53599 replies to this topic

[B4TT]

Seems fitting given the filter - also be ware of bad language in this

[Alex]

What you guys reckon of the new VW Amarok?


http://www.volkswagen-amarok.com.au/

[Shiv]

What you guys reckon of the new VW Amarok?


http://www.volkswagen-amarok.com.au/

Interesting vehicle Alex, I can't say I knew much about it until now. Its too early to comment, but it reads well on paper.

Honestly I was going to discount it immediately when I only saw "2.0L D" but I realised its one of those fancy bi-turbos the Europeans seem to do so well. Stacks up well compared to the Triton 2.5 and Colorado 3.0L even.

It'll probably be an expensive ute. Pardon the spelling, but is it based off the Tiguan or Toureg? Personally I'd have a preference of the Challenger/Triton which you've mentioned in the past - seems to be getting quite a wrap these days what with those terrific approach/departure angles its capable of, along with great wheel articulation.

[Shaz]

Shazza, serious banking question. Am contemplating a commercial loan as I'm sick of paying rent. What are the requirements for a 500k loan? Cash deposit or can I use a share portfolio or residential property as guarantor? Whats the best variable and fixed rates available? What are the available terms? Any service fees, etc. Can I redraw at my leisure if needed? Can I have interest only requirements and pay the principal off at my own pace - does this method attract a fee? Everything is currently done with the CBA. PM if you prefer.
Ta
Aaron

Hey mate.

Bit too pissed to answer now, but send me a PM on Monday and I'll sort it out for you.

Build thread about to be updated.

Cheers,
Shazza

[B4TT]

Hey mate.

Bit too pissed to answer now, but send me a PM on Monday and I'll sort it out for you.

Build thread about to be updated.

Cheers,
Shazza

How good is being pissed.

[Alex]

Interesting vehicle Alex, I can't say I knew much about it until now. Its too early to comment, but it reads well on paper.

Honestly I was going to discount it immediately when I only saw "2.0L D" but I realised its one of those fancy bi-turbos the Europeans seem to do so well. Stacks up well compared to the Triton 2.5 and Colorado 3.0L even.

It'll probably be an expensive ute. Pardon the spelling, but is it based off the Tiguan or Toureg? Personally I'd have a preference of the Challenger/Triton which you've mentioned in the past - seems to be getting quite a wrap these days what with those terrific approach/departure angles its capable of, along with great wheel articulation.

Only reliable info I can get so far is from Wiki.

Price will be restrictive I'd imagine, but it does mention in Wiki that there are potential plans to make a wagon variant, which has me hell keen.

It looks like its using the common VW 4Motion platform, which although I liked it when I drove a Passat R36 (zomg!) but, not sure about the 40:60 split... and how rugged it'll be for the Aussie bush... I mean, the Subaru driveline (in the L series) proved itself rugged (except for the driveshafts...my fault!!), but I mean, its got lots of electro/pneumo/hydro mumbojumbo...

I'm a landcruiser boy at heart, but I can't justify such a juggernaut of a vehicle at the moment!

[Shaz]

How good is being pissed.

I've been mixing it up today.

Coopers Pale Ale
Coopers 62
Fat Yak
Bluetounge Alcoholic Giner Beer
James Squires Golden Ale

And a few others which were not worthy of being mentioned.

Cheers,
Shazza

[B4TT]

Only reliable info I can get so far is from Wiki.

Price will be restrictive I'd imagine, but it does mention in Wiki that there are potential plans to make a wagon variant, which has me hell keen.

It looks like its using the common VW 4Motion platform, which although I liked it when I drove a Passat R36 (zomg!) but, not sure about the 40:60 split... and how rugged it'll be for the Aussie bush... I mean, the Subaru driveline (in the L series) proved itself rugged (except for the driveshafts...my fault!!), but I mean, its got lots of electro/pneumo/hydro mumbojumbo...

I'm a landcruiser boy at heart, but I can't justify such a juggernaut of a vehicle at the moment!

Wiki and reliable do not go hand in hand, but good for a bit of a guide

I think I have a press release somewhere in my emails about it, have to go back through them when I can be bothered.. I will be keen to see

New Land Cruisers are kind of nice but so damn expensive! I am a bit of a Range Rover fan - Dad has always had them and used them for bashing about - Fantastic on the beach especially.

[Shiv]

Only reliable info I can get so far is from Wiki.

Price will be restrictive I'd imagine, but it does mention in Wiki that there are potential plans to make a wagon variant, which has me hell keen.

It looks like its using the common VW 4Motion platform, which although I liked it when I drove a Passat R36 (zomg!) but, not sure about the 40:60 split... and how rugged it'll be for the Aussie bush... I mean, the Subaru driveline (in the L series) proved itself rugged (except for the driveshafts...my fault!!), but I mean, its got lots of electro/pneumo/hydro mumbojumbo...

I'm a landcruiser boy at heart, but I can't justify such a juggernaut of a vehicle at the moment!

Yeah the 4Motion is a good tried and tested system compared to what some of the Japanese have to offer. I agree, not too sure about a 40:60 split, but maybe they'll update the system for an Amarok cab chassis.

It may very well have electronic steering and possibly brakes too (a lot of them are doing that these days), and we know VW charge like a wounded bull for spare parts.

I have to say a wagon version of that would be fairly nice. Its an attractive rig (saw some photoshops on Google) and would work well being a VW and all. But I still find myself favouring a Triton (or Landcruiser as you mentioned) over a flash VW...

So what'd ya reckon Alex? I get the sense your possibly looking to buy a sort of daily drive/weekend bush warrior by years end - am I right? Or you just toying with that idea until the timing is right?

[Shiv]

New Land Cruisers are kind of nice but so damn expensive!

Just glad we get the 70-series here in Aus! I think I'm right in saying that only the Aus (possibly African markets) still get new versions of them??

Oh yes, and Josh I think everyone at some point has said "I want a Range Rover". I mean, how could ya not!

[B4TT]

It may very well have electronic steering and possibly brakes too (a lot of them are doing that these days), and we know VW charge like a wounded bull for spare parts.

Shiv, I don't think you mean electric brakes, they have shitloads of features such as EBD, BA, CBC etc but still Hyrdaulic.
I am not a fan of electrically assisted power steering - it doesn't give good feedback.
I think at one stage someone was toying around with the idea of steer by wire (so no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering gear), I would not have been keen on that.

[B4TT]

Oh yes, and Josh I think everyone at some point has said "I want a Range Rover". I mean, how could ya not!

Dad has a Vogue V8, It is nice to drive and what not but it is a few years old now (not sure what year) He blew the headgasket in it LOL. Think it has been sitting in his workshop with no engine for about 6 months cos he hasn't had time to do anything with it.

[Shiv]

Shiv, I don't think you mean electric brakes, they have shitloads of features such as EBD, BA, CBC etc but still Hyrdaulic.
I am not a fan of electrically assisted power steering - it doesn't give good feedback.

Oh yeah I was thinking of other German manufactures like Merc which put electronic brakes in their cars and ended up reverting back to traditional setups.

Electronically assisted steering is a weird one. In some applications its great (I think BMW do a terrific job), whereas some other cars its crap.

Could anyone explain to me how the variable steering rack works in JDM Legacys? The Gen2 Legacy's I've driven steered incredibly differently to their AUDM cousines. I can't say I was a fan (low-speed stuff we're talking here, maybe its better at speed).

One of the features of my H6-spec Outback is the variable steering rack. Again, I don't know the specifics of how it works but I do like it at highway speed. Its much more sensitive and requires less lock on turn-in.

[Alex]

Yeah the 4Motion is a good tried and tested system compared to what some of the Japanese have to offer. I agree, not too sure about a 40:60 split, but maybe they'll update the system for an Amarok cab chassis.

It may very well have electronic steering and possibly brakes too (a lot of them are doing that these days), and we know VW charge like a wounded bull for spare parts.

I have to say a wagon version of that would be fairly nice. Its an attractive rig (saw some photoshops on Google) and would work well being a VW and all. But I still find myself favouring a Triton (or Landcruiser as you mentioned) over a flash VW...

So what'd ya reckon Alex? I get the sense your possibly looking to buy a sort of daily drive/weekend bush warrior by years end - am I right? Or you just toying with that idea until the timing is right?

Toying with the idea for the time being. I have the provision to salary sacrifice a vehicle... And I'm a chooch for not doing it...

The redsled is a little old to do that... And maybe I am getting old....

Maybe all the mods I'm starting to do, won't be fully utilised on the street, and is probably best utilised in a vehicle that would be a hybrid street/track car. A rare wagon with twin sunroofs isn't that car.

So, I kinda would like a mid sized capable 4WD for daily duties, that has the ability to go bush on weekends, with a good towing capacity.
And in the future, a cost effective Subaru track car, with road rego, that has all the mechanical fruit, where aesthetics aren't as great a concern.

[B4TT]

Oh yeah I was thinking of other German manufactures like Merc which put electronic brakes in their cars and ended up reverting back to traditional setups.

Electronically assisted steering is a weird one. In some applications its great (I think BMW do a terrific job), whereas some other cars its crap.

Could anyone explain to me how the variable steering rack works in JDM Legacys? The Gen2 Legacy's I've driven steered incredibly differently to their AUDM cousines. I can't say I was a fan (low-speed stuff we're talking here, maybe its better at speed).

One of the features of my H6-spec Outback is the variable steering rack. Again, I don't know the specifics of how it works but I do like it at highway speed. Its much more sensitive and requires less lock on turn-in.

Brake by wire yeah they canned it.
The BMW Servotronic system is still hydraulic but servos control the Hydraulic force.

[Shiv]

Toying with the idea for the time being. I have the provision to salary sacrifice a vehicle... And I'm a chooch for not doing it...

The redsled is a little old to do that... And maybe I am getting old....

Maybe all the mods I'm starting to do, won't be fully utilised on the street, and is probably best utilised in a vehicle that would be a hybrid street/track car. A rare wagon with twin sunroofs isn't that car.

So, I kinda would like a mid sized capable 4WD for daily duties, that has the ability to go bush on weekends, with a good towing capacity.
And in the future, a cost effective Subaru track car, with road rego, that has all the mechanical fruit, where aesthetics aren't as great a concern.

Thats exactly right Alex, as much of a weapon as your car is - it isn't a track car. Still, would be f'ing brilliant to have a fang out on one though

Aesthetics aren't a great concern? Rexy WRX or EVO it is then, gotcha But yeh good plan. Fook, I wish I wasn't so young and only have one car. That said, my OBK ticks a heap of boxes for me so very happy with that for the time being.

[Alex]

Oh yeah I was thinking of other German manufactures like Merc which put electronic brakes in their cars and ended up reverting back to traditional setups.

Electronically assisted steering is a weird one. In some applications its great (I think BMW do a terrific job), whereas some other cars its crap.

Could anyone explain to me how the variable steering rack works in JDM Legacys? The Gen2 Legacy's I've driven steered incredibly differently to their AUDM cousines. I can't say I was a fan (low-speed stuff we're talking here, maybe its better at speed).

One of the features of my H6-spec Outback is the variable steering rack. Again, I don't know the specifics of how it works but I do like it at highway speed. Its much more sensitive and requires less lock on turn-in.

Ahh. The JDM variable power steering rack.

As far as I understand it:

The rack works on hydraulics. The better the pump flowing the fluid through the rack, the easier the steering.
Now, the JDM racks have a built in electric motor into their racks, that when switched on (low speeds), increased the flow of fluid, thus effort at the steering wheel is reduced.
My rack started going haywire... It'd reduce the turning effort at high speed (imagine two dollars)... made it very hairy indeed... yet at low speeds, it did jack all assistance....felt heavy and cumbersome.

Switched to a JDM STi 2.7:1 rack.... Many wins. Nice driving around low speed (not as easy as the variable rack, but still pleasant), and high speed its rock solid. And changing lanes requires a mere flick of the wrist

There's also the STi Motorsport rack which was optional on STi's. 2.4:1. That rack I hear is stupidly insane. A spasm of the wrist and you're full locking!

[Shiv]

Ahh. The JDM variable power steering rack.

As far as I understand it:

The rack works on hydraulics. The better the pump flowing the fluid through the rack, the easier the steering.
Now, the JDM racks have a built in electric motor into their racks, that when switched on (low speeds), increased the flow of fluid, thus effort at the steering wheel is reduced.
My rack started going haywire... It'd reduce the turning effort at high speed (imagine two dollars)... made it very hairy indeed... yet at low speeds, it did jack all assistance....felt heavy and cumbersome.

Switched to a JDM STi 2.7:1 rack.... Many wins. Nice driving around low speed (not as easy as the variable rack, but still pleasant), and high speed its rock solid. And changing lanes requires a mere flick of the wrist

There's also the STi Motorsport rack which was optional on STi's. 2.4:1. That rack I hear is stupidly insane. A spasm of the wrist and you're full locking!

I found the JDM racks to me more disconcerting than anything else. The way it changes like that from super light to medium heavy.

Mmm I like the sound of that STi quick-rack

Only time I don't like a 'quick' or 'variable' rack is during crosswinds on a motorway/freeway. Hard to keep her in straight line.

I believe Merc have technology now to counteract the effect of crosswinds. Baffling shiz that is *jawdrop* Also technology to stablise trailers. Ahh those crazy Germans...






p.s. can we get rid of the swear jar!! We're all adults here

[acres]

Hey mate.

Bit too pissed to answer now, but send me a PM on Monday and I'll sort it out for you.

Build thread about to be updated.

Cheers,
Shazza

Will do.

I may join that category this evening

[acres]

Thats exactly right Alex, as much of a weapon as your car is - it isn't a track car.

Not enough sedan for that

There's also the STi Motorsport rack which was optional on STi's. 2.4:1. That rack I hear is stupidly insane. A spasm of the wrist and you're full locking!

This would be very cool. Probably fetches a pretty penny too. One thing I found annoying from day one of getting the suby was the steering ratio's, although this did improve slightly with the variable rack. The old gen1 wagon I have at home has the same problem.