billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

[Okibi]

Cotton & Cotton Candy Blog

I share your skill at fishing, caught plenty of things like a barnacle encrusted bra, octopus, sea turtle, myself, eel but not many edible fish. I'm a fan of catching squid, it's less sedentary and they taste good.

If you are a fan of fishing (especially in British Columbia . ), happy to plug my mates website http://www.fishingwithrod.com/ , Rod's always been a keen fisherperson (I think that's what we call them these days) , I like to live my fishing dreams vicariously through him.

[Regie]

just had a read of your trip, bummer about the fish.

love the way you take your little cars on these great adventures! not scared to get them dirty and rack up the milage

keep it up! great read

[billybunter]

For those reading - remember the Roo incident At North Bourke. I sent an email off to the Council and Local Paper. No response from the paper and 3 days later I got a reply back from Bourke council that the info would be passed on.
One week later...... nothing! So I sent another email saying that its a very small place and not as if it has 200,000 residents and I should have had a reply within 3 days.
Anyway say 2 hours later the wife got a call from their GM, I was out at the local motor bike shop. So now he wants to talk to me!...Big deal! so GFY
I had just set up a petition on change Org too-see below. What I can say if who reads that has any dignity whatsoever -would sign it. One of the most disgusting sights I've seen and was enough to totally abort the trip North. that's coming from some one who in his first 30 odd years of life-shot the sh*t out of anything too!
Am I that fond of Roo's...Not really. I've had a few car hits and shot quite a few too BUT that's totally different compared to totally starved native animals venturing into town limits to prop themselves up to die...while town folk and fu//0 wits drive by and gawk at them.
Would or could I have disposed of it humanly. Bloody oath I could have BUT if caught I bet I would be getting my chance to appear in the Bourke courthouse.
Unfortunately for that Roo it was in the wrong place . I don't think any animal deserves that I couldn't care less attitude. also Makes me wonder if in a similar situation a dog would have been treated any better.
The GM told the wife it had most likely been hit by a car and he's just trying to save his ASS! Not likely. No car no bullet just a case of almost starved to death and out of luck
If you want to sign the petition below do it! if you couldn't care less...just move on!
Will it worry me if you don't Not really in a couple of weeks I will have the new motorbike and all this will be is past news


https://www.change.org/p/brooklyn-mcine ... m=copyLink

[billybunter]

The caravan park we stayed at in Lightning ridge was located in a pretty quiet area and had cabins for roughly $120 a night. We were located within 200 metres of the Artesian Bore Bath. After the better half had unpacked the Abarth we took a wonder off in the direction of the local watering hole.



The story goes that the water supplied to the Bath was located something like one kilometre underground and has been there pooling away for roughly two million years or so-give or take say five hundred years and excludes all leap years!
Any-way followed by a bit of a brisk walk through the outher reaches of the caravan park we arrive at the site. I suffered an immediate case of drop jaw…not to be confused with a week earlier with the rusty saw blade incident and that alone could have ended with a far more serious case of ………Lock-Jaw.
The sign displayed Lightning Ridge Artesian Bath BUT I could have sworn I was in another time warp and I could be wrong as it happens at times - but I swear it looked more like the Coff’s Harbor “Porpoise Pool”

Anyway I didn’t want to scare the endangered species with camera flash so in respect …no photos shot. Unfortunately I never got back to view the Bath in its natural form either. …How lucky was I








Next day we took a look at the local attractions….like one! Took a few shots of the Bottle House and in reality it’s really no different to when I came out this way in the ‘70’s. Plus a couple of other boring local sights BUT what you have to remember about this place – just like Cooper Pedy - It’s about relieving you of your hard earn $$$$. True I have had a great year breeding the birds BUT when you think about it – although I like to buy in bulk. Do I really want 100 Opals. Plus the word was out some say the Black Opal is classed as VERY BAD LUCK!
Bad Luck my As/! Imagine if I had gone in this direction first and bought some Opals on the way……………..How bad would have my fishing adventure really been. Maybe the reverse and I threw in fish and pulled out hooks?





Arriving at “The GATE” short for Walgett I fueled up the Abarth at a very busy service station. Not big in size but it had customers at all the bowser filling points. While filling the car at least 15 to 20 of the locals entered the shop to buy goodies. The Indians who no doubt own the garage must be making a bundle. What actually surprised me the most - all this work was being run/organized but just one attendant.
Back on the road again and heading forhome it was pretty good sailing. Paddocks were still bare so that had not changed and the drive as usual -boring as hell- but it still looked a lot better than the alternative out back of Bourke way.




Nearing Gilgandra I mentioned to the wife we might have KFC as the floss funds were still pretty healthy and we had not see KFC out in the sticks for close on a week. ….aaaahhhh! The 3 piece feed yummy!
In Gilgandra and I don’t know how this happened I couldn’t find the KFC outlet at all. Told the wife in our direction of travel it had always been on the right hand side of town. Well the answer was quite simple and I found out 40 kilometres later on up the high-way when I passed through Collie- Way back in Gilgandra - I had taken the wrong turn!
I’d never been to Collie in my life but had heard of it alright. So I had the choice to either back track to Gilgandra then on to Dubbo or go further west and cut across to the Mitchell Highway via Trangie/Dubbo . I really hate driving back over bad calls so - I opted for the Trangie treck.
The fifty klm run to Trangie was via a narrow and at times pretty close to a one lane road. I passed roughly three road train too. They had probably been working from the Cotton Ginn. I wasn’t moving all that quick and thankfully got past the lot drama free.
Bye-passed Dubbo for the KFC and eventually sat our tails inside the KFC chicken outlet at Wellington.
The remaining 100 klm run to home was good clean running apart from that stinking long stretch of 60 kph road works near Molong but it gave me time to reflect as there was another thought cooking away in the brain box.
The SE had sat dormant under the back verandah for the past two years. Apart from a colour change it had barely covered 50 klm in actual road work. Back when I was trying to cash it in I mentioned to several buyers- You can get straight into that car and touch nothing. Just fuel her up and drive it any-where.




Well I might put that theory to the test and say sometime in late July point it in the direction of The Great Ocean Road in Victoria. That move could chew up an easy 2,000 klm. Although I have a new bike arriving about then so will see what happens or could happen.
We arrived in the big city of “O” pretty close on dark with thankfully no Roo hits. Overall you could say the short outback run of 2.200 klm actually turned out to be –One sweet ride!
Quick summary of the trip to follow!

[billybunter]

Summary of the trip



Back home I’ve had a couple of days to reflect on the run. In theory it appeared to be a pretty interesting run but in reality I’d almost class it as a total waste of time. The Countryside looked poor due to the drought. There were lots of dead or near dead native animals on or near the roadside especially out back of Cunnamulla Qld way. I didn’t bother mentioning that side or placing photos of them either
The Abarth ran extremely well and trouble free. I was running the Blue Spark tuning box in setting E or full power and picked up say 30 hp extra and it was great to drive. I think it’s a far better car to drive long distance than the SE with more space too. On two occasions it did 600 klm day runs.
Also attracts far more attention where-ever i go…onlookers are curious and comment. On both long distance runs to the NT and over several weeks in the SE it didn’t get a single comment! The Abarth is harder to drive at the legal speed limit too. This I feel is mainly due to the digital speedometer and I had to run the speed alert to keep it at the legal. I have absolutely no problem running the SE at the legal and it probably has double the power output. Although saying that the Abarth is still a 220 kph car so it’s not top end slow either.
Given the choice and if the Open Limit in the NT was still up and running- I would take the Abarth for that top end run rather than the SE. I bet the Abarth would be pretty stable at the top end where I had float issues at 235 kph in the SE and failed to get it to it’s top end speed which may be 260kph plus or what- ever 7500 rpm is in 6th gear.
The only real drama on the run was flying stones from passer-bys and the two rocks that hit the windscreen between Cunnamulla and St George in Queensland. Plus I think the Plasti-dip on the front end worked a treat and saved numerous stone chips over the body on the many klm of freshly sealed roads.
Overall the only real problem I see with the Abarth is they are a bit on the overpriced side. Although the new model release is in Australia now and they have shaved several thousand dollars off the previous model’s pricing. May sound good but FIAT aren’t totally stupid so they dropped the price and added the previous standard goodies as optional extras…..LOL
Doesn’t matter a great deal to me although I wouldn’t mind the new look model. I think to do that swap I'd be looking at a $10K drop in price so I think I will shell my extra cash in motorcycles as I enjoy them far better than driving either of these two cars. That venture will start in a few weeks when the new release model arrives and a few of the USA forum guys want me to do a test on one. Only a $11K outlay to find out and if they are no good ….Quick cash sale and move on to the next.








I set out with the idea to run the complete trip on Floss power alone plus throw in the eats as well. That’s exactly what I did. Would I recommend it! No – too much trouble and not worth the effort and a lot of time tied up spinning it and getting the sales for the crappy stuff too. Plus there was always the risk of a $3000 floss machine being knocked off too. But that was my plan and the idea –could it be done successfully. So it’s a YES and more importantly a big NO!
Well the fishing was a total write-off and it’s pretty easy to understand why. I’d say a lot to do with the following –No fresh water in any of the creeks as most appeared stagnant and being in the midst of winter it was pretty cold out back of Bourke way too. Barometric pressure decides at times if you catch a fish or not. Plus the real decider- No European Carp were caught on the entire trip either and that’s rarely heard of.
Either way you look at fishing the inland waterways - it’s by far a better place to fish now….fish or no fish. I came from the time period when in the 70’s you took whatever you caught from the rivers. …and I mean everything.
It wasn’t unusual to spend a couple of nights at Bourke on Beemery Station and come home with a couple of hundred fish…mainly Yellowbelly and Cod. Plus if the fish weren’t biting –out came the gill nets.
Today it’s much better scenario for the native fish. No fish bad luck and just move on. Plus the younger generation of fishermen is far better schooled with the catch and release scheme.
The accommodation was pretty good at every stop apart from the cabins looked a bit on the tired at Cunnamulla. Like pretty old 70/80’s models or the very first generation following the demise of the old school over-night vans. Once inside the units it was quite acceptable and as good as the others-Clean and tidy but due to their smaller size a bit cramped and short on walking space.
I started the run on 5828 and ended on roughly 8020 so pretty close on 2200 trouble free klm.
In 015 and 016 I passed through Bourke on both my outback runs. Roughly the same time period too. Only difference both years had seen rain and plenty of it. In places the water was actually pooling in the table drains for a few hundred metres. The countryside was green and the animals were about unlike this trip which was the total opposite.
So time will tell what happens next but in a couple of weeks or so I might take the SE out for a good run and roughly the same distance along - The Great Ocean Road. As mention earlier in the threads it’s been dormant and just sitting there for the past two years. So I guess it could do with a good long run.
Hopefully a few of you enjoyed the read and got the odd laugh or two. Well I did get 2 responses from several hundred lookers over the trip period…….How lucky am I A bit more interaction would have been nice BUT I know there could be more than that behind it…………….I bet you all hate the ABARTHS….
I actually think the hi-light of the trip was watching that guy man handle his missus while she attempted to straddle that Wombat in Thallon Qld! If I regret one thing on the trip …it’s not taking a frigg’in photo!
Sometimes an opportunity comes along and it’s right in front of you…….If she would have slipped off that Wombat and landed on him……I’d say curtains for him!
If I take the SE out on a run to Victoria it would be interesting to do the comparison on both cars. Mind you I still like the SE a lot. My mutation bird breeding program has ended on a high note $$$ wise– unlike months earlier on when I tried for the car sale when I was a bit strapped for cash,

while I was away the motorcycle dealer emailed a new release for August. 650 CC bikes and asked if I wanted to go to the new 650 rather than the dressed up 500. doesn't matter about the upgrade -either way I will get it for free. But I think I might go the CHROME but will take any. He mentioned why don't I buy both time will tell but with a brand new model...…..it's more risky than breeding birds

here they are again...trip back to the '70's






What a difference four months and 150 young birds later make! On one hand I am enjoying breeding these little parrots for a head value of a mere $10ea and it’s not for the $$$ either …LOL and not far from them a mutation finch flies about worth 180 times more or pretty close to a fastback roof for the SE

I may sacrifice 1.5 of them and go fastback, well I could go two but i'd expect a fair hunk of change!

[billybunter]

It’s 10AM Sunday and a pretty cold and frosty morning. Outside temp is 6C as I walk over to the SE which has sat dormant for roughly four months. Car is totally covered in a layer of fine powdery dust.
Out comes the garden hose and I give it a quick wash down. Get into the cabin and kick it into life. Just a crank or two and it kicks into song and settles down into a rich fast idle of 1500 rpm. All I hear in the crisp morning air is the snaps and crackles from the 3” Stainless Steel exhaust system with the Varex muffler.
A couple of minutes later I am out of the driveway and onto the main drag. The very first thing I notice is it’s a pretty tight spot in the cabin compared to the Abarth but the crackles and pops coming from the exhaust sounds more like music to the ears.
At the first corner I hit the indicator stalk to turn right and from then on - its all systems go. Even though I am riding on stock suspension it still feels a bit hard compared to the Fiat! But in the back ground that exhaust note burbling away brings a smile to my face.
In 2nd gear I come out of the first roundabout and hit the 80 zone area. Feed the power on and feel the rear end move about some-what as the motor comes to life. Power on further and it pushes me back into the seat but in a nifty controlled way - not a savage bite. The odometer rolled on to 84,000 neat.
Reflecting back to 2011 when I purchased it as a one owner from that old Professor guy in Qld University with 49,000 on the clock. He had plans to buy a MGA. I’ve been in one of those and don’t go much on them either.
Prior to this purchase I had the chance to buy a fully restored Triumph TR3 for S25K. Should have bought that and unlike this car-on to-days market double to triple the money.
The 100 kph zone comes up and I’m in 3rd gear and give it the works and it’s off like a scalded cat. Engine roaring loudly and the exhaust even crackling and popping more. Big smile on my face as I think back to the big $$$ spent on all the worthwhile motor upgrades. There is no doubt it’s a pretty quick car to drive and would take a very good car to beat it. I can tell immediately it’s a much faster car than the Abarth BUT in reality I don’t think it does things any better.





But for a 2004 model sports car it does deliver the goods. I noticed at a 100 kph cruise I felt like I was doing a hundred – in the Abarth it feels more like a very slow lazy pace. I do like the Varex muffler and when you want to hear it – open it with the remote and if you want quietness – just close it off.
Today I am really not sure if I’d want to drive the SE at all to the NT and back for a speed run. If that road ever opened up again I think I would choose another vehicle. Not even sure now if I even want to drive it to the Great Ocean Road. Just appears too hard a work when the other car does it so easy.
But saying that it does put a big smile on your face when you hit the throttle and listen to it burble and grumble on the back off! Plus I have to give Dann credit for what was a pretty good upgrade job and tune. After-all the SE had sat for roughly four months and I just jumped in and kicked it over and ran it 30 KLM trouble free. No signs of missing or stale fuel problem just good overall behavior from a more than average power upgrade.
So for that reason alone and unless my circumstances change – It was great to take it out and had a bit of fun today and I guess the SE can go back and sit under the back verandah till sometime in the near future - its woken back up again.
Although today was a run down memory lane in all honesty…nothing beats the thrill of a motorbike! If I only had the one choice…LOL I’d definitely pick the bike as I would absolutely hate the idea if I never had one to go for a bit of a blast.





Then again I may throw the SE up on gumtree for a final hit. I am not strapped for cash so if it happens I might just go for a lowball price of $12,000 and piss it off! In the real world where can you buy a 300 HP SE turbo with $12K in bolt-ons and only 84.000 klm on the clock? Second owner for that price.

To each his own and that’s why we have choices! $12K drive away no more to pay! Couldn't done it four months ago but today who cares - what a difference some birds make

[mekros]

I saw the MX5 listed on Gumtree, I hope it works out the best for you and you're happy with the outcome, whether you sell it or not.

From a selfish perspective, you're 6 months too early otherwise I would have snapped it up.

[billybunter]

well its not an easy life trying to sell a modified SE. a few messages and the odd talk but as of yet nothing else accumulated. that news alone probably makes a few forumites smile and you might be doing that right now but this car will go out the yard and I am 100% sure of that - just don't know the price and in some ways......I don't really care.

[Red_Bullet]

Ok, you have a car, you can paint cars, and you sell birds, you are a great Aussie outback photographer. Nice shots particularly in earlier posts. The SE for sale stories are getting tedious. You seem (from where I sit) to generally be bored. I hope the new bikes solve the boredom for you.

Here's an idea, why not head away offshore and spend the profits from the birds?

[billybunter]

yep! I agree on all three points in your first sentence - so no argument there.

now to the car. you might think I am just complaining about the no sale side and if so you would be very wrong. I don't really care if I sell it or not and here's why

this is a car forum so I must talk about the car but I also throw up the odd bird shot. its not to entertain the forumites and you would be VERY SURPISED on bird sales it has generates! from the visitors

i'd say 2 SE's easily and I repeat for new potential buyers - its a tax free hobby....but high risk!

probably will be disappointing when the car goes...…..I go too

scary photo here -think of a number and multiply by 900

[billybunter]

I put a few hours into this car today and i'd say its as good as I can get it presentation wise. ………...so time will tell with the upcoming inspections. exterior now looks pretty good with good shine too! so its now in the garage .













then the bike dealer emailed and said - your bike is in only problem its brown not green so not only do i have trouble selling a car - i can't get the right colour bike either. now even if i'm getting it for nothing I still expect the right colour so I have till tomorrow to decide if C50464 will be mine or not
I do have the option to paint it

[Okibi]

Get them to upgrade it to the XSR900 ?

[billybunter]

yeah I actually just took a look at that bike and it appears very good value -compared to the enfield for $10,000 but I think a bit too modern and maybe too fast as well. I might have had the odd fast car but I rarely drive fast at all
I know these enfield pretty well as this will be the 12 new bike in the enfield range ive bought in the past 6 years. ...plus two other bike brands.
if it wasn't for the birds...……...it would be a totally different story. well I still may have bought 3 or 4 but not 14 and they were all the same specs only different colours my play about with the SE was minor compared to what these bikes have swallowed.
today I asked the dealer for a speedo readout and placed the deposit. that way I have a record on pick up and that will do till the 650 arrives.
plus I bought it unregistered too as it will ride no different to the other C5 models so no real hurry to ride. only 1000 made worldwide

[billybunter]

busy day today. I am suppose to have 3 interested parties coming to check out this car on the weekend. I could be wrong but if they show up one or all could pick up that the left side stripe is totally missing.

I don't want to be responsible for some-one driving a lop sided car so I had to get into it and chill the cold weather and finally fit the unit after 3 or 4 months.

car started really well and first hit too.

while I am at it I would like to thank nitro dann should he read this. he did what he was suppose to do pn this higher power build and did a great job compared to where I've read other members who got work done elsewhere were where plagued with running issues and problems.

hopefully in the next week or so this thread will close for good and you will be able to continue on with other boring matter either way you will never see the excitement this thread has bought

on another note the bloody car looks better now than when I bought it 7 years back off the old bustardo in qld. all it ever really required was a good detailing! I should actually buy it myself!

[billybunter]

GOING ONCE!





GOING TWICE!





GOING THREE TIMES





AND DEPOSIT TAKEN!





PLUS I HOPE TO GET A FEW MORE $$$$ TOO! AFTER-ALL IT[S A TWO OWNER CAR WITH NEAR NEW TYRES!