Comfy Sedan for Second Car

JDM_Ninja · February 21, 2024

Hi AL citizens,

I'm looking for a comfortable sedan to be used as a second car. I have a relatively new kei car as a daily driver, very fuel efficient and reliable. But as someone who grew up around larger vehicles, I really miss the comfort and space of a larger car.

So I'm looking for a sedan to fit the following criteria.

1. Budget between 2-2.5 M. Given this budget I'm obviously fine with vehicles with a limited second hand market.

2. YoM should ideally be past '99.

3. Fuel efficiency is not a concern, this car will only be driven in the weekends and long trips. 10kmpl+ in long trips will be fine.

4. Nothing too rare that will be a headache to source parts for.

5. Manual if it has a well handling chassis, else auto is preferred.

6. Jap makes are preferred, but I'm also open to certain euros such as 406s.

7. Most importantly should be comfortable, steady under fast cruisinng, a great road trip machine.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

iRage · February 22, 2024

So..you are sort of asking to eat the cake and have it at the same time here...

Based on your general requirements you would be looking at something like a post 1999 Carina/Corona, Bluebird. However, these will be above your budget. You might be able to score something like a Cefiro, Laurel, Gloria, Cedric towards the upper end of your budget but seeing what is around they will be more or less on the low-end of the spectrum when it comes to condition. Ironically cars like the Mitsubishi Verada go for around your budget. But then one reason these fall within your budget is because you are not going to get that 10kmpl avg fuel figure.

For your budget you will have to settle for something a little bit older if you want to go with a Japanese brand.

As for Euros...something like a 406 or even an Alfa Romeo 156 would be possible. The latter would actually be a fun little car to drive as well.

matroska · February 22, 2024

Nissan Primera P11 (SR20 preferably as opposed to the 1.8L SR18/QG18 and preferably manual)

Other options would be

Cefiro - Comfy, barge-like but slightly sofa-like and you expect a bit more from a 2L engine. At your budget you're looking at A32. A33 in the price range will come with a compromise but a bit of hard bargaining might fetch you one for around 2.5

A bit rare(ish) option - Toyota Camry/Vista SV40 - not the most sought after car so you can source one well below your budget.

On 2/22/2024 at 2:19 AM, iRage said:

Based on your general requirements you would be looking at something like a post 1999 Carina/Corona, Bluebird. However, these will be above your budget

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Yes they will be - he is missing the Carina by about 1Mill. Corona's are a little closer to his budget - the Carina is more sought after than the Corona in the local market- not sure of the historical context maybe @iRage can shed some light.

Options :

1996/97ish U14 Bluebird's since OP is ok with manual. Diesel's are cheaper , manuals are cheaper, 301 and 65- numbers are cheaper.

The only Corona from the 210 series will be a diesel CT210. YOM 1996/7 65- (people will pay more for the same YOM if it has G plates) A very good specimen in my neighborhood got sold for 2.5M (1996/65-plates) last week. CT190 Corona would be around 2M mark.

Toyota Carina T190 series. Underappreciated sibling of the T200 series (AT211/212) you will find both auto and manual variants - YOM would be 1994-1995-ish and will have 19/300/301 plates.

406 is a very decent choice - you get more car for what you pay. I think this was discussed recently in another thread as well .

On 2/21/2024 at 2:04 PM, JDM_Ninja said:

YoM should ideally be past '99.

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In Summary
If you could rotate the second '9' by 180 degrees - more options open up. Manuals, diesels and cars with Numeric number plates (300/301 etc as oppsoed to G,H etc) are more affordable. Do not be afraid to bargain - yes crazy prices are quoted in adverts but most of the time many vehicles get sold for 100/200 K less.

iRage · February 22, 2024

On 2/22/2024 at 5:14 AM, matroska said:

not sure of the historical context maybe

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Corona has always been heavier than the Carina. Mainly because of the equipment specs that were packed in. Since the Corona was aimed to be the more reserved, grown up luxury type version of the two cars, it made sense. This also meant that the car got a reputation for not being fuel efficient as the Carina. On top of that since the T190 series the Corona did not get the 1500cc engine which the Carina got (engine capacity started from the 1600cc 4A-FE engine). So where petrol variants were concerned the Carina was preferred (because anything more than 1500cc meant you were playing with the devil). Diesels were too expensive to be brought down so most of the diesels were government employee permit imports. Which worked for them because the Corona felt more premium than the Carina.

There was another reason. That being Sri Lankans (the race that is the majority) are very racist. The Corona was popular amongst businessmen of a certain race/religious faith. So the car was told to have the ****** look.

Now...back to the OP's cars...I didn't want to bring up any diesels because....old diesels rarely ride smooth. They vibrate, sound like a tractor and look like they went through a cloud of soot and is being held together with rope. Its mainly because the various bushes, clips, etc get worn out and spoilt because of the vibration and weight. Sadly our guys do not attend to these. Again because being diesel a lot of people bought them in the second/third hand car market to just run it for cheap. Also, if you find a good diesel then you are blessed. But if you end up with one that is worn out you are in for a lot of pain.

matroska · February 22, 2024

On 2/22/2024 at 5:51 AM, iRage said:

T190 series the Corona did not get the 1500cc engine

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Probable reason why 99% T190 Corona's are the 2C Powered diesel variant.

On 2/22/2024 at 5:51 AM, iRage said:

There was another reason. That being Sri Lankans (the race that is the majority) are very racist. The Corona was popular amongst businessmen of a certain race/religious faith. So the car was told to have the ****** look.

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Now this is an interesting little bit of information I'm learning today.

On 2/22/2024 at 5:51 AM, iRage said:

Now...back to the OP's cars...I didn't want to bring up any diesels because....old diesels rarely ride smooth

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Sadly, this is the only option he will have for his budget if he want's to go with Toyotas.

JDM_Ninja · February 24, 2024

Thanks a bunch @iRage and @matroska. Will take a look at the P11 Primera. The 406 is also on the radar. Planning to buy at the end of this year, so will depend on the price movements too.

iRage · February 25, 2024

On 2/24/2024 at 9:39 AM, JDM_Ninja said:

Thanks a bunch @iRage and @matroska. Will take a look at the P11 Primera. The 406 is also on the radar. Planning to buy at the end of this year, so will depend on the price movements too.

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Hope you find a good car. Watch out for the Primera because a lot of them at some point were owned by ricers who wanted to "modify" them. Then they soon found out they were not as cheap as the Civics and ditched them.

Figure out which ride suits you better....the Primera is a bit of a sporty drive. 406 is far more comfy. Either way...a good buy is a good car (you will have to be diligent about preemptive maintenance and repairs either way)...a bad buy will be a nightmare.

JDM_Ninja · February 25, 2024

On 2/25/2024 at 1:33 AM, iRage said:

406 is far more comfy. Either way...a good buy is a good car (you will have to be diligent about preemptive maintenance and repairs either way)...a bad buy will be a nightmare.

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What is your opinion on the serviceability of the 406? Are parts like interior trim source-able for a car of this age and origin?

matroska · February 26, 2024

On 2/25/2024 at 2:26 PM, JDM_Ninja said:

What is your opinion on the serviceability of the 406? Are parts like interior trim source-able for a car of this age and origin?

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let's ask the resident Francois and Emmanuel - @fiat fan and @AVANTE

Gummybr · February 26, 2024

There was a nice Toyota Mark2 and a Cresta for sale recently in the 2.8mil range. Also there was another on FB a two tone one try that as well. Maybe a Galant will also be in your price range.

@iRage there are still a few unmolested Primera P11's around but hard to find them.

iRage · February 27, 2024

On 2/26/2024 at 10:51 AM, Gummybr said:

there are still a few unmolested Primera P11's around but hard to find them

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Yeah...the clean ones or properly restored ones are being held on by their owners. Considering the current vehicle situation in the country it is understandable.

matroska · February 27, 2024

On 2/26/2024 at 10:51 AM, Gummybr said:

Cresta for sale recently in the 2.8mil range

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That Cresta was so neat at least on the photos. OP, if he's patient can do his homework , wait and swoop in on a good specimen when it comes up for sale - since everyone is clamoring for hatches and SUV's a biggish barge can be bought for a reasonable price - manual's are far less popular that too presents an opportunity.