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Coffee House => Coffee House Boards => CH / General => Topic started by: T_Bone on May 25, 2004, 02:07:23 PM
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With all this talk of converting trucks to electric, I think I've found an excuse to convince the wife that I need a "smaller" car than the current Ford Expedition. A Corvette would be better for the environment. :lol:
I can't believe how cheap Corvettes are getting. I was just browsing at www.vettehound.com, and it blew my mind how well even the older vettes were taken care of. I feel an impulse purchase coming on. :-)
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Good for you...
[color=660000]BUY IT!!![/color]
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A friend of mine once got a Lada (you know, a car 'cubic style') for free from his boss.
downside of it: a friend of his had to push the Lada... in front of a MCDonalds :lol:
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get something cool AND give a big F U to the oil complanies!!!
http://www.evworld.com/
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cecilia wrote:
get something cool AND give a big F U to the oil complanies!!!
http://www.evworld.com/
:lol:
I don't know if that's cool enough to satisfy as a midlife crisis impulse car purchase! :-)
[edit- isn't that car Herbie from "Herbie goes banana's" ? :lol:
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cecilia wrote:
get something cool AND give a big F U to the oil complanies!!!
http://www.evworld.com/
That car is horrible :-o :-o :-o
Wonder what its 0-100km/h time is like... :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Mmmm. 5.7 Litres of Chevrolet V8. Makes a delicious noise.
Over in the UK, we're getting the Vauxhall Monaro, which is a rebadged Holden Monaro / Pontiac GTO complete with the 5.7. All this for about £30k which is about the price of a BMW 330 or a mid spec Merc C class. However, we're also facing record petrol prices of around £0.83 per litre and further hikes in fuel tax are due later in the year. Owning a sub 20Mpg car has suddenly become an expensive indulgence.
How about a Lotus Elise? It's powered by a Toyota engine, weighs less than 800Kg and should manage more than thirty miles to the gallon. It's made from easily recyclable aluminium and plastic and is the closest thing we have to an environmentally responsible sports car. Plus it handles like a racecar and is built in Britain.
:-D
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I used to get 50 Miles to the gallon with my old car.
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I own an Audi car...
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bloodline wrote:
I used to get 50 Miles to the gallon with my old car.
Which was?
I used to own a MkII Golf 16v which would return around 35Mpg most of the time. However I've since bought an Alfa Romeo 156 which has a bit of a drink problem. About 24Mpg is as good as it gets. :-o
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@PMC
The Monaro actually uses a Gen III Corvette engine. Over here they are rated anywhere from 220 to 300kW stock, even more if you work 'em a bit, not my cup of tea really, I'm a Ford man :-D
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adz wrote:
@PMC
The Monaro actually uses a Gen III Corvette engine. Over here they are rated anywhere from 220 to 300kW stock, even more if you work 'em a bit, not my cup of tea really, I'm a Ford man :-D
Nothing divides opinion down under more than "Ford or Holden?".
So that's 295 - 400 Bhp? That's a nice healthy power output! Those in Oz will no doubt be pleased to know that Aussie Holden HSVs have cult status here in the UK.
Do Ford Australia make an equivalent to the HSV/Monaro?
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@PMC
I'm surprised that HSV/Monaro has such a following in the UK, what with the availiability of such rare and exotic European cars...I guess we finally did something right :-D
As for Ford, the equivilant to HSV was originally Tickford, but that has since been replaced by Ford Performance Vehicles. Ford essentially takes a production Falcon, and modifys it to be more sporty, they have released several high performance cars from 4.0L in-line turbo six's that produce 240kW stock to 5.4L quad-cam V8's that produce 290kW stock. Have a look:
Ford Performance Vehicles (http://www.fpv.com.au)
and
Ford Australia (http://www.ford.com.au)
Now that Ford seem to be taking hold of the Australian V8 Super Cars series, their popularity is skyrocketing :-D
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I own a Batavus bike. The front wheel is salvaged from a previous deceased one though.
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One of my ears is ever so slightly higher than the other
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so you are half vulcan?
:-D
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I always thought he was Ferengi......
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adz wrote:
@PMC
I'm surprised that HSV/Monaro has such a following in the UK, what with the availiability of such rare and exotic European cars...I guess we finally did something right :-D
Holden HSVs have a very good image in the UK, they're seen as honest, capable and immensely entertaining cars which is a little suprising given Vauxhall (GM's British arm) has a talent for marketing very ordinary cars.
Rare and exotic European cars tend to be expensive, costly to run and subject to snobbery, a BMW driver is generally perceived as suffering from penis envy. The HSV on the other hand is refreshingly free of such baggage and is likely to be bought by someone who knows about cars. The HSV gets the thumbs up over here every time.
As for Ford, the equivilant to HSV was originally Tickford, but that has since been replaced by Ford Performance Vehicles.
Now that Ford seem to be taking hold of the Australian V8 Super Cars series, their popularity is skyrocketing :-D
Bring 'em over here!
Our equivalent of the Holden Commodore is the Vauxhall Omega, which gets either a 2 litre four cylinder, a 2.5 or 3 litre six. You guys get a V8 and it costs half as much over there...
The Ford Falcon has no direct counterpart here as the ugly Scorpio died seven years ago. There's a trend for downsizing at the moment as people are going for small, front wheel drive hatches and niche cars like Peugeots, Renaults, VWs and Hondas. Rover is marketing a V8 saloon in both Rover and MG guises, and now Vauxhall offers the Monaro so hopefully things are looking up!
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There's a trend for downsizing at the moment as people are going for small, front wheel drive hatches and niche cars like Peugeots, Renaults, VWs and Hondas.
Not a big fan at all of small front wheel drive cars, they're just too...ummm...girly...and reverse doughnuts suck big time :-D Give me an XR8 anyday!!!
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@ PMC
"we're also facing record petrol prices of around £0.83 per litre"
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This hit me about 15 minutes after I read your post.
1 gal = 3.7854 ltr
My Buick holds 18 gal = 68.1374 ltr
My van holds 30 gal = 113.5623 ltr
At UK prices
68.1374 ltr x .83BP = 56.55BP = $103.60 to fill up my Buick.
113.5623 ltr x .83BP = 94.25BP = $208.05 to fill up my van.
At these prices, I would be riding a Moped.
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Fade wrote:
@ PMC
"we're also facing record petrol prices of around £0.83 per litre"
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This hit me about 15 minutes after I read your post.
1 gal = 3.7854 ltr
My Buick holds 18 gal = 68.1374 ltr
My van holds 30 gal = 113.5623 ltr
At UK prices
68.1374 ltr x .83BP = 56.55BP = $103.60 to fill up my Buick.
113.5623 ltr x .83BP = 94.25BP = $208.05 to fill up my van.
At these prices, I would be riding a Moped.
Yes. Everything in britain is so pricey. :-(
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A full tank of Premium Unleaded costs me appox AU$66 and thats a 63litre tank, darn cheap in comparison to Britain.
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Cant let a "Monaro" thread go by without commenting.
There is No replacement
for
Displacement
I've had enough of small cars ..
I'm sick of all the whinging emitting from my daughters in the back seat (No room).
I want a BIG car (elbow room)
Gonna import an aussie vehicle.. Just an ordinary Kingswood will do .. Maybe a HJ .. Hell I'd go for a HG if it was in good nick. ( I've given up any hope of affording a brand new Monaro)
I'd prefer a V8 though.. Even thought about giving in and getting a cacky 253.
But to be honest.. I really am not keen on vehicle styles these days... Wind tunnels are king.
Which really stuffs up the style.
Cars these days just look like bricks with various edges rounded off .. How boring. (the sort of vehicle Joe Ordinary can afford).
Give me some style .. Like a MK 3 Cortina ..
The Bodies have a nice Cortina with a 4.1 ltr EFI straight six in it (as standard)
Wanna flog it Tsigos ? (Sorry for using your Surname ..Can't remember which Bodie owns that car)
As for fuel prices .. Don't get me started .. Ok.. you already have.
I'm a Heavy Truck driver (to those that dont know).. I top up my tank every day with min 200ltrs.
The transport industry is getting SERIOUSLY pissed off AGAIN with fuel prices..
Action is just round the corner, so top up your tanks.
Not that that will help... You see, after the last event, the government has built huge underground fuel bowsers in case fuel stoppages ever happened again...
So that line of action has been nullified.
No... This time...
We gotta go "Frenchie"
Double up our heavies into barricades at major intersections leaving JUST enough room for 1 car to squeeze past at a time.
This is gonna piss A LOT of Joe Ordinary people off.. But..
YOU WILL ALL benefit at the end.
Just be aware that certain media outlets (under government influence) Will try the "Divide & Conquer" tactic.
Trying to pit YOU Against US.
United we stand ..
Divided we fall.
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*** WARNING - RANT IN PROGRESS ***
Fade wrote:
@ PMC
"we're also facing record petrol prices of around £0.83 per litre"
-------------------
This hit me about 15 minutes after I read your post.
1 gal = 3.7854 ltr
My Buick holds 18 gal = 68.1374 ltr
My van holds 30 gal = 113.5623 ltr
At UK prices
68.1374 ltr x .83BP = 56.55BP = $103.60 to fill up my Buick.
113.5623 ltr x .83BP = 94.25BP = $208.05 to fill up my van.
At these prices, I would be riding a Moped.[/quote]
What pisses me off most is that around 80% of the cost of fuel in this country is tax. When oil companies prices go up, government revenues also go up so Blair & Co are smiling all the way to the bank while we fork out more to pay for transport.
Our public transportation is old, creaking and this weekend a good proportion of our railway system is closed for maintenance.
Meanwhile, our illustrious government is saying that it's the oil companies' fault that fuel prices are so high. I don't see Shell, Esso et al slapping 80% tax on the price of unleaded.
The government won't back down on a great source of revenue for them, and they are even employing Customs and Excise men to check diesel vehicles aren't using vegetable oil in place of duty paid diesel!
Frankly it makes me sick. We pay way too much for fuel and there's sod all we can do about it in this country.
Bring out the truckers, and vive la France. At least they know how to force their government to see sense when their leadership pays lip service to democracy.
:pissed: :madashell: :griping:
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@ PMC
Thankyou for your support.
You hit the nail on the head.
Also should be noted .. The moment fuel is increased.. Hauliers have NO OPTION but to raise (eventually) their costs ..which .. Ultimately .. Are also passed on to Joe Public.
Remember ..When I step out of that truck .. I'm One of Joe Public.
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@The_Editor
Only milk and juice come in 2litres.... :lol:
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Gonna import an aussie vehicle.. Just an ordinary Kingswood will do .. Maybe a HJ .. Hell I'd go for a HG if it was in good nick. ( I've given up any hope of affording a brand new Monaro)
Come to think of it, why don't you import yourself a 5.0litre VN Berlina, much more economical that a carb driven 253, plus you can't use unleaded in a HJ. Just a thought.
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@ ADZ
Good point on the 253
However, I like the style of the H series Kingswoods (I'm an old git)
As for the unleaded scenario .. Surely the L.R.P. fuel is ok ?
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To The_Editor + Adz + others considering getting wixer cars:
Those cars suck!! You should get some good cars. Those cars will die within only a couple of years! Try and find a Mercedies E-Class or a BMW 318i, or even a Honda Accord!! Those are good cars, they are some of my favorites!! Some of my other favorite cars are the Porche and Ferrari!! :-P
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Good point on the 253
However, I like the style of the H series Kingswoods (I'm an old git)
Yeah, the H series of cars are really nice with a nice touch of "classique" to them, but sadly they are starting to get on in years and from what I have seen, they can become a nightmare to maintain. I think the term classic not plastic comes to mind here :-D
As for the unleaded scenario .. Surely the L.R.P. fuel is ok ?
Yeah the LRP does a fine job, but from what I've heard, it may be phased out in years to come, more likely sooner than later, and with the rather extensive costs of importing a car, its something you need to at least consider. PM me if there are any cars in the northern suburbs of Melbourne you want checked out.
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iamaboringperson wrote:
To The_Editor + Adz + others considering getting wixer cars:
Those cars suck!! You should get some good cars. Those cars will die within only a couple of years! Try and find a Mercedies E-Class or a BMW 318i, or even a Honda Accord!! Those are good cars, they are some of my favorites!! Some of my other favorite cars are the Porche and Ferrari!! :-P
Are you out of your mind, what ever happened to supporting local industry??? Mercs are {bleep} mobiles, BMW (however nice they may be) are for stuck up snobs and Honda's...lets not even go there. As for Porche and Ferrari, they are a tad out of my price range, I don't even entertain the idea of ever owning one...
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Are you out of your mind, what ever happened to supporting local industry??? Mercs are {bleep} mobiles, BMW (however nice they may be) are for stuck up snobs and Honda's...lets not even go there. As for Porche and Ferrari, they are a tad out of my price range, I don't even entertain the idea of ever owning one...
Look, if the local industry would produce cars THAT I WANT, I would buy.
Mercs are luxury and fun and the best looking if they're an E-Class. The E-Class is dead sexy to look at!
BMW's are also very sexy to look at! :) And if owning one (of those nice sexy 318i's ) would make a person a 'stuck up snob' then I'm sure they will prefer to be a 'stuck up snob' and keep the car. (What's wrong with being a 'snob' anyway?)
Honda? My parents both owned Honda's! The Honda is a very nice looking car. Just so long as it's not too old, all honda's look good - even the Civic
Why don't you like Honda?
And Ferrari and Porche are a little out of my price range, also. However, they are both nice cars to look at. I esspecialy like the porche 911 - whereas years ago I didn't like Porche.
The only Porche I don't like the look of are the 'people van' type ones (can't remember the name of them) like the one that the people up the street from me have. They look like crap. (But then, as far as far as the looks of vans go, they're not SO bad)
:-)
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I own a 96 EF Fairmont, albeit a tad modified, and it has given me 6 years of trouble free motoring, I absolutely love it. Still no comment about mercs, except that they are almost as bad as Volvos and as I said, I do like BMW's, its the people who drive them that I'm not fond of, snobs are knobs its as simple as that, I can't stand people who think their sh!t don't stink. As for Honda's, yes they are well made and look quite nice, but I have always considered them to be "chic" cars, not my style.
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I do like BMW's, its the people who drive them that I'm not fond of, snobs are knobs its as simple as that, I can't stand people who think their sh!t don't stink.
Never a truer word spoken.
a BMW is a very fine Motor Vehicle.. What a crying shame it attracts the sort of owners it does.
You get a large bottle of splash-on Eu de IGNORANCE (pig) when you buy one of those !!
Here in UK we have a saying..
3 series .. Trainee arsehole
5 series .. Office arsehole
7 series .. Executive arsehole
8 series .. THE arsehole
Of course there ARE exceptions to this, But in the main...
Next time you are driving and someone does something *untish .. take note of the vehicle they are driving .. Almost certainly it will be a BMW. The drivers really do believe they are above normal etiquette.
As for Porches .. Well .. At Apec corner (top of London) they have a shop called PorcheCraft.. You can buy a 928s4 for around £5000 .. Which sounds an absolute bargain...Until you realise it needs 4 new speed rated tyres (five including the spare) .. A new exhaust ..etc (Genuine porche stuff AINT cheap) .. So it aint so much a good deal.
Falcons ... (Fairmonts) Good cars .. Would be happy with one of those too.
( Hondas ... Didn't they used to have a saying ...Melt in the sun ?)
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Of course there ARE exceptions to this, But in the main...
One exception being my dad (who, for the record, is a self-employed milkman.) He was a big fan of BMWs but eventually gave up on them because of the stigma... ;-)
Then he went for a Merc... :-?
:lol:
The only vehicle I've ever owned was a Honda moped. And Honda make damn fine mopeds, really solid.
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3 series .. Trainee arsehole
:-D That's me some time in the future!!!!
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Huh :-?
Are you selling your BMW 8xx then?