How much has it cost you over a lifetime of driving, and how have your cars died?
Check out the cars i've had...

1979 Suzuki LJ80 $1200 - Killed by drunk bogan in Monaro get $1500 insurance chq Lifespan 3 years
1982 Toyota Corolla Wagon $500 - Rammed into side of van being Colin Mcrae, then got a 4wd enema (slowly), sold to wreckers $50 - Lifespan 3years
1980 BJ40 Landcruiser $1500 - Couldn't kill it, but drove like tractor sold $1200 - 2 years
1984 Mitsubishi Express Starwagon $100 - blew 3rd gear Sold $650! - Lifespan 3years
1977 Mercedes 230 $1500 - Sold for $315 - Rusted to Buggery - Lifespan 4 years
1995 Ford Falcon Wagon $1900 - still going and quite luxurious.

So not including running and repair expenses lets see... after 15years I'm down $2985 and have a car. That means I can justify my six kites, five boards, three wetsuits and kiting holidays to the missus.

My uncle bought it brand new in 1982 for $7500, then we rebuilt it to brand new condition in 2000 and I bought it from him for $7500.



Being a Hilux though, it hasn't died. It has rust now though, pretty serious, but it still works great.

I'd say it's worth less than my flysurfer now, but I couldn't really sell it anyway. I'll just drive it into the ground and get another one. Might upgrade to 1986 model.

Sam
Can't believe you sold the Merc!! Where will you ever get another 4x4 like that??

Stewie said...

That Mercedes looks like Martin Bryant's old car. Is it ? Kitedevil you are in Tassie, He is/was in Tassie ?

I had a gold Datsun Pulsar (that's right - Datsun). It had a reverse siren which was such a chick magnet.

Driven by an old lady from Bondi to Bondi Junction and back to do her groceries. By the time my brother and I had finished with it, there wasn't a straight panel left.

Ended up costing me 50 bucks to tow it to the wreckers.

All my kites have ended up in the bin too. I'm starting to see a pattern.....

Ben De Jonge said...


I can't do the maths on that, but it seems like a good deal to me. Better tan theseplonkers that get a new Corolla on finance, spend 3 years paying it off at which point it's worth 30% of what it was when they bought it.

This a good thread Devil.

My point entirely. The missus spent $20K on a car 7 years ago, it's now worth $8k. Therefore I can have $12K of toys BEFORE we even start counting the sewing machines!

They don't call him Kite Devil for nothing.

slimjim said...


Hey Kitedevil, how about doing the same for your kites and boards you have had. I bet like me it won't look nearly as good. I guess thats Kiting!

You're 100% correct. I was just in the need of fuel for my argument which was something about "all those stupid kite things in the shed...."
Kites are beggining to become un-saleable. OVer 12mths old and it may as well be 4 years old. I'll just have to choose carefully and keep them for my kids and friends, but either way, much prefer a shed full of kites.

Beer Bong said...

I had a gold Datsun Pulsar (that's right - Datsun). It had a reverse siren which was such a chick magnet.

Go the Datsun!! I have a 180B coupe, spend the last 2 years restoring it, runs beautifully, it also has a reverse siren (internal only) because it's a dogleg box. Best thing is i can get my kite, board and camping gear in the back!!

Go the Datsun!! I have a 180B coupe, spend the last 2 years restoring it, runs beautifully, it also has a reverse siren (internal only) because it's a dogleg box. Best thing is i can get my kite, board and camping gear in the back!!

SSS 180B, now thats a cool classic car, unlike everyone else, yours is prob worth 3 times more than the day you got it..

my van 87 hiace 2 cases of beer...

i bought a genuine XW GT off a mate's old man for 14 grand and sold it for 145 grand 5 years later. http://www.grandtourer.com.au/Aspx/CarsForSale.aspx?Sold=1&CarForSaleID=26

stamp said...

i bought a genuine XW GT off a mate's old man for 14 grand and sold it for 145 grand 5 years later. http://www.grandtourer.com.au/Aspx/CarsForSale.aspx?Sold=1&CarForSaleID=26

Anyone want to buy an EF Falcon Wagon, Genuine, pretty straight, for only $145K?

MY GOD MAN, What a score!

Bought my Honda Integra new in 1994 for $48k, you can buy the 2008 version for less than that now!

Anyway since I work for myself I can claim 12% of the cost of the car each year so that’s a tax deduction of $5,700, I still have the car and love it, worth about $8k now but I can still claim $5,700 so it is worth a lot more to me.

More importantly my 129x39 666 fits cross ways in the boot so I can keep my kite gear in the car without putting the rear seats down.

But wish I had bought 4 XW GT's instead.

OK,
back in the 80's when I was a young fella I had $7000 in the bank.
Driving down the magic mile in brisbane back then I coulda bought a nice shiny red XYGT for that back then but decided I'd get a house first, shiny cars later.

Well house is now paid off and worth $400K+ and I get a car allowance which I salary sacrificed for a shiny new car so it costs me zip !

Probably woulda been ahead of the game if I just bought the GTHO, but then I'd have been paying rent for the last 25+ years and mortgaging the house at the bowser to fill her up

au_rick said...

Stewie said...

That Mercedes looks like Martin Bryant's old car. Is it ? Kitedevil you are in Tassie, He is/was in Tassie ?

LOL, it's got tassie plates on it

Sorry guys knew a few people down there that day, he's not a funny guy, nor was his car.

This merc was, however, renowned for it's M20 wakeboarding tow point mounted to the roof via a nice big hole drilled thru it.

Hence why the door sills fell out of it and fist sized holes sprung up out of nowhere. It really was a great car in the surf!

P.C_simpson said...
SSS 180B, now thats a cool classic car, unlike everyone else, yours is prob worth 3 times more than the day you got it..

lol, only thing is that the car is older than me. Don't think I'll ever find out what it's really worth though, I've put too much blood sweat and tears into it to ever part with it!