Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Only wagon I would consider changing to would be an Audi RS4 or RS6, IF I had the money.....

For the value for money why would you pick anything other than a Stagea, so many option's and extra's.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622152
Share on other sites

Only wagon I would consider changing to would be an Audi RS4 or RS6, IF I had the money.....

For the value for money why would you pick anything other than a Stagea, so many option's and extra's.

Value is one thing, safety is something else. Then there's parts availability, servicing, insurance etc.

We have a VF Calais wagon , been the Mrs daily for 2 years. Child seat in the back still fit 2 adults either side comfortable. HEAPS of air bags. Automatic parking. Remote start, passive entry. Side traffic alert, blind zone alert, Approx 10 l /100 city driving. Very nice to drive. Cheap insurance. Nice stereo.

But a brand new car obviously costs more than a 10 year old import.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622159
Share on other sites

Value is one thing, safety is something else. Then there's parts availability, servicing, insurance etc.

We have a VF Calais wagon , been the Mrs daily for 2 years. Child seat in the back still fit 2 adults either side comfortable. HEAPS of air bags. Automatic parking. Remote start, passive entry. Side traffic alert, blind zone alert, Approx 10 l /100 city driving. Very nice to drive. Cheap insurance. Nice stereo.

But a brand new car obviously costs more than a 10 year old import.

They are nice but that angled rear window, whilst stylish, removes quite a bit of storage space - especially for big dogs.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622213
Share on other sites

Thanks Matt (datmoo) - always liked Audi wagons (will look into that)

Whilst I love the M35 Stagea (good torquey daily family hauler, 4WD grip and cheap entry point being a 13 year old import), the gearbox is quite frustrating. No harm "carsaling";

Ben (Ben C34), is the calais the 3.6 litre V6?

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622226
Share on other sites

Fuel usage between my old VT commodore is the same if not better for twice the fun. insurance is the same.

there's no real problem with getting parts. and if you work on cars your self there's no problem with servicing etc.

I looked at buying a Liberty wagon for $65k because i was a bit freaked out by buying an import i had a bad experience with a dodgey dealer 4 years prior with buying a C34 and i thought parts, insurance etc would be expensive etc but in the end why would i pay 40K extra and for what ??? ( I love the sound of a boxer motor)

if you want safety go buy a Volvo :)

and the question is would you buy, it didn't state if it was for your missus and or kids.

I'm 30, single and have no kids, I just love that the Stagea it's so different to everything on the streets and you can't beat 4WD Turbo.

I get told I have a soccer mum's car all the time and people ignore the car (car meets etc) or put it down and don't understand, makes no difference to me I love it.

My mates all looked at me when i bought it as if i was and idiot but once they've been in it and seen it and got used to it's looks etc now they love it.

I've just had a strange love for wagon's my first car was a 323 Panel van then i got a 808 wagon. only bought the VT to keep out of trouble, common and easy to get parts and cheap etc............ didn't make a difference what so ever other than I never modded it cos I didn't like it but it suited the purpose.

I guess I'm lucky too as this is not my daily as I have a company car.

everyone has a different reason or opinion this is mine :)

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622427
Share on other sites

Hi all,

Would like to know if anyone has:

  • considered changing to
  • previously had
  • driven

the following wagons

  • Audi B8 A4 2.0 Quattro

Cheers

If you ever consider buying one of these, DO NOT buy the CVT "Multitronic" one - my old man has one and I hate the way it performs. Luckily the quattro versions can't be optioned with the CVT.

Oh, and the B9 version should be out soon...

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622517
Share on other sites

Hi Nick T (GoldZilla) - agree, I would never get any car with a CVT...manual or DSG (or single gear if Tesla develops an uber wagon of their own)

Hi Val (valf) - been looking on carsales and haven't seen the E55 AMG wagon; that would be an awesome wagon to haul the family around

Hi Lambchops (Wagon_Boy) - my 2002 NM35 Stagea is my everyday daily for the kids. I still enjoy it but yeah very open to other performance oriented wagons. Will keep looking on carsales

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622575
Share on other sites

We have a VF Calais wagon

Quick question: What's the boot space like in the back of the VF? I love the look of them but I wouldn't want any less than my PNM35 has. I know the VE/VF is wider but what's the load area like with the rear seats down? I can fit a 191cm long air bed in the Stagea and sleep comfortably, if a VE/VF can mange this then it's a viable option, otherwise we'd have to look to a VT-VZ wagon.

Any help much appreciated, thanks.

Edited by Hertz Donut
Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622666
Share on other sites

Saw this today : http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-hsv-clubsport-lsa-and-maloo-lsa-review-first-drive-36364

Though I would never buy a Commodore, just too flashy. I like the hidden Volvo look of the stagea.

First time I saw a Stagea was two years ago (when I arrived to Au from France), really liked how it looked (always preferred wagons) and took a picture of it.

Even if I'm a mechanic noob, I still bought one with a blown turbo and thanks to this forum, I'm now a happy stagea owner :)

It's bigger than my previous passat wagon and has more grunt. When I get more $$ to throw at it, I will get Jetwreck to help me solve the lag issue. Also would love it as a manual but it seems quite pricey / complicated so maybe if I kill the auto trans one day !

By the way, I'm an IT engineer so if you need help with IT related stuff, let me know! Maybe you can help me make my car better in return ;)

Edited by valf
Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622686
Share on other sites

The boggo standard VF is still quite good, but the 3.0L is too slow.

The auto can be a bit of fun in manual mode, but if I owned one I would be investigating shifting upgrades (perhaps done by software now rather than a clunky valve body upgrade?)

The suspension is also quite impressive in terms of comfort, but the stock tyres are total shite. Get some stickier rubber on there ASAP. I am tempted to call it dangerous in the wet.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/460433-other-wagons/#findComment-7622929
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Who did you have do the installation? I actually know someone who is VERY familiar with the AVS gear. The main point of contact though would be your installer.   Where are you based in NZ?
    • Look, realistically, those are some fairly chunky connectors and wires so it is a reasonably fair bet that that loom was involved in the redirection of the fuel pump and/or ECU/ignition power for the immobiliser. It's also fair to be that the new immobiliser is essentially the same thing as the old one, and so it probably needs the same stuff done to make it do what it has to do. Given that you are talking about a car that no-one else here is familiar with (I mean your exact car) and an alarm that I've never heard of before and so probably not many others are familiar with, and that some wire monkey has been messing with it out of our sight, it seems reasonable that the wire monkey should be fixing this.
    • Wheel alignment immediately. Not "when I get around to it". And further to what Duncan said - you cannot just put camber arms on and shorten them. You will introduce bump steer far in excess of what the car had with stock arms. You need adjustable tension arms and they need to be shortened also. The simplest approach is to shorten them the same % as the stock ones. This will not be correct or optimal, but it will be better than any other guess. The correct way to set the lengths of both arms is to use a properly built/set up bump steer gauge and trial and error the adjustments until you hit the camber you need and want and have minimum bump steer in the range of motion that the wheel is expected to travel. And what Duncan said about toe is also very true. And you cannot change the camber arm without also affecting toe. So when you have adjustable arms on the back of a Skyline, the car either needs to go to a talented wheel aligner (not your local tyre shop dropout), or you need to be able to do this stuff yourself at home. Guess which approach I have taken? I have built my own gear for camber, toe and bump steer measurement and I do all this on the flattest bit of concrete I have, with some shims under the tyres on one side to level the car.
    • Thought I would get some advice from others on this situation.    Relevant info: R33 GTS25t Link G4x ECU Walbro 255LPH w/ OEM FP Relay (No relay mod) Scenario: I accidentally messed up my old AVS S5 (rev.1) at the start of the year and the cars been immobilised. Also the siren BBU has completely failed; so I decided to upgrade it.  I got a newer AVS S5 (rev.2?) installed on Friday. The guy removed the old one and its immobilisers. Tried to start it; the car cranks but doesnt start.  The new one was installed and all the alarm functions seem to be working as they should; still wouldn't start Went to bed; got up on Friday morning and decided to have a look into the no start problem. Found the car completely dead.  Charged the battery; plugged it back in and found the brake lights were stuck on.  Unplugging the brake pedal switch the lights turn off. Plug it back in and theyre stuck on again. I tested the switch (continuity test and resistance); all looks good (0-1kohm).  On talking to AVS; found its because of the rubber stopper on the brake pedal; sure enough the middle of it is missing so have ordered a new one. One of those wear items; which was confusing what was going on However when I try unplugging the STOP Light fuses (under the dash and under the hood) the brake light still stays on. Should those fuses not cut the brake light circuit?  I then checked the ECU; FP Speed Error.  Testing the pump again; I can hear the relay clicking every time I switch it to ON. I unplugged the pump and put the multimeter across the plug. No continuity; im seeing 0.6V (ECU signal?) and when it switches the relay I think its like 20mA or 200mA). Not seeing 12.4V / 7-9A. As far as I know; the Fuel Pump was wired through one of the immobiliser relays on the old alarm.  He pulled some thick gauged harness out with the old alarm wiring; which looks to me like it was to bridge connections into the immobilisers? Before it got immobilised it was running just fine.  Im at a loss to why the FP is getting no voltage; I thought maybe the FP was faulty (even though I havent even done 50km on the new pump) but no voltage at the harness plug.  Questions: Could it be he didnt reconnect the fuel pump when testing it after the old alarm removal (before installing the new alarm)?  Is this a case of bridging to the brake lights instead of the fuel pump circuit? It's a bit beyond me as I dont do a lot with electrical; so have tried my best to diagnose what I think seems to make sense.  Seeking advice if theres for sure an issue with the alarm install to get him back here; or if I do infact, need an auto electrician to diagnose it. 
    • Then, shorten them by 1cm, drop the car back down and have a visual look (or even better, use a spirit level across the wheel to see if you have less camber than before. You still want something like 1.5 for road use. Alternatively, if you have adjustable rear ride height (I assume you do if you have extreme camber wear), raise the suspension back to standard height until you can get it all aligned properly. Finally, keep in mind that wear on the inside of the tyre can be for incorrect toe, not just camber
×
×
  • Create New...