How many on here have "Downsized" ??

[STINKY NINJA]

Went from an el v8 to a new cj lancer,then back to a new xr6 turbo ute. Should have kept the lancer because the turbo has a really weak diff and the build quality is poo.
So thats downsized then upsized

[STINKY NINJA]

Originally Posted by TC200six

I've been driving a 2011 Lancer lately and I think it's a good choice. It's all I need and it gets along well even for highway driving compared to the old bombs I'm used to.

Cj lancers are very good cars,me and the missus sold our 2010 lancer activ to get a fg turbo ute and regretted it
Never had 1 issue with the lancer in the 2 years we owned it,got a stage 1 tune and ralliart intake so the worst thing was wheelspin trying to take off

[blueoval]

My sister has an 07 vrx lancer and its been a killer car for her. After having some pretty ordinary cars in the past, its considered an upgrade with the lancer. I dont mind driving it either.

WiggyMK2 has recently acquired a 2010 ralliart Lancer hatchback and its a dam nice car. Goes pretty good too.

[LeadFoot81]

Late last year I downsized from an AU2 XR8 to a WS Fiesta Zetec. The Fiesta is my first 'buzz box' after owning a string of E-Series Falcons/Fairmonts and the AU. It's also the first car I picked based on how it would suit my life style.

Originally Posted by greenfoam

Gone from a Commodore and Jeep to a Fiesta, smartest move ever. Uses half the fuel and twice as fast around corners as a full size car, can't beat these hoon laws so spirited corners are the only way to still enjoy your driving. Got a long term average of 5.9l/100 on the thing. Got no plans to ever own a larger car that this again

Spot on mate. Small cars have come a long way in a short time. They're well equipped, comfortable and fun to drive. I can't see myself buying a large car again.

However I did keep my XR8 because I'm so attached to it. Both cars are great fun on spirited weekend drives, but for the weekday grind the Fiesta wins hands down.

[strobe]

Looking at downsizing my mechanical bills by shedding the wife's Alfa...does that count?

[BrisVegas]

We've downsized to one car from two. does that count? We had a 2006 Focus Zetec as the "big" car and a 2009 Fiesta Zetec as my wife's car. Looking to get more into camping and touring, we sold my Focus and bought the old Pajero with the money. Not long after that we moved closer to town and found we could survive with just one car. I ride my bike to work and we walk the kids to kindy and school etc. So, we sold the Fiesta, sadly. The Pajero is a bit more versatile and being a diesel isn't too bad on fuel. I miss the little Fiesta though, such a fun car to drive. We're putting a fair bit of pressure on the Pajero now, as we're clocking up 30,000km a year on it and it's already got 320k on it, but I just can't afford or justify going back to two cars.

I almost bought an AU2 Fairmont Ghia off a mate recently as it was a bargain and they're so reliable, but chickened out at the last minute. If my wife goes back to work full time next year, I might look at leasing another little Fiesta/Focus or similar for her to put the miles on and give the poor old Paj a break. For now though, can't afford it.

[OzJavelin]

I think I've downsized by doing nothing. My '03 SV8 appears to be noticably smaller than my sister-in-laws Mondeo, so my "large" car seems to now be a "medium"?

[Halfmo Rocks]

i downsized to my current Renault Clio early this year from a BF XR6

it was a case of struggling with the fuel cost & needing some quick cash for the bills. it's a great little car for what it is...fuel economy especially...but it is a bit slow, and i'm not a skinny frenchman, big burly aussies weren't in the design plan for small french cars

my financial situation has turned around a little, hopefully back in a falcon in the next few months

[dannyxm]

Always had Falcons / Fairlanes 'lashed out' at got an FG XR6 11 plate for the kids, (9 month old twins, bigger is better.

Having said that, we live a simple life, but love our cars

[GQ_Smooth]

I had a BF2 Ghia Mrs had a AU3 ex-police persuit.

She now has my old BF2 GHIA and I have a Mazda 6 MPS. Down size for us (although I would have bought a Typhoon instead of the Mazda if they were in my price range).

[Silver Ghia]

Whats the point in downsizing, when fuel costs are not much different, and the Falcons are cheaper to service and maintain than an imported smaller car. Having had medium size cars until about 12 years ago, I now enjoy the extra space inside the Falcons to stretch out at the lights, and the extra bootspace to put stuff in.

[PHANTMXR6]

I went from a BA XR6 to a PT Cruiser, then back up to a Territory before I got the FG.

[stevz]

I would rather take public transport than buy some stupid looking 4 cylinder front wheel drive buzz box.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Whats the point in downsizing, when fuel costs are not much different, and the Falcons are cheaper to service and maintain than an imported smaller car. Having had medium size cars until about 12 years ago, I now enjoy the extra space inside the Falcons to stretch out at the lights, and the extra bootspace to put stuff in.

It's not just about the running costs, it's cost me a tonne of money to downsize, plus the old Falcon costs virtually nothing to keep on the road, so that aspect is irrelevant for me. I just people prefer the way small cars drive and handle. I actually prefer front wheel drive, I find it easier and more predictable to drive, especially in bad weather. It's generally easier to zip in and out of crowded city car parks or weave around trams than it is in a big old Falcon. I hate getting behind the wheel of my current ride, it is a really exhausting car to drive around the city or suburbia in. Totally different story in the country but I don't live in the country.

[RG]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Whats the point in downsizing, when fuel costs are not much different, and the Falcons are cheaper to service and maintain than an imported smaller car. Having had medium size cars until about 12 years ago, I now enjoy the extra space inside the Falcons to stretch out at the lights, and the extra bootspace to put stuff in.

Don't quite get this.

Fuel costs me half as much (even compared to my old EL) and the pug is cheaper and easier to service than either Falcon I've had. Parts are also cheaper as there is no "Ford dealer tax".

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by dimka100

I would love to downsize to the brand new Focus ST ... but no auto = no deal!

Drove the new ST today as I am thinking about downsizing the GT to one. The manual is great, the only complaint for me now is the seats.... just dont think I coudl live with them.

[JG34JA]

Just downsized electricity bills by up to 70%, nice. Had a bill so large anger overcame inertia. More to come.

In 2004 dowsized our ED Falcon for a 3 door Echo. Fantastic on fuel. Fantastically wrong for a family of four.

In 2007 traded in on Territory said Echo and 60 Series Landcruiser. Great move.

Next move is probably downsizing to Golf/Focus/i30 wagon, and retiring Territory when not on snow/country trips. It's been a good car, and idea of keeping the wagon body and cutting weekly fuel bills by 1/2 to 2/3 really appeals. The 3 door Echo at 6L/100km was pretty good, but now some small cars are chewing nearly 25% less and offering more practicality, size; and technology/equipment has advanced as well. Post QE3 what will fuel go to - $2? With that in mind, 6L/100km becomes the absolute limit of consumption tolerated. V8 remains in shed for those days when I want to hear that huge note and get pushed back by the torque, and watch the fuel needle fall.

While I'm at it, agree that it is possible to have an enormous amount of fun in a hot hatch that doesn't chew too much in the daily run, I'd love a shot at doing this, there's something about spraying snow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKx7rJAGw_o

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by RG

Don't quite get this.

Fuel costs me half as much (even compared to my old EL) and the pug is cheaper and easier to service than either Falcon I've had. Parts are also cheaper as there is no "Ford dealer tax".

My FG costs around $250 for a normal service, my wifes VW Polo costs around $500 for a standard service. And what do you mean by "Ford dealer tax"?

But yes, I conceed that the Polo fuel costs would be about 30% cheaper than the Falcon, which would equates to about $300 per year if 6000-7000km is travelled like I'm doing at the moment.

So it ends up about the same in my case.

[Fordman]

Currently driving ba xt, hoping to upgrade to 335 ;)

[BPXR6T]

Downsized from a 4x4 to a beat up POS falcon ute as my daily. 8.5L/100km is much easier to live with than 18L/100km with the kind of kays I do.

[Bearman]

I downsized to my Honda 12 months ago. I have a 100km cross town daily commute and cover 30,000km per year. Cheaper to run and maintain than my old BA and the Honda service department are so much better to deal with. It's the perfect daily commuter and it's not a bad open road car either despite being a FWD 4 banger mix master.

I do have pangs of regret I'm not in a Ford and I do feel a bit odd turning up to car club meetings in it but the way I see it I have a coupe to play with on the weekends so I'll drive whatever I like.

I am looking at the Eco LPI for my next upgrade. It'll be a perfect fit for what I want in a car. Still a long ways off though.

[SumoDog68]

This morning , two cars stopped at the lights side to side in front of me , new Focus and BA Falcon - just looking at them Focus looked like a bigger car - i actually had to check their dimension data and ofcourse Falcon is bigger but just looking at them didnt look that way , especially in width.

[DJM83]

Yep went from an AUII TE50, to an XR5 Focus, i miss the note thats it and even then its close.
Nah the TE was an awesome car

Gotta at the space argument, i did one interstate trip in my AU then have done 3 in the Focus still managed to fit it all in and it still drives with not hint there is a boot full.

[TheZHLANE]

Always on the upsize haha

[mik]

added a v8 to the fleet


size matters !

[mik]

Originally Posted by JG34JA

Just downsized electricity bills by up to 70%, nice. Had a bill so large anger overcame inertia. More to come.

In 2004 dowsized our ED Falcon for a 3 door Echo. Fantastic on fuel. Fantastically wrong for a family of four.

In 2007 traded in on Territory said Echo and 60 Series Landcruiser. Great move.

Next move is probably downsizing to Golf/Focus/i30 wagon, and retiring Territory when not on snow/country trips. It's been a good car, and idea of keeping the wagon body and cutting weekly fuel bills by 1/2 to 2/3 really appeals. The 3 door Echo at 6L/100km was pretty good, but now some small cars are chewing nearly 25% less and offering more practicality, size; and technology/equipment has advanced as well. Post QE3 what will fuel go to - $2? With that in mind, 6L/100km becomes the absolute limit of consumption tolerated. V8 remains in shed for those days when I want to hear that huge note and get pushed back by the torque, and watch the fuel needle fall.

While I'm at it, agree that it is possible to have an enormous amount of fun in a hot hatch that doesn't chew too much in the daily run, I'd love a shot at doing this, there's something about spraying snow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKx7rJAGw_o

it would be fun , i can remember as a young buks myself and mates drifting on a clay pan, firm surface , but slippery like teflon, and not a fwd in sight ;).

[JimStone]

Originally Posted by mik

it would be fun , i can remember as a young buks myself and mates drifting on a clay pan, firm surface , but slippery like teflon, and not a fwd in sight ;).

dunno what you missed - fond memories off chucking a weber fed 1310 beast of a Mini sideways up and down the Kuranda Range back in the eighties....

[Powdered Toast Man]

I want to downsize, but only because I don't need a big heavy family car. It's not about running costs. In fact if I could have (read afford - I cant afford an M3, RS4 or an SLK etc) a small/medium car with a big engine (or at least one with 8 pots if not large swept volume) I would.

But then I've been meaning to downsize for a couple of years and it hasn't happened yet. Just not financially viable for me to get rid of my perfectly good Falcon just for the sake of change.

[Petrolhead]

Didn't have a choice in downsizing now in a Quantum 600 powerchair

[mik]

Originally Posted by JimStone

dunno what you missed - fond memories off chucking a weber fed 1310 beast of a Mini sideways up and down the Kuranda Range back in the eighties....

ahh at one stage i had a warm 68 mini too, 92 mph on 10 inch wheels baby, and 3 inches off the ground ;).