The classic/fave car thread

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Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #60 – January 10, 2023, 10:07:15 am

I wouldn't want to be in the market to buy a car right now.

I have no idea what the right way to go is, as traditional car evolution has gone flying out the window. Once upon a time, the flagship V6 vehicles were easy enough to just go get and you would be fine. Now if you want a sedan or a saloon car, you are stuck with something small, or something expensive (sometimes both) and not much in between.

The SUV revolution, is annoying to me. My ford mondeo hatch is capable of moving more items and larger items than my wife's Nissan X trail.

The ride height is the only real variance in the vehicles, and what you gain in height for boot storage, you lose in length.

I genuinely would have no idea what to go out and buy if I needed a car, as I don't rate a lot of what's on market. Probably a KIA or Mazda represents best bang for buck at the moment.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #61 – January 10, 2023, 11:15:47 am

Quote from: Thryleon – on January 10, 2023, 10:07:15 am

I genuinely would have no idea what to go out and buy if I needed a car, as I don't rate a lot of what's on market.

Tend to agree, it's like the industry is in a holding pattern not knowing which way it wants to go, or perhaps which way the politicians are going to go!

For me the demise of the supercars is a bit sad, Ferrari, Audi, Maserati, Lamborghini, etc., etc., are going the way of the dinosaur, legislated into oblivion. Stupidity, because they are probably 0.1% or less of the vehicles on the road and make stuff all difference to emissions or climate change, the market has forgotten that it was those cars at the very bleeding edge that delivered a lot of advancements that make the wholesale stuff safer, more efficient, better to drive, it's not just about engines. The same sort of evolution is not going to come from generic mass produced rubbish, whether it's EV or not, because the economic driver of a Tesla build is cost reduction, not performance, reliability or capability.

Finally, on the EV front, there is an alarming trend across the industry, the quality of the batteries is not improving it's diminishing, the good materials are a very finite resource and the industry is already switching to cheaper less than perfect solutions. They are "managing" this through smart software, but basically it's smart sensors and software making up for B-Grade product. In the end it seems pretty obvious it's going to be end users who foot the bill for this, a bad line of code could be disastrous!

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #62 – January 10, 2023, 11:56:42 am

I'm surprised to see Toyota doing so well considering the wait on some of the Hilux and Prado's have been 12 months+!
Maybe some rejigging of numbers there as previous deposits shifting towards newer cars despite not getting the original one requested? This is what has happened to a mate of mine.

Got a next-gen ranger towards the end of last year and its no surprise its leading the game. With all its fancy tech, its 1 step away from being completely self driving. With its lane departure corrections, and its vehicle speed monitoring (including coming to a complete stop - not turning off at 40kmh) You just point it in the right direction and relax. Keeping a finger tip on the wheel so it feels some feedback. It can parallel park itself already. It just works.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #63 – January 10, 2023, 12:22:14 pm

Quote from: kruddler – on January 10, 2023, 11:56:42 am

I'm surprised to see Toyota doing so well considering the wait on some of the Hilux and Prado's have been 12 months+!

I would have assumed the winner for Toyota is the Corolla Hybrid's they are all over the place like a plague of mosquitos.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #64 – January 10, 2023, 12:42:33 pm

Quote from: LP – on January 10, 2023, 12:22:14 pm

I would have assumed the winner for Toyota is the Corolla Hybrid's they are all over the place like a plague of mosquitos.

Hilux is now back on top of the Ranger as the top selling vehicle and the RAV4 is a big winner for Toyota, then after that it's the Corolla.
Agree with Thry, tough time to buy a new car especially with inflated prices, shortages of stock and changing technology. If you have a good older car that has some of the newer safety tech I'd be inclined to keep it for the next couple of years.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #65 – January 10, 2023, 01:25:00 pm

Quote from: Baggers – on January 10, 2023, 08:51:24 am

No need to apologize for the long post, EB1 - terrific read and really appreciate the time you took to put it together.

For someone who is in the market to purchase a new (well, used, low Kms) vehicle very soon, your contribution was really informative... confirming a few makes to steer clear of. We intend to trade the 'his & hers' cars (Volvo S60 3ltr turbo & Volvo V40 2ltr turbo) for one vehicle. Do prefer the AWD vehicles will plenty of zing (0-100 under 7 sec, preferably around 6sec or less).

If you want zing, small and AWD, I strongly recommend the Golf R. Mrs G@C drives a 2019 Mk7.5 one, it has all the bells and whistles and is a absolute weapon in race mode (or a granny's cars in Eco). I would consider the wagon version If I were to update.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #66 – January 10, 2023, 01:31:23 pm

Speaking of Classic cars, if anyone is familiar with the Summernats event in Canberra, you may have heard the Grand Champion this year was awarded to a Porsche 911. Now if you look at all the previous GC's, you will get a flavour for the type of car that normally wins it (ie a "street machine" type vehicle, heavily modified and extremely high standard builds). This years winner is a disgrace as it is not in the spirit of the Summernats, it belongs at something like the Motorclasicca event (ie a concourse car). The judges lost to the plot this year, I am not questioning the build quality and effort that went into it, its just not in the spirit of previous winners.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #67 – January 10, 2023, 03:04:07 pm

Quote from: Gointocarlton – on January 10, 2023, 01:31:23 pm

Speaking of Classic cars, if anyone is familiar with the Summernats event in Canberra, you may have heard the Grand Champion this year was awarded to a Porsche 911.

I understand the sentiment, but it's not like it's showroom spec.

Tubs, twin carby, custom headrers, etc., etc., credit where credit is due, and it's a lot of work here to keeping the car looking like a showroom model while it is nothing of the sort!

I've a mate who did something very similar with a 911E back in the 90s, except it was all done in stainless.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #68 – January 10, 2023, 03:11:45 pm

The Volkswagen Group was one car maker I didnt mention...... Volkswagen (down 24.1 per cent), Audi (down 7.9 per cent), and Skoda (down 29.2 per cent). In the interests of fair play Volkswagen did have supply issues but I guess that was a handicap for a lot of the car makers. Sales of new cars overall were up in Australia despite supply, CoVid and interest rate problems which probably doesnt paint such a rosy picture for the VW group.
Guess there are two camps with VW, those who love or hate them...As I have said before my Daughter loves her Golf as GTC says very nippy and well fitted out with tech. No problems yet but that seems to be the issue when you do get problems and the service you get if you read the following: https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/volkswagen-dealers.
Obviously depends on the dealer but with falling car sales and a reputation that wasnt enhanced with its 2105/16 dual software emissions fiasco Im not sure I would be buying a VW of any kind. My Daughter however in typical fashion is intending to ignore my advice and wants to get a "Tiguan" such is her love of the brand so she can transport herself to work as well as her two large German Sheps when required.
Landrover was another poor performer dropping -33% to around 4350 sales in 2022.....hard to see these green oval badged money sucking machines surviving but maybe the likes of the Judds in Brighton can update theirs a bit more regularly and keep them in business. Landrover of course is now owned by those makers of fine vehicles the Tata group who also own Jaguar...interesting how England once laid claim to India as a colony but now have their prestige motor cars owned by an Indian company.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #69 – January 10, 2023, 03:21:32 pm

I've always been a Golf fan the R-Series are supreme cars, a lot of the performance end Euro cars stack up well, I even had a toss up between an R-Series Arteon and a 3.0 L 407 (Renault Engine) a few years back, both around 230kW(300bhp). Pity they are both about 2000kg.

But I've got to say, you need a lot of combustion engine to match the torque these new hybrids can deliver. I've driven a few hybrids recently and I'm shocked by the get up and go they have given the low fuel consumption, I can't see any option for the likes of Golf or Renault but to head down that hybrid road.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #70 – January 10, 2023, 03:35:17 pm

Quote from: LP – on January 10, 2023, 03:21:32 pm

I've always been a Golf fan the R-Series are supreme cars, a lot of the performance end Euro cars stack up well, I even had a toss up between an R-Series Arteon and a 3.0 L 407 (Renault Engine) a few years back, both around 230kW(300bhp). Pity they are both about 2000kg.

But I've got to say, you need a lot of combustion engine to match the torque these new hybrids can deliver. I've driven a few hybrids recently and I'm shocked by the get up and go they have given the low fuel consumption, I can't see any option for the likes of Golf or Renault but to head down that hybrid road.

Think you will find that VW HQ are putting their faith in Cupra and a Sporty EV Hatchback might be appearing in Aus sometime this year.
Hopefully Renault dont enter the EV/Hybrid race, we got enough rubbish on the road as is although they did increase their sales numbers this year by around 25%. Being a member of the Ateco group doesnt fill me with a lot of hope either...

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #71 – January 10, 2023, 03:43:07 pm

Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on January 10, 2023, 03:35:17 pm

Think you will find that VW HQ are putting their faith in Cupra and a Sporty EV Hatchback might be appearing in Aus sometime this year.
Hopefully Renault dont enter the EV/Hybrid race, we got enough rubbish on the road as is although they did increase their sales numbers this year by around 25%. Being a member of the Ateco group doesnt fill me with a lot of hope either...

I've got say the Renault powered 407 was sweet to drive, ignoring the kerb mass, that mass made it a great highway car but not built for Aussie conditions, to a Euro our roads are more like a ripple test! Still I can't fault the 3.0 Renault engine, until the rear main failed it went like a train! Almost, .... almost made me think FWD might not be that bad! We primarily purchase it due to the boot space and interior comfort, ferrying potential customers back and forth from the airport.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #72 – January 10, 2023, 03:43:54 pm

Quote from: kruddler – on January 10, 2023, 11:56:42 am

I'm surprised to see Toyota doing so well considering the wait on some of the Hilux and Prado's have been 12 months+!
Maybe some rejigging of numbers there as previous deposits shifting towards newer cars despite not getting the original one requested? This is what has happened to a mate of mine.

Got a next-gen ranger towards the end of last year and its no surprise its leading the game. With all its fancy tech, its 1 step away from being completely self driving. With its lane departure corrections, and its vehicle speed monitoring (including coming to a complete stop - not turning off at 40kmh) You just point it in the right direction and relax. Keeping a finger tip on the wheel so it feels some feedback. It can parallel park itself already. It just works.

It's closer to two years for a 70 series Toyota. Some folk are putting them on the market just before the delivery date and making a tidy profit.

I reckon I could sell mine for at least what I paid for it five years ago.

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #73 – January 10, 2023, 03:49:22 pm

Quote from: Gointocarlton – on January 10, 2023, 01:25:00 pm

If you want zing, small and AWD, I strongly recommend the Golf R. Mrs G@C drives a 2019 Mk7.5 one, it has all the bells and whistles and is a absolute weapon in race mode (or a granny's cars in Eco). I would consider the wagon version If I were to update.

Thank you, GTC old son. We compiled a short-list a little while ago... and there was the R in the top 3!

And valuable comments, EB1, fortunately we have a terrific mechanic well versed in Euro cars with all the appropriate diagnostic equipment... he recommended the Golfs!

Re: The classic/fave car thread

Reply #74 – January 10, 2023, 03:52:02 pm

Quote from: DJC – on January 10, 2023, 03:43:54 pm

It's closer to two years for a 70 series Toyota. Some folk are putting them on the market just before the delivery date and making a tidy profit.

My mate took delivery last year, a brand new GXL Twin Cab, the price had risen about $8K between him placing the order and taking delivery so he seriously considered doing what you mentioned, but in the end he couldn't wait another 2 years as he had a new off-road van to pull!