Car for a very short commute and some fun at the weekends?

monkey_boy said:
Can you break that down? Or is it a potential of what might need doing in a year but not every year?
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Yes, it depends;

Tyres 2 or 4? Worst case is 4X 19inchers - 1K.

Service every 2 years\20K min\minor alternating. Additional items at 40\60\100K intervals. 400-700.

Yearly oil change (recommended) - 100.

500 for pads + discs each end if you have an indy do it, 700 at an opc.

Miscellaneous on a 4yr old car; Coil packs - 225, MAF\sensors 200-300, RAD & condenser corrosion 400 a pop...there's a string of other common faults, particularly suspension related items which can be very expensive on PASM equipped cars.

2K is a good rule of thumb based upon the experience of a large sample of people.

Skd.
 
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Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised at how constructive and helpful this thread has turned out :p. Thanks for the replies.

Last night I tentatively broached the subject of selling 'the Golf' with wifey. It seems that she's more attached to it than I feared...she even started crying, saying that she had to scrap her first car for it and it's our first car together, etc. So it seems that it is after all possible to develop an emotional attachment to a Golf.

Regarding the potential solution to my query, I should clarify that I'm aiming to steer clear of Japanese rice-mobiles. No offence and thanks for any such suggestions anyway. I'm sure they're great fun cars but I'd be concerned about finding one that hadn't been tastelessly modified or run into the ground, as well as the fact that they're just not really me.

Old Jags and Astons with lots of miles are an interesting idea...obviously the comfort would be there.

Looking at the MX5 - it seems a bit underpowered in the Mk3 at 160 bhp? I know it's a small car but I'd prefer a real rocket ship with a sub 6 second 0-60 and more than four cylinders.

Running costs aren't a huge factor really, though obviously I will try and avoid a car that will cost thousands p.a. just to keep on the road.

I think top contenders at the moment are: Elise S2, or if the above is too harsh and raw for my tastes, 350z or Z4 for the blend of practicality and fun.

I like the look of this 350z (yes, I know it's grey again :p): http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1321535.htm.
 
I cba to read the rest of the thread.

But surely something like an MK/Caterham/Anything "7" or an Elise would be crying out for a position like this?
 
to be fair, after driving a VXR8 around Thruxton, was OK but nothing special. hardly a fun weekend toy.

i saw it more as an effortless super-tourer.
 
If I was in your position, I would be buying a caterham 7. No doubt's there, but I don't have an empty garage or the balls to drive one in the winter.
 
fonzee said:
to be fair, after driving a VXR8 around Thruxton, was OK but nothing special. hardly a fun weekend toy.

i saw it more as an effortless super-tourer.
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the monaro is a 2 door coupe based on the 2nd previous generation Commodore

the VXR8 is a 4 door saloon on the previous generation commodore

completely different handling characteristics and weight.

Robbie G said:
Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised at how constructive and helpful this thread has turned out :p. Thanks for the replies.
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Any thoughts on the monaro ? Cant describe that as underpowered :p
 
Robbie G said:
Looking at the MX5 - it seems a bit underpowered in the Mk3 at 160 bhp? I know it's a small car but I'd prefer a real rocket ship with a sub 6 second 0-60 and more than four cylinders.
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You don't need big BHP to have fun though, an MX5 can be brilliant fun even though it's underpowered compared to some of the suggestions.

You get more fun driving at ten tenths of a 160BHP car than five tenths of a 320BHP car. (and driving at ten tenths of a 320BHP car will either make you likely to lose your licence/have an accident)
 
[TW]Fox;15349318 said:
Thought it was based on the current gen 2006- Commodore?
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It was current up until a few months ago

This is the new one.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/drive/motor-news/wilder-look-for-new-hsv-range-20090908-ffyr.html

Vauxhall are apparently keen to import some. They sold all their existing VXR8 stock at cost price to get rid and make way for the new model. But no word yet.

Its a butt ugly thing though :(

*edit*

appears its technically not a new generation. More of a mid life refresh. But they've made it so butt ugly i might as well be one.
 
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Yeah just done some reading and its technically not a new generation, just a mid life refresh.

God knows why they had to change it so much though.

You know the saying. If it ait broke dont fix it ...
 
monkey_boy said:
What a cop out. I 'cba' to read your post either mate. But surely you can do better than that suggestion. :rolleyes:
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OK, Don't read it then.

Why would I need to do better than my suggestion? There is nothing better for true weekend fun than a 7 type car or an Elise at the OPs budget.
 
The VXR8 is based on the VE Commodore

the Monaro is based upon the VZ commodore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Monaro

So different generations for a start. Then theres the fact the monaro has a kerbweight of about 1650 kg

The VXR8 kerbweight is over 1800kg

Sources are hard to come by as they never made a coupe based on the VE commodore, and the VZ saloon never made it here, we only got the coupe.

This is the VZ saloon which is very similar to the Monaro.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=8764
 
MrLOL, thanks for your suggestion. The Vauxhall Monaro certainly can't be argued with in terms of raw brutish power and I'm sure it would be great fun drive, I'm just not sure on the exterior styling. I'd have to go and look at one in person.
 
MrLOL said:
Look at it

http://en.wikivisual.com/images/8/85/Picture_011.jpg

The dash reminds me of the one i had in my first car. It was a '96 VW Polo. The interior was cheap and tacky back then. It hasnt dated well.

Although a vauxhall, the monaros interior instantly looks more up to date

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Holden-VZ-Monaro-Interior-1920x1440.jpg
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I have to agree, that interior is shocking :\ And that's coming from an owner of an 80s, and a late 90s, jap car ;) I don't think many Skyline owners are fussed though :)



That Monaro looks a whole lot nicer, but it needs more LCD displays ;)
 
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