The Car Thread ... !

[elf69]

U like bling...

here is a tiburon F2 engine from one of our club members...

My F2 never bee this good though!
the power steering pump and air intake manifold is polished up like chrome!

 

[bunnspecial]

@bunnspecial after all the hard work so far I may be forced to sell the 1300 VDP

I'm very sorry to hear that-you have certainly put a lot of work in to it!

My attraction to the Magnette is the shared chassis with the MGA, plus the fact that it's just a darn nice looking car and supposedly fun to drive. I've heard it described as the first "sports saloon"(or sports sedan in the US) which of course now is a staple class of cars.

BTW, I also strongly considered buying a '54 Riley RME. It was a beauty with an all original leather interior, but ultimately the scarcity of parts scared me away from buying it. The engine in it was quite strange to say the least. It had two camshafts that were mounted high in the block, although they still drove the valves via(very short) pushrods. Normally a pushrod engine has a single camshaft(even on a V engine) that's mounted very near the camshaft. On A and B series engines, it's to the right of the crank(with the front of the engine toward you) and driven by a timing chain. The spacing on a B block is about 6 inches. I have to say that I have never really even considered having dual camshafts in an overhead valve engine, and if I were going to go to that much trouble to move them that high in the block I'd have just gone ahead and made it an overhead cam. Still, though, it was an interesting novelty.

I'm keeping my eyes open for a nice Morris Minor also. Part of me wants the first revision with the flathead 958cc engine, but I have to wonder how driveable that would be in modern traffic(there is not a published 0-60 time for that version). On the other hand, a later one with an A series engine has a fair bit more oomph, and it doesn't take that much work to fit a 1275cc engine and gearbox from a Midget.

Nice cleanup and polish work! Obviously, the part has to be functional, but I do love a little engine bling

Thanks. It's not as good as I could have done by bead blasting and wet tumbling, which is what I think most of the professional rebuilders use. I'd considered tumbling in walnut(the same thing I do when I'm cleaning brass for reloading) but I've had issues in the past with getting all the media out of the nooks and crannies.

Ultimately, I did several steps. I first cleaned them ultrasonically in soapy water to get the worst of the grease and grime off. The aluminum parts got a VERY quick dunk in a boiling potassium hydroxide solution(30 seconds or so) followed by an immediate scrubbing in dish soap then deionized water. The steel parts got a strong acetic acid solution with some EDTA mixed in(amazingly enough, NO ONE at work has any oxalic acid) to get the rust off and again with good dish soap scrubbing and deionized water. All the metal parts went in the oven to dry before I did anything else. I then wire brushed everything.

The dash pot dome did get a bit of extra attention. I chucked it in the lathe and then wet sanded it, working down to 600 grit. I did a final polish with an aluminum oxide slurry.

 

[elf69]

my dad may have to give up his unit where the cars are as ill health and lack of work he cannot keep the unit going with no money.

Finished it is said to be valued at up to £6K

 

[duffman9000]

Anytime is appropriate for Beer O' Clock, except work and whilst driving.

A buddy told me that workers in Germany are afforded one beer per lunch. They've figured out the key to productivity!!

 

[Alphazoid]

ze neu Audi A7

Not bad...shame about the fake exhaust outlets tho. Also all touchscreen now which is a step back for me. Thought they nailed it with the A4/A5/Q5 approach. But they've decided to make this the baby A8 for all intents and purposes.

 

[ah1488]

I wish I had the time and money to sink into my love of cars.

It's probably for the best though, considering what I inexplicably want at the moment is this:

5.0 litre v10 TDI with monstrous amounts of torque and god-awful MPG.

Reasonably cheap and they come well equipped. It just seems ridiculously unnecessary. Also that face with its dopey look of self assurance is kind of charming

Allegedly quite expensive to maintain/repair though because the entire engine needs to be removed for some fairly routine things.

my father had one of those and it was great. i believe it was a 2007.
im a dodge fan and i currently have a dodge charger srt 392 which replaced my 2009 pontiac g8 gxp that my neighbor dropped a tree on while cutting it down. even though im a mopar fan i am trying to find a 2017 chevy ss in gray or black but they seem to be hard to find.

 

[0388631]

Not really feeling the taillights on the A7. That interior is so clinical, too.

 

[AustinIllini]

Not really feeling the taillights on the A8. That interior is so clinical, too.

I'm inclined to agree, however with interiors you kind of have to see them to know for sure. Photos are always super weird.

 

[0388631]

Sorry, that should say A7. I've edited it now, but I have the same feelings towards the new A8. Fairly bland over the outgoing model. You have a point. Though, and while not the same, I reserve similar sentiment towards other vehicles that have gone full touch.

 

[D.T.]

Still running my totally open front grill. At some point I will probably do something different, maybe when I have to remove it again (you know, to install a big intercooler )

One slight mishap - the ends where it wraps around, above the fender, have a tab that pushes and locks into place, every DIY about removing says, "Pull with moderate force and it will snap out". Well, unfortunately, sometimes it snaps _off_, like the tabs break because they're really delicate (in retrospect a knife in that slot would probably release the clips and greatly reduce the force).

So I Gooped my tab back on, it set just about perfect, the angle, position, everything and sure enough it snapped back in just like nothing had happened. That being said, I'm not sure if it'll survive another removal, so I'm looking at this product:

http://www.quik-latch.com/

A couple of S550 folks have used these, specifically to fix this problem, and it apparently works great! They make the external fastener in a number of colors - including black - so it kind of disappears.

U like bling...

here is a tiburon F2 engine from one of our club members...

My F2 never bee this good though!
the power steering pump and air intake manifold is polished up like chrome!

Nice. Yeah, my Supra had anything that could be polished, well, polished Intake manifolds, turbo, pipes, brackets, braces, plus all the wiring nicely tucked like that photo. So little metal under hoods now, composite IMs, plastic covers over everything.

 

[D.T.]

Woo! Installing new leather parts.

 

[elf69]

The silver 1998 tiburon went to testing station today to get it's certificate.

would of passed too, but while under test brake pipe ruptured!
at least it be back on road wednesday!

Not bad for a free car!

had some comments on brakes too so, ebay:
2x front discs £18.99
2x rear discs £14.19
front pads £17
rear pads £9.99

Love how cheap the tibby is for parts!

 

[D.T.]

Woo! Installing new leather parts.

These pieces are very nicely made, leather seems like decent quality, good color match.

They're just about a perfect match in terms of size - however, since they're not formed, they don't just "drop" onto the plastic mounting frames. It's a bit difficult, you have to carefully, position, glue them on, use clamps - and I even cut the corners like the OEM pieces. Also, it looks like the pieces will need to be slightly opened up to account for the e-brake handle and reverse lockout.

I've been gluing the e-brake boot a section at a time. It's not like swapping out an interior part like a shift knob.

Short version: not a "bolt on"


***


So we've started talking about keeping the T4R as a 3rd vehicle. If it was just used when we needed a heavy duty utility vehicle, beach, towing, the mileage would drop, it should last another several years (before any concerns over a major issue). We'd also have a ride we could be less careful with, I don't mean abuse, but it's nice to have something you can load 20 bags of mulch into and not sweat it too much.

It's also not like a modern, more "urban" SUV is going to be nearly as capable _as_ an SUV. I was surprised that Acura "doesn't recommend" towing with the Sport Hybrid MDX. WTSF?

So I'm thinking a sporty sedan, IS350, A4 (S4?), Ummm .... ?


or

A Charger Scat Pack 485HP, 8-speed, roomy, black with red interior so we'd have matching rides. She does dig on muscle cars

 

[0388631]

I wouldn't call the IS350 sporty. The S4 is a great choice. If I were shopping in that compact segment, I'd personally go for a loaded 340i with the MSPPK option. For the price of any of those vehicles, the Camaros are a great deal. Not a compact, but neither are any of the vehicles deemed compacts.

 

[quagmire]

I wouldn't call the IS350 sporty. The S4 is a great choice. If I were shopping in that compact segment, I'd personally go for a loaded 340i with the MSPPK option. For the price of any of those vehicles, the Camaros are a great deal. Not a compact, but neither are any of the vehicles deemed compacts.

General impression I get is the IS350 has one of the best chassis probably just behind the Cadillac ATS/Camaro Alpha platform.

 

[bunnspecial]

Ready to go on the car!

 

[D.T.]

I wouldn't call the IS350 sporty. The S4 is a great choice. If I were shopping in that compact segment, I'd personally go for a loaded 340i with the MSPPK option. For the price of any of those vehicles, the Camaros are a great deal. Not a compact, but neither are any of the vehicles deemed compacts.

4-door is a requirement. I'm 98% sure I'd move up to a 5-series if/when I shop BMW. Disagree about the IS350, it's a sporty little sedan, especially with the F Sport package. I previously had a Lexus GS however, that might be more in line with the size I'm thinking about.

 

[0388631]

General impression I get is the IS350 has one of the best chassis probably just behind the Cadillac ATS/Camaro Alpha platform.

Odd comparison.

4-door is a requirement. I'm 98% sure I'd move up to a 5-series if/when I shop BMW. Disagree about the IS350, it's a sporty little sedan, especially with the F Sport package. I previously had a Lexus GS however, that might be more in line with the size I'm thinking about.

Steering in the 3IS is as good as a BMW. Actual driving dynamics are a bit short. 3IS steering and driving dynamics are night and day compared to our 2IS, though. The F Sport package is a requirement to feel sporty. Though I'd hold off from the IS, as I believe it's due for a refresh in 2019, so you might score a deal on an outgoing model. You could get the GS F. Dealers routinely offer 7-15K off here. I personally don't feel comfortable in the 3IS compared to the 2IS. The 3IS seats are a tight fit for tall individuals. It's a great looking car, though. I won't deny that. I don't mind the Predator grille either. What GS?

The new 5 will or may be coming out with its own M Performance power and sound kit within the next year. If you're not in a rush. I don't know the true figures for what a B58 from a 340i puts out, but I recall it putting out close to 380 with the MSPPK in a video or two of owners who dyno'd their car. As you will know, the Germans love to sandbag their performance numbers.

I'm in the same boat as you though. I need or rather I want a new car and am waiting to be a year out from the E wagon, and 2018 will mark four years on our other car. No plans on getting rid of the 2IS. That car is just so damn useful around town. I think @A.Goldberg's father recently bought a 3IS or I've got him confused with someone else. They are very good luxury cars that are easy on the wallet. What's held Lexus back for a long time was powerplants and their navigation software. Lexus is pushing the envelope, albeit slowly, with their powerplants but their software still needs work.

Not making a joke here, but have you guys considered the new V6 Camry? I think it looks fantastic and sounds great for a Camry.
[doublepost=1508894748][/doublepost]Alternatively, you could preorder the new M5 and that'll be a fantastic family car.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Odd comparison.



Steering in the 3IS is as good as a BMW. Actual driving dynamics are a bit short. 3IS steering and driving dynamics are night and day compared to our 2IS, though. The F Sport package is a requirement to feel sporty. Though I'd hold off from the IS, as I believe it's due for a refresh in 2019, so you might score a deal on an outgoing model. You could get the GS F. Dealers routinely offer 7-15K off here. I personally don't feel comfortable in the 3IS compared to the 2IS. The 3IS seats are a tight fit for tall individuals. It's a great looking car, though. I won't deny that. I don't mind the Predator grille either. What GS?

The new 5 will or may be coming out with its own M Performance power and sound kit within the next year. If you're not in a rush. I don't know the true figures for what a B58 from a 340i puts out, but I recall it putting out close to 380 with the MSPPK in a video or two of owners who dyno'd their car. As you will know, the Germans love to sandbag their performance numbers.

I'm in the same boat as you though. I need or rather I want a new car and am waiting to be a year out from the E wagon, and 2018 will mark four years on our other car. No plans on getting rid of the 2IS. That car is just so damn useful around town. I think @A.Goldberg's father recently bought a 3IS or I've got him confused with someone else. They are very good luxury cars that are easy on the wallet. What's held Lexus back for a long time was powerplants and their navigation software. Lexus is pushing the envelope, albeit slowly, with their powerplants but their software still needs work.

Not making a joke here, but have you guys considered the new V6 Camry? I think it looks fantastic and sounds great for a Camry.
[doublepost=1508894748][/doublepost]Alternatively, you could preorder the new M5 and that'll be a fantastic family car.

Yeah, my dad recently purchased a CPO IS350 AWD w/14k miles. He does a lot of driving- Home base in on CT, he has an office in NYC and Boston now, and spends a lot of the weekends on the summer in Rhode Island. Driving an estimated 50k+/year you be really couldn’t beat the Lexus reliability and dependability. On top of it Lexus offers 6 year/unlim mileage b2b warranties from the originals date of purchase. His is a 2015 model year but wasn’t sold until 2016... so he’s effectively covered though (April?) 2022. That’s a tough deal to beat.

I would disagree that the IS is not “sporty”. The IS250 I certainly wouldn’t call sporty with its subpar power. My dad’s is a non-F Sport model (he wasn’t looking for an even tighter suspension and less ground clearance). I think it handles quite well compared to the other vehicles in its class and among the best... and is only improved with the highly bolestered seats (even on the non-F) and cockpit like interior). I haven’t driven the current 3-series in a while but as I recall it drove less like a sports sedan than it used to- it’s much much more of a passengers car than a driver’s car. Most of my A4 experience is tainted by my mom’s Allroad, which doesn’t drive quite like a regular A4 with the different suspension. Generally speaking I think I’d say the IS has a better balance of sport and comfort, whereas the regular A4’s are more sport oriented. His IS350 does a good job soaking up the bumps to a very defined point, and then things get quite harsh.

I think the IS350 is a great choice, the IS300 is a sensible package too. The IS200t and 250 are short on power (and the 200t lacks the AWD option, I’m not sure if that’s a concern for @D.T. though). The 2017 models offer the benefit of more safety options and a larger infotainment screen, but again it’s hard to beat the CPO deals.

I don’t find the seats unfit for tall drivers, but if you have a fat @$$ you might have a problem.

My mom’s Audi has had pretty good reliability, but repair costs are absurd. Given the mileage my dad drives he didn’t want to risk dealing with the German reliability/repair cost concerns. He also looked at the GS, but really didn’t want to get something that large, especially with all the city driving and parking he does. Besides he kept his RRS. Strangely a used GS350 and IS350 are quite similar in price. The ES of course was out of the question with its Camry-like looks, boat-like dynamics, large size, and lack of AWD option).

So I'm thinking a sporty sedan, IS350, A4 (S4?), Ummm .... ?

 

[0388631]

I'm just not seeing the sportiness of it. I drove a 2017 IS350 earlier in the year because I was tempted to trade ours in. I'm 6'4 and found the 3IS seating to cramp my upper back. Too much bolstering to accentuate what Lexus is trying to say with the vehicle being sportier or sporty at best compared to the competition. Which is odd as I find the bolstering in smaller cars such as a TT or 911 far more comfortable. The buttocks portion of the IS seat is fine, the back is not. And overall, I prefer back support and comfort more than butt comfort. One issue I do take with the 3IS, even when loaded with premium comfort options, is that the front passenger seat suffers from some back comfort options made available to the driver only. Which is a shame as this is something Lexus could offer to upend the competition. With the seats low and as back as they can for my driving comfort, the 3IS and 2IS still make for some leg room in the back. I've tried it on our 2IS. A half hour to an hour trip as a passenger wouldn't irritate me, but my legs would likely stiffen. On the other hand, compared to most cars in its class, the back seating room with normal seating positions for front passengers is very, very good. Way more comfortable than a C or a 3er.

I commented on limited car choices this year. Being tall and married to someone who's quite tall results in tall kids. Especially when puberty rolls around. So, as a result, you kinda have to think ahead. I recently tested it, but the outgoing A7 sedan is really comfortable for me. I also love that car's design. That said, over the last few decades I've lost count at how many times I've hit my head getting into a car.

On the IS200t... I honestly think it's the best IS you can get without spending much.

Currently, the E Wagon is still on the books. It offers comfort, power and room. Lots of room. It would make Costco hauls far more easier than with my GL. On the other hand, the new Porsche wagon is also interesting but I haven't seen it aside from pictures.

It'd be nice to have a daily closer to the ground. I'm more or less over having an SUV. Thought I don't think I'd have issue driving a US spec SQ7 with a gas engine ans putting more power and torque to the ground than the TDI variant, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like Audi much. On the other hand, if VAG got their head out of their ass and brought over the RS6 Avant.

 

[D.T.]

I would disagree that the IS is not “sporty”.

I'm just not seeing the sportiness of it.

It's a bit subjective, and I think AG's quotes help to emphasize that - they're not sports cars, they're sporty, or "sporty", i.e., the overall feel is a little more taut, there are engine options with above average power for the class, some have packages with tighter suspension, improved driver experience (seating for example).

I would disagree that the IS is not “sporty”. The IS250 I certainly wouldn’t call sporty with its subpar power. My dad’s is a non-F Sport model (he wasn’t looking for an even tighter suspension and less ground clearance). I think it handles quite well compared to the other vehicles in its class and among the best... and is only improved with the highly bolestered seats (even on the non-F) and cockpit like interior). I haven’t driven the current 3-series in a while but as I recall it drove less like a sports sedan than it used to- it’s much much more of a passengers car than a driver’s car. Most of my A4 experience is tainted by my mom’s Allroad, which doesn’t drive quite like a regular A4 with the different suspension. Generally speaking I think I’d say the IS has a better balance of sport and comfort, whereas the regular A4’s are more sport oriented. His IS350 does a good job soaking up the bumps to a very defined point, and then things get quite harsh.

I think the IS350 is a great choice, the IS300 is a sensible package too. The IS200t and 250 are short on power (and the 200t lacks the AWD option, I’m not sure if that’s a concern for @D.T. though). The 2017 models offer the benefit of more safety options and a larger infotainment screen, but again it’s hard to beat the CPO deals.

I don’t find the seats unfit for tall drivers, but if you have a fat @$$ you might have a problem.

My mom’s Audi has had pretty good reliability, but repair costs are absurd. Given the mileage my dad drives he didn’t want to risk dealing with the German reliability/repair cost concerns. He also looked at the GS, but really didn’t want to get something that large, especially with all the city driving and parking he does. Besides he kept his RRS. Strangely a used GS350 and IS350 are quite similar in price. The ES of course was out of the question with its Camry-like looks, boat-like dynamics, large size, and lack of AWD option).

Terrific input, to be honest, I forgot your Dad had an IS350. You're definitely talking around the cars I'm finding a good fit, the IS, A4, GS, etc. I don't want something frustratingly underpowered, but I also don't need to pay for excessive performance as this is for the wife/family. Since I'll drive it on occasion, I want it to still be _fun_, I don't want driving it to be such a dull experience that it's a chore.

It's highly likely we'd lease, I want an "always-in-warranty-no-cost" additional car. We've owned 3 BMWs in the past, all leased, only had concerns over mileage on one (it had over a year being used for a 50+ commute). For this car and plan, I'd be OK without AWD (vs. selling the T4R, where the replacement would *have* to have it).

 

[0388631]

I suppose that makes sense. The 3IS hugs the road better than the 2IS, though those tires you had me buy for the 2IS a while back certainly improved dynamics. 3IS suspension on the base suspension is pretty rigid, more-so than the 2IS, but the F Sport is even firmer. I don't think you forgot since he bought it about a month ago.

The Audi SQ5 is probably a good bet for you guys. It's a low to the ground SUV. Really good power (I'd read it makes 20-28 HP more than listed), AWD, really nice updated interior, not terribly expensive to option out. It's also fairly rare, at least here. I know they're a dime a dozen in the NE. I saw maybe 8 of them in NYC in a two day span. Alternatively, there's the Q5 which is cheaper (Prestige begins 4 under the SQ5) and is only .8 sec slower, not sure about quarter and half mile. Though you do miss out on some exterior and interior looks apart from power when you drop down from the SQ5.


On the other hand, you can get the SQ5 with metallic black with red quilted interior. Matching cars and all. Drivers Assistant Package should be picked. And, if you get the S Sport Package, you get better brakes and the calipers are red, too.


I've been going over cars with AG for a while and we both found it annoying the MBZ isn't updating the GLE interior like their E. MBZ has a weird habit of introducing updates really late and off key. Like offering the crap engine option on their best selling models and then offering more powerful engine. Sometimes 2-3 years later.

 

[A.Goldberg]

I'm just not seeing the sportiness of it. I drove a 2017 IS350 earlier in the year because I was tempted to trade ours in. I'm 6'4 and found the 3IS seating to cramp my upper back. Too much bolstering to accentuate what Lexus is trying to say with the vehicle being sportier or sporty at best compared to the competition. Which is odd as I find the bolstering in smaller cars such as a TT or 911 far more comfortable. The buttocks portion of the IS seat is fine, the back is not. And overall, I prefer back support and comfort more than butt comfort. One issue I do take with the 3IS, even when loaded with premium comfort options, is that the front passenger seat suffers from some back comfort options made available to the driver only. Which is a shame as this is something Lexus could offer to upend the competition. With the seats low and as back as they can for my driving comfort, the 3IS and 2IS still make for some leg room in the back. I've tried it on our 2IS. A half hour to an hour trip as a passenger wouldn't irritate me, but my legs would likely stiffen. On the other hand, compared to most cars in its class, the back seating room with normal seating positions for front passengers is very, very good. Way more comfortable than a C or a 3er.

I commented on limited car choices this year. Being tall and married to someone who's quite tall results in tall kids. Especially when puberty rolls around. So, as a result, you kinda have to think ahead. I recently tested it, but the outgoing A7 sedan is really comfortable for me. I also love that car's design. That said, over the last few decades I've lost count at how many times I've hit my head getting into a car.

On the IS200t... I honestly think it's the best IS you can get without spending much.

Currently, the E Wagon is still on the books. It offers comfort, power and room. Lots of room. It would make Costco hauls far more easier than with my GL. On the other hand, the new Porsche wagon is also interesting but I haven't seen it aside from pictures.

It'd be nice to have a daily closer to the ground. I'm more or less over having an SUV. Thought I don't think I'd have issue driving a US spec SQ7 with a gas engine ans putting more power and torque to the ground than the TDI variant, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like Audi much. On the other hand, if VAG got their head out of their ass and brought over the RS6 Avant.

I think if you’re super tall, German cars are generally a better fit. I have found Asian cars to generally be inherently designed for shorter drivers, not to say they can’t accommodate tall people, but the placement of things seems to be for naturally shorter people. Back seats and fixed height passenger seats always seem low too.

I found the back seat of the 3IS to be comfortable, but I’m pretty sure it has some of the worst dimensions in the class. If I’m not mistaken the interior dimensions of the current gen 3-series is about the size of an E60 5-series. The biggest problem with the 3IS is the window view is obstructed for anyone over like 5’8” and the passthrough/hump for the rear driveshaft is huge. As I recall the backseat of the 2IS is almost useless for adults (esp. if you’re 6’4”). I suppose if you have small children it’s not a big deal. The ATS and 3-series I think get you the most space in back.

In my opinion it’s hard to justify spending virtually the same amount of money on the IS350 when you can get a GS350, which gets you a lot more car. But obviously the GS is a much larger car.

I always found the interior of the ATS to be a bit behind the competition, but that aside it is a really great handling car. A surprising thing to say about a GM vehicle.

I supppse another option could be the S60 inscription. It’s not quite on the level of the German/Lexus makes but it’s overall a very good value.

My mom’s biggest complaint of her A4 Allroad has been the small size. It is a smaller car compared to her past cars- A6 allroad, ES, XC90, and XC70, etc. If she wants to stick with her wagons I don’t think you can beat the E-Class Wagon.

 

[0388631]

To be that person, it isn't so bad if you sway your legs to a side or spread them like an uncouth individual. While I don't recommend it, the 2IS rear seat is comfortable if you lay on it, which is fine if you're not in motion. The 3IS rear window incline is steeper than the 2IS, which makes it very hard to see out of, especially with two adults in the back. Your view is really limited. It would have helped if the rear headrests could be dropped like in a Volvo.

Yeah, the current 3er is as about as big as a very old 7, I think. Cars will continue to get bigger. A 2017 Civic is really big for a Civic. It's a combination of consumers wanting a bigger but not too big car and safety laws. Though, any tight fitting sedan can become a faux two seater or rather three seater with enough position changes.

 

[quagmire]

Terrific input, to be honest, I forgot your Dad had an IS350. You're definitely talking around the cars I'm finding a good fit, the IS, A4, GS, etc. I don't want something frustratingly underpowered, but I also don't need to pay for excessive performance as this is for the wife/family. Since I'll drive it on occasion, I want it to still be _fun_, I don't want driving it to be such a dull experience that it's a chore.

It's highly likely we'd lease, I want an "always-in-warranty-no-cost" additional car. We've owned 3 BMWs in the past, all leased, only had concerns over mileage on one (it had over a year being used for a 50+ commute). For this car and plan, I'd be OK without AWD (vs. selling the T4R, where the replacement would *have* to have it).

Have you also considered the Chevy SS? Could probably find a good deal on one and get the last great Australian car in history. Plus it would be a great sleeper car.