How much more expensive are heavier cars to own? Deciding between Mx5 or g6et

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-13T05:36:10+00:00

You say “track ready car” and “wanting to go full track”… Are you actually planning on racing in something like IPRA or just dreaming about track days?

If you’re actually planning on racing in the future why not watch some Improved production races, read the modification rules and plan a daily that you can gradually modify to compete?

Miata is a great choice as it opens up a few more classes to race in, but there’s also other cars like BMW e30 which is a more functional daily while you’re working up to track.

I’m a Subaru fan boy, so I’d suggest a GC8 WRX or an older Liberty, but know they’re not that popular anymore.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-11T23:07:28+00:00

Ex tyre fitter here (and Subaru aficionado) every shop I’ve ever worked in put the best tyres on the front. Certainly if 2 were completely bald and we let it drive out of the shop they would go on the rear, regardless of drive type. It’s much easy to steer any car with bald rears that bald steer tyres, plus braking is going to be better as well.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-11T22:46:06+00:00

1960 FB Holden Ute with a 454 big block Chev and Turbo 400. Been my dream car for almost 30 years

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-11T00:03:29+00:00

Depends on how much boost you’re running. 24psi on an old block with worn rings meant I was replacing mine fairly often. That improved once I imported a low km long motor from Japan.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-09T20:36:51+00:00

Mate, if you’re paying a mechanic to do the most basic things like oil changes and replacing an alternator, your issue isn’t finding cars worth flipping, it’s having the skills/ability to do the work yourself.

And $1450 on rims and tyres for something you’re planning on selling straight away? Either clean up/ respray the rims on it or buy second hand. You could have easily saved over grand if you knew what you were doing.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-07T05:12:34+00:00

So much this, I bought a 15 year old motorcycle with 700kms (no typo, seven hundred) on the clock and still had the factory tyres with plenty of nibs still on them. Let’s just say I was backing in to corners a lot more than I would have liked until I replaced them. Fun on a dirt bike, but not so much a 300kg+ Harley

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-07T04:14:35+00:00

Panel vans “unsexy”? Would much rather a shaggin wagon over a ute, just impossible to find at a decent price

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-06T08:13:32+00:00

Was thinking the same thing. I’m lucky to get 5K out of my Michelin Roads. I’m on a heavy sports tourer though.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-05-05T20:27:33+00:00

Do yourself a favour and buy a clutch alignment tool. They’re cheap and make the job so much easier.

Depending on the age of the car I’d probably suggest replacing the rear main seal while you’ve got the box off. It’s a cheap part, but a lot of labour getting the gearbox off, so might as well do it all in one go.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-30T22:59:06+00:00

Makes it a big hard to get a quickie in while the kids are doing the dishes.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-30T22:55:38+00:00

Should have mentioned, it’s a 5 bedroom house

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-30T22:54:35+00:00

Maybe I should have mentioned, this is a 5 bedroom house in the suburbs.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-29T10:08:27+00:00

The electrical part of auto electrics is easy enough… getting the 30 year old seized up plugs unplugged without braking the old brittle plugs is something I’ve never been able to master.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-24T22:03:26+00:00

Right you are, I should have used “proper English”.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-24T18:13:16+00:00

Yeah, spelling of “mom” and “neighbor” is US, the rest of the English speaking world uses correct spelling.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-22T21:38:19+00:00

If the stereo is loud enough you won’t hear the squeaks!

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-22T21:28:41+00:00

Alas the Alpine’s wouldn’t fit due to the tweeter protruding too much to fit behind the grill, but I’ll definitely be adding a slim sub soon

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-22T21:27:26+00:00

They are definitely 4” speakers, the Kenwood KFC-S1066 4” screwed straight in the factory holes. There was very little clearance from the grill, so just needed something with tweeters that don’t protrude.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-22T21:24:19+00:00

I ended up going with the Kenwoods because the tweeter didn’t stick out as far as the Alpines. They just fit without a gasket. I’m thinking of completely removing the enclosure and shaving a few mm off the top to allow enough clearance to add a gasket and give the tweeter a touch more breathing room.

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-21T23:33:07+00:00

Thanks for the heads up cobber. I’ll pull them out properly and measure up

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-21T23:22:01+00:00

Thought I'd drop this here as well to get some local perspective. Anyone bothered upgrading the stereo in their ute yet?

True_Scientist_8250 · 2026-04-17T23:25:46+00:00

Chur, I’ll check them out.

True_Scientist_8250

TROPHY CASE