Cliff's Top Buys for Fun and Affordable Cars

By: Unique Cars magazine staff

Date: 23.05.2017

We asked our resident car nuts to nominate five fun but affordable cars that you'd never lose your shirt on. Here's Cliff Chambers' top picks...

CLIFF CHAMBERS' TOP FIVE BUYS:

1. NISSAN SKYLINE GTS SERIES 1
Price range - $6500 - $24,000

Yes I owned one and what a wrench it was when the time came to get something newer. A wonderfully efficient and understated car. Except for its big, attention-grabbing wheels, the all-white Skyline attracted minimal attention from other road users, at least until you drove around their BMW or V8-modded Jag and disappeared into the distance. Yes the chassis could have handled an extra 70kW but that wasn’t the point. The SVD Skyline was a sports sedan, not a brawny muscle car, built by the same folks that brought you Nissan’s controversial but effective Group A Touring Car contenders. The last time I saw GTS #88 (of the just 200 all-white Series 1 cars made) she was looking sad and neglected. I just hope someone cared enough to ensure she survived.

- Aussie original: Nissan R31 Skyline

2. FORD ED FALCON XR8 SPRINT
Price range $8500 - $27,000

Just think of this an EB GT you can park in your street without the neighbours laughing and pointing. Same motor and underpinnings, equipment to decent standards and $20K buys a beauty. Why they stay so cheap I don’t know.

- Future classic: Ford Falcon ED XR8 Sprint

3. PORSCHE 944 TURBO
Price range - $25,000 - $60,000

No idea why Porsche considered its front-engined cars a failure because the 944T is exceptional to drive. Finding one that hasn’t been thrashed is difficult and maintenance isn’t cheap but all of that is outweighed by the performance and balance.

- Budget classic: Porsche 944

4. HOLDEN TORANA HATCH
Price range - $30,000-plus
(SS pictured)

Yes an SS and with the add-on flares, scoop and maybe a drop tank too just to fool the mugs as it grumbles into Bunnings on a Saturday morning. "Sure buddy, this is the Real Deal and worth bucket-loads". That said, a really good SS will run close to $100K but still offers value if you want to live the dream on the cheap.

- Value guide: What's a Torana worth?

5. JAGUAR XJ6 SERIES 1
Price range $5000 -$30,000

Yes, it blew head gaskets and leaked oil but the XJ6 I owned during the 1980s saved four lives. Forced onto the gravel by an on-coming car the brilliant six-coil suspension soaked every bump and didn’t spit us into the trees. That, pretty much, is all you can ask of any car. Lovely growl from the 4.2 as well.

- Buyer's guide: Jaguar XJ6 Series I-III (1968-87) 

More top five picks from our team:

- Andy Enright
- David Morley
- John Wright
- Uncle Phil
- Guy Allen
- Angelo Loupetis

Tell us what your top five choices would be: uniquecars@primecreative.com.au

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