Cars ???

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#155983 11-Aug-2008 18:31

slyguy:
Cheers again for the infoo guys...

I'll be trying to put the above info in to action next week :)... Boy i'm going to be busy...

Have got myself what i think is a shortlist...

Honda Accord
Mazda 6

Was thinking about a Holden Commordore, but given the larger engines, I have to assume they're not as economical.

Obviously bigger engines use more fuel - especially if you have a heavy right foot! However, my Audi has a 300 BHP 4.2 V8 and I can still get 25mpg (sorry for you metric fellas - I'm English!) because it doesn't really get over 2000 rpm in normal driving (it idles at 1000!).

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#155985 11-Aug-2008 18:34

I'm also glad I live here now - I was talking to my father in the UK last night. He has a V12 Mercedes and it now costs him NZ$326 to fill it up with petrol!!

nate

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#156030 11-Aug-2008 20:55

slyguy:

Honda Accord
Mazda 6

Was thinking about a Holden Commordore, but given the larger engines, I have to assume they're not as economical.

Mazda 6s are awesome cars, I have a Capella which is a poor man's version of such, and it's great. If I had the budget for it, would definitely have gone for a 6.

JoeBloggs

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#156577 13-Aug-2008 14:10

The Toyota Altezza's seem like great cars. There are still fantastic examples around and they can be a bargain.

nate

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#156582 13-Aug-2008 14:20

JoeBloggs: The Toyota Altezza's seem like great cars. There are still fantastic examples around and they can be a bargain.

Best mate has one of these cars, they are awesome. I made the mistake of talking to the mechanic who last serviced my car - he went on for half an hour about how the Altezzas are the best thing since sliced bread

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#156585 13-Aug-2008 14:24

slyguy: Was thinking about a Holden Commordore, but given the larger engines, I have to assume they're not as economical.

I have a 5.7 litre 415hp V8 Commodore, and I use lots of words to describe it, however, economical is not one of them.

The V6s arent too bad if babied, but if you are not specifically a big car fan, then get a Mazda 6, you will love it.

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#156587 13-Aug-2008 14:25

nate:
JoeBloggs: The Toyota Altezza's seem like great cars. There are still fantastic examples around and they can be a bargain.

Best mate has one of these cars, they are awesome. I made the mistake of talking to the mechanic who last serviced my car - he went on for half an hour about how the Altezzas are the best thing since sliced bread

Well hes not wrong, they are beautiful vehicles.

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Aaroona

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#156589 13-Aug-2008 14:31

tonyhughes:
slyguy: Was thinking about a Holden Commordore, but given the larger engines, I have to assume they're not as economical.

I have a 5.7 litre 415hp V8 Commodore, and I use lots of words to describe it, however, economical is not one of them.

The V6s arent too bad if babied, but if you are not specifically a big car fan, then get a Mazda 6, you will love it.

I agree 100%.

I've never been too keen on bigger engine cars, and I think personally (IMHO), Fords and Holdens are relatively standard in the way of features. (stock standard anyway).

But thats jusy my assesment. I find that I can get all the power that i need and more, from a 2.0lt. So to me, a V6 or V8 would be a waste of money..

Everyone to their own.

But definitely the Altezza's and Atenza's (a.k.a Mazda 6 in NZ) are fantastic vehicles.

JoeBloggs

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#156659 13-Aug-2008 18:07

I took my friends 6 speed manual altezza for a spin. 8 years old now but still feels incredible to drive. I love the rear wheel handling and the car feels so solid.

1gkar

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#156994 14-Aug-2008 17:41

I went with an Altezza Gita (sport station wagon) at Xmas time. It has a 2litre V6 auto. Is around 15% less economical than my previous Celica. But drives very smooth. I decided on an Altezza as it is basically a Lexus, which is the high-end Toyota. Everything is a step up in quality compared to a Camry.

I had originally gone to the yard looking at Mazda 6s. I had been out of Auckland with a mate on a golfing trip. He owns a 6 & found the wheels caused a constant drone on the stone chip surface. Others had also mentioned this. Test drive it on the motorway with the stereo off to check if it disturbs you. Also, with the 6, you cannot fit a custom stereo head unit as the factory one is behind the plastic fascia with just a slot in it. I listen to mp3s via CDs. If you use an Ipod-type device then you should be okay as I think they have an auxilliary jack.

Oh yeah, it got the best marks in the Dog & Lemon Guide. The Mazdas were second, which surpised the heck out of me.

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#156998 14-Aug-2008 17:46

. . . the wheels caused a constant drone on the stone chip surface . . .

Sounds like an issue you can have with any car - usually the tyre's fault not the fault of the car.

Aaroona

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#157000 14-Aug-2008 17:53

1gkar: Also, with the 6, you cannot fit a custom stereo head unit as the factory one is behind the plastic fascia with just a slot in it. I listen to mp3s via CDs. If you use an Ipod-type device then you should be okay as I think they have an auxilliary jack.

While this is true, I have to disagree.
This Mazda 6 (aka Atenza) we imported for a cumstomer, while being behind this plastic plate you speak of, it came with a 40GB hard drive built in, so you could load your music on it via CD or iPod. Or you could just listen to it directly from the iPod.

Also came with DVD player, TV, GPS system. And a couple of other extras.

So it depends on what options you get.
So while you may not be able to REPLACE the stereo with a CUSTOM one. You most definitely do have options..

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#157001 14-Aug-2008 17:58

I have seen reference to car manufacturers selling a replacement "module" that fits in the dash replacing the factory stereo "module" to allow you to fit a custom stereo, hate to know what it would cost though.

Aaroona

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#157003 14-Aug-2008 18:00

scottjpalmer:
I have seen reference to car manufacturers selling a replacement "module" that fits in the dash replacing the factory stereo "module" to allow you to fit a custom stereo, hate to know what it would cost though.

Oh well there you go.. SO the options are there.. Its just the costs that may be accociated with them,

1gkar

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#157008 14-Aug-2008 18:48

scottjpalmer:
. . . the wheels caused a constant drone on the stone chip surface . . .

Sounds like an issue you can have with any car - usually the tyre's fault not the fault of the car.

How do you know that? Also, car-drive noise is usually related to the quality of a vehicles' sound insulation. Apparently, it is a known restriction. The Dog & Lemon Guide writes, "The only real downside is the Mazda6 is that the cabin is not as quiet as we would like".

Admittedly, it is just one person's opinion, like mine: and like yours. I never passed a judgement, I simply stated what my senses quantified.

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