Diesel cost killed Maverick!

Submitted: Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 13:33
ThreadID: 22687 Views:2994 Replies:5 FollowUps:12
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She's gone, cant afford to fuel it up any more. After a few boxes of Kleenex its time to move on a find a replacement.
Suzuki Vitara, great reputation but too small.
Settled on Kia Sportage 97. Why? Low kms, never been offroad or even close to a gravel road. Has Kia made Mazda copy KE3 engine which has strengthened webbing, oil cooled pistons and is DOHC. Basically a European Mazda 626, the only change Kia made was to detune a little for increased torque and use a less expensive diesel crank with 8 bolt flange instead of 6. German made Getrag gearbox, and suspension designed by Lotus. Sounds like a good recipe.
It now sits in my garage.....
Comments on tyre change from the standard P205/70R15 using standard rim 15x6 would be appreciated. I would like to go 30x9.50R15LT, not sure fi it will fit on the rim............
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Reply By: ianmc - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 13:47

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 13:47
Was it Gary in Oz who used to have one of these quite modified? Maybe you could try outerlimits 4x4 site, lots there. Had bigger wheels & other go anywhere mods.
Dont expect great fuel figures & bigger tyres = more fuel & speedo recalibration.
Sounds like a sensible choice anyway if size suits U.
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Follow Up By: ColinD - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 13:50

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 13:50
Thanks, will go to the site and have a look.........
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Follow Up By: ColinD - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 14:16

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 14:16
Diesel in W.A. is around $1.20/L. Forcasts have put $100/barrel within two years. Scarey stuff........... wanted to get rid of the Mav before diesel engine vehicles take a price dive. Got $10,490 for the Mav with 330k on the clock.... very happy ;)
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:24

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:24
Why are diesel engined vehicles going to take a price dive because oil is becoming expensive? It's all made from the same crap. In fact if oil DOES become that expensive I can see BIODEISEL becoming the best alternative which would INCREASE the price of diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel is the most envrionmentally friendly internal comustable fuel as far as I'm aware and is also 100% renewable...

If crude was US$100 per barrel then I reckon it might be worth an independant like Terminals West or equiv to start producing their own biodiesel locally and distributing it through their indepentant service stations.
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Follow Up By: ColinD - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:37

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:37
Have a look at diesel fuel prices Jeff. I know its made from the same stuff, in fact it is less refined than unleaded and therfore should cost less. But, fact is it does not cost less, and is often around 10c/L more. Thats a substantial difference in anyones book.
I looked at the Biodiesel option, seemed too involved for making at home. Also, after some digging around I beleive that this too will become taxed and at least in the near future wont be a cost effective alternative..... have a great day,,,,,,,,,,,
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:46

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:46
"Have a look at diesel fuel prices Jeff"

Yeah... I do that eveytime I get my wallet out to fill the 4by up!

But I can't see the gap widening between diesel and ULP and if ULP is $2 a litire and diesel is $2.10 a litire I'll be choosing to keep my diesel and only use 12Lper 100km around town! ;-)

I agree Biodiesel is not really cost effective at this point in time because of the taxes and the lack of equipment/expterise in the area. However if they are taxing Biodiesel at the same rates as ULP and diesel, if ULP and diesel are over $2 a litire then BioDiesel will ABSOLUTALLY be cheaper if you see where I'm comming from? Because Biodiesel will still only cost 30-40c a litire to produce and even if you pay 50c a litire on it as tax it's still cheaper in that hypothetical situation. (which as you say may not be all that hypothetical in a couple of years time). So IMHO I think there would be a definate market for some of the existing smaller/independant fuel importers/resellers to start producing their own biodiesel and selling it retail if the price of oil get's that high.

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Follow Up By: ColinD - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:59

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:59
Yea I here ya, dont get me wrong. If one day in the future everone is running around on cheap bio its better for everyone. Ill miss the size of the Mav and the respectable 12.5L/100km with torque only a diesel can provide. But for me to have the Mav sit in the shed over the weekend because of the cost of running, when I could be out bush in something smaller having fun, then thats what Ill do. At around 10L/100km for the Kia and the 10c/L price difference..............Im sold to the idea.
Ive had to compromise on size, tow etc. but Ill live. ..........
Have a great day..........col
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:06

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:06
Fair enough, I need more space as it is myself!! :-(

I reckon those Kias look pretty good anyway, despite the bad knocks people give them. People used to give me knocks when I owned Daihatsu 4wd's but we used to leave them for dead! LOL

My best mate still does in his Feroza! He went flying (literally) over a dune that the cruisers and patrols kept getting stuck on the other day and showed them "that size really doesn't matter!" LOL

Have fun with it!!
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:35

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:35
Biodiesel is already taxed.. or supposed to be.

I agree with the hassle of making it at home - is it worth it.. Numerous people seem to have probs gettin enough old CHEAP oil from shops now

10/100 V12/100 isnt that much of a difference - even with 10cpl more. work out the differences in the price of the 2 cars then work out how long to recoup that $.
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Reply By: Utemad - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:35

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:35
My friend has the 2000 model. It has the longer body. Not sure if the suspension is the same in the two shapes but if it is aftermarket suspension would go a long long way in improving its off road ability. His doesn't see much offroad at all but when it does it wallows around and bottoms out on every little thing.

Kinda like my Rodeo before I changed the suspension on it...............
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Reply By: Brew69(SA) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:47

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:47
Good luck ColinD and i hope you can say KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA loudly cos when u are broken down in the bush u will be wishing u still had the Mav. Like i said Good luck. Both Today Tonight and A Current Affair have runs stories about unhappy Kia owners.........I hope u end up being the exception to the rule.
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Follow Up By: ColinD - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:19

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:19
Hi Brewman..... if you have heard of common faults with a 97 Kia Sportage I love to here from you so I can be better prepared when I go bush. The vibe I got from research was that peoples gripes were generally about small warranty problems that the dealer didnt want to or had no idea how to fix. (as is the case with a lot of new models introduced into the market).
As far as breaking down is concerned its something that I considered before purchase. I have grown up on the farm fixing all manner of machinery, had 9 years as a trade mechanic and EFI specialist, and have currently done 5 years working as an Avionics Technician on one of the most advanced aircraft around. Granted there are things that will stop anybody in their tracks, but consider myself to be in a better situation than some when it comes to being able to make repairs............. have a great day..........col
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Follow Up By: Brew69(SA) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:44

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 17:44
Hey Colin...much of what i said was tongue in cheek :) I can only honestly say that since seeing the shows on TV its all about if people throw mud it sticks. I don't even remember what cars were on the shows,only that they were Kia's. Good luck with your purchase and i hope it brings you years of trouble free cheap motoring. And the price of ULP and LPG sucks too. :))
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Follow Up By: Mick - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:09

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:09
Colin, I think you'll be less likely to have trouble with this vehicle than a Ford!!! Bottom line of course is you don't want to have trouble because even being a highly skilled expert, you'll still have to stop and repair the faults and that is a disruption to a journey.
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Reply By: Seanny - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:21

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 22:21
Hi there,

If oil gets to $100.00 a barrel, then we are all in trouble.

Interesting choice of vehicle - enjoy it.

Sean
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:48

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:48
people were saying that about $50 a barrel too.

it will happen... just when.
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Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:35

Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 23:35
Just saw the post...

Mine is a 2002 (unlike others here that speculate),

Yes Ive got 31 x 10.5 tyres on 15x7 rims but it takes a few mods to get there.

It is possible to fit 235/75R15 tyres to the standard rims with minimal cutting (a bit off the lower lip of the front bumper (theoretically 29" tyres)

The best place to get info on mods and anything else "Sportage" is

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?Cat=&C=25

Only issues I have had are 1 blown front diff (pushing it a bit too far, possibly another stripped sidegears now) and a fried hub (Warn aftermarket). I have had it upto the seat inside with water(over bonnet & 3" below pass window level) The only prob is ECU located under passengers feet, got the vehicle pulled out, dried the ECU and drove home.

Most of my driving has been in the company of Patrols/LC's/Hiluxes/Zooks, mostly modified, so the damage toll needs to be taken with that in mind. At no time have I not made it home unassisted ( ie. towed)
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