The totally off-topic thread

[robd]

I'm now the owner of a new Mazda3 (yes, like every second Australian). We looked at VWs, Toyotas, Subarus and Hondas, but none could match the features and value. The base model has cruise control and Bluetooth to go along with the 2 litre automatic. The drive away price was $22,990. I added parking sensors, tinted windows and mats, which nominally came to $24,200. I said "thanks" and went to walk out with the quote, saying that I had all day and would talk to other dealers. After much bargaining, and me getting up to go a couple more times, I got it for $23,200. Sensational value.

Congratulations on your purchase. Nice car.

Jnr#1 signed up for the 3 Maxx sport on the 12th Jan. Apparently it's in transit, due to arrive Wed/Thurs next week. Jnr used the old '95 323 Astina as a trade-in to cover the 10% deposit with the balance financed.

This morning at work, I get a phone call from Jnr saying the car won't start. RACV come and check it out and reckon it's going to cost $1,200+ to fix and it has to be towed. Putting it mildly - BUGGER! Certainly not worth chucking $1,200+ at old "Tina", but now Jnr's in a pickle, coz not only is "Tina" the 10% deposit for the new car, but now Jnr doesn't have a car to drive. Later that day.......

Great bloke at the Mazda dealership has swung Jnr a deal, whereby they will still take "Tina" but reduced the trade-in value by $700 and Jnr also got a courtesy car until the new car arrives in about 3-4 days.

"Tina" was towed by RACV and is now somewhere way, way down the back of the Mazda lot.

 

[JohnK]

Do any Gold Coast locals know if there is a red light camera at the intersection of gold coast highway and pacific fair drive....

Out of interest I have been using Google.

It would appear Pacific Fair Drive does not have a red light camera but there is one on Gold Coast Hwy and Hooker Bvd.

 

[burrco]

Out of interest I have been using Google.

It would appear Pacific Fair Drive does not have a red light camera but there is one on Gold Coast Hwy and Hooker Bvd.

Thanks JohnK - I didn't even think of using google street view . Inspected the intersection, and you're right, no sign of a camera.

 

[Meggsy]

Do any Gold Coast locals know if there is a red light camera at the intersection of gold coast highway and pacific fair drive - had a brain freeze and went through the red light. Bonus points if anybody knows what fine I should (rightly) expect. A lifetime of free drinks* in a Qantas Lounge of your choosing for anyone who might also know what administrative charge avis would impose for sending it out.

* (Subject to possible enhancment)

There is no Red Light Camera there so you will avoid the 3 demerit points and $330 fine as well as the $5 Avis processing fee to refer the fine onto you

Edit: apologies I now see you had already worked it out.

 

[burrco]

There is no Red Light Camera there so you will avoid the 3 demerit points and $330 fine as well as the $5 Avis processing fee to refer the fine onto you

Edit: apologies I now see you had already worked it out.

Except you knew all the answers - so the next time you're in the Qantas Club you can have a free drink - tell them to send the bill to me.

 

[blackcat20]

Great bloke at the Mazda dealership has swung Jnr a deal, whereby they will still take "Tina" but reduced the trade-in value by $700 and Jnr also got a courtesy car until the new car arrives in about 3-4 days.

"Tina" was towed by RACV and is now somewhere way, way down the back of the Mazda lot.

I love my Mazda dealership; the service dept gave me a discount in 2011 because the service was more than I budgeted, and did a heap of stuff under warranty just because they could..

 

[JohnK]

I was at baggage services at OOL airport (yes again!) and got a call from Virgin. Apparently my 7:05pm flight has been delayed over an hour so as a "high" valued customer they offered to move me to earlier flight. I had choice of 7C or 14C so took 14C to get used to sitting down the back every now and then. Took forever to get through security as all 3 lanes were almost out the door.

Looks like the 6:05pm service is going to leave close to 7:05pm anyway as aircraft has only just arrived.

Oh, the joys of the weekly commute. Just as well I do not have to be anywhere in a hurry....

 

[jetlagger]

I was at baggage services at OOL airport (yes again!) and got a call from Virgin. Apparently my 7:05pm flight has been delayed over an hour so as a "high" valued customer they offered to move me to earlier flight. I had choice of 7C or 14C so took 14C to get used to sitting down the back every now and then. Took forever to get through security as all 3 lanes were almost out the door.

Looks like the 6:05pm service is going to leave close to 7:05pm anyway as aircraft has only just arrived.

Oh, the joys of the weekly commute. Just as well I do not have to be anywhere in a hurry....

You can be fortunate it is not raining too heavy as it was on Monday night at this time John.. & the opulent lounge should provide some relief :mrgreen:

 

[Blinky]

I love my Mazda dealership; the service dept gave me a discount in 2011 because the service was more than I budgeted, and did a heap of stuff under warranty just because they could..

I just realised what a Back to the Future experience this is buying a Mazda. The first car my wife and I bought 40 years was a Mazda 1300 coupe. British Racing Green. Jeez I loved that little buzz bucket.

We've only ever bought new cars. After the Mazda was a Chrysler Sigma (just before Mitsubishi took over). Then a Mitsubishi Star Wagon, a seven seater when we only had two kids. Even though we had no particular plans for more kids, we ended up having seven, so there was something spooky about that purchase. I had company cars since then, so only needed a second car for my wife, and the first of these was a Daewoo Nubira, still the only lemon we've ever owned. The last car was a Honda Civic, which we still have, and has been the best buy ever.

 

[JohnK]

You can be fortunate it is not raining too heavy as it was on Monday night at this time John.. & the opulent lounge should provide some relief :mrgreen:

All is good. One of my concerns when I booked the OOL-SYD returns was the inconsistent weather on the Gold Coast. So far so good with only minor delays.

But OOL airport is another matter. It takes a lot of getting used to and the best place is in the lounge away from the hordes in the terminal. And if you get the timing right you head to the gate when you see the last people getting on board.

 

[medhead]

I was at baggage services at OOL airport (yes again!) and got a call from Virgin. Apparently my 7:05pm flight has been delayed over an hour so as a "high" valued customer they offered to move me to earlier flight.

Evil, low cost, useless, inferior, inconsistent, cough Virgin. How dare they do something like that, don't they want to keep customers.

 

[JohnK]

Evil, low cost, useless, inferior, inconsistent, cough Virgin. How dare they do something like that, don't they want to keep customers.

The staff in the lounge were being pro active and were flow forwarding due to expected delays.

Virgin as an organisation though is still cr@p and in my opinion has a long way to go. And nothing much has changed since latest implementation.

 

[medhead]

The staff in the lounge were being pro active and were flow forwarding due to expected delays.

Virgin as an organisation though is still cr@p and in my opinion has a long way to go. And nothing much has changed since latest implementation.

Has Qantas ever called you in similar circumstances? They've never called me.

Still I'm sure you'll like the Qantas system better.

 

[Simo]

Has Qantas ever called you in similar circumstances? They've never called me.

Still I'm sure you'll like the Qantas system better.

Neither have called me so I miss out love from 2 airlines

 

[jetlagger]

All is good. One of my concerns when I booked the OOL-SYD returns was the inconsistent weather on the Gold Coast. So far so good with only minor delays.

But OOL airport is another matter. It takes a lot of getting used to and the best place is in the lounge away from the hordes in the terminal. And if you get the timing right you head to the gate when you see the last people getting on board.

Agreed.. & I replicate your MO
So Congrats.. You did well tonight.. Give yourself a pat on the back & have a nice weekend :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Has Qantas ever called you in similar circumstances? They've never called me.

From memory they have called me.

Still I'm sure you'll like the Qantas system better.

There are good and bad in both. Qantas suits a little more with schedules, FF points and alliance.

 

[medhead]

From memory they have called me.

I probably need to clarify. Qantas has called you when your flight has been delayed and offered you an earlier flight?

 

[samh004]

Has Qantas ever called you in similar circumstances? They've never called me.

Still I'm sure you'll like the Qantas system better.

I received a call once asking me to get to the gate early as there were only 3 on my flight and they wanted to get me there early, thought that was good service!

But entirely different circumstances of course.

 

[anat0l]

Has Qantas ever called you in similar circumstances? They've never called me.

I have to admit it has only happened twice. Once I had an onward flight which was in jeopardy, the other time it was simply offered to me (which is nice since the only reason I was on the flight I booked (which was delayed) because the previous flight was out of cheap seats).

I don't expect it, of course. It's just nice when it does happen.

 

[drron]

Well QF have messaged me whilst a QPNB about cancelled flights.Followed up by a phone call.Was when all flights out of DPO were cancelled for the day due to weather.Proactively booked me on a flight out of Lonnie.Then when I missed the JQ connection MEL-MCY changed my JQ ticket to a QF one to BNE.