Show us ya... cars !

[VladTepes]

Well early next year I'll be looking to replace the Mazda3.  The front runner at the moment is... a Mazda 3 

[Kiwifruit]

Vlad, had you considered more of a classic ??

[Globalrider]

Just the ticket Vlad! I have it for sale 

[Alan H]

Current one 2009 2.7V6 Santa Fé with LPG and just hit 90,000 miles.
Previous 2.7V6 Santa Fé with LPG, sold with 130,000 miles on at 5 years old.
Previous to that 2.7V6 Santa Fé with LPG, sold with 140,000 miles on at 4 years old.
Previous to that 2.4 4 cyl Santa Fé with LPG, sold with 143,000 miles on at 4 years old.
I like Santa Fés, pity I cant get a RHD Santa Fé sport 2.0T 270Hp, but the Aussies keep 'em all!!
First three were used as my company car, but retired nearly 3 years ago so only do 11000 a year now in the car and about another 4000 on the 14, GT750 and GT550. Not sure how many air miles a year, but it's a (very) lot!

I used to have a Lightweight coiler LandRover with a nice 4.6V8 in with 275Hp, that was quick and upset lots of the local GTi fraternity.

[VladTepes]

@Kiwifruit no thanks.

@Globalrider  I'm actually after a new one or there wouldn't be any point.

@Alan H  what on earth is so good about Santa Fe's ?

[Kiwifruit]

Something more sporty perhaps ??

[KiwiCol]

Not mine, but spotted it at the local garage the other day, it's Packard Super 8 - 160 from around 1941.

Bit rough round the edges, but road legal by all accounts - it's got a current rego etc



Don't think I'd want to travel very far or fast on those tyres though

[Sweaty]

@Alan H  what on earth is so good about Santa Fe's ?
[/quote]

He just loves being in the Xmas spirit all year round 

[KiwiCol]

@Alan H  what on earth is so good about Santa Fe's ?

He just loves being in the Xmas spirit all tear round 


Ask John Cadogan - he LOVES 'em.  Santa Fe & Kia Sorento, just can't beat 'em.

[Sweaty]

Not mine, but spotted it at the local garage the other day, it's Packard Super 8 - 160 from around 1941.

Bit rough round the edges, but road legal by all accounts - it's got a current rego etc



Don't think I'd want to travel very far or fast on those tyres though

I like it Col. Nice patina look & suicide doors. Just stick a nicer set of rims & tyres on & away you go.

[KiwiCol]

The guy filled it with 95 too.  Wouldn't of thought they even had 95 back then?

[Kiwifruit]

Looks like the beginnings of a Steam Punk project......kind cool. I like original.

[grog]

Col, love that Packard. Straight 8, amazing motors. I wont comment on cars, i have to deal with the bloody things all day, everyday. Maybe why i like to talk bikes after work. Of course a hot run motor, taxis etc, will run a lot further.example, old Ford Falcon taxis, usually around 700 th ks before head off, same car in private use, usually around 100th ks. Of course there are exceptions but this is usually the difference.

[Alan H]

@Alan H  what on earth is so good about Santa Fe's ?

Welllll, they're inexpensive, reliable, 'dipsticks' don't want to steal them and they're safe. Comfortable and decent to drive, they tow a caravan/boat very well ( I tow both occasionally). And smaller cars tend not to tailgate a big vehicle with a towbar on.

I got rear ended last year - well, the car did - and the Volvo truck illegally in the outside lane of the M1 that knocked the Audi into me caused little damage to mine, but wrote the A3 off front and back.

A nice decent size V6 petrol engine means very few want to buy them, so they are quite cheap compared to a tractor engine variant, and with LPG fitted (about £1400 last time) filling up at 55p/litre means they do about 40-60mpg as a £ equivalent compared to the tractors 35ish. I used to do 40000+ miles a year when I was working, but only about 11-12000 now, but still worthwhile. I will keep the current one about 5 years before it gets swapped. I think it'll be the next size down next time unless I can get a RHD Sport.
Try one, you might just be impressed.

[Tony Nitrous]

I drive hundreds of Santa Fe's. We have several thousand Hyundai here at the moment.

Have you also looked at / tried the Kia Sportage and Sorento models ?

I was in the same market but I went for the Toyota Rav-4 as I got a very generous trade discount and the local Toyota dealer is at the end of my street for servicing etc.

Driving the Toyota and a great many Kia's back to back each day the Koreans really have upped their game. Both Kia and Hyundai.

I'm your in a Hyundai/Kia dealership get a go in a 3.3 Stinger or i30N. I wouldn't buy either as they don't suit me, but it's hard not to be impressed.