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GENERAL STUFF => GENERAL DISCUSSIONS => Random Chit Chat => Topic started by: Pranav on July 20, 2011, 07:52:31

Title: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 20, 2011, 07:52:31
Hi Pals,

Am waiting for my missus to get a job and then we would need another car !  :)

I have always wanted a convertible, manual sports car !

My budget would be low however, close to 10 K AUD.

I have in my mind the cars mentioned below really.

2000 - 2004 Year make

# Mazda Mx5
# Peugeot 206 CC convertible
# Holden Astra Convertible

Can you help me choose ! any past experience ? or information.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: AlanHo on July 20, 2011, 08:08:52
It's a no brainer - if you really want a proper sports car the only one in your list is the Mazda.

The other two are for geriatric posers and blondes................ :whistler:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Surferdude on July 20, 2011, 09:41:14
^^^^^^^

I agree with Alan.

Mazda it is.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 20, 2011, 09:43:16
hehe  :D thanks you guys made it easy !
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 20, 2011, 09:54:43
I will start looking for a good mazda already ! is there any other car i could think about ??? in the same budget
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 20, 2011, 11:47:24
I also think out of those three choices the Mazda is the way to go..  :goodjob:

I will do a bit of surfing and edit this post if I come up with any other alternatives that might be worth considering... :winker:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 20, 2011, 12:02:31
Thanks Dazz !

I have at least a month or two to do decide ! It will take some time to get around the finance, do not want another loan  :)
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 20, 2011, 12:06:52
Thanks Dazz !

I have at least a month or two to do decide ! It will take some time to get around the finance, do not want another loan  :)

Have a play on www.carsales.com (http://www.carsales.com) in your price range (do an advanced search in your price range narrowing down engine size etc.. to suit .. you might uncover a couple of other surprise options)  :winker:

Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Surferdude on July 20, 2011, 21:59:35
I also think out of those three choices the Mazda is the way to go..  :goodjob:

I will do a bit of surfing and edit this post if I come up with any other alternatives that might be worth considering... :winker:

He wants a car Dazz, not a surfboard. :winker:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 21, 2011, 04:42:13
Go the Mazda, i have an 07 MX5,  love it,  and not only that, its the only Japanese one in the list, and it will be the only one left on the road in 10 or more years.    the other 2 arnt know for their reliability, or driving pleasure like the MX5.   
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 21, 2011, 05:46:20
Thanks for the re assurance Ultralights, is the one you got a soft top or a hard one ??

must be fun in any way !  :goodjob:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: TrishCW on July 21, 2011, 07:44:34
I would also go the Mazda Mx5  :goodjob:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Lune on July 21, 2011, 10:41:29
be extremely careful when buying, as you're looking for manual sports type cars theres a higher chance the previous owner will have really hammered them hard. Get a full mechanical check, in particular the base timing should be correct as it can hide all sorts of wierd and wonderful issues with just a minor tweak (I learnt this the hard way :P) and some people seem to think advancing the timing for power with no idea what theyre REALLY doing is a good idea :S
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 21, 2011, 11:58:54
Oh ! thanks...I will try to get that inspection done by RACV coz I got very little idea about how it should go.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 21, 2011, 12:02:26
Hard top for winter , its removable..
(http://pamuva1.smugmug.com/Cars/81-Mazda-RX-7-and-other-cars/i-6xQGtm6/0/L/GOPR0436-L.jpg)

Soft top from Spring to Autumn, actually top down more in spring and autumn, air con on n summer.  too hot with it down in the summer sun..
(http://pamuva1.smugmug.com/Cars/81-Mazda-RX-7-and-other-cars/GOPR0247/719259602_m5LJo-L.jpg)





Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: eye30 on July 21, 2011, 12:37:25
Here is an idea.
Save the dosh -----  Go Green and buy a bike with a "gofaster" stripe    :rofl:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 21, 2011, 12:44:36
haha..i have got a bike ! heheh but hmm..havent been riding much ! I should...getting lazy...and the weather too ! has been really cold and wet
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 21, 2011, 13:13:05
Don't tell Clover Moore that! You should be riding no matter the weather, even to do your shopping! She even went as far as turning main roads into lanes especially for peddlers! 
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: eye30 on July 21, 2011, 13:39:52
haha..i have got a bike ! heheh but hmm..havent been riding much ! I should...getting lazy...and the weather too ! has been really cold and wet

Oh I forgot to say with the bike it will be soft top all year round    :exclaim:

For a hard top/hood just wear a cap   :rofl:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 21, 2011, 13:56:42
Who is Clever Moore ????
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Shambles on July 21, 2011, 14:06:08
Who is Clever Moore ????

A smarter woman than you :lol:


http://lmgtfy.com/?q=%22clover+moore%22&l=1 (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=%22clover+moore%22&l=1)
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 21, 2011, 22:52:21
clover moore is the dingbat lesbian mayor of Sydney, well, she is actually mayor of surry hills, but dont tell her that, she thinks she runs the entire sydney metro area, and she has decided its better for everyone to ride pushbikes everwhere in sydney. and hence, has turned most major roads in the CBD into bike lanes causing permanent gridlock, at the same time, giving herself a few mor car spaces and room for her taxpayer funded car and driver to get her to work every day. but you MUST ride a pushbike! to save yourself! and the city! 

sadly she only represents the green latte sipping homosexual community in eastern suburns, yet she thinks she represents the whole city.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 21, 2011, 23:01:01
clover moore is the dingbat lesbian mayor of Sydney,

sadly she only represents the green latte sipping homosexual community in eastern suburns, yet she thinks she represents the whole city.

This post is not necessarily the view of the Management of this site and although Ultralights has strong opinions on this topic .. I am confident he is not homophobic .. :whistler:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 21, 2011, 23:20:14
hahahaha, no, not homophobic.   just another sydney resident unhappy with the way its run.  and all those useless bike lanes!  :-\
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Surferdude on July 22, 2011, 02:14:29
The MX5 is known as "the hairdressers' car" so there'll be plenty around which haven't been thrashed.
And I wouldn't let that tag put me off buying one. Even Top Gear rates them very highly.
It's probably the only Mazda I'd buy. :-[
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 22, 2011, 02:44:28
The MX5 is known as "the hairdressers' car" so there'll be plenty around which haven't been thrashed.
And I wouldn't let that tag put me off buying one. Even Top Gear rates them very highly.
It's probably the only Mazda I'd buy. :-[

Down here there are quite a few balding grey haired chaps about our age cruising around in pristine MX5's  :goodjob:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Paolo5 on July 22, 2011, 04:48:35
My partner has a 1992 MX5 which she adores. It handles much better than my i30 but trails in every other area IMO.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Jack on July 22, 2011, 05:22:04
Quote
The other two are for geriatric posers
I resemble that remark Alan..  :whistler:

At least I am not blond, well maybe eggshell blonde. The only hair that would be blowing in the wind if I drove a open sports car would be my ear hair..  :winker:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Eyethirty on July 22, 2011, 07:34:19
I used to own an R130 a long time ago. Then went through a 1800 Deluxe phase.
If I could fit into an MX5 I would have bought one ages ago.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Lakes on July 22, 2011, 08:08:12
Get a Lotus super7. the real thing!
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 22, 2011, 08:58:50
Hahaha...loving the conversations here !!

Hey Lakes, my budget is only like 10-15 K max  :'(
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Lakes on July 22, 2011, 21:48:29
Hey Pranav, well can understand, just the super 7 is no compromise sports car or clubman. i don't know what to think about the MX5 but they have been around a long time and have like a cult following of what seems to be a mixture of women & old men like myself :rofl:, that probably used to want or had old oil leaking rattly British sports cars like the MG's Midgets Healeys Morgans & so on.
the good thing about the MX5 is its long runing so parts should be easy, they should hold there value. the bad thing about that type of design is it will be very flexy so to speek as no roof for support so they would flex around a lot, the clip on hard roof does not support as its not part of the body. but they could not be too bad as i have seen some with EFI Chevy V8's.
if i was in the market for a car like that i think i would look at the Honda s2000 as i think Honda build really good motors, they are a quality car a friend of mines wife drives one she has had it for almost 10 years still looks great and performs strong. just expencive to maintain like $3,000 for a new clutch
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 22, 2011, 21:51:54
I like the S2000 also John but doubt you would get a 2nd hand one for 10 or 15K (over 70K new I think)   RX8 are real bargain 2nd hand too at mid 20's compared to big $$ when new but bit too thirsty for us. :confused:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Lakes on July 22, 2011, 22:14:01
think your right Dazz just don't think you would get a very good MX5 in the $10k to $15K braket & with that type of car with the miles one in that price range would have up would be very loose could possibly have cracks from metal fateague. but it's just what i think. i've driven old MG TC's, MG B's, old Jag XK's sports, a m8 used to have an old XK 150 sports car with tripple side draught webbers welded the doors up to try to stop body flex  :rofl:. we had to hop in could not open door. but it flew was a fast Car, he was from GB had it set up like the D type. in them day's we did not have a maxium speed limit. when you got to the sign with the black strip that mean no fixed speed limit. at high speeds is when you learn all about body flex :eek:
cheers
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 22, 2011, 22:18:26
I can see the appeal of something like an MX5 but if we wanted a fun two door would probably go a coupe of some sort as get better value and Trish and I both have to watch our exposure to the sun  :disapp: (and not the same issues with body flex)  :goodjob:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Ultralights on July 23, 2011, 00:26:23
My MX5 cost me $17k  had 160'000 km on it, limited edition first of the 6 speed models. 1.8 ltr vvt engine.  Had it for 2 hrs now.  They are very solid for a roadster, and there is good reason why there is plenty of em around. Very reliable and do what they are designed to very well, go around corners.  Driving it is almost telepathic, you just think about taking a corner and the car just does it.

When it comes to ownership costs, it's still a Mazda. Parts are everywhere if you ever need them, and relatively cheap.   I wouldn't worry about things like flexibility being a convertible,  it's a modern strong car designed from day 1 to be a brilliant roadster. It was never a coupe or hardtop converted to a soft top.

Take the other for a drive and see what suits you! But the 5 is simple and most importantly. massive amounts of FUN and a blast to drive.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on July 23, 2011, 01:45:07
Hmm..yeah guys, I spent some time in Car sales today...

Honda S2000 would be a great car, but I really long for a top less one ! not so much in to racing..infact that's why I even considered an Astra convertible as it could seat 4 people if need comes...but reading your suggestions...it will be stupid to get one instead of MX 5.

and yes, the specs tell that Mazda would need less fuel too :)

I came across in car sales a few MX5's that were 1998 - 2002 build..around 12-13 K and run only like 100000 Km.

I am amazed by it's resale value, a new car is somewhat under 50 K and a 10 - 12 year old one is still 15 Km...that's I think is good.

Unfortunately, I am trying to buy one though.

Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on July 23, 2011, 04:12:25
I like car shopping Pranav..  :goodjob: except for the final bit (never much fun if you are trading which i usually am....) o/k if cash buyer though  :D
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Lakes on July 23, 2011, 07:13:48
Good thinking, my friends wifes Honda s2000 is topless soft top. but he said it loves to drink fuel 98octain, i think she drives full bore everywhere :D.
only thing i don't like about topless is you are at the mersy of the eliments, & other drivers. like i've Ridden motor bikes a while & in same possition. like smokers can throw out a fag & hit you in the face. you might be stopped under a tree at the lights & a bird might go poo on you  :(, or a truck might hit a big puddle & swoosh. but thats life. i might be getting soft.
i also think the Mazda would be a good buy just take your time don't rush in.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on August 01, 2011, 02:49:30
Wow ! I test drove a MX5 this weekend.

To be honest, it was the first time I stepped in a car this low ! I felt being on the floor.  It was scary somewhat the first few moments.

But the car was easy to drive, just nice.

Cant wait to buy one !
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on August 01, 2011, 09:48:01
I've driven a huge number of different cars in the last 35 years but never an MX5 (I might have to try one ) :D
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: i30RWAB on August 04, 2011, 03:24:33
Really late on this one but.......................................................Mazda. I had the pleasure of spending some quality time in an MX5, and the images are indelible.
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Dazzler on August 04, 2011, 10:08:37
There was a red MX5 with a black vinyl roof (not a hardtop) parked on the corner of our road with a For Sale sign on it today $7,200... It was raining or I would have taken a photo.. Looked a little tired from a distance. Guessing it was an early 1.6ltr model (alloys looked like after market ones I think)  :cool:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: Pranav on August 04, 2011, 13:13:45
Hehe..thanks Dazz..

I liked a 1999 MX5 done around 100 K km's.

On sale for 11000 $, hmm..might go with something like that, will try to bargain a bit too.  :goodjob2:
Title: Re: Second car ?? which one...
Post by: asathorny on August 04, 2011, 14:40:56
Get a Lotus super7. the real thing!

Nah, you want the Mercedes 'S' class, top of the range with forward looking infra red.    Mr Clarkson says it's the best car in the world, nuff said then  :goodjob:
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