Post 2017 - Predict the future - What car(s) will you actually BUY?

[RedHotGT]

Hey guys,

Been a while since i've started a topic around here, but had a bit of discussion with some friends over the weekend about the new car market in Australia POST 2017.

Now that Toyota has confirmed the inevitable, sadly all local car manufacturing will cease in this country.

So fast-forward to post 2017 - what would you actually consider buying???

And while you are pondering the future - think about these questions and answer whatever you like............

* Would you consider an 'imported' similar equivalent to the Falcon or Commodore?

* What other makes/models would you consider as a substitute to our extinct Aussie cars?

* What will replace the current fleet of Taxi's and government vehicles in this country?

* Would you be willing to spend more time/money on upkeep, maintenance, customization, modifications, etc on your 'old' Falcon or Commodore?

* Would you support the V8 Supercars racing category that includes no local cars at all? Would this be better or worse for the brand?

* Would you support the Muscle Car Masters or another racing category (more or less) once the V8 Supercars stop racing the Falcon / Commodore?

Sure - I've probably missed a few points (though feel free to bring them up) and yes there are some variables that I haven't really allowed for in there too...

But I think it would be an interesting discussion to have, and I also think quite a broad perspective.........

Go for it!

[Spammy]

Taxi and Govt fleets have moved on already.

[stevefreestyle]

Roland Dane of 888 is on record as advocating allowing 2 Door cars - which would open the door (apologies for the pun) to the Mustang.

However V8 Supercars has become a total Farce - as the cars are determined by a standard technical formula, use the same aftermarket transmission, Brakes, Suspension, and even Chassis etc - and bear absolutely NO technical and mechanical relationship to the production (Retail) Ford, Holden, Merc etc V8s in the showrooms - and are "levelled" in performance by "Parity" penalties for the faster cars. A classic case of false advertising.

Ford even use the old Push Rod 5.0 Windsor - last used in production with the AUIII, when they have a vastly superior DOHC 4V engine in the Coyote 5.0.

[RedHotGT]

Originally Posted by Spammy

Taxi and Govt fleets have moved on already.

To what?

All I see (in Melbourne) is Falcons, Commodores, Camrys (hybrids)??

Occasionally I'll see a Prius, and obviously maxi-cabs are different.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by RedHotGT

To what?

All I see (in Melbourne) is Falcons, Commodores, Camrys (hybrids)??

Occasionally I'll see a Prius, and obviously maxi-cabs are different.

The Victorians seem very patriotic but the rest of the country is much less so. I used to live in Melbourne around 4 years ago, and you're right, everything is local. But up here in NSW very little is. The local police have Lancers, iLoads, Pajeros as well as the odd FG2 Falcon, Camry and SS HP. The local paramedic cars are Rangers and Skodas.

Personally? I'll be looking for a new car around 2016 and my head is saying Focus ST but my heart is saying FH XR6T/XR8. I'll see how the finances are around then. The next car after that (so 2019) would most likely be a SUV (Explorer?)

[RedHotGT]

Originally Posted by Focused

The Victorians seem very patriotic but the rest of the country is much less so. I used to live in Melbourne around 4 years ago, and you're right, everything is local. But up here in NSW very little is. The local police have Lancers, iLoads, Pajeros as well as the odd FG2 Falcon, Camry and SS HP. The local paramedic cars are Rangers and Skodas.

Personally? I'll be looking for a new car around 2016 and my head is saying Focus ST but my heart is saying FH XR6T/XR8. I'll see how the finances are around then. The next car after that (so 2019) would most likely be a SUV (Explorer?)

Now there is a question I hadn't asked...

What will the Police use has Highway Chasers??
Not the 300C SRT8 surely??

[RedHotGT]

For the record, my daily drivers are a '05 Territory Ghia and an '01 AU Ghia V8.
The AU will be the first to go (because I would prefer a 6+ seater) and would look at a range of 2nd hand cars to replace it ranging from a 10 yr old XR6T, to a Ssanyong Stavic or a Toyota Previa 3.5lt V6.

The Territory replacement is more likely to be a new (or near-new) car, and would possibly be a 2012-2015 (or thereabouts) diesel Territory Ghia, a Toyota Kluger (or equivalent), or maybe a Kia Carnival (or equivalent).

My thoughts on racing categories are a bit here and there. I enjoy watching racing (just about any category - so long as it is competitive) though I really enjoy watching Group C racing, Muscle Car Masters, etc etc...
I'll keep watching V8 Supercars regardless, though I think I'd find myself following specific drivers rather than cars/brands.

[Vormund]

I'll just answer the first two questions with one answer:

Chrysler 300C, Hyundai Genesis (sedan and coupe) Mustang, Dodge Charger (if they decide to bring it here)

I know GM has the Camaro but they seem really reluctant to bring it out anywhere. Maybe next generation.

[D Block]

Hybrid Camry is the King of taxi fleet in Brisbane.

[D Block]

Post 2017, have to look at US Ford. But not going down that path blindly. Build, quality is my main concern there. Euro Fords, in my eyes still have issues over durabilty of components and finished. They always look shabby before their time.

[sbcb]

Pretty sure I stick with maintaining old after cool dies.
This means I need to accept I won't be riding in 800cc triple turbo supercharged hybrid diesel with 500kw & 0.5lt/100km and my smart phone can park and drive it.

[Gadgetman]

Does it matter? Its not as if there isn't much of a choice is there?

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

Does it matter? Its not as if there isn't much of a choice is there?

Cannot tell if serious or taking the ****.

Choice is one factor that leads us to 2017. How many different makes and models can you buy here?

**** tons.

[RedHotGT]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

Does it matter? Its not as if there isn't much of a choice is there?

The amount of choice is part of the reason that Toyota/Ford/Holden have shut up shop!

So yes - there is plenty of choice - hence the question!!

[BroadyFord]

I'll be buying whatever Ford is designed and/or engineered here.

[uranium_death]

I hope Ford bring in the Fusion or something similar. A good-looking vehicle.
Have some performance options too, but available in small numbers.

Great looking vehicle.

[mik]

If i was cashed up after 2017, i would probably buy a lexus, i'm still an old ford bloke at heart, but i like the way lexus build cars.

[GT69]

I have already moved on unfortunately. Will continue sticking with Ford. Own a PX Ranger and Focus ST now. In 2016 I'll be updating to new Ranger and Mustang (in 2018)

[Spammy]

NSW HWY Patrol have been testing Volvo sedans for some time.

Many countries outside Australia have high way patrol cars that are not hotted up Falcodores and seem to survive...Germany/ UK are two examples that spring to mind.

[D Block]

If they have been testing Volvos for some time it suggests that they are really only PR exercise much the same as FG GT.
Senior Police and guys in the garages love cars and any chance to fang in something different is readily taken. Trouble is Cop cars get written off quite regularly and trying to explain to the commissioner that you lost 3 X $75000 Volvos this week means the cheaper just as capable option will always win out.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by D Block

If they have been testing Volvos for some time it suggests that they are really only PR exercise much the same as FG GT.
Senior Police and guys in the garages love cars and any chance to fang in something different is readily taken. Trouble is Cop cars get written off quite regularly and trying to explain to the commissioner that you lost 3 X $75000 Volvos this week means the cheaper just as capable option will always win out.

I honestly think that the current HWP cars are inappropriate. Considering how many kms they do, they should all be driving LPG Falcons. They don't actually need that much power - adequate performance would do. How often are they chasing 911s? And if they were, they'd pull out of the chase once they reach 160km/h or so anyway.
Medium sized cars (Ecoboost Mondeos or AWD Libertys) would do perfectly IMO. I think they've just created a culture whereby they get SS or XR6Tees because they WANT them, not because they NEED them.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Focused

I honestly think that the current HWP cars are inappropriate. Considering how many kms they do, they should all be driving LPG Falcons. They don't actually need that much power - adequate performance would do. How often are they chasing 911s? And if they were, they'd pull out of the chase once they reach 160km/h or so anyway.
Medium sized cars (Ecoboost Mondeos or AWD Libertys) would do perfectly IMO. I think they've just created a culture whereby they get SS or XR6Tees because they WANT them, not because they NEED them.

Personally I'd be happy to see them in F6"s and GTs,, most of the time they may not go full throttle , but if they need to they should have the capability to get there quick.

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by D Block

If they have been testing Volvos for some time it suggests that they are really only PR exercise much the same as FG GT.
Senior Police and guys in the garages love cars and any chance to fang in something different is readily taken. Trouble is Cop cars get written off quite regularly and trying to explain to the commissioner that you lost 3 X $75000 Volvos this week means the cheaper just as capable option will always win out.

My neighbour is snr Hwy patrol -- not a PR exercise at all. They like the AWD element of the performance sedans ...easier to explain 3x $75k than 8x $45k and 4x funerals.

[D Block]

Originally Posted by Spammy

My neighbour is snr Hwy patrol -- not a PR exercise at all. They like the AWD element of the performance sedans ...easier to explain 3x $75k than 8x $45k and 4x funerals.

Still a PR exercise like the Porsche and like the FPV and the F6's, HSV's, WRX etc. Manufacturers like to massage there products image every now and then especially if sales are slow so they give Emergency Services etc a good deal on their Hero models and spin a bit of BS about product development, calibrating to local conditions, durabilty testing etc, to get some mutually benficial PR.

Personal opinion is long shifts, distraction, excessive work load, time of day would have more to do with HWP accidents than whether they are driving a Volvo or an Aurion, Commodore, Falcon.

[GS608]

I'll be moving on, nothing in the Ford range entices me anymore..Falcon is it..after that I'll be trading into a euro..AMG comes to mind..start saving for a 2014 E63

[JG34JA]

Back to Europe after 30 years of local cars since we moved here.
Rangies, Jags, Golf/Audi small cars & AWD snow wagons, those C63 AMG's seem to do the V8 sedan niche remarkably well, so heaps of choice... but whether buying new here and paying 2 x the price the rest of the world does for the same product, dunno...

[b0son]

Originally Posted by JG34JA

Rangies, Jags, Golf/Audi small cars & AWD snow wagons, those C63 AMG's seem to do the V8 sedan niche remarkably well, so heaps of choice... but whether buying new here and paying 2 x the price the rest of the world does for the same product, dunno...

We have no need of ADRs soon ... I wonder if the government do the sensible thing and adopt euro rules, and whether that will have any impact on price.

At the very least, grey importing should be made a whole lot easier without a local industry to protect.

Imagine being able to buy a car on the net from the other side of the world and having it shipped here.....

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by b0son

We have no need of ADRs soon ... I wonder if the government do the sensible thing and adopt euro rules, and whether that will have any impact on price.

At the very least, grey importing should be made a whole lot easier without a local industry to protect.

Imagine being able to buy a car on the net from the other side of the world and having it shipped here.....

And maybe no need for a luxury car tax to protect LTD, Fairlane, Fairmont Ghia, Caprice, Statesman and Calais sales.

[Guzz226]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

And maybe no need for a luxury car tax to protect LTD, Fairlane, Fairmont Ghia, Caprice, Statesman and Calais sales.

All good except you overlook Governments of all types are addicted to revenue like a fat kid to cake and won't readily give up an income stream if they don't have to.

Would be really surprised if they dropped the LCT - afterall it applies to Australian cars as well as the imports so wasn't protecting them at all. If anything protected the lower end cars - both locals and imports - by pricing the 'upmarket' cars that little bit further out of reach.

The only protection given to local cars was import tariffs - and they have been eroded over the years arguably contributing to the situation.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

And maybe no need for a luxury car tax to protect LTD, Fairlane, Fairmont Ghia, Caprice, Statesman and Calais sales.

No, but we have 6 years of debt creation and wasting to pay off...