Another what car thread ….
Discussion
After many years of consideration, we as a family (including 2 children) are moving to Adelaide in November.
We have visited Adelaide many times to visit my wife’s family so very familiar with Adelaide.
During these visits, I have found some great driving roads in the Adelaide hills, etc but also noticed the relatively low speed limits compared to the UK.
Having buttoned down the most important emigration aspects: visas, jobs, location, schools, etc I have now been considering cars :-)
My wife needs an occasional 7 seater therefore looking at a Toyota Kluger or Mazda CX-9.
I will mainly be using my car for occasional commuting (will mostly be working from home or taking the train into the CBD), weekend fun and driving 1 child around (if I take 2 children I could swap cars with the wife).
I am quite keen to have a go at a few hill climbs in Aus.
I have mainly had hot hatches in the UK but did have a brief RWD convertible fling (MK5, MR2) over the years.
My budget is around <= $30k.
Based on the above I currently have the following short list:
• GT86/BRZ – Handling in spot on but will I get bored with the power even on SA roads?
• Golf GTI / R MK6 – the practical choice, reliable in Aus? DSG would be useful in traffic
• MX5 NC – 2 seats could be a pain, had an NB previously and enjoyed even with limited power
• Clio 200 – always liked these but concerned about reliability
• BMW 135i Coupe
• Holden v8 – slightly cliché, would like to experience a v8 ….
Thoughts would be appreciated?
Good luck with the move we have been here 4 years and love it. I had an MX5 and it was plenty fast enough for the twisty hill roads. Two children meant it had to go. I have an E46 M3 and leave most of the holdens on the corners, on the straights it's a different matter. I have driven V8 and they feel heavy but the V8 grunt is awesome. I took a golf GTI for a drive and it was superb and refined. A golf r would be my pick. Just be warned we had 0 points on our licences and we are up to 18 between us.... ironically only ever been flashed in the hills.
rigsey said:
Based on the above I currently have the following short list:
• GT86/BRZ – Handling in spot on but will I get bored with the power even on SA roads?
• Golf GTI / R MK6 – the practical choice, reliable in Aus? DSG would be useful in traffic
• MX5 NC – 2 seats could be a pain, had an NB previously and enjoyed even with limited power
• Clio 200 – always liked these but concerned about reliability
• BMW 135i Coupe
• Holden v8 – slightly cliché, would like to experience a v8 ….
All in my opinion - • GT86/BRZ – Handling in spot on but will I get bored with the power even on SA roads?
• Golf GTI / R MK6 – the practical choice, reliable in Aus? DSG would be useful in traffic
• MX5 NC – 2 seats could be a pain, had an NB previously and enjoyed even with limited power
• Clio 200 – always liked these but concerned about reliability
• BMW 135i Coupe
• Holden v8 – slightly cliché, would like to experience a v8 ….
Toyota - Nice, but interiors are not great and too slow.
VW / Renault - Nope. Don't get on with hatchbacks.
Mazda - Good cars, roof down is a bonus - more of an 'event' at slower speeds.
BMW - Nope. Good cars, but I can't get over the badge.
Holden - A lot of car for the money, good power but being heavy blunts it.
Out of that list, I'd probably end up in a Series 2 VE with a supercharger, or an early VF ..
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden...
How about a 370z? Inbetween the 86 and Commodore in size/speed/cylinders?
twosocks said:
Good luck with the move we have been here 4 years and love it. I had an MX5 and it was plenty fast enough for the twisty hill roads. Two children meant it had to go. I have an E46 M3 and leave most of the holdens on the corners, on the straights it's a different matter. I have driven V8 and they feel heavy but the V8 grunt is awesome. I took a golf GTI for a drive and it was superb and refined. A golf r would be my pick. Just be warned we had 0 points on our licences and we are up to 18 between us.... ironically only ever been flashed in the hills.
Thanks for your reply.M3 is a good, call - do you have the manual or SMG?
Also like the E36 M3, this one caught my eye: https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-M3...
Golf R would tick a lot of boxes including family practicality when needed.
The points aspect is a concern.
Bibbs said:
All in my opinion -
Toyota - Nice, but interiors are not great and too slow.
VW / Renault - Nope. Don't get on with hatchbacks.
Mazda - Good cars, roof down is a bonus - more of an 'event' at slower speeds.
BMW - Nope. Good cars, but I can't get over the badge.
Holden - A lot of car for the money, good power but being heavy blunts it.
Out of that list, I'd probably end up in a Series 2 VE with a supercharger, or an early VF ..
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden...
How about a 370z? Inbetween the 86 and Commodore in size/speed/cylinders?
The Toyota GT86 power concerns me (I think I would get bored quite quickly) however I wonder if the handling would keep my interest.Toyota - Nice, but interiors are not great and too slow.
VW / Renault - Nope. Don't get on with hatchbacks.
Mazda - Good cars, roof down is a bonus - more of an 'event' at slower speeds.
BMW - Nope. Good cars, but I can't get over the badge.
Holden - A lot of car for the money, good power but being heavy blunts it.
Out of that list, I'd probably end up in a Series 2 VE with a supercharger, or an early VF ..
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden...
How about a 370z? Inbetween the 86 and Commodore in size/speed/cylinders?
Had not considered a 370z but certainly makes sense.
Cheers
Hasbeen said:
Stop mucking around, challenge yourself.
Get A Honda S2000,
&
a V8.
Those hills will never know what hit them.
Thanks for your reply.Get A Honda S2000,
&
a V8.
Those hills will never know what hit them.
How common are the S2000's in Aus? decent ones in the UK are becoming quite difficult to find.
Previously had a Civic Type R and certainly enjoyed the VTEC when in the mood
Couple of thoughts on cars mentioned...
VF SS is a very good car - and would be a good family mobile if you thought you could live with just 5 seats.
Mrs PB has been running a 2011 Golf GTI since Nov last year and so farI'm impressed with it. Enough power to be fun often and plenty capable around town and the highway. Also spacious enough for all 5 of us to fit in easily. Comments made at the time of purchase included one that the R might be too capable for fun over here.
As for the CX9, I ran one for 12 months up to Jan this year. More impressive than I thought it would be but needs AWD. Reliable and comfy for loooooooong trips.
Lots of classics over here too if you might be that way inclined - not as much salt on the roads...
VF SS is a very good car - and would be a good family mobile if you thought you could live with just 5 seats.
Mrs PB has been running a 2011 Golf GTI since Nov last year and so farI'm impressed with it. Enough power to be fun often and plenty capable around town and the highway. Also spacious enough for all 5 of us to fit in easily. Comments made at the time of purchase included one that the R might be too capable for fun over here.
As for the CX9, I ran one for 12 months up to Jan this year. More impressive than I thought it would be but needs AWD. Reliable and comfy for loooooooong trips.
Lots of classics over here too if you might be that way inclined - not as much salt on the roads...
PomBstard said:
Couple of thoughts on cars mentioned...
VF SS is a very good car - and would be a good family mobile if you thought you could live with just 5 seats.
Mrs PB has been running a 2011 Golf GTI since Nov last year and so farI'm impressed with it. Enough power to be fun often and plenty capable around town and the highway. Also spacious enough for all 5 of us to fit in easily. Comments made at the time of purchase included one that the R might be too capable for fun over here.
As for the CX9, I ran one for 12 months up to Jan this year. More impressive than I thought it would be but needs AWD. Reliable and comfy for loooooooong trips.
Lots of classics over here too if you might be that way inclined - not as much salt on the roads...
We really need the occasional 7 seater for visiting relatives. VF SS is a very good car - and would be a good family mobile if you thought you could live with just 5 seats.
Mrs PB has been running a 2011 Golf GTI since Nov last year and so farI'm impressed with it. Enough power to be fun often and plenty capable around town and the highway. Also spacious enough for all 5 of us to fit in easily. Comments made at the time of purchase included one that the R might be too capable for fun over here.
As for the CX9, I ran one for 12 months up to Jan this year. More impressive than I thought it would be but needs AWD. Reliable and comfy for loooooooong trips.
Lots of classics over here too if you might be that way inclined - not as much salt on the roads...
I must a admit a Golf GTI or Mk6 R ticks many boxes.
Classics maybe worth considering Cheers
Still a reasonable number of good S2000 around. Many have lead a gentle life, & rust is not a problem in most of Oz.
Still you will be horrified at what you would have to pay fro one here, compared to the UK.
You couldn't give me a European car in Oz today.
My ladies Fiesta was off the road for 6 weeks waiting for warranty replacement parts. First a transmission, & then some front end bits.
Her current Peugeot SUV thing is even worse. It waited 6 weeks for warranty replacement front end bits to come from France, then 8 weeks for a rear sub frame. Although it sounded as if it was going to fall out, it was drivable that time. It is not drivable this time, while waiting for a warranty replacement valve spring to come from France. You would think they would carry a few valve springs for god sake.
Not real big on carrying the necessary spare parts in Oz these Europeans. My brother in law has recently retired from running a large multi franchise dealership in Sydney. At one time he had so many broken Audis, waiting for warranty replacement parts to come from Europe he ran out of under cover parking space, & had to rent some elsewhere, to be able to run his workshop.
Still you will be horrified at what you would have to pay fro one here, compared to the UK.
You couldn't give me a European car in Oz today.
My ladies Fiesta was off the road for 6 weeks waiting for warranty replacement parts. First a transmission, & then some front end bits.
Her current Peugeot SUV thing is even worse. It waited 6 weeks for warranty replacement front end bits to come from France, then 8 weeks for a rear sub frame. Although it sounded as if it was going to fall out, it was drivable that time. It is not drivable this time, while waiting for a warranty replacement valve spring to come from France. You would think they would carry a few valve springs for god sake.
Not real big on carrying the necessary spare parts in Oz these Europeans. My brother in law has recently retired from running a large multi franchise dealership in Sydney. At one time he had so many broken Audis, waiting for warranty replacement parts to come from Europe he ran out of under cover parking space, & had to rent some elsewhere, to be able to run his workshop.
rigsey said:
romeodelta said:
The best bang for your buck has to be VE HSV Clubsport R8 or VF SS if you want newer.
:-)I have this nagging doubt that I need to experience a V8
They are huge fun though. Get yourself a series 2 VF with the LS3 and even stop start driving in traffic can be fun if you leave it in second
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