Sems presents and owns the most Boring car in GTPlanet (New car advice needed )

Update and a bad one at that

2 month in my dream debut in car ownership and I now hate the piece of crap I drive, typically it's starting to fall apart and I'm fuming.

What is wrong with the duck you might ask?

well it's update time.

- Issue number one, the car started to sound terrible a month or so ago (even more terrible I know) the culpret (I've typed it wrong but points for trying) was a hole in the exhaust box (is that it's name ?) anyway the exhaust was also scraping speed bumps (used to a few years ago and now it is back) so anyway that wasn't a big issue repaired the whole thing for a 150 ish L.E hopefully that was the last pit of trouble in the summer.

-But noooooooooooooooooooo, issue number two was the front bumper decided to fall (it had been hanging but not by much for a while), anyway the bigger issue was there was a crack in the middle ish so that crack was getting larger and the bumper looked to be snapping in half. So fearing that a new bumper will cost alot I went to a shop and had it welded (the crack) and bolted properly for around 150 also (the mechanic said it was a miracle the bumper was still attached but he probably says that to everyone so that it seemed he did something).

-So yeah things I wouldn't say the car was glorious now, the right mirror isn't electric anymore, the leather on the wheel is falling off, squeaky noises coming from the suspension but the car was running atleast UNTILLL

-A few days ago was the last straw, the sad thing is, it is my fault, the car ran out of water and it overheated (check the coolant level kids (Duck meme), anyway I filled it up and managed to go home but the damage looks to be done, the car has a check engine light on (still there after an oil check 3 days ago) but anyway today I my dad booked a place at the Nissan Service I woke up early just about to leave the compound I live in and bam it overheats, water level was ok but there was no fluid when I opened the radiator cap, after putting in some water there it started leaking from the tube thing above the radiator, which in most cases probably means one thing an expensive repair bill is coming (probably a new radiator). as prices here are insane a new radiator from Nissan will probably cost 2000 LE a massive amount and my family are tight for money at the moment.

-Anyway it's been a terrible few weeks for the damn car and I'm praying it will be a cheap repair although that looks impossible, so much for a summer of plasti-dipped wheels. /you learn as you live I guess.
 
Welp, big update but it has been going well (wait for it) the car got a dent at the back which I have fixed and got the bumpers spray painted, only issue with the car was that I needed some springs so it was all going too well, right up to the moment it went horribly wrong. Here is a shot of the car

DSC_0010 by Ali Samy, on Flickr

DSC_0006 by Ali Samy, on Flickr

Now I was browsing the Nissan Egypt Facebook page when I saw a post with someone who had a big rust problem under the spare tyre in the trunk, now my heart sank because I remembered a year-ish ago when I changed the spare tyre I noticed some slight orange substance around that area, I completely forgot about it (some oil was spilled in that area which was cleaned, I thought that was the culprit) but I had a feeling that I should check just in case, so first thing in the morning I opened the trunk anddddddddddddddddddddddd you guessed it, an absolute disaster

DSC_0009 by Ali Samy, on Flickr

I'm gutted about this, why did this happen? apparently this model some water will gather in that area and needs to be dried out (my car gets a daily wash) and the oil spill wouldn't have helped, I have no idea what to do now, not sure if I want to fix it but I can't afford to get a new car, there is a high demand for my car but this will drop the price way down. I've asked some of my friends for help and will be going to a mechanic to see what can be done, but whatever happens I doubt it would be an easy fix :(
 
That doesn't look bad at all? As long as there's no holes, all it needs is to be converted, wire bushed, taken back and painted.
 
SVX
That doesn't look bad at all? As long as there's no holes, all it needs is to be converted, wire bushed, taken back and painted.

There is one slight hole I'm afraid, under the middle of the tire, it's like a small like, that part is cut through.
 
There is one slight hole I'm afraid, under the middle of the tire, it's like a small like, that part is cut through.

Still though, convert the rust, sand and wire brush it back and prime - then take it somewhere to get the hole fixed.
 
SVX
Still though, convert the rust, sand and wire brush it back and prime - then take it somewhere to get the hole fixed.

Yeah that's the project for the week, couldn't have gone at a worse time with me working on my thesis. But thanks buddy hopefully it works out :cheers:
 
That's nothing at all.. Mostly surface rust.. Wire brushing or air sanding it will clean it up pretty well if you're strapped for time. If you're really strapped for time, hit it with lanolin oil or something to slow it down, then take care of it properly later this year. Make sure you haven't got a broken seal or something that makes water trap and stay there.
 
That's nothing at all.. Mostly surface rust.. Wire brushing or air sanding it will clean it up pretty well if you're strapped for time. If you're really strapped for time, hit it with lanolin oil or something to slow it down, then take care of it properly later this year. Make sure you haven't got a broken seal or something that makes water trap and stay there.

It's mostly surface rust but there are one or two small spots where it's cut through, I'm getting it done tomorrow so will have more updates. thanks for your advice :cheers:
 
Update:

I've landed a job as a Production Engineer at a Harness company, and this means I require a car on my own (I share the Nissan thing with my brother).

My main objective is to have a fun, reliable-ish daily driver.

Sadly, since I live in Egypt and have a strict budget -- my options are very very limited. So much so, that I narrowed my options down to 2 (although feel free to suggest something else (if it exists here I'm open to change my mind).

Option A

images


A second gen regular old Subie Impreza.

The irresponsible adult vehicle is a decent enough option. I can afford a regular one and will swap a more powerful engine. A WRX swap is an option but I've read online about how as a daily -- it can be an expensive hassle.

Option B

An E36

Again, this would be another engine swapped project car. There are several affordable options (all of them except the M engine) and its still a popular car here, so it has better support.

The Subie is newer so has more comfort options, less mileage, 4wd, and probably less prone to reliability issues.

The E36 though, has more customization support, might be more fun, is the better looking car, and is somewhat cheaper.

So the question remains, how many times will I get stuck on the road with these two?
 
All I can say, is that I don’t mind my family’s Focus, I’m fond of my friend’s Fiesta ST, I like my Mustang...


But I LOVE my Subaru.
 
Just making sure, it'd be a non-WRX Scoober?

If so, I'm not sure. I'm not surprised the E36 has more support, and that'd make me lean that way. But at the best that's still a two-decade-old car. How much daily driving are we talking here? And how long do you foresee keeping either?

The Subaru will be less fun to drive. I'm also wondering how necessary 4WD is.
 
Just making sure, it'd be a non-WRX Scoober?

If so, I'm not sure. I'm not surprised the E36 has more support, and that'd make me lean that way. But at the best that's still a two-decade-old car. How much daily driving are we talking here? And how long do you foresee keeping either?

The Subaru will be less fun to drive. I'm also wondering how necessary 4WD is.

Yep, but a WRX swap is possible.

In the coming 2-3 months -- something like 40 Km a day (5 days a week), but during the summer I could daily the Fiesta so no worries there. I need something to commute to work though.

Not sure for how long I'd keep em. I'd say between 2-4 years. They're inexpensive so assuming I don't write one off -- I won't lose a significant amount of cash.
 
Yep, but a WRX swap is possible.

In the coming 2-3 months -- something like 40 Km a day (5 days a week), but during the summer I could daily the Fiesta so no worries there. I need something to commute to work though.

Not sure for how long I'd keep em. I'd say between 2-4 years. They're inexpensive so assuming I don't write one off -- I won't lose a significant amount of cash.

Don't do the WRX swap, for two reasons. One is that it's arguably cheaper to just buy a WRX, and two, you'll end up as the Egyptian MrMelancholy. :P

Neither one will depreciate much at all in 2–4 years if kept in good condition. The option to sell and recoup the money becomes a more complicated one if you throw a bunch of mods at it.
 
Isn't buying a daily and planning to do an engine swap a bit backwards? You can't daily it when it's in limbo of parts not arriving on time, fab work needing to be done - unless you're heavily experienced doing the swap, I couldn't say it would be a day's job - E36 or Subaru.

I would recommend the E36 based on the fact that even your economist panel special 318is are still a good drive - and plenty of aftermarket to get to before even touching an engine swap.
 
What's your budget?

I did some research. 150-200k EGP will give you a boring commuter car which is the boring but sensible option. Less than 150k is old, Dacia or high mileage commuter car.

My pick would be a six cylinder E36. No real rust issues in Egypt, don't touch the car regarding an engine swap because daily driver. Just maintain it. A clean 320 seems to be in the 150-200k bracket.

It will be more expensive to own than a Toyota Yaris but much more fun. A WRX swapped Impreza daily seems like a nightmare to depend on. And when you finally get it working head gaskets will leak. Also E36 is more comfy.
 
Don't do the WRX swap, for two reasons. One is that it's arguably cheaper to just buy a WRX, and two, you'll end up as the Egyptian MrMelancholy. :P

Neither one will depreciate much at all in 2–4 years if kept in good condition. The option to sell and recoup the money becomes a more complicated one if you throw a bunch of mods at it.

There is a reasonable 2.0 swap (my friend is running this), which is reliable-ish and I could then afford on Intake/Exhaust to get it towards the fun scale. Would also free up my budget to work on the suspension and visuals.

SVX
Isn't buying a daily and planning to do an engine swap a bit backwards? You can't daily it when it's in limbo of parts not arriving on time, fab work needing to be done - unless you're heavily experienced doing the swap, I couldn't say it would be a day's job - E36 or Subaru.

I would recommend the E36 based on the fact that even your economist panel special 318is are still a good drive - and plenty of aftermarket to get to before even touching an engine swap.

I might not daily it, but I wanted to be there if needed. I think most of the E36s here get the slow poke engine. a 318i engine swap is readily available.
What's your budget?

I did some research. 150-200k EGP will give you a boring commuter car which is the boring but sensible option. Less than 150k is old, Dacia or high mileage commuter car.

My pick would be a six cylinder E36. No real rust issues in Egypt, don't touch the car regarding an engine swap because daily driver. Just maintain it. A clean 320 seems to be in the 150-200k bracket.

It will be more expensive to own than a Toyota Yaris but much more fun. A WRX swapped Impreza daily seems like a nightmare to depend on. And when you finally get it working head gaskets will leak. Also E36 is more comfy.

It can climb to the 260-270K but it will delay the purchase a bit. Thing is, I'm 25 so I feel like the time is right for a fun car. I've had the Sunny for over 5 years and the Fiesta although amazing at the twisty bits -- is slow as heck everywhere else. I also would like a manual which isn't easy to find. There are some other options like a MK6, or a E90 but parts for those aren't cheap.

You know deep inside that what you actually want is a 1972 Fiat 128 in Giza Purple.

https://eg.hatla2ee.com/en/car/fiat/128/2372131

full_up_39e3919b1231fc6ab2de88afdc723f23.jpg


Actually, I want it. But I do wonder why we don't get to see the top of the car...

These cars are still everywhere :lol: . No idea why the roof isn't shown, this car looks brand new :lol:


I'm gonna throw out another option; The E39
 
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