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Why choose a Specialist over a Generalist? Independent over Dealer?

As a specialist we know your car better, especially when it comes to the right way to make economical repairs that a general repair shop wouldn’t know about or a Subaru dealer would never consider. Sometimes a vehicle will develop a pattern failure and a real solution needs to be found or a more economical repair procedure can be had.

Through the years we have found solutions to replacing expensive parts by making repairs to existing components rather than just blindly install new ones. We have been able to become very good at repairs and service work by specializing in Subaru and we try to share this experience with our customer with lower labor prices.

We know what parts we can use on your Subaru without sacrificing longevity. Most automakers have become pure design and assemble companies leaving the parts manufacture to other companies. These auto parts companies are free to sell the same parts in aftermarket channels with out the Subaru logo. While in some cases in only makes sense to stick with Subaru parts especially when it comes to slower moving items that may have not been introduced in the aftermarket by the companies that originally made the parts for Subaru. There is also a good chance that the exact replacement part can be found at a 20% savings if you know how to look (we do).

From top to bottom we really know your Subaru well and want to help you get as many trouble free miles out of it as possible. We have seen these cars go well over 300k and I am the owner of a 1992 Legacy with 292k and counting. We take pride in servicing cars with higher miles and often have suggestions to help keep them going. Even though your Subaru may be getting up there in miles don’t discount just how long they will run.

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Having driven the entire Ford FG Falcon range, there are two models that really stand out as new hero cars for Ford. I’m referring to the Falcon XR6 Turbo and Falcon G6E Turbo, both of which share the turbocharged version of the 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine.

It’s not so much the 270kW of power that’s impressive in the Falcon XR6 Turbo and Falcon G6E Turbo, because there other large cars that have more on paper. HSV’s range of V8s, Holden’s 6.0-litre V8 and even Ford’s own Falcon XR8, to name a few.

Moreso it’s the 533Nm of torque, available from just 2000rpm, that gives the XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo their brutal performance and brilliant driveability.

There’s no need for high revs or to adjust your driving style to eke the best out of the turbocharged Falcons. Simply squeeze the throttle and let the engine do the rest. In the auto it’s even easier; the auto is pretty smooth and smart and does a great job of choosing the right gear and sticking to it as required.

We conducted our own performance testing (using GPS-based timing equipment) and easily managed a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds. That was in the automatic with the air-conditioning on, and it was easily repeatable.

But it’s not so much the outright grunt of the Falcon’s turbo engine that impresses most. The thing that really stands out is the flexibility. Turbo lag – the time it takes for the turbo to reach its operating speed – is virtually non existent, so even at low revs there’s plenty of performance available.

It really is an impressive engine that shows just what can be done with turbocharging. There’s V8 performance in a large, well sorted car that sells for $45k.

The latest Falcon turbos also make many other cars look less impressive. The Toyota Aurion TRD springs to mind, at least when it comes to performance. After all, the Falcon XR6 Turbo is more powerful and faster than the Aurion TRD as well as being almost $15,000 more affordable.

Granted, the Aurion has more equipment – including the curtain airbags that Ford disappointingly offers as an option – but you can pay extra to bring the Falcon up to a similar level and still be ahead.

The Falcon turbos have always been something of a performance bargain in the context of the competitive Aussie muscle car landscape. But the FG Falcon XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo have taken the game to the next level.

Toby Hagon

V8 supercar ace Rick Kelly will not be affected by the financial trouble that has hit his sponsor Opes Prime.

The financial company went into voluntary administration last week as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission launched an investigation into its actions.

Company director Anthony Blumberg is a passionate motor-racing supporter and has invested millions of dollars into the sport both locally and internationally.

Kelly’s HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore was one of 12 cars to carry Opes Prime sponsorship.

In addition to the Championship Series V8 Supercar, the company also backed Marcus Zukanovic’s Development Series entry, a Porsche in the Carrera Cup, a Formula Ford and an entry in the Renault V6 Asia series.

Blumberg also bought five Formula Three cars and sponsored the local championship. He also invested in the Conquest Racing Indycar team in America.

HSVDT said it was unaffected by the company’s problems, but was likely to ditch its Opes Prime branding before the next round of the series.

“Opes Prime is up to date with its contractual sponsorship obligations to the HSV Dealer Team at this time,” the HSVDT statement said.

“The HSV Dealer Team will compete at the next round of the V8 Supercar Championship in Hamilton, New Zealand, and subsequent rounds for the remainder of 2008. The team is examining its contractual obligations to continue to display Opes Prime branding.”

It is believed HSVDT’s deal was the only sponsorship arranged officially through the company. The rest of the deals were done personally by Blumberg.

The Australian Formula Three Series also issued a statement, saying everything would continue as normal despite Opes Prime’s significant involvement in the championship. Blumberg reportedly spent $120,000 on the series’ annual prize fund.

- Herald Sun