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Ok been thinking recently and just can't decide so I thought i'd get some advice from you guys.

I like the skylines, ever since i was a kid iv been interested in jap culture and loved the skyline and am almost ready to buy my first one. The only problem is it will be my daily driver and to get to work so the KM's will stack up on it. Also im on my P plates, So no turbos.

I been thinking maybe, buy one and build it up over the next 2 years so it'll be ready for me when im off my Ps and just find another car for the next 2 years, something thats nice with a little power for some fun but not a car wreck.

I been a fan of the rx7's for a long time and was thinking about maybe getting a S2/3/4 or a cheap prelude or a older Silvia? That or buy a cheap, 32 GTS make it run on the road and keep something a little more powerful like a GTR out the back for me to work on and learn about the car over the next 1-2 years befor I could drive it.

Also just wanted to ask, considering i don't know a heap about skylines. Should I look into importing one or stick to trying to find it local.

Thanks for the advice, just in 2 minds at the moment need some guidance :cool:

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I drive up & down Macquarie Pass, Jamberoo Pass & Mitchell Pass; but never Maybe Pass! :)

Srsly Damien, I'd just get a daily that won't depreciate much or eat into your funds. Budget for your dream 'Line and when you get a low Km, clean straight shining brute of an example; that's when you pounce (and take along an older dude to do your bidding for you)! :cool:

If you have a mate who's a mechanic & a panelbeater, get them to check over everything from possible rust to compression testing to electrics to susp'n yaddayadda.

I'm an old fart ( :) ) going bald too, but I drive my Forester during the week (doing 500Kms/wk) and the 'Line which only has 36000Kms on it, comes out on weekends.

Yeah thats what I was thinking. Keep something nice as a daily and have my beast ready for when im off my P plates.

Now all it comes down to is what, I want something a little sporty with a bit of go but not to much. I been told look into the VTEC type car, integra or a prelude something around them lines. I was looking into a Series 3 or 4 Rx7 but been told they drink the fuel and need to be looked after alot.

Have an early rx7 series 2 actually

drinks fuel not overly reliable though mine is rough

getting hard to find bits for too

as a first car I honestly wouldnt be advising it

unless you are really keen on

just my 2c

it is kinda fun though

as for the vtech thing

FWD for the loose

What's your budget?

VTec in Teg/'Lude/Civic is good. Build quality is superb. I've owned a 5th Gen & 4th Gen 'Lude before > no complaints (so long as services are all done). High Km versions aren't too much of a problem.

3 Series BMs are good too with low Kms, no fault codes showing on DME & services up to speed. E36s can have issues with sensors, electrics. I've owned a 328Ci E46 before (but that was my only car at the time): but perhaps an E30/E36 will be good enough with your budget eh?

Mazda RX7 can blow the fuel budget if you don't mind that! Check for oil seepage as well as leaks.

Well my budget for my Skyline when I was getting one was about, 14-15k (Planned on a R33 S2 GTS or a 34 2 door) BUT if I don't end up getting one, im looking at around the same if not lower, if i spend less on this one its more money i can put into my Full licence car when I go to buy it.

Thinking about,

-Honda CRX

-Honda Prelude

-Toyota Celica

-Honda Civiv

-Other VTI-R cars.

-S13/14/15

This at least can settle the argument between Celica Vs Prelude for you...

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...D=9983&vf=1

and go for VTec in the Honda range.

5th Gen Prelude about 10K now

4th Gen Prelude about 6.5K in good cond.

Thanks for the help Jerry, Still deciding weather to skip on the skyline for the P's car still half half. Looking into the Preludes a fair bit.

Tried doing some searching but i just can't exactly pick it up 100% with the meanings but

VTi-R is a VTEC engine yeah? Whats SiR engine? I just don't get the honda engines :) whats the more powerful etc :)

The VTiR (with the VTec engine) is the way to go with 142Kw over the Si with 118Kw.

The VTiR in the 4th Gen had 4WS

The ADM VTiR in the 5th Gen had 2WS but the rarer version with ATTS allowed the VTec Prelude to go around corners at greater speed because the outer wheels on the curve would (thru sensors) rotate faster. The ATTS is heavier tho'

Some of the JDM 'Ludes had extras like fog lights, leather, rear wiper etc

N/A Supra ftw.

Easily within your price range, NA 2J is near unbreakable and they look awesome. Besides, basic mods can net you nearly 150rwkw.

Edit: If you're really keen, buy the SZ-R (bigger brakes, Getrag 6spd box) and when you're off your P's buy the TT engine and drop it in. Can even buy a TT half cut to clean, work and modify until the time is right to swap.

Iv driven a N/A supra before and i admit, they are machines for no turbo cars but there's something about them I just don't like in the shape. Thats the reason i liked Skylines since I was a kid because i loved there aggressive style but something about the supra just doesn't do it for me.

Then again the more I think about the supra's the more i'll probly end up liking it ha-ha.

How does 4WS go is cars that had a little work done to them? I understand there good for parking etc but how do they go on a strait line. Also, what if you where to do a advance driving course or drifting with the car does it affect the car much comparded to a 2WS

The 'Lude is front heavy & with FWD is inclined to understeer (yes even with 4WS). Mind you, back in the late 80s, the 3rd Gen "Lude could out-slalom any car in the world under dry conditions except for a Lambo that equalled it. You need a RWD like a Supra to drift.

Work done on a 'Lude? None to recommend except for exhaust & cat.

Advanced driving courses up to level 3 is a great idea!

Yeah thanks for all that you seem you know your stuff with the lude's :(

Now to just look at a few of them and see whats around. What would you recommend? The VTi-R with the Vtec engine (Isn't it always a vtec engine if its a VTi-R?)

As a act of god tho, one of my old friends from highschool came past with a mate of his. He just got his N/A supra and since he lives 2 streets away came past to show me..... and let me take it for a spin. Fun fun fun... maybe i'll slowly not hate them?

Supra is a good choice if you like the smooth curves, they look awesome standard.

I was tossing between a supra and skyline, decided skyline coz supra didn't look as manly.

Yeah, I had to make the same choice. Choose between tough or sexy. Once I test drove both though it was an easy choice. The Supra felt far more... like a drivers car. Plus the R34 interior just didn't do it for me. Felt too... cheap?

Then again, I must be one of the few that actually likes the Supra interior because so many people hate them.

Yeah thats what I thought, skylines have that more aggro looking body with more umph! to it than the supra, tho the supra is a machine. I don't mind the inside of the supra what i don't like tho honestly is the front lights, in my eyes there really.. really big. I think i might have to do some modification to it tho if I got some make them a bit more skinny.

they also feel like they have a massive front end.

Yeah thats what I thought, skylines have that more aggro looking body with more umph! to it than the supra, tho the supra is a machine. I don't mind the inside of the supra what i don't like tho honestly is the front lights, in my eyes there really.. really big. I think i might have to do some modification to it tho if I got some make them a bit more skinny.

they also feel like they have a massive front end.

It's whatever you prefer, although you'll come to love whatever you buy.

For me:

I love the 34 headlights over the Supra

I love the Supra's rear guards and wide low stance

34's look better with spoilers, Soops look better without

I loooove the hood on the Supra, its similar to a Viper

Interior R34's look better, but a bit plastic

The Supra tachos are hideous

Kitted 34s look way better, Supras can get really "ricey"

Boot and rear seats on the Supra are non existant (MUCH worse than the R34)

R34 is going to be newer, but then again the 2J is an amazing engine

They both sound good

NA Supras go faster (mine keeps up with stock Evos and destroys stock GTSTs and Silvias)

I should stop heh.

I dunno, I love both. Based on looks alone I take a Supra over an R34 anyday, unless its GTR. Now that's an menacing looking car.

Yeah i know what you mean by the Supra's end up looking very rice rocket compared to the skylines, they look real like a real mean car.

I keep getting people comming past my place and calling me giving me ideas :P people saying check out S15's now lol. Oh the dilema. Maybe i should just stick to what i was going to get orginally haha.

Yeah i know what you mean by the Supra's end up looking very rice rocket compared to the skylines, they look real like a real mean car.

I keep getting people comming past my place and calling me giving me ideas :P people saying check out S15's now lol. Oh the dilema. Maybe i should just stick to what i was going to get orginally haha.

Heh, if you can afford an 18k Autech S15 definitely take that over any other.

Honestly though it comes down to what you want from the car. I mean if you have no intention of taking to the track/strip etc, then performance really becomes a moot point. Just get a 10k R34 sedan auto, put some nice wheels and a catback exhaust on it and putt around in it till you're off your P's.

I'd almost recommend taking this route simply because if you do buy some that's almost decent performance wise you'll pour a ton of money into trying to make it decent.

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