Cheap Thrills - The Car Configurator Thread

[DFB FGXR6]

I'd say we've all had a go at this from time to time, spec'ing a car online despite not having the funds to go through with an order. But hey, we can only dream.

Some car companies do online build & price configurators well (Porsche), some don't even try (Ford Australia).





So with that, how would you spec a fantasy car? Colour, trim, wheels, interior.................

[DFB FGXR6]

Starting off, a car that has sort of crept up on me, the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring. Why the Touring? Because it doesn’t have all the wings, grills and glued on plastic crap. But it does come with one of the best engines ever made, paired to one of the best gearboxes ever made. And the ability to almost endlessly chose any option your heart desires.

Colour wise, I’m torn. I would have Guards Red in a heartbeat, but there is something very intriguing about a dark green on this car. Brewster Green, British Racing Green, Irish Green……………..all $22,800 Paint To Sample colours. So, British Racing Green it would be, combined with the standard 20 / 21-inch silver wheels.









For the interior, I would do the Leather Interior Exclusive Manufaktur in Bordeaux Red. I would also go for the Adaptive Sport Seats rather than the Full Buckets. Seat belts in black, tacho/chrono in Guards Red.





Mechanically, I would have the PDK rather than the manual, it suits the engine better. I would also choose the $21,000 PCCB carbon brakes with black calipers. And why the carbon brakes? Because they don't dust up like steel brakes do.

All up, $79,580 in options!

The Porsche configurator is easily one of the best available, I wish all car companies put in the same effort.

https://www.porsche.com/australia/modelstart/all/

[fordomatic]

I would have a GT3 as well, but not the touring. My favourite car that you can but new.

Catch is finding a dealer that would sell you one, almost impossible unless you've owned multiple.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

I would have a GT3 as well, but not the touring. My favourite car that you can but new.

Catch is finding a dealer that would sell you one, almost impossible unless you've owned multiple.

Correct, you have to show Porsche you are a loyal customer before they will consider you for an allocation. Otherwise, buying used is the only option.

[Top_Ghia]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

I would have a GT3 as well, but not the touring. My favourite car that you can but new.

Catch is finding a dealer that would sell you one, almost impossible unless you've owned multiple.

That is turning around now. There are allocations that aren’t accounted for. The real catch is getting a dealer to admit that. The Porsche market worldwide has collapsed and people are no longer paying $100,000+ over retail.
Dealers are quietly ringing around with bs stories of cars that “have become available”

I’ve been checking out their configurator and it surprises me how expensive their “base” model 911 is when compared to something like GT3. By the time you spec up a 911 a bit the jump to a GT3 Touring doesn’t seem that great.
In recent years Porsche has mastered the art of the “special model”. So much so that most of the cars they now sell are the higher end models.
Anyway the tide has turned and now people who bought these cars as investments are unable to sell them at a profit.

When I started checking out the Porsche configurator I thought it was a load of rubbish. But after playing with it for some time I realised how awesome it would be to actually dial in the exact spec you want and pull the trigger on it. Delivery day would be cool.

Compare that to the Mustang where we can’t even change the wheels or pick an interior colour.
Ford wants to be considered a premium brand but have an ALDI attitude.
I wish I could afford a Porsche.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I'd say we've all had a go at this from time to time, spec'ing a car online despite not having the funds to go through with an order. But hey, we can only dream.

Some car companies do online build & price configurators well (Porsche), some don't even try (Ford Australia).

image

image

So with that, how would you spec a fantasy car? Colour, trim, wheels, interior.................

Sign me up for that exact configuration F150, but in white, maybe **** off the wheels and take the interceptors option if it has one.

[randel]

$448,000 in Sydney - same car in Perth - $457,000! Damn rippin us off another $9k... Was just about to put the deposit down, but limit was $450,000

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by randel

$448,000 in Sydney - same car in Perth - $457,000! Damn rippin us off another $9k... Was just about to put the deposit down, but limit was $450,000

You guys are good for it over there, you all work in the mines right .....

[DJM83]

One can dream right?
Audi RS6





Pricing not available, only starting price by the looks. 262k

[roKWiz]

I'm a man of simple means.

[DFB FGXR6]

A tale of two halves, Ford Australia vs Ford USA.

It's no secret I have an order for a S650 Mustang, have been waiting 14 months now. But why two halves?

Because Ford Australia's configurator is absolutely sh.t, and has been for a decade now. Once upon a time, Ford's local website was an industry benchmark. So, what's happened? And why is it so sh.t? Because of the basic nature of it, meaning that when options or accessories are chosen, they are not represented in the image in front of you.

https://www.ford.com.au/buy/build-an...A7&trim=5WAVW&

This is my spec, with MagneRide and Black Package, both not shown in the image.



And that's before I complain about virtually no choice of options other than pre-configured "packs". No interior trim options, your choice of black or nothing. No optional wheels despite numerous available in the US. We don't even have access to the Bronze Appearance Pack, or infinite choice of more minor personalized items.

And yet, the same company in another country does it so well. Each option selected is shown in the image. So, this would be my spec if Ford Australia had some balls to offer customers what they wanted.

https://shop.ford.com/configure/must...oboostfastback

- Mustang GT Premium Hardtop
- 401A Equipment Group
- Race Red
- Night Pony Package
(Black pack with black roof/spoiler/mirrors/badges/wheels/headlight bezels)
- 10-speed auto
- Active Exhaust
- Performance Pack
- MagneRide
- Red Brake Calipers (Black is the default)
-Carmine Red Interior (Which for some reason is available with Recaro's on the EcoBoost, but not the GT. Go figure)

This spec also includes a spoiler that Ford Australia determine is not worth offering when the Black Pack is selected. Although to their credit, they do include the red Brembo calipers when MagneRide is selected.



The key thing to note is how my spec is represented in the image.











Even the chassis graphic includes the chosen wheels and even the red calipers.



And look at the red interior, the forbidden fruit...............





Sighhhh, only another 6 months before it arrives.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

A tale of two halves, Ford Australia vs Ford USA.

It's no secret I have an order for a S650 Mustang, have been waiting 14 months now. But why two halves?

Because Ford Australia's configurator is absolutely sh.t, and has been for a decade now. Once upon a time, Ford's local website was an industry benchmark. So, what's happened? And why is it so sh.t? Because of the basic nature of it, meaning that when options or accessories are chosen, they are not represented in the image in front of you.

https://www.ford.com.au/buy/build-an...A7&trim=5WAVW&

This is my spec, with MagneRide and Black Package, both not shown in the image.

image

And that's before I complain about virtually no choice of options other than pre-configured "packs". No interior trim options, your choice of black or nothing. No optional wheels despite numerous available in the US. We don't even have access to the Bronze Appearance Pack, or infinite choice of more minor personalized items.

And yet, the same company in another country does it so well. Each option selected is shown in the image. So, this would be my spec if Ford Australia had some balls to offer customers what they wanted.

https://shop.ford.com/configure/must...oboostfastback

- Mustang GT Premium Hardtop
- 401A Equipment Group
- Race Red
- Night Pony Package
(Black pack with black roof/spoiler/mirrors/badges/wheels/headlight bezels)
- 10-speed auto
- Active Exhaust
- Performance Pack
- MagneRide
- Red Brake Calipers (Black is the default)
-Carmine Red Interior (Which for some reason is available with Recaro's on the EcoBoost, but not the GT. Go figure)

This spec also includes a spoiler that Ford Australia determine is not worth offering when the Black Pack is selected. Although to their credit, they do include the red Brembo calipers when MagneRide is selected.

image

The key thing to note is how my spec is represented in the image.

image

image

image

image

image

Even the chassis graphic includes the chosen wheels and even the red calipers.

image

And look at the red interior, the forbidden fruit...............

image

image

Sighhhh, only another 6 months before it arrives.

I’ve read and re-read your post. Sorry, I have no idea what it is that you think you’re wronged on. The fomoco image is wrong on the website so that has caused your car to be delayed?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

I’ve read and re-read your post. Sorry, I have no idea what it is that you think you’re wronged on. The fomoco image is wrong on the website so that has caused your car to be delayed?

The topic covered in that post is not in relation to a delayed delivery or being "wronged", rather its to point out how the Australian Build & Price Configurator is not interactive like the US version is. So, I'm not drawing a line between delayed deliveries and a lack of detail in the local configurator, I don't think anyone could come to that conclusion.

In regard to this line -

"Sighhhh, only another 6 months before it arrives."


This is more pointing out my anticipation, so much so that I'm living out my fantasies by playing with the online Build & Price Configurator while I continue to wait. Good things come to those who wait................

[Top_Ghia]

Wow. I just run the numbers on what I thought wasn’t an over the top Porsche 911 Carrera S. Nothing too crazy but I added $109,000 in options giving me a drive away price of $470,000.
That’s damn near a Mustang Dark Horse just in options.

[DJM83]

Went to check on the next car of my dreams. Audi RS3 hatchback
https://www.audi.com.au/au/web/en/mo...sportback.html
Cant configure one.
But this.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Went to check on the next car of my dreams. Audi RS3 hatchback
https://www.audi.com.au/au/web/en/mo...sportback.html
Cant configure one.
But this.
image

Was looking at them in another thread ... Audi have no more allocations for Australia brand new ever in this model.

Can only get them 2nd hand now. Sedan and Hatch

[Big_Daz]

Ahh yes, configurator dreaming.. one of my favourite pass times...

My absolute dream car is 992 GT3 RS - I have spent a heap of time on there doing the spec of my dream version... I'll post one up later...

DFB - it seems we share a love of Red Interior's... Ive always wanted a car with one, and any opportunity to do it, I will...

[DFB FGXR6]

Continuing my love of British coupe’s, the Aston Martin DB12. Many prefer the more overtly sporting Vantage, but I prefer the longer, sleeker DB series. The DBS is too “shouty” for my liking, so the DB12 Coupe it is. Sadly, the V12 is now gone, the 4.0 AMG V8 takes its place.

https://www.astonmartin.com/en-au/models/db12

Again, kudos to Aston Martin for being adventurous with colour, offering some quite wild yellows, greens and purples.





For me, it would be between Ion Blue and Buckinghamshire Green, with an ever so slight preference to the blue for something different.





From there, the spec would be the following –

- Body Colour Lower Package
- Body Coloured Upper Package (inc roof)
- Bright Grill Finish
- 21" Y-spoke wheel - Satin Black DT
- Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Red Calipers
- Red Tail Lights
- Privacy Glass
- Sports Plus Seat with Inspire Sport Duo Tone
- Spicy Red & Onyx Black interior colours, black roof lining
- Onyx Black contrast stitching, black seatbelts, black carpet.





















I love the deep blue set against the red interior.

[jgmdat]

I would have an Aston Martin over a Porsche(VW) every day of the week.

[Vekgib]

Originally Posted by jgmdat

I would have an Aston Martin over a Porsche(VW) every day of the week.

Same. Love em. Bit of a fan of the Rapide tbh.

[DFB FGXR6]

A Landrover Defender is not something I would own, but I do love the character and customization available for this iconic nameplate.

https://www.landrover.com.au/defende...-90/index.html



Available in 90 2-Door, 110 and 130 4-door configurations and offered with petrol and diesel inline 6’s, I was stunned to discover they also offer the 5.0 supercharged JLR V8 as well! Sadly, the V8 is limited to two colours only, both very boring. In which case, I would go for the Defender X-Dynamic SE in 90 spec and the P400 petrol inline 6.

My spec –

-Tasman Blue
-Panoramic Side Glass
-Privacy Glass
-Matrix LED Headlights
-22" Style 5098, 5 spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver

-Vintage Tan/Ebony Windsor leather and Robustec seats with Ebony interior
-Ebony Headliner

























I'm actually surprised at how much I love this spec, the tan leather setting off nicely against the Tasman Blue paint.

[NX74205]

Bentley Continental GT Speed







... and a Bentley Continental GT





Bentley Bentayga

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by NX74205

Bentley Continental GT Speed

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... and a Bentley Continental GT

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Bentley Bentayga

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Expert level spec on the Continental GT Speed!

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by NX74205

Bentley Continental GT Speed

image

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... and a Bentley Continental GT

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Bentley Bentayga

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Stayed down on the south coast recently for a brief holiday
Bentayga was in the cabin next to us in the holiday park

[DJM83]

Aston Martins are timeless IMO

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Aston Martins are timeless IMO

Absolutely! My GOAT until the Jaguar F-Type was the Aston Martin DB9, the earlier the better. From the same era, I liked the more restrained and timeless DB9 over the Vantage, Vanquish (99 to 05), DBS and the later Virage and facelifted DB9.





And why the pre-facelift? Because this is one of those occasions where the original was the best, where the changes made later on were in the name of making changes. I prefer the larger ovoid headlights, later cars got the slimmer Virage items. And the added lower openings on the front bumper seem more balanced compared to smoothed over later front. I also like the red tinted tail lamps with the body colour strip rather than the tacky clear/white lamps that came later.

Early Front -



Late Front -



Early Rear -



Late Rear -