MR2 Owners Club of Aust (NSW Branch) 

 
The site is a works in progress. 
 
The club is 20 years old, and running.
 
If you bother to insure your car and you enjoy it - I guess you'd like to keep it in the event of a collision, that and have it repaired and be allowed to register it and drive it again...
 
Well (and don't take this as Gospel or legal advice - i'm not qualified in either and even if I was the government rules seem to change every six months or so...) ... your best bet against a 'statutory write off' decision being made against your car is being the member of a car club.
 
These rules are in NSW to combat rebirthing and theft. They are not very clear and different people from same departments give different answers.
 
You have a better chance of keeping your car in the road if you are in a car club for that type of car. Full Stop.
 
Some people chop and change cars, some people get attached to theirs. I have just turned 40 (Shhh..) I have only owned four cars, I still own number 3 and 4, they are both MR2's. I would hate for them to be written off by non structural damage - really, if some tool decided to smash each window - either car may become a 'financial write off' which isn't the end of the world but then the RTA (Now RMS) steps in and says 'high risk' - then the car becomes 'statutory write off'
 
If the car is cactus and dangerous - thats just the way it is, move along find another piece of metal and glass. If its practical to fix my car I will, this is a way to do just that.
 
Love your MR2? Well just join the car club. You don't get fancy stickers or even a lei. You do get invited on drives that are well thought out and suited to the car which you are lucky enough to own. (Well lucky or liable to - its love and hate, as far as exotics go these 'are' very good cars)
 
I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed my n/a mr2 the way I did on a club drive.
 
There's no stupidy, no driving like fools, nothing thats going to make you hand your licence over to the po-po unless its a decision you have made yourself. If you chose to drive like that - well I pity the fool.
 
AFAIK (As Far As I know) We are all about acceleration, Horse Power, G - Forces and just enjoying and keeping this car on the road. As long as the driving is conducted in a 'non negligent manner and within the road rules' we all have a fantastic time.
 
 

a few of us will be at an informal meet tonight. If you wanted to just have a chat about MR2s and everything else inbetween us a PM for details.
 

Just sent an email to mr2nswsec@gmail.com requesting a membership form.
 
Could someone please explain a bit more about how being in a car club can help not have your car written off in the case of a small accident etc? Do you inform the insurance company of club membership etc????

We'll bring some forms tonight for anyone who is interested.
 
My understanding of the write off stuff (dont quote me on it as i'm from mexico)
Car has minor accident - Insurance say too expensive to fix so financial write off but no structural damage and can be fixed
Car has major accident - Major damage but repairable with engineering certificate
Car has super major accident - RTA will never let ie back on the road (can't even buy it back)
 
You can argue your case being a part of an enthusiats club to
1. Repair based on costs
2. Repair based on engineering
3. Buy back parts
 
Any one care to elaborate further?

This may clarify it a little:
 
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au...ff_vehicles/index.html
 
Stat write-offs can still be repaired and redriven again, since they're not "light vehicles".
 
But, in general, if you have an accident, the insurance companies will determine if your car is a write-off or not. Being part of a car club etc can and may influence their decision in writing the car off.
 
The Club's AGM was last night and we have a new president. I'm sure he'll make an appearance here very soon :)

Dudeman

Love your MR2? Well just join the car club. You don't get fancy stickers or even a lei. You do get invited on drives that are well thought out and suited to the car which you are lucky enough to own. (Well lucky or liable to - its love and hate, as far as exotics go these 'are' very good cars)

I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed my n/a mr2 the way I did on a club drive.

There's no stupidy, no driving like fools, nothing thats going to make you hand your licence over to the po-po unless its a decision you have made yourself. If you chose to drive like that - well I pity the fool.

AFAIK (As Far As I know) We are all about acceleration, Horse Power, G - Forces and just enjoying and keeping this car on the road. As long as the driving is conducted in a 'non negligent manner and within the road rules' we all have a fantastic time.

+1
I am a member of the MR2 Owners Club Victorian branch, and I totally agree with the above comments.
There are definite benefits to being in a car club, and I believe they should get more publicity.
 
 
 

The club doesn't tolerate stupidity driving,  you will be pull over and have a good talking to, as i've seen it happen to a member in the past.
 
You will also risk losing your membership with the club as well.

The way I understand it these stat write off rules only apply to cars less than 15 years old. So thats only cars after 1997 not before. majority of mr2's fall under this category now of being older than 15 years. unless you own a mk3 or late mk2. 
 
they obviously will still get stat write off if the accident is bad enough but you find most are done as a financial write off like my little adub that got smashed this year. hence there is no problems buying your wreck back and fixing it yourself and keeping all your parts and hard work. It cost $600 to buy my adub back and for a rust free example it's worth it.

I have my AW insured with Shannons. When I had my stack they were happy to get it repaired, but, due to the age of the car & the fact that bits are getting  harder to find & consequently more exxy, they agreed to do it only if the repairer could locate 'used' panels etc to keep the bills down. The repairer was happy to source bits & did an excellent job.

Yes Shannons are good like that. I have all my insurance with Shannons. House and contents too.
They even do green slips, and the more things you insure with them, the bigger the discount you get.
Highly recommended!