What's a good mid to late 90's economical hatchback to buy

[landau460]

There is no such thing as a good 90's hatch. They are all horrible death traps.

That could be said about 2013 model cars in general twenty years from now let's wait twenty years to get a safer car than now, and while we're at it wait twenty more years for good measure...... Sigh.... some people bloody amaze
me

[PepeLePew]

Stevz I appreciate your passion across a wide range of topics, and having reminded the OP as he was undoubtedly aware that 2.5k and the restrictions it implies does not buy a whole lot of safety, can we move on please?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Lantra sports wagon was late 90's. Don't think they had airbags, perhaps it was an option on upper models. Perhaps late 90s lancer wagon? Kia Rio is quite long in the back and you may get something with an airbag in the series 2 model that was out in 03 or 04.

Sirion? Had duel airbags I think and certainly ran on bugger all.

Just looked up Sirion. Yep, duel airbags and for your budget you may scrape in with a GTVi model which had a larger engine and a heap more poke.

[PG2]

I am looking at these types of cars aswell - I have to take my son's girlfriend out looking tomorrow for the same sort of car. The only thing is she will have anything but a Ford (I think it is just to annoy me). However, I am having trouble finding anything that is loaded with safety features at $3500-$4000.

Back to the OP's problem and coming from way left field - Daihatsu Terios? Dual Air Bags (no ABS though). AWD 1.3 ltr engine and were a very good car.

You may have to negotiate but there are currently a couple on carsales for around $3000.

[XP6]

Mazda Astina, the upmarket spec ones had airbags and abs... the Mrs one even had traction control(not that it really needed it!)

[nuthin' fancy]

Is stevz related to buddy92?

[muso]

I do like the little SUV's like the Terios but they are a bit dearer of course, any other suggestions as fas as SUV's go? I know nothing about them but are kind of better than a wagon due to the space.

[Yellow_Festiva]

The older small SUVs would chew a lot compared to their hatchback equivalents due to their silly gearing, especially on the freeway. Was dating a girl at the time with one and the thing spun at between 3.5 and 4k RPM @110.

If you still want to go down that path I liked the look of the Suzuki X90.

[muso]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

The older small SUVs would chew a lot compared to their hatchback equivalents due to their silly gearing, especially on the freeway. Was dating a girl at the time with one and the thing spun at between 3.5 and 4k RPM @110.

If you still want to go down that path I liked the look of the Suzuki X90.

I couldn't fit my dog in the back of an X90.

I really like the Pulsar SSS N15 hatch and love the Gen 4 VW Golf (Golf reliability when older?) but they'd cost more but for a good one I'd be getting into VY VZ commodore wagon price range which are a lot bigger than I really want but have all the safety stuff and lots of room.

[DJM83]

Id be going a corolla, laser, mirage for sure. Mirage was a pretty decent little car and being Jap pretty reliable too.

[93EB_SXR6]

The Hyundai Excel I mentioned shares the same engine/drivetrain as the Mirage, tend to be cheaper to buy too. Just something to consider.

[Windsor220]

I just got rid of my N15. Was solid and reliable and had enough features to get me by. The only issue it was a bit gutless but I am used to driving newer vehicles.

[muso]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I just got rid of my N15. Was solid and reliable and had enough features to get me by. The only issue it was a bit gutless but I am used to driving newer vehicles.

Must have been the small engine was it manual or auto?

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by muso

Must have been the small engine was it manual or auto?

1.6 manual.

[NX74205]

Personally I would narrow it down to Corolla Seca or Laser (KF/KH).

Dad once owned an AE94 Corolla Seca and it was a very reliable and economical car. I actually quite liked its styling too - I think the liftback design is very attractive

[muso]

The best 4 cylinder car I've looked into so far is the 2002 (new shape) toyota corolla hatch but I'd have to spend a bit more. It was way ahead of the competition back in 2002/2003 and still looks modern now.

[Franco Cozzo]

Slow, ugly but its got airbags

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d.../?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

We've got a Festiva with the 1.5L engine, 5sp manual, bullet proof but its not very safe.

[muso]

I drove one of those Ford KA's or whatever when they were new and it wasn't the most rewarding drive

[muso]

Hey everyone thanks heaps for your input and advice it's given me several different ideas and angles....it's much appreciated

[5.8]

Originally Posted by stevz View Post
There is no such thing as a good 90's hatch. They are all horrible death traps.

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

What a load of absolute rubbish from someone that has no idea, I have owned many little Laser's that have been rear ended, 3 of them actually, Only one that I was the driver and the vehicle that hit me was a late model Fairlane driven by a young bloke that was texting, 60klm straight into me no braking and let me tell you that both car's were written of but if you were at the scene like I was you would clearly see that the Fairlane didn't fair any better then the Laser.

So how many accident's have you been in while inside a 90's hatch ?.

Have a look at Stevz quotes on his signature/avatar. We're dumb, we're screwed, and 2013 is the beginning of the end of Australia. Would you really think he would have anything positive to say about anything?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by 93EB_SXR6

The Hyundai Excel I mentioned shares the same engine/drivetrain as the Mirage, tend to be cheaper to buy too. Just something to consider.

Is that so? Interesting....

What are early Honda HRVs goin for? Boxy wagon rear but may be over your budget?

Suzuki Ignis has some decent space in the back if you drop the rear seats.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by 5.8

Originally Posted by stevz View Post
There is no such thing as a good 90's hatch. They are all horrible death traps.





Have a look at Stevz quotes on his signature/avatar. We're dumb, we're screwed, and 2013 is the beginning of the end of Australia. Would you really think he would have anything positive to say about anything?

Well sorry for telling things as they are.

I wouldn't put myself or my family in a 90's small car and I'm just trying to give the best advice possible

My avatar and signature have very little to do with the matter.

[BENT_8]

F ANCAP.

I grew up driving old H series Holdens and X series Falcons, how do they rate...?
Honestly, bunch of soft cocks that buy cars depending on ANCAP and bloody Bluetooth connectivity...PMSL!!!

A good 90's hatch or wagon...hmmm

pre 98 Corolla RV Seca 1.8 5sp, virtually bulletproof.

Post 98 Hyundai Excel twin cam.

Subaru Liberty wagon boxer 2.2l 4cyl AWD, bulletproof.

Wide body Camry wagon in 2.2 or 3.0l form.

TH/J Magna wagon.

[93EB_SXR6]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Is that so? Interesting....

What are early Honda HRVs goin for? Boxy wagon rear but may be over your budget?

Suzuki Ignis has some decent space in the back if you drop the rear seats.

Yes, the 1.5L SOHC alpha was basically a 4G15. Hyundai bought the engine blueprints from Mitsubishi.

Check out this wikipedia entry (scroll down to 4G15 applications).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Orion_engine

[ute83]

Have you looked at the gf Mazda 626. The classic has abs and twin airbags, a two litre engine and gets pretty good economy. Built well too. I bought two of my kids one and have been excellent buys.

[homegrown]

One little car that has grown on me is the Festiva. Its like a motorbike with 4 wheels. So cheap to run and if you get the 1.5 Big Block manual you have a great little car that will go anywhere.

[ILLaViTaR]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

What a load of absolute rubbish from someone that has no idea, I have owned many little Laser's that have been rear ended, 3 of them actually, Only one that I was the driver and the vehicle that hit me was a late model Fairlane driven by a young bloke that was texting, 60klm straight into me no braking and let me tell you that both car's were written of but if you were at the scene like I was you would clearly see that the Fairlane didn't fair any better then the Laser.

So how many accident's have you been in while inside a 90's hatch ?.

I got T boned by an early 90s laser in my old ED that did 80k's right through a red and the entire bonnet/engine bay section had practically disintegrated, it pushed up into the dash which pushed the dash into her and the impact shattered her kneecap. you looked at the car side on and there were no panels left past the windscreen. My car was hit in the diff/wheel and there was hardly any impact, maybe pressed in 2 inches. If my car crumpled like hers the gas tank would've exploded. My car almost did a 720 from the force of the impact. Her panels would've been pressed in around 3-4ft compared to 2 inches.

[GREGL]

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

I got T boned by an early 90s laser in my old ED that did 80k's right through a red and the entire bonnet/engine bay section had practically disintegrated, it pushed up into the dash which pushed the dash into her and the impact shattered her kneecap. you looked at the car side on and there were no panels left past the windscreen. My car was hit in the diff/wheel and there was hardly any impact, maybe pressed in 2 inches. If my car crumpled like hers the gas tank would've exploded. My car almost did a 720 from the force of the impact. Her panels would've been pressed in around 3-4ft compared to 2 inches.

Hit in the diff , is that the cast iron thingy that is about 4 inches diameter and weighs about as much as the engine and wouldn't bend if you dropped it from a highrise ? Come on pal be serious , at 80 kmh hitting what is basically a stationary object she came out pretty well for what the car was hitting your strongest point .As for the Fuel tank exploding you would have to be in a very serious crash if any post 70's car did it period .

[stevz]

Originally Posted by GREGL

Hit in the diff , is that the cast iron thingy that is about 4 inches diameter and weighs about as much as the engine and wouldn't bend if you dropped it from a highrise ? Come on pal be serious .

What is your point? The car spun around when it was hit. It's not like it's a fixed solid object.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by GREGL

at 80 kmh hitting what is basically a stationary object she came out pretty well for what the car was hitting your strongest point

But if she was in a newer car she most likely wouldn't have sustained smashed kneecaps and whatever other injuries. She would have come out without a scratch.