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My story so far . . .
Have been driving a 1988 KE Ford TX3 turbo for 14yrs now. Great little car (sorry to see it go), had it resprayed in WRX blue & with alloy mags it looks a pearler. But as time goes on, things begin to stop working. Decided that the mortgage repayments can last a few more years, so started to think about a replacement.
Had in mind a $50k budget for a new car, or go cheaper and buy 2nd hand.
First choice: a small ute - No one makes small utes anymore. A modern Brumby would be ace; the only other one of this size is a Proton and they are crap. Everything else is just getting bigger each new model, look at the single cab two-wheel drive Ford Rangers and Toyota Hiluxes today; great for tradies, but not suitable for the weekend DIYer.
Second choice: a panel van - COOL - lowered a bit with mags, now that takes me back. Only decent small vans that are not too commercial would be VW Caddy and Citroen/Peugeot. Decided that I'm getting past the stage where I can zip around in a breadbox, and looking for a bit more 'style'.
**During this time Mini announced their Clubvan; the panel van version of the Clubman, sweeeeeeet. But . . . a bit $$$ and not coming to Australia. Bugger.
Third choice: a wagon - heaps more room than a hatch for carting crap around (which I'm tending to do a lot lately), but wanted small. Like the size of the older Holden Viva, but no longer made. Got excited when Opel announced their line-up, the Astra Wagon looked the goods but when I finally saw it up close, didn't rock my boat. Don't get me wrong, it is a great package, but I was hoping for the styling along the lines of the OPC hatch, instead it is last year's design with a lick of paint.
Sooooo where do we go now . . .
Not too many choices in the mid-size wagon department. Mazda / Peugeot / VW Golf ???
Came across the Skoda Yeti . . now that is nice. Also have always like the older Subaru Outback; looked at their latest, but again they are getting bigger (and don't look anywhere near as nice). Contemplated for ages if I needed an SUV, common sense won out and continued on the wagon path.
Sitting next to the Skoda Yeti was the Octavia . . . in RS form no less! Now that is a fine mode of transport and within by budget.
Searching around for price comparisons and what options to choose led me to hit the link that said "similar vehicles" in the search box.
What do you know . . . Passat came up . . . R36 grrrrrrrrrrrrr
Started reading everything I could find about this car, very impressed by the stats. This could be my "next best thing" seeing I could never afford the dream Audi RS6.
And we come to now . . .
Found a tidy MY10.5 R36 in NSW with sunroof, auto tailgate and RNS510. How could I resist? (I still smile when I think about the new price to my price comparison . . . START the CAR - START the CAR)
Enjoyed the long drive back home getting familiar with what does what. Even found out some things that I didn't realise before.
Have booked in for the VW towbar package fitment. After reading all the posts, decided that this is an area not worth scrimping on, what with the smart electronics on these cars.
No other upgrades or modifications planned at present. Very happy with the whole package as is . . . this will be a keeper.
But if I hit the wipers one more time when turning . . .
Thanks for listening.
Have been driving a 1988 KE Ford TX3 turbo for 14yrs now. Great little car (sorry to see it go), had it resprayed in WRX blue & with alloy mags it looks a pearler. But as time goes on, things begin to stop working. Decided that the mortgage repayments can last a few more years, so started to think about a replacement.
Had in mind a $50k budget for a new car, or go cheaper and buy 2nd hand.
First choice: a small ute - No one makes small utes anymore. A modern Brumby would be ace; the only other one of this size is a Proton and they are crap. Everything else is just getting bigger each new model, look at the single cab two-wheel drive Ford Rangers and Toyota Hiluxes today; great for tradies, but not suitable for the weekend DIYer.
Second choice: a panel van - COOL - lowered a bit with mags, now that takes me back. Only decent small vans that are not too commercial would be VW Caddy and Citroen/Peugeot. Decided that I'm getting past the stage where I can zip around in a breadbox, and looking for a bit more 'style'.
**During this time Mini announced their Clubvan; the panel van version of the Clubman, sweeeeeeet. But . . . a bit $$$ and not coming to Australia. Bugger.
Third choice: a wagon - heaps more room than a hatch for carting crap around (which I'm tending to do a lot lately), but wanted small. Like the size of the older Holden Viva, but no longer made. Got excited when Opel announced their line-up, the Astra Wagon looked the goods but when I finally saw it up close, didn't rock my boat. Don't get me wrong, it is a great package, but I was hoping for the styling along the lines of the OPC hatch, instead it is last year's design with a lick of paint.
Sooooo where do we go now . . .
Not too many choices in the mid-size wagon department. Mazda / Peugeot / VW Golf ???
Came across the Skoda Yeti . . now that is nice. Also have always like the older Subaru Outback; looked at their latest, but again they are getting bigger (and don't look anywhere near as nice). Contemplated for ages if I needed an SUV, common sense won out and continued on the wagon path.
Sitting next to the Skoda Yeti was the Octavia . . . in RS form no less! Now that is a fine mode of transport and within by budget.
Searching around for price comparisons and what options to choose led me to hit the link that said "similar vehicles" in the search box.
What do you know . . . Passat came up . . . R36 grrrrrrrrrrrrr
Started reading everything I could find about this car, very impressed by the stats. This could be my "next best thing" seeing I could never afford the dream Audi RS6.
And we come to now . . .
Found a tidy MY10.5 R36 in NSW with sunroof, auto tailgate and RNS510. How could I resist? (I still smile when I think about the new price to my price comparison . . . START the CAR - START the CAR)
Enjoyed the long drive back home getting familiar with what does what. Even found out some things that I didn't realise before.
Have booked in for the VW towbar package fitment. After reading all the posts, decided that this is an area not worth scrimping on, what with the smart electronics on these cars.
No other upgrades or modifications planned at present. Very happy with the whole package as is . . . this will be a keeper.
But if I hit the wipers one more time when turning . . .
Thanks for listening.
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