hmmm what to do (Lexus celsior update)

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

well im contemplating selling the Caldina, and getting something else
dont get me wrong, the caldina is great, but, well i feel its time for a change

basically, im not sure what to go to
a hilux is in my mind - id love a new one, but hey i dont have a spare 50k+


needs to have 4 doors (ie fit multiple people)
needs to be able to carry stuff (one reason the Dina is good - fill her up)
needs to be able to tow (one thing the caldina isnt the best at, well not towing the racecar anyway)
power is nice
handling is a definite
4WD would be a bonus (but not a must), cause thats saved my bum multiple times in the dina (not sure if hilux's are fulltime or selectable)

so a ute would fit in with some of the above, but probably not some of the others
i drive a 2005 ford courier turbo diseasel 4x4(selectable) ute for work, its got some balls, but not enuff, also handles like a boat (mind you it is bog standard and on massive offroad tires)


discuss

[Alex B]

Altezza Gita wagon??

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

other thing is i dont really want to spend any money that wasnt already tied up with the Dina (ie sell for "X", spend "<=X" on new car)

i dont even know roughly what i would get for it now if i were to sell it
i paid about $19,000 for it a couple of years ago

97 GT-T, 150kms (all highway since i brought it), BOV, K&N, Alarm, Zorst, MP3, sub/amp, 18" shadow chromes, 4x new tires, tein springs, new shocks, towbar, tints, A/F & boost guages, no dents, nice interior, good cond, always treated nice, yada yada

[Leon]

Sounds like you need more of a work horse, rather than a show pony.

Can't really go too badly wrong with a Hilux, assuming you can get one with enough power to tow. So you'd really want a turbo D, double cab. Which isn't going to be a cheap exercise. One of the rally guys bought a new non turbo diesel about a year ago, and was absolutely furious as he had to crawl up hills in second/third gear up SH1 towing a KE70 on a trailer. I believe he took it back to the dealer the week after he bought it.

You're probably not going to get a car that will do everything, and still be a pleasant driving experience, because you need weight to tow stuff.

How about a couple year old LandCruiser, with the big 4.0 or so diesel? I've been to Auckland in one of those in 1999, towing an Escort rally car on a trailer behind, and the (maniac) driver was cruising at 130 without even noticing the trailer on the back.

It was comfortable enough for me to sleep all the way to Auckland, and then a week later back from Tauranga back to Wellington.

I didn't drive it, so I can only assume it wasn't the most sporting thing to drive, but it went incredibly well, and didn't notice the trailer.

I drove a camper van version of exactly the same vehicle, and it was impressive on gas for the size, but awful to drive other than strictly at the speed limit, and carefully on corners.

Another option would be the 2.8 diesel Hiace, with a second row of seats fitted. I love those vans Dunno why.

[Leon]

i dont even know roughly what i would get for it now if i were to sell it
i paid about $19,000 for it a couple of years ago

Probably about $8k.

Cars suck.

Grrrrr

[2LTR Rona]

buy mine

If it was me & had $$'s, I would go a Hulix double cab, throw all ya race car gear in the tray, dog in the back & your away, when towing a trailer with a car on it its not like your going to be doing 130 on the open road anyway

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

possibly thinking Hilux + bigger motor

but, if so, would i buy petrol or diesel if its all going to be ripped out anyway

guessing this could turn into an expensive exercise:
new shocks + springs
probably wheels too
new motor
ECU etc
tuning
bla bla bla

[Leon]

Focus ... the race car is supposed to be the money pit. The tow vehicle is just a means of getting there. Simple is good.

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

Focus ... the race car is supposed to be the money pit. The tow vehicle is just a means of getting there. Simple is good.

Carpet Burn is the money pit, the race car is my hobby
the house and road car are just necessidys (SP) that i like to be nice

[Leon]

1987 Volvo 740 Turbo, manual, wagon.

$2200 ono



Should do everything.

Actually, you'd fit the AE92 in the boot from the look of it.

[Cahuna]

Could you rig some kinda deal to use the company ute for towing the race car? If so then I'd be looking for a comfortable road car as it would drive/ride/handle more nicely, probably be cheaper to buy/run etc etc... in fact, probably something like a GT-T

Hiace vans = great service vehicles for rallying. A mate recently bought an ex-courier Hiace with the 3.0l diesel and it fair boogies along (okay so a Transit turbo or one of the VW Transporters will outrun it but it is far from a dog). IMO not the nicest family or day-to-day runaround vehicle though. A Hilux would be nicer day-to-day and would probably be fine for servicing at roundy-roundies, especially if they do one with the 3.0.

Or be like me, run your road car until it dies from old age and scrounge whatever tow vehicle you can on an event-by-event basis (or drive the car to events - gives a great incentive not to break it!)

[Leon]

Could you rig some kinda deal to use the company ute for towing the race car?

Now that would be the ultimate victory.

[2LTR Rona]

or in additiona to what leon has posted.......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 805533.htm
Asking price: $8200
Kilometres: 156,000km
Body: silver/grey, 4 door, 4x4 / SUV
Fuel type: Petrol
Engine: 8 cylinder, 4000cc, Automatic, 4WD
Import history: Imported
Registration expires: Nov 2006
WOF expires: Nov 2006
Number plate: WR4842
Stereo description: CD/ Radio
Features: Central locking
Power steering
Towbar
Runs a 4litre V8 Lexus motor, All dash guages work as though this was a factory build. Motor mated to original tranny but has beefed up clutch packs to with stand power transfer.

Very tidy Truck in and out, Motor was certed at the beginning of the year.

2" taller kings springs in rear. 2" body lift. stands on 33x12.5x15 maxxis mudders and TRS steel rims.

Owner moving so need to sell





relistically though, you want to spend as little as possible on a tow car/whatever, that way you have more $$'s for sorting all the things on your race car i.e. suspension, cage, etc etc

[Leon]

Yum.

[Jazza]

Paint your company logo on the side of the car - use company vehicle for towing as said ealrier. If you supply gas im sure they would be willing to at least speak to you about it

[Silent Knight]

Something RWD with a JZ thrown into the equation.

Nuff said.

[fangsport]

tell the boss to ditch the 05, as it must be due to blow the gearbox and engine, and get a late Hilux painted up.

you then have a decent work hack, and with a bit of bribing, a good tow barge.

[Leon]

I think he's in the district council or something ... and they're not famously flexible about such things. They're normally majorly tied into policy, just in case somebody complains about employees exploiting work vehicle use.

[nzae86]

simple really a Hiace 3.0l D turbo supercustom, drives like a car will keep up with most of the mark, quite capable of getting speeding tickets , and tows my race car very well with room to boot !

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

yeah im currently trying to wangle myself a brand spankin new Hilux for work use
BUT basically theres a no personal use policy (bar to-and-from work)
unfortunately my boss takes the ute home, hence why we are trying to get me a work ute - its a matter of hassling the big big bosses enuff, better put up the rates to cover it

if i keep driving it as i am, its bound to blow a box/engine soon enuff anyway

that jacked up hilux would be cool - but i want a manual (read: I HATE AUTOS) and id rather drop it 2" than jack it up further

hmmm surfs seem fairly cheap, but im not a major fan of 'wank-tanks'
dont really want a van, they just dont appeal to me that much