Cheap Dailys??

[V AR 164]

Hi all,

Hopefully going to sell a few of my 'spare' 164's, and buy a cheap runaround.

I mostly use public transport anyway, but when I'm travelling to work and such, I don't want to rely on my father's 4x4 which goes through A LOT of petrol.

I was thinking something like a 2000s golf or Corolla.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience and would like to provide some guidance.

Cheers, Andrew.

[poohbah]

If you have a high boredom threshold, anything with a Toyota badge should do (bullet proof - almost impossible to kill even if you completely neglect maintenance). I'd steer clear of a +10yo Golf - pretty awful reputation for reliability.  Plus, the advantage of a 2000s Corolla - you'll never have to worry about someone nicking it, or scratching it.

[V AR 164]

I definitely agree, I'm tired of always parking 1km away from every other car to avoid door dings!!

Toyotas seem the most logical choice, but I think I'll get bored of one pretty quickly, especially after coming from an Alfa.

[poohbah]

Getting cheap, reliable AND interesting is a pretty tough ask. You can usually only get two out of three in any combination. All the Japanese makes meet the reliable and cheap requirements.

Though I guess you could try a series 1 Volvo S40 T4. They are pretty rorty and being 18-20yo should be cheap enough. I looked at getting one for my son to learn to drive in 18 months ago for about $3k.

[Paul Gulliver]

Over the last 20 years with the need for a family car we have always had at least one non Alfa in the family for the Boss & Billy Lids , a couple of Subaru's to name a few . I would highly something from the  Liberty / Impreza range from 10 - 15 years ago.
Andrew having read a lot of your posts displaying doggedness & persistence with the 164 I'm sure you would enjoy Subi's engineering & quirkiness. A lot more entertaining than comparable Toyota and just as bullet proof.   

[poohbah]

I can attest to the quality of Subaru engineering. Our first Forrester took a high speed T-bone from a red-light runner - we rolled and spun, and both cars were written off - but all four of us in the Subi walked away with only minor cuts and bruises.

[Craig_m67]

whilst i agree mostly agree with the Golf comment based on the amount of internet verbaige.. we still have a 1.6 MK4 Golf bought new, now on close to 236K, which has had the odd window reg., and nothing else but petrol.  I can't remember when it last had an oil change to be honest, but then the ex took it three years ago - so, perhaps three years ago.

MK4 Golfs on are okay in my book

Toyota anything is better (although boring as batshit)

[Citroënbender]

Buy a $500 147. Maintain it with internet parts. If the paint is faded, DIY wrap it.

Far nicer car than a Tojo or Forrie, and it's an Alfa.

Most of these "looking for a cheaper car... fuel costs so much... worried about stuff..." type threads are actually people looking for a way to justify their desire for a change. There's nowt to be ashamed of in standing up and saying "I feel like a change" - but dollars to donuts I can prove the actual saving is not much. Other lifestyle choices that don't come in for scrutiny are often better places to extract a saving.

[kaleuclint]

Suzuki Swift.  Had two (actually Barinas) and nothing ever went wrong with either.  An SX5 hatch should be practical and reliable. 

[poohbah]

this may be a dumb question CB - what's a Forrie? Doh - just realised you meant a Forrester....

Actually the beige-boredom of my last runabout is what convinced me to buy my first Alfa. Embarrassed to say I had a near-new 2006 Toyota Yaris for 4 years (with the "manly" 1.5L VVTI motor) as a reliable city commuter. It was actually a good little car with more go than the ageing EA Fairmont it replaced, cost nothing to run and absolutely bullet proof - I think I lifted the bonnet once: to clean it prior to sale, and only had it serviced twice. Never skipped a beat. But it just didn't have any character. So I swung 180 degrees and bought my first Busso-powered 156...

I completely understand why Andrew might want a "park and forget" type car for commuter duties - he'll still have all the fun of Alfa ownership and maintenance with his remaining 164 Qs

[Bourney]

From left field, if you want something fun and cheap what about a Renaultsport Clio 172? Like some Alfa's, they need belts every 4-5 years and give a lot of bang for your buck. Not as reliable as a Toyota but not bad either and parts and good specialists are plentiful.


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[Citroënbender]

Good call; another budget rocket with nice exhaust note and excellent online parts support.

Edit: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mornington/cars-vans-utes/alfa-romao-car/1184047138

Ti pack 147 facelift. Throw an accumulator, pump brushes and pump relay at it for an $800 budget daily.

[poohbah]

Cripes. Don't tell Tony those GTA rims are probably worth as much as he wants for the whole car!

[ItalCarGuy]

Embarrassed to say I had a near-new 2006 Toyota Yaris for 4 years (with the "manly" 1.5L VVTI motor) as a reliable city commuter.

Ha, I got given a 2007 Yaris for free by my work and as beige as it is, for a peakhour commuter its been bulletproof. Added extra is with the back seats down it has carried a helluva lot of Alfa parts. Lots of complete engines including a V8. Its nice having one beater car in the fleet.

[Colin Edwards]

Mazda 3 or possibly Mazda 2 if on a tight budget?  The SP25 is marginly less boring than a Corolla!  Or an NB or NC MX5 for some RWD involvement?!?