Fun Car up to $40,000

2jzzzz on 09/02/2019 - 16:43
Last edited 09/02/2019 - 16:57

Hi all,

I'm coming into some money and i'm in a weird situation where I can't buy a house for 2 years and have no rent expenses.

After spending $40.000, I'll still have around decent money left and will build on those savings for a house.

Now, the fun bit.

If you had up to $40,000 to spend on a car that's purely for fun and road trips, what would you buy? I'll be daily driving my 2015 dual cab ute and puppy duties.

So far, a 2010 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG is topping my list and has been a fave car for a long time.

I've had japanese turbo, Aussie 6cyl. Wouldn't mind a V8, but turbo 6cyl is still up there.

CarSales links appreciated

Automotive Car

Comments

        • Bid Sniper on 13/02/2019 - 15:08

          No even that, speed cameras and speed traps.

          That said at night and freeway on ramps it makes it up for it lol

  • Oipjo on 11/02/2019 - 09:31
    +1

    As a Mercedes enthusiast, the W204 C63 is AWESOME… However; it is worth looking into if you want to service it every 15,000-20,000km/1 year - as required. It will be considerably more expensive than servicing any other car, and you can be sure to be charged premiums for registration and insurance, plus; a second hand will likely be thrashed, so worth getting it checked out well before-hand. The operational costs are high, putting that goal of a house in the future, further away. The C63 does come with a lot of status though, if thats important to you…

    My suggestion is to go a 2010/2014 W204 C200-C350 with an AMG Sports package, can probably pick up for $18,000-25,000, give or take, and have plenty left over. Still relatively more expensive than your average car for insurance, servicing (but less than C63 @ 25,000km), but they're excellent cars to drive, and still have plenty of grunt and kick. Especially sports mode. The remaining funds can be saved for a house, or put towards the puppy fund.

    Theres also good support from FB pages for any troubleshooting any of the C-Variants, Mercedes W204 Addicts.. I'm not a huge fan of the newer models but each to their own.

    Despite my love of Mercs, I'd still get a Tesla. It now has new features to keep your pup from overheating!… Only after the house is paid off…

  • Inzo on 11/02/2019 - 09:38
    +3

    I just bought a 2017 v8 mustang, which I am having an amazing time driving

    There's plenty of 2.4l turbo ones below the $40k mark, seems if you go a little higher to 45 you start to see a lot of the v8's

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ford/mustang/under-40000/?a…

  • BenzMan on 11/02/2019 - 09:57
    -1

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Mercedes-Benz-C43-1…

    Best Mercedes model, NOTHING COMES CLOSE for build quality.
    And when you sell it, you'll lose nothing.

    • Milk tea on 11/02/2019 - 14:22
      +1

      Thats so old no offence

      • BenzMan on 15/02/2019 - 18:37

        Don't be naive. Only a woman would say that.
        If you don't know what your talking about, shut-up.

  • dd22qq on 11/02/2019 - 11:50
    +1

    Have encountered a lot of mechanics over the years (both family and friends) and the four most reliable makes seem to be Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Subaru.

    • kevsta on 11/02/2019 - 15:00

      Exactly what my local mechanic tells me.

    • imurgod on 12/02/2019 - 19:32

      This is true, but they are also very boring

      • nuttapillar on 13/02/2019 - 05:35

        you know what else is boring? Wasting your money on repairs for a less-reliable car.

        • imurgod on 13/02/2019 - 07:28

          You must be fun at parties!

          It's a myth. Mine has been extremely reliable. Have not had to repair anything at all.

          European cars are far, far safer too. Money means nothing when it's my family's saftey at stake.

          They are expensive to maintain, but they're a different level of motoring.

    • khomeini on 15/02/2019 - 18:51

      Hey, you got a problem with Nissan's!

      (Please don't mention CVT)

  • playswithfire on 11/02/2019 - 11:54
    +1

    Skoda Octavia vRS - manual 2l turbo, is fun to drive :)

  • apple2016 on 11/02/2019 - 12:03

    So what does fun car mean to you? Rear wheel drive, manual, auto, convertible etc, this will limit the choices.

  • itsdougie on 11/02/2019 - 12:06

    A go-cart, you already have a ute to take it to the track.

  • cintamami on 11/02/2019 - 12:52
    +2

    All these comments.

    Mate, just get your C63, it is a beast and if you ended up buying something else, you will always regret it or have that tinge of regret all the time.

    Find an indie euro mechanic and do a pre-purchase inspections.

    If it is me:
    - C63
    - M3 E92
    - S4

    You are comparing a merc c63 to jap car, the feel is of no comparison (I am not saying their inferior, but the feel is just different).

    • Milk tea on 11/02/2019 - 14:20

      I definitely agree. He wants a merc and people are suggesting Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota..come on lol

      Just get the c63 amg or maybe a c250

  • DoddLad101 on 11/02/2019 - 13:27
    +2

    Mazda MX-5, trumps the rest

    • ozeebee on 11/02/2019 - 15:38
      +2

      I'm looking to get a 2 ltr ND soft top manual in a few months :)

  • nayfon on 11/02/2019 - 13:47

    B7 Audi RS4. It's the last of the manual transmission ones. A bit dated but a better driving package than the B8 series.

  • uzz30 on 11/02/2019 - 14:03

    The Mercedes Benz C63 is an awesome motor car just the engine sound alone is like a symphony, just beware that you may need very deep pockets to maintain it.

    Read this on any car before making a decision:

    http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=recalls&ma…

    In particular the C63 engine is a potential grenade waiting to destroy your wallet due to head bolt failure

    M156 engine (C 63 AMG): cylinder head bolt failure
    For 6.2-litre M156 engines with engines numbers up to 1569xx 60 060658 (corresponding to engines produced from 2006 to the first half of 2010), the cylinder head bolts can stretch and snap.

    That's one big reason this once very expensive car is now affordable to get into.

  • E C on 11/02/2019 - 14:24
    +1

    Chrysler 300c SRT - comfort, grunt, gas guzzler … more a hippo than a gazelle; but I love it :)

  • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 14:30

    Mid life crisis or Westpac graduate?

    • Julius on 11/02/2019 - 20:28
      +1

      rich parents

    • 2jzzzz on 10/05/2019 - 21:50

      Sold an investment property that made me $200k in 3 years.

  • gavincato on 11/02/2019 - 15:05

    I've owned quite a few cars and my fave is still my Porsche Boxster S - bloody amazing fun. Such a beautiful chassis.

    Never driven a c63 though.

    • dcep on 11/02/2019 - 17:58

      how's the ownership cost ?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 23:07

      I love the drive of a GT4 but too many on my street, the chassis is a beaut (same as boxster). They're like the 86 of my hood.

      • jubs on 13/02/2019 - 14:11

        GT4's are common in your hood? Damn where do you live.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 14:33

          By the sea where the winds corrodes the crap out of cars.

  • Buckshot on 11/02/2019 - 18:38

    2014 Volvo S60 Polestar. AWD 3.0L Turbo with Ohlins Adjustable Suspension

  • khomeini on 11/02/2019 - 23:19

    Good luck with your toy.

    My suggestions which others have already provided are: Skyline GTR (R33) or the AMG C63, CLA C45 would be fun.

    If you're in VIC, this may be worthwhile to check out. I was planning on visiting - has a couple of AMGs.

    Manheim Online Prestige Auction - Mlbn 21 Feb

  • Melong on 12/02/2019 - 09:20
    +1

    Golf R is a fun car

  • MrGecko on 12/02/2019 - 12:20

    Get something RWD with lots of power. I can think of lots of high powered cars I've driven (WRX, Golf R/GTI, Polestar) but it has been the ones with RWD as opposed to FWD/AWD that have been the most 'fun' to me… this includes 330i, M3, Boxtster S, Mustang

  • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2019 - 13:58
    +1

    You need to define your "fun". Straightline "fun" or corner "fun" or sideways "fun".

    For me my "fun" is made of:
    - easy sideways
    - corner adjustability and not one dimensional 'understeer'
    - low maintenance and easy to service (diy interim)
    - reliability despite being pushed to the limits over and over and over again

    Some like to have fun on public roads… but for me my driver licence is too precious. And respect to other road users is important.

    But in motorsport venues, i can release my inner hoon to the limits (of my pocket).

  • pformag on 12/02/2019 - 15:23

    Ford Focus RS or XR5

    • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 15:40

      Ah the RS. Exploding engine type of fun.

  • redfox1200 on 12/02/2019 - 16:17
    +3

    $2000 old Toyota, $38000 hookers and blow

    • Oz8argain on 12/02/2019 - 17:39
      +2

      finally, someone that knows what they are talking about

  • Serapis on 12/02/2019 - 18:26
    +1

    Your name = 2jzzzz

    Just get a supra =P

    • 2jzzzz on 10/05/2019 - 21:51

      Had the Aristo "sleeper", hence the name…

  • Shark on 12/02/2019 - 20:13

    Porsche 928 S4. Classic 5.0L V8 GT motoring and lots of fun. Pretty reliable if you purchase a well maintained one with a FSH. Appreciating rather than depreciating asset. After 2 years sell it probably for more than you paid for it and put it towards your house.
    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Porsche-928-1988/SS…

  • Multi21 on 12/02/2019 - 20:31
    +2

    Have you considered a Lexus ISF? Very nearly matches the C63 pound for pound and will go on forever with routine maintenance (although earliest models had some water pump & gearbox issues).

    The M135i is surprisingly quick and the current market is perfect for your budget. Value should be strong once the N55 is phased out.

  • Forskin on 13/02/2019 - 06:16

    I have a cammed 2011 HSV E3 GTS you may be interested in…

  • hopper on 13/02/2019 - 10:47

    "$40,000" "FUN"
    I'm jumping out of window now

  • Chewiebacca on 13/02/2019 - 11:39

    Have seen some of the suggestions here, depends on what you value the most in a car. I personally find AWD hot-hatches the most fun, Golf R, Audi S1/S3, I've owned all and they are buckets of fun. Ford Focus RS fits your budget really well, I haven't driven one but they look amazing on paper, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

    I wouldn't recommend GTR's, they aren't that fun to drive (had a friends R34 V-Spec in beautiful Bayside Blue for a day), great to look at but are designed to be strung out, not much to be enjoyed on our roads.

  • Commander Shepard on 13/02/2019 - 12:43

    I love car threads. The market is so full of great choices. You just need to narrow down on what you think is important.
    If you getting something dedicated for driving and can have something impractical. Buy something small, nimble, lightweight and manual.
    I would not recommend a 40k C63, however you could do a 40k Porsche and have minimal risk.

    Elise
    MX5 (best car ever)
    86
    Cayman/Boxster
    Audi TT
    Audi RS3
    Focus RS
    Renault Sport Megane/Clio
    Peugeot 308/208 GTI
    I30N

  • justaperson on 14/02/2019 - 00:44

    This probably won't even be a first or second choice for you but it's definitely worth a look. I recently (~ about a year ago) upgraded to a Nissan Skyline Crossover (Infiniti QX50) from a W204 C200K and haven't looked back. It's been one of the most fun and practical cars I've ever owned. What other car can you take to a track day, comfortably carry 5 people, take stuff to the tip in (or move) and tow 2 tonne with? Very few - and very few do it as quickly and comfortably as this car can with the 244kw and 5.3 second 0-100 time and with good driving dynamics like 52/48 weight distribution and RWD layout. Worth a look if you want something that's very different and understated and that makes for one hell of a sleeper. Sub 40k would get you a 2015 model if you import through a broker.

  • Stargazer5 on 25/05/2019 - 22:06

    Since you asked us our choice.

    My choice will be a corolla ZR hybrid, electric blue with weather shields, all weather mats and bootliner.
    I can’t drive manual, and need 4 seats at least or else I might try and get a Toyota 86.
    But the corolla hatch hybrid I have been driving has been quite fun for me.
    It’s so quiet, comfortable, easy to drive on the road. It’s fun to use hybrid battery to run the car and I like keyless entry, auto brakes etc on it.

    I have driven my friends high end Mercedes bens for a few days, high powered sports car but, it’s not fun to me. It might be cool looking, but not comfortable and I would not go for long distances or drive it much.
    That’s just me. If I had money, I might hire different high end cars to drive them for a day each, but I would buy a corolla ZR hybrid new for everyday fun.

    As for you…not sure. Toyota 86?

  • SlavOz on 10/12/2019 - 21:41

    Subaru BRZ or Nissan 370z would be the smartest choices. Maybe even a used Porsche Cayman but you'll need to go for an older one with potential problems at that price.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/12/2019 - 14:29

    suzuki jimny, 30k for a new one. Feels fast but not actually going fast (fun but no fines), can go off road, millions of mods

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