First Car

[bjk]

Hey guys and gals. Unfortunately, sensibility has won out a bit and I don't think I'll be getting an FTO very soon. When I saw one after trawling the sales sites I was pretty hooked, but being an older, coupe (lack of space) import with possible future repairs and (from what I've read) needing to run PULP, dad's experience and my respect of that and commonsense dictate another choice.

Bit sad, but you can't always get what you want. Even if they are absolutely brilliant for the price.

I'll also probably be moving out before I get a car (I'll be looking more seriously sort of January/February 2012), so this is forward-forward planning. At the moment looking at 4-door Sedans or hatchbacks, auto I'm afraid. There's certainly an abundance of them out there, so that won't be a problem. There's a few models I'd prefer, but I figured I might pick your brains for suggestions anyway.

(wasn't sure to post this in the other cars or newbies section, 'cause it's sort of both)

Cheers!

[renzkuken1]

If you don't want an fto, you should definitely look into fto's.

[bjk]

Haha, it's not that I don't want one, it's just practicality issues. If only they had a four-door version.

[renzkuken1]

Haha, it's not that I don't want one, it's just practicality issues. If only they had a four-door version.

It's practical for 2 people and a sub

[Shhtuart]

Screw the kids and your friends.

FTO's are a drivers car, the single cup holder supports this truth.

[aza013]

Screw the kids and your friends.

FTO's are a drivers car, the single cup holder supports this truth.

That is a win right there .

[bjk]

What if I have two drinks??

It's not that I couldn't manage it if I was really determined, but convincing my dad it's worthwhile is a bit more of a challenge. Well, make that a really big challenge. It will only really be used for driving to work (or maybe not even that, depending on how close I can get a unit/flat to my work) and for whenever I need to drive somewhere, which is not often.

But just to clarify, does it need to run on premium? And if so, will it manage 95 or must it be 98? I read somewhere that it was designed to run on petrol with a RON of 100.

[renzkuken1]

95 is fine.
It shouldn't be your dads choice it should be yours.
Be a man

[bjk]

Well, in the end it is. But it also depends on whether I have the money to buy or maintain one, in which case parental loans are a lot better than banking ones.

I've heard roof rust is a problem on some models, but otherwise, what are the things that usually go wrong? And how much more expensive are repairs than a more common car?

[FTO-BOY]

Just buy one then get your dad to drive it... He might even buy one after it haha happened to me when I first got mine! Dad didn't want me to get one but I kept nagging that I want an Fto. Got the loan and took dad for a spin... He drives my car every weekend to his basketball match until I lowered it haha

[bass_twitch]

95 is fine.
It shouldn't be your dads choice it should be yours.
Be a man

Dude it's designed for 100ron (japspec)
At least put 98 premium in it.
Yes it will run on 95, but I wouldn't recommend it and I never have myself.
It's an old car, take care of it :p

[bjk]

Just buy one then get your dad to drive it... He might even buy one after it haha happened to me when I first got mine! Dad didn't want me to get one but I kept nagging that I want an Fto. Got the loan and took dad for a spin... He drives my car every weekend to his basketball match until I lowered it haha

Don't think he'd buy one. he's already got his little baby Ford Falcon 500. I think it's an XB but I could be wrong.

At least put 98 premium in it.

I thought it'd be the case, but checking's always worth it.

Would I be better off saving a bit more to get a '97-'99, or just find a well maintained older one?

[renzkuken1]

sigh i just wrote a massive wall of text twice and it didn't post.
Does it delete your post if it has profanity? :/

[bjk]

It might, but I wouldn't know for sure.

[Kustom]

Buy an rx8 if you want 4 doors

[FTO-BOY]

95 is fine.
It shouldn't be your dads choice it should be yours.
Be a man

Dude it's designed for 100ron (japspec)
At least put 98 premium in it.
Yes it will run on 95, but I wouldn't recommend it and I never have myself.
It's an old car, take care of it :p

yeah and the price difference between 95 and 98 is only about 5cents max! so might as well go 98!

[renzkuken1]

95 is fine.
It shouldn't be your dads choice it should be yours.
Be a man

Dude it's designed for 100ron (japspec)
At least put 98 premium in it.
Yes it will run on 95, but I wouldn't recommend it and I never have myself.
It's an old car, take care of it :p

yeah and the price difference between 95 and 98 is only about 5cents max! so might as well go 98!

The difference is minor, i run 98 but 95 is still premium. So shhhh.

[bjk]

Hadn't thought of an rx8. Just had a look at the doors, I thought it only had two! lol. how much more backseat/boot space does it have?

and how much more expensive too?

[Cassar2610]

Dude, if money is your limiting factor on an FTO, than and RX8 is way out question. If you want a little zippy get around thing go for something like a Laser TX3 or something old that you can bash around, leave out in the weather and run on an oily rag. A car is NOT and investment (usually), so you need to know what you want to get out of your cash. First cars are a great learning step, the older more beat up it is the more you wil learn if you want to.

Now it is time for this old soul to shut up

[bjk]

Yeah, as soon as I saw that they only came out in 2001 I was thinking it might be a little out of range. As I said first, being practical is more sedan/hatch territory.

I'm looking about the $5000 mark, depending on how much money it'll take to move out. Lancers seem like a reliable option, if not a bit more pricey for their popularity. a Mazda 323 or 626, or even a Commodore if I felt I needed a bit more power/space. but yeah, it'll depend what funds I have, and what's available at the time.