The gradual removal of the "average/family" enthusiast choice

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Cav

I've owned lots of Falcons (mostly 6s) and Fairlanes (mostly V8s) over the years.

I currently have an FG XR6 ute that will see me out and we have just traded the Territory (diesel AWD) for a Kia Sportage SX+ (diesel AWD) and I'll be 80 when the warranty runs out unless I petered out before then.

I don't need the Sportage for towing, so it is vastly superior to the Territory in all other ways.

If you want a good used car then hesitation is not your friend. I bought the ute based on pictures and talking to the owner 18 months ago - a 2009 model, 60,000kms and in mint condition. I paid $17,000 for it, probably $5,000 more than I wanted to pay. They would not budge on price and I knew it would sell quickly.

Late last year, Shannons upped the insurance value on the ute to $20,000

Because of the silly market, I see some blokes now asking $25,000 for FG NA and insane prices for turbos.

I am a very happy camper with these cars:

image

image

How come you decided to ditch the Territory and what attracted you to the Kia?

[Cav]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

How come you decided to ditch the Territory and what attracted you to the Kia?

Territory (AWD diesel) was 7 years old, still on original brake pads, plus apart from servicing, the only cost I incurred was tyres and a battery.

Sportage AWD diesel is a direct replacement

KIA give a fleet discount to old jungle crawlers like me, plus no GST, stamp duty and pensioner rego, meant that the price for me was $9,000 off drive away price.

Add this to a massive $17,000 trade in and the deal too good to refuse.

BTW, the Sportage is a great car.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Cav

KIA give a fleet discount to old jungle crawlers like me, plus no GST, stamp duty and pensioner rego, meant that the price for me was $9,000 off drive away price.

Add this to a massive $17,000 trade in and the deal too good to refuse.
.

That Sounds like an Awesome Deal....

[kevino]

Sounds like an absolutely awesome deal.

Is it common for pensioners to get fleet pricing?

Or did you get an individual super special deal.

[Cav]

Originally Posted by kevino

Sounds like an absolutely awesome deal.

Is it common for pensioners to get fleet pricing?

Or did you get an individual super special deal.

KIA gives a fleet discount to Vietnam Veterans on a TPI disability pension

Fed Govmint deletes GST

State govmint deletes Stamp duty plus a saving on rego (3rd party still has to be paid)

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Cav

KIA gives a fleet discount to Vietnam Veterans on a TPI disability pension

Fed Govmint deletes GST

State govmint deletes Stamp duty plus a saving on rego (3rd party still has to be paid)

I was wondering How that detail Worked..?

[Cav]

Originally Posted by hayseed

I was wondering How that detail Worked..?

I fill out an exemption form that is retained by the dealer

It also allows GST off purchase plus car parts for servicing/maintenance but not labour.

The dealer records the transaction as GST free and an adjustment is made on their BAS (Business Activity Statement)

Some tyre retailers would rather give a discount rather than record it as GST free which means their accounting may be a bit suss.

https://www.ato.gov.au/assets/0/104/...0758ac263c.pdf

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Cav

I fill out an exemption form that is retained by the dealer

It also allows GST off purchase plus car parts for servicing/maintenance but not labour.

The dealer records the transaction as GST free and an adjustment is made on their BAS (Business Activity Statement)

Some tyre retailers would rather give a discount rather than record it as GST free which means their accounting may be a bit suss.

https://www.ato.gov.au/assets/0/104/...0758ac263c.pdf

I didnt know an NA falcon and a sportage were an enthusiast car...

[Cav]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I didnt know an NA falcon and a sportage were an enthusiast car... a good lookin' blokes car

Post fixed

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by smoo

The Corolla example was used to correct your 'one engine' statement. Considering Toyota made a hot hatch version of the Corolla in the '00s is further proof of the point Crazy Dazz was making and the one you misinterpret - nowadays it is different trim levels with identical mechanicals. Suits the house wives and retiring boomers. Useless for enthusiasts.

But yeah, a better example to get Dazzas point across would be Renault Clio Sport, Peugeot 206/306 GTi, Holden Barina/Astra SRi, Civic VTiR, Accord Euro R, Mondeo ST30 etc.

This is going nowhere

[Polyal]

Right, time for an update.

So I managed to test drive a blue accord euro r. First impressions are the design is still IMO pretty sharp for a near 20 year old car. It's been a very long time since I have driven a decent petrol engine and the responsiveness is impressive. Zipping through outer Melbourne's traffic is busy with the 6 speed manual but it's light and slick. Even getting to 6000rpm is easy and enjoyable....oh...vtec kicked in yo and off we go to 8500rpm.....that's a bit addictive.

It's not a powerhouse but it goes ok. Interior, I'm impressed for its age, no odd noises and fit n finish is good. Must say I like the recaros and general style.

I'm trying to take emotion out of it but to me it's that kind of car...this is not a logical choice.

I got to Tassie then started upping the budget, lamenting the direction the industry is going I thought why not splash out. So test drove a MY15 Sti....I didn't realise it was heavily modified (but quality). I was impressed but the blow off valve, exhaust, rock hard suspension was all too much for a daily.

So then I tried a MY17 WRX in an attempt to soften things up and it was easier to live with, FA20 is not bad but runs out of breath but it would maul the accord so moot point perhaps. It had stock suspension and for me its still to harsh...the reduction in sidewall height is not a great outcome.

From there numerous other online searches for various mildly sporty hatches left me excited but still feeling a bit empty....thus I have put a deposit on a 2003 Euro R with plans to pick up next week.

For me it's the best mix of sport, comfort and I intend on joining a track day club or alike so a revvy NA represents a more reliable package. For me it may be the last time we get a ICE for a daily so I went with the heart moreso than the head.

Although ill leave the door open for a turbo boxer one day, I can see how people get hooked.

I'm sure most will think I am crazy as on paper it's not the most competent, but there are other factors and the rarity also appeals. Was also a bit if a hurdle to get my wife across the line given the asking price and age. It reminds me of my T2 TE50, but with a bit more personality. If anyone is interested I may start a thread if and discuss the lack of torque.

[janddbone]

You have just purchased one of the finest modern cars ever made. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by Polyal

Right, time for an update.

So I managed to test drive a blue accord euro r. First impressions are the design is still IMO pretty sharp for a near 20 year old car. It's been a very long time since I have driven a decent petrol engine and the responsiveness is impressive. Zipping through outer Melbourne's traffic is busy with the 6 speed manual but it's light and slick. Even getting to 6000rpm is easy and enjoyable....oh...vtec kicked in yo and off we go to 8500rpm.....that's a bit addictive.

It's not a powerhouse but it goes ok. Interior, I'm impressed for its age, no odd noises and fit n finish is good. Must say I like the recaros and general style.

I'm trying to take emotion out of it but to me it's that kind of car...this is not a logical choice.

I got to Tassie then started upping the budget, lamenting the direction the industry is going I thought why not splash out. So test drove a MY15 Sti....I didn't realise it was heavily modified (but quality). I was impressed but the blow off valve, exhaust, rock hard suspension was all too much for a daily.

So then I tried a MY17 WRX in an attempt to soften things up and it was easier to live with, FA20 is not bad but runs out of breath but it would maul the accord so moot point perhaps. It had stock suspension and for me its still to harsh...the reduction in sidewall height is not a great outcome.

From there numerous other online searches for various mildly sporty hatches left me excited but still feeling a bit empty....thus I have put a deposit on a 2003 Euro R with plans to pick up next week.

For me it's the best mix of sport, comfort and I intend on joining a track day club or alike so a revvy NA represents a more reliable package. For me it may be the last time we get a ICE for a daily so I went with the heart moreso than the head.

Although ill leave the door open for a turbo boxer one day, I can see how people get hooked.

I'm sure most will think I am crazy as on paper it's not the most competent, but there are other factors and the rarity also appeals. Was also a bit if a hurdle to get my wife across the line given the asking price and age. It reminds me of my T2 TE50, but with a bit more personality. If anyone is interested I may start a thread if and discuss the lack of torque.

[FTE217]

ditto re the H Euro - Polyal we got the Luxury model for the old man some years ago.
Brilliant car and build quality, passed onto my son later.
If its looked after can't go wrong.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Right, time for an update.

So I managed to test drive a blue accord euro r. First impressions are the design is still IMO pretty sharp for a near 20 year old car. It's been a very long time since I have driven a decent petrol engine and the responsiveness is impressive. Zipping through outer Melbourne's traffic is busy with the 6 speed manual but it's light and slick. Even getting to 6000rpm is easy and enjoyable....oh...vtec kicked in yo and off we go to 8500rpm.....that's a bit addictive.

It's not a powerhouse but it goes ok. Interior, I'm impressed for its age, no odd noises and fit n finish is good. Must say I like the recaros and general style.

I'm trying to take emotion out of it but to me it's that kind of car...this is not a logical choice.

I got to Tassie then started upping the budget, lamenting the direction the industry is going I thought why not splash out. So test drove a MY15 Sti....I didn't realise it was heavily modified (but quality). I was impressed but the blow off valve, exhaust, rock hard suspension was all too much for a daily.

So then I tried a MY17 WRX in an attempt to soften things up and it was easier to live with, FA20 is not bad but runs out of breath but it would maul the accord so moot point perhaps. It had stock suspension and for me its still to harsh...the reduction in sidewall height is not a great outcome.

From there numerous other online searches for various mildly sporty hatches left me excited but still feeling a bit empty....thus I have put a deposit on a 2003 Euro R with plans to pick up next week.

For me it's the best mix of sport, comfort and I intend on joining a track day club or alike so a revvy NA represents a more reliable package. For me it may be the last time we get a ICE for a daily so I went with the heart moreso than the head.

Although ill leave the door open for a turbo boxer one day, I can see how people get hooked.

I'm sure most will think I am crazy as on paper it's not the most competent, but there are other factors and the rarity also appeals. Was also a bit if a hurdle to get my wife across the line given the asking price and age. It reminds me of my T2 TE50, but with a bit more personality. If anyone is interested I may start a thread if and discuss the lack of torque.

Keen - start a thread in the non Ford vehicle section, be good to have some more company down there

Chuck a link in here once its open

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by smoo

Right, assumption that the options in question was in line with the thread topic, ‘enthusiasts choice’. Are you meaning options that are a gimmick like infotainment tech or ones that compensate for driver incompetence like blind spot assist etc…

That reads like a Wheels acceleration time. As they were slower than a wet week. Google says Celica with the same running gear does it in around 7 seconds. But regardless, comparing performance spec to vehicles decades apart has no relevance. Back then that Corolla was one of many affordable hot hatches, which is a segment that has died off along with interest in enthusiast choice vehicles.

Yep!

and keep in mind that this thread is about "average" "enthusiast" options, so that excludes any outlying super expensive models.

Seems to me that increasingly every make is chasing the same market segment, (which in itself is nothing new) but also eliminating real choices (at least as far as an "enthusiast" is concerned)
I'm sure that a Millennial can identifying and value the differences between 5 different levels of trim, but to me they're all much the same.

Don't get me wrong, today's cars are unquestionably better designed, better built, and better equipt. It's just that from my perspective the differentiation is lacking, and in many cases the underlying mechanicals are just bleh.
Horrid little motors designed to scam the testing, CVTs, and suspension designed for nothing more than shopping centre speed humps.