To quote Jeremy Clarkson - It is more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slowly.
My first car, a 1984 1.3 Astra that had been converted to run on unleaded instead of 4 Star, and in the process lost about 30% of its power, was easily to most fun of the cars I have owned. 4 speed manual with skinny tyres. You had to rag the ****out of it to get anywhere and even going around a roundabout at normal speeds felt like you were on the ragged edge. Probably helped that I was 18, but I had some great fun driving that car.
My first car was an '84 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia. I loved that car and wish I had it now. They've started to crop up at classic car shows now and their prices are on the up. Was tempted by an immaculate XR2 a few years ago that was up for sale, which I'd bought it now.
I had an old Fiat Panda and if you got it to 80 on the motorway it shook and rattled and felt like you were breaking the sound barrier. I loved it though! You could arrange the front seats and turn it into a bed.......I'll stop there!
I had friend who had one of those. You needed ear defenders at 25 mph it was so rattly and noisy, let alone motorway speeds.
To quote Jeremy Clarkson - It is more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slowly.
My first car, a 1984 1.3 Astra that had been converted to run on unleaded instead of 4 Star, and in the process lost about 30% of its power, was easily to most fun of the cars I have owned. 4 speed manual with skinny tyres. You had to rag the ****out of it to get anywhere and even going around a roundabout at normal speeds felt like you were on the ragged edge. Probably helped that I was 18, but I had some great fun driving that car.
My first car was an '84 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia. I loved that car and wish I had it now. They've started to crop up at classic car shows now and their prices are on the up. Was tempted by an immaculate XR2 a few years ago that was up for sale, which I'd bought it now.
I had an old Fiat Panda and if you got it to 80 on the motorway it shook and rattled and felt like you were breaking the sound barrier. I loved it though! You could arrange the front seats and turn it into a bed.......I'll stop there!
I had friend who had one of those. You needed ear defenders at 25 mph it was so rattly and noisy, let alone motorway speeds.
My mate had a white GTE, it was a great car. He also had a lime green MK1 Escort Mexico, which was fantastic. Worth a bloody fortune now.
I drive a manual m-sport 2005 BMW 5 series with a 3.0l Turbo-Diesel which produces 231bhp and a healthy 155mph. Has done 100,000 miles
Bought it for £6k. Full leather, sat navigation, f+b parking sensors, climate control.
Drive a lot through work and couldn't see the point in driving something newer (and shitter) which cost more. Car does ~43mph on motorways, ~34mpg otherwise.
Only indication of my impending bankruptcy was the recent requirement for a new battery which cost £125.
How relevant is that top speed? I can appreciate that at motorway speeds it will be doing not much more than ticking over in top, but do you get any opportunity to get it anywhere near that 155?
Why does driving a nice car make you a wanker? (Assuming a BMW M3 is a nice car - well a new one anyway).
I have always driven what would be called nice cars because I have a real interest in cars.
Some people don't care about a bit of metal on wheels and that's fine too. Each to their own.
Whatever you do, in whatever facet of life, someone, somewhere will think you're a wanker for doing it.
I was just tongue-in-cheek hypothesising that more people would consider M3 drivers wankers than people would consider small engined super-mini drivers wankers. And we all know BMW drivers have a stereotype attached to them.
I hear ya
I've never gone along with this whole 'typical BMW thinks he owns the road bollocks'
Lane day dreamers make me hate regardless of the vehicle they are in. Mobile phone users the same
The top speed isn't relevant at all unless you're on the German Autobahn but it's indicative of the power of the car so it is a valid stat. It's probably governed as well so could probably top out at higher than 155.
To quote Jeremy Clarkson - It is more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slowly.
My first car, a 1984 1.3 Astra that had been converted to run on unleaded instead of 4 Star, and in the process lost about 30% of its power, was easily to most fun of the cars I have owned. 4 speed manual with skinny tyres. You had to rag the ****out of it to get anywhere and even going around a roundabout at normal speeds felt like you were on the ragged edge. Probably helped that I was 18, but I had some great fun driving that car.
My first car was an '84 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia. I loved that car and wish I had it now. They've started to crop up at classic car shows now and their prices are on the up. Was tempted by an immaculate XR2 a few years ago that was up for sale, which I'd bought it now.
I had an old Fiat Panda and if you got it to 80 on the motorway it shook and rattled and felt like you were breaking the sound barrier. I loved it though! You could arrange the front seats and turn it into a bed.......I'll stop there!
I had friend who had one of those. You needed ear defenders at 25 mph it was so rattly and noisy, let alone motorway speeds.
I think that won European Car of the Year with the Metro 2nd. Two pieces of crap.
To quote Jeremy Clarkson - It is more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slowly.
My first car, a 1984 1.3 Astra that had been converted to run on unleaded instead of 4 Star, and in the process lost about 30% of its power, was easily to most fun of the cars I have owned. 4 speed manual with skinny tyres. You had to rag the ****out of it to get anywhere and even going around a roundabout at normal speeds felt like you were on the ragged edge. Probably helped that I was 18, but I had some great fun driving that car.
My first car was an '84 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia. I loved that car and wish I had it now. They've started to crop up at classic car shows now and their prices are on the up. Was tempted by an immaculate XR2 a few years ago that was up for sale, which I'd bought it now.
I had an old Fiat Panda and if you got it to 80 on the motorway it shook and rattled and felt like you were breaking the sound barrier. I loved it though! You could arrange the front seats and turn it into a bed.......I'll stop there!
I had friend who had one of those. You needed ear defenders at 25 mph it was so rattly and noisy, let alone motorway speeds.
I think that won European Car of the Year with the Metro 2nd. Two pieces of crap.
Edit: the Panda, not the GTE.
How times have changed
There aren't really any shit new cars anymore. Not compared to those halcyon days of the Austin Maestro or anything made by Lada.
Everyone used to take the piss out of Skoda but they are magnificent cars now.
The Nissan Note is a bone of contention and absolutely isn't to my taste but if you are after a car for purely practical reasons it isn't a bad shout.
The Toyota Prius is another. You can't argue with the economy of the things and they are getting better. The latest one is a very decent car, again, not to my particular taste but very decent and practicality is a big seller these days and it is very practical.
I'm still happy with my massive mercedes capable of 140mph and loaded with 185bhp (smiley wanky face)
Why does driving a nice car make you a wanker? (Assuming a BMW M3 is a nice car - well a new one anyway).
I have always driven what would be called nice cars because I have a real interest in cars.
Some people don't care about a bit of metal on wheels and that's fine too. Each to their own.
I think people think 'wanker' of someone who implies there's something special about them because of the car they bought, or the 'phone, or the trainers, or whatever. Did you design that car? Did you invent that 'phone? No, you just spent your money on it. That doesn't make you better than anyone else.
True. But there are some people who just like cars and will spend the money to get one they want (it's all about priorities). That doesn't mean they think they are better than anyone else. In some cases, probably, but it shouldn't be assumed that all people are like that.
I drive a manual m-sport 2005 BMW 5 series with a 3.0l Turbo-Diesel which produces 231bhp and a healthy 155mph. Has done 100,000 miles
Bought it for £6k. Full leather, sat navigation, f+b parking sensors, climate control.
Drive a lot through work and couldn't see the point in driving something newer (and shitter) which cost more. Car does ~43mph on motorways, ~34mpg otherwise.
Only indication of my impending bankruptcy was the recent requirement for a new battery which cost £125.
How relevant is that top speed? I can appreciate that at motorway speeds it will be doing not much more than ticking over in top, but do you get any opportunity to get it anywhere near that 155?
The top speed is totally irrelevant; it is a consequence of the engine. But I think having plenty of power under the hood adds to the overall driving experience.
I have a fiesta 1.0 ecoboost the titanium model. The 98 bhp version. It goes like a rocket is great to handle and has a load of decent extras. If you can afford it add proximity sensors as an add on for about £300.
Only drawback is the economy I get about 45mpg not the stated 65 they say they achieve. But all manufacturers boast about mpg.
Also the car doesn't like 4th or 5th gear at low speeds. I find I have to drive in 3rd gear at 30mph or the engine labour's.
In saying that I love the car is very sturdy you feel safe in it, and would have another one tomorrow.
I think with the cheaper car brands you'll do well to research the components that go into them, as often they don't manufacture their own stuff - especially if they have a well-to-do parent company like Volkswagen. I think Skoda and Seat both benefit hugely from using VM components with a different "top hat", for example.
Why does driving a nice car make you a wanker? (Assuming a BMW M3 is a nice car - well a new one anyway).
I have always driven what would be called nice cars because I have a real interest in cars.
Some people don't care about a bit of metal on wheels and that's fine too. Each to their own.
I think people think 'wanker' of someone who implies there's something special about them because of the car they bought, or the 'phone, or the trainers, or whatever. Did you design that car? Did you invent that 'phone? No, you just spent your money on it. That doesn't make you better than anyone else.
True. But there are some people who just like cars and will spend the money to get one they want (it's all about priorities). That doesn't mean they think they are better than anyone else. In some cases, probably, but it shouldn't be assumed that all people are like that.
I don't assume that, although I can see how my comment could be taken that way.
In January I traded in my Mondeo for a new Fiesta automatic with the fancy one litre engine. The down side is that the Mondeo was like a small van the amount you could fit in it. More road noise at speed than the Mondeo. The up side is I battled long and hard for the deal both in trade in and base price playing dealers off against each other and using we buy any car emails to up the trade in. Interest free credit for two years. Goes through the pinch points easily. Goes like the clappers even with four adults. Parks easily. Good equipment including the sat nav. Automatic deals with the city traffic and speed restrictions and crawling queues in a relaxed way. £30 yearly road tax for the foreseeable. Twice as good as the Mondeo in fuel consumption. Handles well and drives beautifully.
Clearly anybody who gets a new car is unlikely to be overly critical but I really like it.
Mrs Plum traded in he 15 year old Micra and bought a gear shift Fiesta. Zero road tax, she loves her car too and also has 0% interest.
Incidentally I drive a 1.6 2002 Ford Focus, which I bought when 9 months old! A lovely car, still works a treat, and not worth changing as my mileage is so low, 3-4000 a year, as I use public transport for my day to day commuting. Only replaced the original front tyres last year!
Sorry, just caught up with this. No one should be driving around on 15 year old tyres! It's bordering on reckless behaviour. I take it your car hasn't got the original tyres on the back still?
It doesn't matter if they have low mileage, other aspects, notably temperature variation, mean that they deteriorate over time. A major tyre manufacturer suggests thoroughly inspecting tyres over five years old at least once a year. And as a precaution replacing them after 10 years from date of manufacture. (See date code on side of tyre.) Some car manufacturers, eg Tesla, suggest replacing tyres if they are more than six years old.
I used to travel down from Norfolk to London every Monday and back on Friday. At the time the A11 still had stretches of a single lane each way. Used to get behind lorries and caravans.
Bought a second hand XR2 which made all the difference. Saved hours over several years.
Only problem was hitting a pheasant in Thetford forest. Pulled into a petrol station and discovered it had wrecked a fog lamp.
Good car, although mine in for repairs after a prang on our way back from a holiday in Weymouth recently. My car was parked in Rownham services when a guy towing a caravan tried to park next to us and got it a bit wrong, misjudged so badly the front end of his caravan hit our nearside rear
Got a courtesy car, Corsa, at the moment. No key, no handbrake, automatic lights. Too much tech. Not my sort of thing at all. Get ours back Friday 👍
I used to travel down from Norfolk to London every Monday and back on Friday. At the time the A11 still had stretches of a single lane each way. Used to get behind lorries and caravans.
Bought a second hand XR2 which made all the difference. Saved hours over several years.
Only problem was hitting a peasant in Thetford forest. Pulled into a petrol station and discovered it had wrecked a fog lamp.
Last one to roll off the production line in Cologne on Friday.
Mk 1 came out in 1976, Mark 2 in 1983, Mk 3 in 1989, Mk 4 in 1995, Mk 5 in 2002. Mk 6 in 2008 and Mk 7 in 2019. 22 Million sold!
Mk 1 basic cost £1,854, the top of range Mk 7 £27k.
It was the first front wheel drive made by Ford and was built in Dagenham until 2002.
Smashing little car, seems a shame, but that's progress I suppose
I was in Dagenham the day they announced production would cease. Not a happy day there. When the last went down the PTA line all the guys signed it. It was placed in the entrance foyer for a few years.
I owned 3 Fiestas from a J reg SX through to the 2000 year Zetecs. None of them ever let me down, the only thing wrong with them was the blue oval badge on the front.
Shame as up until recently it was one of the biggest sellers in the UK, never been a fan personally although did quite like my supersport back in the late 80's, shame I didn't keep it as worth a fortune now.
Ford also announced ceasing the focus, but not for a couple of years yet.
Comments
I've never gone along with this whole 'typical BMW thinks he owns the road bollocks'
Lane day dreamers make me hate regardless of the vehicle they are in. Mobile phone users the same
Edit: the Panda, not the GTE.
There aren't really any shit new cars anymore. Not compared to those halcyon days of the Austin Maestro or anything made by Lada.
Everyone used to take the piss out of Skoda but they are magnificent cars now.
The Nissan Note is a bone of contention and absolutely isn't to my taste but if you are after a car for purely practical reasons it isn't a bad shout.
The Toyota Prius is another. You can't argue with the economy of the things and they are getting better. The latest one is a very decent car, again, not to my particular taste but very decent and practicality is a big seller these days and it is very practical.
I'm still happy with my massive mercedes capable of 140mph and loaded with 185bhp (smiley wanky face)
Only drawback is the economy I get about 45mpg not the stated 65 they say they achieve. But all manufacturers boast about mpg.
Also the car doesn't like 4th or 5th gear at low speeds. I find I have to drive in 3rd gear at 30mph or the engine labour's.
In saying that I love the car is very sturdy you feel safe in it, and would have another one tomorrow.
Both Bmw hahaha
Try this site. Lots of info.
The down side is that the Mondeo was like a small van the amount you could fit in it. More road noise at speed than the Mondeo.
The up side is I battled long and hard for the deal both in trade in and base price playing dealers off against each other and using we buy any car emails to up the trade in.
Interest free credit for two years.
Goes through the pinch points easily.
Goes like the clappers even with four adults.
Parks easily.
Good equipment including the sat nav.
Automatic deals with the city traffic and speed restrictions and crawling queues in a relaxed way.
£30 yearly road tax for the foreseeable.
Twice as good as the Mondeo in fuel consumption.
Handles well and drives beautifully.
Clearly anybody who gets a new car is unlikely to be overly critical but I really like it.
Mrs Plum traded in he 15 year old Micra and bought a gear shift Fiesta. Zero road tax, she loves her car too and also has 0% interest.
It doesn't matter if they have low mileage, other aspects, notably temperature variation, mean that they deteriorate over time. A major tyre manufacturer suggests thoroughly inspecting tyres over five years old at least once a year. And as a precaution replacing them after 10 years from date of manufacture. (See date code on side of tyre.) Some car manufacturers, eg Tesla, suggest replacing tyres if they are more than six years old.
Your life depends on these things.
Mk 1 came out in 1976, Mark 2 in 1983, Mk 3 in 1989, Mk 4 in 1995, Mk 5 in 2002. Mk 6 in 2008 and Mk 7 in 2019. 22 Million sold!
Mk 1 basic cost £1,854, the top of range Mk 7 £27k.
It was the first front wheel drive made by Ford and was built in Dagenham until 2002.
Smashing little car, seems a shame, but that's progress I suppose
Bought a second hand XR2 which made all the difference. Saved hours over several years.
Only problem was hitting a pheasant in Thetford forest. Pulled into a petrol station and discovered it had wrecked a fog lamp.
Got a courtesy car, Corsa, at the moment. No key, no handbrake, automatic lights. Too much tech. Not my sort of thing at all. Get ours back Friday 👍
When the last went down the PTA line all the guys signed it. It was placed in the entrance foyer for a few years.
I owned 3 Fiestas from a J reg SX through to the 2000 year Zetecs. None of them ever let me down, the only thing wrong with them was the blue oval badge on the front.
Shame as up until recently it was one of the biggest sellers in the UK, never been a fan personally although did quite like my supersport back in the late 80's, shame I didn't keep it as worth a fortune now.
Ford also announced ceasing the focus, but not for a couple of years yet.