What did you used to see as P plater cars when you were young?

[barra240t]

Got me thinking on my daily commute to work on my bike, I ride past a high school everyday. It is interesting to see what the seniors are driving these days in 2023. I see most of the time:

Ford Fiesta/Focus, prob around 2010 models
Toyota Corolla, prob around 2010 as well
MG MG3- some fairly new ones
Kia Rio- 2010+
Hyundai Getz

So I am going to assume as an average P plater you (or your parents) can afford something 10-15 years old as a first car. For me it was about right as well, I got my Ps around 1997 I think and I had a 1981 Ford Cortina Wagon and then a 1984 Mazda 323 (I lot more reliable and better on fuel)

It makes me wonder what the kids will be buying in 10-20 years time with hatches on the decline, it will be interesting on their choices (or should I say their parents)

What was the P plate landscape in your youth?

[Itsme]

1974 got my P's, Holden EH station wagon then EH panel van.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Got me thinking on my daily commute to work on my bike, I ride past a high school everyday. It is interesting to see what the seniors are driving these days in 2023. I see most of the time:

Ford Fiesta/Focus, prob around 2010 models
Toyota Corolla, prob around 2010 as well
MG MG3- some fairly new ones
Kia Rio- 2010+
Hyundai Getz

So I am going to assume as an average P plater you (or your parents) can afford something 10-15 years old as a first car. For me it was about right as well, I got my Ps around 1997 I think and I had a 1981 Ford Cortina Wagon and then a 1984 Mazda 323 (I lot more reliable and better on fuel)

It makes me wonder what the kids will be buying in 10-20 years time with hatches on the decline, it will be interesting on their choices (or should I say their parents)

What was the P plate landscape in your youth?

No P plates, so there wasn't one

[Franco Cozzo]

R33 GTS-T Skyline was common to see on Melbourne roads as a P plater weapon a couple years prior to getting my Ps, same era though

[aussiblue]

1971 and 1972 those working and self funded Peace lovers or would be hippies, like me in our Mokes. Those returning from National Service cashed up had their new or used 240Z's, GT Falcons, various model Valiant Pacers and Chargers, GTS Monaros and GTR or XU1 Toranas while those not as much car enthusiasts had, Toyota Corollaa and Coronas, Ford Cortinas (both 4's and sixes), !80B and 1600 Datsuns and GA Galants and lesser model 4 cylinder Toranas. There also a scattering of used MGBs, Sprites, Midgets and similar mostly well used British Sports cars as well. Those at Uni or not self funded generally had cast-of parent's vehicles like older Morris 1100's and Austin 1800's, Rovers, FB/EK Holdens, old VC and S Series Valiants (and the various other model Valiants in between R and VC series) VW Beetles, other old worn out UK model cars like Rovers and Wolselys and Austins, and in one case, and old Oz assembled Standard Vanguard. Mixed in with the rarer odd OZ assembled Rambler Rebel and Hornet and, shame of shames, one of those common but very ugly 120Y coupé. This is based on what my friends of the time were driving rather than a my fading memory of traffic.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

No P plates, so there wasn't one

Sorry forgot when things were black and white they didn't exist, but you get what I mean..

[b0son]

In the 90s, it was mostly tarted up koreans or japanese. The import scene was still somewhat non-existent, that didnt seem to really build up steam until late 90s early 00s. Utes were a work vehicle, not a fashion accessory, and just about nobody had a 4wd.

Everyone was getting into lowered suspension, big exhausts and performance chips. If you'd have told me they'd be shunned in favour of high riding 4wd utes, I'd have laughed and asked you to share what you were smoking....

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by b0son

In the 90s, it was mostly tarted up koreans or japanese. The import scene was still somewhat non-existent, that didnt seem to really build up steam until late 90s early 00s. Utes were a work vehicle, not a fashion accessory, and just about nobody had a 4wd.

Everyone was getting into lowered suspension, big exhausts and performance chips. If you'd have told me they'd be shunned in favour of high riding 4wd utes, I'd have laughed and asked you to share what you were smoking....

When I was young I had more fun in my 4x4 driving wild tracks and camping with mates than i ever did in my V8 sedans. I was early 00's and a fair few of us had 4x4's. It was the best of times and those memories of those crazy weekends will stay with me forever. Get's expensive as a young fella fixing a 4x4 though.

It all depends what part of Australia you are in as to what the young kids have these days. In my area in Canberra, it's 90% BMW, Merc, Mazda. Mostly mum and dads car or a car mum and dad bought for them.

Go to country areas now and it's landcruiser utes that have been fixed up, banged up falcon utes, patrols with faded paint, etc etc.

[Mr Brooksy]

Now that I think of it, I can barely remember what the masses drove in year 11 and 12... Those of us car nuts all had Aussie Falcons or commodores. My favourite car other than my own was a XY GT phase 3 replica... It only lasted 3 days! He, with us boys in it after a game of cricket, had a little dust up with a huge tree on a greasy road. Shame.

The only other car of note was a red Triumph Spitfire, but that was my English teachers car...

[whynot]

More from the time when I was a first year apprentice on my P-licence, anything with four cylinders; Holden Gemini, Datsun 180B and 200, Ford Cortina, and the evergreen Toyota Corolla. Next step up was the six cylinder Holdens, Falcons and Valliants.

The mind boggles at what P-platers get around in these days, particularly some apprentices. Seen quite a few in a 4WD that would have cost the same as good deposit on a first home.

[aussiblue]

This https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U8BVeJ5vZ4 and this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Zs6BieUZM looks about right but I forgot how common EH's were and obviously Mokes were less common than I thought. But I also seem to member many more girls in the streets of Perth with shorter mini-skirts too.

[Dr Terry]

1970-71. The poorer guys drove FE-EK Holdens, some had older VWs, Hilmans & Minis. The richer guys had EH-HR Holdens, Falcon & Valiants. Japanese cars were too new & not yet proven.

Dr Terry

[Bossxr8]

Mostly Falcons and Commodores. Most P platers couldn't afford to run them with petrol prices the way they are now.

[.:4:.]

When i got my Ps fuel was 89c per litre. So 2003/04. Vl comode was the goal, but vn's were cheaper. N14 pulsars were quicker though. Well the ti spec, sss were out of the budget for a 17 year old, but the ti still had the non turbo sr20 and in a manwell, they went pretty good. I was kinda lucky as i got my Ps before the rules changed so i was allowed to drive anything. My mates were not. So quite often id borrow my brothers wb. I think back then it was called retro spec. So a more modern efi v8 in an old car. Yeah slow by todays standards. But still way quicker then all my mates cars, or their mums cars.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

No P plates, so there wasn't one

Nowhere to stick the plate on the back end of the horse, Gaso?

[The Yeti]

I got my P’s in 89 so XY’s were dirt cheap $2499 non warranty hacks (a mate had a vamilion fire XY GS 6cyl 4spd with black trim $2499) I had an XC GS ute and other friends had HK Monaco’s A plethora of XA, XB or HQ 2doors a rich mate had a VC SLE 308 and there were truck loads of LJ LH Toranas

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Nowhere to stick the plate on the back end of the horse, Gaso?

Probably could have done.........if P plates were around when I got my license.

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by whynot

The mind boggles at what P-platers get around in these days, particularly some apprentices. Seen quite a few in a 4WD that would have cost the same as good deposit on a first home.

Haha, on that note... I can tell you what one very self confident young lady will be driving as I sold it to her last week....

She bought an immaculate 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer with 58000kms. The kicker was... She's not even passed her L's yet after 4 attempts. Yet Mum and Dad were happy to pay a premium for her to get this car.... As opposed to getting the Kia SUV thing they were going to give her for free.

Why parents would pay over 10K for a kids first car, especially when there is one perfectly capable one sitting in the garage already just boggles the mind. But she's happy, my friend who I sold the car for is happy and Mum and Dad seem very happy too...

Unfortunately for both my kids, they will pay for it, either straight up or as a loan that gets repayed. And they certainly won't be getting something for more than 3-5 grand! Learn to fix stuff, then graduate to something more reliable I say.

[DK30RB]

Originally Posted by b0son

In the 90s, it was mostly tarted up koreans or japanese. The import scene was still somewhat non-existent, that didnt seem to really build up steam until late 90s early 00s. Utes were a work vehicle, not a fashion accessory, and just about nobody had a 4wd.

Everyone was getting into lowered suspension, big exhausts and performance chips. If you'd have told me they'd be shunned in favour of high riding 4wd utes, I'd have laughed and asked you to share what you were smoking....

Lowered so much that your mates had to get out of the car when you beached it on the carpark ramp into the shopping center.

[Rallye Sport]

Early to mid 90's it was Escorts, Gemini's, Cortina's Falcon's and Kingswood's, maybe a Premier if you had a good after school job.

The one I remember though was one of the local girls, they had a Mini in the family and it was passed through the kids as they got their licenses. By the time her 3 brothers were done with it the little thing had a very hot engine and some suspension work.
She upset alot of the local boy racers in it

[ford71V8]

Late80s/Early90s, so saw lots of Ps on Corollas, Coronas, Toranas, Escorts and Datsuns, less of the EHs/HRs, 70s Falcons and Kingswoods.
I wore Ps on a 180B and XY.

[LG17]

Nothing. Didn't have P plates when I was young...

[GCRXR6]

Crikey, no P's for our lot. I started learning in my folks Austin A90 Six, with 4 on the tree in 1970. Bought my Mk2 Cortina GT in 1970 and got my licence in that. Mates had EH's, HR's, Mazda 1600, Falcon Xr to Cy's. No P's though. Forget when I first saw one.

[Giant Cranium]

when i was a p plater we had the best p plater car ever made N15 SSS Pulsar

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Why parents would pay over 10K for a kids first car, especially when there is one perfectly capable one sitting in the garage already just boggles the mind. But she's happy, my friend who I sold the car for is happy and Mum and Dad seem very happy too...

Unfortunately for both my kids, they will pay for it, either straight up or as a loan that gets repayed. And they certainly won't be getting something for more than 3-5 grand! Learn to fix stuff, then graduate to something more reliable I say.

The other side of it is safety, I don't have kids but I'd rather my crotch spawn be in something modern and safe so that I'd they drove it into someone else, everyone walks out of it.

A year into my Ps I t-boned another car in a not at fault accident in my new at the time LV Focus - I hit them at around 90km/h right into their passenger B pillar.

I walked out of it with some purple bruising and burns from the airbags.

If I pulled that trick in my Caprice I'd be dead no question about it

I paid for my own new car out of my savings though,

I'd be hesitant to put my crotch spawn in a 1990s early 00s car.

[DFB FGXR6]

When I was on P plates in the mid 2000's, most were in some sort of Commodore or Falcon variant, lowered and fitted with a terrible sounding exhaust, you know the sort, extremely loud with no tonal quality.

While I drove an AU III Fairmont, I went against the grain and kept the grandpa burgundy look going by NOT slamming it into the weeds and kept the stock exhaust.

These days, geez I feel old typing that, most seem to be in jacked up 4X4's. The most common I see here are Y60 and Y61 Patrol's, lifted and fitted with noisy mud tyres, roof racks, bull bars and huge spot LED spotlights. I probably see one each week being driven far too hard for the height of the vehicle, I have even seen one young buck with two wheels in the air going around a corner.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

1971 and 1972 those working and self funded Peace lovers or would be hippies, like me in our Mokes. Those returning from National Service cashed up had their new or used 240Z's, GT Falcons, various model Valiant Pacers and Chargers, GTS Monaros and GTR or XU1 Toranas while those not as much car enthusiasts had, Toyota Corollaa and Coronas, Ford Cortinas (both 4's and sixes), !80B and 1600 Datsuns and GA Galants and lesser model 4 cylinder Toranas. There also a scattering of used MGBs, Sprites, Midgets and similar mostly well used British Sports cars as well. Those at Uni or not self funded generally had cast-of parent's vehicles like older Morris 1100's and Austin 1800's, Rovers, FB/EK Holdens, old VC and S Series Valiants (and the various other model Valiants in between R and VC series) VW Beetles, other old worn out UK model cars like Rovers and Wolselys and Austins, and in one case, and old Oz assembled Standard Vanguard. Mixed in with the rarer odd OZ assembled Rambler Rebel and Hornet and, shame of shames, one of those common but very ugly 120Y coupé. This is based on what my friends of the time were driving rather than a my fading memory of traffic.

Driving into work today in peak hour surrounded by MGs, fridges on wheels and fridge 4wd's, I looked and thought - jeez so boring compared to the interesting vehicles around in 1981.

Your post hits the mark what I was thinking this morning!

[SSVPom]

Vauxhall Nova/Corsa, Renault 5/Clio, Citroen AX/Saxo, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta.. back in England in the late 1990’s

[aussiblue]

1970-71. The poorer guys drove FE-EK Holdens, some had older VWs, Hilmans & Minis. The richer guys had EH-HR Holdens, Falcon & Valiants. Japanese cars were too new & not yet proven.

Nah; Datsuns, Corollas and Mitsubishi Colts had been around long enough by 1971, to show they were reliable.

I remember one of my Uncles bought his 1st Datsun in the early 60's despite the lingering post War anti Jap sentiments.. By the 70's they were as common as,,,

The 1976 motor Vehicle Census data here (the earliest one available online but it includes numbers from 1955 onwards) tells the story https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@...6?OpenDocument I am sure someone will come back quoting Mark Twains: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.: but while the big three were still dominant, (with 76,266 Fords, 110,281 Holdens and 33,095 Chryslers registered) the Japanese were already rapidly gaining ground in 1971 (page 10 to 19 of that ABS report) with 23,737 Datsuns, 2,879 Hondas, 15,359 Mazdas, 1,378 Mitsubishi (included in Chrysler numbers after that year) and 24,508 Toyotas registered. By 1974 the number of registered Toyotas had exceeded the number of registered Chryslers and Chryslers's numbers included thousands of Mitisubishi made Galants and Lancers.

It was the UK designed cars (although many were assembled in OZ) that initially most suffered from the Japanese invasion with the number of registered Hillmans, Austins, Humbers, MGs , Morris, Triumphs, Jaguars and Wolselys falling in totals all most equivalent to the rising number of Japanese cars registered even when the later Umbrella brand Leyland is considered. Leyland numbers jumped from 598 in 598 in 1972 to 20,742 in 1974 with the UK brand amalgamations but fell to 13948 in 1976 (the year of the Leyland P76 launch). As I indicated in my earlier post, in the early 70's when I was on P plates I had friends with Datsun 180B's an d 240Z's, Toyota Corollas and Coronas (and now I also recall one Toyota Crown and a Datsun 260C) also Mitsubishi GA Galants (my next car after the Moke in 1976 was a GC Galant followed by a LC Lancer Hatch in 1980). Interestingly, the smaller (in OZ) Europenas brands like Fiat, Peuguot and Renault seemed to do better at that time despite the Japanese invasion of the Australian market.

Most importantly to the P plater and P Plater's parents financing a child's 1st car in the 1970/71 was that at that time Japanese cars were also generally much cheaper and better equipped than the Oz and UK competitors.

[Adamz Ghia]

Back in 2004 you either had a fully sick VN/VP/VQ, with cut springs at the back with rear only stockies, and an ‘exhaust’ that consisted of punching holes in it, an E Series properly lowered with NightShades spray on tint on the tail lights, or something Japanese.