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  Soarer Central * General Soarer Chat * My Journey to the South of WA & the Soarer experience * Archive through July 13, 2006 Previous Previous    Next Next  

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Will Adams
TryHard
WA
Soarer GT-TL

Posts: 455
Reg: 02-2006

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 01:43 pm, by:  Will Adams (Draco) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Okay I have been living in Perth for who knows how long, and have never ventured much beyond Bunbury / Collie.

Took the Soarer, my girlfriend and I for the inaugural long distance drive. The drive was fantastic in the Soarer. The car handles beautifully (except for that knock from my passenger left rear coli-over every now and then). The car performed effortlessly and just took the roads without any dramas or nervousness.

The car was pretty decent on the mileage too. Filled up before we left for Perth (Friday) and by the time we got down to Beedleup / Pemberton, the car had 26L left in the tank and the trip was reading 470.2 km's, suggesting about 9-10km's per litre.

I then topped up again (Saturday) given that it was a country town (and the petrol stations were not open the following day, Sunday, which I later found out). Took another 200+ km journey (to Walpole) either way further south of Perth and managed to get 419.3kms with about 31L left in the tank. Before we left Pemberton topped up with a further 10L (making it 41L) to get to Bunbury on a full tank.

By the time I filled up in Bunbury, the car had done 651.6km's with 17L left in the tank. Therefore the second tank would have lasted without the extra 10L to get us to Bunbury (wanted to be save rather than sorry).

Now I have done the BFI (although a bit back yard) and have found that it has done wonders for my induction noise, but my fuel economy hasn't really differed as much as I was expecting.

I assume that because my BFI isn't perfect, it may be causing a bit of back pressure (because the car feels a little strange at 80km/h but disappears before and after that) and also with the turbo's spooling on the hills and stuff it would be wasting fuel due to it running inherently rich. So an SAFC might be the way to go to stop the turbo boost excessive fuel waste.

If anyone gets a chance to take a trip from Perth to either of these places, the roads (although bumpy and narrow) are fantastic. The Soarer absolutely loved the drive and it was a great experience travelling them. Highly recommended.

For those guys and gals not in WA, take a map book out to get the reference points for the journey.
Adam Barry
TryHard
WA
UZZ30

Posts: 382
Reg: 08-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 01:53 pm, by:  Adam Barry (Acdchook) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I do a lot of long trips up to Geraldton and back, and I have to say, they're so much more enjoyable with the Soarer. And more fuel efficent too - I get up there (450km trip) with 40L left in my tank.

Although it must be said, my favourite country drive was the trip to Moora I did with my sister in December last year. The Bindoon-Moora Road is about 90km that is almost all twists and turns, up and down hills. It does require a bit of alertness, but by god it's a lot of fun.

Wayne Koh
TryHard
Western Australia
TT

Posts: 179
Reg: 07-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 01:57 pm, by:  Wayne Koh (Teknoboi) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

in the stock TT when i had it, i had a drive to kalgoorlie in it. got 950kms till the fuel light came on. with lots of limiter overtaking.
Paul Bernasconi
Tinkerer
wa
soarer tt

Posts: 80
Reg: 11-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 02:10 pm, by:  Paul Bernasconi (Pauli) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i do a few trips from geraldton to perth or geraldton to sandstone and the soarer is handling it great. so easy to sit on 110 or possibly other speeds on the straights.
Luke Nieuwhof
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT

Posts: 1172
Reg: 07-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 02:26 pm, by:  Luke Nieuwhof (Luke_nieuwhof) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've done Busselton twice in the Soarer with a few day trips around there and yeah it rocks. It's a great car over long distances.
Jose-Antonio Castillo
DieHard
NSW
Soarer VVTi

Posts: 761
Reg: 07-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 02:45 pm, by:  Jose-Antonio Castillo (Ahh_soarer) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't think there are many cars that can top it for long distance cruising. I've driven my old Soarer to Sydney-Melbourne 4 times or so, Canberra, Central Coast countless times and it's the most comfortable drive in these cars.

I just got back from a weekend away over here on the east coast (Port Stephens) and I got about 550kms from full to 1/4 tank... that's with 4 people in the car and everyone's luggage. Maybe if I get a BFI and exhaust going it'll improve things a little bit too hehe.
Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T

Posts: 1397
Reg: 07-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 03:11 pm, by:  Daniel Czechowski (Dan) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yep, went both north and south of perth in the soarer and it was great! Best car I've ever taken on a trip like that. Not surprised since it is a luxury grand tourer. IF it's driven normally on the highway, I can get close to 700k's per tank... but I don't I just loved doing 110-120... a little more throttle and you're doing 160-170 in no time!!!
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT

Posts: 1487
Reg: 09-2005

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 08:49 pm, by:  Callum Finch (Sigeneat) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I drove out to Pingelly once (350km round trip). Whilst i managed to guzzle 60L of fuel or so, i still had a great time!

Like everyone has said, very smooth drive over long distances ^_^
Ben Daniel
TryHard
WA
Twin Turbo

Posts: 269
Reg: 03-2006

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 09:50 pm, by:  Ben Daniel (Lexustt) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Last wednesday I drove down to Augusta for my birthday to stay the night in a house with mates to get blind. Was a great night but an even better drive. Was just me and a mate, lots of laughs and good music. I filled up before i left, went to augusta and got back to Mandurah with 621km's showing and 12l left, you do the maths :P Only time I gave it a squirt was to overtake someone which wasn't too often. Had a cop tail me for a fair bit of the way out of Busselton :P
Malcolm Hall
Tinkerer
Qld
UZZ31 V8 Ltd

Posts: 7
Reg: 10-2005

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 04:40 pm, by:  Malcolm Hall (Neddy) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've driven many miles in many cars over many years and without a doubt the Soarer is the best long distance tourer I have ever owned. My record is Melbourne to Grafton last Christmas: it was a little over 1,500 km, took about 17 hours including stops for meals, fuel etc, returned better than 10 km per litre and I was still up for a trip to the pub at the end. No sore back, no drumming in the ears (well maybe a bit due to turning Jimi up too loud ) and having just had the HIDs fitted by Ian B in Melbourne the night driving was sheer joy. I still feel that Soarer grin returning to my face just thinking about it.
Tom Kneebone
TryHard
WA
factory 5 spd TT : Auto TT

Posts: 357
Reg: 10-2005

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 10:44 pm, by:  Tom Kneebone (Tomk) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have driven to Bindoon and back the last 3 days.

I think I will overtake now, oooh and I'm still in 5th. Better slow down before I become airborne.

The most notable thing about highway travel in a soarer is their imperviousness to the bow wave of a road train.
Will Adams
TryHard
WA
Soarer GT-TL

Posts: 461
Reg: 02-2006

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 10:47 pm, by:  Will Adams (Draco) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I wish I had done a decent long trip in my previous 2 Soarers (one being a V8 GT-L and the other a GT-TL). I completely agree there Tom with the impervousness to the bow wave of a road train. I had, from memory, 3 pass me and only 1 of them actually gave a tiny waft against the window.
Adam Barry
TryHard
WA
UZZ30

Posts: 384
Reg: 08-2005

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:05 pm, by:  Adam Barry (Acdchook) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Haha - I agree - road trains can't touch the Soarer. A passing Chrysler 300C is another thing... I had one go past me the other night while I was stopped waiting for a turning arrow, and the whole car rocked. Bloody non-aerodynamic american bucket of sh1te.
Tom Kneebone
TryHard
WA
factory 5 spd TT : Auto TT

Posts: 358
Reg: 10-2005

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:46 pm, by:  Tom Kneebone (Tomk) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When a hydrofoil is at rest it feels the waves...
Mike Triggs
DieHard
Norfolk Island
3.0GT G-Pack

Posts: 684
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 01:33 pm, by:  Mike Triggs (Mikeandimah) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What's the open road speed limit in WA, fellas, 100 or 110km/hr? I thought I heard the new Labor govt lowered the limit (as a "safety campaign"). We're possibly moving to WA next year.
Will Adams
TryHard
WA
Soarer GT-TL

Posts: 464
Reg: 02-2006

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:01 pm, by:  Will Adams (Draco) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The open road limit Mike is still 110km/hr. The safety campaign is purely for the burbs where they're trying to lower everything down 10k's more.

The main freeway (and most metro highways) are 100km/hr.

Although during my drive, there were times when I had to go over that slightly to overtake a car. However there were many other cars doing beyond that.
Luke Nieuwhof
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT

Posts: 1179
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:10 pm, by:  Luke Nieuwhof (Luke_nieuwhof) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Will Adams wrote on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:01 pm:

The open road limit Mike is still 110km/hr. The safety campaign is purely for the burbs where they're trying to lower everything down 10k's more.

The main freeway (and most metro highways) are 100km/hr.

Although during my drive, there were times when I had to go over that slightly to overtake a car. However there were many other cars doing beyond that.




Will, the Road Safety Council demands silly things like 90kph limits out on country roads. We have more people dying from fatigue and getting bored on these roads than from speed. Whenever a study comes out saying higher speed is better the council routinely bags it, they are just anti-speed.

Bah I shouldn't start this argument...
Will Adams
TryHard
WA
Soarer GT-TL

Posts: 465
Reg: 02-2006

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:17 pm, by:  Will Adams (Draco) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Luke by all means you can start that argument if you really wanted to. Personally I am not going to get into it, as every person will have their own opinions regarding the matter and how the councils will handle what they do.

The council may demand 90km/h limits out on the country roads, but as the sign posts in the country (as they presently do) say 110 then by golly I am going to drive at 110 provided it is safe to do so. If the council changes this to 90, then I will travel at that limit.

The question in case you didn't read it, was

Mike Triggs wrote on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 01:33 pm:

What's the open road speed limit in WA, fellas, 100 or 110km/hr?


Adam Barry
TryHard
WA
UZZ30

Posts: 387
Reg: 08-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:19 pm, by:  Adam Barry (Acdchook) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Road Safety Council can just suck my sweaty nutsack. Raise the limit to 300km/h and let people choose their own speed, as far as I'm concerned. If I drive beyond my capabilities, and I wipe myself out, I don't expect or want people's sympathy. It was my own fault, and nobody is to blame but me. I wish they'd just stop assuming that people are incapable of deciding for themselves if something's an acceptable risk or not (and that goes for all aspects of life, not just driving) and legislating it.
Antony Borlase
Tinkerer
QLD
UZZ31 (V8 Limited)

Posts: 60
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 02:55 pm, by:  Antony Borlase (Borlase) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

With the car's of today why don't they just generate 2 classes of licence.

The standard one, and the 'Special One'.

The way they could do the 'Special' would be:
-Highway allowed posted speed +20?+30?+40? kmph
-Urban as posted
-Roadworks as posted
-Towing as posted
-Must drive according to conditions
Breaking these limts denotes 5x the fine
Holders must do advanced driving course
Refresh yearly

Then the people who need to drive big distance could get this licence and be happy. Maybe a different number plate? little flag on the front of the car?

Problems would be huge, but currently if you want to go fast legally there's always NT!
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 4115
Reg: 05-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 03:36 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Speed does NOT kill! inexperience & inattention DOES.

And don't waste your typing finger(s) trying to convince me otherwise.
Antony Borlase
Tinkerer
QLD
UZZ31 (V8 Limited)

Posts: 62
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 03:54 pm, by:  Antony Borlase (Borlase) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don,

I have never thought otherwise. Last time I was back I got a rental Masda 6 for the drive to the folks place at Kawerau.

Masda 6. 0430 in the morning. Via Matamata and Matata straights. Need I say more?
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have LESS Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 4116
Reg: 05-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 04:47 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Antony
Wayne Koh
TryHard
Western Australia
TT

Posts: 188
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 05:21 pm, by:  Wayne Koh (Teknoboi) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Speed doesn't kill, suddenly stopping does!
i got that from top gear.
Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T

Posts: 1417
Reg: 07-2005

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:03 pm, by:  Daniel Czechowski (Dan) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Guns don't kill people...

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