Lotusguy Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I loved my 2010 GTI MK VI. I even autocrossed it and with decent tires, it would do quite well. For $600 US you can chip it to 250+ HP. Unfortunately, I needed something bigger for family reasons and now have a Audi Q5. I love my Lotus Elise as well (hence the forum handle), but that is really not a practical car at all - and probably too pricey in OZ, given the taxes.
nikesupremedunk Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Rob, if you are considering used, I will absolutely recommend the Honda S2000 (only because they discontinued it). This was my previous car and still my absolute favorite. I drive a 335xi coupe now and still miss my S2000 every day, and once my lease is up I'll be looking for another S to get back into. The 335 is the best everyday car I could have asked for. It's comfortable, luxurious, and I could smoke 95% of the cars on the road. But...it lacks spirit and characteristic that my old S2000 had. Now most might just dismiss this car as a civic convertible, but it's completely different in the way it drives than any regular honda. The handling on this car is incredible, probably the closest to "go cart" you can get on a street car. The engine and transmission are a work of art, and you still get the honda reliability that you don't get with most sports cars. The car may look small, but there are plenty of owners that are 6'3 that fit comfortably, my friend being one of them. Even though the original design is over 10 years old, the car is still stunning to this day and still turns heads. My favorite part of the car was the engine and transmission. A 2.0-2.2L (depending on year) that revs to 9000 while making 240 hp. There's nothing like it in the market even today. The transmission is very precise and short, yet shifts smoothly unlike the rubbery feeling of most manual transmission cars today (including BMW). The only other transmission I found close was in Porsche, and that's at least 2x the price. The convertible factor just can't be beaten on a nice summer night or on a sunny day. This car is a great hidden gem, and only those that have driven it can truly understand what an amazing car honda discontinued. Because of this, it may be hard to find, but it'll be worth tracking down. It might not be what you're looking for, but I'd say go test drive one, rev it to the redline (make sure to rev past 6000 aka vtec) then go from there. Here's a picture of my old car:
nikesupremedunk Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Requirements: Two door. - Check Fits like a glove - Check Turns on a dime - Double Check Great muffler growl - The engine note at 9000 is to die for, but a simple exhaust will also bring more life to the car Attractive interior - Personally, I love the simple interior because you really don't need any bells and whistles to keep you entertained. The car speaks for itself. Different. - You rarely see any S2000's these days. Not perfect but you look forward to jumping in every day. - Put a smile on my face every time I took it out, and even thinking about it made me smile. 60K or under (40 K USD) - In the US, you can find 08's and 09's for under $30k. I'm sure in OZ it'll be a bit higher, but still under budget.
sbmcduffee Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 The Mazda Miata is not as fast as some of the other cars mentioned, but it handles unbelievably well and is an absolute joy to drive.
tmc123 Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Easy: 2013 VW Golf GTI +1 i dont even own one and i clocked 3 speeding tickets in the 5 door model. These GTI or TSIs will smoke any suped up commodore/ford up to 120km.
Reevzy Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Seriously consider an old Mini Cooper S...... not new, old! It meets all the requirements. Two door. - 3 if you count the boot Fits like a glove - for a 6 foot fella, I have no doubts that it would Turns on a dime - I passed my driving test's 3 point turn by doing a U-turn! Great muffler growl - Mine set off car alarms Attractive interior - As long as you got some nice seat covers Different. - It had the chicks heads turning at trade school Not perfect but you look forward to jumping in every day.- You'll be finding excuses to drive it 60K or under (40 K USD) - With the extra cash left over you could turn it into a rally car. I mean...... come on!!!
mk05 Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 the rubbery feeling of most manual transmission cars today (including BMW). The only other transmission I found close was in Porsche, and that's at least 2x the price. What?
nikesupremedunk Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 What? Honda makes some of the best shifting MT's in the market today and the S2000 was no exception. I've driven most of the popular MT's by other car manufacturers, and none of them came even close to the S2000 gearbox except for Porsche. Even the e92 M3 I drove had a long throw gearbox, that didn't feel as precise. Regular 3 series...forget about it.
in0gravity Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 You want pocket rocket? Than the Mercedes A 45 AMG should be your choice. 360 horse powers.....
bolivr Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Another vote here for the suby brz / ft 86. Entertaining drive. Worthy of a test drive.
Fuzz Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 The Mazda MX5 is a hoot to drive. When I used to sell them back in the late 90's, we would to drag them down the street from the holding lot in Asquith and then back to the yard. So if the dealer ever tell you that the engine is run in, you better believe it!! You want pocket rocket? Than the Mercedes A 45 AMG should be your choice. 360 horse powers..... At a starting price of $75k, might be just out of Rob's price range.
Surucipe Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 My God...we have gone from mini, megane, Arbath to 911's I love the 335I Convertable. To get it within budget would be a 2008 with 50,000 km on the clock. Welcome to luxury cars in Australia Don't know for how much a Porsche Boxster S goes in Oz, but that would def tick all the boxes.
dozydruid Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Easy: 2013 VW Golf GTI I swapped my Arbarth Esseesse for a Golf GTi last August and have not looked back. Yes, I miss the acceleration on the Arbarth but what I don't miss is the feeling that my spine is going to punch through the top of my head when I drove over the slightest bump in the road. The suspension is just brutal and, by all accounts, it's been stiffened on the 695. I remember thinking that the ride was a little firm on test drive but convinced myself that I'd get used to it - I was wrong With the GTi I look forward to driving it. You could look at the R32 if you wanted something faster.
Dimmers Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 +1 to Golf GTI ...or better still the Golf R (all wheel drive) is sub $60k. As other have pointed out, then go to these guys (http://goapr.com.au/) to recalibrate the ECU for sub $1k, and you get some awesome results: GTI ---> 189kW & 402Nm torque (!!) R ---> 230kW & 410Nm torque (!!!!!!!!!) I have a chipped GTI... bloody fast and awesome handling, so fun to drive
in0gravity Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 The Mazda MX5 is a hoot to drive. When I used to sell them back in the late 90's, we would to drag them down the street from the holding lot in Asquith and then back to the yard. So if the dealer ever tell you that the engine is run in, you better believe it!! At a starting price of $75k, might be just out of Rob's price range. That much, wow. Is that due to the tax? Ok what about the Audi S3? Another small powerful car.
Fuzz Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 That much, wow. Is that due to the tax? Ok what about the Audi S3? Another small powerful car. Starting price is $65k, but you know with Audi, you'll be adding a bucket load of options. Though, the new model won't be out until the end of the year. Don't know for how much a Porsche Boxster S goes in Oz, but that would def tick all the boxes. Doesn't tick the price box at $120k.
davidsan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 350/370Z, Golf GTI, VW Scirocco R, S2000, I'd still kill for an FD RX7 a hero car from my childhood (although prob a bit old now)
Drguano Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I've put 150,000 km on my 2002 Mini Cooper S and continue to enjoy it. The newer ones are faster and ride smoother. Take one for a test drive to see how feels. My earlier post shows the two seat Coupe model. They are little rockets. My next Mini will be the new Roadster convertible.
Surucipe Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Doesn't tick the price box at $120k. That's stiff indeed! Better take that one off the list then.
Fuzz Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 2013 Audi A5 MSRP just under $39k USD. It's really depressing to see how much we get dudded on price in Australia. Base price for the A5 (1.8T) is $67k.
oldirtyewok Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Australians have it bad.... Singaporians have it MUCH MUCH worse!!
Fuzz Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Australians have it bad.... Singaporians have it MUCH MUCH worse!! Can't argue with that. Malaysians and Singaporeans really pay through the nose for their cars.
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