Can't drive a bus.....Empty wrote:vicrev wrote:I drive a Camry,I am over 70yrs,wear a cloth cap, at all times.... whilst driving,drive 10ks under the speed limit, at all times,roundabouts & traffic intersections I drop down to first gear( sometimes when feeling a bit racy, 2nd gear) why can't everybody be like me,accidents would be in the minimum !!..I nearly forgot,my beloved Camry has Vic plates.............
Can I suggest the bus?
Strider wrote:European cars are bland by nature Hallu...
vanNek wrote:Tortoise what's up with your forester?
Mines got 300 000km & sort from need the head gaskets replaced cause they are leaking oil (boxer engine thing), it's perfectly fine.
doogs wrote:Tortoise have you thought about a van?? There's some nice ones around these days that could be pimped out as a mobile bushwalking HQ B)
Strider wrote:Many features meaning hardly any features? Subaru = bland.
vicrev wrote:Maybe off topic a bit,Ivé got a 1992 Camry wagon,it just will not die,it has been everywhere,on 4wd tracks, across creeks, carted fence posts,pulled tandem trailers,when it does go to motor heaven,I'll be in tears...
pazzar wrote:I picked up my Forester for $8000, with only 190000km on it, sure I just had the head gaskets done at 215000, but I feel like I've got some pretty decent value out of it. Mine is a 2003 model, but I reckon you could pick up a 2005 model for that price and mileage now.
geoskid wrote:2wd Hilux would get most places, but subys have the note at revs, and that's important ( ).
My vote is for 2nd hand looked after Forrester, or 2wd hilux with canopy.
Hallu wrote:Subaru Outback 2004-2009 (fourth generation). Can't go wrong with that. It's like your old Forester, only better. I'm not sure about their availability in Australia on the 2nd hand market though, you may have to find them with high mileage to fit in your budget.
[edit] Just looked online, you'd need to go up 2000 $ to get a 150 000 km car. For 8/9000, you can get a third gen model though. It's still definitely better than a Corolla. There's not much in AWD station wagons, Subaru pretty much owns the style, which is very popular in Australia. In any case, stick with Japanese cars, avoid Holden like the plague. Their electricals are pathetic, and they're not mechanically reliable either (which is why you will find cheap Holden on the market). Volvo can be good, but AWD models must be quite rare on the market so they're bound to be expensive.
north-north-west wrote:Tortoise wrote:Yep, that's the problem - most people with cars like that will have driven them a long way, so it'd be hard to get a good engine.
It's easier and cheaper to fix an engine than to repair bodywork. Even if there are major issues you can get a new short motor fitted pretty easily. Maybe something cheaper with a good solid body and have the engine done?
This, of course, depends on having a honest and reliable mechanic.
north-north-west wrote:Bubbalouie wrote:Hallu wrote:lol no it's the Subaru equivalent of a Toyota Rav4. Reliable, but dull (well come to think of it, that IS like a Volvo you're right).
I'd say Subaru is the Japanese Volvo.
I mean this as a good thing, they are very safe cars (sharing many features with Volvo).
I just mean that people who can't really drive get them because they're safe and steady. You used to give a wide berth to anyone driving a Volvo 'cause you knew they were 3rd rate (at best) drivers. It's the same now with Foresters.
Please allow me to state that I mean no disrespect to Tortoise or any other Forester drivers who may frequent this forum. I have seen some good drivers in Foresters. Not many, and never with Victorian plates, but some . . .
Strider wrote:European cars are bland by nature Hallu, so the fact the bland of the bland Impreza doesn't raise any eyebrows is not surprising.
Tortoise wrote:Hi Bubbalouie,
Looks interesting! i'd probably be too nervous, though. A bit like auctions - some people pick up incredible bargains, but...
Bubbalouie wrote:Fair point, these things do involve a measure of risk. In any case good luck with the hunt.
vicrev wrote:I drive a Camry,I am over 70yrs,wear a cloth cap, at all times.... whilst driving,drive 10ks under the speed limit, at all times,roundabouts & traffic intersections I drop down to first gear( sometimes when feeling a bit racy, 2nd gear) why can't everybody be like me,accidents would be in the minimum !!..I nearly forgot,my beloved Camry has Vic plates.............
Empty wrote:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-31/older-drivers-should-consider-retiring-to-public-transport/6059652
Tortoise wrote:pazzar wrote:I picked up my Forester for $8000, with only 190000km on it, sure I just had the head gaskets done at 215000, but I feel like I've got some pretty decent value out of it. Mine is a 2003 model, but I reckon you could pick up a 2005 model for that price and mileage now.
Hi Pazzar,
Do you happen to know the life expectancy of the engines from that era?
Tortoise wrote:Well, thank you one and all for your input, ideas and entertainment.
There have been a couple of developments, which will probably change my approach.vanNek wrote:Tortoise what's up with your forester?
Mines got 300 000km & sort from need the head gaskets replaced cause they are leaking oil (boxer engine thing), it's perfectly fine.
Hi vanNek. I was a bit reluctant to give details, as I think it'll open a can of worms with lots of people with strong, contractory opinions.
I was really just looking to see what options are out there, thinking that I wouldn't be the only bushwalker with my kind of priorities in a car.
However, (big breath)...
Mine's gone just over 400,000kms. 2 owners before me - mainly highway miles, so less wear and tear on gearbox etc. The last owner was a perfectionist Subaru fanatic mechanic, very good name, friends can't recommend him too highly. I bought the car at about 370000 I think. He 'popped in a new clutch' for me then. I've recently replaced the radiator, and shocks done a year or so ago.
One of the valves is on it's way out. $1500-$2000 ish to fix probably, for those of us who aren't blessed with mechanical skills. Though this engine is renowned for getting huge mileage, I figure that if one valve has gone in this particular engine, why wouldn't the other 3 go too?
I have the offer of a potentially excellent engine from a car serviced by the above mechanic. Low kms but high price. Still cheaper than changing cars, though. I also have the offer of a free engine (thanks, good buddies!!) that's done about 300,000kms. So labour costs only - maybe up to $1500ish. Of course it's a risk, but a low risk I think for a much cheaper option, getting another few years out of my trusty steed. I realise this thought could be controversial.
Interestingly, as I checked out a number of cars this week, I found I'm much more attached to the AWD and towing capacity than I hoped!
Strider wrote:Head gaskets or rocker cover gaskets vanNek?
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