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

[rogerkambah]

My RS Focus has had a recall for the head gasket issue, it seems that someone stuffed up somewhere and they didn't really keep a good record of which head gasket was fitted to them.

The design of the engine, I believe is the same as the 2.3 found in the Mustang, but the casting materials for the block and the head are very different. Some Mustang head gaskets may have been fitted to the RS and they are a lower spec.

I believe that in the UK all head gaskets are being replaced on all cars built before a certain date. Here, the dealer is saying they will pressure test it, then decide what it needs, however I think that as they will have it for 3 to 5 days they'll do the gasket.

As an aside, a neighbour of mine has decided to sell his, the gasket issue will be looked at first, but he is prepared to take a $10,000 loss after only having it since September last year! He said he has bought a boat and doesn't use the RS to it's potential and it sits quite often in his driveway. Being a hoarder, I'm tempted, but Erika would shoot me!

I'd risk being shot!! I've had a bit of a read about these gasket problems and I'm not convinced by what ford are saying.

On another matter it was a great day weatherwise in CBR yesterday so wife and I went out for a topless drive - not far, only about 45 mins each way because she was late getting back from the gym.

 

[Quickstatus]

I have just bought another touareg diesel ; ..

I’ve been waiting a long time for a model update for a long while for the Touareg.

 

[Quickstatus]

OK, I'm after some advice! I want to replace our everyday car, 2013 Ford Focus driven mainly by the boss, originally I was thinking a supercab ute, Ranger, Hilux sort of thing, but I now think it would be too big. So now it more likely to be a soft roader.
I want something I can take down dirt roads without having to worry about anything falling off. We aren't going to do really serious offroad stuff, but we do like to do backroads.
It has to be 4 wheel drive and a diesel, preferably manual, It would probably need to be able to tow a decent size trailer, if I don't get a ute.
Does anyone here have thoughts on a Forester, Outback, Escape, Pathfinder and the like?
Something like an Everest or big Toyota or something that size isn't really an option either, again, they are too big.
Some other things I won't consider are the new range of Chinese built SUV's, might consider a Korean, but probably not.

Anyone be able to give me some advice?

I would suggest a VW Passat Alltrack. I think it can tow 2000kg.
Whats the weight of trailer you wanna pull?

.........

My RS Focus has had a recall for the head gasket issue.....

I still am wary of anything Ford says especially after the dodgy dual clutch “powerShift” . Even the ACCC thinks not only was it dodgy but Ford engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

 

[tgh]

I’ve been waiting a long time for a model update for a long while for the Touareg.

Indeed , so was I.
The new-eg was released a few weeks ago at the Beijing motor show.
It is bigger, has a flash new dash, and looks sssoooo VW family…like a big tiguan…or a q5+a bit…. a big negative imo
Diesel is similar power (I was looking for 120kw+) and it will likely be well over 100k when available in 'Oz mid to late next year.

My call is that the current model (now heavily discounted) looks a good deal…..

 

[Quickstatus]

My call is that the current model (now heavily discounted) looks a good deal…..

So the runout has begun?

The main reason to wait for new model is to snag a runout

 

[Cossie]

I would suggest a VW Passat Alltrack. I think it can tow 2000kg.
Whats the weight of trailer you wanna pull?

.........




I still am wary of anything Ford says especially after the dodgy dual clutch “powerShift” . Even the ACCC thinks not only was it dodgy but Ford engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

Not sure about the trailer, at the moment it's only a 6x4, but I would like a decent car trailer in a couple of years, if I can find somewhere to park it!

 

[kelvedon]

It seems like Diesel engines are not as popular in Europe nowadays with diesel powered car sales down 19% in Germany and 24% in Britain last month.

Consumers are being spooked by a combination of things including Goverment attempts to rein in their sales (because of their higher toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) emmisions) by placing them in higher tax brackets, the proposed bans from cities for older diesels, and their image battering following the VW dieselgate. In Europe last year they accounted for 43% of total car sales down from 55% peak in 2011. This decline is making car manufacturers nervous as the diesels lower CO2 emmisions help them meet the EU car fleets emmisions average.

“While diesels produce more toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates than gasoline engines, their efficiency has been instrumental in cutting greenhouse gases. As consumers shun diesels, more carmakers are on track to miss tougher EU carbon dioxide goals taking effect in 2020-21.”

This may force manufactures to limit sales of ( higher profit making) larger engined vehicles and even subsidise the sales of hybrid models in an attempt to keep within the EU CO2 fleet average emission targets and avoid multi million € fines.

“BMW (BMWG.DE) admits it is already taking a hit on the hybrid version of its X5 SUV, priced 600 euros below the diesel version at 72,500 euros ($89,500), despite its higher cost.”

Diesel collapse gives automakers carbon headache

 

[Quickstatus]

Diesel exhaust Particulates can be completely negated because of the widespread use of Particulate filters.

And the NOX can be largely solved by urea injection.

But the industry in moving inexorably towards electric.

 

[Quickstatus]

Not sure about the trailer, at the moment it's only a 6x4, but I would like a decent car trailer in a couple of years, if I can find somewhere to park it!

I’ve seen commodores pull huge caravans.

But I think something like a Ford Ranger would be ideal. Anything car like should be relegated to trailers without electric brakes - Bunnings and Tips

 

[tgh]

So the runout has begun?

VWA has stuffed it up in the past with a lot of stock to move.
I suspect that there is not such a huge volume of 180tdi's to move in the next year , so perhaps an orderly (discounted) exit.. rather than a (take whatever offer ) fire sale…
There are a lot of eg variations, with all sorts of plus this and minus that….. caveat emptor….there are eg's and there are eg's…

 

[Quickstatus]

What’s the sweet spot?

 

[rogerkambah]

OK, I'm after some advice! I want to replace our everyday car, 2013 Ford Focus driven mainly by the boss, originally I was thinking a supercab ute, Ranger, Hilux sort of thing, but I now think it would be too big. So now it more likely to be a soft roader.
I want something I can take down dirt roads without having to worry about anything falling off. We aren't going to do really serious offroad stuff, but we do like to do backroads.
It has to be 4 wheel drive and a diesel, preferably manual, It would probably need to be able to tow a decent size trailer, if I don't get a ute.
Does anyone here have thoughts on a Forester, Outback, Escape, Pathfinder and the like?
Something like an Everest or big Toyota or something that size isn't really an option either, again, they are too big.
Some other things I won't consider are the new range of Chinese built SUV's, might consider a Korean, but probably not.

Anyone be able to give me some advice?

So if it has to be a manual oiler I don't think there is much choice among those you have mentioned. I drove a Forester oiler once but it didn't do anything to impress me, and with a trailer it would be very slow.

I am toying with the idea of something to replace my CRV, with a bit more power and had thought of a 3 litre petrol X3 manual but they are rather scarce in low mileage and I'm not totally convinced of their rugged ability. My other thoughts were a petrol turbo Forester, cos I reckon they are tuff as (manual) or a Mazda CX7 turbo, but they only come in autoform. There is a CX7 oiler manual, but its specs don't impress.

So I can't really think of something to help you, so you may have to go the larger diesel ute route.

 

[tgh]

What’s the sweet spot?

Whatever you can afford…

 

[Cossie]

The 'manual' issue is causing problems, after the recent problems with the autos in VW's and the Focus (ours is a manual), I'm wary of them. My sister was badly stuffed around by VW when she had issues with her auto Golf.

I'd like a diesel for the longer distances between refills, a trailer isn't critical, I'll probably never get a car trailer.

I'll check out VW to see what offers they have at the moment., thanks all for the help.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'll check out VW to see what offers they have at the moment., thanks all for the help.

VW is overstocked with Alltrack Passats at the moment!
The wet sump DSG in the VW Range has never been the problem - only the dry sump ones but even these have been fixed. The issue was not the wet or dry sump but the mechatronics side of the trannie.
A brand new Alltrack with luxury pack can be had for $50k

 

[tgh]

VW is overstocked with Alltrack Passats at the moment!
The wet sump DSG in the VW Range has never been the problem - only the dry sump ones but even these have been fixed. The issue was not the wet or dry sump but the mechatronics side of the trannie.
A brand new Alltrack with luxury pack can be had for $50k

That reads like a lot of bang for your buck , wondered where all the Passats lined up outside the dealership came from.
Someone ordered too many mayhaps.

 

[Quickstatus]

That reads like a lot of bang for your buck , wondered where all the Passats lined up outside the dealership came from.
Someone ordered too many mayhaps.

The big demand is in trucks like Ranger and Hilux and SUV.

Passat Alltracks are in a unique market that no one currently wants.

But it’s a lot of car for the $$.
For me the full size spare which an Alltrack has is a deal clincher.

The SUV Tiguan does not have a full size spare and a smaller boot than a Passat Alltrack.

I don’t understand why anyone would buy an SUV with a space saver spare and a smaller boot than a high riding all wheel drive station wagon with full size spare and a bigger boot.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think VW australia (like any other importer) are required to bring in a certain number of cars from each model range a year.
They have visibility into what cars are coming and they can grab individual ones based on colour and spec.

Cars are made on a production line so the supply is more or less set at least for a certain period. If economic it will continue or ramp up, if not it gets cut like the Chrysler Voyager

 

[Cossie]

If I do buy a Ranger, I'll have to take it to Taralgon and get some work done on it by the father and father in law of a well known couple that post on this forum!



ms-rt anyone?

 

[Quickstatus]

You mean like the British MSRT Ranger

What would you upspec on a OZ Ranger