Imports?

[pete376403]

Or you could ditch the useless B6 or BP motors all together and throw something with what resembles power in there... 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-Mo...-327895880.htm

you could be in something like this instead, and really give your back some relief:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-362087495.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-364268152.htm
or something a lil' more frugal:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-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-Mo...-327895880.htm

you could be in something like this instead, and really give your back some relief:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-362087495.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-364268152.htm
or something a lil' more frugal:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-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.