Imports?

[Expert]

How does anyone feel about imported vehicles?

The reason i ask is because i was wasting time the other day and was looking around a merecedes benz dealer forecourt, i had no intention of buying one and told the dealer so. I said if i would ever consider getting a european car i would get an import cause they're so much cheaper. He looked at me like i was from another planet and told me with a straight face, that those cars weren't made for the new zealand conditions! they wouldn't have enough power to get up the steep hills and they use different oil that you can't get here and the tyres would be different.
i assume because of these new zealand conditions i keep hearing about.
this isn't the first time i've heard this sort of drivel.

i watched an ad for some hyundai thing on the telly and they said the suspension was tuned for new zealand conditions!?

do kiwis really believe this crap? what's so special about nz roads that manufactures are making special vehicles for this tiny, special market?

what would put you off buying an imported vehicle? speedo in miles perhaps?

I thought about bringing a bike or two back with me from the uk when i go over, lots of european stuff over there. Would i be able to sell them, or wouldn't they be up to the nz conditions?

[sil3nt]

My dad keeps going on about imports because a lot of countries put salt on the road to clear ice and it causes corrosion on cars.

I think the special thing about NZ roads is that they are crap. Highly doubt they change the cars in anyway though!

[onearmedbandit]

How does anyone feel about imported vehicles?

The reason i ask is because i was wasting time the other day and was looking around a merecedes benz dealer forecourt, i had no intention of buying one and told the dealer so. I said if i would ever consider getting a european car i would get an import cause they're so much cheaper. He looked at me like i was from another planet and told me with a straight face, that those cars weren't made for the new zealand conditions! they wouldn't have enough power to get up the steep hills and they use different oil that you can't get here and the tyres would be different.



Although I'm not in the 'game' any longer I did spend 10ys involved in selling Japanese imports (incl Euro's) and have never once heard that line. Would be a good one to use if I got into selling NZ new models I suppose.

One thing though, in many countries (such as Japan) towing isn't very popular (ever seen a Jap Import come in with a tow bar? I have, once. Out of 10yrs. And it was a 4x4 airport vehicle), so the oil coolers on most auto trans are not up to the task. Easy fix for around $400-600.

[Crasherfromwayback]

My dad keeps going on about imports because a lot of countries put salt on the road to clear ice and it causes corrosion on cars.

Highly doubt they change the cars in anyway though!

He has a point about the salt. Not good. One of the other main 'issues' with imports, when from places like Singapore/Hong Kong etc is that it's so fucking hot and humid over there, that it cause problems with the electrics. The electrical connectors can (and do) sweat, causing bad connections etc later in life.

I've had a Japanese 735iL Beemer, and an XJR Jag from Singapore...both had the same problems to a certain degree. The heat also fucks the glue on the hood lining etc!

As far as different specs etc...dunno if they do now, but in the day they had (at times) different suspension calibrations etc

[Motu]

NZ cars were built to ADR standards,and usually had emission dodads removed - NZ VN Commodores had no cats or EGR.We have no emission standards,and taking all that crap off made them cheaper...and run better.I have a NZ new Mercedes C220,compared to an import model of the same year it's very basic,air con and electric windows is about it as far as extras go.NZ cars had trim able to handle our high ultra violet light too - there was a seatbelt fading issue some years back.

As mentioned,don't get one from Singapore,and not from some country that uses salt in winter.I had a 1987 Escort that had been imported 6 months old - from the axle line down I had problems...wheel bearings,fuel tank rust,sills,chassis,you name it.I once had a CB250,perfect in every way...and the swingarm was rotted out.

[slofox]

I've had three imported Subaru wagons over the past umpteen years. None of them have rusted at all and all have been a pleasure to drive. So I have nothing against imports as such.

Only down side of the subs is that they guzzle gas. But they go like stink so I can forgive a little thirst. Same as the Gixxer really...

EDIT: Regarding "built for NZ conditions". My partner has a Honda Civic - NZ new, fairly recent model. Having driven it to d'Auckland and back many times, I can categorically state that it is NOT the best for NZ conditions. Road noise from the chip seal is excessive. And I mean excessive. Have to shout to be heard over it if the chip seal is new. I'd hardly call that "suitable for NZ conditions". But then Honda probably don't do anything to make them "suitable for NZ conditions" anyway.

My Subs, however, although not designed for NZ conditions, have been much quieter than the Honda. And, in my opinion, much easier to drive on NZ roads. Actually, the Civic is a bastard to drive on NZ highways. Very hard in the mouth with a nasty tendency to dive into corners. Bugger of a machine I reckon.

[Edbear]

I hear of a lot of issues with European cars in particular, BMW's Audi's and Merc's are all prone to electrical problems that can be a nightmare to diagnose and expensive to fix, just ask Classic_Z. +1 about Singapore, even Toyota has issues with Lexus' imported as Signature Class cars.

Main issue with Jap imports is an almost total lack of servicing once out of warranty, so any imported will be far more worn out than a NZ new car that has been regularly serviced. This is especially critical in diesel vehicles and turbo-diesel in particular. Also, their radiators for some reason are all partially blocked and need cleaning out. It's easy for a good mechanic to check this.

Our Nissan Pulsar SLX auto was NZ new in '99 and lacked the drink-holders of the imports but came with a 1600cc motor rather than 1500 and had alloy wheels as well. Well specced at the time with 4-wheel discs, ABS, Air-con, driver's air-bag, leather steering wheel and gearshift, electric windows and mirrors of course, and the alloy wheels, it's now done over 190,000km and apart from a few rattles in the front shocks, has cost virtually nothing to run except for recently doing the left CV joint. It still runs pretty much as new, looks pretty much as new on the inside but needs a cut and polish on the outside. We got a towbar fitted from new and occaisionally tow a very light trailer.

We've serviced it by the book from new including the air-con and transmission and everything functions as it was intended to.

Every Jap import we've owned has had problems of one sort or another including the cracked head on the turbo-diesel Estima, throwing ancilliary belts on the Nissan Caravan coach, transmission failure on the Nissan Caravan van, and several engine and transmission, (manual as well), failures on the Mazda Bongo Brawny, a blown headgasket on the Toyota Custom coach 2.4D and rear suspension issues and a failed rear passenger window winder on the Honda Legend.

Apart from that they were very reliable...:innocent:

[Maha]

Aren't all vehicles imported into NZ?

[oneofsix]

Aren't all vehicles imported into NZ?

Technically correct or should that be grammatically. Anyhow yes they are all imported but some are imported new to be sold in NZ whilst others, the one we call imports, are built to be and are sold new in other countries and then imported as second hand to NZ

[robo555]

Aren't all vehicles imported into NZ?

Yes, but I think they're referring to NZ new vs 2nd hand import from another country. That is, they suspect there's a difference between a new car from a New Zealand showroom to a new car from a foreign showroom.

[YellowDog]

My Tiger was new and came from LA. It was a higher spec than was available in NZ at that time. The bike was new and UK made, regadless of were I imported it to NZ from. Kiwi Shipping charged me US$495 to ship it over and took care of the paperwork. I paid $250 for freight insurance and in all saved just over NZ$5,000 getting the bike on the road. The NZ$ to US$ rate is getting highly favourable again.

There is no special suspension or engine boost for NZ roads. Japanese cars come with tyres that are best changed once they get here. That's not a big deal at all. My 3 year old (when I bought it) Subaru cost me $10k less than my neighbour's slightly older one. Both cars were bought within a month of each other.

His car is NZ new mine is not.

Lucky chap eh! :blink:

[Swoop]

...imports, when from places like Singapore/Hong Kong etc is that it's so fucking hot and humid over there...
I know someone who imported a Jaguar from Singapore. Nice car. He went to put the heater on during the first winter here and discovered that it wasn't fitted with one!

[YellowDog]

I know someone who imported a Jaguar from Singapore. Nice car. He went to put the heater on during the first winter here and discovered that it wasn't fitted with one!

Good point and that is why you do need to check the foreign country spec with the NZ one.

In the case of Japanese cars, the domestic vehicles usually are of a slightly lower spec. I don't have an electric sunroof on my Subaru, whereas my NZ New neighbour's one does.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I know someone who imported a Jaguar from Singapore. Nice car. He went to put the heater on during the first winter here and discovered that it wasn't fitted with one!

Aye. My XJR was a lovely car too. But the electrical gemlins take the gloss of owning them!

[onearmedbandit]

Good point and that is why you do need to check the foreign country spec with the NZ one.

In the case of Japanese cars, the domestic vehicles usually are of a slightly lower spec. I don't have an electric sunroof on my Subaru, whereas my NZ New neighbour's one does.

Not normally the case, generally Jap domestic models are higher spec then ours. Sunroofs are just not that popular in Japan, but you can spec your car to have one if you want.

[YellowDog]

Not normally the case, generally Jap domestic models are higher spec then ours. Sunroofs are just not that popular in Japan, but you can spec your car to have one if you want.

I didn't know that about Japanese cars. Maybe that's why my drivers seat is electric and my neighbour's is not.

Mercs and Beemers that I've driven in Germany have been of a far lower spec than ones I have driven in France and the UK. This was a few years back though :blink:

[Mully]

I didn't know that about Japanese cars. Maybe that's why my drivers seat is electric and my neighbour's is not.

Mercs and Beemers that I've driven in Germany have been of a far lower spec than ones I have driven in France and the UK. This was a few years back though :blink:

Yep - and the Japs put out dozens on JDM models that we don't see (GDI engines in Mitsis for example - NZ New didn't have that. NZ New were 2l, not 1.8 etc)

Keep in mind though, that some Mercs, Beemers, etc are work hacks in Germany. Much like Commodores/Falcons over here - some cheap low-spec shit for the taxis and options if your further up the ladder.

[pete376403]

Good point and that is why you do need to check the foreign country spec with the NZ one.

In the case of Japanese cars, the domestic vehicles usually are of a slightly lower spec. I don't have an electric sunroof on my Subaru, whereas my NZ New neighbour's one does.

My 2003 Honda Accord wagon import is specced up to the max, a workmates 2007 Accord sedan (NZ New) doesn't have all the features of my car. About the only faults I can find with my Accord is the satnav DVD is for Japan and it's not possible to get the NZ dvd. And the TV is NTSC, not PAL, so I can get audio, but no picture.

[Insanity_rules]

My Family has been in the Euro car repair game for a number of years. The specs between Asian imports and Kiwi new euros cam sometimes be VERY different. Quite often (Especially Mercedes) have smaller capacity engines, different emissions gear and engine programming so in a way what the dealer said was correct. Asian Euros quite often have quite a bit of UV and heat damage with rubber components. The engine tune is usually for a slightly better quality fuel. Our gas is quite seriously crap!

Often with the more modern ones our diagnositic gear cant read the asian spec computers so diagnostics can be a nightmare. Tyres are VERY different compound so when they wear because of our shitty roads you can put extra strain on the suspension components. Batteries in them are designed for a hotter climate so when they hit their first NZ winter they usually clap out.

Dealers also quite often polish up some pretty ropey examples so they look good and first but then without a good service history your bargain Merc or Beemer becomes a very expensive hand grenade. Jap import euros quite often give quite good makes of car a very bad name. I've seen so many broken import mercs and beemers due to them not being treated well in japan, singapore or hong kong it'd make you cry.

I wouldn't touch an asian market model euro with a loooong barge pole.

[98tls]

This thread reminded me of a moment way back during my time selling Toyotas,old bloke turns up with his 2.8 GLXI Cressida,all the bells n whistles which he bought a few years earlier as a "NZ new :facepalm:" vehicle for shitloads,the reaction to my offer of $8000 for a trade was priceless and at the time quite warranted i guess.Actually there was many such reactions.People at that time were queuing up to buy Honda Preludes complete with fucked CVs.:facepalm:Then came the era of people who just had to have a Bmw 318 shitbox,now that was funny comparable to motorcyclists in the late 90s that had to own Cagivas:shit:sorry Ducatis.

[ducatilover]

All cars are different in how much they vary spec wise, for example the NZ new E46 BMW M3 had suspension that was too hard for most of our fun roads.
I'm a BMW E36 manic and they spec differences between NZ and Jap models can be very large, the majority of non M-sport kitted E36 BMW's had grey lower bumers, softer suspension, yet 99.9% '94 onwards had the twin airbag dash, many NZ new E36s' didn't until 95. Japanese 6cyl E36s' had the Jatco gearbox, which sucks, so don't buy an auto...roof lining sags on all of them :facepalm: as do the door trims...
You can often find the Jap ones with an analogue clock instead of a digital trip meter, many had lower spec fabrics. I can go on for yonks...

[BMWST?]

a mates 530 BMW ex singapore had the heater circuits(water and air) blocked off

[98tls]

All cars are different in how much they vary spec wise, for example the NZ new E46 BMW M3 had suspension that was too hard for most of our fun roads.
I'm a BMW E36 manic and they spec differences between NZ and Jap models can be very large, the majority of non M-sport kitted E36 BMW's had grey lower bumers, softer suspension, yet 99.9% '94 onwards had the twin airbag dash, many NZ new E36s' didn't until 95. Japanese 6cyl E36s' had the Jatco gearbox, which sucks, so don't buy an auto...roof lining sags on all of them :facepalm: as do the door trims...
You can often find the Jap ones with an analogue clock instead of a digital trip meter, many had lower spec fabrics. I can go on for yonks...

Kin hell,stop your starting to sound like my old man hes a Bmw fanatic,last time i caught up with him was at Ruapuna attending some "thrash your Bmw' day or another,coming out with all sorts of facts n figurers not to mention that orrible word "history",i merely smiled and laughed remembering the same conversation about Fords come Bathurst day back when i was a young fella.Actually when he had a 900 Bevel or 2 i remember once again similar utterings.:violin::2thumbsupTheses days my XR8 doesnt even get a glance.lol.

[ducatilover]

Kin hell,stop your starting to sound like my old man hes a Bmw fanatic,last time i caught up with him was at Ruapuna attending some "thrash your Bmw' day or another,coming out with all sorts of facts n figurers not to mention that orrible word "history",i merely smiled and laughed remembering the same conversation about Fords come Bathurst day back when i was a young fella.Actually when he had a 900 Bevel or 2 i remember once again similar utterings.:violin::2thumbsupTheses days my XR8 doesnt even get a glance.lol.

Bevels? :love::love::love:
I can chat about the BA xr8 too, but, not to so much extent. Nice car though!

[98tls]

Bevels? :love::love::love:
I can chat about the BA xr8 too, but, not to so much extent. Nice car though!

Na mate,tis a big old shitbox thats only saving grace is the noise from out back,thing is ive owned plenty that do everything else better but nothing that sounds so sweet,hence my going back.Probably the same reason i own an old V twin.

[ducatilover]

Na mate,tis a big old shitbox thats only saving grace is the noise from out back,thing is ive owned plenty that do everything else better but nothing that sounds so sweet,hence my going back.Probably the same reason i own an old V twin.

I thought it was a BA ute? They went quite well :yes: Real bikes have two cylinders... My bikes are not real.

[YellowDog]

Our gas is quite seriously crap!


Funny that! I tried importing my 'mid-life crisis' Porsche 928 S4 from the UK that I'd spent 6 years making like new and was told that I couldn't import it as that specific model needed an additional fuel filter for NZ.

I didn't believe what I was hearing and spent some time arguing the issue.

I guess I owe someone an apology :yes:

As I'd run out of time I sold the car on eBay for about one third of the NZ values.

The guy who bought it was pretty stoked about the deal. I wasn't :shit:

[onearmedbandit]

Funny that! I tried importing my 'mid-life crisis' Porsche 928 S4 from the UK that I'd spent 6 years making like new and was told that I couldn't import it as that specific model needed an additional fuel filter for NZ.



Nice car the S4. Obviously they wouldn't let you fit the additional filter?

[Owl]

My Tiger was new and came from LA. It was a higher spec than was available in NZ at that time. The bike was new and UK made, regadless of were I imported it to NZ from.

Wouldn't a California spec Tiger come with "SAI" and "Evaporative loss control system"?

[YellowDog]

Nice car the S4. Obviously they wouldn't let you fit the additional filter?

It was a great car. I was told that the filter was unobtainable due to the age of the car (1989). If I'd know what I know now, then I would have shipped it and worried about getting the filter for compliance from a breakers yard.

As I didn't believe the filter story and I was running out of time, it all ended in tears. :violin:

[Old Steve]

In the early 90s I was on the oil industry committee working with the MOE to introduce unleaded petrol. We talked to all the auto agencies to find out what their requirements were. BMW said they couldn't wait for the introduction of ULP, they imported their cars from South Africa (all right hand drive BMWs are manufactured in South Africa) and because NZ was such a minor market they couldn't get cars NOT fitted with emmissions gear. So until ULP was completely available (95 as well as 91) they had to remove the emmissions gear and fit ordinary non-catalytic exhausts at a cost of thousands of dollars er car.

[AllanB]

Surely, like any vehicle, the service history or lack off will be ultimately more telling on the life of a vehicle than the original market it was made for.

[YellowDog]

Wouldn't a California spec Tiger come with "SAI" and "Evaporative loss control system"?

Oops, missed this post:

Yes it did come with all that stuff.

The "Evaporative loss control system" canister and "CAT" came off fairly soon after I got it. I did some other mods too like ripping the snorkel out and sticking a free flow airfilter in, plus a race exhaust too.

I don't think it would be accepted back in LA :no:

[Insanity_rules]

Surely, like any vehicle, the service history or lack off will be ultimately more telling on the life of a vehicle than the original market it was made for.

Well yes and no, service history does say a lot for the longevity but for instance the japanese market have a lower finish standard for rustproofing and paint thickness as their cars have a roughly 10 year obsolessence built in so they protect their local industry. I had a friend try to get his 10 year old Jaguar (based in Japan) through a 10 year fitness check (Think warrant of fitness but much worse), apparently it was brutal. He ended up selling in to a scrap company for almost nothing and he noted it then turned up on one of those export sites!

We are litterally taking their junk people!

[YellowDog]

Well yes and no, service history does say a lot for the longevity but for instance the japanese market have a lower finish standard for rustproofing and paint thickness as their cars have a roughly 10 year obsolessence built in so they protect their local industry. I had a friend try to get his 10 year old Jaguar (based in Japan) through a 10 year fitness check (Think warrant of fitness but much worse), apparently it was brutal. He ended up selling in to a scrap company for almost nothing and he noted it then turned up on one of those export sites!

We are litterally taking their junk people!

If your car is any good, you'll sell it privately and get a good price.

If it's crap, you dump it at at the auction house. They charge you a couple of hundred to dress mutton up as lamb, and some mug takes it with no comebacks :yes:

And if the car is subsequently exported, this goes to prove the saying: "You don't shit on your own door step"

[Edbear]

Well yes and no, service history does say a lot for the longevity but for instance the japanese market have a lower finish standard for rustproofing and paint thickness as their cars have a roughly 10 year obsolessence built in so they protect their local industry. I had a friend try to get his 10 year old Jaguar (based in Japan) through a 10 year fitness check (Think warrant of fitness but much worse), apparently it was brutal. He ended up selling in to a scrap company for almost nothing and he noted it then turned up on one of those export sites!

We are litterally taking their junk people!


If your car is any good, you'll sell it privately and get a good price.

If it's crap, you dump it at at the auction house. They charge you a couple of hundred to dress mutton up as lamb, and some mug takes it with no comebacks :yes:

And if the car is subsequently exported, this goes to prove the saying: "You don't shit on your own door step"

It was that way fort 99% of the imports for a long time. Nowadays the major dealers are looking to source late model stuff and sell them as alternative to new or near-new NZ cars. Toyota are doing this with their Signature range now. The truth is, though as you say, they are a disposable appliance in Japan and are treated accordingly. After owning several imports as I've posted, I'll stick with NZ new from now on.

Except for our MX5, which is too much fun to give up and in too good a nick to have any worries about... Besides it doesn't get the daily use of the Pulsar either, it's purely a toy!

[Motu]

Except for our MX5,

Surely it's a Eunos Roadster....you are not trying to pretend it's a real MX-5 are you?

[Edbear]

Surely it's a Eunos Roadster....you are not trying to pretend it's a real MX-5 are you?

If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck... :innocent:

Strictly, yes, it's a Eunos Roadster, but I like to think I've got a genuine MX5... :yes: It's also apparently the best ever model being the first of the 1800's and a Mk1.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Every Jap import we've owned has had problems of one sort or another including the cracked head on the turbo-diesel Estima, throwing ancilliary belts on the Nissan Caravan coach, transmission failure on the Nissan Caravan van, and several engine and transmission, (manual as well), failures on the Mazda Bongo Brawny, a blown headgasket on the Toyota Custom coach 2.4D and rear suspension issues and a failed rear passenger window winder on the Honda Legend.

Apart from that they were very reliable...:innocent:

the worst problem with Jap imports is the stupid names they have. Mazda Bongo Brawny? really?

Nissan Cedric? seriously?

Estima? what the hell.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck... :innocent:

Strictly, yes, it's a Eunos Roadster, but I like to think I've got a genuine MX5... :yes: It's also apparently the best ever model being the first of the 1800's and a Mk1.
it needs this:

really it does. cheap as chips too

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=7997

$7k plug and play

you might need

http://www.rollcage.co.nz/MX5_Half_Cage.php

also.

can I have a drive Mister? can I pleeeeeeeeease??

[onearmedbandit]

the worst problem with Jap imports is the stupid names they have. Mazda Bongo Brawny? really?

Nissan Cedric? seriously?

Estima? what the hell.

Estima Emina.
Mitsubishi Chariot Thanks.
Mazda Friendee.
Nissan Prairie Joy.
Isuzu MU. (Mysterious Utility - I kid you not)

And I've sold them all. And numerous others. :facepalm:

4wd's were the best, only if they had wheel cover on the back. Typically it read something a little like this -

Toyota love nature with open arm. Smell the wet asphalt and escape the open road and return to nature beginnings.

Why oh why couldn't they employ someone who actually spoke English? Or is that how they view our language?

[Kickaha]

EDIT: Regarding "built for NZ conditions". My partner has a Honda Civic - NZ new, fairly recent model. Having driven it to d'Auckland and back many times, I can categorically state that it is NOT the best for NZ conditions. Road noise from the chip seal is excessive. And I mean excessive. Have to shout to be heard over it if the chip seal is new. I'd hardly call that "suitable for NZ conditions". But then Honda probably don't do anything to make them "suitable for NZ conditions" anyway.

That is more likely a tyre thing than anything to do with the car or where it is built

[YellowDog]

That is more likely a tyre thing than anything to do with the car or where it is built

I bought a great set of almost new Dunlop Wrangler tyres for my wife's RAV4 for $160.

They came of a Jap import Honda Odyssey. The first thing the dealers do is put new tyres on.

The tyres I got are crap for a Honda Odyssey, but perfect for a RAV4 :yes:

[Edbear]

it needs this:

really it does. cheap as chips too

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=7997

$7k plug and play

you might need

http://www.rollcage.co.nz/MX5_Half_Cage.php

also.

can I have a drive Mister? can I pleeeeeeeeease??

Then you add the Powerchip upgrade kit and the Intercooler, then the heavy duty clutch and upgrade the brakes and suspension, rebuild the gearbox and diff... :gob: When you've only paid just over $5k for the car to start with... But yes, if I was inclined to do track days and had the money... :innocent:

[Edbear]

the worst problem with Jap imports is the stupid names they have. Mazda Bongo Brawny? really?

Nissan Cedric? seriously?

Estima? what the hell.


Estima Emina.
Mitsubishi Chariot Thanks.
Mazda Friendee.
Nissan Prairie Joy.
Isuzu MU. (Mysterious Utility - I kid you not)

And I've sold them all. And numerous others. :facepalm:

4wd's were the best, only if they had wheel cover on the back. Typically it read something a little like this -

Toyota love nature with open arm. Smell the wet asphalt and escape the open road and return to nature beginnings.

Why oh why couldn't they employ someone who actually spoke English? Or is that how they view our language?

My Estima was an Estima Lucida X, I wouldn't own an Emina... :shutup: Aren't the imports a never ending source of amusement?

[Kickaha]

I bought a great set of almost new Dunlop Wrangler tyres for my wife's RAV4 for $160.

They came of a Jap import Honda Odyssey. The first thing the dealers do is put new tyres on.

The tyres I got are crap for a Honda Odyssey, but perfect for a RAV4 :yes:

Normally they only change them if they are snow tyres or don't have the right standards marking

If they were the correct size for the RAV4 they would have been the wrong size for the Odyssey

[Motu]

Back in the late '80's when Jap imports first started coming in we had a tyre kicking around the workshop for amusement - it was a Tomato,and all around the tyre was crap like ''Tomato Boys and Girls Like To Have Fun'' and other drivel about Tomato boys and girls and the life they like to lead.

[YellowDog]

Normally they only change them if they are snow tyres or don't have the right standards marking

If they were the correct size for the RAV4 they would have been the wrong size for the Odyssey

Yep, they were 225 wide All-Terraine tyres. Crap and oversized on an Odyssey on NZ Roads, but Toyota standard on a RAV 4 :yes:

I bought 4 almost new tyres for less than one new one would cost :)

[onearmedbandit]

Back in the late '80's when Jap imports first started coming in we had a tyre kicking around the workshop for amusement - it was a Tomato,and all around the tyre was crap like ''Tomato Boys and Girls Like To Have Fun'' and other drivel about Tomato boys and girls and the life they like to lead.

I think you'll find we've been importing Japanese cars since the mid 70's.

[Motu]

Gosh,you learn something new every day - thanks for that!

[HenryDorsetCase]

Then you add the Powerchip upgrade kit and the Intercooler, then the heavy duty clutch and upgrade the brakes and suspension, rebuild the gearbox and diff... :gob: When you've only paid just over $5k for the car to start with... But yes, if I was inclined to do track days and had the money... :innocent:

So, say, $20k out the door? Build it and I'll navigate the Targa for you next year in it......

[slofox]

That is more likely a tyre thing than anything to do with the car or where it is built

Yep - you may well be right. One of my Subs had "all terrain" tyres on it and it was noisy as hell. Couldn't wait for them to wear out. Replacements were so much quieter.

But the point remains - if you are selling a vehicle new in NZ, wouldn't you make sure the tyres on it suited local road conditions? Well...I would anyway.

[ducatilover]

it needs this:

really it does. cheap as chips too

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=7997

$7k plug and play

you might need

http://www.rollcage.co.nz/MX5_Half_Cage.php

also.

can I have a drive Mister? can I pleeeeeeeeease??

Or you could ditch the useless B6 or BP motors all together and throw something with what resembles power in there...:facepalm: Still not going to be very decent with an expensive blower kit.
For the price of that you could source a genuine BPT GT-R motor and rebuild it with gold.

[Edbear]

Or you could ditch the useless B6 or BP motors all together and throw something with what resembles power in there...:facepalm: Still not going to be very decent with an expensive blower kit.
For the price of that you could source a genuine BPT GT-R motor and rebuild it with gold.

You know what? The stock standard MX5 with its 130hp is a real fun toy just as it is... It needs no "improving" or modifying, it is what it is and it's the best wee sports car in the world for its money! For $20k I could build a race car, sure, but I don't want a race car, I want a sports car and the MX5 is our sports car.

[ducatilover]

You know what? The stock standard MX5 with its 130hp is a real fun toy just as it is... It needs no "improving" or modifying, it is what it is and it's the best wee sports car in the world for its money! For $20k I could build a race car, sure, but I don't want a race car, I want a sports car and the MX5 is our sports car.

I'm not arguing at all, but, if one was going down the route of extracting power, the B6/BP motors aren't the greatest.

I'd very happily live with a very early, no p/steer, no air con and no elecs MX5 :love:

[Edbear]

I'm not arguing at all, but, if one was going down the route of extracting power, the B6/BP motors aren't the greatest.

I'd very happily live with a very early, no p/steer, no air con and no elecs MX5 :love:

Apart from power-steer which ours has, I agree. It's basic, but it's fabulous to drive and who cares if it lacks power-roof and electric everything? I got the air-con unit removed as it didn't work anyway and saves a lot of weight. It has Momo wheel and pedals, front and rear spoilers, the rear being the small one and looks good, and that's about it.

The whole idea of it is cheap, basic fun and it's that in spades!

[ducatilover]

Apart from power-steer which ours has, I agree. It's basic, but it's fabulous to drive and who cares if it lacks power-roof and electric everything? I got the air-con unit removed as it didn't work anyway and saves a lot of weight. It has Momo wheel and pedals, front and rear spoilers, the rear being the small one and looks good, and that's about it.

The whole idea of it is cheap, basic fun and it's that in spades!

I don't like them with options, makes them too normal and heavy really. :innocent:
They are ridiculously fun!!!

[Kickaha]

But the point remains - if you are selling a vehicle new in NZ, wouldn't you make sure the tyres on it suited local road conditions? Well...I would anyway.

No, you would put the cheapest crap you could get away with so you could make the best margin, after all they're just black, round and rubber aren't they

[onearmedbandit]

No, you would put the cheapest crap you could get away with so you could make the best margin, after all they're just black, round and rubber aren't they

As an ex-dealer I resemble that implication.

[Insanity_rules]

It was that way fort 99% of the imports for a long time. Nowadays the major dealers are looking to source late model stuff and sell them as alternative to new or near-new NZ cars. Toyota are doing this with their Signature range now. The truth is, though as you say, they are a disposable appliance in Japan and are treated accordingly. After owning several imports as I've posted, I'll stick with NZ new from now on.

Except for our MX5, which is too much fun to give up and in too good a nick to have any worries about... Besides it doesn't get the daily use of the Pulsar either, it's purely a toy!

Gotta admit, I've seen what Toyota do with those signature class cars and I gotta say that they're quite impressive. They even paint them for crying out loud. The odd import (very small percentage) are good cars to begin with, just pays to go in with your eyes open.

[pete376403]

Or you could ditch the useless B6 or BP motors all together and throw something with what resembles power in there...:facepalm: Still not going to be very decent with an expensive blower kit.
For the price of that you could source a genuine BPT GT-R motor and rebuild it with gold.

My son has put a RX7 motor and box into his MX-5. Goes really well.

[Edbear]

My son has put a RX7 motor and box into his MX-5. Goes really well.

They would, the power to weight ratio is great!

[Edbear]

Gotta admit, I've seen what Toyota do with those signature class cars and I gotta say that they're quite impressive. They even paint them for crying out loud. The odd import (very small percentage) are good cars to begin with, just pays to go in with your eyes open.

If I was buying second hand I would consider a Signature class car. We're looking at finally upgrading our Pulsar as the ergos are old hat and not good for my back, but we're looking at new for the long term and getting the latest technology as well. We've had the Pulsar since new and it's now 12 years old and at 190+k still a good car but even the MX5 is better ergonomically once down into it. ACC Occupational Therapist was amazed how bad the Pulsar was for seating position compared to newer vehicles but it hasn't been an issue until I broke my back.

[YellowDog]

If I was buying second hand I would consider a Signature class car. We're looking at finally upgrading our Pulsar as the ergos are old hat and not good for my back, but we're looking at new for the long term and getting the latest technology as well. We've had the Pulsar since new and it's now 12 years old and at 190+k still a good car but even the MX5 is better ergonomically once down into it. ACC Occupational Therapist was amazed how bad the Pulsar was for seating position compared to newer vehicles but it hasn't been an issue until I broke my back.

I have a 1998 Rav4 and a 2004 Subaru Legacy. With kids in mind, I'm looking to change these for a Spacio and an Ipsum (stupid names). Like you, I also want as new a technology as I can get. The signature cars are very well presented however far too expensive to make the short list. Turners Auctions and also the dealers who import and sell them on Trademe are a far better bet for me. I consider such models purchsed in this way to be of a low risk. I'll factor in a full service and check-up, but they will still be way cheaper than Signature.

[Edbear]

I have a 1998 Rav4 and a 2004 Subaru Legacy. With kids in mind, I'm looking to change these for a Spacio and an Ipsum (stupid names). Like you, I also want as new a technology as I can get. The signature cars are very well presented however far too expensive to make the short list. Turners Auctions and also the dealers who import and sell them on Trademe are a far better bet for me. I consider such models purchsed in this way to be of a low risk. I'll factor in a full service and check-up, but they will still be way cheaper than Signature.

My personal favourite would be the Honda Odysee. My daughter has on '01 model, top spec and it's brilliant! So smooth, multi-seating configurations and heaps of space! The Odysee would be on my short list too if we were needing the room and I'd pick it over either the Spacio or the Ipsum. The other one would be the Nissan Bassaro. For a smaller version the Honda Stream, would be my choice.

[HenryDorsetCase]

My son has put a RX7 motor and box into his MX-5. Goes really well.

interesting: any issues getting it in there? Something I read suggested that due to some weird shape or interference issue, you have to cut the transmission tunnel of the car, requirning major strengthening work..... not true?

[slowpoke]

If I was buying second hand I would consider a Signature class car. We're looking at finally upgrading our Pulsar as the ergos are old hat and not good for my back, but we're looking at new for the long term and getting the latest technology as well. We've had the Pulsar since new and it's now 12 years old and at 190+k still a good car but even the MX5 is better ergonomically once down into it. ACC Occupational Therapist was amazed how bad the Pulsar was for seating position compared to newer vehicles but it hasn't been an issue until I broke my back.

I just can't see the point of buying a brand new car with so many amazing second hand vehicles available. Vehicles nowadays have warranty's and reliability that would stagger car manufacturers of old.

For the cost of a new Falcon:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Ford/falcon/auction-327895880.htm

you could be in something like this instead, and really give your back some relief:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/BMW/m/auction-362087495.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/MercedesBenz/c55/auction-364268152.htm
or something a lil' more frugal:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Audi/a4/auction-362350751.htm



I have a 1998 Rav4 and a 2004 Subaru Legacy. With kids in mind, I'm looking to change these for a Spacio and an Ipsum (stupid names). Like you, I also want as new a technology as I can get. The signature cars are very well presented however far too expensive to make the short list. Turners Auctions and also the dealers who import and sell them on Trademe are a far better bet for me. I consider such models purchsed in this way to be of a low risk. I'll factor in a full service and check-up, but they will still be way cheaper than Signature.

Yep, the Signature cars definitely come at a premium price. Given the hoops I had to jump through to get an American import on the road I could argue that a recent import has a better chance of reliablity than an equivalent NZ new model, as the compliance checks are far more stringent than any WOF. The 140000 trouble free km's I've put on my now 200000km '04 Outback Premium import, with more fruit than a Liberace memorial dinner, would back me up.

[Edbear]

I just can't see the point of buying a brand new car with so many amazing second hand vehicles available. Vehicles nowadays have warranty's and reliability that would stagger car manufacturers of old.

For the cost of a new Falcon:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Ford/falcon/auction-327895880.htm

you could be in something like this instead, and really give your back some relief:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/BMW/m/auction-362087495.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/MercedesBenz/c55/auction-364268152.htm
or something a lil' more frugal:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Audi/a4/auction-362350751.htm

.

We're definitely looking for frugality and in the smaller to medium class. Long term costs are much higher for the vehicles you put up and reliability is not that great.

My mate's got a Supercharged E55 AMG, tweaked of course, and the running costs are horrendous. It broke down once and it took a lot of dollars to get it fixed, not to mention mundane stuff like tyres...

For driving fun we've got the MX5 and that still gets nigh on 40mpg even when playing with it and tyres are still relatively cheap. Servicing costs are minimal as is insurance, etc. If I had the income to support it, I'd have an Audi S4 V10 or R8...

Short listed so far, taking account of getting the latest tech, are the Honda City for a small car and the Hyundai i45 or Ford Mondeo Titanium Hatch turbo-diesel for a medium sized car. All are new technology cars and the Hyundai i45 for a petrol has the same fuel eonomy as our Pulsar despite being much larger with all the fruit and a 2.4lt engine. The Mondeo for a 2lt diesel has more torque than our old Honda Legend yet gets 50mpg making it worth considering despite the road tax.

Or an SUV alternative is the Hyundai ix35 TD. There are many good cars and deals around, but looking at getting the latest technology, rather than outgoing tech, and value for money, these four top the list.

I can get fleet discount despite only wanting one car and then claim back the GST, so making a new car viable compared to second hand.

[YellowDog]

My personal favourite would be the Honda Odysee. My daughter has on '01 model, top spec and it's brilliant! So smooth, multi-seating configurations and heaps of space! The Odysee would be on my short list too if we were needing the room and I'd pick it over either the Spacio or the Ipsum. The other one would be the Nissan Bassaro. For a smaller version the Honda Stream, would be my choice.

Thanks for that. I bought a new Odyssey in 1999 (old shape) which had the V-Tec 2.3l engine. I thought it was an excellent vehicle. I just didn't think the seating configuration was too clever. The rear switching for under cover fishing was quite a plus though. The six seater would have been a better option. I guess I should really look at a newer model to see how they have changed. I have always been quite a Honda fan. I do like the seats in the Ipsum though. The Spacio would alwasy be a run about option.

[Edbear]

Thanks for that. I bought a new Odyssey in 1999 (old shape) which had the V-Tec 2.3l engine. I thought it was an excellent vehicle. I just didn't think the seating configuration was too clever. The rear switching for under cover fishing was quite a plus though. The six seater would have been a better option. I guess I should really look at a newer model to see how they have changed. I have always been quite a Honda fan. I do like the seats in the Ipsum though. The Spacio would alwasy be a run about option.

Yeah, I'd definitely recommend having a look at both the later Odyssey and the Bassaro before committing. Ultimately you'll decide which is best for your needs of course, but also check out the Stream for a smaller run around. Not sure how they compare price-wise with the Ipsum and Spacio, though.

[jasonu]

He has a point about the salt. Not good.

They salt the roads here. As long as you wash your rig every month or so it is not an issue. No where as bad as the rust caused by living on as island...

[jasonu]

And the TV is NTSC, not PAL, so I can get audio, but no picture.

Converters are available. I used to work on USA cruise ships and we used converters for video cams, dvd's etc.

[jasonu]

the worst problem with Jap imports is the stupid names they have. Mazda Bongo Brawny? really?

Nissan Cedric? seriously?

Estima? what the hell.

plus one to that!!!
Don't forget Mitsi 'Pajero' that is (loosely) Mexican for wanker

[Edbear]

They salt the roads here. As long as you wash your rig every month or so it is not an issue. No where as bad as the rust caused by living on as island...

Modern cars are virtually rust proof now though. Our Pulsar has spent its life by the beach here and not a spec of rust anywhere. It still has the original exhaust system after 12 years and the only blemishes are a couple of stone chips and shopping trolley dents which we'll get around to fixing one day...

[pete376403]

interesting: any issues getting it in there? Something I read suggested that due to some weird shape or interference issue, you have to cut the transmission tunnel of the car, requirning major strengthening work..... not true?

The gearbox is a mix of RX7 and MX-5 (tailshaft housing) cos the mx has a link that ties the gearbox to the diff (IIRC). Don't think the tunnel required any massaging, but there is bugger-all clearance around the bell housing. Standard rear gearbox mount used, he made the front engine mount and replaced the p/s rack with a manual one.
Biggest hassle was electrics, the MX-5 f/i computer has been replaced by a Haltech F9 (a bit old, but thats what he could afford) which is user adjustable via laptop and com port.

[jasonu]

Modern cars are virtually rust proof now though. Our Pulsar has spent its life by the beach here and not a spec of rust anywhere. It still has the original exhaust system after 12 years and the only blemishes are a couple of stone chips and shopping trolley dents which we'll get around to fixing one day...

My Dad had an 83 Accord rustamatic and they all said buy 87 or better as the rust proofing is much improved. Then he got a 92 Toyota rustamatic and they said 95 or better will be rust free. I last visited NZ (Wanganui no H and Auckers) and saw many up to 2005 Jap and Aussie cars with significant rust. I don't think the manufacturers will ever get to the bottom of the car cancer in NZ.

[huff3r]

My Dad had an 83 Accord rustamatic and they all said buy 87 or better as the rust proofing is much improved. Then he got a 92 Toyota rustamatic and they said 95 or better will be rust free. I last visited NZ (Wanganui no H and Auckers) and saw many up to 2005 Jap and Aussie cars with significant rust. I don't think the manufacturers will ever get to the bottom of the car cancer in NZ.

That largely depends on brand, and even down to specific models. But mostly brand. Cheap cars rust. Cars not properly galvanised rust. 80s BMWs definitely rust. However my Telstar didnt have a single bubble, after 230,000kms and living by the beach judging from the sand under the seats and the carpets... it was a 1993 NZ New.

Yet similar age lasers have well known cancer issues, where the majority of the time the motor outlasts the body well and truly!

My telstar died cos of a peugeot that shortened the front end of it by 50cm :shit: :lol:

[Hitcher]

This is nonsense.

1. All vehicles are imports. Even when NZ used to "assemble" vehicles they were CKD kits that had been built in some foreign country. While they had NZ content, they were all delivered complete. The bits that were replaced by NZ-sourced bits were sent to landfill. This venture, together with its associated import licensing and other monoploy rents, cost New Zealand's taxpayers about $275,000 for every person employed in the "assembly" industry. That's one reason why this nonsense was sensibly discontinued.

2. New Zealand-built cars were underspecced. It wasn't until Japanese grey imports started to appear that New Zealanders realised that things like electric mirrors, air conditioning, car stereos, laminated glass, electric windows and electric locking were features that other countries supplied as standard kit.

3. You get what you pay for. Buyer beware.

[slowpoke]

We're definitely looking for frugality and in the smaller to medium class. Long term costs are much higher for the vehicles you put up and reliability is not that great.

My mate's got a Supercharged E55 AMG, tweaked of course, and the running costs are horrendous. It broke down once and it took a lot of dollars to get it fixed, not to mention mundane stuff like tyres...

For driving fun we've got the MX5 and that still gets nigh on 40mpg even when playing with it and tyres are still relatively cheap. Servicing costs are minimal as is insurance, etc. If I had the income to support it, I'd have an Audi S4 V10 or R8...

Short listed so far, taking account of getting the latest tech, are the Honda City for a small car and the Hyundai i45 or Ford Mondeo Titanium Hatch turbo-diesel for a medium sized car. All are new technology cars and the Hyundai i45 for a petrol has the same fuel eonomy as our Pulsar despite being much larger with all the fruit and a 2.4lt engine. The Mondeo for a 2lt diesel has more torque than our old Honda Legend yet gets 50mpg making it worth considering despite the road tax.

Or an SUV alternative is the Hyundai ix35 TD. There are many good cars and deals around, but looking at getting the latest technology, rather than outgoing tech, and value for money, these four top the list.

I can get fleet discount despite only wanting one car and then claim back the GST, so making a new car viable compared to second hand.

The examples I chose are just examples of some amazing vehicles that not so long ago were the price of a reasonable house and completely outside the realm of possibility for 99% of the car buyers. I guess I'm trying to say that some dream cars have actually become affordable.....but obviously they don't suit everyones needs or wants.

Have fun buying mate, it's your coin and your situation so it's not for me to criticise.

[Edbear]

The examples I chose are just examples of some amazing vehicles that not so long ago were the price of a reasonable house and completely outside the realm of possibility for 99% of the car buyers. I guess I'm trying to say that some dream cars have actually become affordable.....but obviously they don't suit everyones needs or wants.

Have fun buying mate, it's your coin and your situation so it's not for me to criticise.

I take your point and you're right of course. I love my mate's E55 and to take a ride in it is an eye-opener for sure. You have to experience 500hp and 750NM to really appreciate what the numbers mean! :blink:

Regretfully, our budget and our requirements place these in the rich toy category... :bye:

[Edbear]

This is nonsense.

1. All vehicles are imports. Even when NZ used to "assemble" vehicles they were CKD kits that had been built in some foreign country. While they had NZ content, they were all delivered complete. The bits that were replaced by NZ-sourced bits were sent to landfill. This venture, together with its associated import licensing and other monoploy rents, cost New Zealand's taxpayers about $275,000 for every person employed in the "assembly" industry. That's one reason why this nonsense was sensibly discontinued.

2. New Zealand-built cars were underspecced. It wasn't until Japanese grey imports started to appear that New Zealanders realised that things like electric mirrors, air conditioning, car stereos, laminated glass, electric windows and electric locking were features that other countries supplied as standard kit.

3. You get what you pay for. Buyer beware.

You're right on two counts. NZ'rs never knew what they were missing out on in our overpriced and underspecced car market. Our Morris Marina cost us $5k, after the advent of Jap Imports is was worth about $1500. Our '83 Pulsar Plus cost us $11k! After '86 it was worth about $3,500.

But the early days of the imports were a Wild West, Caveat Emptor situation where dodgy dealers flourished and winding back speedo's was an industry in itself. Lies about every aspect of the cars were the normal way of doing business and NZ was truly the rubbish dump of Japan's auto industry. So yes, we were alerted to better spec and better pricing, but we were totally naive as to the shoddy business practices of the dealers who became very rich at the public's expense.

[Owl]

Our Morris Marina cost us $5k

Someone saw you coming. They were $3500 new in 73:facepalm:

[Edbear]

Someone saw you coming. They were $3500 new in 73:facepalm:

1980, mate.

[Owl]

1980, mate.

An appreciating Marina........who'd have thought?:laugh:

[Edbear]

An appreciating Marina........who'd have thought?:laugh:

It was a 1980 model...

[Owl]

It was a 1980 model...

I'm struggling with the thought that they were produced for so long:scratch:

[Mully]

3. You get what you pay for. Buyer beware.

And, that, to my mind, is the issue in a nutshell.

I've heard stories of NZ cars being shagged after 5 minutes and Jappa (JUCs) going forever.

Depends on the car and how it's been treated....

[Edbear]

I'm struggling with the thought that they were produced for so long:scratch:

They were a basically good car in their day, apart from two known issues - the front Armstrong dampers which were apparently designed for two upper arms and were only fitted with one causing premature wear, and the gearbox wasn't strong enough being designed for the 1300. The extra torque of the bigger engines wore out first and second gear bearings.

Ours was the final model with the alloy head 1700 motor and was torquey and comfortable, would surprise bigger cars on the hills and had a big boot to boot...

[skinman]

yeh only good compared to the rest of the crap, 80s were not a good time in the car industry. Jeez I must be getting old to remember them :facepalm:

[YellowDog]

I had a 1979 Morris Marina 1700L.

WOW - What a car! - Carpets, a Radio, and even Head Rests.

"Take that you Japs" - says Mr British Leyland.

Then the Marina became the 'Ital' and that Alegro just got better and better. By the time the Maestro and Montego came along..............

Beating the British out of the automotive market must have been like stealing toffee from kids.

[Smifffy]

We aren't much further advanced really, when you consider the specification and price of new vehicles in other markets, particularly the USA.

[Edbear]

yeh only good compared to the rest of the crap, 80s were not a good time in the car industry. Jeez I must be getting old to remember them :facepalm:

There were some good cars in '89, among the Jappas. But yeah, you're not wrong.


I had a 1979 Morris Marina 1700L.

WOW - What a car! - Carpets, a Radio, and even Head Rests.

"Take that you Japs" - says Mr British Leyland.

Then the Marina became the 'Ital' and that Alegro just got better and better. By the time the Maestro and Montego came along..............

Beating the British out of the automotive market must have been like stealing toffee from kids.

I think the Brits beat themselves out of the market in the end... :bye:

[Indiana_Jones]

Hmmm interesting thread.

I wonder if my landcrab came with power sterring when it was sold new here or was that option only on the home market cars?

Don't be too hard on the British cars Yellow Dog....but then again I know you owned a TR7....

BMC was good in the 50's and 60s. Problem was that they didn't re-invest and failed to do research to what joe blogs wanted. They just assumed they would blindly buy their cars. What reason would they assume otherwise? the public lapped up the mini and 1100/1300 like hot cakes. Not to mention Mr. Issigonis wasn't to be questioned!

Then when the 1800 failed to get the same numbers did they start to think "wait a minute...." lol

I think BL summed it up best with the wedge..... 'The shape of things to come!' :D

-Indy

[YellowDog]

Don't be too hard on the British cars Yellow Dog....but then again I know you owned a TR7....


I swore I'd never buy another Triumph anything again..................

Oops......

The BL problem was as simple as: merge several small companies together under a nationalisation banner so that the resulting enormous organisation is then run by bureaucrats, knowing very little about the industry, AND the result will be an absolute disaster.

I liked the V-12 Daimler best: The one where the lefty union fellows felt the need to insert loose nails in the cylinder heads to teach the capitalist pigs buying the cars a lesson they won’t forget. Yep they certainly learnt a lesson about not buying another BL car.

It was all about employing the masses rather than building cars that people want.

[Indiana_Jones]

I swore I'd never buy another Triumph anything again..................

Oops......

The BL problem was as simple as: merge several small companies together under a nationalisation banner so that the resulting enormous organisation is then run by bureaucrats, knowing very little about the industry, AND the result will be an absolute disaster.

I liked the V-12 Daimler best: The one where the lefty union fellows felt the need to insert loose nails in the cylinder heads to teach the capitalist pigs buying the cars a lesson they won’t forget. Yep they certainly learnt a lesson about not buying another BL car.

It was all about employing the masses rather than building cars that people want.

Too true.

BL management had a hard on for Triumph it seemed and just left the MGB to history.

The Riley name was dropped for cost cutting and just focusing on the Wolseley name for their 'bank manager' cars.

Upper management lacked vision, workers just made unions and crippled an already dying company.

Simple fact is, had they made cars that worked and people wanted they'd still be here today.

-Indy

[ducatilover]

Hmmm interesting thread.

I wonder if my landcrab came with power sterring when it was sold new here or was that option only on the home market cars?

Don't be too hard on the British cars Yellow Dog....but then again I know you owned a TR7....

BMC was good in the 50's and 60s. Problem was that they didn't re-invest and failed to do research to what joe blogs wanted. They just assumed they would blindly buy their cars. What reason would they assume otherwise? the public lapped up the mini and 1100/1300 like hot cakes. Not to mention Mr. Issigonis wasn't to be questioned!

Then when the 1800 failed to get the same numbers did they start to think "wait a minute...." lol

I think BL summed it up best with the wedge..... 'The shape of things to come!' :D

-Indy

In the Brits defence, the Rover P5B coupe and P6 were great cars, my P6 went great and was stupidly comfortable. The ride quality was amazing, better than any Jap car I have driven with the exception of a Lexus/Toyota LS400/Celsior.
16mpg was okay.....:facepalm: Atleast it sounded tits with one pathetic muffler and a dirty Holley.
'Twas a Nelson assembled car in early '73.

[avgas]

How does anyone feel about imported vehicles?

The reason i ask is because i was wasting time the other day and was looking around a merecedes benz dealer forecourt, i had no intention of buying one and told the dealer so. I said if i would ever consider getting a european car i would get an import cause they're so much cheaper. He looked at me like i was from another planet and told me with a straight face, that those cars weren't made for the new zealand conditions! they wouldn't have enough power to get up the steep hills and they use different oil that you can't get here and the tyres would be different.
i assume because of these new zealand conditions i keep hearing about.
this isn't the first time i've heard this sort of drivel.

i watched an ad for some hyundai thing on the telly and they said the suspension was tuned for new zealand conditions!?

do kiwis really believe this crap? what's so special about nz roads that manufactures are making special vehicles for this tiny, special market?

what would put you off buying an imported vehicle? speedo in miles perhaps?

I thought about bringing a bike or two back with me from the uk when i go over, lots of european stuff over there. Would i be able to sell them, or wouldn't they be up to the nz conditions?

I swear the room just felt like 1981, some old guy was telling us how imports are rubbish while we all sat on swappa crates.
Then we all got into the Pug 404 and said "Please go car" before dad turned the key. By the third "Please go car" it would usually splutter into life.

So happy we got a civic after that. Then when dad got really rich we bought a brand new Hilux. It was so flash it didn't have ripped seats or anything.

[Indiana_Jones]

<img src="http://gallery.brit-cars.com/data/513/bmc3.jpg"> :love:

-Indy

[Edbear]

Too true.

BL management had a hard on for Triumph it seemed and just left the MGB to history.

The Riley name was dropped for cost cutting and just focusing on the Wolseley name for their 'bank manager' cars.

Upper management lacked vision, workers just made unions and crippled an already dying company.

Simple fact is, had they made cars that worked and people wanted they'd still be here today.-Indy

Pretty much. The Unions were all powerful and sloppy assembly was the norm. The industry had some very good designers and engineers but no-one cared too much as the Gummit would take care of everything. The telling point really is in that the Japs took the British designs and built them properly, paying attention to quality and detail and then proceeded to develop them further, witness the Nissan/Austin models.

The landcrabs including the Tasman/Kimberley were ahead of their time and were great cruising cars let down by that attention to detail that may have saved them. Their ride quality and space utilisation are only now being exceeded. They were torquey and economical with good brakes. Ergonomics weren't that great but they were comfortable to drive.

My Bro-in-law raced an 1800 in dirt-track, locked in 2nd gear and I think locked diff, replacing the rubber uni-joints with solid joints, it was fast and reliable and revved like a banshee! He could do wonders with those old pushrod motors! It was almost unburstable and it eventually got too beat up to continue.

[ducatilover]

I swear the room just felt like 1981, some old guy was telling us how imports are rubbish while we all sat on swappa crates.
Then we all got into the Pug 404 and said "Please go car" before dad turned the key. By the third "Please go car" it would usually splutter into life.

So happy we got a civic after that. Then when dad got really rich we bought a brand new Hilux. It was so flash it didn't have ripped seats or anything.

We had a near new VK Commodore Berlina, red top 5 speed when I was a kid, was dual fuel, CNG/petrol. Was a good car, apart from the rust, sold it at 370,000km for $300. We had a brand spankers Lada 2105 wagon for mum....worst car ever. That got sold for a VH SL/X, then finally that got sold in 96 for an 89 Mazda Familia, everyone in the family thrashed the tits of that 1300 4 speed beast, it died sadly wen i put the front into an object at a slight pace, 374,000km on the clock, biggest issue it had was the radiator top tank exploded in Wellington near Te Papa once...$250 for a new radiator.

That was our families first Jap import, my old man now has a Corolla that's nearing 400k and it has never had an issue (Fucking shit car to drive though) and a Hilux that hasn't had an issue either since we got it in '02.

[gunrunner]

My dad keeps going on about imports because a lot of countries put salt on the road to clear ice and it causes corrosion on cars.

I think the special thing about NZ roads is that they are crap. Highly doubt they change the cars in anyway though!

Funny u should say that , i imported my last bike from japan , the wheels were all corroded due to there roads but it was an easy polish out .
My last car was a private import aswell and i had it 7 yrs and it never missed a beat and it looked as good as the day i bought it ..

[Indiana_Jones]

Pretty much. The Unions were all powerful and sloppy assembly was the norm. The industry had some very good designers and engineers but no-one cared too much as the Gummit would take care of everything. The telling point really is in that the Japs took the British designs and built them properly, paying attention to quality and detail and then proceeded to develop them further, witness the Nissan/Austin models.

The landcrabs including the Tasman/Kimberley were ahead of their time and were great cruising cars let down by that attention to detail that may have saved them. Their ride quality and space utilisation are only now being exceeded. They were torquey and economical with good brakes. Ergonomics weren't that great but they were comfortable to drive.


True. A lot of people over look the impact of such cars as the mini and 1100/1300. Their basis/idea are still used to this day.

As for the 1800. I like them so much I sold my MG and got another Wolseley 18/85 :D

-Indy

[avgas]

That was our families first Jap import, my old man now has a Corolla that's nearing 400k and it has never had an issue (Fucking shit car to drive though) and a Hilux that hasn't had an issue either since we got it in '02.
My old man would have kept his 91 Lux, but I kinda fucked it up nicely taking a 90degree turn at 110kph with no power steering.
It never was the same after that.

I am currently driving a 2009 Ford Focus TDi. Heap of shit. Give me a 10 year old import anyday - will drive a shit load better than this. Don't get me wrong - I do have good moments with the focus, but my god it has a big collection of bad design features. This is the 4th euro we have had, they really know how to fuck it up good.

[YellowDog]

True. A lot of people over look the impact of such cars as the mini and 1100/1300. Their basis/idea are still used to this day.

As for the 1800. I like them so much I sold my MG and got another Wolseley 18/85 :D

-Indy

I finally stuck that 1800 unit with twin webbers in my TR7 to replace the three and a half 2.0 ltr failed units.

So much better in every respect :yes:

[Indiana_Jones]

1800 B series is one of the best they made :)

Very rarely do you see a TR7 with it's stock engine...

YD knows why this is lol

didthe headlights both pop up or did the prince of darkness, AKA Lucas, work his magic lol

:D

-Indy

[avgas]

Hmmm interesting thread.

I wonder if my landcrab came with power sterring when it was sold new here or was that option only on the home market cars?

Don't be too hard on the British cars Yellow Dog....but then again I know you owned a TR7....

BMC was good in the 50's and 60s. Problem was that they didn't re-invest and failed to do research to what joe blogs wanted. They just assumed they would blindly buy their cars. What reason would they assume otherwise? the public lapped up the mini and 1100/1300 like hot cakes. Not to mention Mr. Issigonis wasn't to be questioned!

Then when the 1800 failed to get the same numbers did they start to think "wait a minute...." lol

I think BL summed it up best with the wedge..... 'The shape of things to come!' :D

-Indy
A little. But you have to remember at the same time 2 things happened that killed the BMC.

America and Japan.

While in the past America had built gas gussling tanks that handled like a tug......the late 60's was a complete revival of design for the american cars. Gas concerns were raised, and people wanted a sporty feeling cars - so hot 6's came into flavor. While the marketers were pushing the "muscle car V8's" the factory was pushing out 1000's of 6's that were just as quick, and looked exactly the same. So if the customer bought a mini and wanted more power they looked at a Dodge, GM or Ford 6 - none of this elegant boat with an 1800. Give me 3L!

The other side to this was the japanese had figured out that building shit air-cooled cars was getting them no where, so what they did was got fancy people to design their cars. They then took all this IP and remade the cars as cheap as possible. The result was amazing. Small cars that people wanted. They drove well, they didn't fail and best of all - the went just as quick as their strongest competitors.
By the time Mazda, Datsun and Colt were putting hot motors into Coupe's (late 60's - early 70's) - BMC was crying to the greats to save them in the race. Cooper and Chapman were the saving grace to BMC's performance woes.....but the writing was on the wall.

[ducatilover]

My old man would have kept his 91 Lux, but I kinda fucked it up nicely taking a 90degree turn at 110kph with no power steering.
It never was the same after that.

I am currently driving a 2009 Ford Focus TDi. Heap of shit. Give me a 10 year old import anyday - will drive a shit load better than this. Don't get me wrong - I do have good moments with the focus, but my god it has a big collection of bad design features. This is the 4th euro we have had, they really know how to fuck it up good.
Dad's is a poverty pack '93 LWB 2wd 1.8 petrol beasty.
I'm not a fan of the Focus range, except the 5cyl ones. A 96 onwards Honda Integra type R out performs the lot of them, rides nice, stupidly reliable, rust free, holds its value well and is far better to drive, how the car makers have gone backwards so far.... The EP3 Civic R was pure brilliance, the Pug 306 S16 was disgustingly fun, why aren't the new ones?
My flatmate has a '10 Corolla wagon as a work car and it's poorly built, gutless, not that good on gas and crap to drive, his '89 Celica is nicer to steer....

[YellowDog]

1800 B series is one of the best they made :)

Very rarely do you see a TR7 with it's stock engine...

YD knows why this is lol

didthe headlights both pop up or did the prince of darkness, AKA Lucas, work his magic lol

:D

-Indy

Headlights were great. You could flick them up & down continuously so that the servo delay meant that that would start performing alternate winks :lol:

[Edbear]

Headlights were great. You could flick them up & down continuously so that the servo delay meant that that would start performing alternate winks :lol:

Hmmmm... Wonder what would happen if I tried that on the MX5..?

[Indiana_Jones]

While in the past America had built gas gussling tanks that handled like a tug......the late 60's was a complete revival of design for the american cars. Gas concerns were raised, and people wanted a sporty feeling cars - so hot 6's came into flavor. While the marketers were pushing the "muscle car V8's" the factory was pushing out 1000's of 6's that were just as quick, and looked exactly the same. So if the customer bought a mini and wanted more power they looked at a Dodge, GM or Ford 6 - none of this elegant boat with an 1800. Give me 3L!

The problem in the states was that the Yanks hated and still do, competition. They make it harder for imported cars to meet requirements etc.

-Indy

[slowpoke]

A little. But you have to remember at the same time 2 things happened that killed the BMC.

America and Japan.

While in the past America had built gas gussling tanks that handled like a tug......the late 60's was a complete revival of design for the american cars. Gas concerns were raised, and people wanted a sporty feeling cars - so hot 6's came into flavor. While the marketers were pushing the "muscle car V8's" the factory was pushing out 1000's of 6's that were just as quick, and looked exactly the same. So if the customer bought a mini and wanted more power they looked at a Dodge, GM or Ford 6 - none of this elegant boat with an 1800. Give me 3L!

The other side to this was the japanese had figured out that building shit air-cooled cars was getting them no where, so what they did was got fancy people to design their cars. They then took all this IP and remade the cars as cheap as possible. The result was amazing. Small cars that people wanted. They drove well, they didn't fail and best of all - the went just as quick as their strongest competitors.
By the time Mazda, Datsun and Colt were putting hot motors into Coupe's (late 60's - early 70's) - BMC was crying to the greats to save them in the race. Cooper and Chapman were the saving grace to BMC's performance woes.....but the writing was on the wall.

Your time line isn't quite right and your rose coloured glasses are slipping!

The late 60's was still Gasoline Heaven, it wasn't until '73 that the Oil Crisis hit and muscle cars became dinosaurs and travesty's like the Mustang II sprung up on drawing boards in Detroit.

But nobody ever confused the "muscle car V8's" with the poverty pack 6's and "no way no how" did a 150hp 250ci 6 cylinder Camaro go anything like a 425hp 427ci COPO Camaro. And there were plenty of American sporting cars that handled well by our standards of the era.....but it's all about "fit for purpose" and the 'merican's made a car for every purpose. Cruising a few thousand miles across the country? Step this way to the luxo-barge aisle. Wanna daily driver that can also blow the doors off pretty much anything around a race track? Head over to the Trans Am series aisle for your Boss 302 Mustang, or Z/28 Camaro, T/A Challenger, AMX Javelin.

It's horses for courses: pretty much anyone driving a jap car of the day would say it was hopelessly out of it's element driving down any turnpike in the States and would look at one of those 'tugs' purring past them with unbridled lust.

Yes, the oil crisis played nicely into the Japanese manufacturers hands, but to pretend that all the japanese cars of the era "drove well, they didn't fail and best of all - the went just as quick as their strongest competitors" is stretching things a lil' far. Sure they made some good cars but they made their fair share of farkin' shockers too. Ultimately people wanted cheap, (still do) and on that criteria alone the japanese were unrivalled. For exactly the same reason today Korea is the new Japan: people don't want/can't afford good/sparkling/awesome.....they just want adequate.

[YellowDog]

Hmmmm... Wonder what would happen if I tried that on the MX5..?

The relays on the MX5 work at 3x the rate of the crappy Roots TR7 failure.

However hard you tried, you'd never get the 'Wink' effect.

Hence: The TR7 is a far better 'Winking' car than the MX5 :no:

[ducatilover]

Speaking of big American tanks, lookie at what I have listed on TradeMe..... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=361298059

[Indiana_Jones]

Speaking of big American tanks, lookie at what I have listed on TradeMe..... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=361298059

lol Jesus Christ, 6600cc!

-Indy

[ducatilover]

lol Jesus Christ, 6600cc!

-Indy
185hp of pure.....wait, whut? :blink:

It's not big enough if you ask me.

Hah, my P6 made more HP!!! Go the non emissions high compression 3500 :love:

[slowpoke]

Speaking of big American tanks, lookie at what I have listed on TradeMe..... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=361298059


185hp of pure.....wait, whut? :blink:

It's not big enough if you ask me.

Hah, my P6 made more HP!!! Go the non emissions high compression 3500 :love:

Hahaha, ya gotta larf at the pre and post emissions/fuel crisis contrast eh? Cars got bigger/fatter/heavier while donks got more and more strangled, poor "wee" things.

Hey, it could be worse, you could have one of those 7 litre Caddy's with front wheel drive :facepalm:

[Edbear]

Hahaha, ya gotta larf at the pre and post emissions/fuel crisis contrast eh? Cars got bigger/fatter/heavier while donks got more and more strangled, poor "wee" things.

Hey, it could be worse, you could have one of those 7 litre Caddy's with front wheel drive :facepalm:

The Americans and the Aussies didn't do emissions controls very well for a long time. Huge engines putting out about the same as my Nissan Pulsar and guzzling gas like nothing else on Earth! Remember the HX-HZ Holden's? Absolute slugs!

[ducatilover]

Hahaha, ya gotta larf at the pre and post emissions/fuel crisis contrast eh? Cars got bigger/fatter/heavier while donks got more and more strangled, poor "wee" things.

Hey, it could be worse, you could have one of those 7 litre Caddy's with front wheel drive :facepalm:
Good lord they were a horrid vehicle.... :sick:
This TransAm has no emissions gear at all, but, with the low C/R I doubt it's making much power anyway, torque...torque...heaps of it.


The Americans and the Aussies didn't do emissions controls very well for a long time. Huge engines putting out about the same as my Nissan Pulsar and guzzling gas like nothing else on Earth! Remember the HX-HZ Holden's? Absolute slugs!
Yes, but, a 500ci Caddy will do a burn out and read 100mph on the speedo... (Not that I have seen such dangerous things done....) Torque is delicious, plodding along in a million tonne Caddy at no more than 2000rpm, who cares about gas? Or the fact that it's 14 miles long and you can't fit in car parks? It's something one must experience.

[Edbear]

Good lord they were a horrid vehicle.... :sick:
This TransAm has no emissions gear at all, but, with the low C/R I doubt it's making much power anyway, torque...torque...heaps of it.


Yes, but, a 500ci Caddy will do a burn out and read 100mph on the speedo... (Not that I have seen such dangerous things done....) Torque is delicious, plodding along in a million tonne Caddy at no more than 2000rpm, who cares about gas? Or the fact that it's 14 miles long and you can't fit in car parks? It's something one must experience.

Well, I've always hankered after a '77 Caddy, and I do miss my HT Premier 308... :innocent:

[ducatilover]

Well, I've always hankered after a '77 Caddy, and I do miss my HT Premier 308... :innocent:
I've done a bit of work on a 78 Caddy, 'twas a grouse machine. From memory the owner had a fair amount of trouble getting the stupid plastics that sit between the rear bumper and the body.
Ahhh I would love an HT, why was I born too late? :facepalm:
A red HT panel van, even with a 253 would be the tits.

[Edbear]

I've done a bit of work on a 78 Caddy, 'twas a grouse machine. From memory the owner had a fair amount of trouble getting the stupid plastics that sit between the rear bumper and the body.
Ahhh I would love an HT, why was I born too late? :facepalm:
A red HT panel van, even with a 253 would be the tits.

The little 253 could be made to perform with a bit of work, Brockie did wonders with both capacities. The only real weakness of the standard motors were the cams which were too weak and would last about 60,ooo miles. Replaced with a stock grind Crane camshaft and problem solved.

My Premier was rated at 240hp and I could get 24mpg on the open road if I didn't open the 52mm secondaries.

[ducatilover]

The little 253 could be made to perform with a bit of work, Brockie did wonders with both capacities. The only real weakness of the standard motors were the cams which were too weak and would last about 60,ooo miles. Replaced with a stock grind Crane camshaft and problem solved.

My Premier was rated at 240hp and I could get 24mpg on the open road if I didn't open the 52mm secondaries.
Yeah, I've seen a few hot 253 toys running a mild 308 cam, which seems to get the little buggers singing. Sadly, they aren't so cheap these days and finding a decent one is proving difficult.
That's fairly good economy for a 308 really! Considering the Rover did 16mpg from Taupo to Eketahuna, although, it was in desperate need of a tune and new needle and seats that were leaking....:facepalm:

[Edbear]

Yeah, I've seen a few hot 253 toys running a mild 308 cam, which seems to get the little buggers singing. Sadly, they aren't so cheap these days and finding a decent one is proving difficult.
That's fairly good economy for a 308 really! Considering the Rover did 16mpg from Taupo to Eketahuna, although, it was in desperate need of a tune and new needle and seats that were leaking....:facepalm:

Yup! My mate with his 302 Fairlane was getting 15mpg! Mind you I could extract 36mpg from my '67 XR Falcon with the 200 Pursuit motor, too.

I'd love to get a bit of my history back, but can't afford it either!

[ducatilover]

Yup! My mate with his 302 Fairlane was getting 15mpg! Mind you I could extract 36mpg from my '67 XR Falcon with the 200 Pursuit motor, too.

I'd love to get a bit of my history back, but can't afford it either!
It's a bit shitty how it's all becoming harder to find nice older cars of the years before my youth (Which will never expire :innocent: ) Must be time for another Morrie Minor and I will own an MGB GT pre '73 at some point and never sell it, one of only two cars I have lusted after since first sighting :love:

[Edbear]

It's a bit shitty how it's all becoming harder to find nice older cars of the years before my youth (Which will never expire :innocent: ) Must be time for another Morrie Minor and I will own an MGB GT pre '73 at some point and never sell it, one of only two cars I have lusted after since first sighting :love:

I learned to drive and went for my licence in Mum's '61 Minor thou sedan! We both loved that car! :love: I recall the local Council used to run the last of the 1100cc vans and utes and I dearly wanted one back in '71!

[ducatilover]

I learned to drive and went for my licence in Mum's '61 Minor thou sedan! We both loved that car! :love: I recall the local Council used to run the last of the 1100cc vans and utes and I dearly wanted one back in '71!
I had a 52 side valve coupe with Lucas lights replacing the trafficators. 237443

[Edbear]

I had a 52 side valve coupe with Lucas lights replacing the trafficators. 237443

Wots the green one in the back?

[ducatilover]

Wots the green one in the back?


27 Chrysler boat tail racer :love: The picture is from the private collection I got Le Morrie from.

[Edbear]

27 Chrysler boat tail racer :love: The picture is from the private collection I got Le Morrie from.

Nice! I like!

[avgas]

Dad's is a poverty pack '93 LWB 2wd 1.8 petrol beasty.
I'm not a fan of the Focus range, except the 5cyl ones. A 96 onwards Honda Integra type R out performs the lot of them, rides nice, stupidly reliable, rust free, holds its value well and is far better to drive, how the car makers have gone backwards so far.... The EP3 Civic R was pure brilliance, the Pug 306 S16 was disgustingly fun, why aren't the new ones?
My flatmate has a '10 Corolla wagon as a work car and it's poorly built, gutless, not that good on gas and crap to drive, his '89 Celica is nicer to steer....
Don't get me wrong - you can have fun in my car. But it has the most stupid computer in the world. It tries to drive the car for you at low speeds......which would be great if it was auto - but mine is manual. Its horrible. Revs go all over the show, and if you try and take control it tries to take the control away from you (aka cut the gas).
However it hugs the high speed stuff fine.

Other problem I have is the cupholder. Its right behind the stick......making it fucking useless. You can either drive or put your drink there. What kind of designer moron bother with a cupholder which can hold no cup if you need to change gears????

Don't even get me started on post-94 BMW dashs........ make a mig with Russian gauges seem more user friendly.

[avgas]

The problem in the states was that the Yanks hated and still do, competition. They make it harder for imported cars to meet requirements etc.
-Indy
Waaaa waaa waaaa.
The Japanese got into the states fine thank you very much. They just went under American brand-names (good earner for Chrysler) a few years later (it would have been around 1970 by then). I think it was Toyota and Mazda whom got in first under their own names - all they had to do was setup their own factories.

Likewise the rest of Europe got in there eventually. Except the horrible mishap with Audi in the 80's.

It was just the poms who were blocked......

JDM market is very popular in US right now. But its seems expensive purely cost you can get brand new cars over there dirt cheap.

[ducatilover]

Nice! I like!

Went pretty well too!


Don't get me wrong - you can have fun in my car. But it has the most stupid computer in the world. It tries to drive the car for you at low speeds......which would be great if it was auto - but mine is manual. Its horrible. Revs go all over the show, and if you try and take control it tries to take the control away from you (aka cut the gas).
However it hugs the high speed stuff fine.

Other problem I have is the cupholder. Its right behind the stick......making it fucking useless. You can either drive or put your drink there. What kind of designer moron bother with a cupholder which can hold no cup if you need to change gears????

Don't even get me started on post-94 BMW dashs........ make a mig with Russian gauges seem more user friendly.
My 94 BMW 3 series had a nice dash, easy to read and nice looking in my biased opinion, I was not a fan of the E30 dash, the gauge covering was too reflective, not that you noticed because the cracks in the dash distracted you as you rubbed rust out of your eyes.
I found the Focus dull and boring, especially for the marketing hype and the reviews. The nicest out of that genre was probably the Pug, but, it'll explode. The Focus, Corolla, Civic (Non-type R) etc were shit, the Hyundai Elantra wasn't too bad though, don't hit me. The Imprezza feels tacky...Citroen was vulgar, Renault was as boring as hell...Why can't they make fun in small cars? Mk1 Golf, Pug 205/309 GTi, 306 S16 etc. All of them were brilliant!


My Hyundai Lantra had the cup holder behind the stick, but, it never got in the way unless you needed the ash tray, so I wound my window down (That was also another top car in it's class, ABS, driver air bag, very comfy, wider tyres, good handling and a great stereo, I'd own another as a daily driver)

[avgas]

Your time line isn't quite right and your rose coloured glasses are slipping!

The late 60's was still Gasoline Heaven, it wasn't until '73 that the Oil Crisis hit
Check my timeline again. Wasn't talking about the oil crisis......there were other reasons there was no money fella.
Just don't mention the war.......

As for the oil crisis playing into the hands of the Jappa's.......YeahNah (cause/effect or irrelevent?). While it was cheaper to run a jappa - they also built slightly better cars for the price. While USA errrr built exactly the same cars with new panel work. Notice that same thing is happening again in US with Japan vs Korea.

[oneofsix]

Waaaa waaa waaaa.
The Japanese got into the states fine thank you very much. They just went under American brand-names (good earner for Chrysler) a few years later (it would have been around 1970 by then). I think it was Toyota and Mazda whom got in first under their own names - all they had to do was setup their own factories.

Likewise the rest of Europe got in there eventually. Except the horrible mishap with Audi in the 80's.

It was just the poms who were blocked......

JDM market is very popular in US right now. But its seems expensive purely cost you can get brand new cars over there dirt cheap.

yeah just don't beat them in their country or things will go wrong for you, just ask Toyoda san. Funny how that as soon as his car brand became number 1 they had soooo many issues. Wonder where the problematic components were built :corn:

[Indiana_Jones]

yeah just don't beat them in their country or things will go wrong for you, just ask Toyoda san. Funny how that as soon as his car brand became number 1 they had soooo many issues. Wonder where the problematic components were built :corn:

The French aren't much better.

I'm not saying, BMC/BL got blocked out of the U.S. but rather they made it too hard for them to keep up. Look how the U.S. fucked up the MGB for the rest of us....:facepalm:

-Indy

[poopie poo]

My 1999 Volvo import ex-Singapore which Dog & Lemon Guide said was "Dodgy" was surprisingly reliable. Now with 215k on the odometer and still going strong.

Almost all Volvo imports had built-in phones as standard and the NZ new ones did not. I rememeber my first Japanese made jap import had electric windows, again not standard on the NZ new models.

Re humidity and electrics issue - there may be some truth there but Auckland ain't that dry either and having 4 seasons probably puts us on par. My brother use to lift the lid on his Audi to cool it down after driving home. I challenged him that once the engine has stopped you are not adding anymore heat, by lifting the lid would expose the engine to a sudden change in temperature which may arguably make it worse.

NZ conditions? - The only condition I would feel that was different if I was a car was the horrible chip seal roads (IMHO should be banned) most of you would hear driving out of town and the only variant that would fix that would be the suspension, but I doubt NZ new are any different suspension wise on most makes. IMO a 'NZ new' car would experience a harder life and more proned to paint chips from NZ chip "sealed" roads which are not even used in most developing countries. Later model imports may be more tolerant to Ethanol blends.

Power - Singapore imports would take a back seat here. Road user and registration charges increase exponentially with the engine capacity. But if you were buying a lower cc base model I dont think you would be that much worse.

Benefits of NZ new are usually the options like Sat Nav, TV, Video and Radio (Japan). Imports would require new software and maybe new hardware for these to work. If you are into Euro plates, they will not fit on some Japanese imports without some mods.

[avgas]

yeah just don't beat them in their country or things will go wrong for you, just ask Toyoda san. Funny how that as soon as his car brand became number 1 they had soooo many issues. Wonder where the problematic components were built :corn:
Whom said they had a problem.
I bet you $20 now - that in 20 years time Hyundais in the US will suffer EXACTLY the same problem.

Don't believe me.....google "1980's AUDI Problem USA"
Meanwhile the rest of us still have reliable audi's from the 80's and Toyota's from 2000's........
Like herding sheep, convincing that there is a problem with a car in USA. One bark and the bastard run to the other side of the paddock.

[ducatilover]

The French aren't much better.

I'm not saying, BMC/BL got blocked out of the U.S. but rather they made it too hard for them to keep up. Look how the U.S. fucked up the MGB for the rest of us....:facepalm:

-Indy
they sure fucked it, they also fucked the 911 when that went to ugly bumpers, '73 also I think?




NZ conditions? - The only condition I would feel that was different if I was a car was the horrible chip seal roads (IMHO should be banned) most of you would hear driving out of town and the only variant that would fix that would be the suspension, but I doubt NZ new are any different suspension wise on most makes. IMO a 'NZ new' car would experience a harder life and more proned to paint chips from NZ chip "sealed" roads which are not even used in most developing countries. Later model imports may be more tolerant to Ethanol blends.

Power - Singapore imports would take a back seat here. Road user and registration charges increase exponentially with the engine capacity. But if you were buying a lower cc base model I dont think you would be that much worse.


The BMW E36 (you're typical 90's 3 series) had different suspension NZ new VS JDM.
The only reason I see to keep chip seal is the price, but, I'm sure it wears faster? Ergo, laying a decent seal will cost less in the long run, take the Hutt side of the Wainuiomata hill for example, that was done when I was a young chap there (Lived in Wainui :facepalm: ) and haven't heard any big problems, plus the surface offers a far better grip co-efficient in the wet and dry.
Singapore cars did seem to have smaller motors, most E39/E34 BMW 5 series you see from there are the 2.0/2.2 6 cyl and the E38 7 series tend to be the 2.8 6 cyl and the 3.0 V8.
Not all of them have issues, my flat mate had a '95 520i Individual spec from Singapore, lovely car, not very grunty though, it was immaculate and beautiful to drive, the only fault it had wad the typical M50 motor fuel pump died, cheap to get if you know what you're doing, or just go after market...on the other hand his current UZZ31 Toyota Soarer V8 is NZ new, high spec (as usual), great car to drive, even with the factory air bag suspension isn't as comfy or nimble and is noisier on the road, plus it's had multiple problems, speed sensor, LCD screen back light, runs rich intermittently :shutup:


Whom said they had a problem.
I bet you $20 now - that in 20 years time Hyundais in the US will suffer EXACTLY the same problem.

Don't believe me.....google "1980's AUDI Problem USA"
Meanwhile the rest of us still have reliable audi's from the 80's and Toyota's from 2000's........
Like herding sheep, convincing that there is a problem with a car in USA. One bark and the bastard run to the other side of the paddock.
I have no doubt about the Hyundai problem surfacing, it's bad, because Hyundai make some great cars, the E/Lantra range since they did their own design were good little cars. The Sonata V6 is making 173Kw and is priced very, very competitively, looks good too and has a huge amount of options.
I have a mate who had an 86 5EGT Coupe and an 82/3 5SGT Coupe, both delicious cars,the noise is pant ripping... The 86 5EGT had 414,000km on the clock when the motor gave up the ghost, it had been beaten and thrashed on old oil. He threw another motor in (2.0 instead of 2.2 :facepalm: ) and it's happily going till this day, plus they do not rust except for one spot, I love them! They don't go, stop, handle, but they have character!