Looking for advice...

[Disciple]

Hey guys,

Soon, I'm going to be buying a car to get me to and from work. I'll be driving approx 500kms a week - all highway KMs. Obviously I need something comfortable, modern(ish) and good on fuel. It must have electric windows/mirrors, airbags, aircon, ABS and cruise control. I've ruled out all small cars because, well, they're small. I don't want any type of Falcon because the ones in the year and price range I'm looking at are either EL or AU, and I can't drive an AU cause it's an AU.

I've narrowed my search down to 2000-2003 Magnas or Commodores.

I know a little bit about Magnas, but not a lot about Commodores. So I have a few questions...

Should I be looking at VT-VX? What are some problems with these models, which model would be the best value, and what are they like when they start to get a few KMs on them? What sort of economy can I expect from the 3.8L V6? Keeping in mind my driving is 99.9% highway.

Some opinions on models, value for money, personal experiences etc would be greatly appreciated. I don't mind some slight banter in regard to Magna vs Commodore, but please keep it civil as they're both good highway cruisers, and good value for money.

I have $5,500 to spend.

Cheers,

Brett.

[STEALTHY™]

Buy yourself a Calais International, Convert to manual, and your set

Cheaper than VT/Xs aswell.

[Disciple]

So you're advice on a highway cruiser, is to get a Calais (which is expensive) then convert it to manual (which is expensive) and ruin the fact I need an auto?

Not really what I had in mind... I have $5,500 to spend.

[STEALTHY™]

I looked at this line

Obviously I need something comfortable, modern(ish) and good on fuel. It must have electric windows/mirrors, airbags, aircon, ABS and cruise control.


Although i overlooked the airbag thing.

[Disciple]

It's all good...

[nasty1]

vt vx for 5000 good luck.

buy a vr vs v6 stato on gas

[Disciple]

I just couldn't own a VR/VS. I'd rather shoot myself in the genitals.

[TVR-190]

straight off youd be looking at a VT, cause just trying carsales noe there aint much in terms of vx's with the amount of money you have. and any VT your after will have high k's

[social]

vs stato all the way mate!

[Scooter79]

Buy yourself a Calais International, Convert to manual, and your set

Cheaper than VT/Xs aswell.

If you had your way the entire world would be driving 5L VP Internationals. I'm sure if you had control of the world it's the only car that would still exist.

I just couldn't own a VR/VS. I'd rather shoot myself in the genitals.

So whats the problem with the VR/VS? Mechanically they are basically the same as the VT, just a different shape. You're not going to find a VX in your price range unless you get something with high Kilometres. You're only real option is a VT Exec but you'll need to put a few $ aside for things like brake pads, oil, trans service, coolant service and with any commodore of this age expect things like suspension needing repairs, power steering pumps etc.

As far as fuel goes expect about 11L/100k's. if you're doing mostly highways. I suggest you visit redbook and carsales and do some research first.

[STEALTHY™]

If you had your way the entire world would be driving 5L VP Internationals. I'm sure if you had control of the world it's the only car that would still exist.

If i had my way, i'd have one in my garage, and the other 299 in a underground warehouse!

[TVR-190]

If you had your way the entire world would be driving 5L VP Internationals. I'm sure if you had control of the world it's the only car that would still exist.



So whats the problem with the VR/VS? Mechanically they are basically the same as the VT, just a different shape. You're not going to find a VX in your price range unless you get something with high Kilometres. You're only real option is a VT Exec but you'll need to put a few $ aside for things like brake pads, oil, trans service, coolant service and with any commodore of this age expect things like suspension needing repairs, power steering pumps etc.

As far as fuel goes expect about 11L/100k's. if you're doing mostly highways. I suggest you visit redbook and carsales and do some research first.

and it wont have power windows etc

[hsvpunk]

my dads got a vx exec. He drives 80kms to and from work and little trips on the weekend so he does around 550kms in the week. Runs well, and is good on petrol, and that is certainly in your price range.

[padrickz88]

a vn calais with a 5L and a foam tune + service

[STEALTHY™]

a vn calais with a 5L and a foam tune + service

He wants airbags. So VR Calais Is his minimum there.

In SA, you can pic up a VR/S stato for your price range, with everything you want.

[Lumps of cheese]

Shop around. My brother just bought a vt acclaim s2 with 190000 on the clock for $4800 drive away and yes, it is in excellent condition so they are available.

[padrickz88]

He wants airbags. So VR Calais Is his minimum there.

In SA, you can pic up a VR/S stato for your price range, with everything you want.

sif everyone knows airbags are for pussies lol

[burnsy150]

Just buy yourself a vr 5.0L with a foam tune and strap some heavy duty bubblewrap to the streering wheel..theres your airbag

[nasty1]

ive had one v6 it was a vt aclaim and it was gone within 4 weeks bigest pos in my opinion.gutles and worse on fuel then any efi 5.0 ive ever had and i could sey ive owned 10 i gues or around there.if your familiar with the magna range why not a magna?

[padrickz88]

because there even gayer then mardigras?.....(spelling?)

[STEALTHY™]

A magna would be worse on fuel than the VT going by our old work car.

[Disciple]

A magna would be worse on fuel than the VT going by our old work car.

The model Magna I'm looking at will average high 7's, low 8's on the highway (L/100km) I think a Commodore will be a little worse, but it's neither here nor there really. After more research, I think for about $6,500, the Magna offers far better value for money. I mean I can get a 2004 model Magna with ABS, cruise, 4 air bags, electric drivers seat, EBD, electric windows/mirrors with just over 100,000kms on it for $7k!

[Tasmaniak]

As a question, is there a reason you have ruled out a Camry? I know you may well age beyond your years but when it comes to efficiency, comfort and reliabilty...damn dude, they are a good ride. I constantly see them with insane amount of miles on them and still just ticking over....

[Disciple]

As a question, is there a reason you have ruled out a Camry? I know you may well age beyond your years but when it comes to efficiency, comfort and reliabilty...damn dude, they are a good ride. I constantly see them with insane amount of miles on them and still just ticking over....

Yeah - For one they're too expensive for what they are. $9k will only land you in a 1999 model, plus they get expensive to service and maintain when they get older.

[Travy]

Have you tried the auctions.. ???