Vehicle ownership. Highlights and low.

[smoo]

Listening to a guy I work with saying his old Isuzu MUX is the best car he owned, how good it was and his regrets trading it on a new Haval.
I’m thinking fark me this bloke must have owned some heaps of shit prior, to hold an MUX in such high regard.

But it got me thinking, what are the highs and lows of your vehicle ownership.

For me,

Any of the 9 AU Falcon/Fairlanes I’ve had. For obvious reasons.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
330kw, most likely the best all round vehicle of the 2000s. Speed, handling, luxury, ride quality, interior build quality and feel, 3.5t towing, height adjustable air suspension, triple diff lock and low range.





Citroen C5 Hdi wagon.
5.5l/100km, huge load space, comfortable captains chairs, best ride quality I’ve experienced in a vehicle.


snagit


Mercedes E320 CDI
Superb open road driver. Solid build quality and felt like a Mercedes, unlike the the stuff post 2000. Smooth and torquey 6 cylinder diesel, 6.2l/100km highway.





BMW E34 535iS.
Minimal electrics, 155kw and 305nm. Manual and LSD, fun car to drive.






Mercedes W140 CL600. 290kw and 580nm V12. Peak 1990s luxury. Smooth and huge flat torque delivery. Could cruise in this at 160-200kmh and it felt like 80kmh.





The lows,

P38 Ranger Rover 4.6, Discovery 1 & 2 V8.
Slow, thirsty, fragile, poor build quality. Epitome of pommy shit. At least they sound good.

Mercedes W211 E320 wagon.
Mediocre car before taking into account the badge and original RRP. Average build quality, poor airmatic ride quality. Apart from fuel economy, a BA Fairmont Ghia is just as good as this.





VF2 SSV Redline.
Currently locked in garage behind the house.
Confined to short drives where its not left anywhere for fear of theft .

[Interceptor]

He cant be that bright if he went from a MUX to a haval and is surprised that its a P.O.S

[kevino]

2008 LT TDCI 2.0 diesel Ford Focus

Bought this as a demo and used this as a daily and work commuter GC-Bris clocked up 278000 kms.
Reliable -never broke down
5.2 litres per 100
Hills-what hills
Could still wheelspin the front tyres with four people in it
Clutch and manual gearbox never touched.
Super car.
Just shades a 76 VK Valiant I owned for reliability.

[Jack91]

I bought a px2 Ranger to replace my au2 xr8 ute years ago.
That was a big downgrade. For 60k I expected the Ranger to be worlds ahead but it was a pretty high maintenance boring shit heap. And I took a total bath on it just to get rid of it.
My '70 challenger is by far the coolest car I've ever had but it's only really a shed ornament because of its value, so I don't know if I really love it.
The best car is probably my 105 series cruiser. Modern looks with a proper chassis underneath. They do everything well.
The worst car for me is probably my '22 dmax. Its luckily not mine but a full use work car. I won't go into all its failings but every day I drive it, I'm amazed how someone could spend 50k+ of their own money on one. Youd only buy a current diesel SUV if you're stupid, rich, or not aware that anything else exists.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

He cant be that bright if he went from a MUX to a haval and is surprised that its a P.O.S

He hasn’t said anything bad about the Haval.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by smoo

He hasn’t said anything bad about the Haval.

I think it's implied based on this...

Originally Posted by smoo

Listening to a guy I work with saying his old Isuzu MUX is the best car he owned, how good it was and his regrets trading it on a new Haval.
I’m thinking fark me this bloke must have owned some heaps of shit prior, to hold an MUX in such high regard.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by arm79

I think it's implied based on this...

Ah right, the way I interpreted that from him, is the MUX was so good, he misses it. As opposed to the Haval being bad (in his eyes).

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Jack91

I bought a px2 Ranger to replace my au2 xr8 ute years ago.
That was a big downgrade. For 60k I expected the Ranger to be worlds ahead but it was a pretty high maintenance boring shit heap. And I took a total bath on it just to get rid of it.
My '70 challenger is by far the coolest car I've ever had but it's only really a shed ornament because of its value, so I don't know if I really love it.
The best car is probably my 105 series cruiser. Modern looks with a proper chassis underneath. They do everything well.
The worst car for me is probably my '22 dmax. It’s luckily not mine but a full use work car. I won't go into all its failings but every day I drive it, I'm amazed how someone could spend 50k+ of their own money on one. Youd only buy a current diesel SUV if you're stupid, rich, or not aware that anything else exists.

The FTE and 2UZ with the option of VX or Sahara spec would have been icing on the cake for the 105 chassis.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by smoo

Listening to a guy I work with saying his old Isuzu MUX is the best car he owned, how good it was and his regrets trading it on a new Haval.
I’m thinking fark me this bloke must have owned some heaps of shit prior, to hold an MUX in such high regard.

He bought a Haval ffs.

What I can't comprehend is the current generation of Millennials, who wouldn't dream of buying their undies at Kmart, but ill buy any old cheap peace of shit car from China.

[Crazy Dazz]

But, as for Highs & Lows:

Highs: TTG, and XR4.

Lows: Nimbus and Starwagon

[jakkes]

xy falcon 500 302w/toploader/bw diff... loved that car very reliable destroyed heaps of b/w diffs- mostly my fault.

xd svo ute 377c/toploader/9inch good muscle car driveline police tramp rods put power down well....BAD just had a flimsy chassis--no rust either someone put a pop up sun roof in it and it used to squeak and make noise.

BA falcon 5.4 3v, manual, m86, good: old skool type of car with no stability control, traction control just ABS goes well good torque

BAD every after market part that has gone near this thing has caused me trouble big trouble!! the latest is its destroyed 3 WAVE-TRAC LSD units
i actually love this thing but its sending me broke and mental at the same time

[b0son]

EF Falcon Futura 5spd ... started mid, then became a high point after improving exhaust and suspension/wheels. The most fun vehicle I've owned if only because it begged to be driven like a lunatic.

BA XR6 ... should have been a high point moving from the EF, but it simply wasnt as much fun to drive, and felt wheezy compared to the EF.

VW MkV Golf GTI ... definite high point beginning to end. DSG was brilliant (f1 nut, so paddle shift was a huge plus for me), and the car was just so chuckable.

Megane RS250 .... started a high point, but having the car towed for the same problem repeatedly and repair delays due to lack of parts, soured the experience. Probably the low point as I'm seldom glad to be rid of a car but I was with that.

HSV VF Clubsport R8 ... should have been a high point, but other than the novelty of it being my first V8, it was simply a very competent and well sorted vehicle but not exciting.

Jag XE S ... always been a fan of the marque, and its the best 6 cylinder I've heard (other than earlier M3s). Great handling, marred only by the somewhat intrusive stability control and inconsistent gearbox. Must be a high point though, as I've had it the longest.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by b0son

EF Falcon Futura 5spd ... started mid, then became a high point after improving exhaust and suspension/wheels. The most fun vehicle I've owned if only because it begged to be driven like a lunatic.

BA XR6 ... should have been a high point moving from the EF, but it simply wasnt as much fun to drive, and felt wheezy compared to the EF.

VW MkV Golf GTI ... definite high point beginning to end. DSG was brilliant (f1 nut, so paddle shift was a huge plus for me), and the car was just so chuckable.

Megane RS250 .... started a high point, but having the car towed for the same problem repeatedly and repair delays due to lack of parts, soured the experience. Probably the low point as I'm seldom glad to be rid of a car but I was with that.

HSV VF Clubsport R8 ... should have been a high point, but other than the novelty of it being my first V8, it was simply a very competent and well sorted vehicle but not exciting.

Jag XE S ... always been a fan of the marque, and its the best 6 cylinder I've heard (other than earlier M3s). Great handling, marred only by the somewhat intrusive stability control and inconsistent gearbox. Must be a high point though, as I've had it the longest.

I wish our XE had the V6, the chassis is so capable that even though the 147 kW 20t is brisk, the car feels like it could handle so much more.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

He bought a Haval ffs.

What I can't comprehend is the current generation of Millennials, who wouldn't dream of buying their undies at Kmart, but ill buy any old cheap peace of shit car from China.

I remember when Great Wall first came to Australia and all their models scored like 1 star in the crash tests and A Current Affair (I think it was them) did a report about why people were so in love with buying these pieces of trash.

One couple bought 2 people movers said their only motivation was they could get 2 of these things for the price of a Tarago or something similar back in the day. They weren't concerned for the safety or quality, only that they could get 2 for the price of 1.

I wonder how they are going? If they are still alive?

My uncle bought a Jolion Hybrid to replace his ancient and very rough VZ Commo. He thinks its the ducks guts. But is incensed it doesn't have a spare wheel, only a wheel in a can and a road side assistance plan. But still bought it anyways.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by arm79

I remember when Great Wall first came to Australia and all their models scored like 1 star in the crash tests and A Current Affair (I think it was them) did a report about why people were so in love with buying these pieces of trash.

One couple bought 2 people movers said their only motivation was they could get 2 of these things for the price of a Tarago or something similar back in the day. They weren't concerned for the safety or quality, only that they could get 2 for the price of 1.

I wonder how they are going? If they are still alive?

My uncle bought a Jolion Hybrid to replace his ancient and very rough VZ Commo. He thinks its the ducks guts. But is incensed it doesn't have a spare wheel, only a wheel in a can and a road side assistance plan. But still bought it anyways.

My local postie had one of those ~10 years ago, the Great Wall V220 or what ever the ute was called with the Mitsubishi engine,

I had to MacGyver the thing on the side of the road to cobble shit together to keep it going, couldn't get parts for it at all from anywhere.

[Sprintey]

Was that the asbestos gaskets one? Would've been hard to find those parts in Australia...

[burnz]

VF2 SS love driving it, best car iv'e owned.
down side: A lot of attempts to steal it... 30+ counting, removed door locks.
high voltage OBD2 ports as well as kill switches..

[Sprintey]

Lowlight: HZ wagon, got stiched by dodgy seller. The final country trip the 202 was straining on 4 cylinders, fibreglass lower passenger side door. Dad used it as trade in on his VR...

Lowlight: VR wagon (for Dad). Timing sender unit would go AWOL in the Perth heat, sent Dad with no power steer or braking over a roundabout. Failed to proceed on a country trip more than once. Dad used it as trade on his VY...

Highlight: VY Commodore (for Dad, now for Mum, loved in family). Saved Mum in head on smash in 2009 shortly after Dad passed away. Borderline write off, she was distraught and made the insurance company rebuild her husband's car. So it has a 2009 front end, and they did the job well. Now 130,000km and immaculate, we took it on a Nullarbor run at age 21 and it chomped it. Eldest child loves it too, he drives like the 'Grampa' trend Gen Z is into and it fits him like old slippers. So reliable too.

Highlight: ED Falcon Classic GLi. Fantastic car. So solidly built. More solid than the contemporary VR, comfortable, had space, loved highways, great gearing choices in 4sp auto box. Had a 'power' button so you know it meant business. Should have never sold it, bought at 50,000 and moved on thinking it was getting a bit old at 100,000. Replaced later with ED Sprint to fill the void but that's a different kettle of fish, like Jack said above shed ornament, being a glamour model it has downsides to something ordinary like stress of theft. For the EF mentioned above by b0son, our ED Classic was like that, you could drive it like a madman and it would entertain the whole way.

Highlight: AWD petrol Territory, ordered new. Grunt, space, handling, comfort. Had it all. We still have it.

Highlight: 60 series Cruiser. Not for it's excellence as a car, but because it allowed my career to take off and took us all over Australia in (good) paying work. As reliable as you preventatively serviced it. Kudos.

There should also be a category 'cars you owned but were indifferent to' - 2004 Echo, great car, fantastic build quality, chuckable in the city. However, I don't mind that I sold it.

[NX74205]

I don't have a lot of regrets in my car history. Only two spring to mind:

My second car was an EA Falcon GL. The EA was what got me into Fords in the first place. I just loved the styling. When I told my mechanic I wanted to buy an EA Fairmont Ghia, he said don't do it, EAs aren't great mechanically, and Ghia electrics would break often. But I was deadset keen on an EA (EB would have been better but beyond my budget at the time), so I "settled" for a Falcon GL. Turns out that he was right about one thing: the EAs weren't that reliable. I might as well have gone for the Fairmont Ghia, given that it wouldn't save me much money if at all in terms of maintenance.

Not that I regret buying an EA. Not in the least. I still loved that car, and I still love the styling. From then on, I decided never to get a mechanic's opinion when I'm getting a car. For me personally, reliability is not a top priority. I really don't mind spending on maintenance if I love a car enough.

My other regret is selling my BF Fairmont. Objectively, the Mondeo with which I replaced the Fairmont is a better car in every respect. Subjectively, however, I still miss the Fairmont. My plan to keep both cars was scuppered by losing my job and running into medical issues which meant that I couldn't work at the time, so one car had to go - the ageing Fairmont, or the brand new Mondeo. I think I made the right choice, logically, but I was emotionally torn up over selling the Fairmont - more so when I discovered it on Facebook markeplace again last year, after it had been trashed and used for skids ... 🤬

Highlights? Buying the BF Fairmont at 11 months old with 16610kms on the clock. Felt just like buying a brand new Falcon. Had it for 13 years, and in some ways, it was the best car I've had. Then there's also driving my brand new Mondeo off the showroom floor, literally. There's just something about buying brand new, in my view. Objectively, it's a better car than the Fairmont in every way, perhaps with the exception of aural pleasure.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by NX74205

For me personally, reliability is not a top priority. I really don't mind spending on maintenance if I love a car enough.

Reliability, or lack thereof, isnt just requiring frequent maintenance, its also the possibility that it might leave you stranded on the side of the road.

I recently purchased a BA ute with a history of going into limp home mode, a problem that from multiple people was only ever a momentary thing, cycle the ignition off and on and the problem went away.

It wasnt really a concern as I've got most of the bits together for a complete turbo driveline swap, ecu's, harnesses etc, but the first time it pooped its pants..... yeah.... 2 hours on the side of the road with another 2 hours on a tilt tray..... now I dont trust it to drive down tot he shops as I've been unable to successfully replicate the fault.

[whynot]

Highs - SY AWD Ford Territory. Absolute joy to drive and had some awesome family road trips with it. I still miss that car.

Low - G6E Falcon. An absolute lemon with lots of electrical and mechanical gremlins from the factory. Dealer apathy in rectifying didn't help. Swore off Fords for awhile after that.

Experiencing the future now - 2014 Mitsubishi Outland PHEV. From a professional perspective, my colleagues and I learned a lot about electric drive trains and their impact on the electricity grid. Except for the battery life issue, a well screwed together vehicle.

[Rallye Sport]

Best and worst car I've owned is my MK2 Escort. For all the blood, sweat and tears its cost me I still wear a big dumb grin every time I drive it and will do what ever it takes to keep it.

Most extraordinary vehicle I owned was a Toyota Hiace. Bought it for $500 to cart things around when renovating my first house. 700k on the odo, so rusty you could see daylight through the gutters and we had to bolt the side door on to stop it falling off.
However it ran, stopped and steered faultlessly. I'd let it sit for months and it'd start first go every time, never put a drop of oil or water in it. Even drove it Perth - Kalgoorlie to pick up a load of car parts. Sold it for the same $500 years later.

[Interceptor]

High: 1994 ED XR8 Sprint, never left me stranded, no major powerhouse but dear god it was a dream to drive hard, only issues I ever had with it were understandable considering the K's it had done, still wish I'd never sold it.
Low: 2001 VU "S" ute, boring as all get up, bought it with 120***km, ended up selling it not long after replacing the engine at 163,000km, dealer who sold it to me said "but look how you drive it".... reminded him of my XR8, told him the ute had never been off the clock or seen the speed limiter, and that he should shut up before he said anything else stupid.

[Giant Cranium]

low point - sy2 awd territory Ghia, never has such a boring car existed, did everything well enough but was a miserable vehicle, I can't begin to explain how happy I was when I sold it

high point - pursuit 250, not much needs explaining with that

what I can see being the best, vf2 ssv wagon, I replaced the territory with this. what a brilliant thing

[DJM83]

Ive liked all my cars.
But low would be my first car, 1985 XF GL 200ci 5sp manual. Just gutless and very basic (but it was my first car)
Highlight for me would have been my 2010 XR5T.
Brilliant engine, euro fords just handle, build quality pretty bloody good. Did i mention that engine!

[383hq]

Originally Posted by smoo

Ah right, the way I interpreted that from him, is the MUX was so good, he misses it. As opposed to the Haval being bad (in his eyes).

Watched a Ewwhhh tube video the other week where some grey nomads wrote off their kids inheritence - specifically a landcruiser and Caravan, with all contents for a lap (they had rented out their Sydney house for 6 months)

Insurance paid out what the contract said it would - wasn't enought to buy a replacement landcruiser so they purchased a Mux.

Surprisngly for me, the guy said he prefers it over the landcruiser....

so there are a few around that love em.

Low light - buttons and knobs replaced with tablets/ipads

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Jack91

Youd only buy a current diesel SUV if you're stupid, rich, or not aware that anything else exists.

It couldn't possibly be that other people have different tastes and different requirements from their vehicles, could it??

[arm79]

High point would by my EL Ghias. Had 2 over about 10 years. Smooth, comfy, relatively economical, cheap and easy to repair and maintain. And personally I still think one of the best looking modern Falcons Ford ever designed, specially when accompanied with the Tickford body kit of the day.



Mid point would be the Force 6. Great car to drive, specially on long distances. Very comfortable with plenty of power when you need it. A superb tow vehicle for the stuff I towed. But it will always be overshadowed by how poorly built it was and the amount of effort needed to get Ford to do what they should do. Had somewhere around $36k in warranty repairs, spent about 4 months in dealerships for warranty repairs . New engine, trans, diff, turbo, diff bushes, repaint of all the plastics, etc, etc. And it doesn't help underneath it was no different than an XT Falcon. I'm still stunned its going today.



Low point is easily the POS BF Ghia that is my current daily driver. If we joke about Friday built cars, then this thing was the last car built before a 4 day long weekend where Ford were offering free booze on an unlimited tab before you went home that day.

Bought at 94,400km as part of a deceased estate. Old guy barely drove it and it lived in a garage all its life. Got it for $6k when most were going for around $10k at the time, thought I got a bargain. It's got a brake drag problem I cant seem to solve, even though the complete brake system has been replaced twice. Paint fade. Bushed that all fell apart at once. And severe rust in the passenger boot gutter that itself has just rendered the value of the car nil overnight. Will cost thousands to repair. My only hope is for it to be stolen and/or written off in an accident.



Honourable mention to my first car, a 4 door MK2 1.6 Escort. Apart from being canary yellow and having weird electrical gremlins that cause all sorts of issues, it was a room and reliable car. Got me everywhere I needed to go.

That was followed by an 87 XF Ghia. A car I very much lusted over and eventually managed to find a good one. It was reliable, handled OK after a suspension upgrade, but wasn't exciting or fun. It just worked. The savings on the fuel bill alone is what got me into my first EL Ghia.

[Sprintey]

Gee the E series is getting a good rep in this thread.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Gee the E series is getting a good rep in this thread.

IMO its pretty much Ford Australia's sweet spot