Need A Run Around Car.

[ThoR_]

Hey guys i want a run around car but i dont know what to buy so im asking for advice. Nothing really over 2litre 2.5 MAX. About 5k budjet. I know of a lot of cars like 2litre Pulsars which will leave most 6`s in the dust and even the 2.5litre V6 Ford Telstar which pulls a crazy 8.0 0-100kph in the manual version.

But im really confused on what to get. I am a very loyal RWD fan because of obvious reasons. But you dont really get fast RWD`s in small cars for 4-5k.

So what would you guys reccomend?

[Kryton]

theres some 80s BMWs kicking around for 5k or under (318i etc). they can be a real eye opener.
Alfa Romeo are the same if you can get past the looks.
other than that, i would be looking at the Telstars.
great liitle cars and they last forever as well.

[ThoR_]

I have herd about the 318 and 325. But how quick r they?

[normxb]

Going back a bit , but my Mrs had an Escort Ghia , 2L , 4 sp "RWD" . They go "like the clappers" , only reason we sold her's , you can't fit 3 kids in the back seat (we should have kept it in storage , really sorry we sold it) . IF you could find a good original or restored one it might suit your needs .

[Yellow_Festiva]

BMW+ALFA ROMEO=HIGH INSURANCE / REPAIR COSTS so whatever you find, make sure its in good nick and if u want full comprehensive get a quote for the model.

5 grand will get you a pretty reliable run around, but as you mentioned RWD will be a tall order. Any of the 1.5ltr-1.8ltr FWD cars from 1998-2002 can be had for that money if you look hard enough im sure.

[XR8-260]

volvo 240 :

[ThoR_]

I herd 2litre escorts suck and they need alot of money to get them going quick

[Night Runner]

1991 Nissan Maximas are a nice car. V6 with plenty of grunt, look smart and of course being a Nissan go for years. FWD though. :( Forget this.... lol

[normxb]

Originally Posted by ThoR_

I herd 2litre escorts suck and they need alot of money to get them going quick

Don't know where you heard that , 2L Cortina's (same motor , heavier car) weren't as good , the Mrs brother (racecar driver) reckoned it was one of the quickest standard cars he'd driven (excluding BMW's etc) he had it "off the speedo" at Oran Park , not bad for a stocker , only mods were wheels & suspension . A very quick little car .

Only pic I can find of it :-

[The Monty]

An old bluebird.

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by ThoR_

I herd 2litre escorts suck and they need alot of money to get them going quick

Not true. simply fitting extractors and a decent air cleaner is good for around 10-15hp. some nolathene bushes, new shocks, springs and good brake pads and you will have a car that will embaress much more fancied machinery. They are not a 1/4 mile car, but they are far from slow. You should be able to pick up something half decent for your budget that will already have most of these mods done. It would be one of the quickest cars in your price range.

[sfr rob]

I will echo a previous post... STAY AWAY from early BMW's.. even the late ones are lemons... they just arnt suited to our climate & you pay through the nose for parts and insurance etc.

[GXL078]

Originally Posted by normxb

Don't know where you heard that , 2L Cortina's (same motor , heavier car) weren't as good , the Mrs brother (racecar driver) reckoned it was one of the quickest standard cars he'd driven (excluding BMW's etc) he had it "off the speedo" at Oran Park , not bad for a stocker , only mods were wheels & suspension . A very quick little car .

Only pic I can find of it :-

I had a 2L Cortina and it went HEAPS better than a 2L mid 80s BMW. (I drovea a mates and it was a SLUG) All the Cortina had was extractors and a slightly bigger cam, parts are dirt cheap, why would you buy something less common? Compare the price of a timing belt or brake pads for a 2L Cortina with that of BMW. I know which I would rather be paying for, stuff the badge, actually I prefer a Ford badge anyway.

[TZENU]

there are a few bluebirds on ebay a while back with 2.0 turbos... If thats the way you want to go!

As sfr rob said 80's Beemers are alot of maintenance! (Mate had 2 of em and they spent the majority of the time in the workshop!!!!alot of electrical faults!)

You can get a rough VL turbo for 5k but thats a 3lt... :

[GXL078]

My mate was charged $1200 for a radiator for his '86 BMW. The last "genuine Nissan" one I bought for a N13 Pulsar was $180

[MITCHAY]

Have a look at a TX3 or TX5 mate. Good cars! I loved my TX5. Not fast but no slouch either. Plus it was a Ghia so it had all the goodies too.

FWD but with enough encouragement you can get the butt to slide out. Good on fuel too.

[Zedjay]

i know its a 3ltr but you cant beat a toyota Cressida for value.

[sgt_doofey]

What about something like an EA/EB/EL Falcon on LPG? Got both the reduced fuel cost and the power to get up and go.

I'm loving the fact that I'm only paying $30 to travel 500kms each week.

[ThoR_]

Want a manual. I really dis like auto`s. Would love a manual LPG Falcon but here in W.A anyone with one wants $$$$$$ for it even with 250,000 on them

[ThoR_]

Originally Posted by normxb

Don't know where you heard that , 2L Cortina's (same motor , heavier car) weren't as good , the Mrs brother (racecar driver) reckoned it was one of the quickest standard cars he'd driven (excluding BMW's etc) he had it "off the speedo" at Oran Park , not bad for a stocker , only mods were wheels & suspension . A very quick little car .

Only pic I can find of it :-

My Uncle had a 2litre manual GHIA escort bought it off an old fela that was about to leave the planet. My uncle said it chewed juice like no tommorow and was slow as a wet week.

[Night Runner]

Is it run around or work vehicle run around?
If it's work, wouldn't you want an auto depending on the state of your areas traffic flow?

[TwistedEL]

People like you shouldn't have fast cars. People like you shouldn't have cars at all.
Get a pushbike. They are RWD and you can mod them with a pretty basket on the front and some "pegs" on the rears!

[ThoR_]

ahahah hey TwistedEL ahahaha.

NZ-TS50 im using it to go to work which is straight down the freeway. Not really stopping. And just run around sometimes i will take the toy out. Weekends, Night time.

[XRchic]

1975 Toyota Corona? Cheap as, bulletproof and economical. Also good in manual.

[normxb]

Originally Posted by xcgxl

I had a 2L Cortina and it went HEAPS better than a 2L mid 80s BMW. (I drovea a mates and it was a SLUG) All the Cortina had was extractors and a slightly bigger cam, parts are dirt cheap, why would you buy something less common? Compare the price of a timing belt or brake pads for a 2L Cortina with that of BMW. I know which I would rather be paying for, stuff the badge, actually I prefer a Ford badge anyway.

xcgxl
Only reason I mentioned "excluding BMW etc" is I've never had anything to do with them , so I can't comment on something I've never driven, as for 2L Cortina's , I'm afraid I got spoilt and had 2 - 250 ci (4.1) XLE's , TC & TD . I'm sure you're right , 2L's do go well , it's just the Escort had a great Power/Weight ratio , same as the Cortina with a 250 ci , they could leave a 250 Falcon in the dust (same running gear, just lighter body). I'm with you , I prefer a Ford badge . :

ThoR_
Must have had a "dud" , ours had 190,000 k's on it when we sold it , and was reasonably economical and Heaps of GO , & I'm used to driving reasonably powerful cars over 36 years , like a 308 Premier (4 sp), Dads 302 Ford (Auto), 250 Cortina's (as above) both 4 sp , and a 200+ HP FC Holden race car .

Another RWD car to keep an eye out for is a V6 Capri , but I think a good example of these would bring big $$ these days . Bo Seaton (Glens father) was the man who showed what potential these cars had .

[ThoR_]

Corona no thanks lol. You could drive those things through a house 10 times without getting a scratch on them. And there also slow.

[Night Runner]

What about a 4X4? Nissan Torano, XJ Jeep Cherokee? Hilux? RWD's all of them with loads of room for fishing gear, junk, car parts, cheap and a choice of engines from 2L up to V6 and straight 6.

Food for thought.

[ThoR_]

Might go test drive a 2litre escort. I know my mum had a blue printed and almost worked to the max 2litre TD cortina. My Dad said it was scary it left strips everywhere and would pin you back. This was way befor they made me though

[Harro]

depenmds on if your picky.

If it's jsut for running around, i've got a 92 magna for sale for 2k

Ah damn your in WA lol

[GXL078]

Originally Posted by ThoR_

Might go test drive a 2litre escort. I know my mum had a blue printed and almost worked to the max 2litre TD cortina. My Dad said it was scary it left strips everywhere and would pin you back. This was way befor they made me though

Before they has sealed roads? :