moving to Gladstone

Joined
18 March 2006
Messages
133
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Hey Aussie NSXer's,
Just sold my 1999 Monte Carlo Blue Sled in anticipation of moving to Gladstone (see posting still on NSX's For Sale). I still love that car as much as the day I bought it 6 years ago and will buy another NSX in the future. Driving a few Ferrari's, Lambo's, etc. makes me appreciate the NSX all the more. I am asking for some suggestions for a car to purchase in Gladstone, with a preferrence towards 4 cylinders and a manual transmission. My first thought is a Honda Civic si. I like most Japanese and Korean brands, so I am open for suggestions. Don't know much about Holdens or Vauxhalls other than they are linked or owned or something by General Motors. Thanks in advance for your input.
Cheers,
Mark
 
Hey Mark,

Most people move away from Gladstone, unless they are in the mining / gas boom for that region.

We didn't get the Civic Si in our market, and generally speaking Civic's are quite expensive unless you're looking at 90's / early 2000 models. If you're after a cheap econobox type car, your Honda Civic Honda Jazz, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Alto, Hyundai i30, Hyundai Accent, etc - otherwise for similiar money you can buy something larger, v6 and more practical such as a Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi Magna / 380, Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Subaru Liberty etc. I think you'll be shocked to find the pricing of our cars in comparision to the US market.

Your best odds are to view carsales.com.au and use the search parameters to narrow and specify exactly what you want - 2 door or 4, v6, i4, sedan, wagon, and suitable price range. From there you can gauge the market and make up your mind what your money will buy.

Good luck!
 
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Hi Mark,
I thought you were going to live in Bangkok?
Gladstones not a bad place, good weather and fishing but it is an industrial town in the tropics.
Get something economical that can handle extreme temps for a daily driver.
 
Thanks for the info. Didn't get the Thailand gig but I'm on to the same LNG project on the other end at Curtis Island. Since any new purchase will be parked outside in the salt air of Gladstone, it will be all about function. Since my daily commute will be on a boat, this car will be just a get around town car with some Sunday driving to the beach etc.
 
Thanks for the info. Didn't get the Thailand gig but I'm on to the same LNG project on the other end at Curtis Island. Since any new purchase will be parked outside in the salt air of Gladstone, it will be all about function. Since my daily commute will be on a boat, this car will be just a get around town car with some Sunday driving to the beach etc.


Thailand / Gladstone... Geeez. I would have taken half the money and ensured the Thailand one! Even 33% of the salary you would have been better off than Australian Tax plus the over inflated cost of living in Gladstone!
Are you actually going to LIVE there? Not FIFO (fly-in/fly-out)?
Gladstone is a small coastal community whose only industry until a few years ago was as a power station and port. Now though there is lots of heavy industry in terms of process plants and port expansion for coal export etc. It is currently a boom town with accommodation difficult to get and outrageous rental and purchase prices.
Driving to the beach? How about a nice drive to the stinky mud flats instead? Really Gladstone is a s#*thole and the water in the harbour is becoming toxic with all the construction from pipelines, process plants and port expansion.

However, some of the best scuba diving in the world can be had visiting the coral quays around Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliott Islands on the Great Barrier Reef some 2 hours away by high speed catamaran. Make the time to go there! Really it’s awesome!

RE: Vehicle recommendations: So you need to consider parts availability, servicing, etc available in Gladstone. So I would recommend:

Cars:
Ford Falcon or Territory
Holden Commodore
Toyota Camry or Corolla
4x4s:
Toyota Landcruiser, Prado or Hilux
Nissan Patrol.
Mitsubishi Pajero

Basically you’re looking for a common 4WD or a passenger car assembled in Australia. The prices will probably shock you, as will the petrol prices here. Good advice from s2kadrenalin, refer to www.carsales.com.au

I hope they are looking after you including accommodation and LAFHA, really I would expect a company car or at least transport to/from the ferry. If they haven’t provided you accommodation there, take a look at www.realestate.com.au

The Curtis Island LNG facility will be an interesting job to work on and some of my engineering colleagues are on that job as well. When you get a chance, come to civilisation (one of the East Coast capital cities - Brisbane is the closest city and is 6 hour drive or an hour flight!) and contact us to show you around, have a beer or come to a track day! ;)
 
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