Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

As per the title, whats out there at the moment?

Thinking about a v36 Skyline, and really struggling to find anything that ticks as many boxes.

Not too keen on an EVO or WRX, and I'm after something relatively new, as in a few years old.

Needs to sit 4, can't been a big thing like a Commodore or Falcon

Prefer a coupe.

I'm on the wrong side of 35 so not sure a "hot hatch" is the right car.

In saying that, Renault Megane Trophy is def on the list at the moment.

Any things else?

Yeah thought about the AMG's but have a theory that if the only car I can afford in the model is the absolute cheapest on the market, then probably not the car for me.

M3's are also on the list at the moment as well.

I drove a mates mazda 3 mps (2006 model, cost him 17k) and it was fantastic to drive. Went like stink, handled well (bugger all torque steer), rode well, comfy seats, etc.

If I was you I'd test drive some hot hatches before ruling then out

Had the same thoughts and ended up buying a Focus ST. It was under $40k and was a great understated performance car. It has 4 doors and it goes and handles really well. Being a RWD devotee it surprised me how well it handles. It's a tiny bit cramped but overall it's a good all round package. The only major downer is the torque steer, it really really really annoys me.

Drove the megane but back then it was a lot more expensive. These days the pricing is a LOT more competitive to match the Focus ST. down side is only 2 doors. Upside is LSD and a bit classier interior.

Personally I found the ST to be an easier car to drive, get thru gears and is a less harsh ride than the Megane. Cos I do lots of k's and have a new addition to the family the 4 doors and softer ride on the ST was a good compromise over the LSD on the Megane.

http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Ford-Focus-2013/AGC-AD-12866092/?Cr=7&sdmvc=1

Good luck finding anything better.

Edit: LOL...great minds, and all that :)

Edited by Cowboy1600

Had the same thoughts and ended up buying a Focus ST. It was under $40k and was a great understated performance car. It has 4 doors and it goes and handles really well. Being a RWD devotee it surprised me how well it handles. It's a tiny bit cramped but overall it's a good all round package. The only major downer is the torque steer, it really really really annoys me.

Drove the megane but back then it was a lot more expensive. These days the pricing is a LOT more competitive to match the Focus ST. down side is only 2 doors. Upside is LSD and a bit classier interior.

Personally I found the ST to be an easier car to drive, get thru gears and is a less harsh ride than the Megane. Cos I do lots of k's and have a new addition to the family the 4 doors and softer ride on the ST was a good compromise over the LSD on the Megane.

Oh, and apparently Ford are testing this stuff :

http://www.mountune.com/index.php/services/performance-upgrades/focus/focus-st-2012-onward

Spend the extra $10k budget and have a rocket....

Thanks guys, appreciate all the help.

Not sure a Focus is for me. Great cars, but maybe a little more for someone in their mid to late 20's. Just my view.

Was after something a little more luxuirous, hence the V36.

R36 for a bit more room

Thanks for reminding me about the R36. Absolutely love the wagons, so might take a look at some

Need a buyer for your N1 Bobby? :)

Stranger things have happened Tez :)

But not thinking about letting it go right now. Give it another 3 years when they're eligible for import into the US.

If you're looking at E46's, look into their rear subframe crack issue. Apparently it plagues that model.

Actually was discussing this with a mate and doing some reading. Def seems like an issue, so we can scratch those.

I might even take a few 6cyl non M model BMW's for a drive. Big fan of the coupe shapes and with the 6, might be good enough for a nice daily that isn't completely boring

Audi S4 / RS4 is getting to that price point. Can be had in wagon version.

M3 as mentioned, but also V10 M5s can be had, also Z4M coupes.

370z

You can buy a lot of car for 50k, or you can get a focus.... :/

Also 135/335 BMWs, the earlier twin turbo models are stronger than the later twin scroll.

Are you also keeping in mind Bobby, something that can be less difficult to sell later on?

Definitely mate. It's why i'm staying away from things like a 98 Series 3, 33 GTR, which is still the car i have to own one day :(

I also want something that i'm not so paranoid about and can leave anywhere.

Audi S4 / RS4 is getting to that price point. Can be had in wagon version.

M3 as mentioned, but also V10 M5s can be had, also Z4M coupes.

370z

You can buy a lot of car for 50k, or you can get a focus.... :/

Was looking at Audi S cars last night actually.

Love the 370z, just not enough seats.

V36 Coupe or Megane still leading the way at this stage.

Only concern with the V36 is a few owners in V section have experience some issues not easily fixed, and that worries me.

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

    • Cheers. Skyline is back on the menu, can’t get rid of it. It’s like a child you don’t want, or herpes 
    • I got back to Japan in January and was keen to get back on track as quickly as possible. Europe is god-awful for track accessibility (by comparison), so I picked up a first-gen GT86 in December just to have something I could jump into right away. The Skyline came over in a container this time and landed in early January. It was a bit battered after Europe, though—I refused to do anything beyond essential upkeep while it was over there. The clutch master cylinder gave out, and so did the power steering. I didn’t even bother changing the oil; it was the same stuff that went in just before I left Japan the first time. Naughty. Power steering parts would’ve cost double with shipping and taxes, so knowing I’d be heading back to Japan, I just postponed it and powered through the arm workout. It took a solid three months to get the car back on the road. Registration was a nightmare this time around. There were a bunch of BS fees to navigate, and sourcing parts was a headache. I needed stock seats for shaken, mistakenly blew 34k JPY on some ENR34 seats—which, of course, didn’t fit—then ended up having the car’s technical sheet amended to register it as a two-seater with the Brides. Then there’s the GT86. Amazing car. Does everything I want it to do. Parts are cheap, easy to find, and I don’t care what anyone says—it’s super rewarding to drive. I’ve done a few basic mods: diff ratio, coilovers, discs, pads, seat, etc. It already had a new exhaust manifold and the 180kph limiter removed, so I assume it’s running some kind of map. I’ve just been thrashing it at the track non-stop—mostly Fuji Speedway now, since I need something with higher speed after all that autobahn time. The wheels on the R34 always pissed me off—too big, and it was a nightmare getting tires to fit properly under the arches. So I threw in the towel and bought something that fits better. Looks way cleaner too (at least to me)—less hotboy, less attention-seeking. Still an R34, though. Now for future plans. There are a few things still outstanding with the car. First up, the rear subframe needs an overhaul—that’s priority one. Next, I need to figure out an engine rebuild plan. No timeline yet, but I want to keep it economical—not cutting corners, just not throwing tens of thousands at a mechanic I can barely communicate with. And finally, paint. Plus a bit of tidying up here and there.  
    • Nope, needed to clearance under the bar a little with a heat gun, a 1/2" extension as the "clearancer", and big hammer, I was aware of this from the onset, they fit a 2.0 with this intake no problems, but, the 2.5 is around 15mm taller than a 2.0, so "clearancing" was required  It "just" touched when test fitting, now, I have about 10mm of clearance  You cannot see where it was done, and so far, there's no contact when giving it the beans Happy days
    • It's been a while since I've updated this thread. The last year (and some) has been very hectic. In the second-half of 2024 I took the R34 on a trip through Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland - it was f*cking great. I got a little annoyed with the attention the car was getting around Europe and really didn't drive it that much. I could barely work on the car since I was living in an inner-city apartment (with underground parking). During the trip, the car lost power steering in France - split hose - and I ended up driving around 4,000kms with no power steering.  There were a few Nurburgring trips here and there, but in total the R34 amassed just shy of 7,000kms on European roads. Long story short, I broke up with the reason I was transferred to Europe for and requested to be moved back to Japan. The E90, loved it. It was a sunk cost of around EUR 10,000 and I sold it to a friend for EUR 1,500 just to get rid of it quickly. Trust me, moving countries f*cking sucks and I could not be bothered to be as methodical as I was the first time around.
×
×
  • Create New...