Looking to buy my first RV/SUV (first 4 wheeled vehicle)

[unstuck]

What are they like to source parts for though?. Did some work on a diesle pugeot a couple of years ago and the parts were a nightmare to find. I would suggest maybe doing a little research on parts availability before buying some of the European makes. Just my opinion though.

[huff3r]

What are they like to source parts for though?. Did some work on a diesle pugeot a couple of years ago and the parts were a nightmare to find. I would suggest maybe doing a little research on parts availability before buying some of the European makes. Just my opinion though.

I'd agree there. BMWs are generally easy to get parts for if you ask the right people. There is a really good forum out there for advice too. Anything more exotic.... not so easy for parts, or advice!

But in saying that, if you don't know what you are doing then BMWs can be VERY expensive to maintain.

Buy an E30.

[leathel]

What are they like to source parts for though?. Did some work on a diesle pugeot a couple of years ago and the parts were a nightmare to find. I would suggest maybe doing a little research on parts availability before buying some of the European makes. Just my opinion though.

there are getting to be quite a few Euro wreckers out there... and more agents for new parts so its not the drama it used to be, Services it depends on where you take them as shops shops will rip you because its not the norm for them.... they are different to pull apart, not always hard but first time doing a model can take twice as long..

But I deal the the panel side of things not the mechanical to much... have some customers that love them to bits...don't have many that don't like them.

My current Fords have been the worst vehicles I have ever owned for things breaking .AUIII Falcon has replaced steering clock springs, window switches, Diff housings, suspension arms, door remotes, rusted in places too....but I got it cheap tidied it up and couldn't sell it so kept it...sort of wishing I had sold it cheaper and got rid of it

The insurance assessors that deal with mechanical insurance say the most claims are done for Fords euro and Aus...some Holden's are not too far behind...some modern Toyota's are up there to (Hilux and Hiace are not so reliable any more)

I am less brand sure these days...buy something low K's as possible and hope for the best

[unstuck]

Last decent ford I had was an austalian essembled MK3. I am not a fan of modern fords either. Hiluxs stopped being good when they brought out that sheepshagger model. Lots of good cars around at the moment though.

[Drew]

Last decent ford I had was an austalian essembled MK3.

I'm guessing Cortina. Word was that a 4.1 would bolt straight into the aussie ones...Word was fuckin wrong!

[ducatilover]

European cars are often cheap.... some because of bad stories... or controls back to front (lights wiper indicators on opposite sides) but you can get pretty late low K cars for a good price.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602711684.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602085886.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602323887.htm

Clios are a bit troublesome.
Polos are absolutely rubbish, constant issues with electrics and failing ABS units (expensive to replace, not many people willing to repair) and they have a stupid cam belt set up
Megane? Both the Clio and Megane offer no advantage over the equivilant Japanese car they're also poorly put together, a 1.5 or 1.6 Pulsar/Sentra will last longer, be cheaper to buy, cheaper to run etc

[unstuck]

I'm guessing Cortina. Word was that a 4.1 would bolt straight into the aussie ones...Word was fuckin wrong!

Yep cortina, mine had a factory fitted 4.1 and the heavy duty springs and shocks. Was a weapon, until the driveshaft let go doing around 120kph on a gravel road.

[ducatilover]

Yep cortina, mine had a factory fitted 4.1 and the heavy duty springs and shocks. Was a weapon, until the driveshaft let go doing around 120kph on a gravel road.

The 4.1 Aussie mk3 was a hellishly cool idea

[unstuck]

The 4.1 Aussie mk3 was a hellishly cool idea

Yes it was, a lot of people have tried to replicate them over the years just using the standard ones, but they were never the same. I Put a 302 windsor in one once too

[98tls]

So I did some browsing on Trademe and I came up with a list of 5 cars to consider (based on my current budget of $2000 - $3000);

Toyota Corolla
Suzuki Alto
Nissan March
Honda Civic
Toyota Starlet

Now I've got to figure out which of them based on my budget is the best value for money. Does anyone here have any experience driving any of these models?

Cant go wrong with a Corolla,i sold them for 5 years and saw many still going strong after being round the clock twice,Honda fwiw were the last to sort out rust problems,really bad in earlier hatchbacks.Forget about any sedans,hatchbacks/liftbacks are far more user friendly.If you havent got somebody clever with cars to help out insist on an AA check before handing any cash over.

[98tls]

European cars are often cheap.... some because of bad stories... or controls back to front (lights wiper indicators on opposite sides) but you can get pretty late low K cars for a good price.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602711684.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602085886.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-602323887.htm

Theres a reason there cheap.

[98tls]

Yes it was, a lot of people have tried to replicate them over the years just using the standard ones, but they were never the same. I Put a 302 windsor in one once too

There was a Mk3 in Gore with a 351 Cleveland back in the day,light blue still on skinnys,apart from the height it looked like grandads car,mental but fun.

[98tls]

Clios are a bit troublesome.
Polos are absolutely rubbish, constant issues with electrics and failing ABS units (expensive to replace, not many people willing to repair) and they have a stupid cam belt set up
Megane? Both the Clio and Megane offer no advantage over the equivilant Japanese car they're also poorly put together, a 1.5 or 1.6 Pulsar/Sentra will last longer, be cheaper to buy, cheaper to run etc

Just bothered to read all the thread,Yep what he said.

[Matariki]

For the Toyota Corolla, should I look at purchasing an import or a NZ new model?

[98tls]

For the Toyota Corolla, should I look at purchasing an import or a NZ new model?

Wont make any difference,just make sure you get it checked out by someone who knows what there doing.Generally the AA are pretty good though this being the internet theres bound to be someone who posts up a horror story (there is about everything else).Remember that whatever someones asking for a vehicle chances are they will take less and you have nothing to lose offering them less than the asking price.