Lightning

Hi guys, The 5 years finance is up on my BA 'T' in March next year and I am really mulling over what to do then. Firstly, I'm after some indication of what the car's worth now. It's stock plus: Performance Brakes Sunroof Leather Seats Premium Sound Sports Steering Wheel As per probably most users here, it's been extremely well looked after, my friends can't believe it's nearly 5 years old. Interior's virtually unmarked, usually only me in it and rarely anyone in the back. Other than the self inflicted stuff (all repaired), there's been nothing wrong with it. Redbook reckon about $20K (tops), but that's stock. Any ideas based on the above? Oh, about 72,000km. Anyway, I really don't know what to go for next. A new BA MKII Turbo again? Or something European that isn't quite so rough around the edges, if you know what I mean. I had a BMW 325i as a hire car in RSA last year and loved it. A friend of mine has 2 SAAB's that he really likes. I really, really like the oomph of the T and the general looks, but the clunky drivetrain still sh*ts me. I've finally got rid of the 'woosh woosh' of the hand brake, but that was another. We won't even talk about the l/km. Comments? Thoughts? Simon....

Okay, maybe it's late in the day, but I don't get this... Care to explain?

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but this is happening to me. 56,000km, out of warranty. Took it to the dealer and they couldn't fault it. Buggers didn't let me know until 4pm, so I couldn't go there and demonstrate it to them. Happens within a few minutes of starting if I'm sitting at the lights, revs normally at around 800, all of a sudden they'll drop below 500 or so and nearly stall (has stalled once). The dealer said there was a throttle body error code, but they couldn't reproduce it. Anyway, I knocked back their offer to replace the entire throttle body at around $500. Do I have any option though? Should have taken Ford up on their extended warranty.... Simon....

Hehe, silly me I guess I am gullible enough to miss the sarcasm. We can but hope. Simon....

Mate, sorry to hear about your loss, I hope the replacement makes you smile again! Lightning....

Hi there, thread drift, but as it's my thread ... Care to elaborate on the TSB? (I know what one is, just after some info). Cheers, Simon....

I used to do it at about 5km/h in the carpark, used to fix it for a while too after the almighty clunk. I really, really cannot understand how such a basic problem can't be fixed :(

Thanks guys, went up to Mindarie to a friends for dinner tonight (a 45 minute run on the freeway in peak hour and a nice 30 min run back at 2200. Very, very happy to be back in the beast again. I must say, about the only things I miss in the MX-5 is the turning circle and the ease of parking. Isn't it funny how you love the small things like the fact that the windows go up and down in the XR with the ignition off? And the 'auto-down' on the drivers window? Cheers, Simon....

Hi guys, Just thought I'd express my joy at getting my BA XR6 T back after being without it for 9 days while it got 2 dents in the bonnet repaired (courtesy of a broom flying out of a trailer in front of me at 110km/h) under insurance. I also got them to replace the LH side 'skirt', badly scraped on a curb like protusion a few months ago at work (grrr), sand back and repaint of the front spoiler where the normal scrapes from too high angled driveways and the obligatory stone chips, reaffix the rear bumper assembly and touch up some marks from a low speed rear ender. I've had a loan of a friends 2003 MX5 for the week and, by golly, the difference was amazing for the first 30 seconds. It felt like I was driving a tank! But, after quickly getting used to the heavy clutch and the harder steering, I'm back in love again! Great to have my premium sound back, the quiet interior and the smooth ride. All is forgiven (clunky manual transmission, squealing brakes, rubbing hand brake) for a while, anyway Simon....

Yup, good points guys (re hiding or not hiding the keys). Simon....

Yeah, don't know where the key was, but I suspect it was on the counter in the kitchen/dining room downstairs. Also, bcl, don't know about the year vs bug eye, only know what he told me. It's definately got a bug eyed look, so maybe it's 2001. Anyway, I suspect it's long gone. I thought they all had PIN code thingo's too, 'cos they were so prone to being nicked. Will find out more later in week. Simon....

Okay, I've been told: "Silver bug eye, 2000, grey leather". They broke in and stole the keys while the owner and his 10yo were asleep. The guy reckons it took him 10 seconds to get in, get the keys and then the car. Sheez, what chance do you have? Simon....

Have just SMS'd the owner for model/year details. Will post when I get response. Thanks XXXR6T.

No, I don't. Unfortunately, 1 WRX looks just the same as another to me. I'll see what I can do. Simon...

Hi there, The BF of a good friend had his WRX stolen at 3am this morning from his unit in Joondanna (he usually garages it, so don't know how it happened exactly). It's silver and the rego is 1BKO 649. If you see it, please call me on 0407 756 500. Thanks, Simon....

I got pulled over once for driving with 'em on. We had a civil conversation, he checked the wattage of the globes and let me on my way with an informal warning. Now I only use 'em down side streets as the street lighting is so crap. Simon....

This is f*cked, third time I've had to enter this damned reply. Can't be bothered with the story now, so the short story: Saw the photo, crap photo, but was me in my car and no other cars. So, have no real choice. Will accept the damned thing and pay it. Lightning....

Accepted. Not my point, if that was the case I'll not contest and will pay as a fair cop. Got one a few months ago, $50 and no points (3km/h over, if I recall correctly). Remembered the circumstances of that one and 'happily' paid it. Thanks for your comments. Lightning....

Don't know where utopia is in your case, but it's dual carriageway at the point that they say they took the shot. No need to overtake (with the foot down, anyway) there. Just hang back, if both lanes obstructed, wait for the right lane to become clear and pres "RES" :-) Lightning...

Most of you are missing the point. IF I was exceeding the speed limit, then I have no problem paying the fine and losing the point(s). The point (ahem) in this case is that I honestly (and it will as likely do me no point other than in here) do not believe I was speeding as I set the cruise control to what equates to 110 km/h from Augusta to the freeway, regularly use the adjustment or coast buttons to slow down through towns and the multitude of speed zone changes. So, I DON'T SPEED. I used to. It's not worth it now days. So, I guess they do have a result. I will check the photo (meant to today, but slept in) and see if it fits the ONLY situation I can think of (overtaking lane). If not, I will play it by ear and explore my options. While $100 is $100, it is relatively disposable income for me. On the other hand, court costs wouldn't be. I have all of my demerit points, so 1 less won't make a difference. So, get my point? I feel I've been wronged and it pisses me off big time to feel that I am screwed either way. Thanks for the feedback, though, appreciated. Lightning....

F6 UTE, it's not feasible when I sit on 115 km/h by my speedo which I have clocked at 110 using a GPS. The CC on the XR is pretty reliable and I haven't known it to drift by 15km/h. Why should I cop it sweet if I wasn't speeding? Because the cops say I was? Lightning....

Zap, thanks for the info. I will do as you suggest. newl, totally agree with you. Hardly a good advertisment for proactive policing. It was the Old Coast Road near Preston Beach. Don't even know which bit that is, will be going down in a week or 2, will check it out then. Maybe that will jog the memory. I saw the TT program, coincidentally. Don't normally watch that crap any more. Usual TT story, all fluff and no real substance, but it was interesting in the circumstances. I will drop in to the 'Infringment Management and Operations' section on the way to work tomorrow. Lightning....

Aha, with you now. Will do, thanks. Lightning....

Was he doing 160 though? Thanks, I think I will opt (for the first time) to view the photo in this case. It's not the point or the $100 really, it's the goddam cliched principle of it. I really can't think of any reason that I would have been doing over 125. Lightning....

Hi XXR6T from a fellow WA'er. A couple of problems with your suggestions, the alleged offence took place on the 5th of Feb, over a month ago. Surely they won't accept a request to test a portable piece of equipment from a month ago? Secondly, I don't recall seeing the device on that day (I quite regularly pass them, I am on CC at 110 km/h, they don't flash, and I think 'sweet another fine avoided'). The location is damned vague "Old Coast Road, Preston Beach, Near Preston Beach Road". Bugga it. Presumed guilty... Lightning....