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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#1 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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So most of us here like to try different cars every now and then. I want to know what cars you've driven lately that have impressed you - IE you didn't think they'd be much chop, but they have been actually rather good.
I'm not after modified or abused cars - i'm after impressions of cars that are entirely indicative of the usual one. Cars made in the last decade or so are preferred. For me? The 2006-2009 CM Hyundai Santa Fe. Having previously driven the 2005 Tucson, i was expecting an unpleasant bucket of bolts. Instead I got a refined and comfortable car, with a meaty steering wheel, excellent seating position, nice ride for an SUV, competent transmission and well presented and appointed cabin. I was impressed!
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#2 | ||
Cast Iron fan
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville
Posts: 1,159
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My brothers VY SS. Deal with it flamers.
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I have a Corolla |
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#3 | ||
Barra Turbo > V8
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Posts: 25,744
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JWR tuned Focus RS
Also a few years back an Audi S4
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-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
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#4 | ||
Racing improves the breed
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SE Melbourne
Posts: 3,982
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Nissan 370Z, really impressed by the sweet V6 and the sounds it made.
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1970 Mini Cooper S Historic Group Nc Touring car 1964 Mini Cooper S Historic Group Nb Touring car 2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT Victorian Hill Climb Championship |
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#5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: TAS
Posts: 2,551
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Au T series owned by John Bowe around a race track.....at least sitting inside it I didn't have to look at the outside!
![]() And Tex's Scud before the supercharger. Both were a perfect balance of power and handling
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XA coupe 8.8sec @ 150mph http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...coupe+drag+car BA GT-P for the shed Mustang GT for the other half E3 chubsport - fully fat (and slow), sitting there waiting for me to get sick of it and sell it. BA XR6T for a daily NT Pajero for the bush XB 4 door project- swallows a BF xr6 turbo My dad is a generous bloke. He gave away his dead car batteries free of charge.... Last edited by GTP owner; 16-02-2012 at 07:51 PM. |
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#6 | ||
I see you....
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 989
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I get drive a bunch of differntc cars in my line of work. The new Kia and Hyundai's are as good if not better than Toyota's and Nissans now where as a few year back everything about them was cheap and nasty.
Mondeo was devine as well - what a driving position. Falcon LPI - OMG Taxi Drivers will have that much power underfoot...scary Audi Q5 - Its so quick its like a computer game..and this isn't the sports model. VW GTI - Its reputation is well earnt, for the money it is a bargain. |
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#7 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,504
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in no order of preference..
F6's, and GT's, especially when I had access to prototypes because I never knew exactly what had been done to them. Focus RS, although I expected it to be quite good. Stock VW Golf around Europe, great little chassis. |
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#8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,146
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Mk 1 escort with cossie motor pumping out 400hp ish. Guy lived near us back in pommy land. Maxed it everywhere he drive it. blatted past us once doing at least 140 mph
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#9 | ||
!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: sydney
Posts: 332
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FG XR6T 50TH anniversary with ZF auto Sold Current car 2018 Mustang GT 10r80 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlHqV...yer_detailpage |
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#10 | ||
Bearded Hermit
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: blue mountains, NSW
Posts: 449
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had hyundai accent loaner a few years back...decent power delivery, handled quite nice, great vision (almost zero blind spot)...even a capable automatic, certainly much better than the falcon's BTR
i was very surprised...and give more respect to hyundai nowadays
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BA XR6, Mercury silver, leather, premium sound, 4 very boring speeds previously...AUII Futura, BAII XR6T ute, BFII XT, BF XR6...with a holden barina & a renault clio thown in at times of financial crisis |
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#11 | ||
Moderator Ford Coupe Club
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vic
Posts: 3,905
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*** Puts on flame suit***
VE SS-V. Was talked into a test drive and I really, and I mean REALLY liked it!! Comfortable, plenty of grunt and the sound of that V8 goodness. I felt very much at home in it as it felt like a refinement of the old skool cars I used to drive. I was very suprised. It's a bit like finally talking to the girl you've ignored for years and years and found she's realy something!! Flame away!!!
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Mitsubishi ASX Auto, White - Daily Commuter XC Fairmont Coupe, 351 4spd, Graphite Grey - The Antidote http://www.fordcoupeclub.org "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there" George Harrison 2001. |
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#12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 116
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My brothers TRD hilux I was very impressed with. I was thinking of getting one after I drove it.
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6 speed BA XR8 mkII ute GQ bush basher |
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#13 | ||
.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 6,197
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Holden Cruze :( Just had one as a hire car and when expecting the worst, I had to eat some hat. Drivers seat was a little snug but that was the worst I found.
Skoda Superb - I could never own one because the 7spd was an awful, awful bloody thing and it was damned ugly. Re the tranny, you'd be in a carpark after just reversing out of your spot and about to head off. You put it in drive, press the juice and the bloody thing would just sit there! You bury your foot to the floor and it would still sit there.... then HOLY CRAP we're not really trying to run you over Sir :( All that said, I have not seen rear leg room like that since the glory days of Citroen DS. The rear seat really is epic. The boot is also epic - apart from the option to open like a boot OR a hatch, it is enormous. You could easily fit 4 large suitcases in there by just throwing them at the rear of the car. It had everything that could possibly open, shut, beep or probably break at the worst possible time and cost a motza to fix.... but was I impressed? Hell yeah. |
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#14 | ||
The Futuriser
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,836
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VW Golf. It was a few years old and I wouldn't get one for myself, but I actually like the way it went. Sounded quite good too.
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Current Subaru Liberty MY08 2.5 SatNav Previous 2003 BA Ford Futura. CKGD - Freelance Graphic Designer |
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#15 | ||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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AU T2 TS50 being driven by Kent Youlden around Winton, seemed to stick to the track like a leach with a pro at the wheel.
A MkI Focus my mum used to drive, gutless as all hell and not that attractive to look at but damn did that thing steer and handle like a beauty, its no wonder the Pommy journos raved like loons about its steering and chassis, and they sold them in droves in Europe. Merc E350 I drove for my brothers wedding, wasn't that impressive to drive really but the build quality was astounding, its the little things that suprise you, like how beautifully damped the little pop out storage trays in the dash are, and how solid it all feels. Feels like it would go a million k's without anything breaking or wearing out inside. |
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#16 | |||
Adam.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Garfield, Victoria
Posts: 2,652
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Quote:
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2004 BA XR8, Winter White, Manual, 20's, Bluepower Custom Tune, Difilippo Extractors, etc - 241.4rwkw Build Thread SOLD ![]() 2007 BF Mk2 Winter White E-Gas Wagon, 6 Seater. 2002 AU3 XR6, Liquid Silver, Manual, Sunroof, LPG, Rebel Kit, BA GTP's, Momo Steering Wheel & Gear Knob. |
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#17 | ||
windsorman
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: sydney metro
Posts: 260
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mercedes w126 500sel , mercedes 500sl , bmw 735il , porsche 928s , porsche 928s4 ,ford c-max turbo diesel wagon (in italy) ,ford nc fairlane ghia, ford fg falcon xr6.
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351capri |
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#18 | ||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,035
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I was passenger in a Honda S2000, that thing was nuts above 6000 RPM.
Shame I couldn't fit in the drivers seat, lol. Also my mate just got himself a 6sp manual VE SV6 SIDI, its quite comfortable, visability outside the windscreen sucks though because of the massive A-pillars. |
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#19 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Just waiting for a mate
Posts: 1,406
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Before I got my Monty I test drove some Toyota Soarers.
The 1UZ-FE V8 was smooth as, a lot smoother but not as responsive as the windsor. The feel was incredibly luxurious though, I could have driven that thing for days. I also drive one with the twin turbo 6, and testing the power accidentally left some nice black marks behind me with the car dealer sitting in the car... that thing picked up faster than the fairmont I just don't like to admit it lol
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DAS IT MANE
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#20 | ||
Broken
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,845
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2011 Mustang GT, handling tuned more for comfort, but the little Coyote engine matched to its automatic transmission was a sweet driveline combo.
Mates TD Landcruiser, offroad ability, effortless way it tows just under 4 tonnes of trailer boat. Defies air resistance, mass and inertia at highway speed. F6T's Typhoon. Thrusts harder than it's 'power' would suggest. Steve's VE R8, nicley balanced, suspension, engine power / torque, chassis ablity to use all the engine. Brakes. Better package than my stock BF2 GT by a fair margin. I enjoyed it more on the track than pretty well anything Ive cut laps in. Maketh a hero out of a novice. BF Cobra, a bit slow, but a nice way to travel, looked good standing still. Work colleagues Toureg. Properly built, nice V8 engine and gorgeous yellowish orange leather interior. Felt very very solid. The girly car, our Audi S3. Bomb proof construction, sweet changing manual transmission, wet weather grip, handling a Falcon driver could hardly fathom. More sure footed than the WRXs weve had. Proper sound system. My dads Mercedes C class is very nice to travel in, but too grand pa for this brown cow. If I had to drive an extreme distance in one session however, I'd borrow his. And, the only car that's been able to genuinely make me feel intimidated driven at 10/10ths,Track speed, and I've driven more than a few on the track, don't mean just street quick, but at the limit... Me 'ol Scud. Verging on over powered on a tight circuit, chassis very close to being maxed out. Actually, it is maxxed out. Always fun, in a challenging kind of way. But just tootling around the burbs, it's perfect, the torque, that's what makes it the car it is. I've not driven anything that can combine those two traits - fear when turned 'on', comfort and effortless travel when turned 'off'. All the 'old' cars Ive had have been, well, old. That's being too kind, they were rubbish. Lot's of Fords, a few ricers, boxers, rubbish. Cars have improved greatly in the 22 years Ive been driving and buying. Never driven any supercars, can only dream ![]()
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The Scud GT 11.4 @ 128, 1.88 60ft. Last edited by tex; 16-02-2012 at 10:06 PM. Reason: spelling |
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#21 | ||
on the way to the RSL
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Almurta
Posts: 1,487
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Mates AU2 TE50, had so much grip and balance
My work Toyota Hiace Diesel. Stalled up it will light both tyres up and corners way better than I thought a Cab-Over would.
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ED GLi - DOHC - GT42R - 2 Speed - 275 Radials- Moser 9" 8.9x@160mph+ |
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#22 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 1,308
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1. 2008 Honda Accord Euro, manual. Very slick gear shifts, handles absolutely brilliantly, quiet, plush interior, punchy engine ... if I had a spare $45K I'd trade in my Fairmont for an Accord Euro Luxury with manual transmission. I miss driving manuals.
2. Volkswagen Golf (V) GTi. Sticks like glue, pretty damn quick, steers brilliantly. Not keen on the firm seats, though - but it is meant to be a performance car. It's nice, very impressive, but I can't see myself owning one. 3. FG G6E Turbo. I defy anyone to drive the I6T and not be impressed. It still sounds and feels like a Falcon, though.
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Current car: 2016 Ford MD Mondeo Titanium EcoBoost (2016-) Previous cars: 2005 Ford BF Fairmont (2006-2019) 1989 Ford EA Falcon GL (2000-2007) 1982 Ford KA Laser Ghia (1999-2000) |
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#23 | ||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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G6E...such a nice place to be...sorta began to think i was in something euro...
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#24 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 665
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When I was in Europe in 2009 we had a non turbo diesel VW Passat manual and it was fantastic. It did not lack bottom end grunt but you could feel it if your up shift gear was selected too early though. It was smooth and very very economical. The fit and finish was of very high quality.
But last year in the US was my favorite! I upgraded from an appalling Chevy Impala V6 for a 6 liter V8 Cadillac Escalade for our drive from LA to San Fran. Apart from the Caddy being a tad thirsty, around 20 odd mpg at 80 mph on the open road, the comfort levels were extremely high. The power on tap in an AWD of that weight and size was incredible, even the factory exhaust note was worth noting. While the fit and finish still suffered a little like any typical US built car even at Caddy trim levels, it was still a real nice rental. Bud Bud |
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#25 | |||
Off smelting
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: boyne island
Posts: 1,035
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Quote:
Last edited by Thornie; 17-02-2012 at 02:58 AM. |
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#26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 3,479
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Some of these are recent and some are not. I am going to put the ones at the top of my list only.
2011 Mustang 5.0 (puts a massive smile on your face at all times) 2011 F-150 EcoBoost (so much power, torque, refinement, and economy) 2011 Chevy Duramax (like a 2006, but 10x better) 2006 Duramax (so easy to do massive burnouts, accelerates very well) 2010 Ram 2500 Cummins (one word: torque!) 2003 Falcon GTP (would love to experience Miami version) 2003 Range Rover 3.0 I-6 diesel (would love to drive the 4.4 V8 TDI) 2003 Touareg V10 TDI (why this is engine is no longer made is beyond me) |
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#27 | ||
XD Sundowner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: moranbah
Posts: 1,078
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Other than my prado which is just a very comfy fourby with no vices , all been hire cars .corolla,Hyundais, and must say I can't see the revolution in em all junk noisy slow shocking build , with zero driver Interaction .....
Hopeing to drive some euros when I go for our euro trip ...nurburgring here I come ![]()
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something old something blue |
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#28 | ||
E-series fan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Posts: 280
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Mum had a Hummer H3 that I got around in quite a bit and I was impressed, and had a lot of fun with, this vehicle.
Good ride and handling, excellent build quality and comfortable interior.
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E39 523i EF Fairmont |
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#29 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
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Test drove an 04 BAII XR6 back in september, after being a Nissan driver for decades (Pulsar, Patrol, Maxima) I was so impressed by its comfort & power that I bought it straight away & that is now why im a member of these forums with all you fine people!
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#30 | ||
XY Driv3r
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,004
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2004 Black SL600.... I had never driven anything of that calibre and possibly will never again... Thanks to the FIL for letting me drive his mates one... I still remember turning onto Western Port Hwy from Hall rd and standing on the throttle. It was like being shot out of a cannon; and within a blink of the eye we were at 100ks... But it wasn't just about the performance and handling (which was like sailing over the road); seating in it was like seating on a lounge chair about to watch a movie... So so so comfortable... Unfortunately I only got to drive for a couple of ks before I had to give the keys back to the FIL for the trip home
To this day I am still gobsmacked that I got a chance to drive it.
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