Speaking with a few of the posters in here on Friday, and I've a question.

If the Falcon does go, what should we (really "I") be looking at instead for a fun weekend car?

Say up to $100k, Idealy we (really "I") would like :-

RWD
Big engine (pref v8 or big blown 6)
Auto (with paddles if possible)
All mod cons (AC, PAS, TC etc.)

GT86 - Nice car, but very small. No road presence when alongside anything else.
370z - Nice car, but a "390" will be out soon. Nismo not coming to AU, the Nismo isn't an Auto.
HSV GTS - Sounds great, big power. Bit too big and heavy so stunted performance. No paddles.
GTR - Used. Doesn't tick a few of the boxes, but so awesome you've got to add it to the list.
C63 AMG - Like the GTR, would be used. But sound great.
C5 Corvette - Great car, but overshadowed by the new & better Corvettes

Vipers - Mainly LHD and manual.
C6 ZR1 - too expensive.
New Mustang - too expensive.
New Camaro - too expensive.

And herein lies the crux of the issue; the 300 interior was slated for being miles behind the class leaders in other markets.

Don't worry about the inside Bibbs, you'll be too busy looking out the side windows, to see where you're going, & putting on the opposite lock to make sure you don't get there, to even notice the inside.

And no need to worry about the little lady either. If you're driving hard enough, she'll have her eyes shut tight, so won't notice either.

Still I know just what you're talking about. I built the TR8, at vast expense, because I couldn't find what I wanted made by a manufacturer.

Then I had to buy the S2000 as a daily driver, because I was putting too many miles on my expensive toy.

Unfortunately this hasn't worked for me. My lady won't shut her eyes, demands I drive slower than my grannies father, & complains about the decor.

Loved mine. Was great when supercharged and tweaked suspension. Felt so slow when I swapped back to NA.

Are you serious?

You think a falcon is a fun car but a 1M not?

Have some of these my friend

In terms of dynamics, it makes no sense to be considering a Commodore, Falcon or even C63, yet scoff at a 4 door M3 or 1M (or even be considering a Falcon/commodore in the first place, really). So one can assume you just personally don't identify with the brand, which is fine.

I agree, with 100k burning a hole in my pocket I wouldn't have a BM either but that's on the grounds of what else can be had for that money against a weekend fun car.

Also, consider that your wants list inherently compromises both luxury and dynamics, at that price point. i.e. you could have all that in a Ferrari or Maser but at 250k, or all that in a HSV/HDT at 90k

Secondhand however....

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-M5-... At least conider it?
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Porsche-...
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Maserati...
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Mu...

Proper engines, all mod cons, done the bulk of their depreciating ('stang could be considered an investment) and if you cant have fun in them, you couldn't find fun in the front of your own jocks.

I've always heard stories of horrific running costs on the Maseratis, hence the epic deprecation they suffer compared to their more typical Italian cousins.

Back to the original topic.

Pay cuts at Holden on the cards.

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/h...

I diddnt know the Falcon was a Holden

I did a nice run over the weekend/on Monday.

Down through the backroads of the Hunter Valley to Wisemans Ferry, then some nice driving around there.

Took a dirt road back, first built in convict times. Saw about 6 cars in 2 hours.

All this 1 hour north of Sydney. It's not that bad.