Sadly we've decided to sell our beloved MX5

**unstuck** · 5th February 2013, 11:11

I have had many big grin days with the mighty toyota 3k and 4k engines.

**Edbear** · 5th February 2013, 11:28

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...858619&ed=true

**SVboy** · 5th February 2013, 11:33

Interesting-I know the 99 mr-s could have an issue with ingesting abrasives from the cat-leading to wear and oil consumption. Usually toyota is content to let others innovate, then take the technology and make it reliable, how-ever 2.4 diesil anyone? 3L crack heads. Seems most car makers have a way to go. Still, rather that than a VW tourag or heaven forbid, a range rover!!

**ducatilover** · 5th February 2013, 11:33

Originally Posted by Edbear

Latest news is that Toyota's recalls will top the million vehicles for a variety of issues.

Our '99 Nissan Pulsar was still going as good as new after just under 200,000k. One CV joint replaced only. Not common, though for them. Only sold it because of my accident and the seats were uncomfortable after the surgery.

Our Kizashi is just coming up 42,000km in 20 mths and only had a minor chip upgrade a few months ago to improve starting fueling. Running upgrade with no issues. CVT is great and I expect another ten years trouble free. Had the Pulsar from new for 12 years, too.

Those Pulsars, while not "exciting" seem to be pretty seriously reliable little rigs. Haven't had any experience with a Kizashi, but from what you've said they sound nice

Originally Posted by unstuck

I have had many big grin days with the mighty toyota 3k and 4k engines.

Superbly easy to fix those buggers

same as the Y series, headgasket takes 6 beers and 4 ciggies to do

**DEATH_INC.** · 5th February 2013, 18:49

Originally Posted by ducatilover

I've also noticed that everything has electrical issues these days, Toyotas are fast becoming cheap junk.

Electrical issues? Mitsubishi (again lol) GTO reigns supreme. Even worse than a Ducati.....

Most reliable? Early 90's corollas take some beating...My mate got one and did 120000km without changing the oil even, and she was still mint as when we pulled the engine for a 4agze.

Euro's....service 'em by the book from new, you'll spend as much as buying a corolla each time, but they do last well if it's done. Buy a jap import and get some local 'garage' to do it and good luck....

Funny what you say about the 380 ed, one of the Mrs mates had a diamante and it went right against the grain and was reliable as.

My mate in aus had a VZ Commy, did 2 engines in the first 10,000 k's.

Ford nz pulled all the steering racks outta the BA's before sale and had 'em all rebuilt because they were all failing....

I could go on for hours/days on this subject...

**ducatilover** · 5th February 2013, 18:58

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Electrical issues? Mitsubishi (again lol) GTO reigns supreme. Even worse than a Ducati.....

Most reliable? Early 90's corollas take some beating...My mate got one and did 120000km without changing the oil even, and she was still mint as when we pulled the engine for a 4agze.

Euro's....service 'em by the book from new, you'll spend as much as buying a corolla each time, but they do last well if it's done. Buy a jap import and get some local 'garage' to do it and good luck....

Funny what you say about the 380 ed, one of the Mrs mates had a diamante and it went right against the grain and was reliable as.

My mate in aus had a VZ Commy, did 2 engines in the first 10,000 k's.

Ford nz pulled all the steering racks outta the BA's before sale and had 'em all rebuilt because they were all failing....

I could go on for hours/days on this subject...

I don't work on GTOs anymore

some other person's problem, can't be fucked with 'em.
Euro cars: buy carefully, then you'll be fine. We've had a fair few and all have been great (exception of my old 525 snapping a rocker during some... err high revs and fast moving rear tyres) but not a hard fix.

Ah, VZ, I take it he had a 3.6 and it decided to stretch some rather important chains? Or a V8, laboured hard as fuck and shitting the ring lands?

The BA 'coon is a very problematic turd

**DEATH_INC.** · 5th February 2013, 19:10

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Ah, VZ, I take it he had a 3.6 and it decided to stretch some rather important chains? Or a V8, laboured hard as fuck and shitting the ring lands?

V8...from memory it ran the big ends/mains and pretty much fucked everything else too. Got replaced with a complete new engine under warranty both times. Daryl wouldn't know how to labour an engine

**Coolz** · 5th February 2013, 19:30

I've got one word for you euro sports car freaks...GODZILLA.
"Look upon my works,ye mighty,and despair."

**scumdog** · 5th February 2013, 19:37

Originally Posted by Coolz

I've got one word for you euro sports car freaks...GODZILLA.
"Look upon my works,ye mighty,and despair."

SO. how chaep are they??

**Edbear** · 5th February 2013, 20:05

Originally Posted by scumdog

SO. how chaep are they??

They under $200k! A bargain!

**ducatilover** · 5th February 2013, 21:02

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

V8...from memory it ran the big ends/mains and pretty much fucked everything else too. Got replaced with a complete new engine under warranty both times. Daryl wouldn't know how to labour an engine

Crikey!!!!

Originally Posted by Coolz

I've got one word for you euro sports car freaks...GODZILLA.
"Look upon my works,ye mighty,and despair."

Not my cuppa. Very fast and impressive, but it has appalling paint, it's ugly as fuck, it's heavy as fuck and it sounds like shit. I'd rather something light and slow, if I want straight line speed I'll hop on my bike.

Gimmie a second hand GT3 for the same coin, any day. Or an F355, with change.

The rather eccentirc, yet awesome LFA is faster than the GT-R anyway. And makes a good noise.

**onearmedbandit** · 6th February 2013, 15:52

In a straight line maybe, but then don't forget the LFA costs 5 times as much as a GTR.

Euro's? Imported? Sell boat loads of them. Yup early Audi CVTs were shit, BMW 4 cylinders burn oil, Mercedes well anything is pricey on them, e39 and X5 dashes lose lights, VW are fine but good luck if a DSG box shits itself. Pity because they are sweet gearboxes. VW R32 rear diff? Better have $8k nearby and time to wait while they build one for you in Germany. We almost traded a Volvo with a shot tranny once, inquired what a replacement was worth. Are you sitting down? Good. $35,000.

Servicing of Euros is not necessary a great deal more than certain Japanese cars. And when you think what your 2004 Audi A4 1.8t gives you for $18k compared to say an 04 Caldina for $16k, you're getting a fuck load of car. Just remember though, that Audi cost $100k from new, the Toyota maybe $38-42. They will cost more to repair for a reason.

I agree with most people's sentiments about Mitsubishi, with the standout exception of the 05 onwards 2.4 Outlander. We have sold dozens of these and they don't come back with faults.

Now to me, NZ has for a long time been a Toyota country. Corolla, Corona, Camry and Hilux. Names that everyone recognised. Now Toyota had diversified too much in my opinion, especially in their home market, to the point that they suffer in poor quality control. Biggest selling mid sized car for us currently is the Mazda Atenza. 2.0 or 2.3 they sell sell sell. Great reputation for reliability and a name that a lot of people now recognise. Biggest selling small'ish car? Mazda Axela, preferably 1.5 or 2.3. The 2.0 doesn't appear on most people's radars, they ether want economy and reliability or power and reliability. Resale for both these vehicles strong. Now I see NZ being less of a Toyota nation. The swing isn't fully there but it's gently falling away from Toyota.

**ducatilover** · 6th February 2013, 16:29

It's cost me less to service my Euro cars than any same age Jap car I've owned.
But, I'd never touch an Audi, unless it's a very old 5 cyl and manual, with mech injection.
I wouldn't buy a Merc, purely because they don't interest me.
Even my big beige Volvo is very cheap to fix, just have to know where to buy parts (that's the key) and I'm a mechanic, so I do my won work.

I'm not a fan of most VAG cars, done too many ABS and airbag repairs on them, too many auto boxes and too many snapped cambelts (a trick the Pugs are very good at too)

**ducatilover** · 6th February 2013, 16:32

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

In a straight line maybe, but then don't forget the LFA costs 5 times as much as a GTR.

.

The LFA is faster around the 'Ring. Faster than a GT2 RS
The Gallardo SG is faster around Tsukuba.
The F360 CS and 458 are faster around there too.
But, no denying you cannot beat the GT-R for value for a new supercar. And it's fucked up fast for something that weighs as much as Mexico.