Is 4wd getting too expensive !!

[MattNQ]

One thought that has crossed my mind - household appliances are getting cheaper. Power tools, mowers, Technology is getting cheaper - gennies, solar, computers, cameras etc

Why not cars? mass production, global model platforms, parts sharing between models and even manufacturers, robotic or cheap labour for parts. Thinner sheet metal, more plastics, Computer simulations will get the design for dynamics & handling probably 95% of the way there before real world testing is required.

Why are the  200 Series Kluger  and new Datsun Fatroll priced to infinity and beyond? (ok, I've watched too much toy story...)

[lilstookie]

Depends if your keeping up with the jones or obeying reality really.
We have  a cheaper camper trailer and get the same result parked up next to the big $$$models.
Our 2nd hand 105 series was also cheap being petrol and I can fix petrol stuff, limited electronics and easy to work on.
I like to think I can fix most things that might strand us on the side of the road.......but stuff is always likely to break and it's just the way it is.
I'd have to say though since owning our first "Australia's toughest 4wd" (allegedly) it's been a complete piss weak pussy whinging bitch compared to our old jackaroo.......

Our $200 solar panels from eBay get used every day and are still pumping out the power......I didn't pay 4 x more for the same result but getting the same result.

Anyway....each to their own the memories and the adventure is why we are in it, not for the slickest camper or car

[Bird]

One thought that has crossed my mind - household appliances are getting cheaper. Power tools, mowers, Technology is getting cheaper - gennies, solar, computers, cameras etc

Why not cars? mass production, global model platforms, parts sharing between models and even manufacturers, robotic or cheap labour for parts. Thinner sheet metal, more plastics, Computer simulations will get the design for dynamics & handling probably 95% of the way there before real world testing is required.

Why are the  200 Series Kluger and new Datsun Fatroll priced to infinity and beyond? (ok, I've watched too much toy story...)

I'll agree with that. $100k for a car? not in this lifetime.

[Alan Loy]

One thought that has crossed my mind - household appliances are getting cheaper. Power tools, mowers, Technology is getting cheaper - gennies, solar, computers, cameras etc

Why not cars? mass production, global model platforms, parts sharing between models and even manufacturers, robotic or cheap labour for parts. Thinner sheet metal, more plastics, Computer simulations will get the design for dynamics & handling probably 95% of the way there before real world testing is required.

Why are the  200 Series Kluger  and new Datsun Fatroll priced to infinity and beyond? (ok, I've watched too much toy story...)

There is a lot more "fruit" in new cars. Cars are cheaper (in one sense).  Remember when heaters, radios, air con, ABS, electric mirrors, power steering, disc brakes were options or only in high end cars.

[gclan]

I live for any chance to get out in the bush, and have no qualms at all about spending my husband's money on the trucks,

I think I jinxed myself. We blew the rear diff on the weekend

[Brij]

My base speck '94 diesel Paj cost $47000 (according to Redbook) when new. The top'o'line Exceed was about $70000 and a bit.

Nearly 20 years later a GLX Paj is RRP $50990, Exceed - $73990.

My sister bought he first new car, a "$19990 Nissan Pulsar in the late 1990s.

Guess how much a Nissan Pulsar is today? $18990.

I think all the "increased costs" we have to put up with is the increased service costs (labor costs, more "unrepairable/unserviceable" units), a larger quantity of "toys" (bigger fridges, solar panels, everybody has to have an ARB catalogue grafted to their vehicle) etc

Peter

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

I totally agree, it's a kind of lifestyle, it's a way we should enjoy. But for me i'm interested in 4WD outback driving trip, so it can be both lifestyle or hobby to me.

sums it right up

[noel_w]

It gets even harder when you have an aussie muscle car hobby as well!!

Swannie

I thought you had a Torana 

[Footy Shorts Shane]

I thought you had a Torana 

Ouch.

(But piss funny  )

[Barry G]

My 12 year old tug and 16 year old Aussie soft floor camper cost approx $19,000 all up.
Have probably spent another $5,000 on fridge, dual battery system, solar panels, rear fit out, etc.

$24,000 for a set up like mine is relatively cheap, but still need to have the discretionary income to afford it.

Certainly possible to get out there for far less than that if you cant afford it, and just add the extras slowly.

Apart from mud / sand / high country, there aren't too many places a regular car cant take a light camper trailer.  People were doing it for years before the advent of modern 4x4 trucks, and roads were a lot worse then.

"Take it slowly" is possibly the best 'accessory' available, and it is FREE.

[Swannie]

I thought you had a Torana 

Very funny .... Not

[Swannie]

Ouch.

(But piss funny  )

And you should know better
Swannie

[scarps]

Yes! Summer is coming, it's time to start an amazing 4WD outback trip and it's time to take a adventure of 4WD driving competition, this time i must win my those mates.Lol.

i don't understand your comment here? Please explain?

[scarps]

Yes! Summer is coming, it's time to start an amazing 4WD outback trip and it's time to take a adventure of 4WD driving competition, this time i must win my those mates.Lol.

are you sure Summer is coming?

[Swannie]

WTF

[dazzler]

4wd repairs are no more expensive really than a normal vehicle and unless they are treated harshly (dont treat them like a submarine for example) they will be just as reliable as any other vehicle.

I find it amazing how much people spend on CT's but then again people would have choked on what I spent on rally cars.  Back in the mid 90's we raced a rear wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer and were running 1st in class and close to some of the 4wd turbo cars.  The only way we did this was to put new front tyres on after every second stage and put the old fronts on the back.  We would use up $400 each time and there was normally 8 stages so there goes $1600 just in tyres. 

Later on, we were rallying just for fun and would get three rallies out of a set and just had fun. 

The 'electronics' issue is really a furphy.  They are no more likely to stuff up than an older vehicles coil, electronic ignition, points or distributor drive.  Or clutch, or axle etc.

[scarps]

WTF

yeah, I'm still confused too

[briann532]

I'm going down down down down...........

http://www.capetownmagazine.com/weather-cape-town/cape-town-four-seasons-in-one-day/160_22_17571

Who cares about the weather. Its camping. Muntu light the braai............

Disclaimer ( Now before anyone goes all green/ P.C. on my little donkey......... I'm being tongue in cheek and am Rhodesian / Zimbabwean so I can get away with it    )

[noel_w]

Very funny .... Not

Sorry, Swannie could not resist.

I'm just jealous.

[Bird]

For some people it is becoming too expensive... lots of people don't have the extra cash at the end of th week they did pre kids, when both were working...
... cant go need new tyres, cant go car needs service, cant go shocks are rooted.

I know numerous people in this boat... it sucks.

[noel_w]

For some people it is becoming too expensive... lots of people don't have the extra cash at the end of th week they did pre kids, when both were working...
... cant go need new tyres, cant go car needs service, cant go shocks are rooted.

I know numerous people in this boat... it sucks.

I know only too well....

[scarps]

For some people it is becoming too expensive... lots of people don't have the extra cash at the end of th week they did pre kids, when both were working...
... cant go need new tyres, cant go car needs service, cant go shocks are rooted.

I know numerous people in this boat... it sucks.

agree, my best saying is 'I found cash again when I stopped paying school fees, text books, excursions, school charity days, etc and both our boys went to public school.  We never seemed to stop handing out the cash......

Now they're somewhat grown up, we still have to feed them(and all their friends), but they're funding their lifestyle, not me.

[Black Diamond]

For some people it is becoming too expensive... lots of people don't have the extra cash at the end of th week they did pre kids, when both were working...
... cant go need new tyres, cant go car needs service, cant go shocks are rooted.

I know numerous people in this boat... it sucks.

Not forgetting the price of bloody fuel  even Autogas is through the roof at nearly 90c WTF??

BD

[scarps]

Anyone notice the price of fuel went up 15/20c litre when the Gov banned the supermarket fuel vouchers 10c, 20c, 30c, and I even managed to get some 40c off a litre. Gov stopped them because of competition laws, and yep, it went up!

[GeoffA]

Was it ever cheap??