Car bras

Windsor220 · 10-05-2009, 10:09 PM

Does anyone know where you can buy car bras from?

And roughly what they go for?

Will be doing a long distance trip across the country soon and would be interested in getting one.

UU TS50 · 11-05-2009, 08:42 AM

you can order on the carbra website i think they are about $450

http://www.carbra.com.au/

75van · 11-05-2009, 09:15 AM

Yep, go the original Car Bra one. Other brand ones have far less padding than the originals and will scratch your car after a while.

Plenty of colours listed on the website as well to pick one to match your car...

ronwest · 11-05-2009, 12:35 PM

I got a new TCC one off ebay (I think it bidded out at $120?) and I'm impressed.

I'd read about car bras rubbing/marking paintwork so I bought a bit of felt from Spotlight and glued that to the bra where sharp edges are and also under the top rib where it sits on the bonnet. No rubbing as yet.

I've used it twice in the last couple of months.

First time Bris - Kempsey. At each stop I had to pull it backwards (towards the windscreen) as it tended to move forwards an inch or so.

Second time (anzac weekend) drove Bris - Glen Innes. Before we left I shortened up the main attaching thing which made it a tighter fit across the bonnet. I also didn't tighten the underneath straps as much. As a result it stayed exactly where it should.

My observations are these:- positives, headlight arc/length isn't effected; no stone chips; no bugs splattered on the paintwork or in the radiator/condensor.

On the negative side, when we're away on hols I like to check my oil/water etc each morning before starting the day's driving. PITA with a car bra. Also, the external temperature sender reads significantly higher - 22deg when it's probably 15deg. The sender must be tucked up behing the bar somewhere. It doesn't effect anything as far as I can tell. Radiator water temp may be a little higher but certainly not enough to be worried about (or even be sure if it is or not).

I've got an aftermarket transmission oil cooler - radiator is bypassed so I may install a trans oil temp guage just to make sure that there's nothing untoward going on there.

All in all, a worthwhile investment for road trips. We're off Bris - Cooktown in July so I'll definitely be using it then

Windsor220 · 11-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Congo XR8

you can order on the carbra website i think they are about $450

http://www.carbra.com.au/

Hmm maybe a bit pricey for a one off. Might look on ebay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

All in all, a worthwhile investment for road trips.

Yeah I'd rather have one on than have a car afterwards with a heap of chips and bugs glued to the front.

ronwest · 11-05-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Yeah I'd rather have one on than have a car afterwards with a heap of chips and bugs glued to the front.

That's the way I looked at it.

My wife and I have three or four road trips per year and as a result the front bar takes a hammering.
I also wasn't keen on paying any more than I had to in order to get a result. I think that the extra felt pays dividends but it may have been fine without it - I'm happier with it there, though

I take it that you're crossing west -> east?

We're planning an east -> west trip next year. I've been told that the desert flowers in bloom are awesome so we'll probably make it aug/sept.

On your return I'll be interested in any observations you care to share about the crossing.

BigCav · 11-05-2009, 11:47 PM

autotecnica have recently released a new range aswell. alot of there other car covers are pretty top notch but no idea about these

XR Lita · 12-05-2009, 09:47 PM

I have one that I have never used if you are interested?

Stevo · 12-05-2009, 09:54 PM

I bought one off ebay not expecting much.
It took two trips and it has stretched to fit perfectly. No rubbing or damage, however like all car bras i recommend you keep your car waxed (car bra or not it should already be:P ), that way it wont scuff the paint if it does move around.

Windsor220 · 12-05-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR Lita

I have one that I have never used if you are interested?

If it fits an xr8 and isnt a conflicting colour like pink or something then yeah I might be. Depending on price of course.

XR Lita · 12-05-2009, 10:30 PM

I wouldn't be chasing much for it. It won't fit my car now that the front bar is on so its just taking up space in my garage lol.

It suits all series 2/3 xr series

Cam · 12-05-2009, 10:51 PM

Spooted a couple on ebay tonight..

Heres one here

Windsor220 · 12-05-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

Spooted a couple on ebay tonight..

Heres one here

I was actually the first bidder on that. Was going to bid again towards the end.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRLita

I wouldn't be chasing much for it. It won't fit my car now that the front bar is on so its just taking up space in my garage lol.

It suits all series 2/3 xr series

PM sent

Hords · 13-05-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I was actually the first bidder on that. Was going to bid again towards the end.

Should only bid towards the end - SNIPE