Revolver

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

I dont normally go to "alternative" cinema's, but I did recently with a group of soon-to-be-ex-work-colleauges. It was a French movie called "The Ax"

http://www.yourmovies.com.au/movies/...title_id=26723

It was about this guy who was retrenched, and he worked out the 5 people standing between him and his dream job. Sort of appropriate for us, really

Cheers,
Hymee.

Revolver

Might be time to offload the family truckster (Falcon wagon).

She's only done 70,000kms over 6 years since new but they've mostly been hard, running around the suburbs miles and I'd be lying if I said 'er indoors patiently waited for the thing to warm up every time she dropped the mini-terrorists somewhere or ducked up the shops. She also bears the scars of two children and numerous supermarket carparks (the car, not 'er indoors ). Result - she's looking and feeling a bit tired (ditto ).

More to the point, she's starting to cost us money . We replaced a fair chunk of the steering column last year and we've just been told the current service, including 'necessary repairs' to half a dozen odd items (e.g. throttle body) will be another grand (not counting the airbag light that has recently come on, which is yet to be diagnosed ).

Since the old girl couldn't be worth much more than $10K in the current market, the law of diminishing returns has kicked in.

Question, though, is what to replace it with?

We could probably down-size a tad now that we're past the pram and stroller stage (bike beak and roof racks will sort out the travelling toys) so first instinct is to grab a year old Mazda 6 wagon or Subey Liberty (I'm happy not to pay extra for the new car smell).

Any other thoughts (bearing in mind I'm allergic to softroaders and trucks )?

azzaboynt

I am leaning towards getting a Chrysler 300c CDI Touring. I hate SUV's and Loathe people movers.

Besides, the thing has almost the same road presence as a Hummer

Revolver

Mate, I think the 300C is a cool thing too but the following stops me:

1. Too expensive both in terms of price and running costs (the more I spend on the family car, the less I have to spend on the 8, not to mention the bigger mortgage I took on 3 months ago ).

2. The back seat is pretty pokey considering the size of the car.

3. The handling is a bit soft and floaty (yes, I've had a test-drive ).

4. Have the yanks learnt to make quality cars yet (I doubt it)?

5. I'd want the SRT version too much.

6. A wagon is shedloads easier to throw crap into.

7. The interior looks a bit naff.

NEXT?

mikeyr

Yeah but it has cool factor. Mate in Adelaide just bought one, trying to get him to put some 20inch chromies on it. !!!!

Mazda 6 ain't bad but a little noisy.

Looked at a Nissan X-Trail? Had one in NZ, pretty good value for money, we had the leather pack and with the plastic inserts you can damn near hose it out (that's if we can ever use hoses again!) ....oh and take some Claratyne clear that nasal constapation right up!

azzaboynt

Heh,

Since when has fashion been practical? I could easily go for a 1 yr old falcodore but they are a dime a dozen, things like the torago, forrester, subarus etc either are too bland for my taste or just plain butt ugly.

The thing that sways me towards the 300c is the merc cdi engine and transmission, and the aussie spec is built in the benz factory in germany (i think the american spec ones are built in canada).

Other things to look for may be some of them cars from the land lf frog munchers , or some of those other german brands that imho cost way too much for what they are offering.

Then again there are some mid size offerings from toyota (camery) or mitubishi... again bland.

The 8 for me is the car to chuck about on the twisties and for a whole heap of fun. The "family" car will be the one for comfortable soft crusing and newspaper/milk/bread runs and family transportation.

I think I'll go do some more car hunting on the weekend.

Revolver

Yes, I've looked at the X-Trail. Some friends have one. The performance and fuel economy is actually quite similar to the 6 wagon, but the steering and handling of the X-Trail is nowhere near as good. I also think they look butt ugly (just not a fan of the 4WD look at all).

Gomez

Revolver

Yes, but I don't need fashion - I need practical. This is just to do the domestic running around and cope with the odd holiday trip.

I want to downsize from a large 6 like the Falcodore/380 to save on running costs. I can't buy a Tarago because MPV's run a close second to 4WD's on my allergy list.

The Forester is not bad but the cargo space is pretty crap compared to the Liberty (i.e. taller but shorter).

None of the Frog cars do much for me (either over-priced or too small) and the general French car reputation for **** poor quality still haunts me (my Dad owned a Pug that was nothing but trouble). Besides, Gomez is already not sharing secrets with me - imagine how bad it'd get if I bought one!!

The Germans are all too dear, otherwise I'd buy a Merc wagon in a heartbeat. For instance, the Passat wagon costs $10K more than the 6 and I can't see the extra value.

A Camry 4 potter is good value but I think it'd struggle when loaded up and, well...it's a Camry. Don't think I own enough cardigans to qualify.

Gomez

ohferchristsake!!

I'm after a Series 3 RX-7. A real nice one. As timbo seems to have found out, there aren't many left. Seems like every snotty-nosed 18yo in Burnoutsville have bought one at some stage to further the share prices of Messrs Goodyear, Dunlop and Bridgestone.

If I can find that pristine one/two owner five speed, in red or white, at ANY price......I'll snap it up and (probably) put a 13B turbo in it. The local guru thinks I'll be happier with a turbo than I will be with a Renesis powered 7 (my original plan). 250kw is easy to get, reliable, and around the same price, apparently.

Hook me up!!

Revolver

It's marvellous what indirect cross-examination can reveal.

Thanks, I'm happy now.

Good luck with the search and keep us posted.

Gomez

Hahahaha....you bastard!!

Rotor Convert

I saw a review of this film and it looked really good..thanks Hymee for reminding me about it will have to hunt it down..it's probably on video over here! We are so staid. cept me of course!

Rotor Convert

Seriously get on the SA rotor website..there were a 120 rotors at a recent meeting..the kids that own these cars must run out of money sometime...

mikeyr

Mez, What are they worth. Couple in NZ "Trademe" for about NZ5k. Add shipping NZ$2400 plus tax about $1500(very roughly)? Thats....getting socks off.....thats under $8k

Pretty sure the early 7's are on the OK to import list as collectables.

Gomez

Man, it's hard enough to find a nice one here, where heaps were sold. How bloody hard would it be to find a nice one on the Shaky Isles?

Gomez

Registered.... . Keep an eye out for me Julia!

Gomez

Oh ****.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...322&key=238697








72000k's, $10000 Shakey Isle dollars.

Bugger.

mikeyr

Mez, there are freakin hundreds of rotor in NZ. No import restrictions remember. There were at least 10 at our small car club, and in as good nick. Also shedloads of nicley turboed.

I had a 1!! Rr drum brakes!!! No turbo but!
Edit - When i was a lad here. not in NZ.

Revolver

Always more than one way to skin the cat.

xxup

Oh dear... At least the name wasn't mentioned...

xxup

Why... That's cheap (only 8,259.82 real dollars) and it looks in good nick.. It's not like you need the engine to be perfect AND you can always talk the price down.. How hard is it to bring a car in from over there anyway?? Mike built his NZ RX-8 from parts that he dragged through Australian customs...

Gomez

Series 3 (1984, '85), four wheel discs, bigger brakes than Series 2. Bigger 14" alloy wheels to accomodate said brakes too.

mikeyr

Hardest bit was the bloody carbon fibre ... ya know that long one that spins the wheels....it's not like I'm a bro or anything!!