What car for three children?

[motomk]

Pommy said:

Not to be 'that bloke' but that 130k brand new cars and all the colour variants thereof. If you stick 1km in the odometer search bar it goes down a fair bit

Yes, they only started doing that in the past few years. Inflating the figures with cars that don't actually exist but you could order from the manufacturer. There should only be one of those ads which directs you to the manufacturers website. It is like the Jaguar listings in the back of wheels, there were multiple variants of the same thing.

[Hasbeen]

At one stage, when my lady broke her car I loaned her the 1,5 ton Daihatsu crew cab ute/light truck i had fitted out for towing the kids horse float, & all that gear needed to equestrian events.

I had fitted a canopy, softened the ride had installed a gas stove & small fridge, to carry lunches & make coffee when required. It was even tough enough to shrug off encounters with the local wild life when it jumped out in front of you.

I never could understand why she did not want it as her permanent shopping trolley.

[200bhp]

My colleague has a late model V8 Calais, supercharged with 500HP

It makes a great noise, spins the wheels everywhere but really cant handle to power. An M5 or AMG would be more fun on a day-to-day basis.

The Calais has lots of toys but IMHO the interior doesn't feel special, despite the toys. Its just a fancy commodore at the end of the day.

[Jader1973]

200bhp said:

My colleague has a late model V8 Calais, supercharged with 500HP

It makes a great noise, spins the wheels everywhere but really cant handle to power. An M5 or AMG would be more fun on a day-to-day basis.

The Calais has lots of toys but IMHO the interior doesn't feel special, despite the toys. Its just a fancy commodore at the end of the day.

I think you’re missing the point.

A V8 Commodore or Calais is almost as quick to 100 as an AMG E Class or M5, cost way less new, will run on 91 quite happily, and can be serviced anywhere.

You could get an AMG or an M5 for $50k but it would be very second hand, a lot older, and have much higher running costs even if something didn’t break.

A V8 Commodore or Calais is a car for everyone, which is why badge snobs look down on them.

[PomBstard]

I’ve already got one German and recent previous experience tells me that’s enough to have at any one time. I’m also not looking at AMG or M stuff because all that I’ve seen in my budget looks more than a bit secondhand, and I suspect would put the running costs of the 928 into perspective.

Nope, I’m really only looking at some form of big Holden wagon at this time. I almost convinced myself that a 3.6 Outback would be OK but then I remembered the CVT gearbox and the wobbly handling. I also had the chance to check out the rear seat of an Outback and VF next to each other. They’re closer than you might think but the VF is bigger.

In the meantime interest in the Lib is good, hopefully a couple of viewers coming on Sat.

[PomBstard]

OK - have gone full-on Old Man Spec - a Calais V in silver...



...but with at least some fun bits...



2016 VF2 V8 - it’s done 100Kkm but has lived its life on the western fringe of Sydney so I don’t think it’s ever seen a traffic jam, spotless outside and is like new inside. Full Holden service history, but will be off to my local ex-Holden mechanic for a once-over next week. I know it needs a pair of rear tyres (quelle surprise) but hopefully that’s it.

As long as I can afford the fuel, this could be my last car for three children...

Now, anyone want to buy a Liberty GT wagon? Will be genuinely sorry to see that go, as it’s been an outstanding family car, but go it must!

[Jader1973]

PomBstard said:

OK - have gone full-on Old Man Spec - a Calais V in silver...



...but with at least some fun bits...



2016 VF2 V8 - it’s done 100Kkm but has lived its life on the western fringe of Sydney so I don’t think it’s ever seen a traffic jam, spotless outside and is like new inside. Full Holden service history, but will be off to my local ex-Holden mechanic for a once-over next week. I know it needs a pair of rear tyres (quelle surprise) but hopefully that’s it.

As long as I can afford the fuel, this could be my last car for three children...

Now, anyone want to buy a Liberty GT wagon? Will be genuinely sorry to see that go, as it’s been an outstanding family car, but go it must!

Very nice. Just as capable but a lot less “look at me” compared to the SSs.

[PomBstard]

Jader1973 said:

Very nice. Just as capable but a lot less “look at me” compared to the SSs.

Thanks - its not the last word in elegance but I think the subtlety kinda suits it better. It is, however, a much heftier beast than the Sube (about 300kg heftier, I think) and I'll take a while to get used to the auto box too

[StefanVXR8]

I’m going to shamelessly recommend one of these! 12 months in and no complaints from me.

Stef

[Pommy]

StefanVXR8 said:

I’m going to shamelessly recommend one of these! 12 months in and no complaints from me.

Stef

Stef, hows the fuel cost on these?

[StefanVXR8]

Pommy said:

Stef, hows the fuel cost on these?

My average is 11.4L/100Km presently, mix of country roads and motorway, little bit of town, on a run I can average around 9L/100Km. I've done about 7K in 12 months and only reset the fuel computer maybe 3 times.

It helps that in normal driving it shuts half the engine down which generally equates to 4L/100Km when in that mode and in general (as with most big V8's) it's a lazy cruiser, 110KM/H is around 1500RPM.

Can't fault it TBH, my old VE auto did 15L/100 and my FJ Cruiser around 13L/100.

You have to use 98 RON though (at a push 95 if you got stuck)

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Monday 30th November 04:32

[PomBstard]

Interesting to know - the trip computer on mine was last reset about 6500km ago and it’s showing an average of 11.2l/100km - can’t see that lasting...

[Pommy]

StefanVXR8 said:

Pommy said:

Stef, hows the fuel cost on these?

My average is 11.4L/100Km presently, mix of country roads and motorway, little bit of town, on a run I can average around 9L/100Km. I've done about 7K in 12 months and only reset the fuel computer maybe 3 times.

It helps that in normal driving it shuts half the engine down which generally equates to 4L/100Km when in that mode and in general (as with most big V8's) it's a lazy cruiser, 110KM/H is around 1500RPM.

Can't fault it TBH, my old VE auto did 15L/100 and my FJ Cruiser around 13L/100.

You have to use 98 RON though (at a push 95 if you got stuck)

Stef

Edited by StefanVXR8 on Monday 30th November 04:32

Thanks, that's interesting. I see these and wince at the fuel usage but after what you said I am wrong. However I figure you're gonna want to boot it a fair bit in which case it's going to be a bit more

[StefanVXR8]

Pommy said:

Thanks, that's interesting. I see these and wince at the fuel usage but after what you said I am wrong. However I figure you're gonna want to boot it a fair bit in which case it's going to be a bit more

Ah, for sure, however, with the anal policing you can't really do that for extended periods so overall they are pretty economic given what they are, a large wafty barge that has the ability to take off like a scalded cat when needed!

I'll wager the NSW HWP versions don't see that kind of economy!

https://youtu.be/efXaYeYSg-w

Now, who needs sirens with an exhaust note like that...

Stef

[PomBstard]

PomBstard said:

Jader1973 said:

Very nice. Just as capable but a lot less “look at me” compared to the SSs.

Thanks - its not the last word in elegance but I think the subtlety kinda suits it better. It is, however, a much heftier beast than the Sube (about 300kg heftier, I think) and I'll take a while to get used to the auto box too

Well, this is proving to be fun and expensive at the same time. The bland exterior, without the sporty SS front, makes it good fun to surprise others at the lights (comments about how childish this might be will fall on deaf ears. Or is that blind eyes?) But the downside of childish fun is the fuel use - lets just call it lots And the young bloke keeps listening out for the exhaust pops...

In other news, my tame Holden mechanic found that a new radiator would be good (crack around the breather), and the top strut mounts were less than ideal, but otherwise reckons it’s as good as it looks. Which is noice.

[Jader1973]

PomBstard said:

Well, this is proving to be fun and expensive at the same time. The bland exterior, without the sporty SS front, makes it good fun to surprise others at the lights (comments about how childish this might be will fall on deaf ears. Or is that blind eyes?) But the downside of childish fun is the fuel use - lets just call it lots And the young bloke keeps listening out for the exhaust pops...

I used to love getting stuck in traffic on the way to work on Citylink: knock it on to manual mode, hold it in second, let a gap open up, boot it, and lift off. The exhaust would go mental! Made me grin like a child

Best day was when there was a Lamborghini behind me and he did the same thing

They are brilliant cars.

[RShole]

Just by a chest freezer, put a skateboard wheel on each corner and away you go. That's what everyone else seems to do.