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The End Draws Near


richdave

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  • SLOJAM, Gone but not forgotten
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  • Member For: 22y 5m 1d
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Outer east - Melbourne

So the lease on the "T" is drawing to a close and my company policy excludes a sedan so SLOJAM has to go. The wife has a company car on a 4yr lease so I cant even give it to her :w00t2:

I can either take the company car - A Magna VR wagon or its 2005 replacement which is rumored to be awd. No matter how many bells and whistles it may have its still a Magna and sub 200kW.

The other option is a car allowance but I must have an "approved" car - which means it will have to be either a station wagon, 4WD, or people mover style of vehicle.

I have considered the following

Crewman SS but at 5.3 mt long and as ugly as hell...No

XR6T Ute with canopy - probably get it past the boss but with 2 kids gotta have 3 seats...No (blame SWIMBO) :w00t2:

Adventra LX8 - possibility but I hear they are very thirsty.....

Territory Ghia AWD, big step down in power and 2100kg not to mention the ride/handeling with the high centre of gravity.....still a possibility though.

Subaru Liberty GT. Good performance but a bit squeezy in side and the price...Ouch!

Volvo V70R - way out of my price range

Audi A4 Wagon - The good one is too expensive

Expensive Daewoo Berlina V8 Wagon with leather and sport suspension if possible - the hot favorite so far.

What I'd really like is a "T" variant of the Ford wagon with IRS rather than the cart springs that are a hang over from 1903 or a FPV Territory Ghia with either a turbo or V8 motor and modded suspension to lower the ride height considerably and improve the handeling..... They are dreams so lets get back to reality.

Over to you guys now to give me your advice/options/thoughts

Ken - No changing jobs, loosing the kids or SWIMBO while tempting are NOT valid options.

Edited by richdave
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  • Team - Anti Rice Blueprint Member # 1
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  • Member For: 21y 6m 12d
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There might be another VZ SS wagon coming soon I hear.. that's what id be pushing towards! :w00t2:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When is the Turbo Territory due? :w00t2:

Otherwise go for the VZ SS wagon. I would expect a batch in '05 sometime, maybe check with Holden. :w00t2:

Berlina V8 with FE2 (if they still do this) would also be a good alternative.

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  • SLOJAM, Gone but not forgotten
  • Lifetime Members
  • Member For: 22y 5m 1d
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Outer east - Melbourne
When is the Turbo Territory due?  :w00t2:

Otherwise go for the VZ SS wagon. I would expect a batch in '05 sometime, maybe check with Holden. :w00t2:

Berlina V8 with FE2 (if they still do this) would also be a good alternative.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks guys for your comments. yes I am not looking forward to handing over the keys to the "T" :w00t2:

A Turbo territory AWD Ghia :w00t2: Now theres an option, I heard it was gonna be a Diesel turbo though....... :pooh:

The SS wagon would also be worth a look too if it materialises.

The Berlina still wins so far as it is real and available... but heres hoping FORD can give me something to stay loyal to the blue oval.

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  • Member For: 20y 4m 10d
  • Location: Perth WA

Have you considered a Forester XT (2.5 turbo)?

I've got a Forester X (N/A) and XR6T. I'm so impressed with the Forester after 2 years and 50000ks - no warranty claims, original tyres, no rattles or squeaks - drives like new. Wish I could say the same for my Ford - as much as I love driving it.. A Forester XT came a very close second to my XR6T for my next car and it will again be on my shortlist in a couple years.

The Forester XT doesn't quite have the rush that only 4 litres of forced induction can give, but I've driven both a manual and auto XT and they are very impressive - heaps more low down torque than a Liberty GT (2.5 litres and same turbo as STi). Very tuneable as well - Get an ECUTEK for huge gains.

As far as size and room go, I've got 3 kids 7mths - 4yrs with seats, prams etc.. and on a holiday I'd have to say the Forester is a more practical and capacious load carrier. Rear seat leg room is its downfall.

With fleet discount you'll pay $45k for an auto luxury pack with leather etc or under $40k for manual base XT.

IMHO, the Forester XT and XR6T (and SV8 I guess) are the best value performance / family cars currently available.

I do agree a Territory Turbo would be nice, though.

Mark

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  • SLOJAM, Gone but not forgotten
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  • Member For: 22y 5m 1d
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Outer east - Melbourne

thanks markxr6t and blonk for your comments.

I now have another option to consider. As for the territory "T", I went tyre kicking today and the Ford guys tell me the Turbo Territory is a real possibility..... I await the outcome.

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