Korean Job Discussion Forums

RokofKangnam · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject:

Not exactly my cup of tea, but I do like the blue one.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Who would buy an SUV these days? Can't people see the writing on the wall? Gas prices aren't going anywhere but up folks...

That Toyota is gross...looks like it needs to use the toilet...or give birth. Looks nothing like the older, very cool version. The "retro" thing is about recycling, that's all. Recycling past boxes with the '00 bloatation.

Koreans and SUVs are even more irresponsible. At least in the States, one can actually use an SUV for more than hauling the wife and kid to the steps at the foot of the 'mountain' at Chuseok. Nothing like seeing gas at $1.50 per litre, and huge Kyrons (the world's ugliest plastic earth shuttle) pounding down the highway with one person in them.

People just won't change, will they? Not until gas is $8.00 per litre. Like cigarettes. Everyone said, "Man, when they hit $2.00, I'm quitting!". Then the same speech at $3.00, then $4.00, 5, 6, and now, in Canada, $10.00, and people still smoke.

Part of the problem is the design of the small cars. Who on earth wants to be seen driving a Matiz, besides a young mother in the E-Mart parking lot? Or a Tico? Small means lame in Korea. Haven't seen many 'cool' small cars here that weren't imports. I think until they start making something that doesn't look like an egg with go-cart tires, the trend will just continue.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

No doubt.

I.ve had a lot of cars in my life, and some really cool ones too. Now I have a '94 Elantra. Cheap (my stereo was more) and doesn't burn any oil, so I think it's alright.

My wife and I share a 1 hour commute (2 both ways) daily, and spend about (modest estimate) 300,000 won per month on gas. This is in her Musso, a diesel, something I bought for her protection, and doing the math, it's about 3.6 million per year on gas. About $3600 per year. If we were to use 2 cars, which would be far more convenient, we would be looking at a collective 8 million on gas. $8000 per year to get to work!

Really absurd.

It's about choices we made for jobs, so it's our own fault that we face these costs, but it really brings home the incredible cost of car ownership. As cities get larger, 1 hour will seem like nothing. Heck, in many cities, it already is nothing. It also underlines how frivilous our ideas about cars and gas really are. This is a serious issue on many levels. Personal; the money, global; the pollution, and the general short-sightedness of people; the incredible waste of driving distances daily with a half-empty Musso. We are both guilty in this matter, yet, currently, can't do anything about it.

We are trying however, and are making every effort to minimize the impact of our actions. Slower acceleration and overall speed, regular maintenance to keep the car running well and burning clean, seeking car pools, and inconveniencing ourselves to save in all areas.

We really should buy a smaller car, but as I said, the Musso is for my wife's safety. The highways here are really, really dangerous. Smaller cars that use diesel are not around...another idiocy. Diesel engines aren't necessarily greater polluters than gas, run longer, and the fuel is overall, easier to produce.

Anyways, I had a sweet ride a long time ago...a 1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback. Rebuilt the engine with a buddy, new paint at my body shop (deep metallic blue), interior, wheels...it was sweet until it met those guardrails at 110mph.

Jensen · Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Location: hippie hell

Can't agree entirely with the comments on how bad SUV's are. SUVs are safer than small cars (for the SUV occupants). SUVs can be used for passengers and light hauling...better for the environment than manufacturing two vehicles for separate purposes. A four-runner with a trailer is a decent replacement for a pickup. Like a lot of other people, I drive an SUV because I need a fairly heavy duty 4X4 vehicle for bad roads and bad weather and where I live there is plenty of both.

Looked over a demo FJ Cruiser a couple of weeks ago, and they are tempting. Unfortunately you can't get them with a four cylinder engine, or without power windows...so I don't want one anymore. And I still think if the top doesn't come off, it isn't a "Cruiser."

Guess I'll keep my '85 4-runner for a few more years, it's a nice winter ride but I wish it had locking differentials...and even with the four-banger it only gets a little over 20 mpg. I think the FJCruiser is supposed to get close to that.

When I don't need 4wd, my daily driver is a 30+ mpg '79 Datsun 210 wagon...somebody here once told me they are called "Sunny"s in Australia(?). I've had a number of them over the years, all beaters that I coax back to life. Wish I could go back in time and buy one brand new, they are fun little cars.[/i]

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

The Camry is for what Demo was talking about. The 4runner was paid off almost two years ago, I'm slowly adding things (Thule top rack - winch - husky liner) but they cost money, and I have to make it on an allowance. Also, demo, you didn't mention how expensive 4wheel driving can become when things go wrong. Being that the 4runner is my ride to work, and daddy's not paying the bills, 4wheeling is reserved for maybe 2-3 times a year.

Now if I was making 100 g's plus a year like Richinkorea, then I'd do a lot more off roading, but I don't, so I don't get to do that.

animalbirdfish · Joined: 04 Feb 2004

My first car was an '81 Celica GT with the 22-R. What a workhorse. Helluva fun car to drive (and with a crank moon-roof) and economical. I'm a loyal Toyota/Honda fan (the Accord LX-i hatchbacks I had were even better than the Celica).

But Superfly - as much as I'd like to side with you, I sympathize with the wife on this matter. It's always seemed shortsighted to me to go into debt for anything other than a house or a college degree. Save money, buy slightly used, pay cash. You take such a hit in depreciation when you buy a new vehicle. Wait a year or two until some folks start trading in their '06 models and then pay cash for what is admittedly a good-looking rig.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I saw one of those new FJ240s the other day- it looked pretty nice. In a sort of British-racing/mustard yellowish colour. I was surprised at how small it was- the pictures I saw here gave me the impression it was much bigger.

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Ugh. I don't know how to say this. I convinced myself I couldnt live without one and bought it this morning. Razz

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

[in a loud cutsie voice]
I know a doggie whose tail is wagging, don't I!
Yes I do!
Yes I doooo!
Who's a good doggie?
Who's a good doggie?
Good boy!
Wink

So, what colour?

animalbirdfish · Joined: 04 Feb 2004

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Got the voodoo blue, she's cool, everything is great and I'm a lucky guy... Made a few adjustments (quit smoking 5 bucks a pack - been 48 hours Mad

but everything is good)

Pics of Ulee in his doggles in the drivers seat soon promise. Razz

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Demo, we live about 2 miles from her work and about 14 from mine. The Toy is going to give me about 17mpg in the city if I keep it under 40mph - not hard to do.

You mentioned the musso and saftey for your wife. Me too. Road rage, flying rocks, car jackers, you name it, we got it here. Phoenix is rated number 1 in the nation for road rage. I'd rather be driving a small package like this or the 4runner or the Landcruiser than some of the American built SUVs though. Those things are f'n huge.

here's the pic you wanted brother animalbirdfish Smile