Superoo

Not having a go mate but I'm actually interested in the thought process involved in deciding to "ignore these laws". I'm under the impression the T is still over the power to weight ratio for P platers in VIC. Do you have insurance? If yes, any concerns regarding insurance not being honoured? Is the car registered in your name? I've also seen a few P platers with T's and I dare say not all of them are N/A's with a badge.....

Had a RACV inspection done just before the warranty ran out and highly recommend it. Was a bit worried when they told me that "1 in 5 of these things seem to be full of problems" but happy when all was OK other than a weeping power steering hose. Money well spent I'd say.

Have had the magic TSB applied twice and you are correct. To be blunt, it's bloody worse and now I have an intermittent squeak at low speeds as well. To be fair, the dealer did do it at no charge (I'm out of warranty) but I have complained about this from very early days. Either the TSB is useless or my dealer is.

Couldn't agree more re interiors and the materials used. But to be honest the 2 cars that were compared were 100K difference in price. How much are you willing to spend for a better interior and build quality? 100K? Good luck if you can afford that but I can't. Price aside you'd go the 550i but price counts big time. As a value for money proposition the Calais stack up very well. What Holden's marketing machine don't mention is that this value for money comparison is valid for most locally built large cars.

I'm looking at placing an order for a Territory Ghia - complete WITHOUT the auto dimming mirror and driver memory seat which were deleted as of last October. I'm yet to see either any addiitons or a price reduction to even up the value equation. Not surprised about the window switches but it is certainly hard not to feel you've been short changed.

I was hoping for a price drop or the introduction of SY II before May next year and here they are taking things out! I agree re the seat memory. Was looking forward to finally having that. Love to know the reason behind these decisions as I'd have thought they'd be facing more competition now with CX-7, tribeca (saw one today and what an ugly thing it is) and captiva. Maybe I'll just go the Turbo Ghia but I can hear the finance minister screaming from the other room.....

Congrats on the new car. Love the interior on the TT Ghia (wish the standard Ghia came in black). What items have been deleted from Nov06 onwards?

Couldn't agree more.

Had my discs replaced at 66K after 3 machinings and now at 86K there is no sign of brake shudder. That's where the good news ends. At the 75K service I complained of excessive brake dust (front alloys are black a week after washing them) and the most irritating high pitched squeal that had been present since the disc/pad changeout to stop the shudder. Answer? "Yeah, its a compromise". I will give 13 FORD a very polite phone call prior to my 90K service and ask why I should pay any labour costs associated with work on my brakes when they have been a joke and by their own admission "compromised" from day 1. Out of warranty now so I'm pushing up a hill but this is rubbish. Easily the most disappointing aspect of the car. Once these squealers are done I'll be going after market. Ford can stick their brakes and anyone who thinks I should have forked out 3 grand for premiums to avoid this issue must have cash to flush away. Sure the standards are average in terms of performance but with the driving I do, they are sufficient. All I ask for is that they perform as intended without bloody shudder or dust or squeals. Keep pushing them even if you are past 50K.

First registered May 03 and almost at 85K. Can honestly say it has been better the last 40K than it was in the first 40.

I think it jumps to 20% if you're doing less than 25K. If you say you're going to do the 25K, then make sure you do them! A nasty FBT bill will be waiting otherwise. The sliding tax brackets over the last 2 financial years have made novated leasing less attractive but it does still have some benefit.

Different story here - had mine changed under warranty. Explained that I had no mods and that they couldn't guarantee that these "flakes" weren't going to cause a problem when they ended up all over the engine bay. Try another dealer.

Have you reset the fuel consumption meter since you've had it? If not, the 16l/100km could be the average over many thousands of kays and it would take a heap more driving with lower consumption to reduce it. I agree that you should reset it and also calculate the consumption yourself. If the car is used mostly for short trips then that certainly isn't going to help consumption. I've had my '03 T since new and it has averaged 13.5l/100km since new and that includes sitting in some fairly heavy traffic.

I had a shake in the steering and no amount of balancing/alignments would fix it. Ended up being a very small kink in the alloy rim. Only noticeable if the rim was on the front.

Yep. That's the one I'm getting. ← Same here on both my laptop and home PC.

Not that I'm going to ever have to worry about it but have you checked what tyres are available in a 22? I'd love to see the cost of a decent tyre at that size. I dare say the handling difference between 20's and 22's would be negligible.

1 month out of warranty and my first limp mode today. Yippee! Was basically just crawling in bumper to bumper traffic, went to take off again and realised 1st gear was on holidays. Flashing "D" and no speedo. Couldn't stop till after a short freeway run but pulled over after the exit, turned her off and back on and no problems. Seriously doubt it would be overboost or tranny overheating considering I was crawling and it was bloody cold tonight so I figure a sensor is a little confused.... Anyone had a speed sensor changed or can let me know how much they are to replace?

My April 03 MK1 had new rotors and pads fitted at 67K after 3 machinings all under warranty. After 8K no brake shudder but I may never get to see my silver front alloy wheels again. The brake dust is ridiculous. I also have to apologise to all the dogs along my pathway to work. The squealing drives me bananas so I can imagine what it's doing to them. I bought this up at the 75K service but was told "yeah it's a compromise". Good to know they admit selling cars with compromised brakes. Suppose I should be happy they changed them but I still don't consider the problem "fixed".

I'm trying to decide whether to go for the Preceda's or stick with the Dunlops. The Michelins I'm sure will be better but the catch is I already have 2 new Dunlops sitting around so to go Michelin will cost me more then double the money (2 tyres vs 4). Suppose I could try and offload the Dunlops..... I found the Dunlops to be OK grip wise early on but they have since lost a heap of grip in the wet and I can't believe how noisy they are after 50% wear. Also, any issues with the Michelin's only being a V rated tyre as opposed to the W rating of the Dunlops when it comes to insurance?

I'm certain Narooma Blue is darker. They may look similar in low light conditions but the difference should be obvious in sunlight.

Congrats on the purchase. What you are experiencing with the AC is low gas levels - it will have to go back to be re-gassed. Take advice from someone who has had this happen 3 times - insist they check the condenser for leaks. Have fun.....

The biggest factor to the road toll as far as I'm concerned is nothing more than attitude. Respect and any form of patience toward other drivers on our roads has gone to the dogs over the last few years. I am fed up with people thinking that: 1) The only rule they need apply is "me first" 2) They must be in front of all traffic, regardless of speed and any associated risk involved with achieving the almightly feat of being "in front". 3) All other drivers should by some form of mental telepathy know exactly how important they are and should break road laws as long as they allow the special person through unimpeded doing 90 in a 60. 4) Stopping at a traffic light next to any car that may be in the slightest considered a "performance vehicle" is a trigger for the silly switch in their head to become active and signal a drag. 5) Tailgating is a sign of ultimate power over the driver in front. 6) Using their indicator stalk is a sign of weakness. 7) Stopping at amber lights is also a sign of weakness. Flooring it through the amber shows the ultimate coolness (especially if they overtake the car in front who has decided to obey the law), even if the light turns red before they are in the intersection. Speeding, cutting people off and tailgating all whilst talking on the phone and sitting too low and too centrally in their car makes them wanted sex objects. 9) Driving is their right, not a privilege. 10) Letting another driver enter traffic in front of you shows you are weak. Pretending you haven't noticed them and blocking them in so you can gain 1 car length in peak hour traffic is better. I would guess that any person who has caused a death on our roads by acting stupidly and irresponsibly lives the rest of their time regretting their actions. By then, it's too late. The problem is, it's only then that they realise how easy it is for something tragic to occur. Speeding is only ONE of the many issues that exist on our roads but I fear the attitudes that are the cause of these accidents are simply a mirror of our way of life - on and off the roads. The fact the our government ignores the rest of these issues and chooses to focus on speed and the relentless fines for 64 in a 60 zone just pi**es people off further. I have been driving for 12 years and have never had a speeding fine (touch wood). I have also received no reward for that effort (and yes, it takes bloody discipline). How about some reward for effort, thus giving people incentive to do the right thing? Fine them for being stupid, give them a rego rebate for long term "good behaviour". I am constantly fed up with being harrassed for obeying the law. Where's my incentive to continue? From what I see on our roads, driver training is a disgrace. Put some of those fines back into proper driver skills training so that even if some d**k wants to act with a bad attitude, he or she may in the least have some idea what to do if they end up in the Just think of the 78 people who are no longer with us as of December 23. How many could still be with their families with a better overall attitude to our driving?

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the new BF 17" wheels either. Guess I can add the additional cost of 18" if I go for a BF. Oh the cost of decent tyres in 18's....

Rims do come bent from the factory - I've had one. A week after I picked up my car I noticed some minor scratches on one of the rear rims. I went back to the dealer but a week of driving was too much for them to change it so they touched it up and I was on my way. I know I hadn't touched any gutters with it in the time since I'd picked it up. Wheels rotated at the 15K service and no matter how many times the dealer balanced and aligned, a distinct vibration was evident. Frustrated, I took the car to Bob Jane and what do you know - the front rim (that was originally on the back) had a kink in it. Ford replaced it out of embarrassment I think. Oh and yes, it was the rim with the scratches on it....

It will be interesting to see what Fantasy looks like in the flesh. The description leaves me with two thoughts: 1) Sounds like it may date quickly. 2) Paint matching may be interesting....maybe easier if you are always end up looking at different hues from every angle.