25 replies to this topic

[ubernoob]

There is a chance I will have to replace my current car and I am looking for something that can fit a bike and a semi decent stereo in the back.

I am really struggling to find anything better than my current car(Volvo S60) for price/power/comfort ratio, it's not a great car overall but to find something better for ~$10000 seems to be really difficult.

[TEGBOY]

Nissan Stagea? Should be able to pick one up for around that price.

[Mr. Drifter]

Commodore vz wagon >

What kind of bike by the way?
I can fit my bmx in my 77 civic, and it has a stereo in it. Just depends where you want to put the bike and what not >

[Big_Valven]

Commondore wagon. Or if you're a bit daft, a Falcon wagon.

[ubernoob]

I know the Commodore and Falcon are probably my best option, I think a bike would fit in a sedan no problem and I'd imagine they would have a bit better chassis stiffness when compared to a wagon. Wagons are good but my bike would be super visible and is worth about the same as the car it would be kept in so sedans with a high parcel shelf may be worth a look.

Has anyone had a drive in a 380? They are coming down in price and are nearing my price range, I know they look crap but supposedly handle quite well which is more important to looks.

I have come across the worlds ugliest Volvo, but it's a manual AWD and my turbo bolts straight on, with a tune and zorst they nudge 200KW and Police don't even know you exist(unless you drive slowly through a school zone). http://www.carpoint....SearchAction=N

__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=v70&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=13586C4597DE&__N=834%201216%201246%201247%201252%201282%201622&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=1&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=1&__Ntt=v70&trecs=5

Tegboy I was after a Stag when I bought my car and yes they are cheap now, but when I was looking two years ago they were 18k, so glad I didn't buy one then. I may have a look at some but there were no stage 1 manuals, they are all made using 33 manual bits. May have a look at a Caldina, I'd have one of them if it weren't for that retarded bonnet gape!

[ardenteagle]

Nissan Stagea? Should be able to pick one up for around that price.

Great suggestion!

I love my Stagea. Very comfy, good power and HUGE.

I paid 12k for mine (Latest shape M35)

Edited by ardenteagle, 16 February 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[Mr. Drifter]

If you're after a large boot sedan, commodore and falcon probably take the cake.. they tend to have enormous boots...

[ubernoob]

Great suggestion!

I love my Stagea. Very comfy, good power and HUGE.

I paid 12k for mine (Latest shape M35)

Are they auto only? That's all I seem to be able to find, if only they weren't the V6 engine.

[TEGBOY]

The only reason I didn't suggest the Commo or Ford, you're going from a turbo car to an NA car, it's a HUGE step down.

I do love a Stag as they are cheap for what they are and a fun car to drive.

[Damo95]

and also from a car that handles well to a "barge".. the commodore wagons do not handle well until you get some decent suspension into them!

i'm with clint, it'll be a step down...

I'd go with a Stagea or Caldina, or even look at the Mitsubishi Legnum?

[KSR]

Another vote for the Legnum, I was (pleasently) surprise when my mate took me for a drive in his, hauled relative azz and took corners very well... Only issue is getting one for under 10k :S

[ubernoob]

Legnums are cheap but a transverse engine and two turbos is a bad idea, they are too hard to work on.
The Stag seems like the best option, North South six big engine bay and easy to get parts for, pretty sure insurance will be a bit.

[Mr. Drifter]

But the stag is a wagon though?
Also was going to mention the handling of the commodore, but wasn't sure haha.

Crx. xD
No but seriously, stag would be nice.. Did any of the models come with an rb26?

[broadz]

the VQ35 engine in the V35 is a sweet beautiful engine with all motor linear power. Even better in a 350z Chassis

I would look into subaru liberty GT wagons as they have performance, ample room for good stereo install and a largish cargo room with a low floor for ease of loading/unloading.

[marsh]

GT forester!

[BigAnt]

I dont know alot about volvo's, but if the k's are too high on the one you posted the link to, I'd go for that. Its heaps cheaper and probably bigger than the japanese stuff, will be off the thieves & rozzer's radar, maybe the insurance companys too? Like you said you already have a turbo you can bolt on & everyone loves a sleeper!

[ubernoob]

GT forester!

P platers have driven the Subie prices up way too high for what they are, bearings in the gearboxes crap out pretty early and I won't own one unless it has a PPG boxor at least a straight cut dog first gear.
I'm not a fan of the Subies, my old man has a H6 Outbak and it is pretty crap, rubbish seats, cats cook CV boots, wafer thin door skins etc etc Oh yeah and Police love them.


BigAnt, the Volvo I linked sadly has the engine built for efficiency meaning higher compression low boost and very very thin walls on the liners, the gearboxes will however take 300KW ATW no dramas. They also have laminated windows all round so my bikes would be harder to steal, I think I would prefer a Stag though, might have a look around on Sunday.


Thanks for the input so far gents.

Edited by ubernoob, 17 February 2012 - 10:46 PM.

[ubernoob]

Got a quote for $7100 in damage to my car still waiting for a second quote which I think will be a bit lower, I will shoot a letter of demand off to the young kid next week.

I am still thinking this is the go, it's as ugly as a fat chick in tight denim shorts but it has 6.5" mids mounted way up in the doors which is a huge plus.
http://www.carsales....ice:Min,10000~1

[ubernoob]

Looks like I might be grabbing a 97 V70 turbo, I think I can get one with a dud timing belt and possibly dud head for $500, it is in OK condition and has full leather and may possibly have the factory Dynaudio option, it does have a bunch of room under the boot floor where the optional seats and subs go.

Trying to locate a head just in case I need one, car has a 10yr service history and has all the things that go boom replaced,except the timing belt.

Speaker position is the main reason I want this thing, I am such a sad human being.

[ubernoob]

Found a head, bought a boroscope today and made up a pressure testing doodad, I am going to remove the cam cover and pressure test each cylinder with the cams out that and being able to see the crowns will let me know what's going on.

If the head needs replacing I can still have the car on the road for $1500 total and it would sell for 3-4k but if the pistons are toast I'm not touching it, no point doing lots of work to still end up with an auto.

[ubernoob]

Damn it might be on the way to Sims Metal, acted a bit slow and the owner gave the keys to Sims, he said there is a chance they haven't picked it up yet.

[ubernoob]

Ended up with an EL Fairmont, it is rubbish but runs well and is mechanically sound, for $1030 with 6 months redgo I couldn't pass it up.
Grabbed new plugs, oil and filter and will do the ATF and ilter next week, was surprised that AAMI list a value between $2100 and $2900 for value, I thought it would be about $3.50.

[ubernoob]

Bought it yesterday, broke down today, I thought a 150km round trip would be a good idea. It was almost a disaster, luckily when it did break down I was 1km from home.

Seems the fuel pump isn't getting fuel when it's hot so I'll rip the pump out and clean the strainer, I'm hoping the heat of the fuel after a long trip and restriction at the pickup is what's causing the problem. I'll find the fuel tank vent and give that a blast too just to make sure it's not blocked(if they even have one) I haven't really had to much diagnosis experience on EFI cars, if only it was OBDII.

[ubernoob]

If anyone knows of any Volvo 740 turbos for sale please let me know, the Falcon will be for sale in the next two weeks if all goes to plan.

[fuddbutter]

I can fit my bike in my BRZ./

[GRPABT1]

I bought my 1998 Toyota Prado for $8000. Top of the range model with leather and electric everything, so comfy I worry about falling asleep. Had about 250k km but mechanically A1 and came with new bigger all terrains, lift kit and dual battery setup. Being petrol it does chew a bit of juice though.