ford as first car...

[boj01]

Revhead - Just giving my opinion. Exactly, they are cheap and built to a budget, meaning they are a good car to start in. They are newer and in better condition that a lot of older cars - if they are maintained. If not they go down hill rapidly! They don't have all the mod cons but the later ones - 1998 onwards aren't too bad.

I agree with you and am very thankful I wasn't in any accidents because they are shithouse when it comes to safety. With the right mods they don't go too bad either. Mine struggled but kept up with Commodore 6's.

Truthfully, my Excel handled better than my Skyline and corners I could take at 130km/h, I have to slow down to about 100km/h in Skyline. This wouldn't be the case with a R32 or R33 GTST as these cars handle choice. In my opinion, my Excel was better through the twisties, but the Skyline is way more quick in straight lines (well duh!) Maybe it's becuase my Skyline is an '82 model and stuff wears etc. etc. Earlier Skylines and such are also excellent first cars as they are bullet proof. I'm gunna shut up now before I put my foot in it again! :Paranoid:

[racsov500]

hmm. interesting. excel handles better than a dr30? guess the whole 20 years old thing.

[racsov500]

what about a corida GSR turbo?

or like a old integra? hondas arent bad, but as soon as they start with "c" =RICE

[Revhead]

boj - lol no worries Yes, maintenance plays a very large part in how 'good' a car is.

From what I hear DR30s are great fun with some decent aftermarket suspension (hint, hint)... and we can't have a Skyline out-handled by an Excel now can we?

[boj01]

Haha yes that is quite true! Also its got to do with that fact the Excel was a FWD and I could push it hard and couldn't make any errors (apart from understeer!). Also it was fully insured compared to Skyline which only has 3rd party, so I baby the Skyline, much like 9/10 other import owners!

[racsov500]

but would the shame of owning an excel really be worth it?

go skyline!

[Mitch_Is_Da_Man]

i would have to say the reliability, maintenence etc. really have to do with the person you bought it off, although i agree on the fact the hyundai is lump of terd of wheels the reliability of the car regardless is a plastic engined nightmare. but i must agree with rascov the probe is a goodlooking ford and may have a big future is u choose buy it.

good luck with the probe

[Guest hoon69]

honestly im blue blooded and i wouldnt even consider the probe yes they look alright but cost wise your better off with a skyline in the long run cause the amount of money you save in insurance you make up for in spare parts etc...

honestly better off with a XR falcon 94 for 5-7k or a small import with a 2ltr turbo engine maybe?

but dont go with the probe..

[Rekin]

Originially the probe was going to be a cheap run around for 3 years until Im off my P's basically. The car is cheap, insurance is cheap, car too weak to attract police and looks nice. I doubt driving the 1997 probe for 3 years will cost me more than owning an import...I could be wrong. Ill keep on looking around for the cars that you suggested.

thankyou all

- Patrick

[racsov500]

just dont get a gemi. uuuuhhhhh..........

[The_Paladin]

i'm interested in this discussion because i agree with rekin is saying about starting small and local and building upto a decient jap..........

R31 sounds like a good choice.........lancer?

i'm not sure about the earlier korean cars but one of the car mag's over here was giving a rundown of some massive consumer experiment that was conducted in 20 cars to test value and reliablity...........a hundi came 3rd!!! it didnt break down once over the 2 year trial. Audi's etc broke down more.........

they were the new models though.

i reckon start on naturally asperated engines too...........no cop worries and less chance of crashing the car.

[racsov500]

r31!

lancers are ok but the galant is better, bit xpencive though

what do u think of the Corida GSR?

exa's arent that bad, but not exactly a "10 sec car" (stupid fast furious.....ricers)

targa top, cheap, lite....uhh....ca16...(thats more of a downsyde)....id get one if i didnt like imports.

[meshybum]

probe poo poo

[Terreto]

I say go something newer if you can, I mean cordia's GSR's?? are they like those old cars? when were they out, like 85 or something? That's almost a quarter of a century ago, and it looks it! These cars will have a zillion kilometers on them.

r31, well yeah, same, not exactly spring chickens. Exa, again, I mean c'mon it's not 1988!

Honestly though, for 10k there's not too much that rocks one's world, the little eunos 30x is okay and the probe at least looks like it was styled in this millenium, (some people here don't care about styling but ya know with sports cars or coupe styling is important, it's part of the package).

I don't particularly like the probe, it's a bit junky, and yeah, it could be a hassle but look at these two pics and make up your own mind:

The Probe

The Cordia

'nuff said. You aint' going to be smoking no GT-R's in this car so you might as well have something that looks like it's not from the jurassic period.

[DLuded]

dont know if anyone has said this, im too lazy to read all the posts, but have you thought about a sx corolla. nice cars and very reliable

[KILL HSV]

30x are puss, when u drive it it feels heavy as a commondore

[racsov500]

you could prob pick up a s13 cheap, but thats an import. maybe even a r32, but if it is that cheep, its prob dodgy.