Carsales Network Readers Email (April 2009)

Read previous letters to the Carsales Network here

Send your submissions to Editor@CarPoint.com.au

Fans for Falcon finesse (more here)
Thanks for all the Ford news in April, some of us do love to read it.  Seems Marin Burela is able to communicate with Aussie motoring journalists a fair bit better than previous presidents of Ford AUS.
I hope you have the picture right.  It would be a shame to see US engineers totally take over the RWD platform, as Aussies have been the ones evolving and developing it for so long.
Also, it would be great to see the inline six stay in production and take on the world -- after all it is a superior arrangement as BMW also knows!
John

A very interesting article indeed, which tries to bring together both the clear and fuzzy pieces of the Ford Australia jigsaw puzzle and how it fits into the rest of the Ford world.
Here's some other stabs in the dark.  Ford sold off most of its Premier Automotive brands, realising that it was more cost effective to focus on building basic and midrange vehicles itself which had broader worldwide appeal.  Ford brought much more to Jaguar, than Jaguar did to Ford. Therefore it needs to base a range of vehicles of better platforms which are flexible and world class.   And cheaper to "localise" while still being credible export opportunities.
Ford isn't broke (unlike GM). This gives it a huge opportunity to invest now, and reap long-term benefits.  Hence, it can develop cost effective new products, and improve quality, while capitalising on reduced fixed costs -- the crux of profitability in the automotive industry.  And remember, Ford loves cars and making them good to drive and enjoy.  That's good for the punters.
Selling cars and exporting them isn't the only way Ford can make money in Aus -- doing quality engineering for the Ford family, or even associates/other parties also makes money and builds capability eg the new Ranger.  Hopefully, they can do more of this.
A truly global Ford could have some very appealing products saleable anywhere eg a Mustang that drove and was engineered as well as it looks, with fuel efficient engines.  A Territory that had a range of modern engines, less flab and better quality. 
A Focus that was less Euro-centric and appealed to American, Asian and Middle East markets.  Smaller AWDs, a decent smaller sports car or affordable convertible, a mid size offroad 4WD, who knows what else. 
VW has shown what can be done by using a small number of platforms, investing heavily in them, but building brand identify into each different model -- VW, Skoda, Audi, Seat -- and then flogging them mercilessly across a range of price points.  And making a motza while they're at it.  Ford could learn form this.
Oh, and Falcon.  If we want a really world class car, instead of a good but lower quality car, then we need to adopt a world class platform, then tailor it to local needs.  Ford's survival depends on it, and we as customers will get a much better vehicle.  Plus keep some jobs and build Australian capability.
Declan Power
CN says: All excellent points there, Declan.

Great article on one of my primary bug bears at the moment. Mulally really has his head in the clouds with respect to RWD vehicles at the moment.
Your concept is a very strong scenario and keeps Ford Aus in the position of viability they need to be in. That is, a manufacturer of a unique products, without the reliance that currently negatively impacts on sales volumes (as is currently the case).
'mikmak'

Ken, Great Ideas! Please email this article to Ford's head of Global Product Development immediately.
Another thought: LHD Falcons would go gangbusters in the Middle East (and be a lot more competitive than the current crappy old Crown Vics) and give Ford the sort of export earning GMH currently enjoys.
Chris

Great to see an intelligent, insightful and realistic article.
Keep up these types and keep out of the doomsday articles for Ford!!
Ben

If only! That is the best write up I have read about Falcon and Ford in general for a long, long time.
Maybe we could get some Ford execs to read this and do something instead of trying to turn us into FWD owners.
Thanks, John in Brisbane

What a great idea... let's hope it happens and I can buy a G8E.
Nicholas

Yeah and how about a Mustang with the XR6 Turbo donk, the Yanks would love it!
Simon Jackson

Brilliant! Ken Gratton -- you should work for Ford.
Kane
CN says: Don't wish that on him! He likes his job security too much.

Just look at how the Germans do things... eg look at how many models the Golf platform spun off. all the different engines, from 2 door rocket TTRS to Tiguan SUV... Ford needs that kind of flexibility to save cost... back then when VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat shared the common platform, it wasn't too pretty but by now, we as customers accepted the idea and look for slight different in characteristics on each car...
William
CN says: Interesting that two of our readers drew parallels between Ford and Volkswagen.

RIP G8 (more here)
I own an American Pontiac G8, best car I ever had.  All the recent news is unfortunate.
Curtis Leath

I live in the US and am sad to see Pontiac go.  I own the 2008 G8 in orange, and I love it.  Also went to Australia for my honeymoon -- loved it more.
Angie 

Maybe if they hadn't made the Pontiac G8 so ugly from the front it may have sold a lot better. Pontiac's trademark grille may have looked good back in the 70's but it looks disgusting on the Commodore, as it did on Australia's Monaro with their failed Pontiac GTO. Hopefully as a re-badged Chevrolet, the Americans will get a half-decent looking Australian RWD. But Holden will probably stuff it up...
Dave
CN says: Haven't heard too many people criticise the G8 for being ugly, Dave.

All is not doom and gloom, there maybe a chance to sell the Commodore as a Chev or even Buick. Just stop the negative headlines how about something positive for a change. I am happy to write positive auto stories... for a fee.
Geoff
CN says: What you call "negative headlines" Geoff, we call "news" and "facts". If you want to write upbeat fictional pieces and get paid for it, try 'Readers Digest'.

I'm guessing this is the first of many Icons to go around the globe.
Let's hope they decide to continue the export programme as Chevs. I'm sure Holden and Chev could do with the volume.
Andrew

Economies of Holden (more here)
I currently own two Commodores. One is a VX wagon and the other is a VZ sedan. The VX with the old 3.8-litre Ecotec has better fuel economy and more than sufficient performance.
Whilst the VZ has great acceleration but a much poorer fuel economy. So, in the next upgrade of engines, in my mind the 3.0-litre would work just great. Look 0-100km/h in under 8 seconds is great but where do you get to use it, in our daily commute to work.
Both business and private buyers would buy the smaller engine as it provides great economy. And if you want performance, you would be looking at the AFM V8 6.0-litre unit. Engines are only half the solution, a better auto gear box is definitely required even down to the basic rep mobile.
The 4 speed slurs far to much and doesn't allow the engine to rev out at all. Just look at the specs where maximum power comes at over 6000rpm and the engine is limited to just 6000rpm!
John Kern
CN says: John, we agree, particularly on the subject of the slushbox.

Holden already uses the DIv6 in its export cars such as the Daewoo Veritas along with a 6sp auto.
Andrew

...Be interesting to hear Holden explain away why we've not gotten the DI V6 WE BUILD HERE sooner...
Steve T
CN says: It may not be Holden's decision... Could be a directive from Detroit? The direct-injection has been reserved for the Cadillac CTS and, now, the Camaro, but it might have been an engine too far for the Commodore.

I'm not quite sure what Porsche is going on about here.  My understanding is that the Nissan's recent time of 7.29 was set in the presence of Porsche engineers on factory tires and rims, and Porsche is not claiming any dodgy business from Nissan in terms of the car.
Understandably, Nissan used it's extremely capable test driver, but Walter Rohl who set the Porsche time is widely acknowledged as an exceptional Porsche pilot and Nurburgring master. 
And he still can't get close to the Porsche-witnessed time.  Am I missing something, or is it just the typical Teutonic arrogance refusing to accept the accomplishment of the Nissan GTR?
Declan Power

New king in GTR? (more here)
When will the Porscharris realise that the game has moved.  Why does Nissan have to justify every last detail about rubber and wheel config? Fact is Nissan is doing what Porsche did in the 60s etc to the established marques.
Get over it Porsche and bow your heads to the new king.
GTR

Oldie with Soul (more here)
Comprehensive, you old fart to another! I am 50 years old and I am tired of bland normally styled cars. I like the Citroen C4 and C3 diesel but the Kia Soul in tea green with red interior and diesel engine would be my choice.
I have driven a Soul and I like it because of the height factor, styling and diesel engine economy together with relative power.
Kris
CN says: Kris, not so much of the old fart business, eh? The Soul is certainly a car that would be a pretty good package for those who are past their MX-5 days, but Kia doesn't seem to be as interested in that demographic.

Suzi GV is grand (more here)
All you critics are the same, you talk from your point of view and not everyone elses.
I kind of noticed that you kept talking about the Honda CR-V as well (brand-biased much?). Okay, first of all, you criticised the Suzi for the lack of stowage? When I drive my car around, the only thing I really carry with me is a water-bottle, now do you seriously need 22 storage compartments for that?
This car's target market is for the younger couple, where when they head up the beach camping, all they have to do is fold the rear seats down and they can easily fit the necessities.
The CR-V forebears the styling of the other "SUV's"? It is seriously the most ugly car I have ever laid my eyes on. At least this Suzi looks neat, clean and tidy and not like the stylists tried forming a hamster face in the front or use those ridiculous pillar tail-lights.
Chassis problems? I test-drove one and it seemed like a normal 4wd to me... if not, drove smoother than my separate-chassis GV. (Although steering is nowhere near as sporty)
Thin sheet-metal? I was over my parents' house today and knocked on their 2007 GV's door and I did think it sounded thin, so I then walked over to their Mitsubishi Magna and it sounded the same and both bend equally when you apply body-weight to your hand.
You make Suzuki sound bad for no reason, just because they produce cars that are a little different to every other boring car-maker, you critics just don't accept it into your little world of a boring everyday lifestyle.
Like how Suzuki puts it "Way of Life" it is exactly that... Suzukis reflect personality. Can you seriously say the same with the likes of... say... a Camry??
Glen
CN says: Glen, we're a broad church here. Just as there are those who hold the CR-V in high regard, so too there are those of us who would opt for the Suzuki in preference. Without discussing the pros and cons of your arguments, we would point out that you criticise our reviewer for pushing his own point of view. Should he then have written your point of view rather than his? Would that make his review any more valid, of itself?

Fiat's eye on Opel (more here)
Are you sure of your facts here? AFAIK, Fiat have a very close relationship with GM. e.g. Punto and Corsa are built on a shared platform, aren't they?
The Alfa 159/Brera platform was definitely built collaboratively with the General, and both 4 and V6 engines are based on GM units. I'm not aware of any connection with Ford, but even if there is, the conflict of interest clearly exists already.
Warren
CN says: Warren, in a sense, the conflict of interest does exist already, but Fiat turned its back on GM some years ago, when it committed to building the next generation of Ford Ka on the same platform as the Fiat 500 -- and in the same Polish plant. Truth is, the conflict of interest doesn't have to be, since there are already many examples within the industry of different companies engaged in cooperative arrangements with other (competitive) companies.

On Odyssey (more here and here)
... Horrendously ugly dash console with 15yr old looking dbl-din unit. Does the depreciating Aussie dollar warrant the removal of most luxury-type features like satnav, reverse cam / park assist?
Luxurious items like reverse-tilt door mirror, auto-dimming rear view mirror, front passenger electric seats ought to be considered above the base model.
A thorough beauty on the exterior and awfully disappointing interior comfort features.
Guesto

At last, after 4 years, Honda have given the Australian market a proper lap-sash seatbelt for the middle second row seat -- a crucial failing of the old model for families.
Gavin Ryan

Honda has made a mistake with its pricing the new car eg. i could buy a 2008 new car luxury spec for $43600 from one dealer and $43200. from another dealer it would come with 5 years warranty so we said we will purchase the new model in early 2009 so we waited... and waited... and waited... NOW THEY WANT $53000. WITH ONLY 3 YEARS WARRANTY
(tell them they're DREAMING ) what do you think we did? ...that's right
Ralph

Added tip for buyers (more here)
Add:  If you cannot manage this then consider trading it at a car yard.  Yes you may not get the best deal but then your privacy and personal affects are far more secure.
D

Appreciate the advice (more here)
Thank you for writing such a comprehensive and illuminating article. I appreciate your information and will consider the points you raised whilst I select a lower priced car.
Marg Odgers

Not so sweet on Chinese dish (more here)
I like your site, but I wish you would caption your photographs. It's not good enough to have a headline such as the one accompanying this article. Every other site is able to do this so it can't be that hard.
Bruce Kneale
CN says: Bruce, the captions may interfere with the automatic watermarking, which is why we try to avoid them. You're right though, it's something we'll look at resolving.

Ahh... there's nothing like the cynical sarcasm of a motoring journalist who thinks every other country bar Oz is a joke.
The Chinese are new to this industry and still finding their feet, they WILL produce world class cars one day, not insist or persisting with ancient technologies and cubic capacity like good 'ol Folden.
As for drawing attention to one persons opinion in NZ (and then, typically, lumping all Kiwi's together) his job is done if it got up your nose that much. It's about time you guys supported the industry and printed something positive instead of being so sarcastic and negative all the time.
GHW
CN says: You accuse us of being cynical and sarcastic -- in a sarcastic and cynical tone -- before trumpeting that the Chinese will build world-class cars that will outshine Ford and Holden's cars for technology and, presumably, fuel efficiency. We look forward to seeing that -- whenever that happens.
Then you have the temerity to accuse us of not supporting the industry. Sounds to us like you don't support the local industry (Ford and Holden) -- and you've made that known in a way most people would observe is "negative" and "sarcastic". Your argument, such as it is, doesn't even hold water until the Chinese industry can build world-class quality cars on a shoestring budget the way Holden, Ford and Toyota do locally.
We have nothing against the Chinese automotive industry per se, and if you were more observant and less partisan, you would see that. The Chinese are just the latest wave of 'automotive immigrants'. Just as no one faults the Japanese industry any more -- and the South Koreans are constantly improving too -- so the Chinese will likely reach a high standard in the future. Until then, they're fair game. As for the Kiwis, they're big enough to look after themselves. A final word for you: 'Hypocrisy'. You can look it up in the dictionary.

Living in Grandeur (more here)
True but very pleased with purchase of 2009 Hyundai Grandeur.
Nev Taylor

Nissan was right on the Pulsar (more here)
The problem is not the name of them it is both the Tiida and Micra are far from attractive cars, the Pulsar was a stylish and attractive car and the original Micra was also. Nissan have lost the plot with these two cars, one word to sum them up... Boring!
If you bring back the Pulsar name, for god sake don't make it look like the Tiida. Mazda3 and Focus sell because they are attractive, stylish and have sporty car variants, none of which can be said for the Tiida.
GW

Re Nissan's small car push, Nissan are lucky to still be in business in Australia, with a line-up full of duds or misfires of varying degrees of inadequacy. The Micra is OK, but where's the manual, and where's the 1.6 sports model? The Tiida is a dud -- dud name, inadequate car, a disaster that now sells on price. The next Tiida needs to be substantially better -- and renamed, oh, I don't know -- Pulsar.
John

We want Civic R sedan! (more here)
What a shame we don't have the Civic Type-R sedan here in Australia. There's nothing quite like a Honda VTEC screaming above 8000rpm, gotta love the sound...it's like music to the ears.
'VTEC screamer'

Who and why? (more here)
What car makers use direct injection for their petrol benefits?  What are the benefits and why isn't it more common? Cost, most likely.  Is it that much harder to build an injection system that delivers the juice directly to the cylinder? Oil burners have done it for decades...
Bruce Dan
CN says: We have to confess, Bruce, we're not completely up to speed with the technology and cost/benefits analysis that goes with it. It is expensive technology, as you suggest, but it's also been around a while now and cost should be coming down. We wrote an article from BMW's perspective a year or so back (more here), outlining the need for lower sulphur content in Australian petrol before the HPDI engines BMW has developed could be used here. Car companies do market direct-injection engines here, but the focus in the past has been on power, over fuel efficiency and cleanliness.

Already good to go on Car2go (more here)
We already have this service in Australia...
Ruth

Thumbs up and down on first-time buyers guide (more here)
My opinion on this article is it is very useful and more than that because it helps you to choose the correct car the first time. All the information is very useful.
I would like to thank you guys for keeping a good work.
Rutwik J Acharya

A bit stupid. Most mates I know when they get their first car only have around 4 grand max.
Anon

Another GTHO, please (more here)
I'm only 13 and the good old XY Phase 3 GTHO is my favourite car and I would love to see Ford bring out a new one.
Liam Kendrick
CN says: As would we, Liam.

Size matters (more here)
Size does matter! Particularly volume. On a recent trip which included my two young ones and wife we almost missed our plane due to our hire car. I picked up the car late at night and in the morning loading the Holden Epica had to be packed and repacked about six-times to get everything in.
I specifically requested a Falcon or a Commodore and when dropping the car off was conveniently shown the fine print, (or similar).
There is no comparison with either of the Falcon or the Commodore. The Epica being a four sounded like it was going to blow up every time we went up any sort of rise.
If car hire companies can swindle us on this small issue then surely we should have the option to pay less for a smaller car.
As for Ford-falcon they are missed in the segment and should promote their larger car along with Commodore as being a larger car with space.
Bigger cars to use slightly more fuel but the have the space to compensate!
'j.man'
CN says: One of the staff here paid a rental fee for a Territory and wound up with an X-TRAIL instead, during his annual leave in January. He was not happy, shall we say? Still, the extra money he paid in rental was offset by the lower running costs...

Why not Disco? (more here)
I think the Discovery 3 should be listed as a competitor also as its an interesting comparison.  Similar price and size etc.  Toyota would probably win points for reliability and access to parts/service etc but I think the Disco might beat it in performance both off and on the road.
Paul Thomsen

Territory update unconvincing (more here)
Nice picture, pity Ford Australia is (yet) unable to convince those that need to be that this styling with a slightly increase in engine torque, sculptured rear seats and maybe an increased towbar rating would satisfy those amongst us that are (often) silent when it comes to asking what we want.
Probably since most of know what we don't want and only know what works when we see it and read one or more of your capability reviews.
Mac S
P.S. Yes I am one of the many assessing upgrading my current oval blue but am being placed in the position of having to look at alternatives...and no, I have no interest in a "special order".

Tiguan talk (more here and here)
A good, honest and pleasing report.  (Especially for Forester owners.)
Col Smith

My opinion on this article is that the reviewer (and any other reviewer testing vehicles in this market segment) needs to keep foremost in their mind what the design brief is for these vehicles.  Dirt roads are it.  They are not designed to go on fire trails etc but to get the occupants to a camping spot in a national park or similar.
The ratings at the start of the article doesn't add up with the conclusions reached in the body.  This leaves the reader somewhat confused.
Peter Moore
CN says: What is the design brief for the Tiguan, Peter? Did you work with Volkswagen's engineering team for the Tiguan development? An HK Kingswood wagon with 186 and three-on-the-tree will get you to a typical camping spot. You undersell compact SUVs. They're more capable than you suggest, but where the Tiguan is less capable, we highlighted that. What else do you want?

No Fiesta for delivery delay (more here)
Ford should pull their finger out, I was ready to sign up for a 3 door Zetec but was told I had to wait at least 3 months. I now have a Toyota Yaris.
Andrew

GM: going, going, gone?  (more here)
If they have not spent the money that has been given them wisely then they better go. they are accountable for any money that has been given to them. no Govt is helping my business stay afloat I have to be prudent. So should they.

Well it's about time the world caught up with GM and its poor and very overrated cars. Here in Australia we have journalists who heaped praise on their product for years and looks like it may come and bite them all on the ass at long LAST !
GM bought Daewoo and got that in the neck a crap product and a crap brand !
SAAB well what can i say but HA HA HA ! 
I have been in this industry for about 35 years and have seen it all now we can only HOPE GM gets it right in the neck. I can ring my local Holden dealer and tell him I want some parts for one of there SH*t products and he asks is it a Barina, Astra or Vectra... Need I say more?
RIP GM please let me drop the first handfuls of dirt on its grave.     
'niteinblack'
CN says: Holden's locally-manufactured product is highly regarded around the world. The Statesman-as-Chevrolet-Caprice is an award-winner in the Middle East; the Vauxhall VXR earns plaudits from the likes of Top Gear in the UK and the Pontiac G8 was winning comparisons against the Dodge Charger in the US -- so it's not just about local journalists being a bit parochial, if that's your insinuation. 
Daewoo -- marketed under the Chevrolet brand name in Europe -- has been one of the recent success stories for GM, even with old products and technology. Saab has been at the forefront of new technologies such as turbocharging -- now widely accepted -- and looks like it will continue in business with the help of the Swedish government. If you could put aside your unfounded gloating and read about the industry in which you claim to work, you might learn something. And, by the way, what exactly do you do after 35 years in the industry? Sweep the leavings off the factory floor?

Good for new Golf (more here)
My opinion on this article is that it was well written and researched. It gives me a great insight into a great car. If the Mk 6 Golf does as well as my Mk 3 which I have owned since new for 15 years and 220,000 km, then it will be on my shortlist when I decide on a new car.
Rod

Rail on Ralliart (more here)
How could you only give the car an OVERALL 3.5/5 and a BEHIND THE WHEEL score of 2.5/5, when you state "After a week in the Lancer Ralliart it was hard to say goodbye. Mitsubishi has done a great job creating a car capable of taking on the WRX after so long out of the game."
Do you actually write the article around the score, or just make the score up? 
Dilan

I must admit that I test drove both the Ralliart Lancer and the new WRX sedan, none of which impressed me. The Lancer did not feel like a car, more like a toy.
That paddle shift was like playing play station. The WRX was just cheap looking and lacked sporty looks with the wrong wheels, crappy standard Impreza exhaust tips and a gear knob from from a 1983 Laser S pac. Sorry, but I opted for a Renault Clio sport, a real drivers car that left the others for dead, not in outright performance, but style and driveability. Sorry for disagreeing.
Brian

Jobs for Aussies (more here)
I agree with what Holden are doing. Anything to save jobs has got to be a positive thing.
Michael

Good on Holden! If Australians had any pride we'd all be driving Holdens. Buggered if I will ever own a foreign car.
Grant

Why not set up the surplus staff capacity to convert imported Camaros (from Canada) to RHD. Give us what we want and keep your people gainfully employed.
Peter

I think you will find it is the Chevrolet Aveo (Barina, Kalos) replacement. The car is too small to be a Lacetti and it is also known that the Chev (Holden) Cruze is known as the Daewoo Lacetti premiere in Korea and has been on sale since 2008
Colin Atkinson

As a teenager who wants to be a car designer, I thought this isn't the Lacetti hatch replacement but the new Kalos (Barina) replacement. The proportions seem too small and the rear lights are too Barina-esque.
I thought that the Cruze itself was the Lacetti replacement with the hatch soon to follow and that Holden will sell the Cruze alongside the new Elizabeth-built car which is to be more upmarket than the Korean counterpart (Astra-replacement??) If you know otherwise is it possible to let me know? Even I'm confused over Holden's strategy and my father used to work for them (redundancy package).
CN says: Guys, you're probably right. We were going with the information provided by Carparazzi, but on revisiting the pics, the car does look too small and the visual cues appear more in keeping with Kalos/Aveo/Barina.

Far off on 'exotic'? (more here)
Sad they didn't sell the full quota.
Long live the guzzler.
Please look for the correct definition of exotic.
I believe it to simply mean -- from somewhere else -- so is the Commodore exotic ?
'speed kween'
CN says: Maybe you should ask Phil Harding, since it was his quote? Although we would allow him some PR/poetic licence. You won't find the W427 on every street corner and 'exotic' means more than just 'from somewhere else'.

ADR draws a blank (more here)
The Govt will never bring ADR in line with Europe as they stand to make more money in taxes is the cost of the car is higher. they also would ideally like us to buy locally made products and are ignorant to the fact that local product is too far behind imports when it comes to safety, features, resale and quality.
GHW
CN says: ADRs are not that far removed from European Union design rules, for the most part. The difference in landed cost here for a vehicle that shares its full specification with EU variants and one that doesn't would be so miniscule as to make virtually no difference in tax revenue to the government. As for the rest of what you say, it's a blanket statement that just cries out to be questioned. Australia's safety ADRs have been ahead of most similar design rules for decades. We would prefer that they exceed the design rules for other countries than that they just align with them. Otherwise we'd have Japanese-built cars and light commercials getting around without side anti-intrusion bars back in the 1970s, or European-built cars not compliant with ADR37A for unleaded petrol and emissions control during the 1980s and 90s. Perhaps you should become better versed with the history of ADRs and the local automotive industry before you go mouthing off about stuff.

The issue of relevance of ADRs goes back decades, WHY does a country of our population size have ADRs?, surely the European "model" is perfectly adequate for the Australian market place!
HOW HARD CAN IT BE !!
Marc
CN says: Read our response above. We actually support the federal government's long-term efforts at harmonisation of design rules without casting aside the need to tailor cars for local conditions.

We need more complaints about this situation. It's just ridiculous. There's a million cars in Europe (or even Japan) that I would buy tomorrow if they were available. Instead I'm just going to stick with my 40 year old Mini because what we can buy here is just too boring to bother spending money on.
In short our incompetent government is causing me to have a negative effect on road safety and the economy. Write this article every day in every paper until somebody does something about it.
Steven
CN says: You would buy a million cars tomorrow? You could be saving us from the Global Financial Crisis singlehanded. Get out of that Mini. On that point, anyone relying on a 40 year-old Mini as a daily-driver plainly doesn't give a flying fig for his or her own personal safety. No wonder ADRs mean nothing to you.

Benz makes best van (more here)
I test drove one of these today, thanks to Graham at MB Sydney and it is awesome. I drive a modified XR6 Turbo and want a van with plenty of torque and power. This is the Van for me.
Warning, don't drive one unless you are prepared to buy it!!
Brett

Zen on Zed (more here)
Dude why are you bashing the 300ZX so much?
Compared to every other sports car in its class and time it was and still is one of the best performing cars.
And all the stuff you said being expensive and needing to be replaced when broken... Well thank you Captain Obvious! Everything for any sports car is super expensive.
How about give it a break and say something good about it.  What do you drive -- a bicycle? That stuff isn't expensive to get fixed! Peace.
Hunter

Say what? (more here)
"a scant 2.7dB improvement" -- this is almost a 50% reduction in the amount of sound energy....
Anon
CN says: Whatever, it's not enough.

Girls on boys (more here)
What do you know? My favorite F1 driver driving my favorite 4 door car in the world! I wonder how much would it cost to bring an F6 FPV Falcon to Argentina, perhaps via Chile...
Best regards, Adriana

The service boys at Penfold Audi are delightful.
Miss Liss

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