What Do We All Drive/car Stuff

Discussion in 'Taylor's Tittle-Tattle - General Banter' started by PotGuy, Jan 28, 2021.

  1. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    All the spares are used to satisfy demand on new cars, which makes repairs expensive due to the courtesy cars being loaned for long periods. There's a high proportion of write offs. Not very green at all.
     
  2. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    My first car was a Hillman too, but a 1964 Mk2 Super Minx bought for £200 from some bloke round Bushey Arches.

    Tremendous car that, served me very well. Went on and on. It's last journey was when I flitted to South London with latest squeeze and all our stuff piled in to it. It just about made it to SE19 and then gracefully sat down and retired.

    It eventually got towed away by Lambeth Council as I recall.

    upload_2021-1-29_16-11-12.png
     
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  3. Arakel

    Arakel First Team

    Driving a 2008 Scion xD at the moment. Bought it new, going to drive it until it dies. Still holding up incredibly well at the moment.

    I'm hoping I can keep it going until rideshare services (no, not talking about current taxis) become a reality, as I only really use my car for the work commute (we use my wife's for everything we do together). If I worked at home 100% of the time I probably wouldn't own a car.
     
  4. PotGuy

    PotGuy Forum Fetishist

    Definitely go for something full service imo, with a toilet/shower etc. Small vans with just beds and a gas cooker are a nice idea but the reality is you will be pis sing in the shell garage every few hours getting toilet paper stuck to your shoes.

    If you don't mind tripping over yourselves a bit the ducato-size vans are much lighter on fuel, and much cheaper to fix if you scrape the bodywork. Easier to park too.

    But, I've always preferred the semi integrated ones myself, much more comfortable to be in for an extended period, especially with a dog. Better and more flexible if you feel adventurous and cross the channel as well...
     
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  5. samuihorn

    samuihorn Academy Graduate

    Currently, Audi A3, Yamaha Thunderace & Honda Bros for messing about in/on... Ford Transit for work. The Yam I haven’t ridden in yonks, really should sell it. The Honda I’ve just rebuilt, it’s 32 years old now (same as the one to the left). With cars I find I really want a particular one, get it, then look for something else.
     
  6. Maninblack

    Maninblack Reservist

    I'm the total opposite to a petrol head. To me cars are only something to get from A to B in. As long as I can fit in it (I'm tall) it's relatively comfortable to drive, cheap to buy & run and reliable I don't care about the make, model or colour. Apart from the obvious brands I wouldn't know what most cars are by looking at them! I don't know how engines work and I have no interest in finding out.

    So it won't surprise you to know I have a Mondeo..... :)
     
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  7. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Everyone of course has their own interests. The Mondeo is hugely capable, well built and quite a driver focussed car, so for a non-petrol head you've done very well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2022
  8. PotGuy

    PotGuy Forum Fetishist

    Everyone of course has their own interests. The Mondeo is hugely capable, well built and quite a driver focussed car, so for a non-petrol head you've done very well.[/QUOTE]

    I test drove an Octavia, Mondeo, Civic and Auris estate (all 1.6 diesels) as my next commuter-friendly family estate.

    The Mondeo was the biggest surprise, felt really well made and had loads of kit - I always had a poor view of Ford build quality after a fiesta I had in the past.

    Auris was crap
     
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  9. Moose

    Moose First Team Captain

    I drove a Mondeo on holiday a few years back. Very nice it was, great kit, lovely drive.
     
  10. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    I'm on my 5th car now, my current car is my 4th Skoda.

    When I bought my first Skoda Fabia in 1998, my mates originally ripped the p1ss, that was the first proper VW model. I had two more Fabias afterwards up until 2015 when I decided to get a Suzuki S-Cross. At first it was a really nice car to drive but the 1.6L engine just wasn't powerful enough for the mass of the car and it was a pig to accelerate, plus as time went on, there were a few niggly things that went wrong, nothing major but nothing like I had with my previous cars. Also every time I went to Glyn Hopkin on Lower High Street, whether for an annual service or a small fix, I always felt like the people in the service centre were Tudor era torturers in a previous life and that once I sold it last year I wouldn't have to go through the trepidation of going there again.

    Just before lockdown last year I picked up a Skoda Karoq, it's a perfect family car and so far very happy with it. Like @Maninblack I'm not a petrolhead and I like to think that I will get something practical for my family needs.

    One piece advice, if you want to think that you would rather have your testicles/t1ts* removed by a rusty pitchfork then don't go near Glyn Hopkins in the Lower High Street.

    * delete where applicable.
     
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  11. nascot

    nascot First Team

    BMW 440i. A few mods such as a Remus exhaust and Eibach springs & spacers. No engine mods yet. Absolutely love it.
     
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  12. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    Still on the subject of cars years ago I used to frequent a site called Barryboys. It was a site where people would post pictures of ludicrously modified cars (Like Citroen Saxos with humongous rear wings in the roof, etc.) it was hilarious as often the person taking the photo would leave a calling card and the owner would go on to the site where everyone was taking the piss out of their car and hilarity would ensue.

    Anyway, just the other day it crossed my mind so looked the site up and it’s now shut down. The reason, which makes sense but hadn't occurred to me, is the advent of cheap finance and leasing deals. So many youngsters now just either lease or finance a car, you just don’t get the max power abominations you used to.
     
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  13. PotGuy

    PotGuy Forum Fetishist

    I always wondered when people mod their cars if they do it themselves or go to a garage

    Do you know what to ask for?
     
  14. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Nice. My brother had an F10 M5 with the competition pack for 4 years, that was sheer lunacy. Luckily the didn't do run flats for that model but I'm told swapping to proper tyres is the best upgrade you can do to a BMW. He's got a 540 x-drive touring now.
     
  15. Guy

    Guy Squad Player

    Pretty boring but frugal Skoda fabia, averages about 60 miles to the gallon not that I've done any real mileage in the last year
     
  16. lm_wfc

    lm_wfc First Team

    Springs and exhausts you'd research and know what parts your want and order online.

    Springs you could do yourself with relatively simple tools, or just ask any garage to change the springs over.

    Exhaust you'd probably want a garage to do as you need to get under the car more.
     
  17. nascot

    nascot First Team

    As already mentioned research is needed. The mods to my car are fairly common so there's lot of chatter online. I had all mods done by a specialist garage who do this stuff all day every day.
     
  18. nascot

    nascot First Team

    Ditching the run flats is a must, they're fecking awful. The rears are about due a replacement on mine so will be swapping all 4 out for non-run flats. It can mess with the tyre pressure sensors though.

    As for M5, what a machine. Would love to step up to an M car at some point but the M5 is a little out of my price range!
     
  19. StuBoy

    StuBoy Forum Cad and Bounder

    Thinking of getting rid of our petrol car for an electric one. This is something that has been growing steadily in my mind now for some time, I've done quite a lot of research and see a lot of the pros and cons to it. I just like the idea and think it's the way everything is headed to be honest. My preference is a Tesla, premium I know, but I just like them. The superchargers all popping up around the country now too is also a plus point.

    Anyone on here got an electric car or experience of one they would like to share? I would be interested to here any feedback!
     
  20. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    I’m a mechanics dream as I have no idea cars. I can just about open the bonnet. I have 10 year old Insignia which does the job. Over 100k on the clock so beginning to look around. While in the US I drove a Ford Edge which was ideal. Massive boot which is great for holidays and dog walking
     
  21. lm_wfc

    lm_wfc First Team

    Premium is the key word. Nowhere near luxury and not the same kind of premium you get in BMW/Merc/Audi/jag.

    They get away with a lot of poor quality due to rabid fans as buyers, and the fact that most buyers are tech nerds who are upgrading from a ten year old economy car so just having new car features is a bonus.

    I work in the industry but am also pretty bias due to getting fed up of reading articles about Tesla by completely misinformed journalists so take what I say with that bias.


    If you have the money look at the Porsche taycan or upcoming Audi sister car.
    For less money look at the be id3 and id4.
    At the budget end you also have the mg, Renault Zoe and nissan leaf. But if you want a car with a whoopie cushion joke feature you're stuck with Tesla
     
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  22. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Don't buy a big car just for one holiday a year. Get what suits on a daily basis and hire a people carrier when you need it. Cheaper in the long run.
     
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  23. AndrewH63

    AndrewH63 Reservist

    When we were able to go to away games, I would either go in my brothers Peugeot 3008, which seemed a lot of car for the money. What was most surprising was that it had a 1.5 litre Diesel engine, nippy and frugal.

    Alternatively it would be a Mercedes C class. A nice car, but monstrously uncomfortable for the third adult in the middle of the rear bench.

    so for away games buy yourself a roomy SUV and treat your mates to a comfortable trip.
     
  24. lm_wfc

    lm_wfc First Team

    Or. Get a 2 seater sports car and you won't be the one having to give lifts.
     
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  25. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    I'm fast approaching the point where I need to buy a new steed. I honestly have no idea which direction to go. Hybrid, diesel, petrol - purchase new, used or lease. Honestly, you could bung all those options into a pot and randomly pick two out. I am truly stumped.
     
  26. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    If you're interested in hybrid or electric I'd lease if I were you. Technology is changing and battery longevity is still an issue. In 3-5 years time what's not to say that you won't be able to shift an old tech electric car.
    Diesel is pretty much done isn't it?
    It might be time for your midlife crisis petrol, sportscar. I'm not sure that they will be around for much longer.
     
  27. Robert Peel

    Robert Peel Squad Player

    Not remotely interested in cars. My in laws are money-mad show-offs so we bought a Skoda, simply to wind them up after our battered Renault people carrier gave up the ghost after after having it for a decade.

    The Skoda is decent though.
     
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  28. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    Skoda are all the quality of VW & Audi without the patronizing salespeople and with decent customer service. Good choice.
     
  29. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    That's me exactly. A car gets you where you want to go as cheaply as possible. I get completely people like Meister who just love cars, but for so many d*ckheads it's a status symbol. Crazy.
     
  30. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    My first car was a Skoda back in the day when they were the laughing stock of the car world. The engine was in the boot and if you were sitting in the back seat you couldn't hear a thing. I drove the thing like a racing car and it never let me down
     
  31. HappyHornet24

    HappyHornet24 Crapster Staff Member

    I’m not remotely a petrol head either. I have an Audi Q7 basically because it has a big boot which we need for our two dogs and also, pre Covid, the extra seats were really useful when ferrying a car full of teenagers around.

    I could do with some advice from those with a knowledge of cars, though. We are now looking to buy a second hand car for our 17 yr old daughter. I just want something that is small, safe and reliable, really. We would buy it from a dealer and get all the checks, etc done. At the moment I’m thinking of a Renault Clio or a VW Polo. Any views/advice?
     
  32. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

    Buying a teens first car is easy. You need to know three things.

    1. Which are the cheapest to insure.
    2. Which are reliable enough to not break down.
    3. They WILL get damaged.

    Insurance under £1600 fr the first year is a good deal, (usually have to have a black box fitted in year 1). Small 1 litre used cars with low mileage are great. Don't, under any circumstances buy a fiat 500 or I'll block you permanently.
     
  33. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    That's fine, as long as the teenager can afford all that and doesn't expect his/her parents to pay for it. ;)
     
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  34. hornmeister

    hornmeister Tired

    You may find buying a slightly larger car cheaper and it will do them good to get used to a bigger car anyway. Smaller cheap cars are in demand because everyone wants them for their kid. Lots of kids drive and crash in them and it puts the premiums up.
    something like a Honda Jazz which fogies generally drive will be reliable and likely cheaper to insure. Newer cars are safer cars.

    Avoid modern VW they're not reliable anymore and not worth the premium and the dealers are ****ers. There's as thread about it somewhere.
    http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/would-you.49940/

    Replacement Merc A Class has been absolutely faultless, if a little thirsty and expensive on tyres.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
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  35. zztop

    zztop Eurovision Winner 2015

    Blimey, i never had you down as driving a Chelsea Tractor!

    Respect!
     

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