New Car - (not many of you will like)

I keep seeing a really nice looking dark grey cactus driving round town, there's something about the colour scheme, and the fact it hasn't been cleaned in a while, that makes those external panels look aggressive. It makes me think it's a Mad Max type car, which is actually really cool!
 
TopBanana said:
I keep seeing a really nice looking dark grey cactus driving round town, there's something about the colour scheme, and the fact it hasn't been cleaned in a while, that makes those external panels look aggressive. It makes me think it's a Mad Max type car, which is actually really cool!
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw a grey one the other day and although I am no fan of grey cars it did look mean.

The darker colours do make it look quite mean with the tinted windows etc and kids quite often like the cactus as they think it looks like a Tonka truck or something :)

I think the key with the cactus is getting one were the air bumps are not to much different from the car colour so they don't become over powering. Like I said at the beginning I saw a cream coloured one with brown air bumps and it was :puke: Horrible :facepalm:

Those air bumps have come in handy already as were we park next to the house at the back the car doors have always hit a wall that is there - VERY hard to avoid doing so and this car the air bumps are in just the right place to protect the door (y)
 
Last edited:
Got myself a Christmas present, it was between the Cactus, the Fiat 500L or the KIA Soul, the Soul won because it's cheaper, has everything in it the other two make you pay extra for, has a 7 year warranty and is nice to drive but mostly because I fit into it better :D I bought it on Tuesday, today was the first time I've seen it in daylight!


steepykia.jpg
 
Last edited:
Steep said:
Got myself a Christmas present, it was between the Cactus, the Fiat 500L or the KIA Soul, the Soul won because it's cheaper, has everything in it the other two make you pay extra for, has a 7 year warranty and is nice to drive but mostly because I fit into it better :D I bought it on Tuesday, today was the first time I've seen it in daylight!


View attachment 53458
Click to expand...
Nice, love the Reg plate.[emoji1]
 
Ah, soul - I'd wondered about that one, but doesn't it have a bizarre parcel shelf arrangement?
 
Nope Toni. well, maybe. The boot floor is a few inches lower than the lip, the two top models in the range come with a removable shelf that sits level with the lip and the seats when folded down. Mine is the middle of the range which means no shelf but the runners etc are there for it so cue some plywood and sticky backed felt. Having the shelf gives you an under space for those permanent things like tool kit etc. or stuff you want to keep out of sight.
 
Steep said:
Got myself a Christmas present, it was between the Cactus, the Fiat 500L or the KIA Soul, the Soul won because it's cheaper, has everything in it the other two make you pay extra for, has a 7 year warranty and is nice to drive but mostly because I fit into it better :D I bought it on Tuesday, today was the first time I've seen it in daylight!


View attachment 53458
Click to expand...

Nice one I do like the Kia cars we had a sedona a few years back (top of the range blacked out widows DVD player - that previous owner had taken :-( 3 litres engine) good cars.....

Still loving the Cactus makes driving fun again BUT Citroen seem to be messing with peoples orders and what spec the car has.... Seems a bit of a Lottery for some people
 
I had a cactus as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks, looked ugly, but it was a lot of fun to drive.
 
Pads1980 said:
I had a cactus as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks, looked ugly, but it was a lot of fun to drive.
Click to expand...

Yeah they are a bit Marmite but really like the look of ours as its all black Inc the bumps but they are fun to drive and be in as they are so comfy and we keep finding new features and toys we did not know it had
 
ive got one of these coming...no idea why i like it, i just do...

2244_0.jpg
 
ianp5a said:
Hyundai-Kia will take over the world.
Click to expand...
Certainly no sign of that happening in the UK, some manufacturers have higher sales figures just for one model than either of those can muster for their whole range.
 
The UK is just one small part of the "world" .

They won't "actually" take over the world as in governments. But they are on plan to take an unprecedented market share, as Japan stumbles and the Chinese are very late to the game.
 
Last edited:
Steep said:
Got myself a Christmas present, it was between the Cactus, the Fiat 500L or the KIA Soul, the Soul won because it's cheaper, has everything in it the other two make you pay extra for, has a 7 year warranty and is nice to drive but mostly because I fit into it better :D I bought it on Tuesday, today was the first time I've seen it in daylight!


View attachment 53458
Click to expand...

Nice location........but the plate looks a tad photochopped. ;) ?
 
ianp5a said:
The UK is just one small part of the "world" .

They won't "actually" take over the world as in governments. But they are on plan to take an unprecedented market share, as Japan stumbles and the Chinese are very late to the game.
Click to expand...
OK let's take a look at a couple of larger markets in the world. USA, Hyundai/Kia managed to sell a similar number of vehicles as they did in the UK so that is a very poor performance considering the size of market. Europe, Hyundai/Kia sales share is in decline. It maybe that they will take an unprecedented market share for themselves as a company, but I think they are a long way off threatening the top brands. China isn't really that late to the game, it's just their products haven't been very safe or worthwhile to be accepted around the world.
 
Just looking at getting a new car after a while off tbe road due to health issues...... ny last one was the "so called" top of the range Zafira. Worst ride ever but had the 1.7 turbo diesel which propelled me around quickly at 50 mpg+ consumption.

Toughie... The Cactus or Merc GLA? Decisions decisions.
 
nilagin said:
OK let's take a look at a couple of larger markets in the world. USA, Hyundai/Kia managed to sell a similar number of vehicles as they did in the UK so that is a very poor performance considering the size of market. Europe, Hyundai/Kia sales share is in decline. It maybe that they will take an unprecedented market share for themselves as a company, but I think they are a long way off threatening the top brands. China isn't really that late to the game, it's just their products haven't been very safe or worthwhile to be accepted around the world.
Click to expand...

Most Chinese car companies are not yet in any state to begin long term market expansion outside the cheap and cheerful area. They are trying to shake off their internal, scan and copy culture, and move into an innovation mode. Whereas Hyundai have been working very hard at building up resources and experience to be a style and innovation leader for many years now. And, importantly, are lining up to take on the quality manufacturers. They will be one of the main, dominant world players, with already 10% of the global market. And they are not stopping, despite the odd dip in sales.

Interestingly, there are some brand new Chinese companies that seem likely to do well. But it will take them a long time to build up experience.
 
Last edited:
ianp5a said:
Most Chinese car companies are not yet in any state to begin long term market expansion. They are trying to shake off their scan and copy culture and move into an innovation mode. Whereas Hyundai have been working very hard at building up resources and experience to be a style and innovation leader for many years now. They will be one of the main, dominant players. Even if they are not there yet.

Interestingly, there are some brand new Chinese companies that seem likely to do well. But it will take them a long time to build up experience.
Click to expand...
Hyundai/Kia are only marginally better than the Chinese in copying other car manufacturers designs they just add their own little tweaks to call it their own.
Take Matt's new car he has just bought.
2244_0.jpg

Look familiar?
 
nilagin said:
Hyundai/Kia are only marginally better than the Chinese in copying other car manufacturers designs they just add their own little tweaks to call it their own.
Click to expand...
I'm saying that you should realise that this is far, far away from what is really going on in these companies. There is really a massive difference.
 
Hugh Jarse said:
Just looking at getting a new car after a while off tbe road due to health issues...... ny last one was the "so called" top of the range Zafira. Worst ride ever but had the 1.7 turbo diesel which propelled me around quickly at 50 mpg+ consumption.

Toughie... The Cactus or Merc GLA? Decisions decisions.
Click to expand...
A hughe price difference between the two ;) But if you don't mind that, I'll have the GLA with Airmatic body control anyday. What that system does to our GL class is almost physics defying. A proper good ride.
 
dejongj said:
A hughe price difference between the two ;) But if you don't mind that, I'll have the GLA with Airmatic body control anyday. What that system does to our GL class is almost physics defying. A proper good ride.
Click to expand...

It is an indulgence really. I had voluntarily stopped driving due to my health which has now been sorted. I am lucky that, having retired early, I have no mortgage and am single. My SWMBO is a younger sister who is staying with me while she sorts her life, so I can indulge myself with things like cars. Apart from the disterous (IMHO) 2012 Zafira I owned. I am not car conscious as to make. One of my all time favourite cars was a Citroen 2CV I had when I was at University. Started first time everytime and did everything I needed. A Renault 4 van was next. I have owned 2 x 2CV Dolly's since!

The quirkiness of the Cactus attracts me but then so does a 9 year old Jaguar X type estate!

I have time to decide as the lead time is I want the car by the end of May.
 
If you look into Fords past I'm pretty sure you'll find some dodgy behaviour, borrowed designs/styles etc. Include every other motor manufacturer in that too.
 
Steep said:
If you look into Fords past I'm pretty sure you'll find some dodgy behaviour, borrowed designs/styles etc. Include every other motor manufacturer in that too.
Click to expand...
Go on say it, Ford stole the grill design for the 2015 Mondeo from Aston Martin, when it actually looks more akin to their own MK1 Cortina grill.
The South Koreans have been using other car manufacturers designs and styles and in some cases their old cars for at least 30 years.
 
Hugh Jarse said:
It is an indulgence really. I had voluntarily stopped driving due to my health which has now been sorted. I am lucky that, having retired early, I have no mortgage and am single. My SWMBO is a younger sister who is staying with me while she sorts her life, so I can indulge myself with things like cars. Apart from the disterous (IMHO) 2012 Zafira I owned. I am not car conscious as to make. One of my all time favourite cars was a Citroen 2CV I had when I was at University. Started first time everytime and did everything I needed. A Renault 4 van was next. I have owned 2 x 2CV Dolly's since!

The quirkiness of the Cactus attracts me but then so does a 9 year old Jaguar X type estate!

I have time to decide as the lead time is I want the car by the end of May.
Click to expand...
I've also owned the 2CV, and a Renault 4 GTL (not with beach seats but proper seats :)). I love quirky not so common cars as well, but to me they have to good and purposeful as well. Not just bits stuck on....

If you like the GLA, we'd downsize to that anyway if we had no more children to taxi, I'd try and test drive it with the airmatic suspension option. It is very good. Or alternatively have you considered a Macan?
 
dejongj said:
I've also owned the 2CV, and a Renault 4 GTL (not with beach seats but proper seats :)). I love quirky not so common cars as well, but to me they have to good and purposeful as well. Not just bits stuck on....

If you like the GLA, we'd downsize to that anyway if we had no more children to taxi, I'd try and test drive it with the airmatic suspension option. It is very good. Or alternatively have you considered a Macan?
Click to expand...

I have tried the GLA with the Airmatic pack... very nice but as I used to have a TVR Tasmin, anything (except my Zafira) is smooth in comparison.

No kids to taxi around (my grandchildren are their parents problem!)

I have an aversion to Porsche so the Macan is a non starter.

Am just at the BMW dealers at the moment. The 4 series is (in Clarkson's venacular- sweeeeet).
 
Now this is interesting: I've owned 2 2CV6s, and used a Renault 4 for a while. We also ran Citroen CXs for quite a long time, and have been with Citroen and Peugeot until half way through last year.

In retrospect, our first citroen was a GSA, which was the most terrible heap of junk, and should have put an end to any love affairs with French cars.
 
Hugh Jarse said:
It is an indulgence really. I had voluntarily stopped driving due to my health which has now been sorted. I am lucky that, having retired early, I have no mortgage and am single. My SWMBO is a younger sister who is staying with me while she sorts her life, so I can indulge myself with things like cars. Apart from the disterous (IMHO) 2012 Zafira I owned. I am not car conscious as to make. One of my all time favourite cars was a Citroen 2CV I had when I was at University. Started first time everytime and did everything I needed. A Renault 4 van was next. I have owned 2 x 2CV Dolly's since!

The quirkiness of the Cactus attracts me but then so does a 9 year old Jaguar X type estate!

I have time to decide as the lead time is I want the car by the end of May.
Click to expand...


All I say is go test drive the Cactus........ ;-)

And take your money with you
 
ancient_mariner said:
Now this is interesting: I've owned 2 2CV6s, and used a Renault 4 for a while. We also ran Citroen CXs for quite a long time, and have been with Citroen and Peugeot until half way through last year.

In retrospect, our first citroen was a GSA, which was the most terrible heap of junk, and should have put an end to any love affairs with French cars.
Click to expand...

My 'best' car was a Peugeot 405 Executive TD 1.9 (K reg)

I bought it after My Montego Countryman was destroyed in a head on crash south of Rennes. Sadly tbe other driver overtook ln a blind bend.

It had only 7K miles when I got it and I sold it to a mini cab driver in Swansea at 285K miles! He then put another 200K on it! Never let me down no matter the weather or distance.
Next was the rare Renault Savanna 2.1 TD. Bulletproof engine which my then SWMBO used till the gearbox went years later. I had a variety of work cars and in 2007 we got a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and a C3 Plurial for our daughter. At that time I had a Jaguar X Type.I do like French cars but as most of my cars are 'company' cars I go with what my sons are doing deals for (our own business vehicles).

At times we always had something unusual available. A Vauxhall Astra VXR was great fun when my youngest son broke his leg playing football....
 
John Young said:
I have the 1.6 diesel but apparently the 1.2 turbo petrol is the one to go far as its quick
Click to expand...

I won't do the miles to warrant the diesel version. 90% retired now. As long as it can carry my camera kit and me, smoothly to the Ferry ports of Pembroke, Fishguard and Holyhead, I wiill be content.
 
Hugh Jarse said:
I won't do the miles to warrant the diesel version. 90% retired now. As long as it can carry my camera kit and me, smoothly to the Ferry ports of Pembroke, Fishguard and Holyhead, I wiill be content.
Click to expand...

Well get the petrol for more fun apparently but saying that my diesel is no slouch and can get up to 90mpg
 
John Young said:
Well get the petrol for more fun apparently but saying that my diesel is no slouch and can get up to 90mpg
Click to expand...

Drove my son's Corsa Black 1.4T this evening.... Was surprising. It has been 'mapped' and has upgraded brakes etc. 158bhp - feels like a bit of an animal. I still enjoy a car with 'poke'!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top