First CAR - Suggestions?

[XStatic64]

Currently I'm 18 and on my learners (SA) - Yes i know, i got them late

Learning in mum's 1989 Mazda 626 is a pain in the arse because I'm tall (6ft 3in) and my legs hit her steering wheel, after a while i get cramps in my right foot on the accelerator (we're talking 45 minutes of driving here). Hoping i can bare it out until i get my P's then i can look at buying a car.

No idea what car specifically i want yet.

I currently have 13,500 saved up. With around 80% of my pay going towards the car fund each fortnight.

Any suggestions? I have no desire to buy a bomb for a first car as if i buy something decent I know i will drive it with care (makes sense, right?)

[Travy]

Posting here, im assuming you want a holden lol.

Do S.A have power restrictions for P platers?

Do you want auto or manual?

If no power restrictions do you want a v6 or v8?

Are you worried about insurance prices? After reading a few threads here the young guys are getting reamed pretty hard for insurance for their cars..

Id keep saving and when you are ready look hard then, how much longer do you have to go? Car prices are coming down all the time now.. Id save a bit more and be looking for a VZ berlina/calais for just a neat car.
OR if you want something a bit more powerful VY SS's are getting cheap..
OR there is a real nice VX clubby for sale on here for $17K in S.A!!

[ImAHoon!]

get an Aristo, or a Stagea.

[danja]

Get a Morris Mini, it won't be such fun for you, but hilarious for everyone else

Seriously though, I'd get a ****box to learn in (I know you're getting your P's, but honestly you're still learning) because there's a fair chance you might crash it. If the car isn't worth much you can get away with 3rd party property insurance only.

Whatever you choose though, be aware if you aren't already that cars cost a ****load to keep, it's not just the purchase price you need to worry about, once you buy it there are registration transfer fees and stamp duty, registration renewal fees, pink slip fees, green slip fees, insurance fees, maintenance/servicing costs, and of course your weekly fuel bill.

Crunch the numbers and calculate how long it will cost to keep various cars over say 3 years (you can get quotes and figures for all that stuff online) and let that help inform your decision.

[wildss]

vr/s berlina/calais, not a bad car and cheap enough for a first car.
i wouldnt spend the 13k on a first car

[Squires]

That's a fair bit of saving you've got under you're belt, but I'd also advise against spending all that on a first car. Okay, no one wants a bomb, but don't go for something so exquisite either. Go to something that won't worry you too much when the occasional bump or scratch happens. I'm not poking fun at your driving skills but those things will happen on your P's, it's happened to everyone.

I'd suggest anything between the VL to the VS for a 1st car. Registered stockos can be had for anywhere between $2K to $5K with the prices gradually rising as you get to the later models, and they have space galore for someone tall, so no more cramps!

We all crave more power and speed, but I'll also strongly suggest aiming for a six, for a 1st, they're plenty quick enough. Save turbos, eights and even in-general go fast mods for when you're more experienced, once again, not implying anything, just in-general advice.

Happy hunting, and drive safe.

[Philthy]

Go a VR/S if you are into driving properly, or a VX if you are more into features/comfort.
As mentioned, don't spend it all on your first car, but don't buy a crap heap that you will have to fix all the time

[CrimsonThunder]

Well I started learning in a small car (not cramped but its way smaller than my commodore) and that was good I believe. Because if i didnt i would have scraped so many cars in the parking lot. (nearly did a few times when i got my commo :P)

But your wanting a commodore so i would suggest like many people here, a VR. (Woah, I have one of those!) they're pretty sexy so no ones going to bag you for it. Fast too.

[Commydoor]

Agree with Thunder...Vr's are cheap and not ugly by any means and the autos change better than the VS's. And while your learning not to hit anything save the pennies and pay cash for your dream car later on.

[TVR-190]

you can get a vx for 6/7. they are a nice car but they can have a few issues, my friend has replaced 2 gearboxes, half the parts etc

[ashbox]

get the best car you can afford, just don't think your a hero and you'll be fine.

vr/s commos are good value now, cheap and some are still reliable.

as people have said don't spend all your money on your first car cos it will get damaged in some way shape or form.

[Brin]

I had money saved for my first car, it was going to be a commodore, but nooooooooooooo, mom made it be a hyundai coupe, stupid pos... cost me about 7 grand all up after rego etc. the commo im driving now cost me twelve hundred dollars.

[Steery]

Buy a crap car thats in good condition.

I think the best cars for people just getting their P's are Toyota RT142 Corona Avante's. 2.4L 4cyl Hilux engine, 5speed W55 supra gearbox, built like a brick ****house so you can hit things and not take a lot of damage (though not heavy). They are also comfortable, have air con, power steering and central locking.

[Brin]

I would have settled for the toyota even. Stupid mom. Stupid waste of money. Stupid front wheel drive hyundai pos.

It's a known fact that little cars will retain more damage under pressure. I went up the bum of a path finder.... I cracked his five dollar tow bar cover but it damaged my cars whole chassis. I'm not a hoon but I feel safer knowing that in my commodore if something bad were to happen, my car would have more resistance than a little box...

[social]

id settle for somethingl luxury in the 5-7k range like a vs stato, reliable roomy, comfy, all good electronics and seriously look killer wid some nice rims and lowered, simple.

[padrickz88]

baaaaah get a vn calais


lmao actually if i had a budget like yours i would of went with a vs stato/calais with a L67/5L..... has power and its a good base for later on when you want to go faster

and all the weight of the stato wont make it that quick so you kill yaself lol

but like has been said, dont get confident, everyone i know was fine until they got to confident, then almost screwed themselves and now they know there limits

[zerodown]

I'd look at a low km vs clubsport or gts, that's if your not looking to use savings to finance a brand new car. I would think those two models in a clean low km variant wouldn't have much depreciation left in them if kept in top nick.

Either way do what you want and enjoy it. Money comes, money goes but always have insurance.......full compo. Even if it's in your parents name for the first few years ;-)

[roon_VR]

As others have said, don't go spending it all at once. Remember, it's your first car and nothing else. Wait till you're off your p's and purchase the car that you want without the worries of cop attention and insurance. I've had my VR for a year and a half now, p plater, 3.8 V6 auto, driven 40,000 km in it and the only things i have had to replace was a set of coil leads, and a harmonic balancer. Not to mention they are cheap to run and suprisingly reliable. Best $2,500 i've ever spent

p.s. this is a car with 255,000 km on the clock

[Jimmy2228]

Hey mate i'm on my L's too (16 y.o) nearly on my P's, a few months ago i spent $3200 on my VS commodore manual, ive driven it nearly every day and havnt had a problem with it at all. If you got the money (which you obviously do) you can get the ones with airbags etc etc. Very reliable cars, quick and safe.