Australia has killed my desire for fast cars
Discussion
I'm a committed petrolhead.
I've made sacrifices to get decent cars and probably spent and lost much more than I should on them.
But today I opened my mailbox (soggy) and see I've got a 4 point, $495 fine
In my entire 7 years in the UK driving swiftly (but safely) in a variety of exotic machines I never once received a fine.
But back here in Sydney over the last 3 years I've had countless, been in court once and enforced driver training. None of them has been anywhere as remotely dangerous as driving an LA freeway, driving in Paris, Eastern Europe, UK or Asia at legal speeds.
The new fine was issued at 4.53am on a three lane road speed limited to 60kph. I can assure you that no other place on the world would this particular road be limited and enforced at such a low speed. Anyhow I digress.
Point is I was seriously considering a the new Lotus Exige but I find myself asking, in Australia, why bother???
So sod it, I brought a diesel land rover instead...
(But it's the 4.4 v8 turbo diesel...boy it goes
)
I've made sacrifices to get decent cars and probably spent and lost much more than I should on them.
But today I opened my mailbox (soggy) and see I've got a 4 point, $495 fine
In my entire 7 years in the UK driving swiftly (but safely) in a variety of exotic machines I never once received a fine.
But back here in Sydney over the last 3 years I've had countless, been in court once and enforced driver training. None of them has been anywhere as remotely dangerous as driving an LA freeway, driving in Paris, Eastern Europe, UK or Asia at legal speeds.
The new fine was issued at 4.53am on a three lane road speed limited to 60kph. I can assure you that no other place on the world would this particular road be limited and enforced at such a low speed. Anyhow I digress.
Point is I was seriously considering a the new Lotus Exige but I find myself asking, in Australia, why bother???
So sod it, I brought a diesel land rover instead...
(But it's the 4.4 v8 turbo diesel...boy it goes
)Edited by robm3 on Monday 17th March 23:55
I completely understand, hence why ended up buying a 4x4...it's not just the speeding fines, but the general police attitude if you in something sporty. I have my motorbike too although I don't need to speed to enjoy that.
It has however made my considering moving back overseas....motoring is my hobby, and in Australia it seems I can't enjoy it.
It has however made my considering moving back overseas....motoring is my hobby, and in Australia it seems I can't enjoy it.
New Zealand could also be added to this.
I think I've been stopped five times for speeding in NZ in 10 years, things like 112 in a 100 zone. For various reasons 3 of these were dropped the day before the court hearing - so no licence problems.
The inane fixation with speed results in pretty low driving standards, in both Oz and NZ
I think I've been stopped five times for speeding in NZ in 10 years, things like 112 in a 100 zone. For various reasons 3 of these were dropped the day before the court hearing - so no licence problems.
The inane fixation with speed results in pretty low driving standards, in both Oz and NZ
Same here Rob.
I took myself out of the game and removed temptation by getting a 4x4. Best move I ever made for living here. Now I get my kicks at <40kmh and off road.
Same for sports bikes. Left mine in uk and got a trail bike here.
I can't be bothered fighting a system so hell-bent and with such a narrow focus.
It's part of the parochial experience.
I took myself out of the game and removed temptation by getting a 4x4. Best move I ever made for living here. Now I get my kicks at <40kmh and off road.
Same for sports bikes. Left mine in uk and got a trail bike here.
I can't be bothered fighting a system so hell-bent and with such a narrow focus.
It's part of the parochial experience.
I know where you're coming from with this. In 15 years of belting around Europe, doing up to 35,000 miles a year, I never once got so much as a warning for speeding, yet I picked up two fines in the first 4 years here. The 70 in a 60 zone I can't grumble about, but the 125 on an utterly empty freeway at 0700 on a Sunday was a bit too much.
But, it hasn't dented my need for a nice fast car - and if anything a Lotus would fit the bill perfectly. The thrills now come from deserted roads in the middle of nowhere (or somewhere close by) on a wet Wednesday night, enjoying the corners more than the straights. Rather than get out of bed early, I wait until the family is in bed. The MX5 was perfect for this, the Liberty rather less so, but it still allows me to have a bit of fun. I also do mountain biking to get the full, going-too-fast-along-a-trail-that's-too-narrow-twisty-and-bumpy kind of adrenaline buzz, which I think helps.
I make sure that on any road that looks like it could have a camera - multiple lanes, urban setting, long straight, change of posted limit, any combination thereof - I take it easy. I've even driven Syd-Mel-Syd taking in a double demerits Easter Weekend, when the feckers are hiding in the central reservation of the motorway (would love to see the risk assessment on that one!) and not picked up any points.
Don't let the b
ds grind you down.
But, it hasn't dented my need for a nice fast car - and if anything a Lotus would fit the bill perfectly. The thrills now come from deserted roads in the middle of nowhere (or somewhere close by) on a wet Wednesday night, enjoying the corners more than the straights. Rather than get out of bed early, I wait until the family is in bed. The MX5 was perfect for this, the Liberty rather less so, but it still allows me to have a bit of fun. I also do mountain biking to get the full, going-too-fast-along-a-trail-that's-too-narrow-twisty-and-bumpy kind of adrenaline buzz, which I think helps.
I make sure that on any road that looks like it could have a camera - multiple lanes, urban setting, long straight, change of posted limit, any combination thereof - I take it easy. I've even driven Syd-Mel-Syd taking in a double demerits Easter Weekend, when the feckers are hiding in the central reservation of the motorway (would love to see the risk assessment on that one!) and not picked up any points.
Don't let the b
ds grind you down.Not sure how many of you have been back to the UK recently but its getting harder and harder to find camera/police free safe roads. Even all the 60mph roads have been reduced to 50mph ones a few years ago, and it will only get worse.
Europe is also getting tougher on "hoons" although the UK has opted out of a system of getting UK points/bans enforced while in the rest of Europe. Still more chances of fun there than here though.
I too have racked up more demerits and bans here in 6 years than I did in 12 years back home. Getting caught (by a Pom copper) in the middle of the night doing 90mph on a deserted road and being felt like I had murdered someone made me realise its not a place for a fast toy (well not for me).
I am hedging my luck this year in California and Nevada instead. Can't be worse surely?
Europe is also getting tougher on "hoons" although the UK has opted out of a system of getting UK points/bans enforced while in the rest of Europe. Still more chances of fun there than here though.
I too have racked up more demerits and bans here in 6 years than I did in 12 years back home. Getting caught (by a Pom copper) in the middle of the night doing 90mph on a deserted road and being felt like I had murdered someone made me realise its not a place for a fast toy (well not for me).
I am hedging my luck this year in California and Nevada instead. Can't be worse surely?
Having been on holiday here a few times I knew what I was coming to so before we moved for good I bought an evo and had a good play in it in Scotland!
All I'm really bothered about when I'm shopping for my car now is cruise control.
Plus all the cars here apart from the expensive V8s are boring as in my opinion.
Maybe if the roads weren't so straight and boring folk would stop crashing into houses, wtf is up with that??
All I'm really bothered about when I'm shopping for my car now is cruise control.
Plus all the cars here apart from the expensive V8s are boring as in my opinion.
Maybe if the roads weren't so straight and boring folk would stop crashing into houses, wtf is up with that??
the aus /nz obsession with spspeed enforcement is two pronged is it not ?
'hooning' as ASB - much as 'croozin' is ASB in the UK but they normally spank these muppets for insurance especially as a 1.1. saxo with three toones of filler and a sound system fit for a small discotheque struggles to reach the speed limit
the morbidity and mortality of young kids in the rural areas let loose with old falcons and commodores.
'hooning' as ASB - much as 'croozin' is ASB in the UK but they normally spank these muppets for insurance especially as a 1.1. saxo with three toones of filler and a sound system fit for a small discotheque struggles to reach the speed limit
the morbidity and mortality of young kids in the rural areas let loose with old falcons and commodores.
Edited by mph1977 on Sunday 16th March 15:13
About the only good thing about being old & clapped out is that I had it better in my day, than you lot will ever have it.
I have never been interested in speed, only in speed around corners. Fortunately in the Qld/NSW border ranges there are plenty of roads which are great fun, & will test your driving ability without ever having to exceed the speed limit.
I had quick cars in the 60s, when it was legal to cruise at 100 MPH, but rarely topped 90 MPH. The speed itself did not matter much. The really good thing was, you did not have to think about your speed, worry about your speed, or be booked for your speed, when you weren't consciously speeding. You could just relax, & drive at a speed that suited you & the conditions.
You have my sympathy.
I have never been interested in speed, only in speed around corners. Fortunately in the Qld/NSW border ranges there are plenty of roads which are great fun, & will test your driving ability without ever having to exceed the speed limit.
I had quick cars in the 60s, when it was legal to cruise at 100 MPH, but rarely topped 90 MPH. The speed itself did not matter much. The really good thing was, you did not have to think about your speed, worry about your speed, or be booked for your speed, when you weren't consciously speeding. You could just relax, & drive at a speed that suited you & the conditions.
You have my sympathy.
WeirdNeville said:
I find it sad because in my Mind, Australia has always been car-mad: Mad Max, Bathurst, huge open roads, a Love of V8's, Holden....
And how they've killed off the love of the motor car and the only two companies building them here too. And no-one seems to care (other than the lost jobs and knock on for the economy). I mean, that is HERITAGE gone, and everyone seems to be happy to have sold it for a fake promise of zero death toll roads.
It's clueless, immature and knee jerk politics wot has done it.And how they've killed off the love of the motor car and the only two companies building them here too. And no-one seems to care (other than the lost jobs and knock on for the economy). I mean, that is HERITAGE gone, and everyone seems to be happy to have sold it for a fake promise of zero death toll roads.
I remember when the Police made the call in WA to stop using V8 traffic cars and only use V6s, because too many of the V8s got crashed. Well yes, when all the traffic cars are V8s, more of them will be damaged in the course of duty.
I've had every type of speed related scrape with the law in WA. Some warranted, some not though outside the law nonetheless. The blind belief in the cause by some quarters of the force defies rational explanation. Rest assured though there're are still plenty of humans on the WA force. Just hope you get one of them.
Reardy Mister said:
It's clueless, immature and knee jerk politics wot has done it.
I remember when the Police made the call in WA to stop using V8 traffic cars and only use V6s, because too many of the V8s got crashed. Well yes, when all the traffic cars are V8s, more of them will be damaged in the course of duty.
I've had every type of speed related scrape with the law in WA. Some warranted, some not though outside the law nonetheless. The blind belief in the cause by some quarters of the force defies rational explanation. Rest assured though there're are still plenty of humans on the WA force. Just hope you get one of them.
I have to say that I was let off in WA on my way to Marg River by the plod (in a FPV Falcon). He was a nice guy and said he could see me indicating and using the lanes correctly, but I was obviously the fastest thing on the road and I should be more careful. I was still doing less than 85mph though I remember when the Police made the call in WA to stop using V8 traffic cars and only use V6s, because too many of the V8s got crashed. Well yes, when all the traffic cars are V8s, more of them will be damaged in the course of duty.
I've had every type of speed related scrape with the law in WA. Some warranted, some not though outside the law nonetheless. The blind belief in the cause by some quarters of the force defies rational explanation. Rest assured though there're are still plenty of humans on the WA force. Just hope you get one of them.
Colonial said:
French hot hatches , MX5s and the like seem to be the only way of having any fun any more.
I really hope not. I'd rather walk.I know the Renaults are supposed to be great and all that, but all this hatchback stuff leaves me cold.
I'm not a young girl going to Uni, or a 17 year old lad with my hat on backwards (any more).
Bibbs said:
I really hope not. I'd rather walk.
I know the Renaults are supposed to be great and all that, but all this hatchback stuff leaves me cold.
I'm not a young girl going to Uni, or a 17 year old lad with my hat on backwards (any more).
Replace with BRZ or 86 or whatever. I know the Renaults are supposed to be great and all that, but all this hatchback stuff leaves me cold.
I'm not a young girl going to Uni, or a 17 year old lad with my hat on backwards (any more).
Slower, but you can actually have fun and keep some points on the licence.
Edit. Or something classic.
I think it's illegal to enjoy driving here. I too had never received a fine or been stopped by the Police in 10 years of driving in the UK and I drove quite enthusiastically. In 10 months of living in WA I got a speeding fine on the second day I owned a car (I didn't realise how small the allowance was), I have been stopped by the Police for no reason and breathalysed on my way to work on a wednesday morning. I can't believe how controlled life feels here. I now have a motorbike, it's main advantage is the lack of front licence plate!
Crosswise said:
I think it's illegal to enjoy driving here. I too had never received a fine or been stopped by the Police in 10 years of driving in the UK and I drove quite enthusiastically. In 10 months of living in WA I got a speeding fine on the second day I owned a car (I didn't realise how small the allowance was), I have been stopped by the Police for no reason and breathalysed on my way to work on a wednesday morning. I can't believe how controlled life feels here. I now have a motorbike, it's main advantage is the lack of front licence plate!
The cameras can get you from the rear now. Personally I fully support the model of Random Breath Testing and booze buses here. That there is a need for booze buses on a weekday morning is concerning enough but when you see half a dozen cars have been pulled off the road because the drivers were hangover drunk I think they are doing a good thing. f
k drunk drivers.RBTs are a good thing. Drink driving here is a real problem.
On the rest though I went on a run down through the national park towards Woolongong on the Grand Pacific Drive. Holy cow why haven't I done that before! Great road, no cops, awesome scenery, just south of Sydney, nice national park and plenty of places to stop or continue down the coast!
I saw several processions of classics, a smattering of exotica and lots of bikes. an early morning run would be perfect down here. Very happy I have found it ...finally!
On the rest though I went on a run down through the national park towards Woolongong on the Grand Pacific Drive. Holy cow why haven't I done that before! Great road, no cops, awesome scenery, just south of Sydney, nice national park and plenty of places to stop or continue down the coast!
I saw several processions of classics, a smattering of exotica and lots of bikes. an early morning run would be perfect down here. Very happy I have found it ...finally!
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