need advice in buying first car

[AEF_Silver94]

hey all,now i was looking for a AU1 Forte for under 10k , not AUII, im not sure,i got a thing for the AU1 ( wanted that car since i was a kid 98/99 ),then i came across a AUII for 5k!

http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/fo...&pp=4&d=0&nv=1

Price: $6,999*
Special: $4999*
Trans: 4 SP AUTOMATIC
Year: 2000 Body: 4D SEDAN
Engine Size: 4.0 Fuel Type: Unleaded
Km's: 179315 Colour: CHARCOAL
Location: Sydney


now im thinking while i get stuff together,my mother will drive this car while i get my own place etc and become more stable in the money department and finaly get on my Ps,because i want a AU and only an AU and i want it for the long term,so i thought i would ask you guys and get some opinions and advice,and since i want this car to last me a very long time,does this one look any good? , or would i need to spend on something around 8 or 10 thousand with less Kms, AU Forte Sedan is what im interested in,and this looked the best for value on the site.If it is good,what would i need to do,or check when i go check it out in person.

AU Power ...lol

[onfire]

I think the amount of Kms is the only downside. Expect to pay about $8-9k for an AU Forte with less than 100,000kms on it. I paid $9000 6 months ago for a '99 S1 with 74,000kms on it.

[I6corp]

Mate since your not even on your p's yet, id just keep saving becuase:

1 - You can buy a better car, T-series if your set on an AU

2 - The AU's are only loosing value, so you'll be able to save at least $1000+ Within a year.

[Kryton]

well from what i can see it looks alright.
it has 12 months warranty which is good (but probably worthless) and any inspection is welcome. here in vic, we can get a car tested by the RACV and they will give a thorough report about the car, you should have something like this in NSW. i would suggest you look into it.
KM wise its a bit above average, but (this means nothing since its from a car yard) you can to a certain degree see what the inside of the engine is like by looking at the coolant bottle. this one looks pretty clean without much browning (internal rust). but its a car yard and it could have been cleaned up or replaced.
value for money, i would say its definately worth looking at.
oh, dont forget to check for rust either or previous crash repairs.

[Dark Horse]

My advice is get your stuff together before you get the car. So keep saving matey, plenty of years ahead of you to grab a nice AU.

[AEF_Silver94]

yep thats why my mother would use it to drive to work and then ill have it 100% once im all set,but since the AU's are loosing value as you say,i think it would be a smart idea to wait another year,i just own one asap lol,but i dont think P platers can own a T-Series can they? to powerfull or something,i heard something about that awhile back.I was told i can have a budget of around $13,000

[I6corp]

Sorry my bad mate, here in the ACT we dont hae those laws. But still save!

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by AU.BA FordPower

yep thats why my mother would use it to drive to work and then ill have it 100% once im all set,but since the AU's are loosing value as you say,i think it would be a smart idea to wait another year,i just own one asap lol,but i dont think P platers can own a T-Series can they? to powerfull or something,i heard something about that awhile back.I was told i can have a budget of around $13,000

you also have to look at what the insurance is going to cost you for a T series as well.
my GFs little brother who is 18 has bought an old VN, stock as they come and the best he could get insurance wise is $1800p/a and thats in a country area.

[AEF_Silver94]

Originally Posted by davway

well from what i can see it looks alright.
it has 12 months warranty which is good (but probably worthless) and any inspection is welcome. here in vic, we can get a car tested by the RACV and they will give a thorough report about the car, you should have something like this in NSW. i would suggest you look into it.
KM wise its a bit above average, but (this means nothing since its from a car yard) you can to a certain degree see what the inside of the engine is like by looking at the coolant bottle. this one looks pretty clean without much browning (internal rust). but its a car yard and it could have been cleaned up or replaced.
value for money, i would say its definately worth looking at.
oh, dont forget to check for rust either or previous crash repairs.

oh ok,thanks,ill do that

My advice is get your stuff together before you get the car. So keep saving matey, plenty of years ahead of you to grab a nice AU.

yep for me im geting everything in order,i wana get all the know how so i dont have to do last minute rechearch haha,but my mother has to walk around 20minutes a day just to go to work,so im thinking about her to,as she would use the car for herself untill im 100% ready to own it.

but the AU becomeing cheaper is something i really like,since fuel prices are shocking atm.

[AEF_Silver94]

Originally Posted by davway

you also have to look at what the insurance is going to cost you for a T series as well.
my GFs little brother who is 18 has bought an old VN, stock as they come and the best he could get insurance wise is $1800p/a and thats in a country area.

damns,so it looks like for now sticking to the Forte is a wise decision.

[AU3 HERROD XR8]

you can try getting the insurance under your parents name, this will be better money-wise for you, thats what i did basically a name and age saves you from paying extra for being young

[b2tf]

Insurance can be had if you know where to look. I'm 20 and own a fairly worked V8, but full comp in my name with no mention of my parents is only costing me $1400 a year - that is a bit more than I like to pay, but realistically, its a bloody good deal.

[GlennBA]

Originally Posted by AU.BA FordPower

damns,so it looks like for now sticking to the Forte is a wise decision.

My forte has a few mods, i have it insured under my mums name with RACQ and me listed as a regular driver. Works out much cheaper and they're pretty leanient with mods. Try NRMA if you are from syd. btw, $5k for that forte is a bargain. Its a nice colour and the km aren't too high for the age of it.

[AU3 HERROD XR8]

im 20 aswell, lots of young XR8 owners here

[GlennBA]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Insurance can be had if you know where to look. I'm 20 and own a fairly worked V8, but full comp in my name with no mention of my parents is only costing me $1400 a year - that is a bit more than I like to pay, but realistically, its a bloody good deal.

Who is that with? I tried getting insurance on my 6cyl forte with a couple of extras and just car said $1450.00 p/a with a $1k excess... for a forte!!
I think we pay about $600 through racq under mums name with me listed, thats with all mods disclosed.

[AEF_Silver94]

Originally Posted by GlennAUII

My forte has a few mods, i have it insured under my mums name with RACQ and me listed as a regular driver. Works out much cheaper and they're pretty leanient with mods. Try NRMA if you are from syd. btw, $5k for that forte is a bargain. Its a nice colour and the km aren't too high for the age of it.

ok thanks

[AEF_Silver94]

can someone please tell me the key differences between AU I,II & III? besides the cosmetic differences. And would i be able to get a AU III for under 10k? , i dont see much AU IIIs around in used car sites.

[bodes-sh]

au 2 and 3 got bigger brakes than au 1 as well as twin piston front calipers, basically everything else is the same, i think useless metioned at some stage that the au1 heads seem to flow better than a series 2 or 3 head...at this stage that probably doesnt matter to you anyway, also au 2 and 3 got 16" wheels standard instead of 15s on au1 obviously for the bigger brakes

[BENT_8]

I cant believe anyone would even mention a T-series!
The dude is getting his first car FFS!
I dont think he should be learning in a stroked Windsor, how about you?

I like to find cars with low k's and really clean looking, even if it is the older of the style.
Having said that, i would be looking for the lowest km AU3 for your money as they also got the SR side skirts standard aswell as the mechanical upgrades.

[AEF_Silver94]

Originally Posted by bodes-sh

au 2 and 3 got bigger brakes than au 1 as well as twin piston front calipers, basically everything else is the same, i think useless metioned at some stage that the au1 heads seem to flow better than a series 2 or 3 head...at this stage that probably doesnt matter to you anyway, also au 2 and 3 got 16" wheels standard instead of 15s on au1 obviously for the bigger brakes

oh i c now

SR side skirts standard aswell as the mechanical upgrades.

oh ok,sounds good, i hope the used AUIIIs dont add up to much in the $$$ department,i think 13k is my max, but even if i cant get it,id be very happy with a AUI.Im still likeing that 5k AUII tho.

[BENT_8]

There is a BA Furura with about 100ks in the local Toyota dealer here for $14000 so i think you should have no probs getting an AU3 for that money.

[AU3 HERROD XR8]

mate for you i think a ford ef would be more suitable both money-wise and considering it's your first car, but if your that keen on buying an AU then buy it, but i reckon an ef would be better, you can play around with that more and not have to worry as much as you would on the AU.

[AEF_Silver94]

hm,how much do those efs go for now days?

[bodes-sh]

some probably down as low as 1k, keep in mind tho, not saying ef's are bad or anything, its probably a problem thats been fixed now, when they first came out they tended to go through head gaskets, not so much often, but the au seems to have a lot more reliable engine, hell if you really want engines go for about $500 - $800 on ebay, an au engine that is, depends on how much you really want to spend tho

[BENT_8]

If you are considering a E-series i would pay the extra money and get the EL Ghia i6.
This will give you a later model than the Ef, they are better in quite a few ways, not quite as good as the AU but you will get more options for about
6 or 8k
Will also give you the XR6 performance without the XR insurance premium as these have Tickford motors as standard.

[onfire]

Yeah, as others has said.. save your money. A guy at work, now 17 years old bought a VP Commodore 18months ago.. now still at school, he already wants to upgrade as the car isnt as good enough. Considering he's saved alot more and his situation is changing, hopefully going off to uni. Hes unhappy, as he will need a reliable car for travel from the city to the country, and the car itself isnt that great mechanically, while its ok for a local daily. And because of its age, its lost value, and inturn he's lost money on it. And he's not 18 till late November. So save, and buy something closer to your able to get ur Ps. By then BAs will be cheap.

But if you're planning on driving the car for a number of years, and it becoming more than simply a vehicle. Buy it when you have the chance, start doing it up. Make it a nice car, keep it clean.. and drive it till you start working full time.

[AEF_Silver94]

oh ok,thanks for the info,ill consider it,just i need to do more rechearch on the E series,all i know are the AU series.

i checked drive.com.au and i see alot of the E cars for around 5k on average,but i still got the AU III in my sights,since i plan on keeping my first car ( if its an AU ) to keep for a very long time,the E-Series and BA havent really grown on me,i think even if i get a EF,id be still wanting a AU.

and onfire thanks for the advice,i prefere the AU over the BA tho,ill get an AU when i get the chance as its still my first car in my sights,im going to check some used car dealerships tommorow aswell with my bro,i assume there will be many AUs and E-Series cars to check out. Plus soon ill be working full time once HSC is over, everything is going into place..lol

[BENT_8]

Take a look at Polyal's car on the projects page.
He hasn't spent huge amounts on it yet but is a real nice example of an EL Ghia built to a managable budget.
Have a talk with him and he can tell you more about it.

[AEF_Silver94]

ok cool ill check it out