Opinions on .... Kitty's new car choice!

[KittyKatSmack]

Yes, I have in mind to purchase a new car...

The Mazda 3 could still be in the running depending on a test drive... the big plus is a new model and warranty.

Mazda 6? Well although I like the cars, they are just too big and the motor has to work too hard in mho! Could still be a contender though... no sign of the MPS for at least another 2 years

Mitsubishi are currently offering a 5 year warranty on Lancers and Mirage... both due for another change and Australia is getting the new Colt.... *ponders*

or

MX5... can't be new because of prohibitive cost, but a 2002 model will still have a little warranty left, be much cheaper than new and.... they are DEAD SEXY! Same price as some of the new cars on the list aka Mazda 3.

There are a lot of mods available for the MX5 also, and it is a convertible... coming into winter will be the time to buy (aka freeze my butt off in Canberra!)

So, I seek general opinions from the people I trust, you guys!

Although I love the MX5, the new cars obviously carry a new car warranty - handy!

but if I mod a new car, it affects my warranty.... so if I buy a new car, I can't/won't mod for at least 12 months.

So?
What do you think?

[pr1mo]

go the MX5 mad car. apparently the new turbo version has a B series engine. what would the previous 98+ mdls have?

cheers

mike

[mrpayner]

Yeh.. found out today that the MX-5 turbo uses a BP-T.. this is from another source.. Haven't checked it's authenticity yet...

Imagine throwing [at great cost] a brand new BPT into the Astina.. *ponders the $$$*

Mazda3.. SP23 Sedan.. sick of bloody lancers and mirages.. and Mazda6 would have to compete as a family car against the BA XR6-T.

AP

[KittyKatSmack]

the previous models are available in a range of configurations

1.6L to 1.8L

5spd or 6spd manual

I must admit I am in love with the convertible, and would probably get the hard top for winter (don't like the cold)

There are some gorgeous examples for sale on the miata/mx5 sites but I think I will have to go through a dealership to get finance.... oh well....

Thanks Squishy!!

Anyone else with ideas or logical arguments in the 2nd hand MX5 v's new car debate I'm having with myself?????????

[Cosmo Dude]

I'd guess if a new Mx-5 is too pricy the turbo variant would be way too pricy.
I'd stay from the low volume imports as spare parts can be a nightmare (even HB Cosmo, BG GTX or even Mitsubishi Cyborg, all with close cousins in Australia).
A Mazda 3 Sport Maxx may be just the ticket as Pulsars and Lancers are like bums, everybody has one :lol:

[KittyKatSmack]

I didn't see you there Adam!

I may agree with the mitusbishi's but they have a 5 YEAR WARRANTY and we all know there are a bajillion mods to bolt on.

I wouldn't be in love with it, but it would be practical.... hmmmmmmmm

Mazda 6 only competes in the family car market in the Luxury hatch/sedan range of $45K.. the lesser models are MUCH cheaper!

Mazda 6 Ken Style, mmmmmmmmmm

eeep, dilemma dilemma!

[KittyKatSmack]

Ah Cosmic Rod, I knew I could count on you for comment!

A Mazda 3 Sport Maxx may be just the ticket as Pulsars and Lancers are like bums, everybody has one

Give the mazda 3 time, it may well end up the same, seen everywhere and then I'm not special anymore.....

If there was any way I could afford the $42K for a brand new turbo mx5, I would be SO THERE!!!!

:lol:

[pr1mo]

haha do u know how much that kenstyle stuff costs. u could buy another car with the amount of $$ required to get one of those kits. im not joking either some guy in melb was flogging off a kenstyle kit for a 6 a while back

cheers mike

[KittyKatSmack]

yeah, I know.....

dreams are free tho!

:lol:

[Cosmo Dude]

Only issue with convertables is they can be expected to leak a little. Mazda, Honda, Saab, BMW ect... it's part of buying a convertable that you may just have to live with.
5 year warantee, I can see how that would be tempting but it would prevent many modifications and you'd probably sell it at 3 1/2 years to make it worth while for the new owner with few mods. In the end it will be your choice and we will just have to respect that.

[JynX]

Originally Posted by MrPayner

Yeh.. found out today that the MX-5 turbo uses a BP-T.. this is from another source.. Haven't checked it's authenticity yet...

Imagine throwing [at great cost] a brand new BPT into the Astina.. *ponders the $$$*

Mazda3.. SP23 Sedan.. sick of bloody lancers and mirages.. and Mazda6 would have to compete as a family car against the BA XR6-T.

AP

it wont be a bpt in the sense of the engine in the familia. It will be a modified version. Prob the miata head on a bpt bottom end. That would be cool.

It would still be cheaper to get an old bpt, strip it down and rebuild it with stronger internals. End result a better motor and its practically new.

[pr1mo]

or you could just save yourself the hassle and buy TURBO MAZDA

[Dogo]

i saw the turbo mx5. i wasnt impressed. engine specs were comparibly pitiful when compared to the price they want.

and mx5s are becoming such a dime-a-dosen car I reckon look for something more interesting. every dude that wants to be 'cool-in-his-convertible' gets an mx5 as its in the cheapest end of the convertible market.

r u sticking to mazda only?

[KittyKatSmack]

well the mazda convertible was the end of the scale I can afford, and there are tons of bolt ons available for it.

ie/ quad throttle body
13b turbo from rx7 (later!)
lightweight wheels to reduce weight

It can get some giddyup with some work.... and there are some great examples out there.....

besides, I want to be 'cool-in-my-convertible' too

do you have any other suggestions? I am always willing to listen.

[KittyKatSmack]

Quad Throttle Body as listed on Ebay.....

*tries not to drool on keyboard*

[Dogo]

http://www.astinagt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2235

those kits are for sale over & over again on ebay.
stick it on ur astina :P on a front-wheel drive u may find it causes more wheel-spin that its worth tho :wink:

i always like the convertible/targatop crx. the nice model, not that ugly one with the square ass.

[ABC]

Peugeot 306 convertible?
A little bit older but also has some novelty value and has a fair bit of grunt for a little 4 banger. Considered getting one myself! Will see what info I can drag up while pretending to do work

[ABC]

How about this?
http://users.telenet.be/computechshop/cabindex.htm

Aaron has already had a frog car so how about you?

[KittyKatSmack]

Aaron has already had a frog car so how about you?

That's exactly why we would never get another French car.

And if you are considering a purringoat, check out their forums and websites for all the trouble they have with those folding metal roofs!

The purringoat also had the 206CC convertible that I was interested in, but have learnt all about the flaws and wouldn't touch one with a 10ft pole....

Just my opinion of course!

Thanks for the input though.....

And Dave, not likely to put that throttle body kit on the Astina, it would definately break something! :wink:
(my license for a start!) :lol:

[twilightprotege]

kitty you really need to think of if you're going to mod the car. it'd be pointless if you did want to buy a car and you get something like a 206cc where the mods cost an arm, a tit and 7 toes, where you can get a car that's available in japan and america and the parts are very cheap and there are hundreds of alternatives in parts

that's the reason i got the SP20 over a golf gti