Making the most of being in Aus (What car)
Discussion
My father had a 323/Capri for a while, when they were new. It was no great shakes in the handling or acceleration stakes, but it was reliable and cheap to run.
You can also forgive a lot when you're bimbling along at the speed limit with the roof off on a hot summer night. The roads around here (Melb) did not encourage spirited driving even then.
It only leaked when you washed it
.
We both test drove the turbo at the time - when it hit boost in the lower gears, it wanted to go straight ahead. Fun but a bit too flawed.
FWIW I have a 4wd Mitsubishi Express van, which is crude but a great go anywhere / sleep in the back basic camper / general hack, but that probably doesn't suit the shared vehicle situation. The later Delicas are more comfortable, quieter and have more toys, but are thirsty (even the TDI).
Have you looked at JDM / grey import vehicles? There is a Soarer that I like the look of (both v8 and turbo versions), and I see quite a few in Melb.
Apparently this photo is in Adelaide :
You can also forgive a lot when you're bimbling along at the speed limit with the roof off on a hot summer night. The roads around here (Melb) did not encourage spirited driving even then.
It only leaked when you washed it
.We both test drove the turbo at the time - when it hit boost in the lower gears, it wanted to go straight ahead. Fun but a bit too flawed.
FWIW I have a 4wd Mitsubishi Express van, which is crude but a great go anywhere / sleep in the back basic camper / general hack, but that probably doesn't suit the shared vehicle situation. The later Delicas are more comfortable, quieter and have more toys, but are thirsty (even the TDI).
Have you looked at JDM / grey import vehicles? There is a Soarer that I like the look of (both v8 and turbo versions), and I see quite a few in Melb.
Apparently this photo is in Adelaide :
What a great topic.
FWIW, down here in Oz road speeds enforcement is relentless and very hi-tech. Auto cameras (portable and mounted on cars parked on side of the road, mounted on police cars, built into traffic lights etc) instantly check for speed (10Kms over-A$428), current registration- (unreg vehicle A$777), unpaid fines, outstanding warrants, etc etc. Fines appear in the mail a few weeks later, plus your demerit points info. Random checks for speeding/drink/drugs driving pop up on any road any time,of course. I have been stopped 2000kms north of Asdelaide in the middle of nowhere for a breath test by a cop in a 4wd (passed OK.
But, there are plenty of luxury, high speed cars still being sold.
If you want to see something of the Outback (perfectly placed from Adelaide -just head north) you do not need a 4wd. You could drive the Oodnadatta track on a scooter in good weather. But, Toyotas still most popular for off-road, and Hi-Lux v practical. 2nd Hand 4wd's often come with the aftermarket driving lights/bulbar/UHF radio/awning etc, but mechanical check essential. Toyotas dearer than others.
Commodore hard to beat for general purpose city/country work. There's thousands of them. They are "family" car, not "big" car here.
Any late-model Japanese/Korean small cars fairly cheap to run, and Mazda 3 was best-selling car in Oz for a few years.
Have a great trip.
FWIW, down here in Oz road speeds enforcement is relentless and very hi-tech. Auto cameras (portable and mounted on cars parked on side of the road, mounted on police cars, built into traffic lights etc) instantly check for speed (10Kms over-A$428), current registration- (unreg vehicle A$777), unpaid fines, outstanding warrants, etc etc. Fines appear in the mail a few weeks later, plus your demerit points info. Random checks for speeding/drink/drugs driving pop up on any road any time,of course. I have been stopped 2000kms north of Asdelaide in the middle of nowhere for a breath test by a cop in a 4wd (passed OK
.But, there are plenty of luxury, high speed cars still being sold.
If you want to see something of the Outback (perfectly placed from Adelaide -just head north) you do not need a 4wd. You could drive the Oodnadatta track on a scooter in good weather. But, Toyotas still most popular for off-road, and Hi-Lux v practical. 2nd Hand 4wd's often come with the aftermarket driving lights/bulbar/UHF radio/awning etc, but mechanical check essential. Toyotas dearer than others.
Commodore hard to beat for general purpose city/country work. There's thousands of them. They are "family" car, not "big" car here.
Any late-model Japanese/Korean small cars fairly cheap to run, and Mazda 3 was best-selling car in Oz for a few years.
Have a great trip.
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