Car Upgrade Advice Wanted :)

rdx on 28/07/2017 - 14:23
Last edited 01/08/2017 - 14:24

Hello All,

I’ve currently got a Holden Astra 2005 Equipe TS and would like to sell it to upgrade.
I want a car that will be an upgrade, not a sidestep.
I’ve got around $10k give or take a couple grand to spend.

It might sound juvenile but I would like something I can be proud of, I’m bored of my lacklustre Astra. Doesn’t need to be a race car, just something that looks nice or can be made to look nice, with a bit more than the tiny 90kw that the Astra makes.

I want to switch to manual and it has to have a RWC/Rego.

I’ve been thinking one of the Mazda 3’s or a Focus. I like a smaller car.

Does anybody here have any recommendations?

I’ve been looking at car sales, eBay and gumtree and haven’t found anything that sticks out. I’ve seen a lot of RX-8’s but I’ve been told I’d just end up paying for it again in repair/maintenance costs.

Many thanks in advance, I’ll really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

EDIT: Gday all, I super appreciate all the comments you’ve been leaving, some really great discussion there too, thanks for sharing.
I’ve decided to go with a Ford Focus XR5 Turbo which I have secured for just under $13k @ 120kms. My reasoning is that it is fairly powerful (166kw) especially compared to the auto Astra, it sounds ridiculously nice, the modding community is huge and I like the look, plus I’ve always been a bit of a Ford fan.

Automotive

Comments

  • TurkishDelight on 30/07/2017 - 03:55
    +4

    M- Miata
    I- Is
    A- Always
    T- The
    A- Answer.

    Get an MX5, total fun.

    • gimli on 30/07/2017 - 22:36

      Wth is miata

    • JTTheMan on 31/07/2017 - 15:21
      +2

      Ditto!

      I had an MX5 and it never fails to put a smile on your face.
      Top down on a sunny day is unbeatable!

      I would recommend buying the best one you can afford at your budget, and there should be heaps at around the $10k mark.
      I would go the NC model (love the front bumper of the first model NCs).

      Not only will you proud of owning this car but you will look forward to driving it every time!
      You will never regret buying this car. I regret selling mine.

      I recommend leaving it as stock as possible, while it would be temping to add mods left, right and centre.

  • jar-unit on 30/07/2017 - 08:04
    +4

    Check out Fiesta ST - love mine has some real character like the Miata and love getting into it every day

    • BartholemewH on 31/07/2017 - 09:57

      Do these have DCT issues like the Focus? A friend won one of these in a competition. Was a good little car.

      • jar-unit on 31/07/2017 - 10:30
        +1

        No since the Fiesta ST only come in manual - no issues with this transmission. The Fiesta ST is also built in Germany unlike the "non-ST" models so great quality all round.

  • ShirokaZe on 30/07/2017 - 09:31
    +2

    FN2 Type R Civic

  • gcdollar on 30/07/2017 - 13:58

    Get a Mini!

    • gimli on 30/07/2017 - 22:37

      What about micro. You can always put in a adaptor to convert to micro

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2017 - 14:33
    -2

    2015 Kia cerato. 5 year warranty remaining. <$13000.

    Not a sluggish car, pretty good suspension, road hugging and acceleration for a standard entry sedan.

    More warranty than most new cars at twice the price.

    Easy.

  • elixir on 30/07/2017 - 15:38
    +2

    Mazda 3 MPS
    Golf R/GTI MK6
    The new Civic RS'
    86/BRZ
    WRX MY11+

    Some of these might be out of your price range but it doesn't hurt to look :)

  • drprox on 30/07/2017 - 15:53

    my suggestion fwiw is a mazda sp25
    good mix of mazda build qualty, sporty engine (without getting carried away) and a regular manual box

  • Mysterious Laptop on 30/07/2017 - 19:00

    mate don't even bother with the RX8s… get a honda civic type r fn2 model, best car that suits your budget and specs 100%

  • subydooby on 30/07/2017 - 19:14
    +2

    Renault clio sport
    Peugeot gti

  • syousef on 30/07/2017 - 20:36

    I have no idea what my wife and I are going to replace our Falcon wagons with. We're addicted to the amount of space in the wagon. New wagons are a joke. Pity no one else seems to want a large wagon.

    • spackbace on 30/07/2017 - 21:12

      Yeah the old Falcon and Commodore wagons pre FG/VE were crazy, built on the ute chassis.

      VF wagon might be good but you'd have to change sides :P

      • syousef on 30/07/2017 - 21:14

        Had a VS that gave me nothing but trouble so not keen. The fords are definitely larger. Driving a 2005 BAII atm. My wife's 2003 BA needs radiator, pump, coil and plugs done and isn't in the best shape body wise. Looks like we're going to sink more cash into her this year anyway. Can't find anything decent for under $10k-$12k that's good for a family who can't pack light to save its life to go away in.

        • spackbace on 30/07/2017 - 21:30

          Lol how old are the kids?

        • Illian on 30/07/2017 - 23:23

          The Liberty and Mondeo wagons are decent, but the Passat is quite handsome and probably the best choice if a bit out of that price range, but you've probably looked at all those. Left field choice, find a Volvo V70, they're huge, and more luxurious than you'd be used to in a falcon, rare though.

        • syousef on 31/07/2017 - 04:29
          +1

          @Spackbace:
          7 and 9. So we probably have a good 10 years of family holidays to go even if the kids complain for the last couple.

  • nobarginsarehere on 30/07/2017 - 22:30

    I’ve been thinking one of the Mazda 3’s or a Focus. I like a smaller car.

    You arent interested in cars, just stick with your Holden Fridge Blender

    • Dr Techno on 30/07/2017 - 23:42

      depending on the state of the Holden Fridge Blender, it might actually be cheaper in the long run to buy a newer japanese something car.. My sister owns the same Holden Fridge Blender but 1st gen TS so its got more things to go wrong with it. Such a PITA to do any mechanical work on it, its put me off all euro cars for life now.

  • FatGPT on 31/07/2017 - 09:14

    I would recommend the Toyota Camry

  • unwashed00 on 31/07/2017 - 09:23

    Stand out of the crowd - get Alfa Romeo MiTo.

  • gezza90 on 31/07/2017 - 10:29
    +1

    Have owned a Mazda 6 MPS with a stage 1+ tune (spent around 2k) and seriously had so much fun. If you're after a small car, I'd highly recommend the Mazda 3 MPS. Why?
    1. You're an ozbargainer and you most probably care about the resale value of your car in the future. MPS will hold their value more than the standard naturally aspirated cars other people are mentioning
    2. Factory 190kw at the engine. Can't compare to other small cars that are 90kw-120kw.
    3. You won't regret it.

    • unwashed00 on 31/07/2017 - 16:20

      Serious question. Why would you need 190kw if you never take the car to a track?

      • gezza90 on 31/07/2017 - 17:05
        +2

        Not a need. More of a want. Like most things we have in life, they're mostly wants rather than needs.

        But I've driven a 2008 corolla, 2000 hyundai excel, 2007/2012 citroen C4, 2006 Mazda 3 hatch etc… and none of them compare to an MPS as a small hatch. I think at the end of the day the facts are facts but it comes down to personal choice. And when choosing a car, there are so many variables, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, parts, reliability, engine power, build quality etc… OP did say he wanted an upgrade and therefore I recommended the 3 MPS between 10k-15k because it's a small car, looks nice (IMO) and is more powerful than 90kw. I would've recommended a 6sp manual 2009 Corolla Hatch but they look too "bubbly" IMO.

        Plus it's always good to have that extra power especially when you have a full car or have AC on during hot days.

        • unwashed00 on 01/08/2017 - 10:57

          I was questioning your point 2 specifically. As it just states that 190kw is good. But yeah, higher power usually comes with better handling which you enjoy all the time you drive.

      • Buyme on 31/07/2017 - 19:13

        They are seriously fun to drive. I'm looking at upgrading my Mazda 3 MPS, for no other reason as with 2 kids, it's getting a little small. It's great on fuel, only drinks lots when you push it hard, which with 2 kids, I simply don't do. It's faultless reliablility was my attraction, now at 5 years old, with under 50k on the clock, it's soon to be someone else's.

        Still, out of the price range for the OP. We are way off topic

        • unwashed00 on 01/08/2017 - 10:59

          I'm just curious, where do you push it hard? I have to take my car to track to be able to push it any hard. Driving within the limits is barely fun, 190kw or not.

        • Buyme on 01/08/2017 - 11:54

          @warsch:

          Pulling into a freeway, winning off the lights, just general pushing it. Sure, it's not racing it around a track, but I'd suggest it's a very small percentage of people who actual race their cars. I just hate driving under powered cars

  • OzzyOzbourne on 31/07/2017 - 16:22

    What do you define as an upgrade?
    Faster, more power, larger, more tech…..?

  • crentist on 31/07/2017 - 17:14

    Golfs are pretty great. gf had one, i drove an mx5.
    as much fun as the mx5 is with the top down, I still really enjoyed taking out the Golf
    i tried to push her towards a corolla/mazda3, glad she ignored me. her standard golf felt way sportier and much more luxurious than those
    only bad thing is itll be hard for me to go back to regular japanese/korean cars, with their light steering and generic engine performance
    later we rented a mazda3 for a weeks holiday, it was super boring

  • Icecold Inc on 31/07/2017 - 19:16

    Save up a bit more and get a 07 Skyline 370GT. Seen them go for anywhere from 15k-30k used. Incredible power, N/A engine so smooth power delivery. Fuel economy isn't great though.

  • rustledjimmies on 31/07/2017 - 23:50

    I saw a nice Mazda 3 on gumtree not too long ago for about that price and exactly what you're looking for. It was a 2009 Mazda 3 SP25 Manual, leather seats, sunroof, bose sound system, 80k kms, red, going for 11.5k but with 6 months rego, so you could chop them down to 11k straight off the bat. So for 10-11k a 2.5l Mazda 3 is in your price range

  • Knightelf on 01/08/2017 - 09:17

    Keep saving.

  • foo on 01/08/2017 - 11:23

    For 10k, you can get a decent Mazda 3/Lancer/Anything in the same tier. Since you're going for manual you have abit more room to move since the resale on manuals are lower (active market is smaller in australia).

  • Handsoff on 01/08/2017 - 13:06

    Not sure why this hasn't mentioned yet but for your price range you'd be crazy not to consider a Honda s2000! "High" km S2000's are reaching the low $10k mark. When I say high km I mean 150,000 - 200,00 but the F20C is known to be bullet proof and there are people in the states driving these cars to 300,000KM+ without engine rebuilds.

    Transmission is so precise and so easy to learn on (I learnt how to drive manual in an s2k in 1 day).
    Handling is absolutely spot on with 50/50 weight distribution. You can throw this car around corners because of how light it is.
    Nothing beats going around for a cruise with the top down.
    More than enough power for daily driving ~0-100 in 6s. If i remember correctly it puts out 170kw.
    Great fuel economy 400-500km per tank. $60 per tank of 98.
    Bathtub feel where you feel sunk into the car. Provides a very connected feeling.
    A very iconic car with lots of enthusiasts for the above reasons and will be the car that makes you love driving.

    Only down side is the practicality of being 2 seats but if you had a look at the MX5 I'm sure you've considered this already. Also, TCT issues with the AP1 variants (only variant you'll afford with your price range) but this is an easy $200 fix.

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