billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed May 27, 2015 3:50 pm

as of today's date - one month to go!

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat May 30, 2015 12:15 pm

I think the SE is as good as I can get it so I'd class it now as -trip ready! the frogarm's have certainly tightened up the front end plus the steering feels a bit heavier. actually on a quick run it appeared really stiff...............just like 30 years ago :lol:

anyway apart from the higher cruising speed in the nt I think that it will handle the dirt roads much better than prior to the installation and i guess I will soon find that out.
back in 1980 I took a brand new rs2000 escort almost from the showroom and with a mate did a 18,000kl trip around aust and that was when the top of west aust had some dirt

in 1982 I purchased a new Honda civic and with a mate too it to the flinder's ranges in sa and then did the birdsville track - that wasn't too bad either and a 500klm dirt run. I'd say much scarier then than if dríven now.
not much changed really - I still have the pawn star lip and most of the hair... :lol:

so when I say this mx5 will be on the dirt.....it will be on the dirt!

so next up a bit of camping gear

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 5:40 pm

as of today i might do a bit of backpacking on the trip too!...lol

which will give me more room here to put the other stuff!

chops · Postby **chops** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:28 pm

I read a bit of this thread and thought that an MX5 may not be the most suitable car for this journey.

Now I see you have a history of unsuitable car choices and I am far more impressed

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 8:22 pm

thanks

I too would think it's not the perfect choice of a car but it's a lot better choice than taking my other ...a z3. I am prepared to take the risk with this car as i know it pretty well but if anything went wrong with that beemer and it probably would - I'd be drained in the pocket/pants like a hillbilly at a hoar- :lol:

house
sh*t! that's not a bad one either. future reference...lol

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 5:45 pm

Mitsubishi air vents fitted today. hopefully like others have mentioned in different forums it will improve air flow from the air-con unit

part bonnet bra. more interested in protecting the actual bonnet from stone chips rather than the front bar

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:16 pm

you would not believe the crap the wife has requested on this trip - tent/ table/chairs/toilet/shower screen/ sleeping bags/pads/ soft cooler/ stove/ solar water shower etc etc - the list goes on. all this and only in use if we camp in the scrub or get caught too far from accommodation otherwise its in motels. strangely enough I have almost managed to put those items together

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:37 pm

I feel I am just writing this coming drive thread for my own personal amusement with very little outside interest. rather than waste my time posting the trip here I might provide a link to either the bird or bike forum I belong to in the usa and if you wish to take a look you can track progress there.

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 2:33 pm

We're reading mate, I'm interested. Looking forward to seeing the packed car and hearing about the trip!

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:23 pm

Also reading! ... keep it coming ...

We've done some small trips in all three of our MX-5's, the longest being our recent trip of 3,000 kms to Canberra, via the mountains. We keep to reasonable roads though, so I'm very interested to watch your progress.

Snowmotion · Postby **Snowmotion** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:35 pm

don't stop. keep it coming.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:38 pm

I've been following this too!

I learnt very early on that my wife does not do camping, so we hop between hotels when we do a driving tour. Plus side is less equipment, slightly. (Freed up tent space was consumed by more luggage :lol:

)

Reading back over I can't see, what are you doing for fuel? Being our tanks are quite puny and some of the distances between fuel stations out there can be quite significant.

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:46 pm

Subscribed :mrgreen:

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:51 pm

Just because no one's replying doesnt mean no one is reading through it. Always enjoy reading through this thread and all the other se threads.

Dont understand how you can do such a drive in an mx5, i struggle to last an hour in the stock seat and a little longer in the sprint.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:28 pm

Yeah, keep posting, just because you may not get feedback doesn't mean nobody's reading, just look at the thread's "Views" count - also, I'm sure most of us want to see how the road trip pans out.

I quite liked chops' comment above:

chops wrote:I read a bit of this thread and thought that an MX5 may not be the most suitable car for this journey.

Now I see you have a history of unsuitable car choices and I am far more impressed