Longtime ph'er now Oz newbie - what shed?
Discussion
Morning all - having taken the plunge arrived on a one way ticket Saturday, starting work Monday I am now looking for a set of fairly disposable Oz wheels to assist with house move/run errands/explore a bit. Looking at total bottom end of the market and it's all pretty foreign to me, if anyone has any thoughts on the below it'd be appreciated?
- Late 90s Falcons ok? Specifically Fairmonts? What's a 4.0l v6 like to drive? Just how horrific is a 4 speed auto box? Anything often go wrong with these?
- Or is something like a Holden Commodore better/more reliable?
- Oooor Camrys or Magmas?
- Should I be scared of (by UK standards) ridiculous mileages?
- I want something fun (not any of the above obviosly) but can't seem to find anything interesting for less than $5kish. Love the idea of some of the older sporty v8 muscle
.. and I guess old euro stuff (W124s or E32s, likewise french stuff) will be on it's last legs and expensive to fix?
Will be getting something tasty in 6 months or so but this is just about transport for the time being.
Petrol seems pretty cheap, so I guess engine size not too much of a worry. "Rego" seems like a very dark art, all pink slips, different states and funny handshakes. No idea
More a case of saying hi really, if anyone can add any insight along the lines of the above that'd be a bonus as going into this pretty blind! Cautionary tales or tips appreciated
Staying in Surry Hills and so far loving it. Been very lucky with a stunning few days
Cheers!
Mat
- Late 90s Falcons ok? Specifically Fairmonts? What's a 4.0l v6 like to drive? Just how horrific is a 4 speed auto box? Anything often go wrong with these?
- Or is something like a Holden Commodore better/more reliable?
- Oooor Camrys or Magmas?
- Should I be scared of (by UK standards) ridiculous mileages?
- I want something fun (not any of the above obviosly) but can't seem to find anything interesting for less than $5kish. Love the idea of some of the older sporty v8 muscle
.. and I guess old euro stuff (W124s or E32s, likewise french stuff) will be on it's last legs and expensive to fix?Will be getting something tasty in 6 months or so but this is just about transport for the time being.
Petrol seems pretty cheap, so I guess engine size not too much of a worry. "Rego" seems like a very dark art, all pink slips, different states and funny handshakes. No idea
More a case of saying hi really, if anyone can add any insight along the lines of the above that'd be a bonus as going into this pretty blind! Cautionary tales or tips appreciated
Staying in Surry Hills and so far loving it. Been very lucky with a stunning few days
Cheers!
Mat
Welcome!! There are quite a few Oz PHer's so I'm sure there is someone close to you.
Foulcans, Dunnydores, Magnii and Cameras are all going to do exactly what you want. If anything does go wrong you can go in to any Supercheap Auto store to buy parts and pretty much any monkey of a mechanic will know his/her way around it and be able to fix it. The cars are fairly reliable but dont expect to see much of a recent service history.
Falcodores may well have big 6 cylinder engines (inline 6 for the Frauds) but for the age of car you are looking at dont get to excited, they 'aint exactly powerful and will be hampered by the slush boxes that sit behind them in 99.9% of cars and they also weigh as much as the sun but they will provide smooth and easy driving.
Yep your right in that there is not a lot out there thats fun for $5K!
Foulcans, Dunnydores, Magnii and Cameras are all going to do exactly what you want. If anything does go wrong you can go in to any Supercheap Auto store to buy parts and pretty much any monkey of a mechanic will know his/her way around it and be able to fix it. The cars are fairly reliable but dont expect to see much of a recent service history.
Falcodores may well have big 6 cylinder engines (inline 6 for the Frauds) but for the age of car you are looking at dont get to excited, they 'aint exactly powerful and will be hampered by the slush boxes that sit behind them in 99.9% of cars and they also weigh as much as the sun but they will provide smooth and easy driving.
Yep your right in that there is not a lot out there thats fun for $5K!
For $5k my money would be on a Falcon or Magna/Verada wagon to do what you want to do.
Depends what you've been drivng in the UK as to if they feel quick or not, but even the old 1989 EA Falcon wagon we had briefly for transporting the dog to and from the beach had a decent turn of speed for a large barge if you planted it so didn't get frustrating, 3 speed auto and all. Entertaining handling in the wet with the leaf springs on the back too....
I've had a few Falcons over the years and they are pretty bombproof with all the mehanical complexity and finesse of your average abacus, and yeah anywhere can fix them and parts availability is no issue if you plan on doing any traveling etc.
Personally i've never had anything but grief from Commodores so wouldn't have another one.
You'll get a newer/higher spec Magna/Verada for the same cash as they were a really underrated car over here. Much better gearbox and similarily very reliable - only downside is they're front wheel drive which was a negative in the "big Aussie six" market segment. Same deal with the v6 Camrys.
Depends what you've been drivng in the UK as to if they feel quick or not, but even the old 1989 EA Falcon wagon we had briefly for transporting the dog to and from the beach had a decent turn of speed for a large barge if you planted it so didn't get frustrating, 3 speed auto and all. Entertaining handling in the wet with the leaf springs on the back too....
I've had a few Falcons over the years and they are pretty bombproof with all the mehanical complexity and finesse of your average abacus, and yeah anywhere can fix them and parts availability is no issue if you plan on doing any traveling etc.
Personally i've never had anything but grief from Commodores so wouldn't have another one.
You'll get a newer/higher spec Magna/Verada for the same cash as they were a really underrated car over here. Much better gearbox and similarily very reliable - only downside is they're front wheel drive which was a negative in the "big Aussie six" market segment. Same deal with the v6 Camrys.
My vote - Mitsubishi Verada Wagon.
I had one but sold it. Thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... My Mitsubishi Verada for sale - $4500 with pics.
The falcons and commodores under $5k look horribly dated with god awful interiors.
I really liked running the verada and would have nothing else if i was in your position - cheap, lots of kits, good engines with a bit of power, lots of room in the wagon to haul kit around. I also dont think there is much bigger, newer and as well specced for the cash.
I had one but sold it. Thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... My Mitsubishi Verada for sale - $4500 with pics.
The falcons and commodores under $5k look horribly dated with god awful interiors.
I really liked running the verada and would have nothing else if i was in your position - cheap, lots of kits, good engines with a bit of power, lots of room in the wagon to haul kit around. I also dont think there is much bigger, newer and as well specced for the cash.
Mat, welcome to the 'hood - I moved to Surry Hills from Scotland only 3 months ago!
Picked up a 1988 Volvo 240 Estate for $3K - don't worry about the mileages here as the weather and low speeds mean everything is in great condition!
Around the same cash will spring you a 1988 Merc 300E - it will be going strong and not about to fall apart.
Like you, I wanted something interesting, hence the Volvo ;-)
Picked up a 1988 Volvo 240 Estate for $3K - don't worry about the mileages here as the weather and low speeds mean everything is in great condition!
Around the same cash will spring you a 1988 Merc 300E - it will be going strong and not about to fall apart.
Like you, I wanted something interesting, hence the Volvo ;-)
had my Magna(Vienta) from new in 2003 - put 350K on it, dread to think what its worth now, probably under 3K but used to do 80K a year in it - only faults a battery, temp sender, radiator & Window Winder(Blame Son!) and they were this year.
Should change cars but would be pushed to find much that lives to punishment it gets. Will change to something 'interesting' shortly.
Should change cars but would be pushed to find much that lives to punishment it gets. Will change to something 'interesting' shortly.
Hi Mat,
Now I'm at my computer I can give you a better response.
I too landed in Slurry Hills just over 7 years ago. Absolutely loved it. I decided that not only did I want to stay in Australia for good, but I wanted to stay in Slurry Hills for good. Was there for about 3 years before moving.
Cars do seem to last a lot longer over here and high mileages are not necessarily a worry. 4-speed slushboxes in Falcons/Fairmonts are crap, but what I found after not very long living here is you're wasting your time having anything for enthusiastic driving. I got a classic, but that wasn't ideal (no air con - DO NOT CONSIDER ANYTHING WITHOUT AIRCON!)
Rego in NSW I'll try to explain in terms of the UK. Third party property damage is not compulsory amazingly. Obviously you'd have to be a fool not to have it though.
What is compulsory is the 'green slip' which covers third party injury. The costs are in the region of $400/yr depending on the car.
The pink slip is the equivalent of an MOT certificate, just proves roadworthiness.
The blue slip is your document of registration and only becomes active once the above have been finalised. And they do have ANPRs so don't even think of skirting it.
The 300E mentioned above isn't a bad idea. I went to look at one before I got my Vienta (manual btw) - wasn't keen though and I'd just been through so much car crap that my priority was comfy, trouble free, and air conditioned.
Get yourself down to Bar Cleveland/The Trinity/The Cricketers Arms.
Oh, and if you see this:
Don't ignore it. Speed cameras will have progressive warnings indicating their is a camera ahead. Anything else means there isn't a fixed camera. Except the Safety Camera. This is one little crappy sign that means there is a combined red light/speed camera.
And stay safe out there; Aussie driving standards are a f
king disgrace, as are the over-exuberant laws governing what is legal to do to a vehicle borne of knee-jerk legislation and bdised to become a source of state revenue.
Now I'm at my computer I can give you a better response.
I too landed in Slurry Hills just over 7 years ago. Absolutely loved it. I decided that not only did I want to stay in Australia for good, but I wanted to stay in Slurry Hills for good. Was there for about 3 years before moving.
Cars do seem to last a lot longer over here and high mileages are not necessarily a worry. 4-speed slushboxes in Falcons/Fairmonts are crap, but what I found after not very long living here is you're wasting your time having anything for enthusiastic driving. I got a classic, but that wasn't ideal (no air con - DO NOT CONSIDER ANYTHING WITHOUT AIRCON!)
Rego in NSW I'll try to explain in terms of the UK. Third party property damage is not compulsory amazingly. Obviously you'd have to be a fool not to have it though.
What is compulsory is the 'green slip' which covers third party injury. The costs are in the region of $400/yr depending on the car.
The pink slip is the equivalent of an MOT certificate, just proves roadworthiness.
The blue slip is your document of registration and only becomes active once the above have been finalised. And they do have ANPRs so don't even think of skirting it.
The 300E mentioned above isn't a bad idea. I went to look at one before I got my Vienta (manual btw) - wasn't keen though and I'd just been through so much car crap that my priority was comfy, trouble free, and air conditioned.
Get yourself down to Bar Cleveland/The Trinity/The Cricketers Arms.
Oh, and if you see this:
Don't ignore it. Speed cameras will have progressive warnings indicating their is a camera ahead. Anything else means there isn't a fixed camera. Except the Safety Camera. This is one little crappy sign that means there is a combined red light/speed camera.
And stay safe out there; Aussie driving standards are a f
king disgrace, as are the over-exuberant laws governing what is legal to do to a vehicle borne of knee-jerk legislation and bdised to become a source of state revenue.Edited by Google [bot] on Wednesday 12th May 06:34
Wow thanks everyone, really helpful information. Very much appreciated.
So far I love it, supposedly some good surf in Bondi today so will be heading down to take a look.
Car-wise some sort of Magna/Commodore/Falcon or big scruffy 80s eurobox is likely to be finding it's way into my life this weekend. Longer term will be saving up for an early 350z
Any tips on unrestricted parking near Surry Hills? Yahoo answers says some options in redfern back streets?
Only staying here for another fortnight (housesitting for a mate to start with) then finding somewhere of our own, Balmain and Bondi also options Balmain in particular seemed lovely and a 5 min ferry to work
Thanks again and hi
So far I love it, supposedly some good surf in Bondi today so will be heading down to take a look.
Car-wise some sort of Magna/Commodore/Falcon or big scruffy 80s eurobox is likely to be finding it's way into my life this weekend. Longer term will be saving up for an early 350z
Any tips on unrestricted parking near Surry Hills? Yahoo answers says some options in redfern back streets?
Only staying here for another fortnight (housesitting for a mate to start with) then finding somewhere of our own, Balmain and Bondi also options
Balmain in particular seemed lovely and a 5 min ferry to work Thanks again and hi
Yep, another one for the Magna, I bought one from that car dealer calling himself Pommygranite 
, 1992, 250K on the clock, only needed a battery, alternator and radiator after 12 months of ownership. Runs like a dream getting me to the train every morning.
As deviant say's, not much to go wrong, and plenty of spares around. Only downside to Aus, is the cars, oh, and the flys, but I've gone from being a car nut to not really giving a monkeys. Far too many speed traps. Although saying that, Im currently looking at investing in a Lotus Elise for a weekend car. One to take on the might of the heardresser known as Deviant......... Only looking at the mo.!!
, 1992, 250K on the clock, only needed a battery, alternator and radiator after 12 months of ownership. Runs like a dream getting me to the train every morning.As deviant say's, not much to go wrong, and plenty of spares around. Only downside to Aus, is the cars, oh, and the flys, but I've gone from being a car nut to not really giving a monkeys. Far too many speed traps. Although saying that, Im currently looking at investing in a Lotus Elise for a weekend car. One to take on the might of the heardresser known as Deviant......... Only looking at the mo.!!
Quick one - "EL" falcon, '97ish, one owner, 4.0L, all the important bits and under 200k KMs, seems well cared for - good buy at around $2k? I reckon so?
Anything in particular to look out for when viewing, any things usually go wrong? Or if they're simple I guess just check the usual non-marque specific stuff I would in the UK?
Thanks again for all your help
Anything in particular to look out for when viewing, any things usually go wrong? Or if they're simple I guess just check the usual non-marque specific stuff I would in the UK?
Thanks again for all your help The Falcons are strong cars - theres a reason why they get used as taxis everywhere at not commodores. I've been in a few with 800 and 900k km's.
The only issue i have is that in comparison to jap stuff of a similiar era they look very dated. But if its strong and does the job go for it.
The only issue i have is that in comparison to jap stuff of a similiar era they look very dated. But if its strong and does the job go for it.
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