Best first car for $4500

[Oz]

Well people, need opinions. I'm getting my first car in 6-9 months and have the following criteria. Small, hatchback, as many mod cons as possible (p/s, CD, Aircon is must have). I would get a civic straight away but for the whole no EFI factor in my price range. And I don't want to be screwing around with carbies. It has to last 2.5-4 years and therefore I want < 150k on it. Well, have your vite and give me some comments.

[Buzzr]

post some pics and specs

[Oz]

Ummm...This is from my head so others can correct me if I'm wrong.

1987-1991 Civic 1500cc Twin Carb engine, Air Con, PS and fast glass usual options. ~85kw. 4th generation.

1986-1991 Corolla 1600cc EFI engine with Twincam making 86kW and SX making 100kW (4AGE engines), air con, PS and fast glass all options.

1987 - 1991 Pulsar Q 1600cc EFi ~90kW with standard AC and PS optional fast glass.

All are around same agea dns hould have done roughly the same average Ks (160-210) but I will look for a below average Ks one.

[Buzzr]

what about a crx(the 2nd gen)?
you like them?

[Oz]

Yeah, but there's sweet FA non-modified ones available in Australia. And those start at $9k.

[Buzzr]

i would probably get the civic out of those 3 cars because if it is too slow you can always build up the engine (so many aftermarket parts avaliable) or you could drop a new engine into the car (ZC).
and plus you can get bodykits for the civic to live up to your name (rice boy):finger:

[Oz]

Don't want to have to fuck around with new engines and it has the oldest tech (carb) and lowest power. Oh well, it's still under consideration. BTW, I chose that name before I knew what it meant and it stuck. SOme ricey things I like, like lowering and stuff. But not stickers and shuit. I don't even like cars with prodect stickers that they have. I like the clean look.

[Buzzr]

www.vespa.com
:finger:

[Oz]

Originally posted by Buzzr
www.vespa.com
:finger:

NO that'd put me in the same performance league as....a Celica! :finger: :finger:

[Buzzr]

celica...178hp
ozriceboy...0hp:finger:

[Oz]

No mate. It's all about power to weight. I may only have 2 hp but that I don't weigh 1.2 tonnes either. :frog: :finger: And that reply took a damned long time coming. That's alright, you know what they say about Celica drivers. :finger:

[Setanta]

Civic. It isn't old technology, the twin-carb is high tech, gets good economy and goes like the clappers. My GL could outrun a Pulsar and stay equal with a modded 4AGE Corolla. 98bhp factory stock and there is more to be got from it - the engine responds well to mods such as tweaking the carbs to come on song earlier, exhaust etc

I'm biased, but Corollas are a POS - ugly and prone to rusting out. Pulsars - I'm sorry - they are just shit and unreliable as all hell if driven hard.

Which of the 3 has double wishbone suspension? That says something about the technology of the day. Best of all - the ZC and tranny drops straight in and only requires ECU and wiring and you have 130bhp in unmodified trim. Cheaper than a 4AGZE and produces equal power to a stock EXA/Pulsar turbo (which used to split blocks or fry the hairdryer).

Yeah I'm biased, but I know where I'd bu putting my money if I was buying '80s tech

[Buzzr]

[Oz]

- Buzz
Pete - very biased advice and also doesn't take into considerationthe very limited availability of good GLs. Search the TP and see what you get. Oz.

[Chris]

I KNOW you got Mazda 323 GTX's over there, they are fast stock, and very, very fast once you dial up the boost, and give some breathing enhancements (also, a centerforce dual-friction clutch saves 1 sec of the 0-60 time). Also, they are 4wd, way better than fwd. 1988-early 90's. Also, great for rally.
Did you ever get the MR2 Supercharged? It goes 0-60 in 6.5 seconds stock, and with more boost and some breathing enhancements, it can be much faster. 1987-1989

Thats my opinion.