Sleeper6T

Thanks for the comments all, it's certainly been a learning experience, and has made me grow up a bit more. If my experience helps anyone then I guess it has to be a good thing. As far as the new project, at the moment keeping it as dry as possible until the funds are available to begin. For the last 18 months Ive been collecting info on engines, spare parts, colours, and design changes etc. One thing that I did decide was that it would end up being a real show car. Putting a blown 572cc Hemi with around 1000hp under the bonnet with 12 inch wide tyres on the back isn't exactly something you use as a daily driver. We have brought a block of land about an hour and a half from Melb where it is pretty dry which is where the shell is being stored. I hadn't planned on getting the shell this early but came across it through a friend and for the price and how straight it is I couldnt say no. For now adjusting to a new job and having a 5 week old, and also working on building a house within 12 months is where the priorities are at the moment. Brad

Sleeper6t Not having ago out of you here but just to see a point. So has your sentence helped you reform and not speed or has it just angered you And taut you to be more cautious. Has it helped in anyway of teaching you anything about the risks of your actions, has it helped You to become a better safer driver. Or less respect for the pollies and there puppets. Now instead of being dealt with like you where, do you agree driver Ed and defensive driving would Have been more helpful then what you got. What do you feel would work. Is it really nessisary to suspend a persons license that long, I know I would get there point of don't hoon where it's easy to be caught Just 2 days of not driving my car. Will be interesting to hear your views on the punishment/Ed side As you have faced the punishment. Hey mate, can't really say I am angry as what I did was at the end of the day plain stupid. I have done a defensive driving course which I still use techniques from that today. I have gained a better respect for the road and it has changed the way I view myself as a driver. I do feel driver training would be beneficial to so many. One thing will never change and that is young people even older people in any kind of car whether it be performance or not will at some stage test the limits of their cars. It's like putting a lollie in front of a child and saying don't eat it. If all of the people killed on our roads relating to either speed or dangerous driving had been through some form of defensive driving course then I am sure lives could have been saved. At the end of the day it is about choices and the behaviour surrounding those choices. What makes someone decide in that split second (just as I did) to put their foot down or drive in a manor that does put lives at risk? As far as my sentance was concerned I asked my solicitor to put forward that I'd be happy to re-sit my license even go back to learners and log the 100 hours, plus do community service, and pay a larger fine rather than lose my license, or to even reduce the cancellation time. I am not mad at the law or the laws that are put in place, we find ourselves in a society where people of all ages and experience are dying on our roads and like a parent that trys to teach or change the behaviour of their children, the government trys different ways which they believe will save lives by enforcing stricter consequences. Is there inconsistency? Bloody oath there is !! not just in traffic law such as using my example versus that of the 18 year mentioned in this post, but in all forms of law. The rapist's getting off lightly, the armed robbers assulting innocent people, Murderers, Drug Dealers the list go's on. Our Judicial System needs a shake up and eyes need to be opened to really see what the effects of these inconsistencies are having on society. Due to the way a law is written, presedents are being set which is making it easy for someone to find a loop hole in the system. Brad

Well here it is, 18 months later and it certainly has been a Hard Lesson Learned (original thread). For those that don't remember I did lose my license under the hoon law, after doing what can only be described as idiotic and irresponsible down a freeway one mild Sunday morning. I had the car impounded I had my day in court and paid the large fine and ridiculously large solicitor fee, plus the impound fee. And So now I have the option im sure a lot of people have been in where they choose to keep their license but cannot receive any infringements for 12 months or lose it for an extra 3 months. Taking the option to keep my license means as long as I get through the 12 month period unblemished then every single point I have is wiped and I start back at zero according to Vic Roads. What has been learned? Well first of all I've dropped 40kg from riding and walking more, I have a greater respect for the actual privileged of driving, and just smile at the people who zip in and out around me trying to beat the lights or another driver and think it wasnt that long ago that it was me doing that. The car has since long gone, and I've actually got a more family car a 4wd that is fitting in rather well especially with a 9 and 11 year old not to mention the new addition to the family with our baby girl coming into the world 5 weeks ago. The future? - well no more turbo's for me but I have paid for another car that I'm hoping to spend the next 5-10 years doing up. Pics are below of the purchase and also what I'd like the end result to be. Nothing says Mopar like a nice big Hemi powerplant on some american muscle !!! Cheers Brad

"Wyndham Highway Patrol detected a driver, 18, as he sped along Ballan Rd at 160km/h, 90km/h over the limit, on January 3. Sen-Constable Matt Wilson, of the Wyndham Highway Patrol, said he was in disbelief when he sighted the speeding P-plater at 10.20pm. He said the consequences of a crash would have been fatal. The driver was fined $597 fine, lost eight demerit points and his licence was suspended for 12 months." There is no doubt 30 days would be hard on anyone, especially if it was (as mentioned previously) mum or dads car that got impounded. The most irritating thing I believe is still the inconsistency of the court system and Magistrates that let personal feelings / beliefs dictate what sentance they hand out. Here we see an 18 year old driver doing 160km in a residential 70km zone and recieves a $600 fine, 8 points and 12 months walking. I only this week got mylicense back after being charged under the hoon law doing the same speed in a 100km zone (still very stupid and very dangerous) I also lost the car for 48 hours, however recieved a $1000 fine, same amount of points but 18 months cancellation of license, and when you are told by your solicitor who charged me $2200 for his supposed expertise that even he thought I got rolled, it does not instill a great deal of faith in these men and women who sit and pass judgment so inconsistently. Brad

Hey mate I commend anyone who has gone through this kind of thing and has made the decision to save their own life. It can be so hard amongst the concerns from loved ones the torment from others around you whether it be people you associate with work with or just people who pass you in the street. Five years ago I had the lap band operation done and it has changed and saved my life. I reached just under 210kg and was in danger of dropping where I stood before I was 30. About 3 years after I brought my first house, changed roles at work began working my way through the company doing longer hours etc and started to experience problems with the band. I had all of the fluid removed and had xrays done and found that the band had moved and it was causing alot of reflux so I couldnt keep anything down. So I spent the next 2 years eating bigger meals and eating crap and putting 40 of the 60+ kg's I had lost back on going from nearly 210 to 140 and then back up to 177kg last December. I went back to the doc had another xray and after finding the band had re settled in the right location had some more fluid put in the band. I started back at the gym and after a couple of weeks ended up with a hip injury courtesy of a cross between over doing it at boxing training and an old condition I had which found me in the emergency department 2 weeks before christmas. Just for the fun of it and cos they apparently had 2 for 1 deals going I was diagnosed with being a type 2 diabetic. Since middle of December I have got my eating back on track try and be as active as I can and am now down to about 125-130kg which is the lowest I have been in over 10 years. Now 32 with 2 step kids and a 3rd due in December my life is back on track and I am doing what I can now to be around for not just my family but for myself. So to you mate and anyone going or about to go through this Kudos and all the best. Cheers Brad

Thanks mate I had thought of that and there have been a couple I have seen that are already converted. Are any places still offering rebates on conversions ?

Hi all can anyone let me know what the average km's per tank you get from a non turbo territiry 04-07 model? Dont really drive in the city at all mainly around the suburbs and a couple 1-3 hour trips. Cheers Brad

Hey mate, yeah it was between 2000-2100 fitted. the Nizpro forum on their website has a massive write up on it from those who have had it done and they say it's awesome. I also know Typhoon_Freak just got his done and it's pretty full on too, note is awesome and delivers good performance but you'd have to message him to get the details.

haha Tab don't be knockin the phantom, it's a real awesome colour when cleaned and polished up, I think maybe you're just jealous ...Chris definately exhaust, I was going to be booking it in to have the Nizpro 4" straight through system put in. Would have givem me an extra 30rwk. Brad

Hey Chris, glad you're enjoying her, it hasnt been that lng but still getting used to not having the power there, I wonder how many turbo Pajero's there are with 340rwk plus out there ? haha.....Anyway as I said to you mate just be careful she has alot of power and after more than 18 months I was still having my guts thrown to the back of my spine and my a$$ into the back of the seat from the torque the car generates. The boys and girls in blue are out there in force as the message just isn't getting through especially after easter's road toll and the amount of drivers nabbed over the limit. their frustration is building each day with drivers who arent getting it so just remember there is a time and a place, have your fun but just make sure it's controlled fun, I'd hate to see you lose it so quickly after getting it Will be interested to see what changes you do with her. Cheers Brad

Mine go's on Tuesday, similar to you mate next car isn't a ford, have bought a Mitsubishi Pajero, more of a family car 7 seater take it camping blah blah, like you just time to go. Will be hard to see it go but life does go on lol Brad

Mate we're all human everyone at some point in their lives has had a split second brain fade that has cost them big time, you are just a living example of that as am I. I'm at the half way point now another 9 months to go, it sucks but we play we pay as the saying go's. People can choose to take your post however they want, like you I posted mine to inform people of exactly what can and does happen when you dont think in that split second and it changes your life. With me if I had of pulled my head out of my a$$ and knew what fell under the hoon law I would never have done what I did, as I'm sure you have played it over in your head 1000 times thinking "if only I had of..." Hope things work out mate. Brad

Anyone who has not been up to do the Baw Baw run I'd highly recommend it. IMO more than 10 cars would be too much as to feel the full effect of the twisties you need to have some space to breathe. If you get more than this I'd recommend doing it in stages once you reach the climb to the top. Divide the group up in half or in 3 depending how many and have staggered start times, then have everyone meet for lunch up top. By far one of the most exhilarating fast and insane dips, corners, and undulating roads ive been on. When I went there were 3 of us and I felt another 3-4 would have been just a real nice balance. Great views from the trestle bridge too. My car will hopefully be sold by then so I wont be able to make it. Not really exciting doing those roads in a 4WD lol. Brad

I say go for it mate, I'm in Management in the retail industry myself and it has has afforded me my first house, a nice car, a lifestyle that I want to have and like has been said previously, on a resume, and applications for loans, renting, credit cards etc it does highlight you in a better way. The only thing I will mention from your above post is don't fall into the trap of thinking the main part of your job IS NOT customer service. You are the one that deals with the complaints you are the one that has to make the decision to support your team or the customer in front of or away from the customer, how you react to situations involving customers including your team as they are your customers too, reflects on your leadership style, which will in your case determine how successful or not your site will be. In any business especially retail your customers are the most important thing, so dont ever think you are "down grading" by doing customer service. Showing your team that you are willing to get in there and be a prescence on the "front line" as such will earn you a great deal of trust and respect from them. You can have the best product in the world but without a great team who trust and respect you and support the business you will feel like you're going nowhere. And having a great knowledgable team selling a $hitty product just adds to your customers losing trust in your "brand" of whatever service or goods you are providing. Good luck with it mate. Brad

Had just been to Costco and lookin at a new car right around the corner and not an hour after leavin docklands heard it was a river torrent. Coming down Canterbury road with the gf and we couldnt see 3 cars ahead of us, hail smashin the car the kids loved it but all I was thinking about was my freakin duco !! Coming down a couple of the hilly parts of Canterbury road through mitcham ringwood heathmont area aqua planned a couple times, cars going passed in both left and right lanes went through what I could only describe as something from a river crossing sending sheets of water over the car completely covering the windscreen and our vision, seeing sprays of water shooting out the sides from the wheels, as I dont have any mud flaps was the most amout of rain I have seen in ages. I guess the phantom has some tuff duco cos for how much was pounding down on the car I didnt suffer any damage, which when you're trying to sell is the last thing you need. Brad

I think being under 30 you're always going to get hit hard. I currently have an 04' Turbo insured with AAMI for $912 I think it is which was up from the previous year of about $875 for full comp. I'm looking at getting an 06' 6 speed ZF n/a and was quoted $856 as I have had a license cancelation in the last 12 months. Which is about $120 more than what it would have been if I had not had a cancellation. Brad

Hi all, looking to purchase a BF XR6, and was just curious as to what typical things I should be looking for when checking them over as far as if there is anything that the n/a's are known for that you need to check. I am looking at one later today which is an 06' with 6 Speed ZF and 68,000 km on the clock, as well as a couple more. Cheers Brad

Lucky you're not in Melb mate, over 45 will get you the hoon law, 12-18 months licking the windows of buses and trains, depending on the judge 8 points and $800-$1000 right out of your coin purse. Brad

"Last week a 25-year-old man was snapped as he tore through a 65mph zone at 78mph — while standing on the driver’s seat, with his head poking through the sunroof. He has since been arrested." There's a story for the papers over here..........."Hoon Law Go's Through The Roof"

Been to a few with: U2 - With or Without You Sarah McLauchlan - Arms of an Angel Wendy Mathews - The Day You Went Away Another couple that are regulars are, Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt & Every Breath You Take - The Police At mine I want "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" - Led Zeppelin Brad

Winner of the 2007 short film award used by the TAC. And something we have shown to all of our team at work to get the message through that at the end of the day we can train you on as many safety procedures as possible but we cant train you on the choices you make and the attitude you show. Brad

Know what you mean mate, im 31 and have been in the same job for 8 years, it has afforded me a house on my own and the T and advancement in management and there is still fair more options I can explore but im hearing you on the complete 180. Later this year im actually doing a Civil Celebrant's course enabling me to marry people and conduct funerals. Bit different and a guy I work with does it and makes a huge amount for not many hours put in. One profession I've always wanted to do was get into driving big front end loaders and excavators either on the roads or other industrial or even mining, sites but like you just dont know how to about it. Hope you find the career that's right for you. Brad

Mate that's the difference - you don't think, and I am LIVING proof of that. Brad

Well got the car back from Dynomotive the other day. Ended up costing me $2000. They had a Mal Wood ACE opt 3 plus clutch in stock so the car was done later that day. Highly recommend these guys if you dont know of them, Mark took the time to really go over the problem and the main causes etc which I thought was awesome. Oddly enough though the clutch feels like a clutch out of a normal manual car, and when I asked how long it would take to get the heavy tension I had on the last one he said you won't and that how it is now is how it is meant to be. He said once the clutch gets that heavy feel then it is on it's way out. Which kind of surprised me as the old clutch felt as heavy as it did for the last 15 months that I have had the car. In anycase it feels really nice, and Im still getting used to how light it is and still tossing up whether to sell or not. Below are a few pics I took of the old clutch which you can see the blue heat burn marks and where it has been worn right down to the rivets. Brad