Daily Dreaming - what are you looking at?
Discussion
motomk said:
A 3 or 4 year old one of these!
Or its poorer friend.
Too much Ronin for me and that nice Audi S8.
With you on the Caprice's Moto, especially the HSV. Having much love for the Aussie Mafia car. If it was in the UK people would be loving them.Or its poorer friend.
Too much Ronin for me and that nice Audi S8.
I must say the latest HSV Senator is somewhat 'mmmm'. All I can say is 'exhausts'.
Bibbs said:
Pommygranite said:
One of the best looking cars ever to come out of Japan, but just fabulous or an overrated financial mess?
Small interior, engine can be fragile, doesn't like short trips (if it doesn't get warm, it floods the engine and wont re-start), quite dated on the toys ..I'd have one in an instant, thrash it, and when the engine goes pop, drop in an LS.
Bibbs said:
Pommygranite said:
Well I'm sold!
They are great to look at, well put together, great handling and getting quite rare now.
When I occasionally see one, they defo get noticed.
You can also do silly things with the 13B. I think they are using some of the better bits out the RX8 in them now to make it more reliable.
WeirdNeville said:
I love the Looks of the RX-7.
The engine swap is one of those things you see many people start, but very few people finish... interesting that. My tame engine swap guru says there are significant technical difficulties in actually getting a V8 to play nicely in them - not due to weight distribution, more due to having to cut out half the floorpan and completely re-loom the car, which stumps most people.
There's one that competes in the Rally Sprint we do. I say compete.... it is usually being worked on frantically rather than actually moving under it's own power. IT sounds utterly demonic as he loads it onto his trailer though.....
Did you say 'group buy'?... The engine swap is one of those things you see many people start, but very few people finish... interesting that. My tame engine swap guru says there are significant technical difficulties in actually getting a V8 to play nicely in them - not due to weight distribution, more due to having to cut out half the floorpan and completely re-loom the car, which stumps most people.
There's one that competes in the Rally Sprint we do. I say compete.... it is usually being worked on frantically rather than actually moving under it's own power. IT sounds utterly demonic as he loads it onto his trailer though.....
Right, which would you buy?
Before you answer 'none' be aware 'none' is not a good answer
I had a 156 a few years ago, put 40k miles on it without issue, loved it so happy to have another.
159 will be an auto JTD, c.2010, 60-70k Kms for about $20-24k.
GT will be a 6 cyl, black or red, 70-100k Kms from about $16-20k
159 nice n sensible. GT just because. Would prefer an auto car but heart is tempted to go manual.
May not happen but just wondering...
Or
Before you answer 'none' be aware 'none' is not a good answer
I had a 156 a few years ago, put 40k miles on it without issue, loved it so happy to have another.
159 will be an auto JTD, c.2010, 60-70k Kms for about $20-24k.
GT will be a 6 cyl, black or red, 70-100k Kms from about $16-20k
159 nice n sensible. GT just because. Would prefer an auto car but heart is tempted to go manual.
May not happen but just wondering...
Or
Thanks chaps.
. I think it's the pic of the GT is perhaps the issue as in the flesh on the multi spokes (18's?) it's lovely - ageing really well.
I prefer the GT exterior but not sure about its 147 interior. There the 159 wins.
I heard the 3.2 isn't great in the 159 - certainly not an Alfa 6 of old - thoughts?
I thought the JTD in Auto would be a nice torquey cruiser.
Jader1973 said:
The 159. It is a prettier, better proportioned car I think.
The GT looks a bit awkward, but maybe that is just in pictures.
The 159 is rather lovely The GT looks a bit awkward, but maybe that is just in pictures.
. I think it's the pic of the GT is perhaps the issue as in the flesh on the multi spokes (18's?) it's lovely - ageing really well. I prefer the GT exterior but not sure about its 147 interior. There the 159 wins.
Colonial said:
159 in ti spec.
One of the best looking sedans. Ever.
But get the 3.2 q4.
Agreed TI spec only - the non TI is pretty dull.One of the best looking sedans. Ever.
But get the 3.2 q4.
I heard the 3.2 isn't great in the 159 - certainly not an Alfa 6 of old - thoughts?
I thought the JTD in Auto would be a nice torquey cruiser.
Jader1973 said:
Today's finds are this:
Dealer, RWC etc, 265k km $7499 drive away.
or this:
Private sale, RWC, 365k km, $7990
Saw one in town a few weeks ago with a childseat in the back - so junior's booster would fit okay.
Blue one has a towbar, so extra practicality
Almost impossible for SWMBO to argue against it
(Apart from the fact I still haven't got rid of the Falcon).
That blue one would be nice on original wheels for sure. Dealer, RWC etc, 265k km $7499 drive away.
or this:
Private sale, RWC, 365k km, $7990
Saw one in town a few weeks ago with a childseat in the back - so junior's booster would fit okay.
Blue one has a towbar, so extra practicality
Almost impossible for SWMBO to argue against it
(Apart from the fact I still haven't got rid of the Falcon).
Agreed Jon - it does look bloody good even what, 6 or 7 years on but it must be in Ti spec to look half decent.
Red or Black - nice...
My local garage had to check with the chief mechanic to make sure they could work on my 1982 280TE - all I wanted was a brake fluid change!
If you think old Mercs are cheap here, have a look at UK prices - 18 year old E classes go for less than AUD 2k over there - here you are lucky to find one under $5k! In the UK you buy one, run it until it breaks, and then scrap it.i heard the 3.2 really wasnt as lovely as the old Alfas - hence the GT appealing. However the 159 does seem like a great car.
Mercs here are very cheap, certainly compared to BMW's of a similar ilk.
Today i have been mostly dreaming about one of these:
2006 Merc E350 Avantgarde 117k kms - get it for approx $26k. Lot of car for the cash.
Red or Black - nice...
Jader1973 said:
Pommygranite said:
I heard the 3.2 isn't great in the 159 - certainly not an Alfa 6 of old - thoughts?
I thought the JTD in Auto would be a nice torquey cruiser.
The 3.2 is actually a GM engine, built in Port Melbourne, and then finished off by Alfa.I thought the JTD in Auto would be a nice torquey cruiser.
WeirdNeville said:
Why are old mercs so 'cheap' out here? I've seen a few at silly prices. Makes me wary. Parts impossible to get or something?
Parts are actually not too hard to find - quite a few suppliers in Australia. However I think they suffer from being "premium" and "European" so become specialist only when it comes to repairs, and they can charge big $$s.My local garage had to check with the chief mechanic to make sure they could work on my 1982 280TE - all I wanted was a brake fluid change!
If you think old Mercs are cheap here, have a look at UK prices - 18 year old E classes go for less than AUD 2k over there - here you are lucky to find one under $5k! In the UK you buy one, run it until it breaks, and then scrap it.
Mercs here are very cheap, certainly compared to BMW's of a similar ilk.
Today i have been mostly dreaming about one of these:
2006 Merc E350 Avantgarde 117k kms - get it for approx $26k. Lot of car for the cash.
Bibbs said:
The good thing of Mercs of that vintage, is they'll not rust here like they do in the UK.
I think water caused a lot of the issues with the electrics too.
Even the stuff from the 90s doesn't feel *that* dated compared to other brands.
Better for Perth too - Merc for an auto, BMW for a manual.
Agree 100%. Perth seems the place to waft - manual, hard riding, fast machines just seem kind of pointless or maybe just getting old. I fear that the only way is Auto with lots of toys.I think water caused a lot of the issues with the electrics too.
Even the stuff from the 90s doesn't feel *that* dated compared to other brands.
Better for Perth too - Merc for an auto, BMW for a manual.
ariddell said:
Big Mercs seem to be a weird mix here, some going for absolutely nothing, others the sellers asking big premium $ for cars that don't look all that great... When looking at w126s very similar cars were listed at $1k and $9k with little to tell why the higher one hoped to get it...
Picked up this for $500 for our Sh*tbox Rally entry this year:
Thats sensational! I just love the quality, creases included wrap and the Hercules tyres!Picked up this for $500 for our Sh*tbox Rally entry this year:
This probably isnt going to help with self control but 2 guys at work have just bought cars:
1. $45k new gen Kluger. $0 down, borrowed the $45k with a 40% balloon at 6.0%, just under $600 a month and due to business use, the offsets and depreciation it'll probably work out at something like $350 a month. Thats cheap.
2. $10k 2007 Alfa 159 - $0 down, borrowed the $10k with a 30% balloon (which he was laughing about)at 6.74% for about $160 a month.
Very cheap rates out there at the moment.
1. $45k new gen Kluger. $0 down, borrowed the $45k with a 40% balloon at 6.0%, just under $600 a month and due to business use, the offsets and depreciation it'll probably work out at something like $350 a month. Thats cheap.
2. $10k 2007 Alfa 159 - $0 down, borrowed the $10k with a 30% balloon (which he was laughing about)at 6.74% for about $160 a month.
Very cheap rates out there at the moment.
Hitch78 said:
How is $26k for an 8 year old mid spec Merc a good deal?
- its quick-ish (0-100 in sub 7)-its well specced
-its got a great engine
-its got a great gearbox
-it still looks modern
-its well built
What other 8yr old car that was $130k new can be had for mid-$20's?An 8yr old SS V8 is what, $16k. An 8yr old XR6 is $14k.An 8yr old Passat R32 is $23k. Mercs pretty decent to me.
ariddell said:
I'd rather have an x350 aluminium Jag XJ8 at that sort of money instead.
I bought one before Christmas (2005 3.5 v8) and it's a fantastic piece of kit, absolute pleasure to drive and reliability well and truly sorted by that point after the issues with engines and gearboxes in the x308 series. Quite quick when you bury the foot too, but normally very quiet and whafty.
<scuttles off to have a look...ooh thats nice...scuttles back> lovely and can understand why.I bought one before Christmas (2005 3.5 v8) and it's a fantastic piece of kit, absolute pleasure to drive and reliability well and truly sorted by that point after the issues with engines and gearboxes in the x308 series. Quite quick when you bury the foot too, but normally very quiet and whafty.
Is yours a keeper?
I must admit an XJ is perhaps a bit bigger than I would go for and also most at the mid $20k's are 04 or older and higher K's. Choice is quite limited also.
However stellar choice and in true PH fashion now i'll have to start every sentence in 'you sir' when responding to your posts...
Ten Four said:
Oof, you win.
How much to get one imported from Japan? Is it possible?
WeirdNeville said:
There is a TRD Supercharger kit for that engine which is where the fun starts.
I too want an NSX, so bad.
Would have been depreciation free motoring - or a large profit if I'd bought it over from the UK!
Now a supercharged one sounds like a lot of fun. So true Jon, you could could run one without any loss hey.I too want an NSX, so bad.
Would have been depreciation free motoring - or a large profit if I'd bought it over from the UK!
Now, I've never though much of them but recently the pang to get something manual, enjoyable, grunty and usable as a daily has led me to this (Track version with Brembos and post 07 with 313bhp):
Reckon $25k would get one sorted.
Gonna be another year or so as picking this up for the missus on Saturday...
Seems a bigger car for the sprog and pram is more important
ariddell said:
These are starting to look quite temptingly good value..
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Jaguar-X...
Thats lovely. What are they like to drive?http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Jaguar-X...
Today this:
Dont mind the colour but on those wheels with a Q2 diff, Ragazzon exhaust for what, $15-17k all up - lovely.
Still dreaming of a nice daily with a manual box and something exciting but its not easy here...
Colonial said:
Phenomenal value. Dont say that much in Oz but compared to an E46/E90 of a similar age thats just fabulous.Much want.
I'm sorry for this but I can't help it - yes it's bogan, yes it's not prestige but fark me if its not damn good looking, desirable, near 500bhp with a little tinkering and oh for the GTR-esque tailpipes.
I'm not a trueblue so I don't see over priced, heavily depreciating trash but 'oh my god, old school RWD power'.
This in this spec (less the towbar) - perfect.
I'm not a trueblue so I don't see over priced, heavily depreciating trash but 'oh my god, old school RWD power'.
This in this spec (less the towbar) - perfect.
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