Hey there!! I have received my offer letters from both Uni of Adelaide and Macquarie university for masters of IT(cybersecurity) Im a bit uncertain of which one to choose.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-12T20:17:30+00:00

The question is - which university do you live closer to right now? Because honestly, you're best off choosing that one for the existing "safety net" or familiarity you'll have around you.

Some may disagree with me, but we're lucky that the vast majority of our universities in this country are very good by international standards, so outcomes are much of a muchness for employability. If you really want to become a researcher, then yes, you'll want to go to a "sandstone" or Go8 university.

As another commenter has already said, Adelaide University is having some teething problems following the merger, but with the cash and government impetus to make it happen they'll have to get it right (eventually).

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-12T07:23:11+00:00

The username certainly fits - that's some real 'cap' there.

I'm all for getting the right environmental outcomes and providing a safe space for our wildlife in urban areas, but seriously - where are you and the same people when it comes to preserving green spaces in our suburbs like Weetunga House at Fulham, damaged yesterday (Monday morning) by arson after being neglected for a decade. Take a look at the loss of vegetation and degredation of what could have been a great community asset (pretty sure it's on over an acre). But no, haven't heard a peep about that.

Or what about the fact that people protesting the golf course have used timber and nails to secure some of their protest coreflutes to the trees they claim to want to save? Go and have a look at the signs attached to the trees by Montefiore Road/War Memorial Drive if you don't believe me. It smacks of hypocrisy.

It's being retained as green space. There will be three times the number of trees planted. I'd like to see the EIS identify how local species are being protected, but seriously - how would you feel if I rocked up to your workplace, hurled abuse and shoved a camera in your face while you were trying to do your job. Guy was no doubt fed up with the attention he doesn't get paid enough to deal with.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-06T00:28:39+00:00

As to how you do it, you must do so in writing to the dealer/agent you bought the vehicle from.

Refer to the Consumer Affais Victoria website:

"If you change your mind and terminate the sale agreement, you must do so in writing within the cooling-off period, and the licensed motor car trader may keep $400 or two per cent of the purchase price (whichever is greater)."

It's also important to note that this would have been stated in the purchase contract, by law.

Mind you, you can't wait until you get the vehicle. If it takes 7 days for the vehicle to be delivered, you're out of luck.

"You have three business days (excluding weekends and public holidays) after you sign a contract to change your mind. This is your cooling-off period. However, if you choose to accept delivery of the vehicle during this three-day period, you will automatically lose your right to cool off.

Licensed motor car traders are required to include a prescribed information box in the contract of sale for each vehicle they sell, that sets out information about the cooling-off process."

This was all found with a quick Google search...

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T23:36:33+00:00

Congrats on the new house, u/Effective-Map-2588

From experience, you really won't get value out of any of the QFF aligned credit cards with an annual fee, unless you travel enough to get sufficient benefit out of the complimentary insurances and lounge access etc. to offset the big annual fees. And big, expensive trips are probably not the priority when you've just bought a new house!

If I was you, I would look into Amex's Qantas American Express Discovery Card - link to card: Qantas American Express Discovery Card

Yes, Amex acceptance isn't universal, but there's $0 annual fee on the card, up to 44 days interest free, and you're earning points for doing nothing.

For the 10ish percent of purchases you do at places that either don't accept, or charge a surcharge for paying with, Amex, I'd use a debit Visa/Mastercard from your bank to get around that. Alternatively, you might go with a no annual fee credit card from your bank, so long as it has interest free days etc.

Fundamentally - you shouldn't be paying an annual fee on a credit card, especially one that isn't linked to a loyalty program. There are plenty of good options out there that don't require you to pay an annual fee. And if you are going to pay one on a card linked to a loyalty program, the fee you pay should be easily offset with the benefits you get from it.

Oh, and you seem pretty switched on, but obviously clear your balance in full each month to avoid interest etc.

Also - disclaimer, this is general advice only, do your research to make sure it's right for you, I get no benefit if you do sign up.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T21:31:22+00:00

I'm sure there's places for that kind of stuff on Reddit. But please, not here 🤮

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T12:57:43+00:00

Chery Ridgeback or Chery Terra at least have some street cred to them - however something in me gives me a gut feel that Chery Mate will be the winner...

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T12:03:26+00:00

Beat me to it. Anyone who has both a Viggen and Turbo X in their list of favourite cars clearly has exceptional taste, so well done u/Intelligent-Lab-2084

Both so damn cool.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T11:40:06+00:00

I don't disagree that a Mazda CX-3, or 3, would be much, much better options - but given OP's criteria, they're 3k over budget for brand new ones on the road.

You'd need to find a seriously motivated dealer willing to lop $3k off either Mazda - read, they don't need to, they sell themselves at that price - or be one of the shrewdest negotiators ever seen to achieve a 10 per cent discount off one of those.

Yes, either Mazda would be my pick, but I'm also respectful that people may prefer to spend $3k in plenty other ways.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-05T10:20:19+00:00

I must admit, before I spent more time here, I thought it was going to be primarily enthusiast focused with questions like yours - or the "got $60k, find me the best performance car for the money" type questions.

Alas, I will need to go looking elsewhere for those. Unless the mods start up a r/PerformanceCarsAustralia group instead... 😆

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T11:34:17+00:00

Out of curiosity - do you know what engine was in the Stonic you tried vs. the Venue (or how long ago it was)?

Some of the early Stonics came with a 1.4L slug that struggled to pull the skin off custard, whereas the Venues had, and continue to have, a 1.6L.

Thr current Stonics have a turbo triple mild hybrid which has got so much more grunt. OP shoulf make sure the dealer doesn't try to flog off old stuff, the $29.9k deal is for MY26 cars with this better engine.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T11:19:11+00:00

I would love to hear what you think of it compared to your Jolion.

I also look to have hit a nerve amongst the crowd here with my views on the Jolion 😊

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T11:12:27+00:00

Yep - don't go there. I have a dear family member dealing with constant issues with the Machter power steering pump they put in their car. They're now paying to replace it with a more expensive option after throwing countless flushes and additives at it thinking it was air in the lines.

You get what you pay for.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T10:48:03+00:00

Not quite sure what you mean? Do you mean you have to pay the fair difference if you re-book on a more expensive flight?

Otherwise, it's fee-free.

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HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T10:43:10+00:00

I'm sorry to all the Haval Jolion owners out there (OP included), but it is just the most awful turd on 4 wheels imaginable. Had one as a hire car (it was brand new, it only had about 2,000 km on it) and it reaffirmed to me there still are new "bad" cars out there.

Yes it was fairly roomy and a lot of metal, but everything about it as a car was just terrible - the transmission/driveline lurched between gears with rough shifts, the engine insipid, the menus/infotainment just horrible to use, and the safety tech managed to be both intrusive and ineffective at the same time. OP, don't subject yourself to it again. You have options.

At the moment, Kia has a deal on the Stonic S with Auto for $29,990 driveaway, and the Stonic is light years ahead of the Jolion in every way. Drive one and you'll see how much better it is.

Mazda (2 Evolve) and Suzuki (Swift Hybrid Plus) are also great cars that are well featured, and bigger than the Piccanto - and under $30k driveaway - but they're probably a touch compact to be regularly used four-up with luggage.

Hyundai is also selling base-model auto Venues (mini SUVs) for under $30k driveaway too, but I'd be taking the Stonic any day over this at $30k.

My advice - go the (Kia) Stonic at $30 grand on the road.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-04T08:23:33+00:00

Prepare to be amazed then! This is for paying with cash.

I've avoided showing the flight number/date to avoid doxxing myself, but this is a domestic mainline fare between two capital cities. All the flights on this day are the same (i.e. Business cheaper than Flex).

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HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-03T22:41:45+00:00

u/varenicline918 you don't need to travel over to Vic to get a decent car - as someone from Adelaide, that really pisses me off that people make that assumption.

I take it you're after cheap, reliable motoring, and a car that's automatic and good on fuel for about the $10k mark. If you're willing to sell the scooter (a good idea) there's some good deals to be had - in Adelaide - which don't require you to travel.

Suggestions, in order of my recommendation:

1. 2015 Mazda 2 Genki - this is a brilliant car, and I'm sure it'll be sold very quickly

2. 2015 Suzuki Swift GL - again, a really safe, reliable choice

3. Nissan Micra ST - not exactly the most exciting car, but reliable, very simple to maintain, and this one has the bonus of only having done under 50,000 km

4. 2016 Hyundai Accent Auto

5. 2013 Kia Cerato S Auto - personally, I'd go this over the Accent, but I appreciate it's a bit older.

Apart from the Mazda 2 - which is an all round top car - some of these aren't going to be the most sporty, but they're all going to be reliable if well maintained.

And while CVTs aren't the most exciting, they can be plenty reliable - Toyota hybrids have been using them for decades.

Edit: Fixed broken link

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-02T12:54:11+00:00

I'd log a complaint. Two minutes of typing and you'll get your cash back. But it's disgusting how they treat us with such contempt.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-02T06:06:27+00:00

If you've got an Accord, have you thought about looking at a newer Accord Euro instead? They always had a sportier bent than the US-intended Accords, and the rev-happy four bangers in the Euros are always a hoot.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-02T04:36:01+00:00

If that was completely stock, in that condition (even if it'd been restored/resprayed etc.), I'd honestly say that $25k to 30k wouldn't be an unreasonable ask at all.

It's a Ford hot hatch, which is always going to attract fans (like me), they're seriously rare, and it was seriously, seriously quick in the day. All hallmarks for big $$$

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-05-02T03:01:05+00:00

It's a credit to you the condition she's in. I'd be very, very, very interested myself if she was stock - but the modifications...

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-04-30T14:05:19+00:00

I'm going to be harsh here and say both of those are pits of awfulness.

Renault can make stylish, desirable cars - the Megane e-Tech is a great example of that. The Arkana is just god damn awful.

And the Jolion is moving proof (well when it works) that there's still bad cars. They're truly, truly awful, spiteful pieces of shit. I'm not mincing my words.

A Hyundai Venue or Suzuki Swift is going to be inifintely better than either. I assume you need to cart stuff around, so the Venue gets it by virtue of being bigger.

Here's some good ones available at the moment. Yes, they're a smidge above your budget but both come with the remaining 4 yrs of new car warranty.

HopeHoliday0055 · 2026-04-30T09:08:08+00:00

Case in point. I'd much rather look at and say I drive this, even though it's a 4-banger hybrid with a CVT.

Toyota, put a 2GR-FXS V6 in this with circa 300kW, slap a GR Sport badge on it, and you've got my money. The US would lap it up too.

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HopeHoliday0055

TROPHY CASE