So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[Ansett]

What kind of economy? I drive ssv ute. 500km mainly stop start and about $85 to fill.

From the Captiva Diesel I am averaging in the region of 11 litres per 100 and I DONT drive hard my Territory Petrol I was in the High 9s to low 10 Litres per 100.

From a diesel I would have expected in the region of 8-9 per 100.

Do you use E85 in your SSV?

 

[Mogul]

Have you considered some of the dual cab ute's?

 

[Alanslegal]

I love my 2014 subaru forester 2.0d-s.
Get great fuel economy at 5.6-6.4l/100 on the diesel. Where I am diesel and petrol are very similar in price and it's fantastic.

Has all the wiz bangs and is comfy throughout for a leather car.

Good choice I own a Forester as well but the 2.0XT premium model. After a year of renting rental cars during the weekends (which I calculated was more beneficial for me) I decided what the heck and just bought one one weekend I was car window-shopping. I like the car, it's only driven 8,000kms in 12 months (well really 6,000kms in 12 months because I loaned my car to my brother whilst I was overseas and he clocked up another 2,000kms ). My car is practically new, still smells like new, garaged pretty much weekdays (as I live in the City and don't drive anywhere weekdays). I don't need the space of 5 seats, the backseats in fact have only been sat it a few times. I am contemplating switching to a Lexus RC if they decide to release the 2.0 turbo petrol engine in 2015.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I've been getting by with a Commodore wagon for a few years. I use it for work where I occasionally have to carry a fair bit of stuff around. Have done a lot of country driving and plenty of gravel roads which are okay but the clearance is not good enough for anything but the better roads. I don't think the clearance of these SUV type vehicles is all that great at around 150-180mm but it's a lot better than a car. Camping has tended to be in the more accessible areas but I'm keen to get out onto a few more fire trails but I don't expect to do major river crossings and climb over boulders etc.

By the time you get to some of the higher spec versions of these 7 seater SUVs the price is approaching the Prado which I sort of consider except it's a bit of a truck like most real 4WDs.

I've got a good deal on a Pathfinder but I'm a bit nervous about them although the newer versions are supposedly better. It's all so confusing...

I wouldn't say a Prado drives like a truck?

I love mine (2012 Altitude model). I did find it a bit laggy though but a 3" exhaust and Unichip on it, it drives great and it's quick off the mark.

 

[Wannabee]

HSV GEN F GTS here.

All these posts on fuel consumption make me laugh.

I didn't buy it for its low fuel consumption though

 

[hummel]

From the Captiva Diesel I am averaging in the region of 11 litres per 100 and I DONT drive hard my Territory Petrol I was in the High 9s to low 10 Litres per 100.

From a diesel I would have expected in the region of 8-9 per 100.

Do you use E85 in your SSV?

Nope just BP Ultimate a majority of the time.

I woud have expected better from the Captiva!

 

[Warks]

Have you considered some of the dual cab ute's?

I was thinking of a Navara or the like early on - Hiluxes are amazingly expensive though. But then I'd rather have less of a truck.

As for the Prado I've never driven one but it's a SWB Landcruiser and I know they drive like trucks (high centre of gravity) so I was thinking it would be the same although maybe I should have a test drive before I make hasty judgments.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Definitely worth a test drive

I do love mine!!!

 

[Pukka]

I've gone off 4x4's too thirsty so the Range Rover Sport has been sent out to pasture after 150,000kms as a Chelsea tractor on the school run.

I've bought a BMW M4 someone said its a midlife crisis which I'm very happy with as I'm 49

 

[JohnM]

I've bought a BMW M4 someone said its a midlife crisis which I'm very happy with as I'm 49

Oh to be so young again - is it MLC red?

 

[Pukka]

Oh to be so young again - is it MLC red?

It's Sakhir Orange although I've told the wife it's red which it is sort of

 

[Buzzard]

Definitely worth a test drive

I do love mine!!!

Me too. Happy to plod along in the diesel. 1,500K or more on a "tank" of fuel.

Did all the fast stuff years ago in Rotaries.

Mind you, I still have a bike.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Me too. Happy to plod along in the diesel. 1,500K or more on a "tank" of fuel.

Did all the fast stuff years ago in Rotaries.

Mind you, I still have a bike.

I am such a lead foot... I get 1250 pushing 1300kms per tank.....

Having the extra power at take off doesn't help though!

Agree though re fast cars....my first decent car was a brand new WRX at age 22 in WR blue....that car went very very well!

9 years on I have the family wagon with 2 kids

 

[Warks]

One thing that has astounded me is how much some cars/vehicles cost. I hadn't looked for years and there's a fair range of decent vehicles up to $60K which is the absolute top end that I'd ever pay (in current values). But the number of vehicles well over $100K? How does anyone afford them? On top of mortgages and all the other things that go along with the lifestyle? I guess this is a bit OT but I have been wondering. Some people must make some serious coin.

 

[knasty]

Kia Sorento won the Drive award. I picked up a base model petrol new for 34k. Whilst it's not the best car in the world it's a he'll of a lot of metal for what I paid. The 2.2 diesel is excellent all around and now has 7 year warranty. Mine hasn't skipped a beat.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

One thing that has astounded me is how much some cars/vehicles cost. I hadn't looked for years and there's a fair range of decent vehicles up to $60K which is the absolute top end that I'd ever pay (in current values). But the number of vehicles well over $100K? How does anyone afford them? On top of mortgages and all the other things that go along with the lifestyle? I guess this is a bit OT but I have been wondering. Some people must make some serious coin.

Depends if you can write you car off through tax.....gst back plus 17% depreciation each year....adds up quite nicely!

 

[Gibbels]

One thing that has astounded me is how much some cars/vehicles cost. I hadn't looked for years and there's a fair range of decent vehicles up to $60K which is the absolute top end that I'd ever pay (in current values). But the number of vehicles well over $100K? How does anyone afford them? On top of mortgages and all the other things that go along with the lifestyle? I guess this is a bit OT but I have been wondering. Some people must make some serious coin.

Yeah, you're right about that! It was much cheaper when I got my first car. I live now in the city where I don't need one anymore (public transportation ftw), but it sure is expensive ...

 

[cove]

Which city in California has expensive public transport? The Big Blue Bus to travel from Marina del Rey to Santa Monica or into Los Angeles city feels like a screaming bargain.

 

[Warks]

Which city in California has expensive public transport? The Big Blue Bus to travel from Marina del Rey to Santa Monica or into Los Angeles city feels like a screaming bargain.

Yes I was there last month and I couldn't believe it was a buck to go anywhere! Makes Sydney look very expensive - $3.80 to go one stop on the train.

 

[cove]

In Sydney with a seniors card it is $2.50 all day on trains ,buses and ferries. I really only use a limo from or to the airport. With everyone growing a day older you are getting closer to qualifying.