I didnt want to recommend the COLT Rallyart at first but its such a fun little car for the price and looks like the typical Nissan Japan 70s racers with its black flares, bonnet scoops and other black bits. Its what we should encourage Nissan to do again... small compact budget sports racers with small turbo engines.





The stagea has really good economy when off boost compared to a subey and also the timing belt is easier. Size wise its not as big as its lines suggest.

heavier on petrol than a forestor xt, also higher insrance unless with shannons or similiar non mainstream insurer.

for something a bit more compact COLT is a great car in ralliart mode.

How about a toyota caldina wagon. 3sgte motor, awd awesome!


190odd kw too 320nm torque

stagea has same running gear as gtst skylines so good for parts locally now. but personally they are big.

if you need a small car i had a corolla sportivo for 3 years, great engine- just check the suspension (mine had a shake between a80 and 120kmh that was put down to incorrectly drilled suspension points n the factory- toyota refused to acknolodge that) still most of them are good cars, especially the post 2005 ones. can be had 2nd hand for less than 20k. 141kw and 6 speed manual.no torque though
cheap on fuel and petrol. i considered selling the forester for one again but the potential 3 baby seats dont fit well across the back seat. also timing chain in engine- no need for timing belt services, and cheap to service as well.

also 8200rpm redline and the GOR runs were awesome memories.1st 2nd and 3rd gears were all that were needed, mainly 2nd only.

a stega would be very nice
and a little more particle and fun

A good friend has bought a very low klm stagea for 16k AUD 3 years ago.
Its white with some serious rubber, an absolute pleasure to drive.
You cant go wrong.

Thanks guys,
Good link D, not a fan of the looks but compared to other cars in that price range it is very tempting. Seems that people like the Stagea, looks like I may just have to get myself one, however it looks like I have two choices,


*2010 Golf GTi DSG, 155kw, DSG (is so nice to drive, was scaring the dealer a week ago), with leather seats etc is around $50,000

*something like a 1999 Stagea, RB25, no mods, manual, around $20,000

With the stagea that would leave lots of moolah to say... hmm.. put a r34 front on it, mod the rb/suspension, clean it up, resulting in a very nice daily and enough money left over for a house deposit.

Or leave it stock and put a sticker on it saying "What?!... I iz a Volvo...."

Unless anyone can think of a reason not to buy a stagea for a fun daily it looks like the obvious choice.

Renault Clio V6? mid mount 6, rear wheel drive, short?wide = fun!

i would get the new volkwagon golf for sure, comfortable plenty of power, excelent on fuel

thread has gone down hill big time

I wuld go a Stagea... Has the potential to be quick and fun, yet is still comfortable fora full size family and camping gear as D has mentioned. Parts are readily available and plentiful and cheap... Only downside is that its not a real small car... But not much than an s15 or BMW 3 or 5 series...

I would have to say the Stagea is one of the best Nissans made and although
compact not really a small car as you started off with your thread.
Hands down the Stagea is an awesome beast with luxuries you are still
discovering late in your ownership.

BMW X series are perhaps the biggest wank factor pieces of tripe around.
Just the SUV mentality of big black wank cars is primitive and commonplace.
Early M3 and 635i are a different story pure class.

If you want to go to the dark side with a budget the Colt RalliArt is hard
to avoid, apart from FWD it has a very economical 113kw engine, great
handling, good wasabi muscle Jap styling and one of my neighbours has had it
tweaked for 160kw and its still super economical.
http://www.ralliart.com.au/RalliartVehicles/ColtTurbo.aspx