tom lawson Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 I guess here is as good a place to ask as any, seeing as the more petrol headed members frequent this thread.. What are peoples recommendations for a first car? I need it to be big enough for me (I'm 6 ft 4), with a decent boot. Obviously I want something thats vaguely cool, and as cheap to insure as possible.. Im thinking Vauxhall Astra.. Budget is £3000 max. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerfall Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 Well, you're in the UK, like me, so insurance will likely be a killer on small hatchbacks or even the likes of focus/astra etc. Even though those are still quite expensive due to the Barrys and their insistence of driving their fibreglass and halford clad pieces of ###### into everything. May i suggest something crazy? A Cheap, old 4x4 You'd be surprised at how cheap an old landy would be to insure, they're so easy to fix and if you hit anything just knock it out with a hammer. Alternatively look at Suzuki Samurai 410s and such. Tiny wee engine but brilliant motors and can handle off-road suberbl... if that is your thing The running costs wouldn't be stupid either... Maybe look at old BMWs? They're getting DIRT cheap and really aren't bad. Alternatively, get a volvo, they're big but cheap to insure because... they're volvos and undesirable to the corsa crew and the stereotypical young drivers of Britain - which apparently helps. I am biased - coming from a family that own nothing but the Swedish bricks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tom lawson Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 I would like a Landy but their reliability is a bit of a worry, I am going to be making 200 mile weekend trips fairly regularly so I need it to get me back to A from B! I've looked at old beamers, but the insurance isnt great. I'll try older models though. Yeah, a Volvo is a possibility. Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noart Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 (edited) Nissan Kingcab 87 Diesel, funnily enough it only draws 0.8 liters per metric mile(10 kilometers) on 2wd. Never had any real issues with it, the body is prone to rusting... That's bout it. This particular car (registerd as a Light Truck) is heightened, so it's even better i rough terrain than the original kingcabs, and it has new seats that's higher, because me and dad are pretty short (175-ish) http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p3010091qr4.jpg I dont' know how the insurance is in Britain but here it's pretty cheap as the car aint that heavy and is registrerd as a Light Truck (Means it can only take 2 passangers legally and you can load more weight on it legally, it's also cheaper.) Edited December 25, 2008 by Noart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fizzy Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 (edited) I guess here is as good a place to ask as any, seeing as the more petrol headed members frequent this thread.. What are peoples recommendations for a first car? I need it to be big enough for me (I'm 6 ft 4), with a decent boot. Obviously I want something thats vaguely cool, and as cheap to insure as possible.. Im thinking Vauxhall Astra.. Budget is £3000 max. Thanks. I'd have said a Ford Focus rather than an Astra, although saying that my mate's the same size as you and he has a 1.2 Corsa which is cheap to insure and with the back sits folded down fits 2 with all our airsofts kit in easily Edited December 25, 2008 by Fizzy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moriquende Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 I want the low down on your car moriquende. I love me 240's and yours looks like a great example Well, it's not really mine to be truthfull, it's my father's. He used to race with it in Volvo Origninal Cup(SSK, Circuit) but he quit doing so due to costs. They wanted the drivers to change safety equipment every 5 years. Belts, helmets, seats and suits, not cheap. It sat for 4 years in storage until I got my drivers licence and I asked him to have it converted back for road use so I could drive it. We both agreed that it would be better for it to used rather than to just rust and mold in storage. Anyway, it's his car, but I currently drive and care for it . I wish I knew all the technical specs, but I can't remember it all. It's all tuned stock parts, though. The only specs I can remeber are the engine specs so here you go: B32E - mechanical injection K-camshaft 170hk/222Nm All stock. Renovated and tuned to perfection. I would like a Landy but their reliability is a bit of a worry, I am going to be making 200 mile weekend trips fairly regularly so I need it to get me back to A from B! I've looked at old beamers, but the insurance isnt great. I'll try older models though. Yeah, a Volvo is a possibility. Cheers. Don't get a beemer... That is what happens to an older BMW when it gets side-impacted by a 4 ton mini-bus(you can see it in the back of the second picture). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tom lawson Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 (edited) Don't get a beemer... That is what happens to an older BMW when it gets side-impacted by a 4 ton mini-bus(you can see it in the back of the second picture). To be fair, I would have thought that would happen to most older cars when hit by a 4 ton minibus.. Edited December 25, 2008 by tom lawson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moriquende Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 (edited) Probably every other car exept Volvos. But for the overall quality and price, german cars are the worst in this regard. Audi, BMW, VW... They all pretty much break at the same exact spot. Which is scary as hell. Edited December 25, 2008 by Moriquende Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 Guess i should probably watch out then I do however know that a 240 and hillsides do not work out well.... And after a couple of rolls end up with results such as these.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Soloman Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 The ear's looking pretty good there... However... Ya rly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 My 85 Camaro IROC 5.7l twin turbo beauty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 Lets see some underhood pics man... My first car was a '86 IROC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Xander.P Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 (edited) that ear looks painfull these are my current ride Edited December 26, 2008 by Xander.P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Lets see some underhood pics man... My first car was a '86 IROC As ye requested. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 What all have you done to it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Swapped out the original 305 for a 350 tpi from an 87 IROC, replaced the interior, rebuilt the 700r4 trand and installed a performance shift kit in it, sent off the intake to get polished, new wheels, new paint hugger orange w/2 black racing stripes, 2.5" cowl hood(not pictured), and added a turbo kit that I got off ebay for a little over $1300 last year. All with the help of my dad and grandpa over 3 years and way too much money. Its my bragging rights/ Friday night stop light car. My 2009 Camaro SS will be my daily driver when it gets delivered aww yeah. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 What size shot are you running? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) 150 on the strip but I dont keep a bottle hooked up cause its against the law and the car is plenty quick on the road. Edited December 28, 2008 by Walton_County_Firefighter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fizzy Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 What are your 1/4 mile times? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 11.7@110 1.6 60' was my best yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 So its twin turbo? Sorry, but it looks like a centrifugal blower in the pic you posted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) So its twin turbo? Sorry, but it looks like a centrifugal blower in the pic you posted I linked the wrong image, my bad. I dont have pics of my engine but here is a pic of the same engine with the single kit I bought the double kit. Heres the link to the newer design kit. Link Edited December 29, 2008 by Walton_County_Firefighter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayneard3413 Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Thats still a single turbo though? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Walton_County_Firefighter Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Thats still a single turbo though? Just a representation its not the same as mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parsley Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 my Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXi with aftermarket SXi alloys and twin exhaust. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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