Have to buy the wife a car- but what

[bblaze]

I would love to buy her a tdi disco but she wont drive one
Narrowed the choice to 4 types of vehicles

Nissan pulsar - had one years ago and cost nothing really for the time we had it, about 5 years

Mazda 626- current car, been good up to 200 000km but starting to give problems with electronics (currently has bits half way around aust being tested and I am over it.

Comodore- common as, also had one of these years ago. had a good run but could find parts any where

Falcon- had a falcon ute, also had a good run when head gasket updated

So the choice is Falcon,commodore, pulsar, mazda 626 with a build date 2000 and later
Liking the idea of a falcon for the following reasons- rear wheel drive, can see the ground beside the engine (got to be easier to work on), the pulsar or mazda would be better on fuel but no room to work on and I reckon commodores would be a bit tight too.
I loathe buying cars, resale value means nothing as I run them out.
How does every one else work out what to buy.
Would also tavel interstate if some one had the right car
cheers
blaze

[CraigE]

Do what I did, went to buy an SS Commodore for the wife, told her to test drive a Statesman and ended up with a 2003 WK Statesman for only a few thou more than the Commodore.
Parents have now bought a WH Stato after driving ours.
The good thing about these is parts are plentiful and they can be fixed or serviced just about anywhere.
:D

[andrew e]

Wife drives a 2000 commo, nice car, cheap parts, very common, gets 10L/100k on the open road. As for easy to work on, its not a bloody landrover! You dont need to work on it. I only open the bonnet twice a year to do the plugs and oil (under an hour). Shop around and you can still get them with under 90K on the clock.

Andy


PS, i want her to update to a WK stato aswell (or vy calais), but she said somthing about the car being our wedding car, and the car we bought our son home from the hospital in, and the fact she had it painted a custom colour (ford blue print), and the fact she likes the shape of the vx better........

[CraigE]

Wife drives a 2000 commo, nice car, cheap parts, very common, gets 10L/100k on the open road. As for easy to work on, its not a bloody landrover! You dont need to work on it. I only open the bonnet twice a year to do the plugs and oil (under an hour). Shop around and you can still get them with under 90K on the clock.

Andy


PS, i want her to update to a WK stato aswell (or vy calais), but she said somthing about the car being our wedding car, and the car we bought our son home from the hospital in, and the fact she had it painted a custom colour (ford blue print), and the fact she likes the shape of the vx better........

Easy,
Prang it, preferablly write it off.
:angel::wasntme::angel:
VX's are still nice cars. I even miss our VT.

[RonMcGr]

Blaze,

Buy her a Hyundai i30, 1.6l Diesel car.
1,000km to a tank of full, best mileage of any car on the market, 5 year unlimited km warranty and only 24 grand!

Ron

[RoverLover]

Blaze,

Buy her a Hyundai i30, 1.6l Diesel car.
1,000km to a tank of full, best mileage of any car on the market, 5 year unlimited km warranty and only 24 grand!

Ron

I saw these in the Carsguide, Truly amazing piece of engineering.
I would go for the commodore, just the safety and size. If you have kids there a great option, becuase you can fit the seats in the back and still have enough room for an adult.

And commodores are coming down in price nowadays, because the markets been flooded with them after the release of the VE, pick (a Good one) up for around 19, 20 k.

Just depends on your budget and lifestyle.
Have a good one mate,
Good Driving, God bless
Jacob

[B92 8NW]

My mum drives a Pulsar
My aunt a Mazda 6
My uncle a Falcon
My dad a Commodore.... all have been pretty good.

I think the Pulsar is a great car, much better than equivalent Japanese offerings but it seriously lacks the torque to be a decent family car. Its great with a driver and a passenger to just get around, very economical, but load it up even just three people and a lot of luggage and it feels markedly slower. I also found that on a drive from Melbourne to Rutherglen with a load on and the A/C running, it used a hell of a lot of fuel... Other than that its really good.

I'd go with a Commodore - ours is a VY, gets serviced by a dealership every time and it only costs around $200. Not the most economical vehicle but pretty good for what it is. I thought that the visibility took a while to get used to - the side windows felt like you were looking out of a slit.

I think the big thing going for the Commodore is the fact that it has decent power, so loading it up with kids and luggage and a caravan doesn't seem to phase it. Its inexpensive to pick up, has everything that a person needs in a car and drives well.

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks :)

I would go the Commodore but in a wagon, a little more usable space and much better rear visability:) with a rear parcel guard

cheers

[Tote]

We've got a BA Dedicated gas Falcon for my wife run in and out of town in. Cost $20K with 32000km on it and 4 months factory warranty left. It has been a pretty good vehicle and is cheap to run and maintain. Same would apply to a Commodore though, just a matter of personal preference. The problem with Pulsars and Mazdas is that they are dearer to buy and service because there isnt the large ex fleet market to choose from.
Regards,
Tote

[stevo68]

I've had a VC, VP and VS Commodore, an AU Falcon and currently an 04 XR6, all trouble free motoring. Ex has a Ford Focus, good on fuel and reasonably spacious as well

Regards

Stevo

[Bigbjorn]

Go to the public car auctions for 2-3 weeks and keep notes of prices paid for cars that are actually sold, not passed in. You can get a good Commodore/Falcon remarkably cheaply. Often you see 8-9 year old tidy examples with <100000k's on go for $4-5000.

[Andy-M]

G'day Blaze,

I'd be looking for a Commodore or similar up your way. Even though the road has improved a sensible use of power can help get out of trouble, especialy with all the trucks on the road.

I once ran out of road when the vehicle I was driving couldn't pass a truck that had sped up in the overtaking lanes west of the Sisters Hills cutting.

Cheers Andy.

[waynep]

The latest Pulsar got a good write up in the weekend paper ( up against Subaru Rx). They reckon economy was better and handled better than the Subaru, which i was surprised at.
The Mazda 3 is not a bad car either.
I'd check out the Pug 306/307/308 and VW Golf too ( diesel variants ) at least then the windcreen wipers and indicators would be on the same side as the Disco ;)
If buying new I'd be looking for one with Electronic Stability Control standard ( which i think all of the above have )

[Fusion]

I got a VY Calais for sale if you want one ;):angel: . But it's V8 .But in saying that the best i have had it running is 9.5L to the 100km on highway use . It does have a few kays on it tho . But for $15,500 it's still a cheap car :);).

[Ace]

go the falcon on gas option, cheap as to run, plenty of power and space.

[RonMcGr]

I cannot say I'm surprised by all the "Commodore" votes, however, the Ford Falcon is similar to the Land Rover.
Seen as trouble and cheap!

However the truth is, the Falcon is a far better vehicle.
Yes it doesn't appeal to bogans, no it wont do zero to 100 metres shredding rubber and making a lot of noise. It does not have a good resale value and is unpopular with the "younger set".

BUT!! The six cylinder Ford will run circles around a Commodore.
It has more torque, it can actually pull heavy trailers and vans, in the Station Wagon version it has a long wheelbase and solid axle!
The Falcon wagon will not scrub tyres when under a load. The Falcon has power to overtake on hills and at higher speed, without dropping to a lower gear.

I could go on, but I'll quit while ahead.
I have two vehicles that I like for different reasons.
An AUIII Falcon SR that is the cheapest tourer I have ever owned. 8.5 lt/100km with power at high speed to boot :-)

Plus a 97 SE7 V8 Disco that is a superb towing vehicle, for stability! If only it had the guts of the Falcon.....

Cheers,
Ron Mc

[CraigE]

Geez Ron,
Obviously I have been driving the wrong Falcons. I find them gutless, very cheap and nastily built, uncomfortable and above all UGLY as sin. I find the Commodore VT on just a much much better package and has absolutely nothing to do with being a Bogan although I may resemble that remark. I realy think the last decent Falcon was the XE. Since then with the AU, way way off base and I reckon they resemble a pregnant Hippo and the rest were close but no cigar. However for what you can buy a Falcon for now it is well worth considering if you are on a budget and have no taste.:angel: My pick will always be the V8 though. The Statesman took it to another level and is very refined and you can get them for a similar price to the same model/year Commodore. Having said all that I did like my brothers Ambrose special. Like chalk and cheese with a standard Falcon though. The BA XR6 turbo is not bad either but they still command good prices. Thought about an AU XR8 last year as only $8k but just could not do it, even though it was black, that Hippo shape just turned my stomach.
:p:p:p
CraigE

I cannot say I'm surprised by all the "Commodore" votes, however, the Ford Falcon is similar to the Land Rover.
Seen as trouble and cheap!

However the truth is, the Falcon is a far better vehicle.
Yes it doesn't appeal to bogans, no it wont do zero to 100 metres shredding rubber and making a lot of noise. It does not have a good resale value and is unpopular with the "younger set".

BUT!! The six cylinder Ford will run circles around a Commodore.
It has more torque, it can actually pull heavy trailers and vans, in the Station Wagon version it has a long wheelbase and solid axle!
The Falcon wagon will not scrub tyres when under a load. The Falcon has power to overtake on hills and at higher speed, without dropping to a lower gear.

I could go on, but I'll quit while ahead.
I have two vehicles that I like for different reasons.
An AUIII Falcon SR that is the cheapest tourer I have ever owned. 8.5 lt/100km with power at high speed to boot :-)

Plus a 97 SE7 V8 Disco that is a superb towing vehicle, for stability! If only it had the guts of the Falcon.....

Cheers,
Ron Mc

[Fusion]

I cannot say I'm surprised by all the "Commodore" votes, however, the Ford Falcon is similar to the Land Rover.
Seen as trouble and cheap!

However the truth is, the Falcon is a far better vehicle.
Yes it doesn't appeal to bogans, no it wont do zero to 100 metres shredding rubber and making a lot of noise. It does not have a good resale value and is unpopular with the "younger set".

BUT!! The six cylinder Ford will run circles around a Commodore.
It has more torque, it can actually pull heavy trailers and vans, in the Station Wagon version it has a long wheelbase and solid axle!
The Falcon wagon will not scrub tyres when under a load. The Falcon has power to overtake on hills and at higher speed, without dropping to a lower gear.

I could go on, but I'll quit while ahead.
I have two vehicles that I like for different reasons.
An AUIII Falcon SR that is the cheapest tourer I have ever owned. 8.5 lt/100km with power at high speed to boot :-)

Plus a 97 SE7 V8 Disco that is a superb towing vehicle, for stability! If only it had the guts of the Falcon.....

Cheers,
Ron Mc

Ron Ron Ron :p . you're saying mate that the Falcon has more power and torque but yet a commodore can shred tyres with less power and torque...... something wrong with the drive line mate ;):wasntme: .


Theres a very good reason why commodore has outsold falcons over the last 30 years . Better looking , better handling ( proven in bathrurst plenty of times before the supercars took over ) and longer lasting . How many XD's and XE's do you see on the road compared to VB's and VC's ????

I rest my case :p:p:wasntme:.

[RonMcGr]

Ron Ron Ron :p . you're saying mate that the Falcon has more power and torque but yet a commodore can shred tyres with less power and torque...... something wrong with the drive line mate ;):wasntme: .


They sure do, Commondoor has very low first gear ratio :)

[RonMcGr]

Craig,

Yes that AU shape IS an acquired taste :)
You get used to it.

I must have driven different Holdens to you, the ones I drove I though were rougher than the Falcon and ran out of power at higher speeds. Both sixes of course.

Go for a drive in both one day, get up to 130-140 kph and "Boot it". The Falcon will fly :D
Yes I know it is illegal :)

[rovercare]

. How many XD's and XE's do you see on the road compared to VB's and VC's ????

I rest my case :p:p:wasntme:.

Heaps more falcons around here;)

[rovercare]

They sure do, Commondoor has very low first gear ratio :)

3:1 compared to 2.43:1

[BradM]

Get her some thing she will be safe in, A real woman's truck.....GQ Patrol. ;)

BradM

[p38arover]

Have you asked her what she wants?

I made the mistake of interfering in my wife's choice of cars.

Now I let her choose her own. She currently drives a 2006 MY Forester

She wants a new Forester - ugly as sin, looks like its from the same designers as the new Kluger (Toyota own about 17% of Fuji Heavy Industries [Subaru]) with a bit of the Murano thrown in.

[B92 8NW]

Even with a 2.31:1 Trimatic M40 behind a 202, one can break traction. (You just need a dirt road:D)

[WhiteD3]

bblaze,

While I love my D3, the best cars I've had to date (reliability, resale, safety, economy and just fun to drive) are Subaru's. I've had two 2.5L Liberty's and the Mrs has an MY02 2.5 Forester X.

[bblaze]

well the damage has been done
Au111 Forte fully optioned, tinted windows, alloy wheels 97000km
$10 000
Maybe a bit dear for mainland prices but not bad for tassie prices, also had a quick glance at a BA but would rather buy the last of a model than the first of another model. Was willing to part with upto another 5 grand for the right car but didnt see any thing that excited me for that much more as it just seems to be the area where they depriate.
cheers
blaze

[RonMcGr]

well the damage has been done
Au111 Forte fully optioned, tinted windows, alloy wheels 97000km
$10 000
Maybe a bit dear for mainland prices but not bad for tassie prices, also had a quick glance at a BA but would rather buy the last of a model than the first of another model. Was willing to part with upto another 5 grand for the right car but didnt see any thing that excited me for that much more as it just seems to be the area where they depriate.
cheers
blaze

Mate,

You will be surprised :D
They maybe ugly, but I think they are one of the best model Falcons built.
Fill it with fuel and take it for a drive along the freeway for 100km and back. Refuel it and you will get a big surprise.
The AUIII uses the least fuel of any Falcon made.

You should get at least 8.1 to 8.6 lt/100km.
We get 8.3 or 34mpg @ ave 115kph with air con running.

Cheers,
Ron

[B92 8NW]

Mate,

You will be surprised :D
They maybe ugly, but I think they are one of the best model Falcons built.
Fill it with fuel and take it for a drive along the freeway for 100km and back. Refuel it and you will get a big surprise.
The AUIII uses the least fuel of any Falcon made.

You should get at least 8.1 to 8.6 lt/100km.
We get 8.3 or 34mpg @ ave 115kph with air con running.

Cheers,
Ron

That is providing you don't operate the whale blowhole system, which ejects a spout of pure fuel into the air:D.

[madmagpie05]

Hey Bblaze, I got the missus into a series 2 v8 auto on gas. She didn't want to have a bar, she was anti auto, she thought it was far too big, etc etc until till she drove it, Now Cannot Get Her to drive anything else... I have suggested a change to something different as we are going to have another Ruggie in several months and she just looked at me ask told me that the divorce papers would be next things we would be signing... good luck with your surch
Madmagpie05

[RonMcGr]

That is providing you don't operate the whale blowhole system, which ejects a spout of pure fuel into the air:D.

You have lost me :eek:
More info??