Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hey all,

I not too long ago sold my R32 gts-t to buy a 1961 EK holden ute to restore... Well now the ute project is almost finished, and needless to say, i miss my skyline sorely.. What i'm really stuck on though is what i should buy if i sell the ute. I think i could get around the 15k mark for the ute, and i was wondering if anyone could throw me some hints on a good choice. I really would like an R32 GTR, but i'm considering all performance vehicles, though i'm not a big fan of the R33 (please don't hate me for it!). Am i dreaming if i think i can get a GTR around that price? I could probably save another 1 or 2k if i had to but yeah i'd like to step straight into another car if possible.

Also if someone wants my ute and is willing to do a swap let me know! It's canary yellow, only came out of the spray shop 5 days ago, only thing not in pristine condition is the interior and that should be rectified soon!

Thanks all!

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/142095-where-should-i-throw-my-money/
Share on other sites

Hey all,

I not too long ago sold my R32 gts-t to buy a 1961 EK holden ute to restore... Well now the ute project is almost finished, and needless to say, i miss my skyline sorely.. What i'm really stuck on though is what i should buy if i sell the ute. I think i could get around the 15k mark for the ute, and i was wondering if anyone could throw me some hints on a good choice. I really would like an R32 GTR, but i'm considering all performance vehicles, though i'm not a big fan of the R33 (please don't hate me for it!). Am i dreaming if i think i can get a GTR around that price? I could probably save another 1 or 2k if i had to but yeah i'd like to step straight into another car if possible.

Also if someone wants my ute and is willing to do a swap let me know! It's canary yellow, only came out of the spray shop 5 days ago, only thing not in pristine condition is the interior and that should be rectified soon!

Thanks all!

buy a datsun 1200. cheap, light, quick and turn on a dime handling...

not to mention the fuel economy....

I should have been more specific. I want a modern EFI car that isn't going to require constant work to keep alive. I think i'll end up with another GTST hey...

Haha, how is that being MORE speciffic? EFI + reliable = 75% of all vehicles made in the last 15 years. Although you did say "performance vehicles" in your first post, so that narrows it down a little. Still a pretty broad scope though!

There are obviously plenty of modern EFI jap cars available in your price range - Eunos Cosmo, Mazda RX-7 FC, Mazda MX-5, Mitsubishi FTO, Mitsubishi GTO, Mitsubishi Galant VR4, Subaru Liberty RS, Subaru WRX, Subaru Forester GT, Toyota MR2, Toyota Soarer, Toyota Supra SZ, Toyota Aristo, Toyota Chaser, Nissan Silvia, Nissan Stagea, Nissan Skyline, Nissan 300ZX, Nissan Pulsar GTiR just to name a few. Doesn't have to be a jap car obviously... could get a Euro hot hatch, like a Renault Sport Clio, Peugeot 205 GTi, Astra SRi, or an older VW Golf GTi. Might even be able to stretch out for a Astra Turbo or similar. Speaking of Holdens, an Aussie muscle car like an SS Commodore or XR Falcon, or even a Magna VRX might suit. And I guess a luxury car with a big V8 engine, like a BMW 540i or Lexus LS400, could also be considered to be a performance car, so you can look down that path also. Going the extreme end of that path, you could go an old BMW 750i V12 - should be reliable, but if something goes bang the $$$ might be a little excessive. Some older Euro sports cars are becoming more affordable, such as a Porsche 928 or 944, although I'm not sure how well a 20 year old Porsche is going to fare in the reliability department... So yeah, a broad scope indeed!

As far as GTR's, a cheap one can be had in your price range, although generally those with cheap purchase prices need large $$$ spent on maintenance up front to be reliable in the long term, probably making the more expensive examples on sale cheaper in the long run.

Edited by Big Rizza

I wouldn't trust any GTR brought under about $24k to be reliable and not needing a fair amount of work.

Around 15k if you want reliable Jap cars I would go a GTiR Pulsar, an R32 GTS-t or to be different you could pick up a nice import HR31. Just find one with a silvertop 20 or better still a 25 in it.

you can get good R32 GTRs for low $20K's. Take the time to find a good one and they're an absolute bargain. I paid $22 for mine a year ago and only ever had to fix minor things like TPS ($145 from Nissan), a ruptured rear cradle bush ($120 for alignment kit), and a CV boot ($14). In that time I've done 3 sprints, 3 hillclimbs, a tarmac rally, an autocross, and 10,000km of road driving.

but there are duds out there - I test drove a couple! personally I wouldn't even consider a GTR in the $15K price range mentioned. Save (or borrow) another 6 or 7 grand and you should be able to pick up a good one.

Haha, how is that being MORE speciffic? EFI + reliable = 75% of all vehicles made in the last 15 years. Although you did say "performance vehicles" in your first post, so that narrows it down a little. Still a pretty broad scope though!

There are obviously plenty of modern EFI jap cars available in your price range - Eunos Cosmo, Mazda RX-7 FC, Mazda MX-5, Mitsubishi FTO, Mitsubishi GTO, Mitsubishi Galant VR4, Subaru Liberty RS, Subaru WRX, Subaru Forester GT, Toyota MR2, Toyota Soarer, Toyota Supra SZ, Toyota Aristo, Toyota Chaser, Nissan Silvia, Nissan Stagea, Nissan Skyline, Nissan 300ZX, Nissan Pulsar GTiR just to name a few. Doesn't have to be a jap car obviously... could get a Euro hot hatch, like a Renault Sport Clio, Peugeot 205 GTi, Astra SRi, or an older VW Golf GTi. Might even be able to stretch out for a Astra Turbo or similar. Speaking of Holdens, an Aussie muscle car like an SS Commodore or XR Falcon, or even a Magna VRX might suit. And I guess a luxury car with a big V8 engine, like a BMW 540i or Lexus LS400, could also be considered to be a performance car, so you can look down that path also. Going the extreme end of that path, you could go an old BMW 750i V12 - should be reliable, but if something goes bang the $$$ might be a little excessive. Some older Euro sports cars are becoming more affordable, such as a Porsche 928 or 944, although I'm not sure how well a 20 year old Porsche is going to fare in the reliability department... So yeah, a broad scope indeed!

As far as GTR's, a cheap one can be had in your price range, although generally those with cheap purchase prices need large $$$ spent on maintenance up front to be reliable in the long term, probably making the more expensive examples on sale cheaper in the long run.

Sorry you're right i need to be more specific. I want a jap sports car which is RWD or AWD, turbo, and a coupe or 2 door hatch. And the oldest i want is 1990. I am seriously considering either an R32 GTST or a 180sx with (if i can get one for this price) a black top sr20

Edited by MickieB

i would be very weary of a 16yr old modified RB26 engine in a GTR. if $15K is your budget, steer away from a GTR, it will most likely cause huge financial loss soon after!

As said, GTi-R Pulsar. You could pick up a very well modded R32 GTS-t or s13 or even a relatively stock s14 for that money too.

I would say WRX, but you dont like 4drs right????? So that would mean a 2dr STi which is most likely out of your $15K price range.

Edited by _8OO5TED_

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Place the new daughterboard in the case and mount it using the 3 small black rivets provided, and reconnect the 3 factory ribbon cables to the new board Then, use the 3 piggyback cables from the daughterboard into the factory board on top (there are stand offs in the case to keep them apart. and remember to reconnect the antenna and rear cover fan wires. 1 screw to hold the motherboard in place. Before closing the case, make a hole in the sticker covering a hole in the case and run the cable for the android unit into the plug there. The video forgot this step, so did I, so will you probably. Then redo the 4 screws on back, 2 each top and bottom, 3 each side and put the 2 brackets back on.....all ready to go and not that tricky really.      
    • Onto the android unit. You need to remove the top screen because there is a daughterboard to put inside the case. Each side vent pops out from clips; start at the bottom and carefully remove upwards (use a trim remover tool to avoid breaking anything). Then the lower screen and controls come out, 4 screws, a couple of clips (including 3 flimsy ones at the top) and 3 plugs on the rear. Then the upper screen, 4 screws and a bunch of plugs and she is out. From there, remove the mounting brackets (2 screws each), 4 screws on the rear, 2 screws top and bottom and 3 screws holding in the small plates on each side. When you remove the back cover (tight fit), watch out for the power cable for the fan, I removed it so I could put the back aside. The mainboard is held in by 1 screw in the middle, 1 aerial at the top and 3 ribbon cables. If you've ever done any laptop stuff the ribbon cables are OK to work with, just pop up the retainer and they slide out. If you are not familiar just grab a 12 year old from an iphone factory, they will know how it works The case should now look like this:
    • Switching the console was tricky. First there were 6 screws to remove, and also the little adapter loom and its screws had to come out. Also don't forget to remove the 2 screws holding the central locking receiver. Then there are 4 clips on either side....these were very tight in this case and needed careful persuading with a long flat screw driver....some force required but not enough to break them...this was probably the fiddliest part of the whole job. In my case I needed both the wiring loom and the central locking receiver module to swap across to the new one. That was it for the console, so "assembly is the reverse of disassembly"
    • But first....while I was there, I also swapped across the centre console box for the other style where the AV inputs don't intrude into the (very limited !) space.  Part# was 96926-4GA0A, 284H3-4GA0B, 284H3-4GA0A. (I've already swapped the top 12v socket for a USB bulkhead in this pic, it fit the hole without modification:) Comparison of the 2: Basically to do the console you need to remove the DS and PS side console trim (they slide up and back, held in by clips only) Then remove the back half of the console top trim with the cupholders, pops up, all clips again but be careful at the front as it is pretty flimsy. Then slide the shifter boot down, remove the spring clip, loose it forever somewhere in the car the pull the shift knob off. Remove the tiny plastic piece on DS near "P" and use something thin and long (most screwdrivers won't fit) to push down the interlock and put the shifter down in D for space. There is one screw at the front, then the shifter surround and ashtray lift up. There are 3 or 4 plugs underneath and it is off. Next is the rear cover of the centre console; you need to open the console lid, pop off the trim covering the lid hinge and undo the 2rd screw from the driver's side (the rest all need to come out later so you can do them all now and remove the lid) Then the rear cover unclips (6 clips), start at the top with a trim tool pulling backwards. Once it is off there are 2 screws facing rearwards to remove (need a short phillips for these) and you are done with the rear of the console. There are 4 plugs at the A/V box to unclip Then there are 2 screws at the front of the console, and 2 clips (pull up and back) and the console will come out.
    • So, a bit of a side trip, but one that might be interesting for people with JDM cars and japanese head units. I know @Pac previously posted about a carplay/android auto adapter he installed which used the AUX input, and @V35_Paul put in one of the Tesla style units that replace both screens. The option I went with was a Lsait LLT-YF-VER5.87_2 (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Lsailt-8GB-Android-Multimedia-Interface-for_1601187633672.html). Price was $1,150 for a single unit although they are much cheaper if you are willing to buy 2....$857ea. Make you you get the version 2 not version 1, it is faster and has a better UI - this is the manufacturer listing: http://www.lsailt.com/product/348.html. BTW if you've never bought from Alibaba before, don't be concerned....these guys can't stay in business unless they are responsive, ship fast etc, they were excellent (probably faster shipping than most local places) So, this was my task for a lazy Sat afternoon....looks complex but was all done in a few hours (it probably helps that I had some of it apart before so it was a bit familiar). I also decided to add a HD USB drive recorded at the same time and the unit also supports an aftermarket reverse cam (if you don't want to retain factory) and also AV in and HDMI out It looks much worse than it is, in fact in was genuinely all plug and play (no custom wiring at all). This video was pretty good (skipped a few steps), unfortunately they are an Aussie seller but no longer sell this unit (I guess Carplay/AA adapters are easier to install and much cheaper) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5hJfYOB8Dg
×
×
  • Create New...