Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 22-02-2006, 10:07 PM   #1
IH8HSV
XR6T 400kw(well one day!)
 
IH8HSV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Toodyay W.A.
Posts: 1,008
Default Whats a good small car???

Hi all...

The misses has talked me into selling one of my fords so she can have a small economical car for her to go to work and back everyday. ( 60km round trip).

The problem is that i know nothing about small cars!
Whats a good small car for under $5000 that is bloody cheap to run and will last a while?
What are these Hyundais like? or how bout a Laser?
Are toyota corollas any good? Dihatsu charade??? the list goes on.... :

Any info would be great - especially those whos girlfriends have a small car.

cheers in advance.

IH8HSV is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 22-02-2006, 10:14 PM   #2
Paxton
Cobblers!
 
Paxton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
Default

Corolla all the way. Reliability, unbreakable, and well, almost everybody had one as a First car. Stay away from the Koreans at that price. They will be the early, and awful Excells, and Holwoo Nubrias aren't any good either.

The other pick is the Laser/323, which is also a fantastic car. They are as reliable as a Corolla, and have a more 'sporty' drive than the Corolla. It depends on what you want.
__________________
Ego BFII Ghia
Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i
Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty.
Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you.
Paxton is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 22-02-2006, 11:03 PM   #3
Fletty's EL
Green with Envi
 
Fletty's EL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 161
Default

Definitely Corolla. Australian made up until the late 90s. Very reliable cars.
My friends have tried to kill a couple of old ones - the old box is still running around the farm.
__________________
--- 2005 BA MkII Falcon XR6 ---
--- 2005 SX Territory Ghia ---
Fletty's EL is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 22-02-2006, 11:40 PM   #4
Quicklier
Perfecting the 1-2 change
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Preston, Victoria
Posts: 606
Default

I'd tick the corolla and Laser/323 box.
My old lady just picked up a '91 rolla with only 80,000km on it.
The beauty of it is, it still won't have increased by the time she wants to sell it (in about 10-15 years).

I had a pal who had a KE11 (1.3l) 'rolla. It was the best paddock bomb, reliable, never used fuel or oil (seemed to never use fuel) and the body work took a great deal of pain before showing any bruises.

Sure, 'rolla's are really bland, but they never tried to be anything else.
Small, cheap and built like 75-Series Cruisers.
Stick to the Aussie made variety... 90-93 were a good bunch. Go the 5 door option.
__________________
MY02 Subaru Forester GT
XC Fairmont - Project Thread Here
Quicklier is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 12:03 AM   #5
turboute
turboute
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 502
Default

Sometihing wil a bit of potential - either a charade 1L turbo 50kW of POWER!!
or you might be lucky enough to find a GT starlet at that price.
turboute is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 07:53 PM   #6
xf_vanner
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: melbourne
Posts: 119
Default

go corolla they are cheap to run and reliable i've got a hyundai excel 97 model picked it up for $5000 with 127000 on the clock 500ks cost me $40
xf_vanner is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 08:16 PM   #7
hoppo366
Regular Member
 
hoppo366's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisbane, St Lucia
Posts: 153
Default

Go a rolla my mates got one a 90 model and its a great car with a bit of go and its the carby model. Apparently the efi ones of the same era go really good.
hoppo366 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 08:22 PM   #8
Paxton
Cobblers!
 
Paxton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hoppo366
Go a rolla my mates got one a 90 model and its a great car with a bit of go and its the carby model. Apparently the efi ones of the same era go really good.
My AE92 Corolla has the 1.6 EFI (4A-FE engine), and it went like the clappers. I haven't driven it in a while, as my Sister-In-Law has it now, but it never let my family down, even though it has had four people learn on it. They are the most reliable cars I have ever owned. I am not yet reliant on my Territory, however I would trust my life to my old Corolla.
__________________
Ego BFII Ghia
Titanium Silver E53 X5 4.4i
Gunmetal EF XR6. Now retired from active duty.
Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you.
Paxton is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 08:24 PM   #9
Sourbastard
Moderator
Contributing Member
 
Sourbastard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Adelaide SA
Posts: 5,584
Default

Buy a bobcat, and make her ride in the scoop in front.
__________________

1965 XP Falcon Deluxe Sedan
1978 XC Falcon Wagon Rallypack
2003 BA Fairlane G220

Windsor Powah!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7hT9dxD2hM

Sourbastard is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 08:40 PM   #10
vztrt
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
 
vztrt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,799
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: vztrt is one of the most consistent and respected contributors to AFF, I have found his contributions are most useful to discussion as well as answering members queries. 
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sourbastard
Buy a bobcat, and make her ride in the scoop in front.
AT least it'll stop her nagging ya!!

Corolla for the reasons stated above. Just dont hit anything with it, they're not a very strong car.
vztrt is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 08:58 PM   #11
ClassicAU
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,558
Default

N15 Pulsar SSS. They have the SR20DE motor in them, and personally, i reccon they look awesome for a small car. Very roomy inside too. But make sure what ever u get its manual!
ClassicAU is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 09:02 PM   #12
Gilesie
You gotta pay to play
 
Gilesie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hampton Park Victoria
Posts: 306
Default

Q. A good small car?
A. A Crushed one.

Seriously you would have to go the Toyota
__________________
Regards Gilesie
AU I Forte Wagon 4.0
Dodge D5N Twincab (Project)

2003 Mazda Bravo (work truck)

1979 F100 Ambo
Gilesie is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 10:25 PM   #13
alesia
Banned
 
alesia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 324
Default

hey,

i have a 1985 kc TX3 Laser ( 2 door sport) as my run around , and if your looking for something cheap on fuel they are the way to go, the other good thing about the lasers is almost every wreckers will have 2 , that way if you have any problems with anything its not going to cost you a arm and a leg to get a replacement part.
alesia is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 10:35 PM   #14
ON_DUBS
[ON DUBS]
 
ON_DUBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,541
Default

the corollas have definately proven to be both reliable and economic, however they are still ИИИИ.

the lasers are a much nicer car.

how bout a '96 suzuki swift? you can definately get a nice one for 5g's, i noticed there was a gti listed. lots of nice ones 4 sale, economic and airconditioned

suzuki swifts under 5k
__________________
BA MK2 XR6T
ON_DUBS is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 10:37 PM   #15
XtRmn8
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default

Daihatsu Centro 990cc 3cly or a Suzuki Swift 1.3i GTI
XtRmn8 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 10:45 PM   #16
SSBUB
SSuper SSpy
 
SSBUB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: WA
Posts: 607
Default

barina? mirage is you can afford one?
SSBUB is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 11:11 PM   #17
Steffo
LPG > You
 
Steffo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
Default

Well oops. : didn't see the 5k bit haha.

There's nothing I'd buy for under 5000 that's small and I'd call good personally. Given a few hundred thousand km and a few years, small engines don't like it. They get very thirsty.

A Mk2 Golf GTi 1.8 isn't bad. Can have one, 1990 model, 4200-4400$, 165,000-185,000 odd km. 77kW 1.8 4cyl, 1019kg. They're pretty well loaded for a car of that vintage... four wheel discs, front vented rear solid, ABS etc. And they're generally bulletproof reliability wise.

Not much else I'd go for personally. Perhaps a 1992 or 93 Laser?
__________________
LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1.

:

Last edited by Steffo; 23-02-2006 at 11:15 PM. Reason: didn't notice the budget
Steffo is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 23-02-2006, 11:59 PM   #18
Deanodriver
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 138
Default

I reckon go for an N13 or N14 Pulsar.

We used to have an N13, and it was a top car, but only go the 1.8L manual, the 1.6's are CFI and only have about 2/3 of the power of the 1.8's, and the autos are 3 speed.

The N14's are also tough, the GA16DE is a very good motor for a 1.6L.
Deanodriver is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 12:09 AM   #19
347Stroker
Banned
 
347Stroker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,750
Default

Isnt a falcon a small car????
A fairlane is a big car...........
347Stroker is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 12:25 AM   #20
BlackLS
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deanodriver
I reckon go for an N13 or N14 Pulsar.

We used to have an N13, and it was a top car, but only go the 1.8L manual, the 1.6's are CFI and only have about 2/3 of the power of the 1.8's, and the autos are 3 speed.

The N14's are also tough, the GA16DE is a very good motor for a 1.6L.
I love my pulsars, but no, thts not good advise to be giving.

N13 - Camira engine. Normally head gasket and head related problems. Manual gearboxes seem to wear out every 300000ks. If you had to get one, from 5000 you'd want the best one avaliable, no ks, with the 18LE (1.8) engine in it. Wouldn't waste your time with an auto.

N14s are a bit better. With 5000(compared with 8-10k for a SSS) you can get the Luxo TI model, which has the SSS (SR20DE) engine in it, without the "sports car" insurance premium. If you find a SSS try to get the Jap-Spec, not the Aussie made (has better foggies, sunroof, better build)

Id say a Mirage, Starlet, perhaps a late model twinkie Excel, 4A-GE 16v AE-92 Rolla(100kw!)
  Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 07:40 AM   #21
gregaust
Donating Member
Donating Member1
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: QLD
Posts: 11,835
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Greg always goes out of his way to provide assistance and support to members of AFF. Greg freely shares his knowledge with people who ask for help and often assists them with obtaining parts and repairs.  A great member of the AFF community. Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Always happy to offer assistance from his own experiences and often posts up photos when someone is having issues finding/locating something they are trying to repair or replace. 
Default

I just helped a good friend get a toyota starletbut it is just over the 5k but nice little car,goes well for 1.3 and very economical.Looked at plenty and they just dont seem to age ,even ones with higher k's were still good prob because they are so simple.Actually the worst one i looked at had the lowest k's.
gregaust is online now   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 08:02 AM   #22
BlueRaven
Dual O2 sensors
 
BlueRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisneyworld
Posts: 1,437
Default

Subaru Sherpa. Small. VERY small. 2cyl motorbike postie power!

Seriously, for some absurd reason, my dad decided to buy one as a drive around car. Take your average falcon and split it in half...then half that again and thats the size.

Economy rocks, its okay on the highway (not very loud) and will got to at least 130 without complaining.

Dad gets a similar amount out of each tank as the falcon, at only a fraction of the price!
Talk about cheap to run!!
__________________
Black 1990 300zx Twin Turbo 5 Speed Manual :
Blue 2004 Mini Cooper S 6 Speed Manual - Yes, thank you Amanda. I realise now that you updated my signature to include your car. :
BlueRaven is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 09:16 AM   #23
BlackLS
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

LOL @ the sherpa!
  Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 09:31 AM   #24
melbzetec
Old enough to know better
 
melbzetec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
Default

I reckon an old Honda Civic is better value. Just as reliable as a Corolla, better engineering, and more bells and whistles, and a much better looker
__________________
Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec.
Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior.
www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918

melbzetec is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 09:41 AM   #25
BlueRaven
Dual O2 sensors
 
BlueRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisneyworld
Posts: 1,437
Default

For those that aren't in the know about the sherpa...check this out.

http://www.joh.net/sherpa/index2.html

I'll even go to the effort of quotes..

Quote:
my sherpa (1983) does close to 20 kilometres to the litre (any pockets of remaining imperialists - and americans - can work this out can't they?)
Then theres things ИИИИ funny story..

http://www.ozsupra.qld.org/web/stuff/stuff_sherpa.htm
__________________
Black 1990 300zx Twin Turbo 5 Speed Manual :
Blue 2004 Mini Cooper S 6 Speed Manual - Yes, thank you Amanda. I realise now that you updated my signature to include your car. :
BlueRaven is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 09:48 AM   #26
TheSneakiness
Adapt or perish...
 
TheSneakiness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dip!@#$
Posts: 7,954
Default

Have to be the Rolla.

Mums one is an '87 model, 340,000 kays and still going strong.
__________________
Carless
TheSneakiness is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 09:58 AM   #27
ebxr8240
Performance moderator
 
ebxr8240's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St Clair..N.S.W
Posts: 14,875
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Always willing to help out with technical advice. 
Default

The 16 valve Excells are o/k at least you late model car for $5k...
BUT not the real early one..Small eco cars are at premium prices due to increase in petrol prices..$5k is approx 1/3 of new price and it could be 10 15 years old....
As much as I like Daihatsu they are not in Australia anymore, yes you can buy parts through some Toyota dealers but its a pita....
__________________
Real cars are not driven by front wheels,real cars lift them!!...
BABYS ARE BOTTLE FED, REAL MEN GET BLOWN.
Don't be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark...Professionals built the Titanic!
Dart 330ci block turbo black pearl EBXR8 482 rwkw..
Daily driver GTE FG..
Projects http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=107711
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...8+turbo&page=4
ebxr8240 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 10:11 AM   #28
loxxr6
XB in parts...
 
loxxr6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,890
Default

Quote:
Corolla all the way. Reliability, unbreakable, and well, almost everybody had one as a First car. Stay away from the Koreans at that price. They will be the early, and awful Excells, and Holwoo Nubrias aren't any good either.
The corolla's are good.

However I wouldn't knock they Excel's tho. I had an X3 twin cam and it took a flogging and never broke. A mate of mine still has one and it's still copping punishment. It was always reliable.
__________________


Daily Driver 2019 Ford Escape...looking for XR6T's.


loxxr6 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 24-02-2006, 02:27 PM   #29
Rev28K
re
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Victoria - where being slow & incompetent is considered being "safe"
Posts: 1,323
Default

Some versions of the Civics were great little cars. The common wisdom is that they have to be serviced by the book (but that they will last forever without owner abuse).
The early Hondamatics had only a 2 spd auto (but it was tough). Go for the later models and you start getting twin cams, vetc, double-wishbone suspension, Hondas own fuel injections and gearboxes.

How about a CRX or old Prelude. If they haven’t been flogged they are great little cars.
Rev28K is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 09:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL