Is everyone okay??

[Jader1973]

Pommy said:

All decent choices.

Not that I think theyre wrong but how about:

Audi S4 Wagon
BMW 335i Wagon
Golf R Wagon
VW Passat 206 TSI Wagon (Golf R engine)

Had an Audi hire car in the UK a few years ago and hated it. The control layout was stupid. I vowed I’d never own one!

BMW - I was looking at those but I’m not sure tbh.

Golf R - hadn’t considered those.

Passat - I did think about the lower spec ones but I’m wary of ex cop / rentals. Although plod don’t have 206s as far as I know.

I’ll add the Passat and Golf to my spreadsheet


After 13 years of just ticking a box to get whatever I fancy (as long as it was a Holden) I’m finding this a challenge!

[Jader1973]

motomk said:

Bias as well! As you can guess.
I like the 206 powered cars or they interest me a little. ie the Superb, the Passat and the Golf R. I do see a lot of Passat wagon Police cars, so I don't know if the ones on carsales are retired police cars.
Not many Commodore wagons on carsales, I reckon people are actually using them as opposed to the sedans.
Caprice? lots of car for the money. Couple coming up under $40k although they are white, I would guess ex government cars. One is in Sunshine, the other in Brooklyn.
Need Brakes on the 6.2 litres. I highly recommend the Redline brakes, they will fit under the VFII SS-V/Calais/Caprice wheels but not under the VF series 1's though.
If you get an SS wagon, I recommend getting hold of the upgraded brakes from the police cars. Have them on the SSV. A lot cheaper than the redline brakes and they fit under the 18 inch wheels.
Is a 6 litre VF ok? Karma Redline on there, but that is one of my favourite colours.

I’m deeply suspicious of anything I know is run by fleets - and seeing lots the same age with similar km on them available at the same time points to a fleet clear out!

We’ve got a dog so Caprice is out (plus no MSE or bimodal ). Those white ones are all ex government (one of the ads says so). Again same spec, same age, similar km all on the market at the same time.

I get the feeling people are now holding on to VF V8s, and the prices are crazy.

You’re right about the brakes - standard ones are not great. Are VF police spec different calipers? I thought it was just pads (like ZB).

I did think about a 6.0 but the problem is that once you’ve driven an LS3 you don’t want anything else

[Jader1973]

Well I'm completely confused

I'm getting insurance quotes for various different cars and have come across something very odd. For example:
- Brand new Skoda Superb 206TSi 4x4 wagon ($50k) = $950 per year
- 4 year old Skoda Superb 206 TSi 4x4 wagon ($35k) = 1200 per year

Same company (AAMI), same driver, same excess, same everything. RACV and Budget Direct are doing the same thing so it isn't just AAMI.

I've also found similar on other cars.

I always thought that the lower the value of the car the lower the premium.

Anyone else noticed this?

[Jader1973]

All valid points now I think about it.

I also wonder if it could be because $15k damage to a $50k car would be paid where as $15k damage to a $35k car could write it off so they're exposed to a higher risk.

Apart from that I guess Dan's new rules are going to make buying a car in Melbourne impossible for the next 6 weeks. Looks like Bendigo or Ballarat are now my go to sources

[Jader1973]

PomBstard said:

Excellent - that looks ace! I'll keep an eye out for you. And as you've mentioned Konis, I've also got a set waiting to be fitted to my 928

In other car-related stuff, does anyone know if VF2 V8 Commodore wagons are actually selling for anything close to their advertised prices? Depreciation appears to have been minimal over the past four or so years, and I'm starting to hunt around for the next family jalopy. Had hoped they'd be around the $30k mark by now but, barring one or two outliers, appear to remain stubbornly above $45k for good ones in NSW. A half-decent 7/8 year old VF1 V8 is still around $35k to start.

I know the V6 will be just a good for day-to-day stuff, but even they're at $30+ for 4-y-o SV6 that's not white or silver. Has nostalgia really bitten that hard, or did they always depreciate this slowly?

Prices are mental!!

And based on what I can check (;)) every 3 year old SV6 for sale at a dealer in Vic is ex-rental and every 3 year old SS is ex-plod (extra battery and cargo barrier is the giveaway).

Ex-plod SS with 80k on it for $45k is nuts.

[Jader1973]

PomBstard said:

Right, so not just me then, and thanks for the clues when looking

I might have to stop feeding the kids so they'll fit in the Sube for a few more years. Or find something else to buy...

I just wish the Japanese and Koreans would get in on the fast wagon/SUV act so the answer isn't always German or Holden. Jeep GC SRT is in the ballpark, but I've heard a couple of first-hand tales of woe with dealers and getting parts - don't fancy my chances with something that's already 4-7 years old.

Half-tempted to go cheap and get something big and entertaining that might last a couple of years and not worry when it goes bang - early Cayenne Turbo type of thing

If you're looking at a 3 year old Commodore then always check the first page of the handbook for the first owner's name. If it is an odd sounding company or a dealership then it is likely it was a hire car, especially if it is back at the dealer that originally sold it. I think most of them have de-fleeted all the VFs now - a dealership in Melbourne's SE had about half a dozen 3 year old SV6s all with about 50,000km on them.

Not sure if all the Police have de-fleeted their SSs but given the number on Carsales I'd suggest they have - at least they are easy to spot

I'd avoid Jeep tbh - given they can barely provide parts for the current lineup anything older could turn out to be a nightmare. Although I suppose buying bits from the US is an option if you can't get them locally.

I was also thinking of something big and silly given VE/F prices but I've actually just paid for the ZB Calais Tourer - the deal was simply too good to pass up and given I'm unemployed come the end of Nov and don't know if I need a commuter car, a station car or something that will just sit on the drive I decided it was the best option for the moment.

[Jader1973]

Just checking in.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year, and haven't been buggered about with sudden Covid closures. We managed to get to the Sunshine Coast over Christmas and got back to Vic before it all went to st again. I'm glad we didn't stay for New Year!

I've restarted looking for a new job and I'm not enjoying it. I'm being driven mental by company portals that ask you to upload your resume to autofill the form and then butcher it so it makes no sense meaning you have to manually input it all to make sure it is correct

[Jader1973]

Google [bot] said:

I’m great. I broke my neck in October and spent the last 11 weeks in a neck and thoracic brace. On the way back from a hospital visit I decided to have a drink at the Avalon RSL that fateful day, so spent Xmas and NY in isolation/lockdown.

But now I’m free, not disabled and having not ridden or driven at all or even walked much for months I can’t tell you how amazing life feels, being set free and getting around, riding my bike, walking around in the thankfully not too punishing summer we’re having, it’s fantastic.

Jeez - glad you're okay.

I know what you mean about the summer - I went to Bunnings last weekend and when I started the car the heated seats came on automatically because it was so cold!

[Jader1973]

I too have job news - I start a new one tomorrow after 4 months of doing next to nothing. I didn’t get all the planned DIY projects completed mainly because I kept doing a “I’ve got plenty of time so I’ll do it tomorrow.” and then got offered an immediate start!

It comes with a car so now I need to get shot of the Calais. I’m considering just going to Sell My Car (which is actually Mannheim) just to get rid of it without any hassle.

[Jader1973]

I’m off to QLD mid next week. We’re classed as country so up until they changed the rules it meant we could still go as long as I didn’t go to the office or the closest Bunnings as they are in Greater Melbourne!

Oh, or use the Long Term car park shuttle bus because that counted as public transport...unlike a full plane which obviously is much lower risk!

[Jader1973]

forzaminardi said:

Where are you located Jader? I'm susprised some of my colleagues have been classed as living in 'Regional Vic' despite apparently living quite close to the city.

Macedon Ranges. We’re closer to the city than some bits that are classed as Greater Melbourne.

[Jader1973]

Well now we aren’t going to QLD

[Jader1973]

craig_m67 said:

Jader1973 said:

Well now we aren’t going to QLD

We’re not going anywhere either, except up.. where it’s warmer’n’stuff
(Sorry)


Spoke to soon.. we’re not going anywhere at all now either - yay, lockdown!

Edited by craig_m67 on Tuesday 29th June 03:35

Bugger

[Jader1973]

AW111 said:

Jader1973 said:

Well now we aren’t going to QLD

If not for lockdown, I'd probably have been in Qld last weekend...



...which would have been a right bugger given that I had a major medical issue and ended up in emergency

Hope you're recovering okay.

My boss went to Brisbane on business on Monday. He isn't sure when he'll get back or what he'll do when he comes back and has to quarantine (his wife and kids are at home in Melbourne).

[Jader1973]

Just thought I’d check in to see how everyone is doing. Obviously those of us outside VIC and NSW will be slightly better.

I’m just in regional VIC so bounced out of and then back in to lockdown. Didn’t impact me much as the office is metro so WFH anyway. Biggest disruption has been the schooling - OH is a teacher and is starting to get really pissed off with the last minute changes.

I hope you’re all doing okay. Remember to take time for yourself, create a gap between work time and home time, and get outside for some fresh air and notice the little things. And if you think it is all getting too much make sure you talk to someone. (can you tell I did a mental well-being course at work yesterday?).

In car related news I picked this up for the OH in June. She loves it.



And as a result the two non-V8 Holdens have gone

[Jader1973]

fatal3rror said:

Just moved from the UK to Melbourne for work (under the critical skills category). Currently in hotel quarantine and hoping things are back to normal soon.

Been spending a lot of time looking at classifieds on Carsales when I should be looking at places to live. Priorities eh?

Welcome to lockdown, and more lockdown by the look of it.

If you need advice about where to live etc then start a thread in here - there are quite a few Melbourne based posters.

Although at the moment the response might be “Queensland”

[Jader1973]

StefanVXR8 said:

We finally got our Citizenship ceremony, it was a virtual one with about 30 other people and over in around 15 minutes!

Just waiting for the certificate now so I can apply for my Aussie passport in anticipation for international travel, I suspect some trips to my employers HQ's in California and Colorado will be first.

Any of you guys looking forward to leaving the country soon and where are you planning to go?

Congrats.

No overseas plans yet - hopefully QLD mid January.