Would Love Your Advice..

[SazMaloo]

I'm currently looking to buy my first car, and have come across a 98 Holden Vectra. I would love to get something else but with parentals on my back who are freaking about me getting my licence, i thought this would be pretty safe.
Basically I would like to know your opinions on it, and also give me some things to look out for while I'm still looking for a car, and when I go to buy one.

And.. This will sound stupid, but how would i get the link up, with out it being so long and so on?

:) :) :)

[BLACKWAGON]

Wont hurt getting a mechanical check done on a car that ur intested in buying, maybe 120-150 but atleast u will have a heads up, it could save u from buying someone elses problem.
Are u sure u cant convince them that a commodore is safer?

[michaels1v8]

I'm currently looking to buy my first car, and have come across a 98 Holden Vectra. I would love to get something else but with parentals on my back who are freaking about me getting my licence, i thought this would be pretty safe.
Basically I would like to know your opinions on it, and also give me some things to look out for while I'm still looking for a car, and when I go to buy one.

And.. This will sound stupid, but how would i get the link up, with out it being so long and so on?

:) :) :)


Pfft rat that son go for a Maloo!!

ahh ha just kidding. Honestly what are you after in car?
Tell us what and we will help you think of one that suits your wants and what to look for with one...
and your budget too!

[VSFAN]

Vectra = trouble and expensive repair bills. If you are after a car like that my opinion would be to look at Pulsars. They seem to be fairly unbreakable + they dont have a cambelt (they r expensive 2 replace).

[Three]

Get a camry - safe-ish and reliable. Not cool though lol.

[michaels1v8]

Get a camry - safe-ish and reliable. Not cool though lol.

Lol. The only cars that I think are cool are usually nice v8's or some of the imports(NOT RICE BUT ACTUAL DECENT PERFORMANCE ONES) or a really nice neat presented car like a executive with decent size rims and colour coded plastics or something. As long as its not something that is very rice (I mean like big tinnie exhaust that do nothing on a 1.8lt NA motor or spinnaz) but goes half decent or looks half decent then I think it is pretty cool.

Depends on your definition of cool I guess. Cool could be having nice sound system or a manual. Doesnt matter what car it is as long as its got what you think is cool.


Oh I dont think I said cool enough in that post. Not cool... Thats cooler :stick:

[laza007]

I had the same 'problem' with my parents. They were paying for my first car, so i really had no choice in the matter.

I ended up with a '06 Astra Wagon and i love it! Obviously a V8 would be nice but i think I'd be fairly ignorant to think that i could control the thing properly.

[markone2]

I'm currently looking to buy my first car, and have come across a 98 Holden Basically I would like to know your opinions on it, and also give me some things to look out for
:) :) :)

Parts *availability*…and YES……they do break

[BLACKWAGON]

Cool is good, but if your mum and dad are paying well who cares.
Even like said above a nice exec with rims and lowered, seen a few nice ones around.

[Peter B - CV8]

Those early model Vectra's don't enjoy a good reputation. Lot's of electrical problems from memory - and parts are $$$$.
I would steer clear of them IMHO - the Camry would be better.

[Ryzz]

If your folks will allow, why not try pick up a decent VT Exec or even VR/VS Exec or Berlina. They are extremely reliable, reasonably cheap to repair, and everyone has parts for them. Not to mention they are extremely safe as well.

Should be able to pick one up pretty cheap as well considering the age.

[VX225]

I agree with Ryzz. You havent said what your budget is, but i'd be looking at buying the newest model exec you can afford. Throw on some nice rims and lower it and that should be plenty to get you through you're P's.
Then buy a V8!

[VX2VESS]

an exec that has 4 airbags should help the safety factor...

[bsbozzy]

How much is the Vectra? 2005 i paid 14k for my S, spent about 2k getting various things fixed after the warranty had expired, but its a great car, shoul db eable to pick them up from around 7-10 now.

[Ryzz]

How much is the Vectra? 2005 i paid 14k for my S, spent about 2k getting various things fixed after the warranty had expired, but its a great car, shoul db eable to pick them up from around 7-10 now.

1998 HOLDEN VECTRA

JR GL Sedan 4dr Man 5sp 2.0i
Prices based on km 140,000 - 230,000
Trade in price guide* $2,800 - $4,300
National average price - private sale* $4,500 - $6,800
Price when new (RRP) $25,500

[Ron SS]

I saw a great VS Executive at Dandenong GMH dealer, $8000 and looked great. Acclaim would be better for a first car (has air bags), but this one was in top nick.

A good, safe and boring car is a Camry. I'd go for the VS.

[Ryzz]

I saw a great VS Executive at Dandenong GMH dealer, $8000 and looked great. Acclaim would be better for a first car (has air bags), but this one was in top nick.

A good, safe and boring car is a Camry. I'd go for the VS.

Geeze talk about asking Top Dollar!!!

[ssgirl2]

If you want a Holden as your first car, what about a 3.0L quad-cam V6 SL/X Apollo? Yes, it’s a re-badged Camry (with minor cosmetic differences), but they are cheap to run, safe, reliable, go hard and are not expensive to insure comprehensively.

My apologies for sounding like a parent :D

SS :)

[Carby]

My advice would be don't get a Vectra! My daughter had a 2.2 litre and the car was very unreliable and a work colleague has a V6 vectra and it is just as bad. Talk to mechanics about them, they hate them - very nice cars to drive but quite frankly way to unreliable, difficult to work on and more expensive to repair than Japanese cars.

My advice is to get a Magna - very cheap to buy because they have poor resale value but very safe cars and a 3.0litre manual would make for a very good first car.

Just my 2 bobs worth:)

[Belzey]

My advice is to get a Magna - very cheap to buy because they have poor resale value but very safe cars and a 3.0litre manual would make for a very good first car.

Just my 2 bobs worth:)


I second that my sister has a 97 Magna Sports and has done over 200 thousand ks and its been serviced like 2 times she treats it like sh*t and it is so reliable and it is pretty nice to drive really zippy.

[VX2VESS]

my son just got his licence.

got a VT2 V6 exec 100,000 k's, rare factory manual (damn hard to find em), 4 air bags, lowered, exhuast and a clubsport body kit for $9K. little pricy he liked it and the best manual around at the time.

i wanted to get a red exec, completely factory only 80,000K but looked like it was just made, some granny had it, had sat nav fitted as well. was $10,000 and auto.again higher priced but looked so new...

But he wanted manual and a clubby kit, and it isn't such a bad car either...bit low scrapes on everything at the front. oh has a nolathane front end too, front wheels have had heaps of castor added, pulled right up towards the front...

[LS1TOY]

id really drum in the airbags thing. i sold my wagon 95 vs which was in mint condition never had a fault for $7000 like 12 months ago. it was really "cool" lowered they make awesome cruisers,a dn with a 300 buck redback exhaust they sound not half bad. still goin strong. you shold be able to find a good clean commo for a decent price. but tell them it has air bags in every second sentence. how much are you spending?
Jake,

[VX2VESS]

I second that my sister has a 97 Magna Sports and has done over 200 thousand ks and its been serviced like 2 times she treats it like sh*t and it is so reliable and it is pretty nice to drive really zippy.

the old smokies....whats with that brand and smokey cars....must have crap valve seals... pretty good car apart from when they take up smoking

[SazMaloo]

Thanks all for all your comments.

Basically I'm looking for a car I can learn in... And then have for a few more years as a first car.
I'm buying it myself (with all my own money) so I have a price range of about $5000 - $12,000.

The Vectra im looking at is $8, 990; I thought that was reasonable since I also have to pay all other costs.

The problem I have with my parents lies mostly with my dad. Even though he loves having a teenage daughter who is mad about cars... He also knows the kinda cars i love, and unfortunately they are all V8's. My problem amongst other's with convincing him i could handle one (maybe...) is that he knows nothing about Holden’s (well a little.)

Hopefully I answered all the questions =]

And thanks again for all the helpfulness.

[`redoctober]

Try a VT Exec, colour code the trims, get some Monaro headlights and bring it down to earth a little, with a nice set of rims.

The car shouldn't be too expensive, but the mods might set you back a few.. Get to saving! :D

[SazMaloo]

Rob, as I said to you last night...
My dad has it set in his mind that I'm going to kill myself.
So I have alot of fun, trying to even get him to LOOK at a car.. So, If i start talking about any sort of mods.. I wont be driving... For a long time to come.

[ssgirl2]

A Volvo perhaps :bawl:

Why don't you mention to your father that you'd like to attend a Driver Training School (obviously check this out and get all of the details before you speak with him)...it would show your father that you are responsible and keen to learn as much as you can before you buy your own car and hit the streets solo.

SS :)

[SazMaloo]

A Volvo perhaps :bawl:

Why don't you mention to your father that you'd like to attend a Driver Training School (obviously check this out and get all of the details before you speak with him)...it would show your father that you are responsible and keen to learn as much as you can before you buy your own car and hit the streets solo.

SS :)

Thanks SS, I may just do that.
I always assumed you had to have a licence to do one of those courses.
But, I shall check it out =]

:) Saz

[Boom]

Saz.
With your budget you may be able to pick up a nice VY. All things being equal you would probably be better off with a commodore. Maintenance costs will be a lot lower than the Vectra or any of the other cars mentioned. Keep some money aside for the maintenance that will be needed at some time.
And dont just think about advanced driving. Go and do it as early as you can. It will be the best money you will ever spend. I did my first course a few weeks after getting my license, and it has proved itself to be worthwhile time after time.

[SazMaloo]

Saz.
With your budget you may be able to pick up a nice VY. All things being equal you would probably be better off with a commodore. Maintenance costs will be a lot lower than the Vectra or any of the other cars mentioned. Keep some money aside for the maintenance that will be needed at some time.
And dont just think about advanced driving. Go and do it as early as you can. It will be the best money you will ever spend. I did my first course a few weeks after getting my license, and it has proved itself to be worthwhile time after time.

Thanks for that Boom.
I will really consider the advanced driving course. Even If it takes me a while to do.


:) Saz.

[michaels1v8]

Hmmm not too sure about picking up a Vy for that price in WA but could get a very mint VX. Possibly VY but I doubt it will be in as nice a condition as the VX and will probably have higher KM. I say you could find a nice low KM VX with a few extras such as allows or what not...


Could be wrong as I dont really look for Vys in the paper.

Good luck with getting your first car.

Also maybe try cut him a deal. Ask him if you buy a old car (a TR Magna would be ideal. V6 power with lots of extras and a ridiculously cheap price) and drive it around for a year if you can then sell it and buy the car you really want. That way you dont spend all your hard earned on a car that is only second preference to what you would like..


And DEFINATELY do a advanced driver course.. That should aid to the persuasion of cutting a good deal like I mentioned above...

Good luck and let us know how it turns out! :thumbsup:

[Chris88]

hi saz,
beeing a young driver myself and currently going through
the hole perants think im gona kill myself thing ( for getting a v8 )
i would recomend getting what you want, my first car was slow
and beat up (didnt stop me thrashing it to death...litrally lol) and i have always wished i got something a little nicer.
just do your reserch and get what you want, your perants will get over it.

hope this helps
chris

[SazMaloo]

Micheals1v8...
I was actually looking at a VX the other day.. And now I can't find it =[
My dad really dose not want me to buy outta the paper (private sale?) because of all the problems i can have.
I'm trying to come to a deal with him, and its prooving harder then I thought it would. But I'm not about to give up, and I think he is realising that now.

Chris88.. Somehow I don't think my dad will get over it tho... Considering he will be the only one I have to help me to actually buy it.. I need him to be happy aswell. I would love him to be happy with the car I want, but he's already told me no a few time's as he thinks a commodore is a bit big.

[wagnman]

SAZ. It all depends on what you want.

My advice for a young person would be to buy an old car with as little electronic crap as possible and go and buy a gregorys manual and learn to keep it on the road and tuned and serviced all yourself. you will have a ball, develope heaps of self reliance/confidance and never need anyones help to get you out of trouble. Muck about with it heaps and learn every in and out of it and when the time comes for you to trade up you will miss your first car as bad as you miss your first love but the experience gained will help you deal with every other car you own from then on.

[SazMaloo]

Thanks Wagnman :)

[ssv6spd]

For a 1st car I would go for a VT series II or a VX. I had VT series II acclaim for 5 years and i must say in that time it was so reliable. It never broke down on me, had plenty of power and looks pretty good.

At the moment they are well priced as well. Check them out, perfect for a first car.

And if your parents are worried about safety, mention to them that an acclaim has the safety pack, ie: 4 airbags, abs and traction.

[SazMaloo]

Thanks Ssv6.
I'm currnently foccusing my search on a VT, simply coz I like them and for all the reason's you mentioned.. (air bags etc)
:):):):)