18yr old son's 1st car??

[MitchG]

Originally Posted by jweb

Maybe along the lines of an accord vti-l or V6 depending on if he wants manual or not.Or even a Honda civic sedan,not hatch as hatch are considered "rice".Old Honda legend is a good buy as well.
Focus would be a good buy 1st gen sold in australia,not many 18yr olds like the Lt looks.

If he is after a commo or a Falcon, i really dout he would want to settle for a honda civic, my girl friend has a civic coupe, & its as weak as even for her standards, plus civics,Preludes & Integras are mostly choco & asian cars & are hard core rice IMO

[Wally]

How about the Mazda 6?

[RSgerry]

something worth a thought is an older Mondeo (not an auto...they have a habit of detonating). cheap to buy, cheap to run, and look half decent with some nice wheels. only thing is that they arent that cheap to fix, but most new cars arent.

[madmelon]

I stupidly went agains my parents and friends advice and bought the car I desperately wanted- 1987 Jag. I regret not listening. Every cent I earned for 2 years went into it and I continued paying for 2 months after I finally got rid of it.
Makes/Models of similar black-hole-ness (from friend and family experience) include:
Alfa Romeo- ALL
BMW- ALL, especially older ones
Fiat- ALL
Ford- Falcon: when you can't let the head gasket leak any longer + fuel.
- Telstar: when anything goes wrong with the engines, esp 6 cyl (aka Mazda 626)
Jaguar- ALL
Mazda- 929 with rear steering
Merc- ALL. Don't be fooled into thinking these are cheap to keep on the road.
Nissan- imports cost a fortune to insure with the only company who does: JustCar. Excesses are excessive....

You can pick up beautiful 2000 or newer Statesmans and Fairlanes for stupidly cheap prices, V8 or 6 cylinder. They may scream "old man", but they have class that nothing else in that price range does and generally have pretty good safety features. Also plenty of space in the back...

[Macca23]

What about trying for a Patrol gq turbo diesel or even a GU can be picked up around the 18-20k.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by blackers10

a WK caprice would fall nicely in the 25k range..
20s and some lowered springs would be perfect!
BUT the rear suspension loves inner tyre edges

ITS V8 !!!

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by falzoony

Mondeo xr5 turbo?

Turbo is illegal

[T-Pak Addict]

Just looking back through the thread I thought his original idea of a HQ would be perfect if it was a 6, easy as to work on, very simple car..... How many poeple learnt to work on cars when these were $500 bombs (before HQ racing that is). Back when Holden use to actually build cars not euro crap.

Not real big on safety features but they were pretty strong cars and are now are getting collectable. Try find a decent one under $5g.

I made my kids drive cheap bombs ($500) they could put a few dents in for the 1st 12 months. They sure learnt how to look after them but now they have better cars (son 20 daughter 17) they sure appreciate the cars they have now

[Scott]

Regardless of restrictions - T3 TS50. You'll get one for the money and he can sit on it and drive a shita for a few years.

[Shaggzy]

Well im 17 and have had 2 cars already
First one was around this time last year and it was a '71 Datsun 1600 with an L20, twin webers, head work and dropped on its guts. Was a very fun car but lacked modern comforts such as air conditioning, heater etc and sucked to get started on cold mornings. New P-plate laws come in 2 weeks after i bought it to.
Sold it and bought an EF futura
Better than a GLi but not as expensive to insure as an xr6 and lots more friendly. starts first time no matter wat and has all the good comforts.
Get him into something newer rather than older and he'll be fine
I vote for the EF/EL

[ebxr8240]

Hahah one of these for safely
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu...&ct=image&cd=1

[EAgl]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Personally I think telling your kids to buy a small, cheap, jap crap as a first car is a horrible thing to do. Why put them in an unsafe, unable to properly avoid accidents, POS... so that IF they crash you ensure their demise?

If he has 25k, he can buy a very good, late model, safe car that's not girly and will serve him really well...

Like this...
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...ake=VOLKSWAGEN

Or this...
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars...0&Make=RENAULT

Or this...
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars..._id=82&trecs=2

And there's lots more...

In his price range, not hard on the fuel, proper performance cars with proper (4-5 star EuroNCAP) saftey ratings, proper hardware to protect occuptants and avoid accidents, reliable, not thief or cop magnets...

I reckon this is a pretty good idea. Though if you're concerned about him spending that much on a first car- then I reckon an AU is the way to go. It is safe (5 star used safety rating- http://www.atsb.gov.au/pdfs/ucsr_2005.pdf), reliable and can be converted to lpg if necessary. You can pick them up well under $10k.

An EF/EL is a cheaper alternative, the VT is an option (if he has to drive copbait), or a BA can be bought for around $12k.

I have a young son and when he is old enough to drive I would have safety as my main criteria, but would be concerned about whether he would be responsible with a powerful 6 cylinder. I know I only had weak four cylinder cars (corona, camry) and didnt move on to a R31 skyline and then falcons until I was 22.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

ITS V8 !!!

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Turbo is illegal

He's in Victoria, not NSW mate. 125kW/tonne and 3.5L/tonne are the rules there, none of this NSW idiocy.

[T-Pak Addict]

Maybe he could bang aroung in an Xcab for a year or 2 and save a few more bucks for that FG he'll buy.........

AU Xcabs are cheap as and will probaly get his money back at the end when he sells it.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by rodderz

Let him get a customline like you used to have charlie!

You've struck a chord there Rodderz!... As have all the "old man" & Dad comments!... I couldn't be told at 18 either!.. (Still bloody can't)
My old man (rest his soul) gave me never-ending grief with my spending on cars... : Especially the cusso.
"Why do you need a 429 cubic inches?".. "You spent WHAT on a C6" "Where's the sense in destroying brand new rear tyres each weekend at the drags" etc etc.
But, it was "different" back then... Wasn't IT????:

Thanks guys... Think I'll get off his case and HELP him pick out whatever he has his heart set on!

[Shonky]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Why put them in an unsafe, unable to properly avoid accidents, POS... so that IF they crash you ensure their demise?

So you don't feel guilty about wasting what would have been their inheritance.

On a serious note, I am a young guy and I paid $3k for my ED Fairmont Ghia. Good car, enough street cred and good value (note I didn't say cheap specifically)

I must say I havent pranged it, but my GF has (3 times...) and it is not nice. I can't imagine pranging a $20k beastie.

[blackers10]

in NSW or VIC.. the Caprice was in reference to top range holden barges..
you can get a statesman with V6 or V6 supercharged or V8... so either way he would be fine to have a holden barge

[Rev28K]

A young guy I know gets himself a “new” secondhand car practically every 18 months. One of these cars was a VY Commodore (auto 6 cylinder) and it was a real money pit for him. Another guy I knew had an HQ tonner with a Chev engine as his first car, blew all his money on it and since then has only got “sensible” cars and drives like a granny.

Try and get an idea of what he wants the car for and what he will use it for. He may get a big Aussie car to impress his mates but if all he is doing is A to B then does he really need the cost, insurance, fuel bills that go with it? The HQ’s weren’t the sharpest handling thing when they cam out and 30 years of use won’t have helped them handle any better. Throw all the nolethane bushings, thick roll bars, springs, shocks and modern rubber at them and I still think a well-maintained good modern car will out handle them. My “rice” Integra is doing better lap times than the 202 engined, 3 speed HQ racers (and it bloody well should be quicker). If he is truly obstinate and set in his ways try and get him the best (safest) HQ that it is possible to get for his budget.

The knowledge will probably fall on deaf ears but try and get him the safest car possible (most likely the newest). Ask how many people crashed their first car and most people will put their hand up (including me).

P.S. Blowing money on cars is a right of passage for young males. My dad did it. I did it, and the only thing is thank God I blew what little money I had on a Datsun rather than the Alfa Romeo 105 GTV that I was initially looking at (oh the money that thing would’ve cost to get right).


Shannons have a few H series Holdens in their upcoming auctions:
http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/...194GMD7FOD7A2L
http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/...L9DJ5207W35B9F


Australian Muscle Car Sales

http://www.australianmusclecarsales....ilter_id=79254

death machine 1 as a first car
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....le_view/107630

death machine 2 you will be expecting phone calls the first rainy night
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....cle_view/91048

death machine 3 expect him to park this halfway up a tree
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....cle_view/81467

AMCS Monaros ($25k wont cut it for a schmick one):
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....le_view/106638
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....le_view/110591
http://www.australianmusclecarsales....le_view/109784

[HLC]

tell him to get a torana.

[xygtho3]

He can have my Ef XR6 auto which has a driver airbag, ABS, VDO CD player , good interior and just needs a repaint for $2500. Get it painted for under 2k and you have a good safe reliable 1st car that is still probably one of the best looking large cars on the road from that period. If he likes to get his hands dirty and do some of the work himself, he will end up with a $5-6000 car and make some money when he wants to sell it! That's what I did when I was 18 and am still doing with my young adult kids.

[DirtyHarry]

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Its his money if he really wants to get a Holden let him. For that money I'd look at a 03 onward Stato or Caprice. A nice cruiser.

How about a Nissan Maxima? Probably the world's most underrated car.

Agreed. Go the Maxima. He'll get one less than 4 years old and with less than 50,000km for that money.









Tell him it's basically the same engine as the 350Z and chicks will love that leather interior. Goes like a shower of poo, safe as houses, well built, fuel efficent, and not copper bait. He might even pick up a Ti-L or Ti with sunroof.

The only drawback will be the price of parts if he does blow something up.

Check this one out. Ti-L with 39,000kms.

Drive.com

[Edit] I think the source of the problem is right here:

Originally Posted by XRated
You've had a XR6T and now you've got a very fast BF F6 and he still wants a Commodore!

It's pretty common for young blokes to want something different to the old man.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by Steffo

He's in Victoria, not NSW mate. 125kW/tonne and 3.5L/tonne are the rules there, none of this NSW idiocy.

YEP.. Insurance would be the killer..

[marky81]

me being 26 would of loved 25g for my first car but if he has to go a 4cyl and doesnt want rice a ford sierra would be hard to find.. or a 4wd turbo ford laser.

[azaxr8]

hey, i've been through this situation alot like other guys. Currently owning a BA xr8 05 model at the age of 18.


My parents bought me my first car for $750 bucks from a guy my dad worked with, It was a old model holden astra i think o_O. I was exactly the same as your son, Explaining that it was a chics car and im not driving it ever lol. As i know his childhood he agreed and just before i got my licence he bout me a 96 XH ute, which had extractors and exhaust already on it. For 2k. Still have this car that my dad uses now. I had this for about 9 months untill i started working up north and, As a first car and just fresh on the road. All boys go thru the stage. of stupid . i mean i've been done for going around a round about the wrong way. I've reveresed into a truck and a pole smashing up the back end:(. It's his money and the chance of him listening is close to none.

I've had my xr for about 6 months now, but have i payed now i only have 2 demerits left and my job wont be there if i lose my licence. I do drive to the rules and give it a squirt every now and then but I hope he does listen and gets a box for 6 months at least because theres nothing worse about getting the car u REALLY REALLY WANT and either smashing it up or losing your licence because all your friends are in the back egging you on to smoke it up every corner. 25k is a good amount of money and no doubt can get a nice car. i got mine 6 months ago for 29k which was cheap. This comes a hefty price with 18" wheels and paying $350 for a decent tyre atleast, oil changes which is not cheap for decent oil. and Servicing is not cheap either.

Sure you can have the best car on the road at my age, But why buy it if you can't afford these things to keep it at its best? I've seen it time and time again my friends getting loans out for 20k cars and 5 months down the track the thing is because, They cant afford to service it. They can't afford to change the oil. They can't afford anything other then it.

Thats about all i've got to say.

hope he listens to you=)
Az

[BFXR8Silhouette]

I would suggest a fairly late model 4wd of some sort. Rodeo, Ranger, Hilux. Navara. Triton. Etc

They sit up nice and high so are easy to see out of (and will win most crashes).
Diesel so they are slow (to keep mum and dad happy). And also fairly economical.
Not girly. Not Ricey. Capable of going off road to do any of the illegal things that we are all guilty of (the beach is a good place to lose control of your vehicle. No power poles to hit or people to kill). Reasonably cheap to run. Dual cab would allow "mates" to come along. Fairly inconspicuous as far as police go. Fairly bullet proof – not much to break. Very insurable. Lots of potential mods (if that’s his thing).

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Well I got a sixteen year old looking at the moment . I was thinking a late eighties bmw.I know you discounted it for your daughter , but there are some good ones there if you look hard . Twin cam Corollas maybe , but he won't want that. If he is against rice ,he has really restricted himself . If he wants olderschool, what about a XD/XE , I have seen some nice S-pacs on here . Maybe a Eb-ED XR6 .
What about a old Merc ... In general they are looked after and don't pull big dollars.
Say a 190 0r 230 ...4 cyl ..economical and go ok.

The reason the 80's Euros are at bargain prices is that they are getting on in age and will be in need of repairs if they haven't had them elready.

A rear muffler for a 1989 323i BMW retails for $1,800 I've heard so I'd hate to imagine what an engine rebuild would be worth

Honestly the Euros are good if you can afford them new and then lease up every 3-4 years before you have to think about anything other than petrol and regular servicing

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by XRQTOR

These shiittas tend to be the ones wrapped around trees more often, they push the cars harder to get a thrill and beyound both their & the cars ability.

I remember when the Datsun 180B was the ducks guts especially in SSS coupe configuration with the OHC engine and twin carbs ....My next door neighbour bought one new in "1974" I think !! Although the 160J SSS was a much nicer car.

To look back at them now I cringe....esepcially the 120Y...yuk!

[GlennBA]

Mazda 3 SP23!


Probably as quick as a commodore.. better on fuel and pretty easy to make look sweet. They're built very well too. Ohh and the best point is.. you don't have to search for months or settle for a poor condition one in order to find a MANUAL!

[Ratmac]

I was looking at a mazda 3 SP23 but belive it or no the insurance for me (20 YO at the time) was MORE than a V8.
You throw that sports word in there and the insurance company get all nervous.
I think the idea of having an older car or crappy car up first is not too bad cause i did it and slowly worked my way up to a decent car.
But don't stop him getting what he wants its just going to cause issues if you do.

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by Steffo

He's in Victoria, not NSW mate. 125kW/tonne and 3.5L/tonne are the rules there, none of this NSW idiocy.

125kw/Tonne, 3.5L/tonne and no V8s or Turbos and passenger restrictions. The new Victorian P plate laws suck balls, hard.