Read previous letters to the Carsales Network here
Send your submissions to Editor@CarPoint.com.au
High time for turbocharged changes (more here)
A 110 or 125kW turbodiesel with 350Nm/400Nm of torque is no slower than a Impreza WRX or Golf GTI. 2.0L TD's are set to exceed the 500Nm mark by next year - Good Legislation!
John Smith
CN says: It's been our experience that a 125kW turbodiesel won't see which way a WRX went. They're easier to drive because of the torque and that kind of makes them an appropriate choice for younger drivers, doesn't it?
About time. Commonsense for L and P plates but will it stop the 10 or more wheelies a day and tyre smoke that blows into my loungeroom. Having observed these loons it's age related.
Rod Grubb
It's about time this was done. How can it be better for a teenager to drive a Hyundai Excel or a Daihatsu Charade made out of cardboard than a 10 year old Saab or Volvo with an LPT engine? I can't understand why there isn't just a definitive list published though. The need to apply for a ruling on a vehicle is bureaucratic nonsense (again...).
Gavin Ryan
The first law was not thought out properly. P platers where NOT allowed to drive a Suzuki Cappuccino (660cc turbo) but where allowed to drive a Honda S2000. Also most modern day 6 cylinder Holdens and Fords have more power than old day V8s...
Most European cars have a higher safety rating then most cars which young drivers are able to drive. Go Figure hey...
I recently went and did my motorbike test, I was SHOCKED! Why do they not teach the same things to learner drivers? Ask any Learner driver how many meters it would be for the 3 second gap at 60km/h?
Stay safe.
M Cooper
CN says: We're with you all the way -- except for the bit about the Suzuki Cappucino... You point out the inconsistency of the legislation, which is fair enough, but then appear to suggest that inexperienced drivers should be allowed to drive the Suzy?
If L and P platers can't drive cars that have a bit of power then how are they suppose to learn when they have there full licence and when they buy a car that has power there going to kill themselves because there not going to know the power of vehicles give us some experience in this matter and we will drive good. So GIVE US A BREAK.
Adrian
CN says: Drivers are unlikely to learn how to control a high-performance car once they're off their Ps? P-platers are so receptive to learning new things, but once they pack away that little ornament the brain turns to mush. Is that what you're suggesting? The legislation doesn't forbid young drivers from driving high-performance cars on a racetrack. That would seem to be the logical forum for gaining experience. Join a car club.
Thank god this has been introduced. I find it very stupid that my old Audi which was a V6 and was more powerful than my new Audi but my new one was not allowed due to having a turbo. This is a good step.
Peter
L and P-plate plans (more here)
I'm about to get my licence, but I would like to know before I purchase my car, if these new rules have been put in place or if and when they will be.
Gianfranco
Bought a MY09 Forester, non-turbo only because the missus is on P plates. Now it looks like I could have got the turbo after all
'Frus Trated'
Daimler-BMW tie-up talk (more here)
It sounds fine, if the two merge it will make them even stronger, otherwise we may loose two of the finest car manufacturers we have. What one of them needs to do is offer "no frills" models with older model engines and gearboxes to be able to bring on a product that is $15,000 cheaper but shares the basic BMW/Benz dynamics. Either that or they create a cheaper brand. I think the later won't work as well. They could call the cheaper models "Commercial" or "Executive" or 320 without the "i". They have these basic models in Germany. I reckon they would then gain greater market share.
Troy Price
So they can take all BMW's money and leave them in the gutter like they did with Chrysler.
Paul
Genesis for me (more here)
I think that Hyundai is a brilliant car company, and I seriously wish people that "look" down upon Hyundai would realise that this is a good brand, I personally would choose a Hyundai over many car makers such as Toyota and Honda, actually after seeing the NEW V8 Rear wheel drive Hyundai GENESIS I know now how bloody good this car maker is, in fact. I LOVE YOU HYUNDAI
Bryige Ford
CN says: We're not romatically disposed to Hyundai, Bryige, but it's a company that's badly underestimated by people -- motoring enthusiasts -- who should be better informed than they appear to be.
Hyundai Australia are doing a HUGE disservice to themselves by not bring the Genesis to Australia. Both the sedan and the coupe are the BEST Hyundais ever to be produced and really demonstrate that they mean business, and it's obvious in America that these cars are hugely successful in doing that, yet Hyundai Australia want to keep the cheapo, boring, budget reputation that the company has down here. Get with it Hyundai Australia!
CN says: Hyundai, in start-up mode, is selling roughly 1500 units of Genesis per month in the US. Based on a per capita comparison with Australia, that would account for perhaps 10 cars a month sold here. That said, we can't believe that Hyundai Australia wouldn't sell a lot more than that. We pride ourselves on being rear-wheel-drive-friendly and no one's selling a locally-delivered 200SX any more. Seems like an opportunity missed there...
Nothing new (more here)
I really don't see how BMW are creating a segment here. Luxury hatch backs debuted decades ago: see original Camry hahahahahaha
mikmak
Q5 concern (more here)
A bit of a worry. I was going to look seriously at the Q5 but will wait a while and see if anything else pops up. Looks a stunner though up against the X3 and X5.
Kim Shipley
Audis are rubbish as are their sister cars VW, people should wake up to the fact buying euro trash is catching. I've worked with most euro brands and the two aforementioned brands are the worst for quality, buy Japanese and save yourself headache and heartache. Do we really need more soft road junk on our roads, if you must buy euro go the X factor: X5 and X3. Audis are pretenders not contenders !
Ron Poole
CN says: And the data to back up your statements can be found... where?
Right-sized RAV (more here)
When are they going to put disc brakes on the back of the Yaris.(My push bike has rear disc brakes.)? When are they going to bring out a Rav 4 sized Rav 4? I have a 98 Rav measuring 4.1 metres in length and weighing 1.295 tonnes. I also have a 2004 Rav measuring 4.2 m long and weighing 1.345 T. The current Rav 4 monsters measure 4.6 metres and weigh nearly 1.7 tonnes. When families are getting smaller and everyone is after smaller more fuel efficient cars, they're just getting bigger. Why?
Russ Scoffell
No to Tarago (more here)
The Tarago is too small, too expensive for what you get.
Ben
Mugen for my Jazz? (more here)
Do they have a mugen department to customise my Jazz Gli?
Phillip
CN says: Honda has a range of accessories generically named 'Modulo'. Your nearest Honda dealer should be able to help with this.
Mazda 3 number 1 (more here)
This journalist has no clue! the new Mazda 3 does not have lighter steering. It is spot on and very responsive, the ride on gravel is not harsh and the engine certainly does not lack punch its still the most powerful in its class, the SP25 will have 125KW!
Bob
CN says: Two separate journalists from the Carsales Network have now driven different variants of the new Mazda3 and expressed concerns that the steering is too light. That ends the argument as far as we're concerned.
Move over Maxima (more here)
I currently drive a 2004 Nissan Maxima ST-L; when I saw the American version I was sold and would have needed very little persuasion to buy it; as it is the 'new' Maxima does not impress visually and looks disappointing so I will be looking for another brand to replace my present car.
Alex
Tiguan tops (more here)
This is the only good looking SUV out there the Toyota Rav4 - stupid name and not to mention how its styling hasn't changed for ages and then there's BMW with its extremely hideous X3 which simply shouldn't exist. GO VOLKSWAGEN!
Jackson Neaves
Get some... (more here)
My opinion on this article is ... that some comments are crap. Mate, what's with using 'the full-welly...'? Does anyone out there know what that means anymore? How about that a 17in wheel rides better than the 18 with Airmatic. Ridiculous. Or that the E500 is not worthy over the 250 CDI. Come on mate, do you have nuts?
Stop being so soft and get some petrol back in your veins. Retirement must be near...
Johannes
CN says: "Welly" is short for "Wellington Boot", an item of footwear. "Full welly" is in common usage among motoring journalists as a colourful but concise way of saying that the driver employed full throttle for optimum acceleration. We can't even be bothered attempting to explain the rest. Enjoy your latest edition of 'John and Betty'.
No more plugs (more here)
I subscribed to Carpoint to get a newsletter, not a bloody Toyota ad!
Paul Anderson
CN says: Congratulations, you get both -- and it doesn't cost you a cent. Winner!
It's a bit of a shame that you give Toyota all this free advertising when ALL of the auto trade could do with some help.
Sid Whalan
CN says: It's a bit of a shame that you've either joined the ranks of Carsales Network readership only very recently, or you've forgotten past articles outlining sales incentive programs from Holden and other car companies.
This isn't an article. It's an unashamed plug for Toyota. Give us a break!
Stephen Marshall
CN says: Which leg?
Oiler over LPG HSV (more here)
As a previous HSV customer, I'd buy a turbodiesel HSV before I'd buy an LPG one.
Rob Gosling
What gets five? (more here)
Out of interest, what determines the safety rating given in the introduction? For so many electronic, active and passive safety systems (and the considerable standard kit), surely 3.5/5 is understated? What gets a 5 star rating?
James Prumm
CN says: Unlike other media outlets and NCAP, we don't rate any car as 100 per cent safe in the real world. So short answer: Nothing scores five out of five. As far as the Mercedes is concerned, if it were competing in class against the Proton Savvy, we'd happily give it 4.5 -- but it's not.
New Bond car (more here)
The two Aston Martin Concepts are good. Both will suit James Bond. So let's hope 007 will drive in his next mission in Bond 23.
Gambit
The next Focus? (more here)
I certainly hope not. the current model had some sort of class, that just looks like a squashed jellyfish... Good on Fiesta, horrible in that shot. But that's just my opinion
Chris
Ford Australia can't be serious. Look at the current evolution of the Focus. LS/LT/LV. These cars have style, and good looks. Just look at the current LV model in the XR5. I for one will refuse again to buy another Ford, because as a Focus owner, I see the European styled models as the ultimate in small car appeal.
This Australian model is an eyesore. It's almost as bad as the Taurus. Come on Ford Australia, employ better designers and compare it to what you can already buy. This is not a step forward, but a step back to the AU days.
You made that mistake, do not make it again.
Big D
It isn't April fool's day yet! That is DOG ugly! SSANGYONG, take a bow, someone is now copying your styling.
Blue
Do they actually want to sell some? Nobody except for Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles would buy something like that or is Marin Burela blind?
You would have thought that Ford would have learnt its lesson after the AU debacle...
Simon Jackson
Australia's got other motor cities (more here)
Given that it will be named the "Australian International Motor Show", you could always consider other capital cities instead of just Melbourne and Sydney if there are venue problems. I know it often comes as a shock to those of you that live in these cities, but there are actually other big motoring cities in Australia too. Adelaide hosts the hugely successful Clipsal 500, while the Gold Coast drew a decent crowd with Indy. Just a thought.
Anon.
CN says: There's no venue problem in Melbourne and the FCAI will sort out dates and venue for Sydney in plenty of time, we're sure. As far as other Australian cities go, if they can't attract exhibitors as is, changing the name to include 'International' is not going to make any difference. There is at least hope that the shows in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth will return, once the economic conditions improve. One further point in favour of the Sydney and Melbourne shows joining forces is that they can actually present as true 'international' motor shows -- and not just in name only.
Pontiac for US cops (more here)
Great to see more Aussie innovation... Full marks to Holden for biting the bullet and hopefully it comes off and production in Adelaide returns to normal... Pity the federal government doesn't help out Aussie made cars by offering tax cuts for their purchase... Then there's Anna Bligh driving around in the Chrysler 300C... What's the matter Anna? Aussie cars aren't good enough? Hope NSA and Holden make a motsa out of it
Geoff
On the Golf, new and old (more here)
I think the VW Golf of today is very different to its early ancestors. In terms of styling and looks it has more in common with other hatch backs of today. I think there is now a dumbing down in car design today. Manufactures seem to be producing cars that all look very similar. Maybe they are afraid of creating something to different from the competitors. Have a look at the shape of cars today. The lines are generally soft and curved. They seem to all slide into each other. There are few sharp or distinctive lines to distinguish one model from the next. In my opinion the only thing that really hasn't changed through the life of the VW Golf is name!
Hans Michael
CN says: Hans Michael, the Golf 6 looks very different from Golf 1, but today's VE Commodore also looks very different from the VB Commodore from 1978. Arguably, the Golf's styling has overstayed its welcome in the 'mature' end of the styling progress curve. Time for a radical break with tradition?
I think the new model was an overdue excuse to get rid of the ugly front grill, same as the new 7 series BMW got rid of that shocking rear end treatment. VW are just trying to put a good spin on it rather than admit that they got it wrong in the first place. Audi made the same mistake and they are fixing it now. Subaru seem to react quicker than either of the Germans to criticism of their styling disasters.
Mike Bateman
CN says: Wow, you're a hard man Mike. The Type 5 Golf doesn't look too bad in our eyes; certainly not like the previous 7 Series or the 2000MY Impreza.
Plug me in (more here and here)
I would buy a plug in Prius
John Warner
You really do wonder what GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc etc Designers have been up to in the immediate past. I remain astounded that the latest Toyota Prius DOES NOT have the 'trickle charge' from the grid enabled, further that the owners of said cars should be allowed Off Peak grid power for trickle charge overnight. Keep in mind it was US Prius Owners that 'discovered' the trickle charge facility was in their cars wiring looms and the controls/socket had been defeated by Toyota. Then again I am even more astounded that said Prius has a larger ICE Motor this year...
'deejay51'
CN says: In fairness to Toyota, the larger IC engine in the new Prius is said to be more economical than the previous car's -- and it's supposedly more driveable too.
Megane, Mito mismatched (more here)
I believe your comparison with the Megane RS against the Mito GTA is a little mismatched. Comparisons of the MITO should be likened to the Mini JCW or the new Clio RS. Megane and Focus compete in the next class above. Nevetheless it is heartening that you write positive reports on Alfa Romeos
Nando Lepore
Who needs a V8?(more here)
Who needs a V8 anyway when we have one of the best engines in the world made here... the wonderful I6 and I6 Turbo. Better than a V8 for sure.
Rick Harris
CN says: Rick, we agree with you, but how are you going to convince all the XR8 and GT owners out there?
Best Lambo yet... (more here)
Best super car produced by Lamborghini to date. Looking forward to the drive!
Tom Dowd
'Full of spring and vitality' (more here)
'spritely', not 'sprightly'.
Johannes
CN says: Beg to differ, Johannes... We're not talking about a Shakespeare play.
Read previous letters to the Carsales Network here
Send your submissions to Editor@CarPoint.com.au