NEW CARS I HAVE DRIVEN

[Henry]

Seeing how it's oh so quiet, let's have a topic on new cars we've driven lately...

My work ride is a BF Futura, which I've had for 14 months (just tallied 58,000km). It's a nice car to drive, all the controls fall nicely to hand, averages 7.9l/100km according to the trip computer, performance is brisk enough to get anyone into trouble with the wallopers that hang around on the Bruce Highway, and I enjoy it.

Two months ago, I had a VZ ire car, which I can't say good things about... ergonomics were RS and it wouldn't pull the corner off a wet paper bag (scared myself overtaking road trains out of Rocky due to the lack of poke above 80km/h).

Then this week, I've been tooling around in a new (20km on the odo) Mitsubishi 380 VRX... doesn't quite rev like the Futura, is a little thirstier (perhaps due to being new and a bit tight), but drives well, has more bells and whistles than would be decent... and is quite possibly a car I would be happy with, if my company decided that it's what I had to have next. Pumping sounds system, a good climate control, easy to use and drive... ergonomics not quite what I like (but then, I have a kinda weird driving position), looks pretty sporty... why don't people buy them?

Anyway, what new buses have you driven, and what did you think of them?

 

[Bigcol]

Toyota Coaster

Well you did say buses

 

[Doug]

Geez mines a lil older - 94 ED falcon (christmas pressie from my gorgeous girl after writing off my car 2 weeks earlier) - as old as she is she rides really well - is setup for towing and has dual fuel which saved us heaps going to The Tamworth music festival in January - ohh and most importantly it's a Ford!!!!

 

[Donut King]

Present daily driver is a BA Fairmont, and I have just sold the landau - it's odd to have more garage space than you do cars after having "overflow" parked out on the street for such a long time!

Other than that I have pretty much driven most things in the Ford lineup, from an E gas XT, to an RTV, up to the GT-P, F6, and Super pursuit. It was one of the perks of the job while I was writing for the magazine, well till one of the other blokes pranged an F6 and Ford said no more press cars for you anyway. It was great fun while it lasted though.

 

[bjr22n]

Daily drive: 1997 KJ2 FORD Laser
in the garage: 2004 Mazda 3 and 1995 Ford Festiva.

mum and dad are looking for a TX3 Laser for my younger brother and also looking at the Ford Focus XR5... replacing the Festiva.
went for a test drive last weekend in the XR5. dad was so impressed how effortless this car approached speed. no turbo lag, nice, smooth and comfortable ride.

 

[Racin Jason]

Having worked in the motor trade for a number of years before returning to the Lazy Sevens I still have a few mates that work in the trade that can provide me with the opportunity to drive some new stuff occasionally.

Before buying the XR8, I drove the VE SV6 and I must say it was a little dissapointing.... No I take that back, it was a pussbox! I also drove a VE Berlina V8 and that wasn't a bad drive at all but it still had the wrong badge!

I also drove a Ford Territory which I really liked and nearly bought but the XR won out in the end. The BF2 SR with ESP is a good bit of gear too. The 6 speed is VERY nice.

The new Camry V6 is a good competent family car but still has the engine facing the wrong way and is missing a tailshaft.

In the smaller cars I reckon the superseded Pulsar is a good thing. Seems like half my family is driving them, then again that maybe because I worked for a Nissan dealer! The 200SX was always ALOT of fun too.

The most exotic thing I have driven in the last few years was a Merc CLK. I am not sure exactly what it was but it was a supercharged convertible thing that belonged to my old boss. That was a bit of fun!

My mates 350Z roadster was good value too until he sold it.

For my purposes the XR8 is perfect, a good size family car, with lots of go and not bad fuel economy and very comfortable on long trips. Looks pretty too!

 

[Bigcol]

Ok, i think i'm blessed.

One of my clients down at Benowa on the river has had a heap of exotics.

Buys them cheap ( well as cheap as you buy a car like that) cleans them right up and off loads them after a while. He's got more money than i'd know what to do with.
When ifirst started doing work for him he had a 360 Ferrari.
Had ordered a new Aston Martin DB9 and when it arrived sold it straight away for a 30 grand profit. Then he got a SL55 Merc and a supercharged JAG. Off loaded both and then got a Lambo Guillardo.
Best thing is i have driven all of them.
360 was the fastest. The Lambo most nimble and might quick still.
The Aston was just awesome. The classiest of them all.
The Merc was awesome. Just hit the loud pedal and watch it light them up with torque.
The Jag had nothing on the rest.
My pick was the convertible SL55 followed closely by the Aston