Ford Ka and Toyota Prado - Down Under
Discussion
Hi all,
Long time lurker, time to get the first post out of the way and what better place to start than Readers' Cars.
Been out in Australia for some time now after having moved from the UK in 2008 fresh out of uni. Never had a car of my own back in the UK and was excited at the prospect of my own wheels when I arrived here.
My work entails a lot of site work so my first car actually had to be for my fiancee to use when I was away - thankfully after a quick search of the Brisbane car yards we found this:
My parents had a few back in the UK and fimiliarity made it a sensible choice (little did I know they were only sold here for four years and hence a little harder to find parts for than back home). A 2001 model with 110,000 km on the clock and none of the associated rust you get in the UK - it still looks like a new car underneath in 2011! Unfortunately car prices are a little exaggerated in Oz with what was an 8 year old Ford Ka costing $6000 - or around 3500 GBP!
Initially the ownership experience was interesting with an oil leak after its first drive (Oil filter needed turned a quarter tighter), front right light cluster not working (had been disconnected) and a serious case of pinking. The first two I'll blame on the garage that prepped it - the last on the awful 91 octane Aussie petrol - its been run on 98 ever since (still cheap enough here).
The car would also vibrate heavily above 80kmh and this was down to four awful, mismatched tyres at each corner (one tyre actually dated 2000 - older than the car itself). Four fresh tyres all round and it drove smoothly and safely on the highway. The only other issue was a burst air conditioning hose which cost a further $500 to put right but was more than worth it in the 40 degree Queensland summer.
Otherwise the car has been utterly perfect - cheap to run, fun to drive, no mechanical issues at all in three years (touch wood). It has taken me and my fiancee to some amazing spots as we set out to explore the country.
I was also lucky enough to receive this from work as things took off with my job.
A considerable step up from the Ka as far as luxury and refinement goes and something much better suited to getting out and exploring the best that Oz has to offer. Miles are munched in it and can hold its own off road. The only downsides are a fairly basic automatic box and 3 litre turbo diesel that struggles to overcome the mass of the Prado.
Had it out to the sand islands off Queensland (Stradbroke and Fraser) where some deflated tyres have made for an unstoppable combination off the beaten track. It's certainly no Chelsea tractor and gets a good suspension workout each weekend while still looking like an executive motor.
As good as it may be I can't really get past the fact that it's still a two ton barge and no fun to drive on the road - when a fun road features on our trip the keys will remain at home and I'll grab the Ka. Our recent move to NSW has also given the Ka a new identity after being re-registered interstate - the black and yellow plates looking a good bit better.
Eventual plan is to get something quick and sporting when we move back to the UK in 2012. Australian car prices are prohibitve to buying anything interesting while we're out here. My job gives me a fair bit of variety with V8 Landcruiser utes and the occasional XR6 Falcon hire car for thrills in the meatime. Thinking along the lines of S2000/TVR as soon as we get back.
Long time lurker, time to get the first post out of the way and what better place to start than Readers' Cars.
Been out in Australia for some time now after having moved from the UK in 2008 fresh out of uni. Never had a car of my own back in the UK and was excited at the prospect of my own wheels when I arrived here.
My work entails a lot of site work so my first car actually had to be for my fiancee to use when I was away - thankfully after a quick search of the Brisbane car yards we found this:
My parents had a few back in the UK and fimiliarity made it a sensible choice (little did I know they were only sold here for four years and hence a little harder to find parts for than back home). A 2001 model with 110,000 km on the clock and none of the associated rust you get in the UK - it still looks like a new car underneath in 2011! Unfortunately car prices are a little exaggerated in Oz with what was an 8 year old Ford Ka costing $6000 - or around 3500 GBP!
Initially the ownership experience was interesting with an oil leak after its first drive (Oil filter needed turned a quarter tighter), front right light cluster not working (had been disconnected) and a serious case of pinking. The first two I'll blame on the garage that prepped it - the last on the awful 91 octane Aussie petrol - its been run on 98 ever since (still cheap enough here).
The car would also vibrate heavily above 80kmh and this was down to four awful, mismatched tyres at each corner (one tyre actually dated 2000 - older than the car itself). Four fresh tyres all round and it drove smoothly and safely on the highway. The only other issue was a burst air conditioning hose which cost a further $500 to put right but was more than worth it in the 40 degree Queensland summer.
Otherwise the car has been utterly perfect - cheap to run, fun to drive, no mechanical issues at all in three years (touch wood). It has taken me and my fiancee to some amazing spots as we set out to explore the country.
I was also lucky enough to receive this from work as things took off with my job.
A considerable step up from the Ka as far as luxury and refinement goes and something much better suited to getting out and exploring the best that Oz has to offer. Miles are munched in it and can hold its own off road. The only downsides are a fairly basic automatic box and 3 litre turbo diesel that struggles to overcome the mass of the Prado.
Had it out to the sand islands off Queensland (Stradbroke and Fraser) where some deflated tyres have made for an unstoppable combination off the beaten track. It's certainly no Chelsea tractor and gets a good suspension workout each weekend while still looking like an executive motor.
As good as it may be I can't really get past the fact that it's still a two ton barge and no fun to drive on the road - when a fun road features on our trip the keys will remain at home and I'll grab the Ka. Our recent move to NSW has also given the Ka a new identity after being re-registered interstate - the black and yellow plates looking a good bit better.
Eventual plan is to get something quick and sporting when we move back to the UK in 2012. Australian car prices are prohibitve to buying anything interesting while we're out here. My job gives me a fair bit of variety with V8 Landcruiser utes and the occasional XR6 Falcon hire car for thrills in the meatime. Thinking along the lines of S2000/TVR as soon as we get back.
soad said:
Two totally different motors - some variety for sure 
Why (used) cars so expensive there out of interest?
Not entirely sure - you pay a lot for a car but conversely it won't lose much when you come to sell it. Coupled to the generally better preservation in the dry climate and the higher standard of living I suppose it makes sense.Why (used) cars so expensive there out of interest?
Still, I'm not paying $10,000+ (6000GBP) for a ropey old 1990 MX5 - I'll bide my time for a rusty one back home in the UK! :-)
Ten Four said:
Silly government protecting Holden (Vauxhall) and Ford Australia 
Not silly, Holden and Ford produce some proper nice cars down 'ere, and I don't think they do that much protecting!Colonial said:
Welcome and all
Australia section down towards the bottom
haha, we're both Brits though, just in a country that pays rather better salaries to geologists! Australia section down towards the bottom
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