Monster Cadillac Update

[AussieBear]

Holy shit. We should buy here and ship over. Sure there's a tax catch but wow.

yeah theres a luxury tax and anything not over 20 years old has to be converted to right side drive. I thought about importing f150's and silverados because they go over 100K new. Even models that are few years old still go for a pretty penny.

Its just the aussie dollar isnt worth shit now and it wouldnt be worth it imo.. the aussie dollar is 71 cents to 1 usd. when it was 1.08-1.10 to 1 usd a couple of years ago it would have made sense.

even when the aussie dollar was up the prices were the same

 

[Tater]

yeah i remember paying next to nothing in Taiwan for brand name smokes.. but damn they were harsh.. but for what i was paying i guess there are no real complaints.

Also that caddy would cost over 100K here.

Theres a 2008 CTS Auto non V model selling for 65k online. The only thing it does have going for it is it has roughly 5ooo miles on it.

A 2013 Escalade is 150k

you dont see many caddys here

Monster has a Caddy for sale I hear. :yep:




Sorry prices are so high there.

 

[botfly10]

Cars get me from A to B and wish I didn't have to have one. They are almost to the point where you have to take out a second mortgage, it's ridiculous. I used to love cars and now I have a 2003 Camry that runs perfectly and gets good gas mileage. All I care about is how long it lasts without a maintenance expense. I got this car at 90k miles for free and unloaded my huge loaded 2006 Suburban that cost a fortune. It's a car, not a house.


I'm glad you are enjoying yours though Monster, I'm sure it's an incredible ride.. I know people enjoy their vehicles and more power to them !

This. I buy ~5 year old Toyota with cash when I get a new car. I live in AZ, so they are in mint condition with zero rust. Pay near zero in maintenance beyond shit like oil changes and brakes, which I do myself.

I could buy 8 cars with 47k. More than I would need for the rest of my life. I spend the money I save traveling the world. Headed to Vietnam this summer. Went to Bali last summer. Its very therapeutic.

 

[Monster]

For that price hell ya. Didn't think of the conversion cost. I drove right hand in England for three years. That takes some practice in a semi. Never been to Ausralia or New Zeland but on my bucket list. Checked off the 500+ HP car though. Will check the 600+ in a few years when I Modify it?

 

[Xuder O'Clam]

This. I buy ~5 year old Toyota with cash when I get a new car. I live in AZ, so they are in mint condition with zero rust. Pay near zero in maintenance beyond shit like oil changes and brakes, which I do myself.

I could buy 8 cars with 47k. More than I would need for the rest of my life. I spend the money I save traveling the world. Headed to Vietnam this summer. Went to Bali last summer. Its very therapeutic.

Great people in Vietnam. Of all the places I've been, and it's many, Vietnam is the one place I got a bit emotional when it came time to leave.

 

[botfly10]

**** yeah. Southeast asia is my favorite part of the world outside the US

 

[Monster]

This. I buy ~5 year old Toyota with cash when I get a new car. I live in AZ, so they are in mint condition with zero rust. Pay near zero in maintenance beyond shit like oil changes and brakes, which I do myself.

I could buy 8 cars with 47k. More than I would need for the rest of my life. I spend the money I save traveling the world. Headed to Vietnam this summer. Went to Bali last summer. Its very therapeutic.

I don't need 8 cars and have traveled the world for 30 years. Just a toy I wanted. To each their own.

Paid 14K for an STS in 2007, got 8K on trade in 2010
Paid 28K for a TRD in 2010, got 22K on trade for CTSV (Almost 2016)
STS - Paid 14 got 8... Cost me 6K
TRD- Paid 28 got 22... Cost me 6K
That's 12K for 9 years... at this rate I can drive 8 cars for 36 years on 48K... rest of my life... all under warranty.

Of course tax/title/license will be significantly higher over time, especially in AZ... Not in any way saying your way isn't smarter... it is... just saying it's not like you throw away a 30K vehicle after five years... there is value... but always at a loss I agree. I will say this though... this car is like having your own roller coaster... just massive fun... until that first bad ticket brings me back to reality... which is going to happen sooner than later at the rate I'm killing all the high dollar import trash... that and why does every loud ass Civic with a bigger muffler than motor want to roar past me... like I'm biting on tiny fish. It is a stupid thing to buy... but I'm loving it.

 

[Monster]

Great people in Vietnam. Of all the places I've been, and it's many, Vietnam is the one place I got a bit emotional when it came time to leave.

Agree. Did four trips there and Laos. Spent 80 days living in down town Hanoi. Also stayed in Old Saigon, Hue City, Danang and Hoi An. Spent many weeks out in the provinces as well. The people are great and very generous. Good times.

 

[Monster]

This. I buy ~5 year old Toyota with cash when I get a new car. I live in AZ, so they are in mint condition with zero rust. Pay near zero in maintenance beyond shit like oil changes and brakes, which I do myself.

I could buy 8 cars with 47k. More than I would need for the rest of my life. I spend the money I save traveling the world. Headed to Vietnam this summer. Went to Bali last summer. Its very therapeutic.

Where you going in Vietnam? All the cities have a lot to offer but the South is more fun. My opinion.

 

[botfly10]

I don't know yet, but will probably stay out of the larger cities for the most part. Usually how I roll is to book a hotel for my first night and last night and wing it for the rest of the time. Combo of lonely planet and talking to people I meet usually is enough. I will do some research in the spring to figure out some highlights I want to hit.

 

[Tater]

For that price hell ya. Didn't think of the conversion cost. I drove right hand in England for three years. That takes some practice in a semi. Never been to Ausralia or New Zeland but on my bucket list. Checked off the 500+ HP car though. Will check the 600+ in a few years when I Modify it

That sounds pretty brutal to switch to that. Especially backing up on a road with traffic.

 

[Monster]

I don't know yet, but will probably stay out of the larger cities for the most part. Usually how I roll is to book a hotel for my first night and last night and wing it for the rest of the time. Combo of lonely planet and talking to people I meet usually is enough. I will do some research in the spring to figure out some highlights I want to hit.

Da Nang is good and not too large, on the China Sea and BEAUTIFUL. Also close to Hoi An... which is full of hikers from all over moving through the area. Kind of a hippy type of small town with great shops and Bars... great time. You would fly into Ho Chi Min City and take a small flight to Da Nang (at own risk... lol)... it is Vietnam Airways. Many people there speak enough English to get by. You will love it and want to go back. Don't go North... Hanoi is alright but they are really uptight in the North. Kind of like when you mentioned Dallas and Austin... that type of thing. Dong goes a long way there if you avoid the big tourist hotels. It's really a great place. I think you will really enjoy it. Also consider malaria and things like that. We were not allowed in any of their hospitals due to risk... if hurt or sick we would EVAC to Bangkok... something to consider. If I think of anything else I'll pass it along. Would recommend the American War Crimes Museum in Ho Chi Min City (Old Saigon) if you spend a day or two there. Check out all the number bars... funny as hell... Sin Chow is all you need to say and smile and get treated like a king. They will know you are western and will assume you have money, which you do compared to them. Watch your ass when crossing the street... just keep a pace and the million mopeds will just swing around you. It's crazy... but if you been to Asia you've seen the total lack of road rules. lol
Damn... wish I was going with you...

I do get down to Tucson once a month for a few days. Should get together for a beer...

 

[Monster]

That sounds pretty brutal to switch to that. Especially backing up on a road with traffic.

Shifting a 12 Speed double clutch with your left hand is different... I was 20 and driving across country alone... I killed many a sign on those small cobble streets... HA

 

[Globetrotter]

I think he means tuned on a dyno to increase fuel air mix and spark for increased HP. All computer controlled now. The days of doing timing in you garage are over. Shame, that was fun stuff tinkering with your engine. Can't hardly find the motor under all the crap now. They do perform though.

Its a plain old pushrod v8 under all the plastic. A tune will both optimize power and transmission performance.

I had one of these cars a few years ago. Still have 2 cars with LS motors.

 

[AussieBear]

For that price hell ya. Didn't think of the conversion cost. I drove right hand in England for three years. That takes some practice in a semi. Never been to Ausralia or New Zeland but on my bucket list. Checked off the 500+ HP car though. Will check the 600+ in a few years when I Modify it��

yeah conversion costs, lux tax or just regular GST.. freight costs.. My brother back in the states has a buddy with a car shop and dealers license.. we seriously threw the idea around.. the guy would have bought 3-5 yr old f150s and silverados from auction and converted them... but the aussie dollar started to drop and it kept going down

**** driving a semi on the right side of the road.. i still have muscle memory problems when making right turns, i naturally want to look hard right... when i should be looking hard left.... getting use to a stick with the left took a minute too... not to mention turn signal and wipers on the opposite side.. idk how many times i turned on the windshield wipers instead of using the turn signal when i first got over here.

 

[Monster]

Its a plain old pushrod v8 under all the plastic. A tune will both optimize power and transmission performance.

I had one of these cars a few years ago. Still have 2 cars with LS motors.

I agree. I was just saying it's not the old tuneup like TBD was referring to. I'm not a computer tune guy is all I'm saying. A lot of stuff I'm not capable or comfortable doing these days. Scottsdale has a dyno-Comp with staged package deals for testing, tuning, mods, etc. interesting stuff with wide ranges of cost and output. Will eventually get in there. Likely do stuff like pulleys, air intake, heat exchanger, ported throttle body, injectors, TS, LZ1 cover and then tune. Will not do headers, exhaust because I like looking and sounding stock except for going from 285 to 305 rear tires which fit the stock rims and 20mm isn't to exaggerated while staying under fender. Will be fun building up a proven platform.

 

[Sunbiz1]

I avoid new due to the instant loss at purchase. Cars are not investments for sure... Unless a rare classic.

I imagine paying rent is the only thing worse. However not an option for many.

The growing technology of modern vehicles is steadily pushing me backwards, to the ones I grew up with. I've had too many things go wrong with the last 4 vehicles beginning in 1997, things I would have been able to repair on my own back in the day. I have a Chevy sitting here with 64K miles the NTSB considers unsafe to drive. This recall has been serviced 3 times, and the dealership cannot repair it. It isn't even covered under Illinois Lemon laws, would have to sue GM in Federal court under the Magnuson Moss warranty act.

So I continue to look at classics:
http://www.volocars.com/vehicles/11424/1970-Oldsmobile-Cutlass

Vehicles that retain their value I can work on.

 

[Tater]

The growing technology of modern vehicles is steadily pushing me backwards, to the ones I grew up with. I've had too many things go wrong with the last 4 vehicles beginning in 1997, things I would have been able to repair on my own back in the day. I have a Chevy sitting here with 64K miles the NTSB considers unsafe to drive. This recall has been serviced 3 times, and the dealership cannot repair it. It isn't even covered under Illinois Lemon laws, would have to sue GM in Federal court under the Magnuson Moss warranty act.

So I continue to look at classics:
http://www.volocars.com/vehicles/11424/1970-Oldsmobile-Cutlass

Vehicles that retain their value I can work on.

Sweet! I used to have a 72' and a 73' Cutlass. Wrecked the 72' racing at Sycamore speedway many moons ago.
Rocket 350's! Gotta love 'em.

 

[Monster]

The growing technology of modern vehicles is steadily pushing me backwards, to the ones I grew up with. I've had too many things go wrong with the last 4 vehicles beginning in 1997, things I would have been able to repair on my own back in the day. I have a Chevy sitting here with 64K miles the NTSB considers unsafe to drive. This recall has been serviced 3 times, and the dealership cannot repair it. It isn't even covered under Illinois Lemon laws, would have to sue GM in Federal court under the Magnuson Moss warranty act.

So I continue to look at classics:
http://www.volocars.com/vehicles/11424/1970-Oldsmobile-Cutlass

Vehicles that retain their value I can work on.

Sorry to hear about the recall. Have a 94 truck with tranny issues. Pissed me off. I love the classics. Remember them being so cheap in auto trader. Wished I bought them all. Lol. Hindsight is 20/20. The price can get crazy too if numbers matching. My cousin Connie has a 69 427 Yenko worth a couple houses. You see a lot here in AZ where the winter doesn't kill them.

 

[Globetrotter]

I agree. I was just saying it's not the old tuneup like TBD was referring to. I'm not a computer tune guy is all I'm saying. A lot of stuff I'm not capable or comfortable doing these days. Scottsdale has a dyno-Comp with staged package deals for testing, tuning, mods, etc. interesting stuff with wide ranges of cost and output. Will eventually get in there. Likely do stuff like pulleys, air intake, heat exchanger, ported throttle body, injectors, TS, LZ1 cover and then tune. Will not do headers, exhaust because I like looking and sounding stock except for going from 285 to 305 rear tires which fit the stock rims and 20mm isn't to exaggerated while staying under fender. Will be fun building up a proven platform.

Sounds like you know what's up. I've got a soft spot for the wagons.

Congrats on the recent purchase. I completely understand the exhaust thing.