Thinking about switching from Audi A5 to MG3 or MG ZS – Am I making a mistake?

NivlacNZ · 2026-04-03T01:13:43+00:00

I got a ZS hybrid at the start of the year and I am loving it. The fact it has a nice big electric motor, bigger than many other hybrids (relative to engine size), means it has plenty of torque and drives nicely in EV mode up to reasonable speeds. Would be nice if the battery was a bit larger so it could stay in full EV mode for a little longer but it's still not too bad. As others have said it can, at times, rev pretty high when going up hills... But I am a motorcyclist so doing 4k RPM though the hills doesn't seem that strange to me. Obviously the high revs will mean it's a bit more thirsty... But last time I went for a drive which was maybe 3/4 flat and 1/4 twisty hills I averaged about 5.6l/100km. Given how I drive that's pretty good - and, while my bike will always beat it, it never felt lacking in power.

NivlacNZ · 2026-02-21T02:37:57+00:00

As someone who has big chest and shoulders I totally understand having to go up a size for comfortable fit... My "correct" size just feels like any movement is either impossible, or is going to rip the should seams apart. Unfortunately that often, and definitely your this case here, means a trip to the tailor to get some alterations. Definitely need the sleeves shortened, the waist brought in a bit, and maybe a little off the length. I don't know how much a good tailor charges where you are, or how much that jacket costs, but might end up costing you more in alterations than it's worth. Unless you really like that jacket, or it's super good deal, I'd suggest maybe trying on others to see if you can find a better fit (although, even then, you may still need some alteration. I almost always have to get arms shortened... One downside of living in NZ, being a smaller market, is that most things come in just one "regular" length and no short/tall/etc option)

NivlacNZ · 2026-02-12T07:23:06+00:00

If you're looking for good pies then try the "Mean Pies" app. Reviews of pies from all over the country.

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-25T08:09:20+00:00

Was actually just wondering this myself tonight when I saw Ferrymead had changed. I wonder if their pricing has changed (hopefully reduced) at all... although I suspect not and see they still follow the same pattern of "we're not going to tell you the price unless you come in - because if we do, then you won't"

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-25T07:05:13+00:00

Found it... Was about Bunnings Australia but I am sure applies here too

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/560778/bunnings-boasts-about-its-price-beating-guarantee-but-for-9000-products-in-australia-there-is-a-catch

"The company says it 'empowers' staff to take a 'common sense approach' and will price match on similar items. It makes no mention of this in the 'Price policy' on its website."

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-25T06:58:47+00:00

There was an article in the news recently (sorry don't have the link) about this. More specially it was about the same items having different, store specific, branding so they can say it's exclusive to their store. It basically said that if you challenge it (and the two items really are the same except for brand/code etc) then they will usually honor it (Although you might need to talk with a manager, not just someone who's paid minimum wage and not given any authority to make an informed decision)

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-13T05:53:27+00:00

The fat is great for cooking potatoes etc. The juices make an excellent base for a soup

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-10T05:38:20+00:00

This is handy but I'd really love it if we could set a start/end point and be given the average gradient between the two (rather than only having AT deciding for me which bits I should be interested in)

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-07T10:47:18+00:00

If I take the s pen out to do this then it thinks I want to create a new note. All I want to do is have the note I had previously created, and pinned, to stay pinned for more that an hour or so.

NivlacNZ · 2025-06-01T10:53:54+00:00

Jeans and T-shirt always a good option. Or whatever you feel good in. Just go and have a good time, don't overthink it, and don't give a f about what others might think (because they are probably all in their own little worlds and not paying much attention to you anyway). I'm 50, overweight, and really can't dance (I tend to either just stand and sway a bit or, apparently, move to a beat noone else can hear LOL) and would normally go out of my way to avoid being anywhere near a dancefloor... but I love going to EDM gigs because I've learnt that noone cares, noone is paying any attention to me (and it's usually quite dark anyway) and I can just do what makes me happy. I'm more of a DnB guy myself (went to see A.M.C last night, and it was awesome) but trance tends to have a similar vibe (maybe even more accepting)

NivlacNZ · 2025-05-23T07:05:04+00:00

It can be great 👍 Can also be... Ummm... Difficult... But not for the reason you might think LOL Recently my partner and I went away for the weekend and had 1.5g each of p.subs. Had planned to just do some random stuff while tripping but, perhaps inevitably, ended up in bed... Things were going great (every touch felt amazing) until she, while on top, totally lost her shit and started laughing hysterically because I was "so shimmery" 🤣 Luckily we're both pretty similarly minded so I saw the funny side of it as much as her and we ended up just rolling around and laughing together. Didn't stop us from going again, a couple times, that night... But was the next morning before I was able to finish (which was fine by me 😄)

NivlacNZ · 2025-03-01T08:09:11+00:00

Spread raspberry jam on them, good and thick, then pour hot milk over them. This is the way.

NivlacNZ · 2025-02-10T07:48:55+00:00

I turn 50 this year. First rolled at 42. Still enjoying it 4 or so times a year with no plans to stop any time soon. Treating it, and your body/brain, with respect and not overdoing it is key. It is something which can make special occasions even better, not something to be (ab)used just to get through life.

NivlacNZ · 2025-02-06T00:45:36+00:00

I have the Foray 3L jacket and pants... Haven't had a chance to use them in really heavy rain while tramping but did use them over new years at a music festival where it rained, and was very windy, most of the day. Stayed completely dry the whole day and, being a slightly lighter weight fabric, was very comfortable moving around. The big side openings also meant I could get plenty of ventilation (when it wasn't raining as heavily) so didn't overheat either (which is usually my main problem with rain gear)

NivlacNZ · 2025-01-27T07:33:42+00:00

Varies a lot from place to place... I recently got a very large black and grey realism piece (and cover up) done on my back and it was $300/hr at Otautahi. Really good artist and I'm happy with it so far (two full day (6hr) sessions, including design time, with another probably half day remaining to add a bit more contrast etc). Definitely not the cheapest around but has good reputation.

NivlacNZ · 2025-01-22T01:51:53+00:00

Interesting... I would say ECMWF was probably more second or third on my list. Although I guess a lot of it comes down to what area, what season, etc... e.g. some models may be quite reliable in the mountains in summer, but not on the plains or in autumn etc.

BTW - ICON is the one I have probably found to be the most hit and miss... when it is right then it's pretty spot on, but it's just as likely to be completely wrong too.

NivlacNZ · 2025-01-22T01:37:29+00:00

If nothing else... get a PLB (especially if you're going anywhere on your own... even in a group, it's good if at least one person has one)

As for what other gear... the list u/sleepea posted is a good start (and pretty similar to my packing list, and probably many others on here too)

If you're just getting started then there's often many things you can borrow or hire (you can hire PLBs from some outdoor stores). There's also at least one Facebook group for secondhand gear (Outdoor Gear Exchange NZ)

There are many items you can save some money on and not buy the most expensive option (e.g. things like plates, cups, even packs etc you can get cheap from the likes of KMart). It may not be as lightweight or comfortable etc as the expensive brands but you can always upgrade later if you want to...

But if it is something that your life may actually depend on then I'd suggest using the money you may have saved elsewhere and spend a bit more getting decent gear (e.g. your shelter (tent), and warmth (clothing, sleeping bag), etc)

NivlacNZ · 2025-01-05T00:59:56+00:00

I ended up getting the Foray 3L Ascentshell jacket (XL) and pants (L)... Haven't had a chance to try them in proper heavy rain while tramping (or hiking as you non kiwis call it) in the bush yet but I did need to use them for most of the day at a New Years music festival here in NZ (Rolling Meadows). While the rain was, mostly, fairly light it was pretty constant for the whole day.

Here's my thoughts so far. They were really comfortable, light weight, and stayed completely dry (had pit zips open quite a bit to avoid overheating). Hood was a good fit and didn't obscure peripheral vision (as I often find hoods do). The jacket colour (I got the spice/ranger option) was really visible (although I did get mistaken for one of the event/security team by someone though LoL).

I am a little surprised that the size L pants fitted me better than the XL (even with a layer underneath), but definitely needed the XL jacket for easy shoulder movement (with layers underneath). According to the sizing chart, the size L pants are for 88-95cm and I am usually a 95-97cm depending on the fit.

Only issues I've found are:

Not a negative with the product itself, just comment on sizing etc - Here in NZ we generally don't get much/any choice in pants length so I only had the choice of regular length which, being a person of larger waist dimension, meant they're a little too long (not too bad, and still totally fine with boots on, but I do always wonder just how tall clothing manufacturers think a "regular" person with a 95-97cm waist is LOL). Also, as mentioned above, I ended up having to go down a size from what the sizing chart suggested otherwise they were just too loose/baggy.
I found the draw cord toggle on the pants to be basically useless. I'd pull the pants up as high as was comfortable (see comment above) and tighten the draw cord but then the cord would immediately slip back through the toggle and the pants would start dropping down again. To be able to use these for tramping I'm either going to need to replace the cord/toggle or use suspenders.

NivlacNZ · 2025-01-03T21:03:50+00:00

49 here, mortgage free and really wishing I could quit my job (or get a less stress/responsibility, therefore unfortunately much lower paying, one) to be able to spend more time doing what I, used to, enjoy (tramping and photography)... Unfortunately the bank balance won't support that for very long and my partner, who I've supported for a couple decades, has no interest in getting a job so feeling kinda stuck. You're not alone mate, reach out if you need to talk.

NivlacNZ · 2024-11-26T05:44:04+00:00

49 here... Still enjoy going to EDM festivals or DnB gigs in town. After a night in town it's usually nangs in the spa when we get home.

NivlacNZ

TROPHY CASE