“NEW” Used Australian car, 1st year owner's report

“NEW” Used Australian car, 1 year owner’s report

On 8/8/2005 my dad bought a used 1999 Ford Telstar 4 cyl 2.0i Auto meant for himself, but he is based in Hong Kong, so I am the one driving the car. The car came with V-Kool tinting and Standard Semi-Bucket front seats with luxurious Ghia trimmings AND Nice no plate “WG_ 1222”. It is a Clone of Mazda 626. It is assembled in Malaysia (CKD- Completely knocked down with Jigs from Australia). Strangely, this car has “Heater” which is absurd and useless in Malaysia.

Well, it’s been a year since “I” owned the car. Believe it or not, I only covered 6,000kms during the period of 1 year which means averaged of 500kms per month only. It was 93,600kms when It reached my garage. Now the odometer reads 99960kms (about 63000 miles). Pretty low mileage for a 7 years old car… Why so little mileage?

Because I have my own car, A Proton 1.5 MPI (A) (3 speed Auto, Sux eh?) so the Telstar is driven 2-3 times a week only.

How is the running costs?
1) The car fuel consumption (FC) varies. Full tank (55Litres) lasted about 300kms only city driving but goes as far as 450kms on highways.

2) The Telstar being a Mazda 626 Clone is quite reliable. There’s only 3 problems during the entire 1 year owning the car. First is the battery were flat (changed to Maintenance free battery) and another is Fuel tank leaked – discovered on the 1^st week owning the car. Took 3 days and 6 chop shops (junkyards) finding the right fuel tank (from Mazda 626). Paid RM600 for the fuel tank.

One problem haven’t fix since the car was bought. It’s the Engine mounting. The costs of replacing the engine mountings were expensive (RM1600 (USD450) for 1 set). The effects? The car vibrates when idle in “D” mode. Putting it in “N” mode solved the problem. Recently, the front right headlight not working. Contemplating whether or not want to change to HiD (Xenon).

3) What I did to the car?
- Installed voltage stabilizer (RM95)
- Changed the ICE (In car entertainment) Head unit to Pioneer DEH-4750MP as the previous JVC CD player were faulty (Cannot play CD). Paid RM580 for it. It plays CD/CDR-W/MP3/WMA/WAV discs. Also, CD-Changer and I-Pod interface control. Also, changed the rear speakers to DB-Max 3 way.
- Currently running on 15” rims and Goodyear Ducaro GA. But I just bought a set of used “LENSO” 6 spoke semi-chromed 17” rims (see picture) 2 weeks ago (below RM700 – USD185). Now saving money for the tyres. Thinking of Michelin Pilot Preceda or Continental ContiSport 2 tyres

. THAT”S ALL I Spent at the moment.

4) How is the ride and handling, performance of the car?

I was so happy having found out the specifications of the car. Learned that the car has high-tech suspension. Front and rear McPhersons and front and rear anti-roll bars!!! Not many cars has it till today. Also it has 4 disc brakes and ABS. So the suspensions and brakes department need no modifications.

The ride and handling is superb, goes over potholes and uneven roads with great comfort. Minimal body rolls while cornering (Note that I am using 15" 60 series Goodyear Ducaro GA tyres). High speed stability is superb. 4 passangers in the car accidently doing 160km/h (100mph) without noticing it until I looked at the meter. In contrast, 160km/h is the top speed of my main car (Proton 1.5 MPi(A)). At that speed the wind noise was unbearable and the car began to float.

Anyway, back to the Telstar the performance of the car, 0-100km/h is below 12 seconds. 50-80km/h (for overtaking) is 5.8secs. Top speed, I don't need to test... Tested by car journalists of "Highway Malaysia" magazine 195km/h (123mph).

5) How is the car ride/Future modifications:
- Learned that one engine fits like a glove. It is no other than KZ-VE (?) V6 2.5i 24V from Mazda MX-6 or 626 V6 Hatchback OR Ford Telstar TX5. Just drop in the engine, no need modification on the mountings, no changing the gearbox/brakes/fuel tank needed. Heard it’s cheap too RM1500 only including workmanship (USD410 only), one “ZTH forummer” did it… WHEN? Pending… By Mid 2007.
- Mild bodykits, just the Side skirtings including the bottom half of the doors.
- 17” rims (Already bought, Lenso 6 spoke semi chromed) and tyres (VERY SOON – by October latest).
- Changing the Extractor (Hotbits?)…

THAT’S ALL Folks! Will update on the 18^th month (ie.6 months later).