Daily Dreaming - what are you looking at?

[PomBstard]

Colonial said:

Got it.



I'll get some more pics. Had a 15k race this morning so bit pushed for time.

Noice! Had a nose around one of these one the weekend - wouldn't mind one if it was a smidge bigger. Be good to hear how you go.

[PomBstard]

Ticks an awful lot of boxes as a daily for me...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-...



Location's a pain, and probably out of budget, but tempting

[Colonial]

Pommygranite said:

That's nice - congrats. Like the colour and the body kit. Looks good.

First impressions?

Very. Very. Very. Good.

I picked it up in Port Mac at around midday on Saturday and went straight back to Newcastle. About 3 hours behind the wheel. Such a nice car to drive long distances in.

First auto car I've owned because I'm getting lazy, and the dsg is good for an auto. Not as smooth as the 8spd in the 5 series I had in the UK as a rental, but still good.

Very well planted car. Stable as hell and has decent steering feel if a little bit lacking in feedback.

It's a demo (actually the dealer principals car who now has a M2) and had the tech pack (upgraded sound, parking assist, lane assist), the comfort pack (leather electric seats and folding mirrors), black pack with 19 inch wheels (black trim instead of chrome) and electric boot fitted, so all options except for sunroof which I didn't want. The seats are so comfortable.

Probably the best all round car I've owned. Very happy.

[custardtart]

Colonial said:

Very. Very. Very. Good.

I picked it up in Port Mac at around midday on Saturday and went straight back to Newcastle. About 3 hours behind the wheel. Such a nice car to drive long distances in.

First auto car I've owned because I'm getting lazy, and the dsg is good for an auto. Not as smooth as the 8spd in the 5 series I had in the UK as a rental, but still good.

Very well planted car. Stable as hell and has decent steering feel if a little bit lacking in feedback.

It's a demo (actually the dealer principals car who now has a M2) and had the tech pack (upgraded sound, parking assist, lane assist), the comfort pack (leather electric seats and folding mirrors), black pack with 19 inch wheels (black trim instead of chrome) and electric boot fitted, so all options except for sunroof which I didn't want. The seats are so comfortable.

Probably the best all round car I've owned. Very happy.

Very nice! Congrats and give it some stick

[Pommygranite]

Colonial said:

Pommygranite said:

That's nice - congrats. Like the colour and the body kit. Looks good.

First impressions?

Very. Very. Very. Good.

I picked it up in Port Mac at around midday on Saturday and went straight back to Newcastle. About 3 hours behind the wheel. Such a nice car to drive long distances in.

First auto car I've owned because I'm getting lazy, and the dsg is good for an auto. Not as smooth as the 8spd in the 5 series I had in the UK as a rental, but still good.

Very well planted car. Stable as hell and has decent steering feel if a little bit lacking in feedback.

It's a demo (actually the dealer principals car who now has a M2) and had the tech pack (upgraded sound, parking assist, lane assist), the comfort pack (leather electric seats and folding mirrors), black pack with 19 inch wheels (black trim instead of chrome) and electric boot fitted, so all options except for sunroof which I didn't want. The seats are so comfortable.

Probably the best all round car I've owned. Very happy.

Fantastic - great to read

[Greenergrass]

Been looking at older European V8's for a while and ended up picking this up last week - 2008 W164 ML500 with AMG style pack and the 5.5 V8 lump in it.

However it'll be taking a trip back to get the power steering looked at as its crazy heavy at low speed and reversing.

[Pommygranite]

Greenergrass said:

Been looking at older European V8's for a while and ended up picking this up last week - 2008 W164 ML500 with AMG style pack and the 5.5 V8 lump in it.

However it'll be taking a trip back to get the power steering looked at as its crazy heavy at low speed and reversing.

Nice!

What it's like to drive?

Also what are Barbagallo's like to deal with?

[Bibbs]

But would I prefer a Coupe to a Targa.

I like the roof out thing, but the back end doesn't look right compared to a Coupe.

[Google [bot]]

I much prefer the Coupe, but of course you're going to have to pay for one.

That looks great, I'd be very happy with that.

[Bibbs]

Google [bot] said:

I much prefer the Coupe, but of course you're going to have to pay for one.

That looks great, I'd be very happy with that.

I'm 6'4" (ish), so think a Targa would be easier for me with a helmet to get on the race track too. I've a feeling that a Coupe would be a bit of a squeeze.

It'd be a starting point, and something 'special' for weekend use.
The HSV is just too big, too powerful and too heavy to have fun in. It's great, but I've finally got a clean licence after a few too many incidents.

[PomBstard]

I've never driven one, but as an alternative way to spend $20k on an sober-looking everday car, surely worth a nose...

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/BMW-335i...




On a slightly more serious note, I'm tempted to replace Mrs PB's Forester with a more interesting version - and this is just up the road...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-...



I know the S3 XT isn't as good as the previous XT, but it is usefully bigger, and there are more available that haven't been trashed. Hmm, its a case of figuring out how to do it such that I'm asking forgiveness. It worked OK a couple of months ago...

[Greenergrass]

Pommygranite said:

Nice!

What it's like to drive?

Also what are Barbagallo's like to deal with?

It's pretty nice to drive with a train load of power to move it along. Although it's been back at Barbagallo for the last 2 weeks for a new Headlamp, Lights control module, power steering valve and pump.

Barbagallo have been pretty good to deal with. Wasnt initially impressed with the finance guy but he eventually came through with a competitive quote after some pushing (14% interest down to 5%). Servicing dept have been super helpful with sorting out the issues and have given me the chance to test a Jag XF S for the last 2 weeks so not complaining there as I now know what's replacing the Scirocco.

[PomBstard]

PomBstard said:

On a slightly more serious note, I'm tempted to replace Mrs PB's Forester with a more interesting version - and this is just up the road...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-...



I know the S3 XT isn't as good as the previous XT, but it is usefully bigger, and there are more available that haven't been trashed. Hmm, its a case of figuring out how to do it such that I'm asking forgiveness. It worked OK a couple of months ago...

Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I had look at this Forester. Really glad I didn't look at one earlier - something happened between 2007 and 2008 and the Forester XT appears to have stopped being a fun car. Way too soft and sloppy, with slushy power delivery. Also build quality a step backwards.

What it did do, though, is concentrate the mind on what else is out there for similar or less money. Which is a bit dangerous.

Currently eyeing a 2011/12 Golf 6 GTI, a 2016 Mazda 3 GT (before any scoffing, 17kW and 60kg down on the Golf...), and 2012/13 Focus ST. Bit of a chance, as I've still not let on to Mrs PB that the Forester might be off.

[PomBstard]

Suggested to Mrs PB that we change her Forester for something different/nicer. Choices were SUV but would be auto, or hatchback which would be manual. Offered new Mazda 3, 2-3 year old Focus or Golf. "Can it be a GTI?" was the response...

So, can anyone talk me out of spending $20k'ish on a 4-5 year old Golf GTI like this...??

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/penrith/cars-vans-u...

Or this...??

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Volkswag...

Or this...??

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswa...


Must be a 5-door, pref red or blue but condition first, sunroof and/or leather nice but not essential. Post-2010 seems to avoid the chain tensioner problem on the TFSI.

What have I missed???

And does anyone want a 2007 Forester, one owner, FSH, belts done...??

[Google [bot]]

I'm no expert but you should obey the wife. And a good GTI is a fantastic car.

[PomBstard]

Google [bot] said:

I'm no expert but you should obey the wife. And a good GTI is a fantastic car.

Indeed, happy wife, and all that. Have also realised that I've not driven a Golf GTI since about 2008 when I checked out a Mk4 1.8T and bought a Liberty instead. Presume they've moved on a bit since then...

[Colonial]

When I had a Mk 6 Golf a fair whack of me wished I had got the GTI instead of the R. Much better car to drive imo. Feels more playful and fun rather than competent and need to be driving at news report speeds to get any enjoyment.

A post 2010 manual Golf is a very solid bit of kit. Avoids DSG, avoids the horrible 1.4 twincharger. Good all round bet.

The Mk6 is a great car. So much better than the Mk4.

Have you considered an Alfa Giuletta QV as a more left field option?

[PomBstard]

Colonial said:

When I had a Mk 6 Golf a fair whack of me wished I had got the GTI instead of the R. Much better car to drive imo. Feels more playful and fun rather than competent and need to be driving at news report speeds to get any enjoyment.

A post 2010 manual Golf is a very solid bit of kit. Avoids DSG, avoids the horrible 1.4 twincharger. Good all round bet.

The Mk6 is a great car. So much better than the Mk4.

Have you considered an Alfa Giuletta QV as a more left field option?

That's useful to hear re: the R - I keep seeing these on the edge of my budget but sounds like no need.

As for Alfa, didn't get past looking at a pic - it seems that a Golf it is.

And like any good Scholar of Man Maths, my initial budget of Forester plus about $10k, let's say $18-20k total, has now seen me consider how to get a Golf 7 GTI cos there's a really nice looking one in Canberra - dark blue with leather and sunroof, so all boxes ticked - for $29k. I mean, that's not even 50% over...

[PomBstard]

Mrs PB said:

"Can it be a GTI?"

Whilst the iron was glowing gently, it got a good thwack - collect Wednesday...

[Google [bot]]

Excellent, congratulations