Cars with a Personality ($15k- $20k Budget)

Lshruglord on 22/11/2021 - 15:01
Last edited 24/11/2021 - 20:21 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I've had some pretty boring NPC cars lately. Currently have a VW Golf GTI (07) and my last car was a Honda Accord Euro Sport, both very reliable and popular cars. My last car before then was a few years ago which was an Integra Type R (DC2) and I've been thinking lately I'm missing a car with a sense of personality and individuality. I'd like to get something again so looking at collecting a list of cars I'd like to look for.

I was looking for a Mini Cooper S but the prices have gone up on the older ones so don't think they're worth it as much.

I'm thinking small odd 4WD's from the 90s like a Suzuki Sierra or a Mitsubishi 2dr Pajero.

What would you get, retro or otherwise that's reliable enough to get around but a bit of a headturner?

:)

Automotive

Comments

              • 91rs on 23/11/2021 - 13:04
                +1

                @Euphemistic: I've seen 3 in Aus, one was purple and had a half cut of another PP turned in to a trailer which was cool.
                It's been 6-7 years since I've seen one on the roads here though, probably in people's garages being admired not driven.

  • oscargamer on 22/11/2021 - 17:30
    +11

    Lovely older unreliable Alfa.
    MX5.
    Megane RS.
    Original Mini from the 60's / 70's.
    Trabant.
    Citroën DS.

    • nubzy on 22/11/2021 - 17:46

      Ah yes the DS, another great option. Look fantastic and super comfy.

    • Baniya on 23/11/2021 - 15:29

      Fantastic suggestions!!

    • entropysbane on 24/11/2021 - 17:12

      The trabant would be cruel and unusual punishment.

      So would the French cars. Nice, but you need a close personal relationship with a mechanic and spare parts supplier.

      • oscargamer on 24/11/2021 - 17:24

        OP wanted personality and individuality. Why do you have to be so boring as to mention mechanics and spare parts……….

        I've had an Alfa, an original Mini, I own an RS.

        Each of these have given me many smiles. Each and every drive. You DO NOT need to mention other elements of car ownership……….

        :)

  • Drakesy on 22/11/2021 - 17:38
    +2

    Was always a fan of the Alfa Brera's
    Wouldn't buy one in a million years though given the issues.

    Maybe a Lotus Elise/Exige or Mazda Mx-5 or RX 8

    • CheeseBeans on 23/11/2021 - 16:27

      Elise/exige is astronomically out of the budget by a factor of 100-400%

      MR2 spyder, find a manual converted one, or even better, a 2zz swapped one.

  • plmko on 22/11/2021 - 18:42
    +2

    The correct choice is a 1998 Mitsubishi RVR Hyper Gear if you can still find one.

    • shruglord on 22/11/2021 - 21:40

      Love the name. Worth it for that alone.

  • tonyjzx on 22/11/2021 - 18:54
    +3

    I think OP has had three cars in a row that most people would call quite interesting.

    To me a Golf GTI, Accord Euro and a DC2 are quite cool cars… especially if they're all manual (I know DC2s are all manual).

    There's not a lot of interesting cars at this price level. I do get the MX5s and the like but are they a practical manageable day to day car? Your lifestyle, you choice.

    I do get the point that 90% of SUVs are boring shit.

    There are some exceptions, the Toyota FJ… not at this price.

    But yeah IMO the 3 door Pajero is cool. I also think the old Vitaras Grand Vitaras are also cool having real ladder frames and true 4x4 cred. Later ones not so cool. I think just about every Asian or VW softroader made since year dot is not cool.

    I personally wouldnt be interested in imports unless they are truly high performance.

    I do get ya. There's nothing much out there thats interesting unless you get to $50k+ stuff. To me a lot of Euros sub $20k just isnt worth the bother unless you want to submit your entire life to a BMW E46 manual etc etc.

    • 91rs on 23/11/2021 - 10:40
      +1

      1/3 and its the DC2.
      Honda Euro is a nice car but I'd not say interesting.
      Golf GTI, please they're pretty bland and boring (we're talking about the modern ones?), a million of them out there, it might as well be a Camry at this stage.

      • pilchard on 23/11/2021 - 21:11
        +1

        Not just any Honda Euro! OP had a Euro Sport, which had a pretty nice body kit.

    • snooksy on 23/11/2021 - 11:04

      Not true. See my comment below on a VW CC

  • Brick Tamland on 22/11/2021 - 19:18
    +7

    Nissan Cube

  • Euphemistic on 22/11/2021 - 19:54
    +1

    Good luck finding a Sierra. Their prices are stupid high. Amon with pretty much every desirable 4wd. You should be able to get an older jimmy for around $10k. I recently considered a 2002 model for $4k with a blown gearbox and in need of motor work, it sold in a few days.

    Also, having owned one when it was a few years old, you don’t want to do a lot of Highway work in them. Mine was flat out at about 120 and with a soft top I’d be half deaf after more than a few minutes on the highway. Loads of fun off the beaten track though. Went anywhere, only mod was a set of AT tyres.

    You want personality you’ll pay for it.

  • djones145 on 22/11/2021 - 20:21
    +4

    I thought camry was the sexy choice for all ozbargainers

    • Euphemistic on 22/11/2021 - 20:48
      +1

      Add personality with a big plastic wing on the back and some chrome sticker flames.

      • djones145 on 22/11/2021 - 21:39
        +4

        autobot badge br0

        • silverrat23 on 23/11/2021 - 13:45
          +3

          And a tissue box at the back window.

  • justaperson on 22/11/2021 - 20:51
    +2

    MG TF with the 1.8 VVC motor if you can find it. A very well balanced car despite the somewhat critical reviews at the time, fantastic styling and a back to basics interior that is surprisingly well put together. They're also hopelessly notorious for having headgasket issues since they had a single layer gasket. You can now buy a multi-layer steal headgasket as an upgrade kit which makes it a very reliable motor. The 1.8 K series is a very enjoyable high revving little unit and it's definitely a car with a lot of character. Avoid the earlier MGF models as they have the hydragas suspension which no one knows how to fix.

  • Chewie on 23/11/2021 - 00:08

    Toyota Blade..?

  • whitelie on 23/11/2021 - 00:30
    +2

    Diahatsu Hijet or Isuzu Carry

  • subydooby on 23/11/2021 - 08:03

    Peugeot 206 cc in red.
    https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/used-car-review-peu…

    Your own little fire truck…

  • saltypete on 23/11/2021 - 08:46
    +2

    Daihatsu Rocky. These were actually a decent vehicle.An earlier Glandbruiser is possibly within your budget if you go for petrol engine. 70s SWB Nissan Patrol would also come up well.
    I used to be interested in personality, but nowadays just want a bland slave to do my bidding without fail, and die in pieces to protect my miserable skin….. 🤔

    • Zondor on 24/11/2021 - 09:29
      +1

      Good gearbox too, I learnt to drive in my parents one of these.

  • Battlestar666 on 23/11/2021 - 09:03
    +3

    Skoda Yeti

  • GrueHunter on 23/11/2021 - 09:41
    +1

    Mitsubishi iMiEV.

  • Series4Episode10 on 23/11/2021 - 09:43
    +2

    Original Golf GTi

  • payless69 on 23/11/2021 - 09:50

    Get a French car, turns every head and then stops to get the headturners offering you a lift…

    • camr00 on 23/11/2021 - 12:42
      +3

      I had a 200SX and STI, each with 400+HP, and then went without a car for 6 months and caved on a Clio Sport. Undoubtedly the most fun car I've ever driven, and definitely the most personality. No, it didnt have a huge amount of HP (but still a better power to weight than most), so you could actually drive it through a corner rather than the STI experience where you'd look down at 140kph on the track and letting the electronics do most of the work.
      Downsides? It got rear-ended by a motorcyclist and my $8k investment turned into a $13k repair bill. Sold it a month after that. Great car to drive, garbage car to own, service, repair or basically do anything other than play mechanical roulette with.
      Sold the Clio and bought a Mini Cooper S. That was 9 years ago and have still got it. Perfect balance of fun, speed, comfort and reliability (if you call a car made in Germany with a British badge and a French engine 'reliable').

      • PoKGuy on 23/11/2021 - 13:27
        +1

        I had a RS Clio as well as the RS Megane around 12-15 years ago.

        Couldn't believe the amount of fun I had with a FWD car.

        • camr00 on 23/11/2021 - 14:44
          +1

          I've driven a Megane RS and it wasnt fun around town. Might have been an aftermarket clutch, but it was super difficult.

          • PoKGuy on 23/11/2021 - 16:07

            @camr00: Ahhh yea, nowadays, I'm driving a family car (read: automatic SUV with roof/bike racks and child seats at the back).

            Unfortunately, manual transmission just isnt practical for day-to-day driving/commuting in the suburbs/cities.

            • camr00 on 23/11/2021 - 16:28

              @PoKGuy: Mini is manual and enjoyable to drive around town. OP - would definitely recommend reconsidering a Mini for hitting your requirements.

    • meowsers on 23/11/2021 - 19:14
      +1

      Will also require a lot of wrench turning at the mechanics. err Mechanique

      • payless69 on 24/11/2021 - 09:47

        Some came with a badge: Cataliseur !!!

  • mini2 on 23/11/2021 - 10:09
    +1

    Fiat Panda.

  • bhubb18 on 23/11/2021 - 10:09
    +1

    Toyota Crown or Toyota Blit JZX110. Blits look super weird, but a cool Toyota Wagon that go pretty well

    Nissan Cube

    Proton jumbuck (idk why but people always look at mine when I drive hahaha)

    Those early Renault Megane hatches with the weird rear end

    SWB Pajeros are cool, are are the Pajero Minis.

    Lots of cool options, depends on what you want really

    • mini2 on 25/11/2021 - 12:07

      Cube's super practical but please get the 1.5. The 1.4 is just lifeless…

      • bhubb18 on 26/11/2021 - 09:17

        I think they're CVT too, which won't help with the lifelessness factor hahah

  • redvaldez on 23/11/2021 - 10:14

    I had a 1997 Pajero - a NL widebody, albeit in 4 door.

    It definitely had character, and I do miss it. But it was a lot for a daily driver. Performance and handling is very different to both newer 4WDs, and passenger vehicles of its day - highway was mostly ok, but around town was a handful. Fuel consumption was around 14l/100km on highway and 18l/100km around town (auto petrol V6). By the end, I had bought a cheap daily driver (Mitsubishi 380) and left the Pajero for offroading.

    I ended up replacing both with a Pajero Sport which is completely devoid of any type of a personality in comparison, so I definitely see where you are coming from. I sometimes regret selling my Pajero. But if you aren't going to take it off road regularly, I would look elsewhere.

  • saltypete on 23/11/2021 - 10:19
    +1

    https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=we…

    Meets your criteria perfectly. No need to thank me.

    • Euphemistic on 23/11/2021 - 10:25

      Nice find. Not hard to stick a turbo Barra engine in it and do some skids either.

  • 91rs on 23/11/2021 - 10:36
    +2

    If I were looking for a car with "personality" I'd be looking at some of the following;
    Mazda Familia, GTX\GTR (good luck finding any, none in that budget anyway).
    Honda CRX, the last of the second gen before they ruined it with the del sol shape. The ones on car sales are sellers on crack with those asking prices for the 3 listed.
    Nissan NX-R, 1 for sale and they're also on crack with the asking price.

    Those early 90's Japanese cars had some cool models, not the bland crap we see pumped out these days (Camry).
    That's not even discussing unicorn territory like really clean R32 GTRs, Supra's, 300ZX's, early EVO's and RS Liberties \ GT Legacies.

  • snooksy on 23/11/2021 - 11:03
    +5

    2013+ VW CC V6. Great value. Has 4Motion which makes it very stable at speed. Also has really nice DSG transmission. The engine is from R36 Passat and used in an older Porsche Cayenne. I paid $17k for one with 70,000km on the clock. Most people don’t know about this car so they can be found for a bargain 2nd hand. My car cost about $75k when new.

    • brendanm on 23/11/2021 - 11:32
      +3

      Has 4Motion which makes it very stable at speed

      4motion has nothing to do with stability at speed.

      • Drakesy on 23/11/2021 - 13:57

        And has everything to do with fully skitz 0-100 times
        Like being in a slingshot.

        Honestly after going from a fwd car to an awd Audi i don't think i'd go back. The pickup from stand still is incredible.

        • tonyjzx on 24/11/2021 - 10:19

          also people dont seem to ever acknowledge 4wd in wet conditions

          as much as i prefer rwd there's a great deal to be said about 4wd in the wet even in 4x4 diesel utes

          also you can get into insane corner speeds in the wet

          the vw 3.6 runs on premium only and it gets some fun econ numbers given the performance

        • snooksy on 24/11/2021 - 14:38

          Yes, as I said - speed.

    • Gezaris on 23/11/2021 - 17:33

      I agree, I own an r36 and it sounds amazing plus goes extremely well for it's weight and awesome big brakes.

    • shruglord on 24/11/2021 - 10:02

      Excellent suggestion thank you! I've put in an enquiry to go look at one local to me.

      • Gezaris on 25/11/2021 - 17:12

        Nice let us know how you go! I think they are well priced for what you get. GL

  • jrowls on 23/11/2021 - 11:16
    +1

    Get a Subaru SVX! Very strange and cool.

    • nubzy on 23/11/2021 - 11:21
      +1

      Wow looks awesome. Only 250 sold in Australia.. good luck finding one.

      • jrowls on 23/11/2021 - 11:54

        Totally, they don’t come up very often. I used to walk past one every day going to high school, it was mothballed. Didn’t move in the seven years I went past it :(

      • greencomet on 24/11/2021 - 09:31
        +2

        A guy around the corner from me has one, drive past it every day.

    • Jhonka on 23/11/2021 - 12:41

      Might as well get a 180x or silvia.

      • jrowls on 23/11/2021 - 12:56

        They’re all ripped to shreds by now. Nobody bought the svx, reckon there’s a few left unmolested.

  • Commander Shepard on 23/11/2021 - 11:36
    +1

    Intergra Type R DC2 is a dream car of mine. Same with the S2000.

    But for something in the 15-20k price range. NC2 MX5 would have to be my top choice if you don't need backseats. I have owned every generation of MX5 and a bunch of Alfas, Audis, Nissans and Porsches. And the NC2 is the best car to drive on Australian roads.

    As for bigger cars. Hot hatches from Renault are great. Or manual BMWs. I had a couple of Alfa 159s and they were great too.

    But the MX5 is always the king.

    • wfh on 23/11/2021 - 17:37

      DC2 prices have sky rocketed. Will be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been thrashed to the ground

      • mini2 on 25/11/2021 - 12:09

        Well the older ones can come in from Japan and the prices there seems to be a bit less than the AUDM but younger ones.

    • lunartemis on 23/11/2021 - 19:51

      Which is better, MX5 NC or ND?

      • Commander Shepard on 23/11/2021 - 21:14

        I have owned 2 NC2/3s and 2 ND1s.

        If you and your partner are over 5ft9. Get the NC. The NC is so much more usable. The NDs passenger legroom is pathetic. The active bonnet on the ND does suck too (cost me $5000 for a hit that would have cost $200 to fix if it didn't have the system).

        I will agree that the ND does drive slightly better. And the interior looks nicer. But the overall trade off isnt worth it.

        • lunartemis on 24/11/2021 - 05:47

          I'm only 5ft5 and my partner is even shorter than me.
          What's active bonnet?

          • Commander Shepard on 24/11/2021 - 22:29
            +1

            @lunartemis: You both would fit in a ND no problem then. The only annoying thing would be the lack of interior storage.

            The active bonnet is part of the airbag / crash system to help protect pedestrians. If you hit anything from the front. Two actuators underneath the bonnet will fire, shooting the bonnet up slightly to help cushen the impact of the pedestrian.

            In my situation, I hit a roo at about 5kmph. And it activated. It cost me roughly $5000 to repair the car. For a hit that would cost less then $50-200 to fix.

            https://owners-manual.mazda.com/gen/en/mx-5/mx-5_8gu7ee18e/c…

  • node modules on 23/11/2021 - 11:43

    Lightning McQueen

  • nephilim on 23/11/2021 - 11:54

    daihatsu copen?

  • UosdwisRDewoh on 23/11/2021 - 12:23
    +4

    Peugeot 208 GTi (2015+ models better) fits your bill. Very large sense of personality and individuality and is in your budget.
    I had one was good car but I found it a bit annoying as a daily driver, its not as comfortable as something like a Golf GTi.

    A recent Peugeot 308 (with the same 1.6t as the 208) which would keep much of personality but also be more comfortable compared to a 208 would definitely be an option for me.

    • nubzy on 23/11/2021 - 12:30
      +1

      +1 to this, Pugs are massively underappreciated

  • Gdsamp on 23/11/2021 - 12:23

    Volvo S60 T5

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/11/2021 - 12:47

    MX5

  • AlanHB on 23/11/2021 - 12:49
    +1

    If you get a towball and attach one of those portable dog wash trailers to it I think it'll make an impression for sure.

    Example: https://kingsfibreglass.com.au/images/dogtra/featuredtrailer…

  • No ONE on 23/11/2021 - 14:41

    NPC cars

    non Playing character car?

    • device host on 23/11/2021 - 17:17
      +1

      it's Non Politically Correct cars - i.e. any car which consumes fossil fuels or is not sustainable under the new world order.

  • saubao on 23/11/2021 - 14:42
    +2

    How about Toyota Century V12? https://www.j-spec.com.au/lineup/Toyota/Century/V12/id-D79

  • Fobsessive on 23/11/2021 - 14:57
    +4

    Buy back your Honda Accord Euro and add reflash+wheels+coilovers+intake+exhaust+headers

    • Gdsamp on 23/11/2021 - 15:57
      +3

      I have a Euro currently, tempting suggestions for an otherwise unassuming car

      • Fobsessive on 25/11/2021 - 17:47
        +1

        For inspiration, you could google images search for "modified CL9 Euro".

        The best bang-for-buck mods are intake resonator delete (free, or replace the stock intake with a CAI) and $450 ECU reflash (improves throttle response and earlier VTEC at 4600RPM)

        • Gdsamp on 25/11/2021 - 17:50
          +1

          epic

          i have a facelift cu2, been considering springing for a set of cdm spiror LED tail lights (from ali express) + requisite wiring harness, they look nice with that chrome trim they added in the my12 update.

    • jrowls on 23/11/2021 - 18:07
      +4

      Man I love Euros. Still unironically one of the best looking cars on the road.

  • Androo305 on 23/11/2021 - 16:34
    +1

    Holden Commodore Executive.

    • device host on 23/11/2021 - 17:11
      +3

      Commodore, but with an air of superiority at the McDonalds drive-through 'Yes, who do you take me for? of course I want everything upsized'

  • drprox on 23/11/2021 - 16:53
    +1

    Any Renault Sport!

  • device host on 23/11/2021 - 17:03
    -5

    You have to buy an old car with NO safety features what-so-ever so that having style and personality come at a huge, potentially lethal, cost so that everybody knows how hard core you are and all the other road users that your unsafe car may put at increased risk and those that can't afford a modern car but really want one so their family is safer can look at you with very mixed feelings and wonder how you came to drive such a vehicle and whether it was by choice if you can afford something much safer and practical intentional lack of full stop to see how many people suffocate.

  • DauntingEarth on 23/11/2021 - 18:10

    it is the color that brings personality, not the model

    paint it lime green or pink!

  • henreyes on 23/11/2021 - 18:15

    Fiat 500c, MX5 and Abarth 595.

  • conza on 23/11/2021 - 18:58

    OG X-Trail with those washable seats.

    • jrowls on 24/11/2021 - 11:12

      On this note, an OG Honda HRV (or CRV with the sports kit. What a great looking car) would be pretty quirky. Bloody odd car.

      Plus Honda actually made great cars back then.

  • pompompom on 23/11/2021 - 19:05

    2008 Camry

  • Longtimescroller on 23/11/2021 - 19:12
    +3

    Skoda Yeti 2L Turbo Diesel. Could probably get a low km 2014 for around 15k.

    • UosdwisRDewoh on 23/11/2021 - 23:34

      A Yeti with a stick would be awesome

    • toomuchdogfur on 24/11/2021 - 14:40

      Hah yes! And it'll turn heads as people struggle to figure out if its a hatchback… or an SUV… or is it a people mover? Or a VW Caddy on stilts?

      Incidentally the new VW Caddy evokes similar thoughts. It's bizarre seeing the VW Golf face and bonnet stuck onto something three times as voluminous.

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