Road Trip to Wellington

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#1452216 17-Dec-2015 11:30

sonyxperiageek: Yep, I've got the 2015 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel Limited Edition. It's my first time using start-stop technology and so far it's great. Starts up immediately after lifting foot off the brake. And the Infotainment system is also pretty good. No noticeable lag when moving around options etc.. and yes, looking forward to using radar cruise control on a long trip! Coupled with music on a Bose sound system? This is gonna be a good road trip, hopefully!

Well, I'm not a huge fan of the Bose stereos in the Mazda Limited cars. Given if we're on a road trip chances are I'm being forced to listen to kid-selected music (Let it Go, anyone??!!), or if I'm by myself I'm listening to spoken podcasts, it doesn't bother me too much, but for "real" music I don't think the stereos are anything to write home about...

Dratsab

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#1452227 17-Dec-2015 11:48

sonyxperiageek:
Scotdownunder: On my last trip to New Plymouth, Levin was by far the cheapest for petrol. Filling up there should see you through all Wellington trips and then refill on way North.

For a road less traveled, try the route on the west side of lake Taupo.

Save driving

Filling up at Levin sounds like a logical place. If it does happen to be the cheapest there (mind you diesel is already cheap enough!) then I guess it will be a win-win!

By the way, is it BP there?

Levin went through a period where it was not as cheap as it once was and started getting close to Wellington prices. They've sharpened up a bit again but Foxton is cheaper.

sonyxperiageek

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#1452247 17-Dec-2015 12:20

MikeB4:
Geektastic: Drive over the hill to Martinborough. Visit the vineyards and cafes (probably not on 25th though!).

Second that.

There's a hill? I'm actually excited!

(No scarcasm)

I actually wanna drive the Mazda 6 up NZ's steepest road, I think that's in Dunedin though. I've been to the steepest road, but back then we didn't think a people mover with like 7 people in it could make it up the hill lol!

Sony

sonyxperiageek

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#1452250 17-Dec-2015 12:21

Speaking about petrol, Gull have a very special deal today!

Sony

sonyxperiageek

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#1452252 17-Dec-2015 12:23

jonathan18:
sonyxperiageek: Yep, I've got the 2015 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel Limited Edition. It's my first time using start-stop technology and so far it's great. Starts up immediately after lifting foot off the brake. And the Infotainment system is also pretty good. No noticeable lag when moving around options etc.. and yes, looking forward to using radar cruise control on a long trip! Coupled with music on a Bose sound system? This is gonna be a good road trip, hopefully!

Well, I'm not a huge fan of the Bose stereos in the Mazda Limited cars. Given if we're on a road trip chances are I'm being forced to listen to kid-selected music (Let it Go, anyone??!!), or if I'm by myself I'm listening to spoken podcasts, it doesn't bother me too much, but for "real" music I don't think the stereos are anything to write home about...

I've always been a fan of Bose products, especially their noise cancelling earbuds, the QC15s I think. They have amazing noise cancelling technology!

I always listen to music in the Mazda 6 and I have a feeling I won't be able to hear a cop car coming because it's so isolated in the car! Like, inside the car is so quiet when iStop engages and no music is playing, even at a busy intersection!

And we really don't want to have a debate here about what is considered "real" music!

Sony

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#1452260 17-Dec-2015 13:15

You had better visit the GeekZone HQ.

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#1452298 17-Dec-2015 14:11

sonyxperiageek:
jonathan18: Well, I'm not a huge fan of the Bose stereos in the Mazda Limited cars. Given if we're on a road trip chances are I'm being forced to listen to kid-selected music (Let it Go, anyone??!!), or if I'm by myself I'm listening to spoken podcasts, it doesn't bother me too much, but for "real" music I don't think the stereos are anything to write home about...

I've always been a fan of Bose products, especially their noise cancelling earbuds, the QC15s I think. They have amazing noise cancelling technology!

I always listen to music in the Mazda 6 and I have a feeling I won't be able to hear a cop car coming because it's so isolated in the car! Like, inside the car is so quiet when iStop engages and no music is playing, even at a busy intersection!

I have a Bose Lifestyle system and it performs pretty well, albeit at an enormous price. It's certainly a lot better than anything else you'd find in that physical size.

The Bose system in my Mazda3 is nowhere near as good, but to be honest I don't think I've heard anything better in a car. I find that the coarse road surfaces in NZ, coupled with the 18" alloys on low profile tyres, create enough road noise that there wouldn't be a lot of point in having proper hifi quality audio.

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Dratsab

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#1452312 17-Dec-2015 14:43

sonyxperiageek: I actually wanna drive the Mazda 6 up NZ's steepest road, I think that's in Dunedin though. I've been to the steepest road, but back then we didn't think a people mover with like 7 people in it could make it up the hill lol!

Wellington has some steep streets. There's Hungerford Road in Lyall Bay and Fortunatus Street in Brooklyn. The drive up to the Brooklyn turbine has a couple of steep sections too. Probably the best would be Moonshine Hill Road in the Hutt Valley, heading over towards Whitby.

Geektastic

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#1452321 17-Dec-2015 14:46

DarthKermit: You had better visit the GeekZone HQ.

Remind me again - which pub is that?

Geektastic

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#1452323 17-Dec-2015 14:47

sonyxperiageek:
MikeB4:
Geektastic: Drive over the hill to Martinborough. Visit the vineyards and cafes (probably not on 25th though!).

Second that.

There's a hill? I'm actually excited! (No scarcasm)

I actually wanna drive the Mazda 6 up NZ's steepest road, I think that's in Dunedin though. I've been to the steepest road, but back then we didn't think a people mover with like 7 people in it could make it up the hill lol!

Yes, very much a hill - that gets closed several times a year for snow etc!

graemeh

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#1452347 17-Dec-2015 15:08

sonyxperiageek:
frankv: Without knowing vhat you're interested in, it's hard to advise.

Google Maps tends to be generous with travel time... 8 hours total is probably about right for Auck-Wgtn.

Aim to get petrol at Tokoroa BP... cheapest on SH1, I believe.

Butter Factory cafe at Waharoa on SH27 is nice.

Stop at Huka Falls for a short walk to the falls, or a jet boat ride. Picnic lunch at one of the rest areas along Lake Taupo if the weather is sunny. Taihape has a couple of decent cafes.

In Wellington, drive round the coast Island Bay to Evans Bay, stopping at Moa Point for some aircraft to land. Te Papa. Dowse Art Gallery in Lower Hutt. Paekakariki Hill lookout. Eastbourne is a nice outing on the ferry. Paekakariki Hill lookout. Southwards Car Museum at Paraparaumu. I'm told that the Roxy cinema in Miramar is a must-see. Parliament Buildings. A movie at the Embassy Cinema.

I think that's a bit early in the trip to get petrol. The car should be able to last one way there on a tank of fuel, but will keep your suggestion in mind.

Consider buying it in Foxton then, Mobil and Waitomo fuels both have very good pricing and far cheaper than you will normally find any further south.

They seem to be having a bit of a price war which is ironic as Waitomo appear to buy their fuel from Mobil.

BTR

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#1452369 17-Dec-2015 15:54

haven't you left booking a hotel for an Xmas trip a bit late, I would expect to be paying a fortune to stay anywhere since you have left it so late.

jpoc

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#1452386 17-Dec-2015 16:26

We have stayed here apollolodge.co.nz and the family was happy with my choice.

DaveB

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#1452481 17-Dec-2015 18:58

Hmmm

Driving down on the 24th? It will be a slow trip out of Auckland I suspect.

Driving back on the 26th? Likewise, it will be reasonably slow as people get away after Christmas. Expect lot's of 80 - 90 kmh drivers around on those days and plan around 9 hours each way.

Enjoy Welly, its a great place.

sonyxperiageek

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#1452736 17-Dec-2015 23:18

DaveB: Hmmm

Driving down on the 24th? It will be a slow trip out of Auckland I suspect.

Driving back on the 26th? Likewise, it will be reasonably slow as people get away after Christmas. Expect lot's of 80 - 90 kmh drivers around on those days and plan around 9 hours each way.

Enjoy Welly, its a great place.

Thinking about driving out on the morning of 23rd, and start heading back on the 25th. Therefore, we get a 24th day to explore and try out all the cafes etc!

Sony

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