Who's planning on buying a Euro car in the next 5 years?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by TZENU

The only alternative i have given myself other than a Ford or Holden would be looking at a used (4-5 year old) M3 within the next 5 years... Driving a mates E46 M3 has made me appreciate these cars more than ever...

Yes i have a client wiht an E46 and its a brillant car, he thrashes it day and night and it dont miss a beat. Id love a brand new one but I don't think that will ever happen.

[Wretched]

I have had a Japanese car, an Aussie and now a Euro.
The Japanese car was reliable, a bit of fun, it put up with anything I threw at it and it wasn't a Toyota. It was however a little plain Jane.

The Aussie car, attractive, comfortable and generally reliable but suffered in areas of quality, a lot of wear and tear in a time frame that any other car wouldn't.

The Euro is attractive, comfortable, so far reliable and a lot better built. If this continues I will definately continue to buy European. I have no loyalty to brands or country of origin. If the car is priced well, looks good, feels right and brings a smile to my face then I'll buy it.

[RATT]

Originally Posted by new2ford

So we can look forward to you owning a Camry any time soon RATT?
:

If they had a turbo rwd version? Maybe..

[tallica1]

Originally Posted by smoo

Remember that is just in this part of the world. I don't have any figures at hand, but the BMW 5 series/Merc E Class is about the same price as Falcon/Commodore in Europe, considering living costs etc. are all relative.

In NZ, used Euros (and Jappas) shiit all over aussie cars in bang for bucks. I could pick up a mid ninetys V12 Merc S class or BMW 7 series for the same price as an AU Fairlane V8 (12k upwards). I know which one I'd rather spend my hard earned on lol.
At the same time a 2000 M5 BMW and E55 Benz goes for around VT-VY 300kw GTS money (45-55k). Irrelevant, but thats my situation, so yeah, I'll be buying a Euro, among others as soon as I can.

Very true! I live in NZ too, soon moving to QLD like the rest of NZ lol.

My Dad bought a 1993 Merc SL600 (V12), when it first came out they retailed for $350,000...he bought his 6 months ago for $25,000K. Before that he owned a HSV VXII Clubsport R8 that he sold for $27k, which he said was a really nice car but since he is moving to QLD (I'm following him there too) there is no point in taking an HSV (which are made over there) over as it will only loose value more so, so he intends on shipping the Merc over and selling it there thinking it would be worth around $45k in QLD according to the prices of other cars alike on carsales.com.au.

After selling the Merc he thinking of buying another HSV lol the VE or VF if it's out then.

[Binnie]

Nope, i cant see my self driving anything euro for a long time i would perfer to ride Ausie any day

[Rev28K]

For a small daily driver I wouldn’t go for a new Euro. Second hand they may offer value for money (but so do the Jap and the Aussie models)

Pretty much all the current & recent Euro tiddlers are slower around Winton than my current Japanese coupe. There are some well respected names that seem to go great at 8/10ths on the road but throw them at a track and the much vaunted European handling starts to fall apart. So why should I pay more to wind up going slower?

Other than a Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 R26 (or whatever the latest equivalent is going to be) I can’t see any budget Euro that does anything for me performance wise. It’ll be interesting to see if the new Clio’s gains in the chassis negate the deficit of it’s weight gain.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

For a small daily driver I wouldn’t go for a new Euro. Second hand they may offer value for money (but so do the Jap and the Aussie models)

Pretty much all the current & recent Euro tiddlers are slower around Winton than my current Japanese coupe. There are some well respected names that seem to go great at 8/10ths on the road but throw them at a track and the much vaunted European handling starts to fall apart. So why should I pay more to wind up going slower?

Other than a Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 R26 (or whatever the latest equivalent is going to be) I can’t see any budget Euro that does anything for me performance wise. It’ll be interesting to see if the new Clio’s gains in the chassis negate the deficit of it’s weight gain.

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

I'll say with the extra power, the six-speed gearbox and the new chassis... the 197 is probably quicker everywhere then the 182.

Oh... I just thought I'd throw some of these in too...

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=45cef20ccccde

It seems all the current Euro offerings are either faster then the ITR, or right there with it. Oh, the 10 sec discrepency on the Nurburgring may seem alot between the GTI V and DC2R, but on an 8:50 lap, that's 1.88% difference - closer then it looks.

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by Steffo

It seems all the current Euro offerings are either faster then the ITR, or right there with it. Oh, the 10 sec discrepency on the Nurburgring may seem alot between the GTI V and DC2R, but on an 8:50 lap, that's 1.88% difference - closer then it looks.

Yup and the long straights on the ‘Ring probably hurt the short geared ITR. I pull at or near an indicated 200kmh at Sandown/Phillip Island, my top speed is around 230kmh.

A lot of the Euros seem to fall on their bum (especially Audi & VW) on Aussie circuits. Have a look at the Motor PCOTY lap times at Winton.

I’m not saying that me or my car are that great just saying that I wish the Euros lived up to their reputations. Hell, on R-spec tyres (high 1:43’s) it looks like I’d beat one of the old twin turbo RS4’s! I know mine is a very narrow viewpoint to compare cars on but it applies in my case.

FYI By my maths a Renaultsport Clio at 1:47.00 versus DC2 ITR at 1:45.50 at Winton puts the Honda about 43m ahead every lap. Feel free to post up Sandown, Phillip Island and Calder times (and mods) and we’ll see how they compare

[Steffo]

1:43's at Winton on R-Specs, not bad. The Megane R26 did 1:43.06 there in MOTOR's hands on regular tyres.

According to MOTOR the RSC182 Cup at Winton is 1:47.16, however looking around at trackday results, one can find better times.

IMO the current Euro offerings are all ahead of the ITR, which is to be expected with what, almost a decade of advancement?

Have you lapped Sandown in your DC2R?

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by Steffo

IMO the current Euro offerings are all ahead of the ITR, which is to be expected with what, almost a decade of advancement?

Too right they should!! Especially with technology, capacity, turbos, etc.

Originally Posted by Steffo

Have you lapped Sandown in your DC2R?

Yes. High 1:32's and spent a lot of time looking over my shoulder for GTR's.

[T3ts50]

Does a Ford Focus count as a Euro? The only Euros I can see myself driving are VW's of a Focus for a daily driver. I wouldnt buy a BMW or Merc brand new either, but would consider a second hand one.

[ELtim]

What turns me off most European cars is the damage bills. I'd be happy for the next 10 years if I could buy a Xr8 BA (Assuming petrol prices don't climb too much higher).

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

Yes. High 1:32's and spent a lot of time looking over my shoulder for GTR's.

Nice. That's a track I really want to do in my 172.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by smoo

Remember that is just in this part of the world. I don't have any figures at hand, but the BMW 5 series/Merc E Class is about the same price as Falcon/Commodore in Europe, considering living costs etc. are all relative.

In NZ, used Euros (and Jappas) shiit all over aussie cars in bang for bucks. I could pick up a mid ninetys V12 Merc S class or BMW 7 series for the same price as an AU Fairlane V8 (12k upwards). I know which one I'd rather spend my hard earned on lol.
At the same time a 2000 M5 BMW and E55 Benz goes for around VT-VY 300kw GTS money (45-55k). Irrelevant, but thats my situation, so yeah, I'll be buying a Euro, among others as soon as I can.

Are these euros NZ New or used jap imports as I would imagine there would be some difference in price between them.

[groops]

Euro - No
Aussie - No
Jap - Yes


Mike

[smoo]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Are these euros NZ New or used jap imports as I would imagine there would be some difference in price between them.

Generally both, although NZ new examples with history usually demand a higher price. Saw a striped XR8 like yours out by Kumeu today... wasn't you was it?

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by smoo

Generally both, although NZ new examples with history usually demand a higher price. Saw a striped XR8 like yours out by Kumeu today... wasn't you was it?

No mate, I'm on the other island.


My next car will be euro/jap, I moved back to a Falcon in a moment of weakness and the quality still ain't there. Will check out the FG but can't see it happening, maybe a Mondeo when the 5T/TDCI get to NZ.

[Jesk]

Originally Posted by bd737

'hoi polloi'

Been watching a little HairSpray eh?

Yes I'd love an RS4 Avant (the wagon) but I could never justify that kind of money on a car plus I can't see myself being able to afford anything remotely that expensive anytime soon

[bd737]

[QUOTE=Jesk]Been watching a little HairSpray eh?

Got it from the Three Stooges episode Hoi Polloi actually - the colour-converted version of that episode is a classic!