Affordable Japanese classic cars you can enjoy

Ok so this one might be bit more expensive but in some markets you might be able to pick up a bargain - 1973 Celica - video courtesy Jay Leno
 
Here is a cheaply Mitsubishi Galant reviewed in Adelaide Australia- nothing special from this version reviewed but still an interesting car to own.
 
And this early 90’s, late 80’s Mazda 929 sedan RWD would still be a good quality car if you find the right one. This was also reviewed in Adelaide Australia.
 
chrischris said:
Croc, whats the meaning of the expression 'Used car salesman' to you?
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In some circles used car sales man and real estate agents for that matter had a a negative reputation due to dodgy dealings especially if the product was tarted up to look better than it was. New car salesman are also are known to using unscrupulous tactics to increase the dealers profit margins.
That’s one view, however my personal experience is that those salesman and women who offer great customer service year on year do a good job and have good community reputation, hence they stay in the industry for a long time.
Now from my perspective nearly all the cars I have bought I bought them privately and I have never spent a lot on cars and never bought a new car and I have done very well.
 
As a supplementary comment I believe if you do your research and due diligence when buying cheap used cars you can do very well. Many who are not knowledgeable on cars can get the car they are interested in buying inspected by a mechanic or motoring organisation.
I’f you are buying a cheap used car it’s probably better to go with a car that has a simple mechanical layout, has a full service history with verified odometer reading and preferably a one or two owner car. Ideally you look for the newest car with the lowest Kay’s with the service history, in some situations you will be better off getting an older car with lower kilometres then a newer car with very high kilometres. I prefer to buy cars that have slightly less than normal mileage snd immaculate condition unless I am buying well under market value and have the means to do the improvements.
Then you have parts availability and insurance. Worldwide I would say that locally made Ford and locally delivered Toyota ‘s have the most parts available and off course GM/ Holden/ Opel/ Vauxhall depending on where you live.
In USA you shouldn’t have problems with most Japanese cars with maybe the exception of some rare JDM imports.
 
chrischris said:
Croc, whats the meaning of the expression 'Used car salesman' to you?
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The generalization in terms of that phrase is that if you refer to someone as a "used car salesman" it means they are basically a liar, untrustworthy and will try to take your money and run.
 
And just to repeat what I have said before that the reason I like to buy cheaper used cars and classics because I like them, they are fun to own and improve and being more affordable you are more likely to own the car outright and that’s freedom,
 
Big_Dangerous said:
The generalization in terms of that phrase is that if you refer to someone as a "used car salesman" it means they are basically a liar, untrustworthy and will try to take your money and run.
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Yes that tends to be the generalisation that people use for that term. I guess that could apply to anyone selling something with bad intentions but most of us have bought and sold items many times and there is right and wrong way to do things;
 
Crocodile said:
And just to repeat what I have said before that the reason I like to buy cheaper used cars and classics because I like them, they are fun to own and improve and being more affordable you are more likely to own the car outright and that’s freedom,
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There is something to be said for that. For shadetree mechanics, older cars are easier and cheaper to own. I like to look at the total cost of ownership when considering "fun" cars that are your second vehicle. It all comes down to parts availability and the aftermarket if you are looking to improve and modify it. I swayed from my decision making process by getting into a Corvette. Chevrolet is not known for quality and the Corvette Tax with repair shops is a real thing. I have only taken cars to a mechanic a handful of times in my whole life since I have the skills and means, but I am thinking that will change with the vette.
 
This Mitsubishi car especially in 3.8 litre form is a very good used car for very cheap money. They were build in the US as a Galant and in Australia it was called a 380 and you can pick them for not much coin.
 
LuckyR said:
I sold my 20 year old 91 MR2 turbo for 2k, now it's worth about 8 times that. Oh, well.
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Yep, I know the feeling, I guess now we have to get our heads together and pick the cars that are cheap now that will do well soon. I think because so many cars are too expensive now that it’s the cars that are reviewed by the likes Ian Seabrook from Hubnut and Steph from I drive a classic, Brown Car guy, Motoring Box and many others that are latching on to will provide some of the options and clues:
 
When I was a kid my older brother bought a Datsun 510, which became something of a minor classic with a lively drivetrain, sensible layout and what at the time was unusual for cars in that price range, independent rear suspension.
 
Crocodile said:
This one is a sleeper - Known in some markets as the Mazda 929 could from the 1980’s
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My parents owned a later gen 929 for a decade. Great car.

Curiously, I had an incident in a parking where my key opened someone else’s 929 of the same color. Even odder, it turned out that the key I used wasn’t even for the 929, but for our family’s other car, a Ford Probe.

The Mazda 929s were manufactured at the same Ford factory as the probe.
 
Crocodile said:
Yes that tends to be the generalisation that people use for that term. I guess that could apply to anyone selling something with bad intentions but most of us have bought and sold items many times and there is right and wrong way to do things;
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Well they don't even need to be a salesman to be honest. I think I remember Keyshawn Johnson called Jon Gruden a used car salesman after he got fired from the Las Vegas Raiders coaching job for making racially insensitive remarks and using racial slurs.
 
Crocodile said:
Yep, I know the feeling, I guess now we have to get our heads together and pick the cars that are cheap now that will do well soon. I think because so many cars are too expensive now that it’s the cars that are reviewed by the likes Ian Seabrook from Hubnut and Steph from I drive a classic, Brown Car guy, Motoring Box and many others that are latching on to will provide some of the options and clues:
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IMO the best bargain in cars is my actual car, namely a 996 C4s, they go for about 20s to 30s and they perform essentially the same (or better) than a 993 C4s that goes for 100k more.
 
I always thought the 929 was aesthetically unpleasing. Now quite Pontiac Aztec level, but not great.

Someone told me the Probe was popular car in the lgbt community. Is this true. I had never heard of that until he told me.

travlerajm said:
My parents owned a later gen 929 for a decade. Great car.

our family’s other car, a Ford Probe.
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onehandbh said:
I always thought the 929 was aesthetically unpleasing. Now quite Pontiac Aztec level, but not great.

Someone told me the Probe was popular car in the lgbt community. Is this true. I had never heard of that until he told me.
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My understanding of the Ford Probe, the version that was released in 1992 is that it was a collaboration between Ford and Mazda and the Probe’s styling and interior was designed by a women.
In the UK the Probe was marketed as a replacement of the 1960’s and 1989’s Capri Coupe whereas in Australia it was released to compete with the Holden - Opel - Vauxhall Calibra, the Honda Prelude, Toyota Celica, Mazda MX6, Nissan 200sx, Eunos 30X and Peugeot 406 coupe. Both the Probe and Calibra struggled to sell in Australia as buyers bought the Celica and Prelude with performance buyers opting for the Nissan 209sx and those with more money bought the 300zx Z32. The Peugeot 406 coupe was rated as the most beautifully styled car from the outside but was more an elegant cruiser.
This think the Probe was definitely a good looker but quite rare on the roads today. There’s a interesting used car comparison in the Uk with the Calibra that I will attach shortly - both cars I think will appreciat
 
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I think the Nissan 350z’s and G35 coupes are quite affordable now - could be a good time to grab one before they start to appreciate, especially in blue or red and maybe even the convertible,
 
If you haven't seen the show JDM Legends, check it out. It is on the Motor Trend streaming app and it is outstanding. I have no idea why it only lasted a season. Those guys are masters. What they did to restore 280z, 510, and others is amazing.
 
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