Kozeyekan

I had a funny one about a month ago The GF and I were going to the movies at Northland, a bit of a bogan area. We went into the shopping centre at about 5, and it was packed, so I had to park really far away. By the time the movie finished, it was about 9pm. It's freaking freezing, so my GF decides to run to the car. I think this idea sucks, so I stroll along. After about 5 metres (and still 100m to the car) 3 lads about 16-17 come by on bikes, they notice my girl running to the car, and I'm about 50 metres away. Right now I'm thinking: "Cass, stop running." She doesn't. She runs the whole way to the car, and I'm a good 50m away. They're about 10m from her. I'm thinking that if they decide to grab her handbag and ride off, we're screwed. I inwardly debate an all out sprint, and prepare for it if they decide to move, they're eyeballing me like jackals on national geographic channel. Cass yells at me to open the car. My clicker only has a range of about 3 metres. By the time I'm close enough, it doesn't matter anymore. Just as I'm getting in the car, I hear this dry, nasally, bogan to the max voice say: "Ay Maate.. Do a burn-out" "I'm right mate" And I get in and drive off. Here I am worried about my girl being assaulted, snatched or robbed, and these three little bogans just wanted some doughnut action. God bless yobbos.

True, but that begs the question: "Why strap a bomb to your chest?" Not that I'm for either side. Neither side cares about innocent civilians, neither side gives a rats ass about anyone but themselves. Please note that I say this about the governments, not the culture or populace. I know many lebanese, and a couple from Israel who are fantastic people. However, I find it hard to support an organisation that decides to kill hundreds to get at a couple of people (i.e. USA, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Libya....... etc, etc.)

Mine came today and looks the goods. So fresh, I can smell the sweet scent of mig welding. Also, many thanks to batmbl on the packaging. Wrapped in bubble wrap, and coccooned in packing tape, that thing wasn't getting scratched or banged by even the most incompetant of delivery people. Big thanks. Highly recommended. -Josh

The reason for that is that the same people design them. Ford and Holden build the cars. They outsource most everything else. For example: To get the interiors done, they go to a company called e-dag in melbourne. They let them know what sort of things they want to stuff in the dimensions provided, and they make a computer model, followed by several mockups. They were probably responsible for the most noticable innovation, the VE handbrake recess, which seems to be a hit. The point is that they look the same because the same people did them. Seriously, a guy works on the BF falcon, then get's a job sheet to do the same job on the VE Commodore. As far as I am aware, all they do at the actual plants is look at what they get from the engineers, say 'yep' or 'nup' as they see fit, then give the green light to assemble. Of course, retooling an assembly line is no small feat, so maybe that's just to keep things simple. Whatever. There's the explanation as to why they look the same.

Yeah, for about $500 more than you can get from an importer.

They get dazzled by the headlights. If you keep the headlights on them, they'll stay there (that's how the shooters usually get them, they dazzle them with a spotty, and put a bullet into their heads) The problem with applying that to the road is that you have to keep the lights exactly in their eyes. Which means that as soon as you get within 10 metres, they come out of the cone of illumination, and decide to move, in any direction that takes their fancy, but they often double and triple back. Hit them at less than 40 km/hr and the roo will hop away while you weep and pick up peices of your front assembly. I've heard of the hazard light's being used though. Good idea. The best idea: PAY F@#KING ATTENTION. keep aware. It's hard on long trips, you go into 'the zone' probably have one hand on the wheel and decide to change CD's. all stuff you've done a million times before, but this once, a roo decides to follow that chicken and cross the road, you swerve and hit it anyway, now in deep crap. It's hard to pay attention for long periods. For everyone. (But Koz, I'm an exception, I have an IQ of 190, am a neurosurgeon and am only 20! Yes, that includes you little grasshopper. You'll be able to do it many many times, provided an obstacle doesn't present itself during one of your lapses of concentration. But Koz, I've driven that road in my car thousands of times. Yes grasshopper, but it's like driving in the city. You must assume that every car has a kid behind it, and in the scrub that every bush may have a Roo, or English backpacker ready to cross the road. This takes concentration, so take breaks often. Ah Koz, what would you know? More than I want to.)

Do Shoo roos work. In a word. No. Explanation: I used to live in SW NSW. Loads of Roos, especially in the dry seasons, when they'd come to the roadside to eat the grass growing there from runoff of whatever rains were coming, or dew that rolled off the road. The humble Kangaroo is a stupid animal, and is just as likely to go "Hey, that sounds interesting, I'll take a close look' as the mack truck bears down on it as it is to jump away. You'd be better of using a Horn, driving during the day and paying a lot of attention, which means changing drivers every couple of hours. It's better than tanking a roo doing 100. (= dead roo and dead you) The funny part is, now that I live in Melbourne, I went to a 'fine dining' restaurant a few weekends ago, and they had roo on the menu. Why anyone would eat that is beyond me. The people that kill them aren't farmers, or even butchers, they're jimbob and his twelve sons who blast away at them, then hang up their ring worm infested, blow fly ridden, and tape worm penetrated carcasses up to bleed. Then they take them back to town. 4 hours later. Roo's aren't animals I'd eat. And I'd eat pretty much anything.

What I hate is when they blame the car. Drivers crash, well maintained cars do not cause a fatal crash by themselves. It's funny, they call it accident investigation, but how many are really 'accidents' and how many are caused by the driver's errors?

.... they weren't on the car? How sure of that are you? Now, let's suppose one of the theives knew a thing or two about cars. Is it not possible that they saw that one was damaged, and decided to see if they rolled right? Is it not possible that they decided to do so by trying them on a car? Is it not possible that they chose the nearest available (i.e. yours) Is it not possible that they happened to have a tyre iron with them (they had to pry their way intot the secure cage somehow) Is it not possible that they put the rims on the car, just to make sure that they rolled right, and fit on the car properly? Therefore, is it not possible that you would, in fact be covered by insurance? Of course, it's also possible that the rims were never taken off the car, but infact were stolen from the car itself.

Ditto that. But if he was driving badly enough to smash it like that, he didn't deserve the car anyway. If he was unlucky, well, that happens, and I hope he can get it repaired. The biggest thing that ticks me off is when some kids get a beautiful skyline or WRX from mummy and Daddy for their 18th, and they don't know how to drive it, treat it like shit and wrap it around a pole. Usually, they walk away, while a bystander or passenger is injured. It shits me to tears. Personally, I wish there was a class of 'sports' licenses that were required to drive turbo or high powered cars. Although that would have to be regulated by the government, so probably a complete cock up anyway. The sad part is, you see a smash like that, and a lot of people blame the car. "Too much power.." "Those imports are dangerous..." "Mavis, did you see that car? It must have been doing a hundred miles an hour, these kids today have no respect for anyone, in my day.. blah blah" If only we could ban bad drivers. It's not an age thing, idiots come in all ages. It's not an experiance thing, people with 10 years of on road experiance can still be knobs. It's just that some people have neither the physcal ability or the mental capacity to drive a performance car in a manner that is safe for them and the people around them. Maybe getting CAMS involved would help. Where's little Johnyy's email address.... Ah screw it. Vote ME! Premier Koz, I'll remove the Hoon laws, Drop all import Tax on Jap parts and cars (If I become PM) and set up legal dragways all across the state. .... I think I just convinced myself to become a politician....

As I understand it, if a person is caught hooning and the car to be sold off, but it is not their car, then a car they own can be substituted if it is of comparable value, otherwise the hooning car will be, despite the owner not being the driver, but the owner gave permission, though the owner could probably get something back in court if he stated that the way the car was used was not the way they agreed to use it. Still, this is part of the law that I don't think will bother me at all. No one's driving my line but me. Well, maybe the girlfriend. If she can convince me. Or bribe me.

Hakai, good luck with this. I think most people have floated the idea before, but seem to lack the impetus to move beyond the theoretical. If you get the supercharger going, keep us updated, show us the dyno sheets, and hell, you might even be a bit of an innovator. Good luck with it all, Hope you get some awesome results.

As I GTS-4 owner, I thought I'd chuck my opinion in. The GTS-4 is pretty much a compromise between a GTS-t and a GT-R. I chose it for the handling aspect. True, My particular car will likely never see 12's in the quarter mile, but that's not why I bought it. For me, I get my fun from taking those corners that mates in their falcons, bogandores, magna's and Audi's slow down to a stop for. I have fun on the twisty's on the mornington peninsula (check out the downhill at Arthurs seat, but do the uphill first, it's some scary sh!t, forget doing that with a 2wd) The R32 GTS-t and the R32 GTS-4 are practically the same car, save the ATTESA system. If you want that system at a much lower cost (of maintence, repair and initial cost) get the GTS-4. If money is not an issue, get a GT-R, if it's a quarter mile you're after, or AWD just isn't your thing, go the GTS-t. One other thing to remember, the most common Skylines I see are R33 GTS-t's, and why not, they're a good car. R32 GTS-t's are fairly common, followed by the GT-R's and the R34's, What I'm getting at is that R32 GTS-4's are rare. On the down side, it means some GTS-4 specific parts can be hard to find (I hear the front diff can be particularly difficult to source) To offset that, all the same GTS-T engine parts can be used, along with a host of other parts. Also, you can install a switch that can allow Rwd operation for Dyno's, or just some Dori fun. check the group buy section. It's all up to you in the end. I chose the GTS-4 for the handling, at a cheaper price than a GT-R, and knowing that there are probably less than a hundred in the country. Just figure out what you want a car to do. Are you a handling man, or do you like the extra G's of planting the pedal? Do you like to stick to the road, or are you a drifter on the streets (Particularly expensive style in Vic witht he new hoon laws though) It's all up to you. If you want any particular advice, or opionion, feel free to PM me.

So are the items in melbourne or brisbane?

Meh, Zidane's a professional sports player, he would have heard all the taunts on one stage or another. Not really an excuse to head butt someone (and in the chest....?) seems like he might have lost the plot for a moment. I men, he knows the rules like the back of his hand, and if he were put off his game by any words whatsoever, he'd never have had the career he has. They'd just insult him and laugh as he was sent off. And back to the Aust-Italy comments.... To paraphrase one guy: "To be the man, you gotta BEAT the man." Australia did not, and really never looked like doing so. It was a crappy way to lose, but at no stage did we look like winning, and that's the deciding factor. We did well, we earned a small amount of respect. Maybe one day they'll make a 'cool runnings' style film about an Aussie team that did it hard, but held their heads high (might have to gloss over a detail or two) but returned to the next world cup to compete as equals. Or maybe We'll play Italy at the MCG at come stage. That'd be interesting.

Actually, if you don't pay, it can affect your credit rating. Means it's that little bit harder to do anything that involves a credit check. Like a loan, a mobile phone, a credit card, a rent agreement.... It's better to work through the system.

You'd have to cry, wouldn't you? I mean, of all possible ways to write off an R34 GTR, having it fall off a trailer is probably the least fun. (Possibly safest though)

Interested, as another set of rims I was intending on buying seems to have fallen through (no delivery in 6 weeks from perth to melbourne) so if I can get the guy to refund the cash, I'll definately be interested.

waiting.

I got pulled over yesterday, and the cop actually mentioned the new laws to me. Not that I didn't deserve to be pulled over, I was driving without plates. I was taking the car to be complied, but had the proper permits. To be honest, he was a good bloke, popped the bonnet, saw it was 100% stock and had a bit of a chat. I got the feeling it was more of a prepared speech on the evils of adding unnecessary BOV's and assorted rice, but still, he seemed OK. Even got on the radio and called ahead to let other boys in blue know I was coming, and to let a white skyline with no plates pass through. I was babying that car though, as the exhaust is cactus, and loud as hell. The last thing I wanted was a strike before the car is even complied.

... Yeah, but does it come in black?

2 hayabusa's on an 800 pound car. I'm surprised it doesn't wheel stand on launch. The hayabusa is a bike that scares the absolute crap out of me. I rode one not that long ago, I made the mistake of gunning it, and nearly got bucked off. That second power band really has some kick.

Hmm... Scenario: I have 2 strikes, I get caught doing some antisocial driving (say a burnout, so there is no doubt that I'll have my car confiscated) I have full comprehensive insurance. I get a mate to run a $200 shit box into my car before the tow truck comes. Now, I can't see how the police can take the insurance money when the policy and ownership of the car are still in my name. On the other hand, even if they do, I'd rather they get a written off shell than my car. What I am concerned about is that some officers will go on power trips and seek to cause trouble (Now isn't that the very definition of 'anti-social') And yes it happens. A workmate of mine had a canary for (no joke) his handbrake clicked 8 times instead of the normal 6. Yes, the car was a VL commodore, but not only was is absolutely stock, but that guy is the most effeminate gay guy you'll ever meet. He actually had trouble a couple of weeks ago when he needed to put oil in the car, and he put it in the radiator. My point is, if this penalty can happen to someone who is in no way a danger on the roads, and is about as 'hoonish' as Julian Clary, how much worse will it be for someone who drives an japanese import? But let's look at the antisocial behaviour they're talking about: 1) participation in a race or speed trial Fair enough. Has no place on public roads. 2)dangerous driving committed in circumstances involving intentional loss of traction careless driving. So no drifting on public roads. Also fair enough. 3) failure to have proper control of the motor vehicle Intentionally open to interpretation. Could this mean that by driving with only a couple of fingers on the wheel, I do not have proper control? 4) causing a motor vehicle to make excessive noise or smoke If by 'causing' they mean smoking up the tyres then all good for them. If by causing they mean bad tune and exhaust is smoky, well then that's a bit unfortunate. 5) exceeding the speed limit by 45 kph or more. Fair 6) travelling at 145 kph or more in a 110 kph zone. Fair. 7)intentionally drive in a manner to cause loss of traction to one or more wheels Isn't this a rehash of rule 2? 8)driving while disqualified Fair. the only problem I have is with rule 3. People will vary wildly on what is 'proper' control. It could also mean that the idiot in toorak road who sped up from a side street to cut me off and fishtailed slightly in his merc would have gotten a strike, which I'm all in favour for. Although toorak mercedes seemd to be untouchable by police.

PAid.

Sounds like you're aiming for a less ricey version of 'pimp my ride' In all seriousness, look into making a TV show out of it. With reality TV turning out such gems as 'Celebrity ice skating' and 'big brother' this would shit all over them. Besides that though, Are you planning on importing specific items for a buyer, or are you looking to import a range of items, then on sell to the buyer from a showroom/ warehouse?