Mazda 3 or Mitsubishi Lancer

[funkyducky]

funkyducky, you do know Camrys are Australian built right, they're built at the Toyota plant in Altona my uncle works there

And oh, anyone have any opinions on the Mazda MX-5? - might save up for that

a) I never said they weren't. In other news, I drove my cousin's Camry today. Stupid keyless ignition had me stumped (apparently you need to have your foot on the brake pedal to start the engine) but not a bad car. Still bland as hell though, and doesn't have as solid a feel as holdens/fords.
b) Mx-5s are niceeee. So light, awesome handling, look amazing (although with the unfortunate potential to make you look like a 40-something year old going through a mid-life crisis). If I had to pick any $20k-ish car to buy, a nice ~2004 MX-5 would be it Either that or wait for the Subaru BRZ/Toyota LT-whatever to come out, then wait a little longer until I can either afford a new one, or the 2012 model depreciates to a price I could afford.

As for big cars vs. small cars, true some big cars are hard to park and judge (especially the Mitsu 380 - I've been driving my Mum's 90% of the time that I drive, and it is hell to park. The combo of large car, stupid fat, high backend that you can't see past and front wheel drive with a terrible turning circle is a nightmare. I remember the one time I tried to park it in the little Monash uni parking spaces - took forever to find a space I could actually get the car into.) But the old falcon I described before is really easy to park because it's got amazing handling, whereas almost all small cars are FWD and hence not as manoeuvrable. If you were to get a falcon/commodore/aurion/etc. LPG is the way to go. At my house, we've got 3 falcons - the 2001 AU forte, my dad's 2002/3 BA (both LPG converted), and my brother's 2010 G6E turbo (obviously not LPG converted - there goes all the fun lol). Plus my mum's 2007 mitsubishi 380 (not LPG; petrol guzzler). There's a good reason the 380 line was cancelled, but despite all of it's flaws we don't want to get rid of it, the car's a really nice drive, and it just goes so well. Only annoying when it's time to park...

but yes, I'll stop ranting - for a first car, either an older large car or a newer (not brand new - I agree with 86, most lack character) small car is the way to go, in terms of practicality/safety.

[SDPHD]

You're right though, and I guess I'm looking at things from a performance perspective with all the lightweight, short wheelbase and all that. But for a first car it's probably better to have a small car. A falcon/Commodore is a full-sized family car and you can only have up to 4 cylinders on P plates right? Or is it 6 cylinders without a turbo? I can't remember.

You're allowed to drive an Audi Q7 with a 6.0L V12 TDI Twin-Turbo engine that produces ~370kW (i.e. more than any of Holdens V8's and even the S/C FPV V8's) just because its a fucking diesel.

Turns out the Q7 with that particular engine is banned now (it wasn't before), but there are still many powerful turbo and twin-turbo diesels that are legal to drive.

Sure the likelyhood of somebody actually driving that kind of car on their P's is fairly low, but it doesn't change the fact that it's still allowed. Which is one of the many reasons I think the P plate restrictions are complete and utter bullshit.

But either way, I dislike big cars, they're harder to park and harder to judge! =.=" Plus Falcon/Commodores are known to be huge petrol drinkers, I wouldn't want to spend too much on petrol considering the prices are going up.

In fact, I'll actually consider a Camry Hybrid instead of a Corolla.

Learning how to drive in a 'big' car makes you a more versatile driver in my opinion. As does learning how to drive a manual. Driving is a life skill, not something that'll simply get you from A to B.

Also once it comes time for repairs on a Hybrid, you're going to wish you went for an 'uneconomical' big 6 instead. I've heard the batterys they use in hybrids and electrics don't come cheap.

And having driven one, it feels like the accelerator pedal isn't connected to anything...

That being said, Toyotas are great cars, it's just...Hybrids are still new technology.

Either that or wait for the Subaru BRZ/Toyota LT-whatever to come out, then wait a little longer until I can either afford a new one, or the 2012 model depreciates to a price I could afford.

Are you talking about the Toyota 86/Toyota GT-86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S? Because I may know what you're talking about

And are you sure you're a girl? You know way too much about cars to make it seem believable. Oh and I would marry your brother if I could, purely based on the car he owns.

[funkyducky]

Either that or wait for the Subaru BRZ/Toyota LT-whatever to come out, then wait a little longer until I can either afford a new one, or the 2012 model depreciates to a price I could afford.

Are you talking about the Toyota 86/Toyota GT-86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S? Because I may know what you're talking about

And are you sure you're a girl? You know way too much about cars to make it seem believable. Oh and I would marry your brother if I could, purely based on the car he owns.

Yes, I'll take that as a compliment. There are plenty of people on this forum who could attest to the fact that I am indeed female. Most of what I know comes from my dad, brother and top gear.

Edit: and yeah, that's the car I meant. Couldn't remember Toyota's name for it.

[86]

Are you talking about the Toyota 86/Toyota GT-86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S? Because I may know what you're talking about

86 In no way is my username named after it. I detest the production version! It doesn't have the amazing lines of the Concept II or the FR-S concept. Never the less, AE86 forever

As for big cars vs. small cars, true some big cars are hard to park and judge (especially the Mitsu 380 - I've been driving my Mum's 90% of the time that I drive, and it is hell to park. The combo of large car, stupid fat, high backend that you can't see past and front wheel drive with a terrible turning circle is a nightmare. I remember the one time I tried to park it in the little Monash uni parking spaces - took forever to find a space I could actually get the car into.) But the old falcon I described before is really easy to park because it's got amazing handling, whereas almost all small cars are FWD and hence not as manoeuvrable. If you were to get a falcon/commodore/aurion/etc. LPG is the way to go. At my house, we've got 3 falcons - the 2001 AU forte, my dad's 2002/3 BA (both LPG converted), and my brother's 2010 G6E turbo (obviously not LPG converted - there goes all the fun lol). Plus my mum's 2007 mitsubishi 380 (not LPG; petrol guzzler). There's a good reason the 380 line was cancelled, but despite all of it's flaws we don't want to get rid of it, the car's a really nice drive, and it just goes so well. Only annoying when it's time to park...

Yeah, the problem is fwd, or wrong wheel drive as some people like to tease it. But surprisingly cars from the earlier 90's that were fwd are actually not bad. Think of the first generation Type R Honda's. Designed for fwd usage. But despite that, fwd cars will always wear their front tires quicker than rwd cars. Not only do the tires have to put up with putting the power to the ground, but also deal with the turning forces. It makes for a hard life for the front tires, and understeer is inevitable regardless of tire tread.

I think those generations of Falcon and Commodore were probably at it's highest in terms of offering to the driver. It was pretty much an engine, drive train, wheels and a steering wheel with very little interruption from excess safety and other features that make cars boring today.

And for that reason is why I like older cars. Very little sound deadening material, airbags, heavy seats and whatnot make way for a more driver-focused experience, something that Toyota has been ignoring since the 90's and completely killed off when they axed the Supra, Celica and MR2.

btw, kazdawg, made up your mind yet?

[ShortBlackChick]

NO I HAVE NOT MADE UP MY MIND
I'M SO LOST. I FEEL ALONE.

Oh and I do not want a Toyota simply because I am curry enough as it is LOL

I'm at the stage where I'm thinking, WILL I BE A DICKHEAD HAVING A 3 AT 28? PROBABLY NOT. WILL I BE A DICKHEAD HAVING A LANCER AT 28? PROBABLY. Because I figure I'll have the car for probably around 10 years.
So I went and asked my dad if he would ever consider driving a Lancer and he said he would. And coz dad drives 1997 Falcon, which is pretty close to dead, so I'm thinking I can give dad the Lancer, if I get it, in about 5 years LOL

So now, I'm leaning towards the 3. Purely because I can drive it longer. And because Mitusbishi called up and said they could give the Lancer ES for 23200 with Convenience pack + tint, but no spoiler.
The first offer I got from Mazda was 1k below that.

[dc302]

I am so lost in your reasoning, especially about the being dickheads part

In any case, can't you just trade your car in when you buy a new one? Also, I drive a lancer and I love it Mazda 3 looks too girly/family/common for my liking, no offence to anyone though!

And you can negotiate the price down too....I got mine for like less than 22k without spoiler as well. They also have a very good warranty although the mazda will probably last longer. Then again, I don't see myself driving the same car for 10 years anyway.

[SDPHD]

Yes, I'll take that as a compliment.

It was meant to be one

I detest the production version! It doesn't have the amazing lines of the Concept II or the FR-S concept. Never the less, AE86 forever

Concepts always look sexier than their IRL counterparts.

NO I HAVE NOT MADE UP MY MIND
I'M SO LOST. I FEEL ALONE.

Calm down, you're only thinking about which car to buy, not which kidney to donate...

Oh and I do not want a Toyota simply because I am curry enough as it is LOL

You have the wrong Toyotas in mind.

I'm at the stage where I'm thinking, WILL I BE A DICKHEAD HAVING A 3 AT 28? PROBABLY NOT. WILL I BE A DICKHEAD HAVING A LANCER AT 28? PROBABLY. Because I figure I'll have the car for probably around 10 years.

No idea what any of that is meant to mean. But if you're driving the same car in 10 years time (when you're on your full license), then yeah, there's something wrong with you

But if you're looking for something durable, how can  you go past a Falcon? Your dad mustn't be taking care of his properly. There's a reason the taxi industry prefer Falcons to Mazda 3s and Mitsubishi Lancers.

Why not something like an XR6? Anything up to and including used FG's are definitely in your price range and they're not a bland car either.

So now, I'm leaning towards the 3. Purely because I can drive it longer.

Are you basing this off reliability or your strange 'street cred' system?

[ShortBlackChick]

LMAO kazdawg's street cred system:
Mazda 3: Female car
Mitsubishi Lancer: Boy car/girl trying to not be feminine/wannabe HK car(depending on which model)
Toyota Yaris: Curry trying to deny curry-ness
Toyota Corolla: Curry/asian
Toyota medium-large car: Curry/asian older driver
Ford HSV/Holden SPV: BOGAN
Toyota Supra: Asian/Curry thats watched Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift wayyy too many times

ceebs more cars. But yes, that is kazdawgs skewed perception of sterotypes associated with car owners.

And I just realised why my dads buying me a new car. I think he doesnt mind if its new or old, he just wants to buy me a car that I'd use for ages that I'd be content with. Like when my younger brother's my age, Dad will buy him probably a used car, because thats what my brother would want that he would drive for about 10 years. I dont think Dad wants to buy us cars that we'd use until we get a better car, even though it would sorta be like that. And by ages I mean like 10 years sorta thing.

[Mao]

Ford FPV/Holden HSV: BOGAN Real cars that have engines powerful enough to tickle your balls while you shit all over that supra next to you.

^^Is more like it.

[86]

Ford FPV/Holden HSV: BOGAN Real cars that have engines powerful enough to tickle your balls while you shit all over that supra next to you.

^^Is more like it.

A Porsche 911 that will absolutely spank any V8 with half the power



Don't forget, Australians love extracting thousands of horsepower out of 2JZ's!

[ShortBlackChick]

LMAO Where the shit did I get my "HSV" and "SPV"? LOL I knew I'd get them wrong.

A Porsche 911 is my pipe dream. I'm not too much of a fan of the Cayman R although I do have a poster of it up in my room. I think eventually I'd have to settle for a 80's or 90's (like from Love and Other Drugs) 911, unless I marry a rich guy who's willing to fork out a quarter of a million for a brand new 911 for an adoring wife. Or if I live in a hole for the rest of my life.

[b^3]

For a first car, I'd probably be going towards a second hand car that just gets you around, unless you have the money for a new car.

A Porsche 911 that will absolutely spank any V8 with half the power

What do you mean by half the power? 530/2=/=424.
Just remember it all comes down to power-to-weight ratios for straightline performance (remember F=ma ) (although the aerodynamic profile will play a part at higher speeds, as well as a variety of other factors).
E.g.
HSV Clubsport R8 E3
Power: 424 BHP
Weight: 1760 Kg
Power-to-weight Ratio: 241 BHP/1000 Kg
0-100Kph: <5 seconds

Porsche 911 Turbo S
Power: 530 BHP
Weight: 1570 Kg
Power-to-weight Ratio: 338 BHP/1000 Kg
0-100Kph: >3.1 seconds

Caparo T1 (Yes it is a legal roadcar in parts of the world)
Power: 575 BHP
Weight: 550 Kg
Power-to-weight Ratio: 1045 BHP/1000 Kg
0-100Kph: <2.1 seconds


Sources: http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo-s/featuresandspecs/?gtabindex=1
http://www.carbuddy.com.au/car/values/specification/viewspecs.aspx?gid=69970&tid=60496608
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Caparo-T1-Specifications.html

Ok probably gone way off-topic but maybe we should split the thread?

[ShortBlackChick]

LMAO nah, fuck it, just make it a Car/kazdawg is lost thread or something, but leave the poll!

[86]

What do you mean by half the power? 530/2=/=424.

Just an exaggeration mate A Porsche is in a different league anyway - Clubsports and FPV's are more super saloons comparable to an M5 or something. The running joke is that a Porsche can always show up a Corvette with up to half the power output.

Although, a ZR1 with >600hp is comfortably beaten by a GT3 RS over the quarter mile with 2/3 the power. In a standing mile it would be different though.

I am truly awestruck by the Caparo though, and I thought Caterham was the only one!

@kaz the Cayman would blow the 911 out of the water if it were given the 911's performance. Being mid-engine it's just more refined in many ways that the 911 can't be with the engine trying to swing to the front every time you take a turn.

+ yeah this has gone a little off to say the least...So Mazda 3 it is?

[b^3]

I am truly awestruck by the Caparo though, and I thought Caterham was the only one!

You may also be interested in the Ariel Atom - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo82zNUA


But hey, it's not as comfortable as a Mazda 3