What car do you drive?

Nice I like it :)

Cheers!

My wife doesn't share the feeling though; still hates the fact I bought an estate!

It just does everything though.

Enough room for the whole family, big boot, loads of storage for moving stuff about with the seats down and the roofbox on. At the same time, 427bhp, manual box, 4wd, excellent handling and brakes, and in sports mode instant throttle response and the valved custom exhaust goes into nascar mode!
 
I still think some people in this category buy diesel cars because of the mpg figures not realising that theres more to it than that.
You can't really blame your average motorist though, as that's how diesel cars were sold to then, when they suddenly became in vogue.
Cheap fuel, more MPG, buy one and save the planet ;)
 
You can't really blame your average motorist though, as that's how diesel cars were sold to then, when they suddenly became in vogue.
Cheap fuel, more MPG, buy one and save the planet ;)

True, but lots of thing come into vogue though with alternatives available at the same time and plenty additional info to fill your boots with and more importantly consider before you buy

;)
 
True, but lots of thing come into vogue though with alternatives available at the same time and plenty additional info to fill your boots with and more importantly consider before you buy ;)
My guess is, the biggest draw was the cost of fuel TBH.
Until the government started to push diesel as a viable consumer fuel, it was only commercial vehicles and trains that used it.
And it literally dirt cheap at the beginning.
 
My guess is, the biggest draw was the cost of fuel TBH.
Until the government started to push diesel as a viable consumer fuel, it was only commercial vehicles and trains that used it.
And it literally dirt cheap at the beginning.
I agree, not that obvious a choice nowadays and not a true reflection of the real cost of ownership.
 
I've just put my 1997 Toyota MR2 N/A back on the road. It was SORN for about 9 months as I couldn't bear to part with it but now I have a need for it, its good to have it back!!
 
Sure but if you compare that to a modern petrol like for like than the diesel is heavier, dirtier and noisier.

There is most definitely an excellent purpose to them. But does it make sense for people doing less than 12,000 I don't think so.
Some modern petrol engines aren't as clean as you may think. Most are now direct injection as are diesels. Direct injection engines produce high levels of nox, the level from petrol engines isn't as high as diesel but it is high and engine manufacturers are having to look at many ways to reduce it with gpf's, egr valves, cylinder deactivation, a secondary set of fuel injectors into the inlet manifold etc., all of which will add a little extra weight. Modern advancements in diesel engines where manufacturers have actually bothered to do the work rather than just cheat, has lead to quieter, smoother and cleaner diesel engines. Without all the sound insulation, even a DI petrol engine will rattle on initial start up.
 
You can't really blame your average motorist though, as that's how diesel cars were sold to then, when they suddenly became in vogue.
Cheap fuel, more MPG, buy one and save the planet ;)
Back in 2005, I got to test drive a Fiesta and a Fusion, both fitted with a TDCi engine, at work, they were the first diesels I'd driven since my Mondeo with it's ancient 1.8TD engine 5yrs earlier. The difference was like night and day.
The look on the faces of a couple of blokes in a Mini Cooper S as I accelerated and overtook them was brilliant, gobsmacked would be an apt description.
 
Always loved those cars, my wife is too much of a badge snob to ever get one :(
 
Always loved those cars, my wife is too much of a badge snob to ever get one :(

Got to say, it's lovely to drive. It's almost a bit too big for me (but hey, better to need and not have... I;ll fill it with cameras at some point!) but I couldn't justify spending the extra for an equivalent Golf GTD. It's replaced a Fabia VRS (interior is miles ahead of that, BTW) which was fantastic so I'm no stranger to the Skodas, they're excellent value IMO.
 
I like that vrs, very sleeper but with subtle touches that there's something special there.
 
Here's mine, just a pity some low life broke my grille removing a badge

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The wifey-mobile:

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I got very lucky with the spec on this, made sure I was first to view when it came up for sale; wingback recaro seats (rare), xenons, sunroof, parking sensors, full leather, cruise control, DSG gearbox, etc
 
Just got another Yeti diesel - we now have 2 - a 4x4 140bhp and a 4 x 2 110bhp
 
Here's mine, just a pity some low life broke my grille removing a badge

WP_20160924_12_54_29_Pro_zpstlrrcbwr.jpg

I've always had a soft spot for the larger Volvo estates never owner anymore beyond my Amazon and the 240GL. I like it.

Just got another Yeti diesel - we now have 2 - a 4x4 140bhp and a 4 x 2 110bhp
There is something really likeable about those cars. I'm not normally a fan of van derived cars, but the Yeti seems to do it right for more.
 
I've always had a soft spot for the larger Volvo estates never owner anymore beyond my Amazon and the 240GL. I like it.


There is something really likeable about those cars. I'm not normally a fan of van derived cars, but the Yeti seems to do it right for more.

I bought it for the boot space as we do lots of camping and have lots of kit to lug about, strangely though the load area is slightly smaller than my old Megane ST due to the boot floor being raised to make it flat when the rear seats are folded
 
My weekend toy is a old 53' plate RenaultSport Clio 172
Weekday duties is a Mercedes Citan Van
Family car is a Toyota Corolla
 
I like the look of that Mini :)
 
I like the look of that Mini :)

Thanks I've owned the classic from new!! 17 years next month really don't use it as much as I should but I love it everytime I drive it I find myself grinning like a loon oh and driving like I'm Paddy Hopkirk!
 
Oh very nice, I like those. Saw two in Warsaw yesterday going like mad, very nice.
 
Thanks :) I'm impressed. Not many people even know what it is :)
Oh I recognise something very special when I see. Got that build in radar. That bares no resemblance to an ordinary baby lexus 3 series clone, that is very special and must be so much fun to drive.
 
Oh I recognise something very special when I see. Got that build in radar. That bares no resemblance to an ordinary baby lexus 3 series clone, that is very special and must be so much fun to drive.

:)

I've always said that no car can fulfill the needs of luxury and performance / fun. I still stand by this statement, but his car is the nearest I've found to doing both.

It has a split personality. It can be driven sedately and it is very tame, but give it a bit of stick and it is a different animal.

I also looked at the M3 (V8) and Merc C63, but I was just too worried about the maintenance costs :( Love the look of the M3 and the sound from the C63 is just dirty :)
 
:)

I've always said that no car can fulfill the needs of luxury and performance / fun. I still stand by this statement, but his car is the nearest I've found to doing both.

It has a split personality. It can be driven sedately and it is very tame, but give it a bit of stick and it is a different animal.

I also looked at the M3 (V8) and Merc C63, but I was just too worried about the maintenance costs :( Love the look of the M3 and the sound from the C63 is just dirty :)
Indeed, nor the family function which is for us still important at this stage. Although I've never driven one, nor are there any reviews available I'm confident (hoping) that the Mercedes GLC43 AMG we've got on order for delivery this month will bring us that family element as well. Purist bleat about the one-man-one-engine philosphy out of the window and a twin turbo V6 in an AMG how dare they, but 4wd (albeith 69% rear bias) and standard air suspension makes it a little more family friendly; both in running costs and in comfort on longer journeys.

My Golf R is a lot of fun as well, but I find it too tiring to drive sedately. Too noisy, too harsh - just great fun to throw about but not something I can safely do all the time. So when there are cars that can do both I think it is quite unique.

The sound of the C63 is fantastic, although I prefer the older ones compared to the new 4.0 TT V8. The newer is faster, and better in many way but misses the character of as you say it; just dirty.

It is good that there is a fair bit of choice at the moment. Although for me I can't say that I'm emotionally drawn to any BMW at the moment.
 
Nothing exciting here, a rather conventional C3 Picasso that replaced am equally conventional Grande Punto a couple of weeks ago. Just had the rubber changed to Crossclimates this morning. After two blow outs/rapid deflations with a used car a few years ago I tend not to trust tyres on used vehicles if there's the slightest hint of uneven wear or suspicion about the sidewall.

Which leads to a question, the spare wheel and rotational tyres.. I've picked up a spare matching rim so I can have a proper spare rather than the goop compressor supplied or a spacesaver, but do I have it fitted for offside or nearside or get a different non-directional tread? I'm inclined to have the spare fitted for the nearside in a Crossclimate to match the others and in the event of an offside puncture treat it as if it was a temporary spare until the flat was repaired. I've picked nearside as the kerb generally collects more crap than the middle of the road.
 
:)

I've always said that no car can fulfill the needs of luxury and performance / fun. I still stand by this statement, but his car is the nearest I've found to doing both.

It has a split personality. It can be driven sedately and it is very tame, but give it a bit of stick and it is a different animal.

I also looked at the M3 (V8) and Merc C63, but I was just too worried about the maintenance costs :( Love the look of the M3 and the sound from the C63 is just dirty :)

Running costs have been fine so far for me in the M3, just petrol so far and a wheel bearing. The car does have 40k miles but didn't expect a wheel bearing being needed, it was £500 with a vehicle check.
 
Running costs have been fine so far for me in the M3, just petrol so far and a wheel bearing. The car does have 40k miles but didn't expect a wheel bearing being needed, it was £500 with a vehicle check.

Running costs have been fine so far for me in the M3, just petrol so far and a wheel bearing. The car does have 40k miles but didn't expect a wheel bearing being needed, it was £500 with a vehicle check.

Hope it stays that way :) We had a 335i for several years. Loved it. The Mrs currently has the 320d. The steering on the 3 series is great!

I guess it is all about luck. This month, my daily drive (Volvo XC90) has needed -

Coolant system fix - £380
New pads and discs / calliper - £580
New battery - £ yet to be priced
and today the nice people at the DVLA sent me a letter telling me my tax will be due at the end of the month - £500

CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:
 
Indeed, nor the family function which is for us still important at this stage. Although I've never driven one, nor are there any reviews available I'm confident (hoping) that the Mercedes GLC43 AMG we've got on order for delivery this month will bring us that family element as well. Purist bleat about the one-man-one-engine philosphy out of the window and a twin turbo V6 in an AMG how dare they, but 4wd (albeith 69% rear bias) and standard air suspension makes it a little more family friendly; both in running costs and in comfort on longer journeys.

My Golf R is a lot of fun as well, but I find it too tiring to drive sedately. Too noisy, too harsh - just great fun to throw about but not something I can safely do all the time. So when there are cars that can do both I think it is quite unique.

The sound of the C63 is fantastic, although I prefer the older ones compared to the new 4.0 TT V8. The newer is faster, and better in many way but misses the character of as you say it; just dirty.

It is good that there is a fair bit of choice at the moment. Although for me I can't say that I'm emotionally drawn to any BMW at the moment.

I'm a big Golf fan. I've had 2 GTi 16vs (Mk3), 2 VR6s, a 4 Motion and a Mk5 R32. R32 was brilliant. I test drove the Golf R before I bought the Lexus. Rapid A-B car. The engine noise through the stereo threw me a bit however. I understand what you mean by 'but not something I can safely do all the time'. I imagine you have to be going some to feel the limits of that car.

Yep, the original C63 is defo the sound for me. I appreciate that the future is not normally aspirated and there is no going back, but I do like big engines and the noises they make. I joined Lotus F1 in the last year of the V8s. Working at the factory, I always put down whatever I was doing when one of the V8 show cars were fired up. When they started the Renault V6 for the first time, one of the mechanics told me that once the engine had fired, they looked at each other, took the ear plugs out and said "Is that it?" :(
 
I'm a big Golf fan. I've had 2 GTi 16vs (Mk3), 2 VR6s, a 4 Motion and a Mk5 R32. R32 was brilliant. I test drove the Golf R before I bought the Lexus. Rapid A-B car. The engine noise through the stereo threw me a bit however. I understand what you mean by 'but not something I can safely do all the time'. I imagine you have to be going some to feel the limits of that car.

Yep, the original C63 is defo the sound for me. I appreciate that the future is not normally aspirated and there is no going back, but I do like big engines and the noises they make. I joined Lotus F1 in the last year of the V8s. Working at the factory, I always put down whatever I was doing when one of the V8 show cars were fired up. When they started the Renault V6 for the first time, one of the mechanics told me that once the engine had fired, they looked at each other, took the ear plugs out and said "Is that it?" :(

The fact that V8s are a dying breed was one of the major reasons I sold a newer car to get my RS4. The sound is epic (especially with my valved custom exhaust - see vid). It's also fast, fun, practical, comfortable, has road presence and it's not depreciating.

View: https://youtu.be/65SZXj4fTXA
 
The fact that V8s are a dying breed was one of the major reasons I sold a newer car to get my RS4. The sound is epic (especially with my valved custom exhaust - see vid). It's also fast, fun, practical, comfortable, has road presence and it's not depreciating.

View: https://youtu.be/65SZXj4fTXA
Ooooooohhh want one of those!
 
That'll give small children nightmares!!!!! :)

Impressive difference with valves opened / closed.
 
Nice exhaust system. I bet you set off a few car alarms :)
 
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