Ok guys,
In feb i'm planning on buying a new car, a 3rd gen. Now what i'm not sure of is whether i'll be buying a TF/TH or TJ.
I would prefer the 3.5 muchly, but the price difference is quite abit in comparison to a 3L TF.
Which car will give me better fuel economy?
Is the 3.5L heaps quicker, i test drove both 3L and 3.5L autos, and the 3.5 seemed to be able to do what the 3L was doing at much lower rpm, and just felt smoother to drive.
But i'm thinking along the lines of, my TR 4 cylinder is nothing even compared the TF 3L, so theres already gonna be a huge power increase for me anyway.
The TF 3L are so cheap compared to the TH/TJ 3.5L, sometimes more than half price.
So keep in mind that by feb i will have about $4k cash, and will be getting the rest of the car on finance, do i pay 4/5's of a TF off or get a TH and have to repay 1/2 of it. I am earning enough to cover the loan, but would like to move out mid next year and would hopefully like to have the loan paid off by then, but not sure whether i could with the TH/TJ, but definately will be able to with the TF.
Will i be greatly dissappointed in my choice to buy a 3L instead of a 3.5L?

I know some of these questions are pretty stupid, but just curious what other people have to say on the subject :).
Cheers guys!
Leigh.

It's ultimately your choice & its a very personal choice. I think you're focusing on the right priorities in your evaluation and is correct to cast it in a financial light. The question is whether you can live being 1-2 seconds faster to 100km/h for a 40-50% bigger liability can only be made by you alone.

In my opinion: Unless the TR is falling apart, keep using it and safe up for a house. You'll have to do this sooner or later, plus the respect you get from mom & dad, peers and single woman will all be worth it.

It's ultimately your choice & its a very personal choice. I think you're focusing on the right priorities in your evaluation and is correct to cast it in a financial light. The question is whether you can live being 1-2 seconds faster to 100km/h for a 40-50% bigger liability can only be made by you alone.

In my opinion: Unless the TR is falling apart, keep using it and safe up for a house. You'll have to do this sooner or later, plus the respect you get from mom & dad, peers and single woman will all be worth it.

That's a very good point you make. I mean, a 3L TF is still pretty quick when you compare it to my TR (my dads Tf owns mine lol).
Saving up for a house is not going to happen for awhile, not til after my traineeship finishes, but me and my gf will be renting mid next year hopefully. Yes i would prefer to stay at home and save, but circumstances between me and my gf prevent this from happening.
I've had the TR for 3 years, bought it at 255k kms and now its 300 kms from 300k kms. I guess i just want a car that i know is going to easily last me the next 3 years, my TR is running beautifully though, but i want something abit newer.

g'day envy
i think if you can find a manual, i will just go and tf and save the cash, it cant be that much slower, but you wont have to loan as much money. save the money, or if you want to spend it, go on a holiday or something.

Like Joukowski says if there's nothing wrong with ur TR why not keep it and she looks pretty good 2 me. 4 1 year any way. Time flys now a days and b4 u know it a year will have passed & u will have more money in the bank. Also when u upgrade to a newer car ur going to do mods 2 it any way which then will also cost u more. I had a TP b4 my TF. I drove it till it could go no further the outside was in excellent condition yet the engine was failing on me. I got $900 4 it. Not only that in a years time the price of a TF TH or TJ will have come down as well. I don't know where u live but if ur in the city u would get one heaps cheaper than where I live which is the North Coast. Put it all down on paper and do ur math and will it tell u the answer in what ur looking 4. Be Wise.. Open an E-Account with high interest. 5.25 % daily. No hassels with these accounts.

Whats all the blabla about "JUST a TF" or "even a TF", huh ??
Get on the track and I will "just" and "even" you sukkas!!...all of you!!!


LOL
Just kidding!

Seriously:

I would go for the cheaper car and spend the balance on whatever....

The TF is quite powerful and quite good in its pickup- trust me; I have had many, many cars in the past 19 years...some of which with much more HP...the Magna TF is solid!!

TF rulez !!!

save money buy the Tf so u can mod it

save money buy the Tf so u can mod it
Ok :D.
What goes well with the TF?
Extractors?
2.5 inch exhaust?
Here's what i was going to at least do:
High flow muffler, lowered with king lows all round, i have 17's to put on it.
Then was thinking full 2.5 inch system catback with high flow muffler and pacemaker extractors. But will this sacrifice fuel economey too much?
Definately wanna get the chrome magna boot garnish.
Also a set of paras and colour code the front grille and side skirts.

personally id say go for a newer model (TH/TJ) coz they are really not that much more then a TF. and pluz when its time for u to sell it atleast u will get more then selling a TF. now days u can pick up a decent TH for atlest 8grand. if u shop round ull find a better deal. but as Joukowski its also of personall choice but if all u want is power then jus go for a TF coz atm u have a 4cyl and it will be a big differance for u when u jump into a 6cyl.

Ok :D.
What goes well with the TF?
Extractors?
2.5 inch exhaust?
Here's what i was going to at least do:
High flow muffler, lowered with king lows all round, i have 17's to put on it.
Then was thinking full 2.5 inch system catback with high flow muffler and pacemaker extractors. But will this sacrifice fuel economey too much?
Definately wanna get the chrome magna boot garnish.
Also a set of paras and colour code the front grille and side skirts.extractors, exhaust will be good wont sacrafice fuel unless u always put yur foot down
they come with 16's so u might as well get 18's
para's yes.. colour code NO u wont have to lol they already come colour coded :D

Is it wise to change the suspension to king lows, will i actually lose handling performance as the sports model has upgraded suspension?
Ashneel, a TH would be great, but we're talking TF sports here which is about $7500 cheapest one i've seen. Th sports is up around $10k. I'd rather have the extra goodies on the TF sports then have a stock standard TH :).
But you're right, coming out of one of the slowest magnas ever built into a TF sports, should be alot of fun :D. I've driven my dads car a few times and sometimes it scares me how much he has, just cause i'm not use to it. Though when i first got my TR, that seemed a little quick for me until i got used to it :redface: .

How many kms is too many for these engines?, found a couple nearing 200k which were abit cheaper, should i stick to <150k kms

mate mines on 290 000km now
put 60 bottles of stuff through it and pumping along still

mate mines on 290 000km now
put 60 bottles of stuff through it and pumping along still
Ok cool, what about the post before, will changing the springs affect anything? as the springs are already better than stock?

springs are good so are the shocks..

but still upgrade to some king springs all round and u will be more then happy. makes the car look better too

Keep your TR mate if theres nothing wrong with it.As much as i love my KH Verada, i wish i kept my TS cause i would have had alot more money now and the loan is a pain in the arse.

I'd just save up ur cash for a house deposit. You only need 5% or 10% these days and homeloans are very easy to get, even if u get a small unit for u and your gf. its the best investment you will ever make.

I'm not getting a home loan until after my traineeship, and while the TR is running fine, it's getting old and i wish to update :). I figure i might as well update now while i dont ahve any finanical burdens (Eg. home loan, renting etc.) and then i'll be set when i actually do move out and rent in mayish.

From a modder's pov, get the 3.5L. The motor is leagues ahead of the 6G72 24v in terms of strength for future power mods. I've seen TJs in Newcastle at dealers for under 10k lately. Why buy a 97-98 TF when for 4k more you can have an 01-02 TJ? Better styling, better seats, lower kms, likely to be in better condition inside and mechanically too. Not guaranteed, just more likely.

As a human: Keep the 2nd gen 'til it falls apart. The trade-in is f-all, just as the trade-in on the TF or Tj etc will be when you get the new car itch again. Been there, done that with a GT Forestor. Get your deposit together, buy your house. Pay off your house, buy whatever car you damn-well feel like and do burn outs in front of all your mate's houses who continually upgraded their cars instead of fighting the ITCH and laugh at their un-airconditioned rental houses. My brother is doing that RIGHT now and he's 24.

From a modder's pov, get the 3.5L. The motor is leagues ahead of the 6G72 24v in terms of strength for future power mods. I've seen TJs in Newcastle at dealers for under 10k lately. Why buy a 97-98 TF when for 4k more you can have an 01-02 TJ? Better styling, better seats, lower kms, likely to be in better condition inside and mechanically too. Not guaranteed, just more likely.

As a human: Keep the 2nd gen 'til it falls apart. The trade-in is f-all, just as the trade-in on the TF or Tj etc will be when you get the new car itch again. Been there, done that with a GT Forestor. Get your deposit together, buy your house. Pay off your house, buy whatever car you damn-well feel like and do burn outs in front of all your mate's houses who continually upgraded their cars instead of fighting the ITCH and laugh at their un-airconditioned rental houses. My brother is doing that RIGHT now and he's 24.

Wise words from EZ boy. Worth his weight in platinum, and as sexy as he is smart....so I hear ;)

I wish I NEVER sold my TR and bought my KH. I was a fair way on my house deposit and didn't think house prices could possibly rise anymore. Oh how I was wrong *shakes head*

Keep your car if its mechanically sound and run it into the ground. Swap over price now may be say $6k. In 4yrs time when your car is dead, hey presto a TJ is now $5k. Plus if you've had the money in the bank earning 5%, your ahead :) All for fighting the urge.

Second to a computer, a car is one of the WORST investment you can make. A house is one of the safest. Enough said.

Ok i'm sitll only 20,
Just started my traineeship with IBM as a web programmer.
At the end of the 3 years theres no guarrentee that i'll have a job, i just dont want to get a loan for $200k + when i dont even know if i can afford it yet. While i have money that i dont have to use, i wish to upgrade my car, then move out with my gf and rent. Then by the time i'm off my traineeship, should have enough for at 5%, hopefully 10% deposit, and will then know what will be happening with my job. I'll be 23 when my traineeship finishes. So i could be purchasing a house when i'm 23/24. The last thing i want is for my TR to blow up while i'm renting and i dont have enough cash to buy a new car.
Plus the fact i dont think i'd be able to afford a home loan right now on my current income unless i bought it with my gf, and we're not even engaged yet (will happen in the next 3 years :P) so it's abit hard to do that. Though i'm thinking about it....
Thanks for your help guys, ill see how the next months go with work etc. and see how much cash i've got to play with. I might talk to the bank and see how much money i need for a deposit to get a home :).

*EDIT*
Just did some calculations, i'm not earning enough to qualify for a home loan even with my gf as coloan, so scratch that idea :(. I'm just gonna enjoy my money unti the traineeship is over then get serious :D

*offtopic*

OMFG u work for IBM?

add me to sametime/notesbuddy :D

*offtopic*

OMFG u work for IBM?

add me to sametime/notesbuddy :D
You work there too? I'm guessing thats the IBM messenger i've heard about, i'm not actually down in the IBM building in melbourne yet, i'm up on the gold coast til mid feb training for my job :). Though so far, IBM has been a pretty damn sweet company, pay for everything :D.
When i get to melbourne i'll add you :D.

You work there too? I'm guessing thats the IBM messenger i've heard about, i'm not actually down in the IBM building in melbourne yet, i'm up on the gold coast til mid feb training for my job :). Though so far, IBM has been a pretty damn sweet company, pay for everything :D.
When i get to melbourne i'll add you :D.

Cool.. Yeh theyre good with expenses.. I love my corporate Amex :) .. but then theres other times when they cancel week long conferences in las vegas for the entire asia pacific region only a week before all the attendees are due to leave.. :rant:

But yeh, Ive only been here 4 months, so i can help you out with all your n00b questions..

Just remember, you arent expected to know all the acronyms, and yes, you too will use them without even realising after a short while..

Ok i'm sitll only 20,
Just started my traineeship with IBM as a web programmer.
*EDIT*
Just did some calculations, i'm not earning enough to qualify for a home loan even with my gf as coloan, so scratch that idea :(. I'm just gonna enjoy my money unti the traineeship is over then get serious :D1. Excellent start securing the traineeship with IBM.

2. Re: your calc on loan & salary being not enough....All the more reason to start saving now. How did you calc it? I'll encourage you to talk to a bank. Although their purpose is to sell loans, the loan officers can provide good information on financial facilities available. As home prices changed, the bank have continually revised their ratios to keep up, so it does not require such a big salary now to get a same loan when dad did it years ago.

3. Note, you'll need 10% of the value of the home in order to allow 5% deposit, the other 5% is to cover all the costs of buying. I suggest you'll need a bit more than 10% to spend on incidentals: move in, bed, plates, fridge, wok, pots & pans, ....etc.

4. Re: GF, you guys sound like you're already engaged. better start putting a wedding plan & include cost into the works. Mention plans to her mom (& yours, chances are they'll be overjoyed), both family's blessing is necessary for fufilling life together, & being courteous to future parents is required.

Keep it up mate. :D

Mysti - lol! I know what you mean about acronyms dont worry! They have one for EVERYTHING. They even have an acronym for a fan, AMD (air moving device lol). Yeh for sure i'll probably most definately be contacting you with newbs questions :P, i too have a corporate AMEX card already, soooo tempting.

Jouk - You sound like you are very experienced, sounds like good advice. Yeh are pretty much engaged, got the promise ring anyway :P.
We are both on roughly $24k a year before tax. Bank will only lend us $130k, so for a $180k house, i'd need to save up $60k at least. But after i buy the new car (i've wanted one for 2 years now and i can afford it now), i will start saving, but whilst renting. Which i know isn't a very good practice, but IBM has a pretty good range of jobs after the traineeship with pretty neat salaries which will make my $24k look pretty meager. Guess we'll see how things go :D.

get rid of your car.
spend 11k on a 180sx.
will be likely to have rims, bodykit, exhaust, fmic.

sr20det with an exhaust, cai and fmic will take 98% of the cars on this forum.

problem solved. :dancin:

Have you had any loans before? borrowing money from the bank and paying it off on time builds up your credit rating, allowing you to borrow the amount you need for a house later. Have you asked about the No deposit needed offer some of the banks have right now. It does intail your mum and dad to help you out but it doesnt put their house in jeopardy. I'm currently going through this right now. I borrowed $10k to purchase a new car (since mine was taken from me) but the repayments are only $89 a week. This does seem like a lot but with my magna I was paying $150 a week, paying rent and living on $25k a year. Although I did borrow the money off dad, I just payed him back.
When I went to enquire about a house loan because I had no solid credit rating, other than a credit card, I was knocked back.
I would ask about the No Deposit offer though. And visit more than one bank, even visit the credit unions.

If only I knew you were after a car, before mine was taken. Mine was a TH 3.5 manual, with all the goodies. Sports exhaust, pedders sports suspension, 17" polished mag wheels and a few little extras to enhance the performance. $8000 is all I wanted. 100,000 kms on the clock and 8 months rego. Black in colour with a 5k kenwood stereo system. Not over done just nice.
All the nice things get ruined.

get rid of your car.
spend 11k on a 180sx.
will be likely to have rims, bodykit, exhaust, fmic.

sr20det with an exhaust, cai and fmic will take 98% of the cars on this forum.

problem solved. :dancin:


^^^ what he said

Have you had any loans before? borrowing money from the bank and paying it off on time builds up your credit rating, allowing you to borrow the amount you need for a house later. Have you asked about the No deposit needed offer some of the banks have right now. It does intail your mum and dad to help you out but it doesnt put their house in jeopardy. I'm currently going through this right now. I borrowed $10k to purchase a new car (since mine was taken from me) but the repayments are only $89 a week. This does seem like a lot but with my magna I was paying $150 a week, paying rent and living on $25k a year. Although I did borrow the money off dad, I just payed him back.
When I went to enquire about a house loan because I had no solid credit rating, other than a credit card, I was knocked back.
I would ask about the No Deposit offer though. And visit more than one bank, even visit the credit unions.

If only I knew you were after a car, before mine was taken. Mine was a TH 3.5 manual, with all the goodies. Sports exhaust, pedders sports suspension, 17" polished mag wheels and a few little extras to enhance the performance. $8000 is all I wanted. 100,000 kms on the clock and 8 months rego. Black in colour with a 5k kenwood stereo system. Not over done just nice.
All the nice things get ruined.
lol you sound like what i'm doing pretty much. I have a perfect credit rating on my Credit card (never even paid interest let alone missed a repayment). I have not applied for a loan yet, i'm thinking of applying for a half loan for my car, that way i can build up abit more of a credit rating for when i actually do apply for a home loan, and by then i could be married and my gf/wife would have paid off her car so we'd both be in a pretty good position (plus i'd have a payrise).

OMFG!!! Man i would bought your car right now!! :cry:
I hope i can find someone who has such a nice ride they wanna get rid of :).

I have now driven a 2001 TJ 3.5 Executive (courtesy car from Knox Mitsubishi, they screwed up on me). its nice..its has a few more practical stuff in it (like, the cabin lights don't go off until your key is in the ignition, saves u feeling for the key hole in the dark when u slam the doors) than a TF (which i currently own)...but most stuff are the same...as for the engine... the 3.0 just feels flat in the low revs... u of all should know that and the 3.5 feels a heck alot better...but at the end of the day...its dun matter all to much...if u can find a newer car at a good price, go for it. but the TF will do the job for ya already, just dun get a car with exhaust rattle from the Y joint..it makes your engine sound terrible...and its already costing me $620 (which includes a new remote which i requested).

Yeh i think i'll just go by what good prices i can get, i'll pay up to $7500 for a TF sports, $8000 for a TH 3.5 and $9000 for a TH sports. If i find a car i like under those limits, i'll take it :).