What car should i buy pre-FT86?
 

Hi guys

I need to buy a new car in the coming months and I need some help deciding.

It has to be manual as I haven't driven manual for YEARS so I need to get back into it.

Cheap to insure

Not too expensive

High resell value so when the FT 86 rolls around I can get rid of it quick smart.

Oh I live in Australia.

any ideas will help! I'm thinking toyota corolla =/

If you aren't worried about mpg, there are a few options. I would like to have a Corolla (AE86) if that's what you're referring to, but they're hard to come by in the eastern United States where I live. Maybe you are talking about a newer fwd one though. (still a good daily though) If you are wanting something fun to hold you over that won't be a maintenance hog (and this totally depends on your price range as well). I would consider a 240sx (I guess it's the Silvia S13/14/15 for you guys) and the Z31/Z32 Fairlady 300zx (Non turbo) - so you don't get sucked up into the maintenance and hassle of a turbo car. Those cars have a pretty good resale value over here, but I know it's a different world for you. Hope that helps!

Now that I think about it if you guys got the Silvias with the SR20s then they will be turbo cars (we got N/A Silvias (240sx)), but still less trouble than a big VQ TT V6.

Any POS will do. Lol

+1 for the Silvia. A SR20DE Nonturbo would probably fit your needs. The S13 89-93 are classics, especially the hatch since they switched to a coupe for the S14-15. They started gaining value here...

Plenty of American 240sx guys would trade places with Aussies for the true Silvias, since we got the bigger KA24 from the Altima instead of the SR20DE and more importantly the SR20DET. :cry:

How much does an Altezza RS200 cost over there? Does it have a 6 spd gear box?

hey ty for the replies

if we're talking silvia i spose we have the 200sx here for around AUD$15k. but they're turbo charged, i dont realli mind but will they die on me? they are like like 10years old

Alteza RS200, i guess the Lexus IS200? yeah 6 speed man ~AUD$18000

this is something to get me manual driving up to scratch, something that if i dent i wouldnt bother fixing because my eyes only on the FT86 baby.

and oh, since imma such a noob at all things car mechanics, i wouldnt mind a car i can learn with to do mods and such. u gotta start somewhere, haha

Dude get a cheap accent, corolla or something with a manual. Cheap as shit insurance, resale will pretty much be what you paid for it, and you can grind them gears away leaning stick again.

Or if you really want something a bit quicker an old celica wont be too bad. The 2000 models, even though they're fwd, are getting cheaper..

I've heard nothing but troubles of people getting old modded turbo nissans. They're thrashed to all fuck.


Tldr: get a shit beater stick, stuff the expensive quick turbo, also it'll ruin you for the na ft

Get a car with minimal modifications if any.

I agree with some of the statements above, get something with minimal mods. (A non turbo Silvia would still be my first choice) A 7th gen. Celica is a good option too (2000-2005) I used to own a 2004 as a daily driver and I loved it. I wouldn't worry about the fwd/rwd thing right now, as you are wanting to get comfortable driving a stick. A Civic also wouldn't be a bad idea, lots of mods out there, and you can probably find one that's stock and hasn't been abused. Don't spend a fortune on it though, unless you know you can sell it in time to get your FT86!

Any old Miata's in Aus?

Toyota Pickup with a 4 on the floor? 22-re ftw, cheap and always easy to sell too.

thanks guys.

re comment abt miata, im 5'11, 180lbs approx, will i be too big for it? been told that mx5s are tiny as.

and i think i agree wiht comments re turbo. i think i wanna learn more about NA engines in preparation for the 86.

if it doesnt have to be fast, how about a Hyundai Veloster?