Thats a really good question mikmak :yup:
The next most important part (which we have all seem to ignored) is what your daughter likes.
Does she even like cars?
RedVee8 said:
She is scared of anything bigger than Astra/Corolla size.
Wants a Tigra but doesnt want to drive manual and doesnt have much money, she'd settle for an Astra convert (damn $ issue aside).......
Reality = she would be really a 'whitegoods on wheels' girl with delusions of a Barbie Convertible.
Barbie Convertible lol. I can well remember those determined motoring novicettes who could not be swayed from the 'delights' of a woodgrain-dash Singer Gazelle or Humber Vogue or lurid Beetle chop-top , only to later withdraw limping into the functional sanctuary of a dependable Torana or Datto 180B.
Pity about those preferences in regard to vehicle dimension, as the size of your first car usually mandates (and hence can limit) your preferred 'comfort-zone' in later choices. And there are many other reasons to encourage/convince first-time motorists into something larger.
In regards to twin-airbag cars-on-a-budget I think Magna TH-on ('Advance' and up models) can offer market-leading value as a cheap used-car buy. They wouldn't be too much bigger than a Calibra yet have been typically proven to be very reliable and cheap to maintain & insure. Secure fwd handling with ABS commonly featured and they carry the advantage of inexpensive servicing & parts through being a popular model and Aussie built. In short they make a helluva lotta sense for a novice on a budget. There are also plenty of cheap 'throwdowns' around, for the inevitable first-car traumas. For example there's one advertised locally with only 128,000km (needs windscreen) selling for a mere $2k.
The oft-forgotten Verada variant is maybe even better value, with a few luxury trinkets to perhaps ease your daughter's angst. Anyway I reckon you could find a good moderate-km 2-bag Magna + service it to the absolute max + fit a new LPG conversion (including the rebate) to give totally cheap motoring, for around $5k or under. With a bigger spend its a similar story on later 4-bag Magnas/Veradas and again there's lots to choose from - it's definately a buyers market.
As mentioned previously the TS Astras are starting to come down in price. On manual Astras I hate the way they hang on to the revs when changing gear, and the autos are typical 4-cyl fare. My friend's bought-new 'Olympic' edition' needed $1050 in cam belt & (related) water pump after only 70,000kms - a maintainance figure which makes my old supposed 'timing chain nightmare' OHC-V8 Benz look inexpensive by comparison! The friendly Holden dealer also stung my mate $126 for (wait for it) a set of OE wiper blades. Early Focus appear to be an absolutely non-inspirational buy, so perhaps affordable?
If airbags were not critical I might have suggested a cheap old Benz, like 190E or unwanted W124 230/260 or even the elderly W123. They are dependable long-lived vehicles plus they encourage a gentle, safe driving style and have great primary safety. I would imagine the M-B brand would 'profile' enough for the young lady? However be very wary of buying post-1992 Mercedes. This is a
nice example of a suitable 2-airbag Benz, albeit nowhere near a price-range car.
I guess Volvo 850s are cheap enough now to be in contention as a budget-airbag 'wild card' though you'd want to select very carefully, and good luck with selling her the 'image management' quotient.
I've seen a couple of immaco Peugeot 306 updates (eg 2L Rallye etc, with airbag?) for under $8k private-sale - a tempting proposition imo at moderate price-impost against premium-condition Suzi Baleno advertised prices, or other boring jappers. My wife ran a very trusty 205 (non airbag) for yonks, it truly was a fantastic little machine. Btw the mother-in-law drives a (manual) Citroen Xantia turbo-diesel
The French do make great-to-drive small cars. Yes reliability can be a mixed bag, especially for novices & non-enthusiasts (who patronise non-expert mechanics) and I would NEVER ever risk the horrors of a Gallic automatic - nor should you! But there definately are lots of good & solid ownership storys around as well, eg as our 205 proved to us.
I notice 2002-on Renault Clios are dropping into what I'm guessing is your price-range, with some lowish km units (ie 100,000km) now into the low $7k range. Again, don't buy an auto. But they are a small car loaded with potential: all Clios have adaptive front AND side airbags, ABS with brake-assist, airco & p/w, a great safety rating and many nifty luxury features & gadgets. Plus like the Pug they might pass muster in the cute factor too. Apparently they drive
really well and a carefully chosen example, with ongoing supervision by Dad, could be a fabulous intro into her motoring future.
mikmak said:
My nan used to have to go up a local hill in reverse. The culprit? She had a problem with her Goggomobile. No, it wasn't the dart.
My late father (6' 2") battled along in a little green Goggo TS sedan (nooo, not the Dart) for many years
