myself.

I've got a mate with an xr5 and i've heard nothing but good things.

[VYSHSV8]

Look at Mazda 2 as well great little car:):) have had 1 for 120k so far never missed a beat and still on original brakes although they are due for replacement :):) cant beat the value

[Martin_D]

If you hunt around you should be able to score a Road Reg EVO VI Mak import or similar for that money. Good fun car :)

[BadSeed]

subaru wrx, also a good fun car if your not a mitsubishi fan

[J_VZUTE]

My mates mum has a couple year old Mazda 3 and its never missed a beat. I was even considering getting one as a daily. Good reliable car and good on petrol.

[Fraser]

Do they sell Ford Focus RS in Australia?

I like it, still, WRX, Ralliart Lancer, fuel economy is not huge increase over 6 speed LS powered Holden.

YouTube - Top Gear - Focus RS review

[QldKev]

Thanks for all the replies. Got a few ideas to take the wife out to review. As I mentioned before we are not in a hurry to get one tomorrow, so I want something that will be around for a few years.

Although I would love a Nissan GTIR I don't think the wife will look at a 20 years old car for a daily driver. My mate has a Lancer Ralliart with the steering pedal shift/2 gear boxes and all the crap; he uses about 2L/100km more fuel than my VX LS1 and I beat him in a straight run (he has better brakes/corners). We do want something ok on fuel; so that is out.

Maybe I should keep the VX for go fast, and get a Mazda 2 or 3 or something along those lines for her.

QldKev

[seb20det]

2005ish modle toyota corolla sportivo is in about the 15K mark.

very very suprising little car, the sportivo comes with full leather interiour, and 6 speed gearbox. they are still a heaps new car which is great, they drive nice.

and rev to something like 9000rpm, when you hit about 6000rpm the cams change similar to a hondas V-TEC, they sound nice reving like that too.


i was trying to talk my misses into one but you no what girls are like, "i only want auto, that cars got 3 pedals, it must be crap" lol

seriously great little car :)

[J_VZUTE]

How about even a Subaru Impreza RS instead of a WRX (to keep the costs down)

[GMMAD]

Id stay clear of anything Subaru
they are prone to head gasket leaks
the amount of subbies I get in at work with leaking head gaskets is astounding
them and falcon I6's pre BA

[fishla]

Mazda 3 - SP23 if you can stretch the budget!

[redvxr8clubby]

I think I'd go with Fishla - SP23 if you can stretch or a lesser 3 if you want to save some dollars. Another choice that has already been mentioned - Suziki Swift. A new one is a bit dearer than a Barina that you had considered, but I think would prove much better choice in the long run, maybe a Mazda 2 as someone already mentioned. You need to work out if you really want a 1.5 or 2 litre car for starters.

[AllWheelSlide]

+1 to the vote for Mazda 3.

[Rors]

The best thing you can do is forget the small car altogether. Summer is coming up... What does that mean? Road bike.

$13k will get you a brand new 600 super sport and easy 11 second quarters with 5.5L/100km fuel economy.

[VYSHSV8]

The best thing you can do is forget the small car altogether. Summer is coming up... What does that mean? Road bike.

$13k will get you a brand new 600 super sport and easy 11 second quarters with 5.5L/100km fuel economy.
And be put on the Temporary Australian List :(:(

Its not that I dont like bikes I used to ride them all the time:) but these days there are just too many Fark wits on the roads :(:(

[J_VZUTE]

Ford focus XR5 is a mad small car. Rally bread too.

I agree on that one too.. one of the reps at work uses a XR5 (turbo model) and he reckons its a great little zippy car and comfy

[QldKev]

Thanks for the extra ideas. We had a look at a few cars; so far the wife is liking the look of a Corolla Sportivo. Will also check of the XR5.

The motor bike is off the list. First it is actually the wifes car we are looking for, so there is no way she would look at a bike for her. I fell of my bike about 10 years ago; and still have issues with my ankle.

QldKev

[J_VZUTE]

Thanks for the extra ideas. We had a look at a few cars; so far the wife is liking the look of a Corolla Sportivo. Will also check of the XR5.

The motor bike is off the list. First it is actually the wifes car we are looking for, so there is no way she would look at a bike for her. I fell of my bike about 10 years ago; and still have issues with my ankle.

QldKev

At least if you stay away from a Euro, as they are much more expensive to service / maintain / parts etc etc.

Good luck with the find!

[QldKev]

After a couple of months looking we purchased a car today. Although I wanted something a bit sportier we ended up with a stock Dec 2007 corolla seca with 41K on the clock for $15K. Seems like a fairly clean straight car. I though with the dual VVTi setup it may have been quicker, but I have my commodore for that. I can't believe they kept basically the same dash in the corollas all the way through until the 2007 model upgrade. Thanks for the ideas on the way.

QldKev

[Typhoon BF]

What about polo gti, same 1.8t motor as the audi in a little car.

Simple retune and no small car will get near it. Give a stock ss a red face at the lights

[servo2605]

+1 for any small car made by volkswagen... Polo gti is in the price range and has the old audi s3 motor slightly detuned i think???? and the polo is a smaller car.

In terms of servicing most European cars don't cost much more these days to service than holden dealer servicing.

My mrs has a astra non turbo and sister has Mk5 Golf GTi, dealer service with holden was 600 bucks or something stupid, delaer service with volkswagen was 450 or 500 if i remember...

Hope that helps.

[v8dude78]

Here ya go this should give ya a few ideas :evil:
And link to article http://www.caradvice.com.au/7703/supercharged-toyota-corolla-s3/

http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab72/v8dude78/superchargedtoyotacorollas3.jpg

[Typhoon BF]

+1 for any small car made by volkswagen... Polo gti is in the price range and has the old audi s3 motor slightly detuned i think???? and the polo is a smaller car.

In terms of servicing most European cars don't cost much more these days to service than holden dealer servicing.

My mrs has a astra non turbo and sister has Mk5 Golf GTi, dealer service with holden was 600 bucks or something stupid, delaer service with volkswagen was 450 or 500 if i remember...

Hope that helps.

The polo gti is a solid car, still pretty new so shouldnt have too much worry. I think they run the old audi s3 motor with a smaller turbo. Should be tough as nails as its running detuned. Only thing is the polo too small?

[QldKev]

After a couple of months looking we purchased a car today. Although I wanted something a bit sportier we ended up with a stock Dec 2007 corolla seca with 41K on the clock for $15K. Seems like a fairly clean straight car. I though with the dual VVTi setup it may have been quicker, but I have my commodore for that. I can't believe they kept basically the same dash in the corollas all the way through until the 2007 model upgrade. Thanks for the ideas on the way.

QldKev


We did have a hard long look at the polo GTi, power to weight they are up there; and price wise they rock. Only problem is they just the look wrong dimensions. The golf GTi looks better but value for year they were getting hard to find.

I think the wife did have a good influence on the final decision. The corolla had basically the same dash until mid 07 as our 96 model (as mentioned) and that put us off the older models a bit. When we found this one we both agreed to chase it up.

Built Dec 07
First reg Oct 08
1 owner - who is a local
6 speed manual (when it seems all were auto)
Dual VVTi engine.

Knocked off work at lunch time and went for a 400km run this afternoon to see what it is like. Averaged 6.8L/100. (75% country) It had ok pickup in 4th at 80 to overtake.

The wife gave me that cute smile and said :nono: with a car like this for travel you may be able to play with the commodore more :dancenana: (did she say order that 4.11 diff?)