The Ford Capri Laser Page

Hi All,
I've just been watching one of these Motorway Patrol programmes.
Apparently, as bizarre as it seems, car insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand, not even third party cover is required. How mad is that?

Andrew.

Probably something sheep related as always!

In Western Australia (I don't know about the other states) the vehicle licence includes third party insurance so all licenced cars are insured, no matter who is driving them. The insurance is only the legal basic third party injury and death and if you want better insurance for your car you can get that privately from insurance companies, as in this country.

If you don't licence the car you have to return the number plates or they come to your house and remove them. If you are caught driving an unlicenced car other than to a pre arranged appointment at a licencing centre then they can seize the car and scrap it.

They also don't have MOT's but if you let the licence lapse the car has to "go over the pits" which means a police inspection which is far tougher than our MOT before a new one can be issued.

I think all this is sensible and it keeps the uninsured twats off the road.

Hi,
I like the sound of the system used in Western Australia.
The cost of the license depends on the value of the car, so the more affluent a person is, the more expensive theirr car is likely to be and they'll pay more to license it. A quick calculation shows that the fee for a £10k car is around £286 per year.
I'm not sure that not having an annual test is such a good idea though. Although it appears that in NZ the police are a lot stricter about enforcing vehicle roadworthiness rules than the police in this country.

Andrew.

The Aussie police are very hot on vehicle condition, even if they find something like a split gear lever gaiter or sun visor missing the car will get whats called a yellow sticker (something like our prohibition notice)and this means the car has to go for the inspection.

(Gear lever gaiter might sound silly but with the vast mileages in Aussie exhaust fumes can get inside the car and the sun visors for obvious reasons with intense sunlight and temperatures up to 40c.)

Most people are sensible and keep their cars up to scratch as breaking down in the bush is no laughing matter but obviously there is an element of idiots who don't, just like here.

Hi,
I've also learnt that New Zealanders pronounce Subaru as Soo-BAR-roo. Just though I'd share that with you all.......

Andrew.

And in Australia its a soo-bar-ROO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those crazy Antipodeans eh?

Andrew.

More Motorway Patrol viewing.....

Did you know that in New Zealand, there is only one company authorised to make registration plates. All plates must be purchased through this channel to comply with legislation. If not, the illegal plates may (will!) be seized by Police.

Andrew.

Who'd have thought that in NZ, cars aren't allowed to be lowered to within 100mm of the ground at their lowest point? (Excluding tyres, obviously!) Suspension and engine mods are illegal unless they have been certified as safe by a qualified assesor. Strict or what?

Andrew.

Good idea, they should do it here too when you see the number of (usually) youngsters with a Polo or Corsa with the car an inch from the ground and the rear wheels cambered in at what looks like 45 degrees. It must affect the cars handling and the rear tyres' contact area with the road.

Worked with a young lad who cambered his rear wheels. Bodges some washers behind the hubs to get the cambered effect.
New tyres every 2 weeks and where the tyres rubbed the arches it made the paint bubble. Handled like a bag of shit. And the scraping when he drove over a cats eye or white line was unbelievable. Apparently tho this was 'cool'

rshyndy wrote:Worked with a young lad who cambered his rear wheels. Bodges some washers behind the hubs to get the cambered effect.
New tyres every 2 weeks and where the tyres rubbed the arches it made the paint bubble. Handled like a bag of shit. And the scraping when he drove over a cats eye or white line was unbelievable. Apparently tho this was 'cool'

Hi,
I've never understood the fad for extreme cambered wheels. Looks crap!

Andrew.

Hi Andrew

Only car that looks good with extra camber (while still being 100% drive able and comfortable) is an old Beetle. Otherwise yeah, it looks shite unless its practical like on a race car or a drift car.

On the subject of Oz, anyone here watch Mighty Car mods on youtube? Great little series IMO

"You learn a new thing every day, Eddie. And today I learned that you're a COMPLETE BASTARD."

Major_Tom wrote:"You learn a new thing every day, Eddie. And today I learned that you're a COMPLETE BASTARD."

I learned not to watch Bottom..........

Andrew.

You tricksy man!

-JC- wrote:On the subject of Oz, anyone here watch Mighty Car mods on youtube? Great little series IMO

YES! I love that channel! Those two are a joy to watch, and their accents are funny to listen to as well. I was thinking of getting one of their stickers for my car.

Check out "Regular Car Reviews" too if you haven't already. His reviews can be absolutely hilarious if you are into that sort of humour and can get the jokes.
Check out his review for the Fox Body Mustang and the Mazda MX-5 (or if you're an American: "Miata") and go from there.