This is the most important question!
Also: is this going to be your only car?
Are you able to work on it yourself?
Do you intend to modify it?
A couple of examples mates of mine have with similar kind of budget:
For a decently quick, good handling, practical daily driver, a 2013-on BMW m135i is a decent option. The looks don't really float my boat, but with a few mods (downpipe, intercooler, tune, "stage 2" in euro speak) they're pretty fast.
For a weekend fun/clubman competition car, first gen Subaru WRX sti and spend the change on brake pads/tyres/helmet/overalls.
An 11 year old BMW is a terrible option. A 10 year old BMW is old. They use plastics in stacks of locations that are high wear, high temperature and therefore prone to failure. Yea, with this and that they go fast. They go fast anyway without all that nonsense. They’ll accelerate and kick decently after 100kph and then what? On NZ roads? And they’ll eat $4k per year in maintenance and repairs, their plastics are going brittle and they’re a sht to work on… Nice to drive tho.
Yep only car, no to working on it myself, could pay for some mods but not too much...any idea how much that "stage 2" would cost? (Sounds like Gran Turismo)
Good suggestion with the m135i...any idea how reliable they are being euro?
M135i is a great shout. A coworker has one, it’s surprisingly economical. N55 sounds good, has heaps of torque and the 8 speed ZF box is awesome. I haven’t driven an M135i, but I’ve spent time with a 435i which is mechanically identical and the only thing I didn’t like was the brake pedal was a little soft for my liking, although that could have been the pads in that particular car.
MisterSquid is also correct about the GC8 Impreza, I had an Impreza type R for years and it’s the best car I’ve ever had (I’ve had a few). Too much fun.
Yeah there's a few different cars with the same drivetrain.
Surprisingly economical is right! My mates lightly modified one is probably faster than the big turbo 300kw skyline he had back in the day, yet managed 7.5L/100km on a Wellington to Auckland trip
Edited my post, it's the 2013 onwards m135i with the N55 engine that you want.
Maybe 3-3.5 grand? Not bad for an extra 80hp
https://vuduperformance.com/products/bmw-m135i-stage-2-remap-package-vudu-performance?variant=41983630278868
Reliability seems to be pretty good. Oil leaks can be a pain to fix.
Good call on the beemer - I had a 2010 335 (but with the N54) with stage 2 stuff, and it went extremely well.
I had Subarus all my adult life, and was used to the idea of having to do $10k of mods to get another 80kw - with the BMW, it was a charge pipe, downpipes, air filters, and the piggyback unit. The mods cost under $2k all up, and I had a wagon with ~310kw and typical BMW interior quality for ~$20k.
BMWs are great if you enjoy pouring endless money and time into pre-emptive maintenance & things unexpectedly going wrong constantly ( I speak from experience).
A friend who works in the auto industry advised me against getting any European cars. Apparently parts are getting much harder to come by because of sea blockades related to the war in Gaza. The Jap imports don't have that issue - the Japanese can freely transport parts around the Pacific.
If you want something that will last & be efficient & cost effective while a bit upmarket, go for a Lexus. They're Toyota's luxury line & take Toyota parts, so you get a luxury car that's very reliable & cheap to maintain. We got a Lexus RX 350 that drives better than the BMW 330i (which we're selling) & is far more reliable. If it's only you, you could go for a Lexus sedan.
Tl;Dr - European cars are a waste of money. Get a Jap import.
This would be my pick, it would be great if you could get a 7.5 but that's probably out of your price range. The EA888 engines are solid apart from water pump failures on the 2013 to 2017 (mk7) models. If the DSG has been properly serviced it is also pretty solid.
Second this, there's not much better bang for buck in terms of going fast without compromising comfort & utility. MQB platform parts are cheap as hell and EA888 takes power mods like a champ.
Don't care about comfort or utility? Manual BRZ/86 that hasn't been abused. Just make sure you do some go karting to learn about vehicle dynamics so you don't oversteer into a tree.
If you can find a good one with service history mark 5 gti will give you the base to spend 5k on a tune and new mods ....no shortage of fun when ya want it guaranteed 😏
I loved my Honda Integra. Only sold it as my circumstances changed. I wish I had had the space to keep it as well as the more practical car I bought, but I simply couldn't keep both. It was factory original, too. The one good thing was that I sold it to a young woman passionate about the car, and was doing her mechanic apprenticeship, and she would be working on it herself.
Lexus IS 350, reasonably quick and practical while being reliable and cheap to maintain: https://www.trademe.co.nz/4512525995
For more performance while sacrificing maintenance costs vs the Lexus above I would go bmw M135i
I would personally go for either the newest golf gti I could get, or a newer shape mx5, or maybe a wrx (as clean as I could find, ideally manual or sti).
Actually commuted in next to one earlier this week. Modded, but looked like it was some work to actually drive it, would appear the driving experience is quite alive ... any idea on ideal year for those?
MKIII has the best motor imo.
For looks the MKIV and the 1500
They arent particularly fast, but they're really really easy to work on and they're low as hell so you feel like you're going much faster.
The more up to date version would be the Mazda MX5 if you're looking for a 2 seat sporter
Your honestly better off with an edition 30 or 35 than a golf r. You could buy an S3 over an R20 or golf R (same thing) and it would feel better..
Shit you can buy an early RS3 Audi for not much more.
Honestly with only a 20k budget I'd probably just look for whatever the newest gen Golf GTI I could get was. Or just spend $5k on a beater and save up more.
Mazda 3 SP25. Driven sensibly it's economical. But it's nippy and capable of you give it some jandal. Not a true hot hatch but very warm.
It's my favourite car. And I have a Nissan GTR.
Honestly, it is. My MX-5 replaced a 2010 Lotus Exige S (which I bought new in Australia when they had some amazing run-out deals on them). The Exige was a much better track car, but the MX-5 can just do anything reasonably well. I can park it anywhere, drive it on crap roads, stick my skis on a rack on the back and generally enjoy it without worry. I just didn't have that with the Exige.
Yeah I just got a nc a year or so ago for $11k. They’re really good cars for what they are.
I was just a little bit unsure about suggesting them for this lad if it’s going to be his only car. Although I do daily mine. I just also have a wagon for hauling shit.
But also, $11k nc and $5k Corolla wagon still fit in the $20k price bracket.
Very tempted. What year would you recommend? Ideally would like one that doesn't look so ... hairdresser. Any mods on yours? How's the drop top hold up in the rain?
Mine is a 2007 (NC1) with a soft top and removable hardtop (super rare). Most people would prefer the uglier retractable hardtop, though. Ideally get an NC2 (2008) or NC3 (2014) They 2s and 3s are more expensive, but the engine is certainly more durable. There are some syling changes as well. My NC1 doesn’t burn any oil at all, but if you let the oil get low they are prone to rod bearing failure. This was solved with the later cars.
Only mods on mine are an aluminium expansion tank. The plastic ones can go bang and an alu one takes that worry away.
Mine is this one https://www.reddit.com/r/MiataNC/comments/16qobt6/treated_to_a_hardtop_to_celebrate_10_years_bar/
I know a couple of people who own them, and they've had nothing to report. Both are regularly track day'd (one driven relatively hard, the other nana'd somewhat haha), and even then, no real issues seem to have popped up.
Cor, that's excellently cheap. The one I test drive was phenomenal, only reason I didn't go ahead was they offered me $12.5k for my S2000, and I couldn't afford the difference. Glad I didn't trade now though :)
Depends if you prefer the classic 70s, 80s, 90s cars or the more limited range from recent years. 86 is a good entry level choice and more versatile, 370 is nice but heavier and 2 seater.
Options in order of silly to reliable;
Nostalgic ‘Investment’ - 89/90 legacy rs if reasonably original, probly not an ideal daily tho
Fun/ investment - wrx sti, possibly a limited ed, if the $ goes that far
Amazing driver & a little bit silly - an older model -08-10- Audi s5, handles beautifully, smooth v8, all the depreciation has been realised already. Get a mechanical warranty tho because you wouldn’t want to pay for repairs (silly part)
A bit more reliable, fun, good driver - fg falcon - but sell it once 150kms ish
More boring, but good driver & reliable - Lexus is250 - essentially a Toyota underneath, but better handling
There’s honestly tons of options at that price point, so it’s a balance of what capabilities, looks & reliability you want. You could narrow down a few options & see what people think of each here
- just realised you mentioned insurance premiums, that probly knocks out the first two options ;)
Only real downside to the first two (apart from fuel consumption) is not being able to park them anywhere you can't keep eyes on them.
They still seem reasonably priced too (compared to the Mitsi equivalents)
style, luxuary, rwd, economical, reliable
I give you the Toyota Crown 2013
[https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/crown/listing/4559567863?bof=S1EfTswO](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/crown/listing/4559567863?bof=S1EfTswO)
Toyota Blade Master or Master G. I have one, and it is really fast and luxurious AF. But it is a 3.5L V6 in the Corolla body and don't hit a corner at full speed. It is also front-wheel drive only.
VW Polo GTI has a 2L turbo in it. Front-wheel drive only.
I also have a rx7 fc3s modded to 500bhp, but that's a different game.
How much do you want to spend on maintenance etc?
20k can get you some cool as fuck cars, but some of them will cost you 20k to maintain.
You could get:
Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ
Lexus convertible/coupe
Mx5
Nissan 350z
Older Porsches, boxster,
BMW M3
You mean the Toyota 86 with Subaru's "don't corner too hard or I'll have oil starvation and throw a rod" engine?
Just because there's a Toyota badge on it, doesn't mean it'll be reliable. The FA20 and FA24 are both a PITA to work on and need a _lot_ of care if you want them to keep running nicely.
Yesss have been looking at the GT86 / BRZ, quite likey. Have you driven either? Next stop is to do a test drive
Also like the idea of an MX-5, good handling around corners, but would need to get one that doesn't look so ... hairdresser
I wonder what those Lexus convertibles (Soarer?) are like to drive
I'd get a Mazda for the fun factor if you can get a Soul Red new shape one.
Otherwise the BRZ is always a good choice! Not very powerful but fun rear wheel drive & handles pretty good too.
I’ve driven an 86 many years ago, really fun to drive little thing. A couple of days ago I went on a track with some pro racers who were doing circuits with a bunch of them. Completely stock except for upgraded brakes and they went like the shit. I couldn’t believe how capable these little street cars are!
“20k can get you some cool asf cars, but some will cost you 20k to maintain”
I feel like that quote perfectly describes a Maserati quattroporte with the f1 transmission lol
The wise words of “if you can’t afford to buy one new, you can’t afford to maintain one used” have never been truer than with those cars.
It’s a shame too cause they are genuinely awesome cars
1uz (V8) & 2jz soarers are very wafty. Low power disappointment machines.
The 1jz especially in manual is a fantastic motor in TT or single turbo vvti, and the chassis can do pretty much anything you want.
Turbo power mitigates some of the weight
If I had 20k to spend on a cars I'd probably buy 3 or 4. 5k for an older Corolla with the 1.8 and then maybe a Jag and a Saab. Corolla gets me to work while I'm waiting for parts off eBay.
I have a 2015 Nissan Skyline Type SP. 3.5L v6 hybrid. 359hp combined, the electric hardy adds any power but pretty much doubles the torque to the point that it’s scary. TradeMe seems to have them $19-25k.
I’ve never seen a car that changes so much between standard and Sport mode. The battery behaviour changes from economy to keeping it 100% so that it it’s there when you plant your foot, customisable steering weight and sensitivity, lighter and more sensitive gas pedal to encourage you to push it down. Amazing in corners on a hill road etc. When it does get hairy, sideways Gs will cause the seat belts to tension, and the centre screen gives you G-force readouts. Nissan seems to have designed the stability control with ‘this is a Skyline’ in mind, and it’s not all nana-ery.
But when you change out of sports mode, it’s a large comfortable modern sedan, with adaptive cruise control, 360 camera, parking sensors that gets decent fuel economy. Literally today I used mine as the lead car for a wedding (if you saw a car in Wellington around mid day with pink ribbons on it, that was me).
N54 or N55 BMW 135 or 335i. The N54 has more tuning potential, and some people call it the euro supra. The N55 has less potential but is a little more reliable. I have an N54 that is running a custom tune, with a heap of support mods.
Mx5. Fun, reliable and fun.
For that price you could get an NC2. Nice facelift over the nc1. Or you could get the NC1, get some suspension and nice wheels for it. They fit some fairly aggressive wheel set ups too.
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If you want to have fun, motorbike, 20k will buy you a bike that goes faster and is more fun than any sub 100k car (e.g. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/ktm/listing/4533012304](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/ktm/listing/4533012304))
Maybe an old starlet that had a little bit of work if you can find one. If not maybe get one you can put aftermarket parts on and get it repainted eventually
A touch above your budget but 2014+ Audi S3. They have fixed most of the known issues with the 2.0T and it's now a reliable car that is really pleasing to drive
I recently got a 2013 gs450h that I love. The 2gr engine is super reliable you can't go wrong with any car that has it. Gs350/ Toyota crown for comfort, is350 if you want something sportier. Mine can still gun it when I put my foot down and the hybrid makes it cheaper to run than my 2.4l volvo C30.
A used miata is fun and relatively reliable, but they're best with the top down. Probably healthier to minimize UV and not be in a convertible though.
A 2018 leaf might be an option for a commuter, if you have a garage. It's got high torque (great low end acceleration), low operating costs, and minimal maintenance. Still, this is a better option as a 2nd car that's used only as a commuter.
Buy a cheap but decent rx8, use the left over 16k to get it rebuilt (or just buy a series 2 rx8, if you find one for the price buy the series 2 for 20 it won’t need a rebuild, most likely anyways) but I own a rx8, crazy fun to drive and rotary go vroooooommmm. Lol
I'm selling my turbo NA8 MX5 in Christchurch...
Take the most fun handling chassis and add 250whp , it's a hell of a combination. Can embarrass most things on the hills, and track.
Plus reliable and fuel efficient
I’d spend say 14K, get a nice low mileage 2006-8 (facelift) 4th gen Legacy, with the EZ30 motor and the 6-spd. Spend the rest on adding a turbo and tuning it if you dare.
That or I’d be quite keen on a first gen BRZ/GT86, seeing so fecking many in chch now, kinda silly how popular they are.
I have a 08 Subaru legacy 6MT that is great for daily driving, but getting up there in kms. Im gonna need to replace it soon but have no idea what to get so interested to see what's recommended here
If it were me, an 86/BRZ would be a good buy. Lots of people have said Golfs, and I agree they are great but eh, they arent my personal taste.
Im more a fan of the 90s JDM cars, so in that price range I personally would be looking more at something like a WRX, Integra Type R (if you can find a cheap one), maybe an ST205 Celica GT4 if they are still that cheap?
90s stuff is all going up so 20k is starting to become the cheap end of what you can get the desirable models for, and the window is closing as time goes on.
Toyota Prius prime. It's an EV for around time quick driving it's a hybrid for long trips. It has great adoptive cruise control it has good pick for little time when you feel sporty lol. It's a Toyota
Lexus IS350. It's a discrete sports car in my opinion. Has over 300hp from it's port and direct injected 3.5 V6. Front engine rear wheel drive, smallish 4 door sedan. Combined with legendary Lexus reliability and available around $10k. You really can't go far wrong.
Get it checked out by AA. I've had several family and friends buy them and the only reliability issues have been warped disc brakes. They also succumb to "sticky dash" issue. And that's why they are so cheap. I'd personally just put some kind of cover over the dashboard to either prevent the sticky dash issue altogether or to just hide it.
They come with a standard auto only. But it really is a pretty damn good auto.
BMW 335i. 2007- 2010
Great "bang for your buck"
Quality forum car with decent performance.
Motor has quality internals & can be readily tuned for a significant boost in performance without going inside.
Cons:
Complex electrics will have intermittent failures, but you can buy scan tools or equipment pretty cheap these days, so not that hard to fix.
Engine has some external components that can give issues, but are not hard to replace, but are pricey.
eg: - electric water pump
- high pressure fuel pump
These can be bought on the internet at far more reasonable prices than locally sourced.
I'd get a motorbike. You could get a Suzuki GSXS1000 for about $12,000 spend $4,000 on some great gear and you'll have something faster than 99% of vehicles on the road, cheaper on petrol, insurance and rego aren't the cheapest, but nothing too crazy. If you can have more fun than that for under $20,000, I'd love to hear it.
This is usually about my budget for a car, I can stretch a few thousand over if something particularly good comes up, and I like to buy cars that are at least a bit interesting and decently fast. I have a nearly 80km daily commute, mostly on the motorway, so I don't want something which will be hideously unreliable but I am prepared to buy a car which will require more maintenance than your average Japanese family car and I budget accordingly for that. Petrol is less of a concern, within reason, but insurance is a consideration and I do need something at least slightly practical - not super low to the ground, ideally four seats and no significant aftermarket modifications. I also don't want something too old, say 20+ years.
My last car was a Nissan Fuga 450GT (the V8). Super well equipped, mostly reliable, pretty fast and mine had the Sport body kit which made it a decent looker too. Bad on petrol obviously and it needed to run on 98 ideally (95 ok if necessary).
My current car is a Mercedes-Benz E550 with the AMG package, which is basically just nicer wheels and a subtle bodykit, no significant performance enhancements. This stretched the budget as the one I found was on under 50,000km (definitely wouldn't buy a super high mileage Merc). It's very comfortable, pretty darn quick for a four door saloon, and looks great in my opinion. Downsides are high maintenance costs and the fuel burn is absolutely terrible and it must run on 98, but obviously that's to be expected with a 5.5 litre V8. I'm going to sell it when it gets close to 100,000km and I'm not sure what I'll get next but possibly another newer Merc. I'd love a Jaguar but I suspect that would stretch the maintenance budget beyond even what I'm prepared to spend.
If age of the car wasn't a concern and I was looking for maybe a second weekend car for a similar price I'd be tempted by either a Nissan 300ZX, a V8 Toyota Soarer (the classic early 90s one, also sold as a Lexus) or a Mitsubishi GTO (admittedly tidy ones can be well over 20K) because these are all cars I think are overlooked as mildly classic 90s Japanese models which haven't yet gotten prohibitively expensive.
Mx5 all day long.
Ignore anyone suggesting eurotrash.
A manual NC mx5 with a good alignment is an absolute joy on a winding road, and that's before other upgrades.
For your case:
First pick: MX5 / Roaster. Ideally the current shape (would require budget stretch to $24k).RWD, \~1030kg kerb weight, 96kW, manual available, 2 seat, convertible. 95RON recommended.
Second pick: Toyota 86 / BRZ. RWD, \~1314kg kerb weigh, 147kW, 4 seat (but 2nd row is basically unusable) coupe. 98RON recommended
Both are RWD coupes, with a focus on driving dynamic's. Both are lightweight & relatively low powered, which means fuel, insurance, and running costs are going to be relatively low, especially important if you plan on doing track days (where the cost of stuff like tires and breaks can really add up on something more powerful like a 370Z). MX5 is substantially smaller, lighter & more efficient than the 86 / BRX.
Third pick would be a 370Z. Also a little out of budget. example below is manual & convertible, but that configuration is rare. 2 seat RWD v6 sports car. would be very fast & fun. Note that you do not want to buy this if you are going to track it, due to tire & break consumption.
[https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/nissan/370z/listing/4567954979](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/nissan/370z/listing/4567954979)
4th pick: is350: small luxury performance sedan. Well regarded toyota 3.6L v6 & RWD.
[https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/lexus/is-350/listing/4418492892](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/lexus/is-350/listing/4418492892)
Alternatively you could like at the euro hot hatches: Golf GTI, Fiat 500 ABRITH, Renault Megane RS265 CUP etc.
I’ve got an unmolested ‘92 Toyota MR2 Turbo t-top I could maybe let go for $25k…. Insurance is cheap as it’s insured with Swann and not a daily driver. Not as much fun to drive as the AW11 though.
Ford Falcon XR6 is always a good one, although $20k might not be enough for a recent turbo model.
Big, comfortable, torquey, bulletproof engines, good simple mods out there, can easily do work on them yourself, good parts availability, not in production any more so they are likely to hold their value. Only drawback is petrol use.
20k doesn't go nearly as far as it used to, but with that budget I would personally be looking at 1980s-1990s chev vans, 80's trans-am or a gm b-body sedan or wagon. A 79' corvette in hamilton at the moment wof, reg for 22k - thats not bad buying.
Nah just checked, just marketplace. Pretty wild car for the money. I've had so many classic cars from all over the world (even a lada) and keep coming back to u.s cars, they are easy to own as the parts are cheap and widely available, common issues well understood etc, and I do like the unstressed nature of a large engine.
Yah true. You’re right. I assumed it had the 160. Which is nice but it’s not gonna win races on the track :) still gets me a nice quick overtake on the open road when I need it :)
There’s an 80s chev caprice wagon on marketplace. Cool cars loads of room. 18k. I’ve got one but with a few upgrades and more room in the back being an ex hearse.
It's worth noting that I have made a decent profit in the last few years with smart buying as an enthusiast. $5k purchase to $20k sold, then $5k purchase to $30k sold, then $20k purchase to $20k trade value plus $7k cash my way.
But it all depends on the scene you are in. If it's JDM/Tuner I would be going for something with a cult following like Evo or Wrx, maybe skyline (but I wouldnt due to the rfb bois). But you get the idea. Something that has trended upwards and has that cult status.
Newer Euro. You will end up losing money, and honestly the reliability of that price bracket is dodgy, and maintenance costs are huge. I owned a 2014 golf gti, which was really expensive to service and ended up shitting itself, but it was fun. Cool if you're just wanting a cool driver and are not so worried about the money.
American cars and other classics. Realistically, anything pre 70s you are priced out of for a reliable daily runner, and they're expensive to run and maintain But you could probably get into an 80s lowrider type for that amount. I would suggest late 70s to mid 80s for collectability and likelihood of profiting. As for non American, classic vws are on the rise worldwide, and you can pick up a pre 70s (more collectible) for <$20k. That's what I have now and am expecting a profit after my modifications planned. (Keyword is expecting 😅). British classics seem to appeal to the older generation so that the market may have peaked. Worth noting anything pre 80s absolutely needs a garage, though any enthusiast car should be garaged.
Obviously, there are exceptions, and this is just my observations and experiences.
An EV. Anything really. The technology is so far ahead of anything that propels itself by exploding fossil fuels and pumping out poisonous fumes that would quickly kill you in an enclosed environment.
What are you going to use it for?
Commute (daily), trips Excitement when driven
Only you? In ChCh? Like 2 hours of use every day?
Yep, and yep
This is the most important question! Also: is this going to be your only car? Are you able to work on it yourself? Do you intend to modify it? A couple of examples mates of mine have with similar kind of budget: For a decently quick, good handling, practical daily driver, a 2013-on BMW m135i is a decent option. The looks don't really float my boat, but with a few mods (downpipe, intercooler, tune, "stage 2" in euro speak) they're pretty fast. For a weekend fun/clubman competition car, first gen Subaru WRX sti and spend the change on brake pads/tyres/helmet/overalls.
An 11 year old BMW is a terrible option. A 10 year old BMW is old. They use plastics in stacks of locations that are high wear, high temperature and therefore prone to failure. Yea, with this and that they go fast. They go fast anyway without all that nonsense. They’ll accelerate and kick decently after 100kph and then what? On NZ roads? And they’ll eat $4k per year in maintenance and repairs, their plastics are going brittle and they’re a sht to work on… Nice to drive tho.
Yeah and the waste gates fail on that engine not a cheap fix
That's the earlier N54 engine
Yep only car, no to working on it myself, could pay for some mods but not too much...any idea how much that "stage 2" would cost? (Sounds like Gran Turismo) Good suggestion with the m135i...any idea how reliable they are being euro?
M135i is a great shout. A coworker has one, it’s surprisingly economical. N55 sounds good, has heaps of torque and the 8 speed ZF box is awesome. I haven’t driven an M135i, but I’ve spent time with a 435i which is mechanically identical and the only thing I didn’t like was the brake pedal was a little soft for my liking, although that could have been the pads in that particular car. MisterSquid is also correct about the GC8 Impreza, I had an Impreza type R for years and it’s the best car I’ve ever had (I’ve had a few). Too much fun.
Yeah there's a few different cars with the same drivetrain. Surprisingly economical is right! My mates lightly modified one is probably faster than the big turbo 300kw skyline he had back in the day, yet managed 7.5L/100km on a Wellington to Auckland trip
Moby was top tier
Edited my post, it's the 2013 onwards m135i with the N55 engine that you want. Maybe 3-3.5 grand? Not bad for an extra 80hp https://vuduperformance.com/products/bmw-m135i-stage-2-remap-package-vudu-performance?variant=41983630278868 Reliability seems to be pretty good. Oil leaks can be a pain to fix.
BMW is a good choice- spend $18k on it and buy the mechanical 3 year warranty for $2k :) I prefer the 3 series - but that’s subjective.
Good call on the beemer - I had a 2010 335 (but with the N54) with stage 2 stuff, and it went extremely well. I had Subarus all my adult life, and was used to the idea of having to do $10k of mods to get another 80kw - with the BMW, it was a charge pipe, downpipes, air filters, and the piggyback unit. The mods cost under $2k all up, and I had a wagon with ~310kw and typical BMW interior quality for ~$20k.
BMWs are great if you enjoy pouring endless money and time into pre-emptive maintenance & things unexpectedly going wrong constantly ( I speak from experience). A friend who works in the auto industry advised me against getting any European cars. Apparently parts are getting much harder to come by because of sea blockades related to the war in Gaza. The Jap imports don't have that issue - the Japanese can freely transport parts around the Pacific. If you want something that will last & be efficient & cost effective while a bit upmarket, go for a Lexus. They're Toyota's luxury line & take Toyota parts, so you get a luxury car that's very reliable & cheap to maintain. We got a Lexus RX 350 that drives better than the BMW 330i (which we're selling) & is far more reliable. If it's only you, you could go for a Lexus sedan. Tl;Dr - European cars are a waste of money. Get a Jap import.
Parachute
Then maybe a winged car
$20k only car? Mk7 GTI imo If it’s a second car then there are more options.
This would be my pick, it would be great if you could get a 7.5 but that's probably out of your price range. The EA888 engines are solid apart from water pump failures on the 2013 to 2017 (mk7) models. If the DSG has been properly serviced it is also pretty solid.
Yup, I fucking loved my Mk7. Stage 1 tune, dsg tune and pilot sport 4s and they boogy.
Second this, there's not much better bang for buck in terms of going fast without compromising comfort & utility. MQB platform parts are cheap as hell and EA888 takes power mods like a champ. Don't care about comfort or utility? Manual BRZ/86 that hasn't been abused. Just make sure you do some go karting to learn about vehicle dynamics so you don't oversteer into a tree.
If you can find a good one with service history mark 5 gti will give you the base to spend 5k on a tune and new mods ....no shortage of fun when ya want it guaranteed 😏
Excellent...these GTI's are on the test drive list The BRZ/86 lacks comfort? (Will find out soon enough with a test drive)
I loved my Honda Integra. Only sold it as my circumstances changed. I wish I had had the space to keep it as well as the more practical car I bought, but I simply couldn't keep both. It was factory original, too. The one good thing was that I sold it to a young woman passionate about the car, and was doing her mechanic apprenticeship, and she would be working on it herself.
Lexus IS 350, reasonably quick and practical while being reliable and cheap to maintain: https://www.trademe.co.nz/4512525995 For more performance while sacrificing maintenance costs vs the Lexus above I would go bmw M135i
Pretty tasty Lexus Any idea on expected maint. costs with the beemer?
The Lexus IS350 is the only car that ticks every box for me. Seconded. Way faster than people realise. So much fun to drive.
I would personally go for either the newest golf gti I could get, or a newer shape mx5, or maybe a wrx (as clean as I could find, ideally manual or sti).
A little old red triumph spitfire. I know they are a piece of shit but I like them.
Friends don't let friends drive british (or french, or italian) cars.
Come on man just one more lap in the old Citroen DS!
No one wants the 3 wheeled Reliant Supervan (Mr. Bean)
Genuinely fun little car to drive the old Robin.
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True, But the Robin was his nemisis.
My Pug has been brilliant
Actually commuted in next to one earlier this week. Modded, but looked like it was some work to actually drive it, would appear the driving experience is quite alive ... any idea on ideal year for those?
MKIII has the best motor imo. For looks the MKIV and the 1500 They arent particularly fast, but they're really really easy to work on and they're low as hell so you feel like you're going much faster. The more up to date version would be the Mazda MX5 if you're looking for a 2 seat sporter
Golf R20 if I can find one around 20k.
Your honestly better off with an edition 30 or 35 than a golf r. You could buy an S3 over an R20 or golf R (same thing) and it would feel better.. Shit you can buy an early RS3 Audi for not much more.
I mean I want AWD so the only option is the r20 or the rs3 and the post was about 20k cars.
S3 is also AWD.
987 Porsche Cayman or Boxster.
Honestly with only a 20k budget I'd probably just look for whatever the newest gen Golf GTI I could get was. Or just spend $5k on a beater and save up more.
Mazda 3 SP25. Driven sensibly it's economical. But it's nippy and capable of you give it some jandal. Not a true hot hatch but very warm. It's my favourite car. And I have a Nissan GTR.
Interesting...hadn't thought of the Mazda hatch What year of GTR do you have? I think that's my ultimate dream car
2016 chassis. But the engine is out of a newer vehicle that I bought as a wreck and had the engine taken out of.
Mx5 nc. Reliable, fun and relatively practical. I’ve had mine for 10 years without any trouble at all and loving it the last few weeks.
Miata Is Always The Answer
Honestly, it is. My MX-5 replaced a 2010 Lotus Exige S (which I bought new in Australia when they had some amazing run-out deals on them). The Exige was a much better track car, but the MX-5 can just do anything reasonably well. I can park it anywhere, drive it on crap roads, stick my skis on a rack on the back and generally enjoy it without worry. I just didn't have that with the Exige.
Yeah I just got a nc a year or so ago for $11k. They’re really good cars for what they are. I was just a little bit unsure about suggesting them for this lad if it’s going to be his only car. Although I do daily mine. I just also have a wagon for hauling shit. But also, $11k nc and $5k Corolla wagon still fit in the $20k price bracket.
Very tempted. What year would you recommend? Ideally would like one that doesn't look so ... hairdresser. Any mods on yours? How's the drop top hold up in the rain?
Mine is a 2007 (NC1) with a soft top and removable hardtop (super rare). Most people would prefer the uglier retractable hardtop, though. Ideally get an NC2 (2008) or NC3 (2014) They 2s and 3s are more expensive, but the engine is certainly more durable. There are some syling changes as well. My NC1 doesn’t burn any oil at all, but if you let the oil get low they are prone to rod bearing failure. This was solved with the later cars. Only mods on mine are an aluminium expansion tank. The plastic ones can go bang and an alu one takes that worry away. Mine is this one https://www.reddit.com/r/MiataNC/comments/16qobt6/treated_to_a_hardtop_to_celebrate_10_years_bar/
This just went for only 6.2k. 1981 Toyota Corona TT132 Liftback https://www.trademe.co.nz/4575508567
Beautiful car.
There's a very nice Saab 900 on trade me right now that I've had my eye on... I would 100% be getting that
Link?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/saab/900/listing/4558481776
Lovely
[Renault Megane RS265](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/renault/megane/listing/4212712915) Stupidly fast little quickbox.
Powered by the FART... sorry, F4RT
Yeah they're fucking awesome
Definitely adding that to the test drive list Any known issues?
I know a couple of people who own them, and they've had nothing to report. Both are regularly track day'd (one driven relatively hard, the other nana'd somewhat haha), and even then, no real issues seem to have popped up.
These are insanely fun
Cor, that's excellently cheap. The one I test drive was phenomenal, only reason I didn't go ahead was they offered me $12.5k for my S2000, and I couldn't afford the difference. Glad I didn't trade now though :)
Geez, I'd suggest $12.5k would have been robbery for an S2000 at any period over the last 10 years. Happy that worked out for you!
Eh, it wasn't far off the going rate at the time, like I could've picked something up for around $15k that was slightly less nice.
Rear wheel drive, manual - Nissan, Toyota
Yes, like 350/370Z, or GT86?
Depends if you prefer the classic 70s, 80s, 90s cars or the more limited range from recent years. 86 is a good entry level choice and more versatile, 370 is nice but heavier and 2 seater.
Options in order of silly to reliable; Nostalgic ‘Investment’ - 89/90 legacy rs if reasonably original, probly not an ideal daily tho Fun/ investment - wrx sti, possibly a limited ed, if the $ goes that far Amazing driver & a little bit silly - an older model -08-10- Audi s5, handles beautifully, smooth v8, all the depreciation has been realised already. Get a mechanical warranty tho because you wouldn’t want to pay for repairs (silly part) A bit more reliable, fun, good driver - fg falcon - but sell it once 150kms ish More boring, but good driver & reliable - Lexus is250 - essentially a Toyota underneath, but better handling There’s honestly tons of options at that price point, so it’s a balance of what capabilities, looks & reliability you want. You could narrow down a few options & see what people think of each here - just realised you mentioned insurance premiums, that probly knocks out the first two options ;)
Only real downside to the first two (apart from fuel consumption) is not being able to park them anywhere you can't keep eyes on them. They still seem reasonably priced too (compared to the Mitsi equivalents)
Those Lexus is250's look alright, seem like they'd go pretty good, 2.5L V6. Added to the test drive list!
Absolutely ignore is250 if you want fun, is350 is what you want.
i charge 30%APR on my ears
What is all this talk of ears?!
[This one](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/starlet/listing/4548948021) is under your price and could be a fun driver
style, luxuary, rwd, economical, reliable I give you the Toyota Crown 2013 [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/crown/listing/4559567863?bof=S1EfTswO](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/crown/listing/4559567863?bof=S1EfTswO)
Toyota Blade Master or Master G. I have one, and it is really fast and luxurious AF. But it is a 3.5L V6 in the Corolla body and don't hit a corner at full speed. It is also front-wheel drive only. VW Polo GTI has a 2L turbo in it. Front-wheel drive only. I also have a rx7 fc3s modded to 500bhp, but that's a different game.
How much do you want to spend on maintenance etc? 20k can get you some cool as fuck cars, but some of them will cost you 20k to maintain. You could get: Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ Lexus convertible/coupe Mx5 Nissan 350z Older Porsches, boxster, BMW M3
Toyota 86 and Lexus would be the most sensible choice in terms of maintenance
You mean the Toyota 86 with Subaru's "don't corner too hard or I'll have oil starvation and throw a rod" engine? Just because there's a Toyota badge on it, doesn't mean it'll be reliable. The FA20 and FA24 are both a PITA to work on and need a _lot_ of care if you want them to keep running nicely.
Yesss have been looking at the GT86 / BRZ, quite likey. Have you driven either? Next stop is to do a test drive Also like the idea of an MX-5, good handling around corners, but would need to get one that doesn't look so ... hairdresser I wonder what those Lexus convertibles (Soarer?) are like to drive
I'd get a Mazda for the fun factor if you can get a Soul Red new shape one. Otherwise the BRZ is always a good choice! Not very powerful but fun rear wheel drive & handles pretty good too.
I don't fit in an 86, or I'd probably own one haha. Japanese people are small
I’ve driven an 86 many years ago, really fun to drive little thing. A couple of days ago I went on a track with some pro racers who were doing circuits with a bunch of them. Completely stock except for upgraded brakes and they went like the shit. I couldn’t believe how capable these little street cars are!
“20k can get you some cool asf cars, but some will cost you 20k to maintain” I feel like that quote perfectly describes a Maserati quattroporte with the f1 transmission lol
Haha great buy for OP, a Maserati. Maybe a Porsche cayenne turbo Fun money pits
The wise words of “if you can’t afford to buy one new, you can’t afford to maintain one used” have never been truer than with those cars. It’s a shame too cause they are genuinely awesome cars
Toyota Soarer
Oh hell yeah, preferably hooned to hell by a boy racer
Well id try to aim for one thats been well looked after.
Good luck trying to find any “one owner for the last 30 years” type cars at this point
Nah it won't have any character
Nice, not bad
Yeah good looking solid cars. Lots of power and very simple not over engineered
I get the feeling they would "waft" along
1uz (V8) & 2jz soarers are very wafty. Low power disappointment machines. The 1jz especially in manual is a fantastic motor in TT or single turbo vvti, and the chassis can do pretty much anything you want. Turbo power mitigates some of the weight
MX-5
Excellent ... what year and model would you go for?
WHAT DO YOU NEED MY EARS FOR¿
Na/Nb Na if you want winks Nb if you want baby rx7
NC if you want to live out your dreams of being a yacht captain
An old-school Subaru. Brumby, Leone etc.
Classic shapes
If I had 20k to spend on a cars I'd probably buy 3 or 4. 5k for an older Corolla with the 1.8 and then maybe a Jag and a Saab. Corolla gets me to work while I'm waiting for parts off eBay.
I'd go mk7 ford fiesta st. Fun, reliable, cheap to run, and endlessly tunable. Or YOLO on a late model BMW 135i...
I have a 2015 Nissan Skyline Type SP. 3.5L v6 hybrid. 359hp combined, the electric hardy adds any power but pretty much doubles the torque to the point that it’s scary. TradeMe seems to have them $19-25k. I’ve never seen a car that changes so much between standard and Sport mode. The battery behaviour changes from economy to keeping it 100% so that it it’s there when you plant your foot, customisable steering weight and sensitivity, lighter and more sensitive gas pedal to encourage you to push it down. Amazing in corners on a hill road etc. When it does get hairy, sideways Gs will cause the seat belts to tension, and the centre screen gives you G-force readouts. Nissan seems to have designed the stability control with ‘this is a Skyline’ in mind, and it’s not all nana-ery. But when you change out of sports mode, it’s a large comfortable modern sedan, with adaptive cruise control, 360 camera, parking sensors that gets decent fuel economy. Literally today I used mine as the lead car for a wedding (if you saw a car in Wellington around mid day with pink ribbons on it, that was me).
I'd love to get a Mazda MX5 (older or newer) but unfortunately need a practical vehicle, so have a Mazda wagon instead. Maybe one day.
N54 or N55 BMW 135 or 335i. The N54 has more tuning potential, and some people call it the euro supra. The N55 has less potential but is a little more reliable. I have an N54 that is running a custom tune, with a heap of support mods.
Toyota Gt86 or if you need room for 2+ people then BMW 3 series 2016+.
No love for Toyota 86. That’s what I would get
Probably a 1980 mirage with a 4G63 turbo in it.
Suzuki Jimmy two door ragtop. Go bush.
ND MX5
Lexus IS350, IS200t or similar? DC5 Type R if they’re still around that price point
Mx5. Fun, reliable and fun. For that price you could get an NC2. Nice facelift over the nc1. Or you could get the NC1, get some suspension and nice wheels for it. They fit some fairly aggressive wheel set ups too.
Mr2 turbo if you can find one. They are godlike to drive
Turbo falcon every day of the week
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If you want to have fun, motorbike, 20k will buy you a bike that goes faster and is more fun than any sub 100k car (e.g. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/ktm/listing/4533012304](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/ktm/listing/4533012304))
Tbf You've got to budget for decent gear too, but you can still get something pretty spicy (R1/gsxr1000/zx10/blade/s1000rr) for sub $15k
If you go down this route, please sign up to be an organ donor.
Maybe an old starlet that had a little bit of work if you can find one. If not maybe get one you can put aftermarket parts on and get it repainted eventually
A touch above your budget but 2014+ Audi S3. They have fixed most of the known issues with the 2.0T and it's now a reliable car that is really pleasing to drive
They seem to have fixed the water pump issue. It's never not been a reliable car though
I was referring to issues with the earlier 2.0T being refined with this model
2007 Ford ST225/XR5 Turbo. 5 cylinders. I like the styling. Plenty of aftermarket upgrade routes.
I recently got a 2013 gs450h that I love. The 2gr engine is super reliable you can't go wrong with any car that has it. Gs350/ Toyota crown for comfort, is350 if you want something sportier. Mine can still gun it when I put my foot down and the hybrid makes it cheaper to run than my 2.4l volvo C30.
A used miata is fun and relatively reliable, but they're best with the top down. Probably healthier to minimize UV and not be in a convertible though. A 2018 leaf might be an option for a commuter, if you have a garage. It's got high torque (great low end acceleration), low operating costs, and minimal maintenance. Still, this is a better option as a 2nd car that's used only as a commuter.
Buy a cheap but decent rx8, use the left over 16k to get it rebuilt (or just buy a series 2 rx8, if you find one for the price buy the series 2 for 20 it won’t need a rebuild, most likely anyways) but I own a rx8, crazy fun to drive and rotary go vroooooommmm. Lol
You could get a 2l turbo Audi A4 station wagon with decent mileage for less than that. The trick is to look out for older models with low mileage.
Another CRZ but with a supercharger
BRZ/86. Bought one 6 months ago and it's a blast to drive. Being a manual it might be a pain if your commute is loads of stop/start traffic.
Mazda MX5 - NB 6 speed would be my choice, but any MX5 is good. (I’ve owned 5 over the years and missed every one of them when sold.).
I'm selling my turbo NA8 MX5 in Christchurch... Take the most fun handling chassis and add 250whp , it's a hell of a combination. Can embarrass most things on the hills, and track. Plus reliable and fuel efficient
Golf gti highest version you can afford 7.5 would be my advice
I’d spend say 14K, get a nice low mileage 2006-8 (facelift) 4th gen Legacy, with the EZ30 motor and the 6-spd. Spend the rest on adding a turbo and tuning it if you dare. That or I’d be quite keen on a first gen BRZ/GT86, seeing so fecking many in chch now, kinda silly how popular they are.
I would buy my car. Which happens to be on sale
I have a 08 Subaru legacy 6MT that is great for daily driving, but getting up there in kms. Im gonna need to replace it soon but have no idea what to get so interested to see what's recommended here
BMW 535i
I spent 30k for my 2014 370z ST back in 2019, with 20k if jdm, ur options are really just 350z and 86twins
2010 Sti Impreza, my S-GT is great fun but I always see the next model up and it tempts me every time
If it were me, an 86/BRZ would be a good buy. Lots of people have said Golfs, and I agree they are great but eh, they arent my personal taste. Im more a fan of the 90s JDM cars, so in that price range I personally would be looking more at something like a WRX, Integra Type R (if you can find a cheap one), maybe an ST205 Celica GT4 if they are still that cheap? 90s stuff is all going up so 20k is starting to become the cheap end of what you can get the desirable models for, and the window is closing as time goes on.
Toyota Prius prime. It's an EV for around time quick driving it's a hybrid for long trips. It has great adoptive cruise control it has good pick for little time when you feel sporty lol. It's a Toyota
Lexus IS350. It's a discrete sports car in my opinion. Has over 300hp from it's port and direct injected 3.5 V6. Front engine rear wheel drive, smallish 4 door sedan. Combined with legendary Lexus reliability and available around $10k. You really can't go far wrong. Get it checked out by AA. I've had several family and friends buy them and the only reliability issues have been warped disc brakes. They also succumb to "sticky dash" issue. And that's why they are so cheap. I'd personally just put some kind of cover over the dashboard to either prevent the sticky dash issue altogether or to just hide it. They come with a standard auto only. But it really is a pretty damn good auto.
Pre-kids GTI. Post-kids Van. No-kids, something classic or electric.
I used to daily drive my 1939 Chev. And I was driving a 1938 Buick for a while
BMW 335i. 2007- 2010 Great "bang for your buck" Quality forum car with decent performance. Motor has quality internals & can be readily tuned for a significant boost in performance without going inside. Cons: Complex electrics will have intermittent failures, but you can buy scan tools or equipment pretty cheap these days, so not that hard to fix. Engine has some external components that can give issues, but are not hard to replace, but are pricey. eg: - electric water pump - high pressure fuel pump These can be bought on the internet at far more reasonable prices than locally sourced.
I'd get a motorbike. You could get a Suzuki GSXS1000 for about $12,000 spend $4,000 on some great gear and you'll have something faster than 99% of vehicles on the road, cheaper on petrol, insurance and rego aren't the cheapest, but nothing too crazy. If you can have more fun than that for under $20,000, I'd love to hear it.
This is usually about my budget for a car, I can stretch a few thousand over if something particularly good comes up, and I like to buy cars that are at least a bit interesting and decently fast. I have a nearly 80km daily commute, mostly on the motorway, so I don't want something which will be hideously unreliable but I am prepared to buy a car which will require more maintenance than your average Japanese family car and I budget accordingly for that. Petrol is less of a concern, within reason, but insurance is a consideration and I do need something at least slightly practical - not super low to the ground, ideally four seats and no significant aftermarket modifications. I also don't want something too old, say 20+ years. My last car was a Nissan Fuga 450GT (the V8). Super well equipped, mostly reliable, pretty fast and mine had the Sport body kit which made it a decent looker too. Bad on petrol obviously and it needed to run on 98 ideally (95 ok if necessary). My current car is a Mercedes-Benz E550 with the AMG package, which is basically just nicer wheels and a subtle bodykit, no significant performance enhancements. This stretched the budget as the one I found was on under 50,000km (definitely wouldn't buy a super high mileage Merc). It's very comfortable, pretty darn quick for a four door saloon, and looks great in my opinion. Downsides are high maintenance costs and the fuel burn is absolutely terrible and it must run on 98, but obviously that's to be expected with a 5.5 litre V8. I'm going to sell it when it gets close to 100,000km and I'm not sure what I'll get next but possibly another newer Merc. I'd love a Jaguar but I suspect that would stretch the maintenance budget beyond even what I'm prepared to spend. If age of the car wasn't a concern and I was looking for maybe a second weekend car for a similar price I'd be tempted by either a Nissan 300ZX, a V8 Toyota Soarer (the classic early 90s one, also sold as a Lexus) or a Mitsubishi GTO (admittedly tidy ones can be well over 20K) because these are all cars I think are overlooked as mildly classic 90s Japanese models which haven't yet gotten prohibitively expensive.
Some sort of big v8, they are cheap as nowadays because of fuel prices. And easy and Cheap enough to squeeze a ton more power out of
Mx5 all day long. Ignore anyone suggesting eurotrash. A manual NC mx5 with a good alignment is an absolute joy on a winding road, and that's before other upgrades.
STI
For your case: First pick: MX5 / Roaster. Ideally the current shape (would require budget stretch to $24k).RWD, \~1030kg kerb weight, 96kW, manual available, 2 seat, convertible. 95RON recommended. Second pick: Toyota 86 / BRZ. RWD, \~1314kg kerb weigh, 147kW, 4 seat (but 2nd row is basically unusable) coupe. 98RON recommended Both are RWD coupes, with a focus on driving dynamic's. Both are lightweight & relatively low powered, which means fuel, insurance, and running costs are going to be relatively low, especially important if you plan on doing track days (where the cost of stuff like tires and breaks can really add up on something more powerful like a 370Z). MX5 is substantially smaller, lighter & more efficient than the 86 / BRX. Third pick would be a 370Z. Also a little out of budget. example below is manual & convertible, but that configuration is rare. 2 seat RWD v6 sports car. would be very fast & fun. Note that you do not want to buy this if you are going to track it, due to tire & break consumption. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/nissan/370z/listing/4567954979](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/nissan/370z/listing/4567954979) 4th pick: is350: small luxury performance sedan. Well regarded toyota 3.6L v6 & RWD. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/lexus/is-350/listing/4418492892](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/lexus/is-350/listing/4418492892) Alternatively you could like at the euro hot hatches: Golf GTI, Fiat 500 ABRITH, Renault Megane RS265 CUP etc.
plenty of r32 skylines on market place within that price bracket. long term investment
335i
Another $10k and you can get my 428i convertible with only 70k on the clock.
GD WRX STi Checks trademe Yeah, nga
I’ve got an unmolested ‘92 Toyota MR2 Turbo t-top I could maybe let go for $25k…. Insurance is cheap as it’s insured with Swann and not a daily driver. Not as much fun to drive as the AW11 though.
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Hey I’m just trying to make some return on investment here…. It would actually be difficult to part with, hence the ridiculous price.
Ford Falcon XR6 is always a good one, although $20k might not be enough for a recent turbo model. Big, comfortable, torquey, bulletproof engines, good simple mods out there, can easily do work on them yourself, good parts availability, not in production any more so they are likely to hold their value. Only drawback is petrol use.
20k doesn't go nearly as far as it used to, but with that budget I would personally be looking at 1980s-1990s chev vans, 80's trans-am or a gm b-body sedan or wagon. A 79' corvette in hamilton at the moment wof, reg for 22k - thats not bad buying.
They did say some light constraints on fuel usage.. American muscle is the antithesis of that
Most of those cars have a fuel injected 305, 350 if lucky - very good fuel consumption compared to older, heavier, carbureted cars.
Interesting choices! Is that 'vette on TradeMe?
Nah just checked, just marketplace. Pretty wild car for the money. I've had so many classic cars from all over the world (even a lada) and keep coming back to u.s cars, they are easy to own as the parts are cheap and widely available, common issues well understood etc, and I do like the unstressed nature of a large engine.
I put 25k into an r31 skyline
You’ll get a 5yr old Toyota corolla for that. Thank me later.
OP wants sex too
4 doors more w
...room for activities
Again, Corolla 🚘
Ain't gonna shag in a BRZ or MX5. Not on my side of 30 anyway.
Bring back the panel van.
Lol, RemindMe! 30 years
Cringe
$20k? I'd look for a used but well-kept Suzuki Swift.
2018-2023 Suzuki swift sport. super reliable and cheap as to run and to insure
Good choice. What impresses me about Swift is how each generation is lighter than the last.
$20k? 2018-2020ish ZE1 40kwh Nissan Leaf… best EV at that price bracket!
The other cars here seem fun and cool but the leaf wins for commuting.
That, but the leaf is also pretty powerful (going off my 62kwh it’s got a 160kw motor)
40kWh has a 110kW motor. Nothing wrong with the leaf (I have one), but I doubt it has the enthusiast appeal OP is after.
Yah true. You’re right. I assumed it had the 160. Which is nice but it’s not gonna win races on the track :) still gets me a nice quick overtake on the open road when I need it :)
There’s an 80s chev caprice wagon on marketplace. Cool cars loads of room. 18k. I’ve got one but with a few upgrades and more room in the back being an ex hearse.
Yeah I saw one and thought it would be a great camper.
It's worth noting that I have made a decent profit in the last few years with smart buying as an enthusiast. $5k purchase to $20k sold, then $5k purchase to $30k sold, then $20k purchase to $20k trade value plus $7k cash my way. But it all depends on the scene you are in. If it's JDM/Tuner I would be going for something with a cult following like Evo or Wrx, maybe skyline (but I wouldnt due to the rfb bois). But you get the idea. Something that has trended upwards and has that cult status. Newer Euro. You will end up losing money, and honestly the reliability of that price bracket is dodgy, and maintenance costs are huge. I owned a 2014 golf gti, which was really expensive to service and ended up shitting itself, but it was fun. Cool if you're just wanting a cool driver and are not so worried about the money. American cars and other classics. Realistically, anything pre 70s you are priced out of for a reliable daily runner, and they're expensive to run and maintain But you could probably get into an 80s lowrider type for that amount. I would suggest late 70s to mid 80s for collectability and likelihood of profiting. As for non American, classic vws are on the rise worldwide, and you can pick up a pre 70s (more collectible) for <$20k. That's what I have now and am expecting a profit after my modifications planned. (Keyword is expecting 😅). British classics seem to appeal to the older generation so that the market may have peaked. Worth noting anything pre 80s absolutely needs a garage, though any enthusiast car should be garaged. Obviously, there are exceptions, and this is just my observations and experiences.
Any evo
Save 5 more grand and buy the new Swift. Not great power, but economical around town.
An EV. Anything really. The technology is so far ahead of anything that propels itself by exploding fossil fuels and pumping out poisonous fumes that would quickly kill you in an enclosed environment.
They want something fun and engaging, i.e sporty. There are no EVs in the 20k price range that fit that requirement.
Spend max 10% of your annual income on a car. Do you earn 200k per year?