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Where Should I Throw My Money?

MickieB
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MickieB Apprentice

MickieB

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Posted

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!

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ronnydotk Contributor

ronnydotk

Posted
Posted
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....

Big Rizza Mentor

Big Rizza

Posted
Posted (edited)
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
R31 Chick Mentor

R31 Chick

Posted
Posted

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.

hrd-hr30 Grand Master

hrd-hr30

Posted
Posted

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.

MickieB Apprentice

MickieB

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
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
_8OO5TED_ Mentor

_8OO5TED_

Posted
Posted (edited)

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_

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