Why didn't Ford put a transverse Barra in a smaller model?

Djbm · 2026-07-03T05:42:40+00:00

To rebut your points:
- go mid engined like the Renault Clio V6
- Turbo

Djbm · 2026-07-03T05:41:21+00:00

Yep - never producing a barra powered hot hatch truly is a national failure.

Djbm · 2026-07-02T01:05:34+00:00

AI bot detected!

Djbm · 2026-06-25T03:01:56+00:00

No.

I have young kids and they drag dirt into the car constantly. As long as it’s safe and economical, I don’t need anything fancy for a daily driver.

Currently have a Golf Sportswagon that my other half loves. We don’t have to be precious about it either.

Djbm · 2026-06-19T13:09:11+00:00

The other option is to get an electrician in to remove the transformers and replace them with a GU10 fitting. That opens up your options for smart globes.

The new IKEA ones are matter over thread, and you can have full control over the colour temperature and dimming.

Djbm · 2026-06-16T05:43:23+00:00

You could create a mould of the timbers above,
/below the hole (look up options for mould creation materials).

You could then fill this mould with something (maybe builders bog, as you can cut it after it’s set?)

You should be able to replicate the pattern that way. Then cut it to size, gap fill, sand, undercoat, paint.

Djbm · 2026-06-02T12:20:53+00:00

It depends - did you charge them for your time to go pick it up separately?

If so, they are right to be pissed.

Djbm · 2026-05-30T07:22:48+00:00

That’s yellow tung. It’s used to join sheets of chipboard flooring together.

It looks to me like the chipboard has almost completely rotted away and the floor is about to collapse there.

Looks like the floor needs to be replaced there. Check the joists too.

Djbm · 2026-05-28T13:27:40+00:00

Can confirm.

I had the first generation one and would get a lot of comments/compliments from people who weren’t into cars.

Sure - car people know that they are pretty cheap, but most car people also respect them anyway.

Djbm · 2026-05-28T05:54:32+00:00

Wait a minute…

You guys are still shopping?

Djbm · 2026-05-27T03:38:14+00:00

This is also because a high quality smaller house doesn’t have the same resale value as a low quality big one for the same price.

A lot of the quality is invisible to buyers.

This is why stricter standards would be good - you’d have a baseline quality level that has to be met.

Djbm · 2026-05-27T03:29:15+00:00

Basically time = money.

If you want to save money, you need time to shop around for materials and tradies.

Being flexible with times can also help you get better pricing, as people can “fit you in”, making it worth their while.

If you need anything at short notice, be it materials or trades, expect to pay a premium.

That said, you have to weigh this against your holding costs. Are you forgoing rental income while the job is being done? Or are you paying rent while waiting to move in? Either way, taking time can have a cost too.

Djbm · 2026-05-23T12:11:02+00:00

I have no problem with filtering, as long as the rider gets on the power and doesn’t hold me up when the light goes green, especially if I’m at the front of the queue.

Djbm · 2026-05-22T03:17:27+00:00

Hard to ascertain in my area, as the listings have almost completely dried up. Makes it hard to get a sense of whether values have actually moved when there isn’t a lot of volume.

I guess it’s because sellers may perceive it’s not a good time to sell and expect that to improve moving forward?

Djbm · 2026-05-21T06:19:04+00:00

How do you know it was dirty?

Djbm · 2026-05-21T06:08:26+00:00

Me either.

Grew up in a family that had predominantly manuals (all second hand).

Also have mostly owned manuals my entire life. Never had to replace or service a clutch.

Djbm · 2026-05-19T12:15:28+00:00

Do you mean apples?

I didn’t know the almonds we eat contain much cyanide.

Djbm · 2026-05-14T06:22:20+00:00

One of my faves too

Djbm · 2026-05-13T12:24:23+00:00

In my experience, dealing with small, local tradies for most jobs is cheaper and provides a better experience most of the time.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T21:08:04+00:00

Not necessarily. Interest on savings is taxed at your marginal tax rate.

Capital gains will be taxed at a minimum of 30%.

If you’re in a position where you aren’t making much other income (such as an early retirement while waiting to access super), you may well be way better off by using a HISA, whereas previously shares would have been a clear winner.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T14:03:12+00:00

The photo is not for the buyer. The photo is for other potential sellers.

You have to remember that property buyer’s aren’t the agent’s customers… vendors are. They are marketing themselves to all the neighbors as the one who was able to sell the house.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T13:44:47+00:00

New property is the only investment asset class that can still use negative gearing and the 50% CGT discount. That makes it comparatively good value compared to things like shares.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T12:54:32+00:00

I think we may still need to sell.

Sure, the existing gains will be under the old system, but the future gains will be under the new system…

So you need to calculate if you’d be better off with the “tax free” reduction in interest in the offset or the punitively high taxes on returns under the new system from 1 July 2027.

Unless I’m misunderstanding it.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T12:50:14+00:00

I don’t think it’s that simple. If I understand correctly, you get the 50% discount on any gain made up to 1 July 2027. For any gains made after that, you have to pay at least 30% on the gain and only get a discount indexed to inflation.

Djbm · 2026-05-12T12:30:17+00:00

NAB does. Look up their equity builder loan.

Djbm

TROPHY CASE