BMW E36 project
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,326
Likes: 1
From: Ulaanbaatar
I fancy a change, but in my budget there's nothing I can think of to replace the A8.
It doesn't possess much in the way of bar-stool bragging rights - thankfully - but its mid-range grunt, accessible from a robust prod of the accelerator is wonderful. And with my limited driving ability, I can cover ground more quickly and safely in the A8 than I ever could in my S2000s.
But the big issue for me is vehicle complexity; I'm a competent mechanic and enjoy tinkering (and big repairs/modifications) but the fragility of contemporary components, and the cost of replacements is making late models vehicles increasingly unattractive.
A Corvette C6 is always an appealing option, and whilst complex (relatively) there is a vast industry of suppliers to be able to fettle and tweak at sensible money; and there's the exhaust note from a Billy Boat system to consider too...
It doesn't possess much in the way of bar-stool bragging rights - thankfully - but its mid-range grunt, accessible from a robust prod of the accelerator is wonderful. And with my limited driving ability, I can cover ground more quickly and safely in the A8 than I ever could in my S2000s.
But the big issue for me is vehicle complexity; I'm a competent mechanic and enjoy tinkering (and big repairs/modifications) but the fragility of contemporary components, and the cost of replacements is making late models vehicles increasingly unattractive.
A Corvette C6 is always an appealing option, and whilst complex (relatively) there is a vast industry of suppliers to be able to fettle and tweak at sensible money; and there's the exhaust note from a Billy Boat system to consider too...
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,296
Likes: 830
From: Nottingham
I think you go back to Gad's E39 to find any kind of simplicity from German stuff
There's a cheeky one round the corner from me.
The S2 is sweet spot motoring for me if you can have only one car. It is a genuine daily (assuming you're not doing miles) but with the hood down in vtec its a raw, involving drive
I'm sure i'll miss the lux side of the BM but lifes too short and all that. I've no need of a GT car really
There's a cheeky one round the corner from me.
The S2 is sweet spot motoring for me if you can have only one car. It is a genuine daily (assuming you're not doing miles) but with the hood down in vtec its a raw, involving drive
I'm sure i'll miss the lux side of the BM but lifes too short and all that. I've no need of a GT car really
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
Complexity...I'm driving a GK Jazz today and I'm utterly baffled.
It knows the speed limit, but has no Sat Nav. Presumably, The Man can track my sins. It also panics about trees, cars & shit around itself. There's a 'tear along the dotted line' button and I dunno what that does, either; presumably stops it panicking if I tear along a dotted line.
Cruise control is frightening; hold it down and the speed increases in tens. You want to increase to 44, and it jumps to 80. Or 125, which is probably implausible.
I've come to the conclusion I can no longer operate anything FRED anymore. That used to happen to people in their eighties.
I wonder if the car still works if/when it all goes wrong?
It knows the speed limit, but has no Sat Nav. Presumably, The Man can track my sins. It also panics about trees, cars & shit around itself. There's a 'tear along the dotted line' button and I dunno what that does, either; presumably stops it panicking if I tear along a dotted line.
Cruise control is frightening; hold it down and the speed increases in tens. You want to increase to 44, and it jumps to 80. Or 125, which is probably implausible.
I've come to the conclusion I can no longer operate anything FRED anymore. That used to happen to people in their eighties.
I wonder if the car still works if/when it all goes wrong?
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,330
Likes: 180
Complexity...I'm driving a GK Jazz today and I'm utterly baffled.
It knows the speed limit, but has no Sat Nav. Presumably, The Man can track my sins. It also panics about trees, cars & shit around itself. There's a 'tear along the dotted line' button and I dunno what that does, either; presumably stops it panicking if I tear along a dotted line.
Cruise control is frightening; hold it down and the speed increases in tens. You want to increase to 44, and it jumps to 80. Or 125, which is probably implausible.
I've come to the conclusion I can no longer operate anything FRED anymore. That used to happen to people in their eighties.
I wonder if the car still works if/when it all goes wrong?
It knows the speed limit, but has no Sat Nav. Presumably, The Man can track my sins. It also panics about trees, cars & shit around itself. There's a 'tear along the dotted line' button and I dunno what that does, either; presumably stops it panicking if I tear along a dotted line.
Cruise control is frightening; hold it down and the speed increases in tens. You want to increase to 44, and it jumps to 80. Or 125, which is probably implausible.
I've come to the conclusion I can no longer operate anything FRED anymore. That used to happen to people in their eighties.
I wonder if the car still works if/when it all goes wrong?
Apparently ( i haven't driven one ) TESLA stuff is better in this regard because the car was designed around the tech rather than the other way around and what better way to prolong the life of your stillborn baby than shoehorn ever more useless gizmos into it.
New Jazz? Not exactly pretty is it ...... and if you look, they no longer paint the inside of the fuel flap area ( cheapskates ) and as far as power goes, Ummm *yawns* gutless ain't the word. Even thrashing one seems pointless and futile, its like a new dyson, a load of noise but little to no action.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,326
Likes: 1
From: Ulaanbaatar
A painter and decorator chap in my village buys cars on the basis of popping open the bonnet and taking a look at how cramped and complicated the engine compartment is. If there's plenty of space to work, he usually buys.
Oh yes, he rarely buys a car over £500. His last one - an Astra - cost £400 and he ran it reliably for 3 years. His latest vehicle is an Audi A3 1.8, which he paid £350 for with 12 months MOT on it. He repaired the heater and passenger electric window and he feels he'll be OK for another 2 or 3 years.
He's convinced there's never been a better time to get into Bangernomics; as he correctly identified, it's all about having a new car, on a 2 or 3 year deal. No one seems interested in buying a good 'ordinary' older car, so they're going begging.
Oh yes, he rarely buys a car over £500. His last one - an Astra - cost £400 and he ran it reliably for 3 years. His latest vehicle is an Audi A3 1.8, which he paid £350 for with 12 months MOT on it. He repaired the heater and passenger electric window and he feels he'll be OK for another 2 or 3 years.
He's convinced there's never been a better time to get into Bangernomics; as he correctly identified, it's all about having a new car, on a 2 or 3 year deal. No one seems interested in buying a good 'ordinary' older car, so they're going begging.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
That is all true, UF.
Actually, I requested the CVT which (like suicide, apparently) is painless. Rowing along a stick really is a hiding to nothing.
It's actually remarkably accelerative (TC+CVT) and NVH, ride/handling/steering are much improved. And visibility is no longer dangerous.
But it's a soulless thing to drive; no steering feel, the CVT is surgey, it jerks on downshifts unless you rev match and that L-series sounds like a Mini or Maxi when extended.
I honestly think I prefer the Yaris HSD - and that's not saying much.
Probably wasn't helped by the fact that every road I took was dug up, but I thought "if this is the future of driving, you can shove it up your arse".
I'm missing my S2000 so much already, I could cry. It's only in for a service & MOT, FFS!
Actually, I requested the CVT which (like suicide, apparently) is painless. Rowing along a stick really is a hiding to nothing.
It's actually remarkably accelerative (TC+CVT) and NVH, ride/handling/steering are much improved. And visibility is no longer dangerous.
But it's a soulless thing to drive; no steering feel, the CVT is surgey, it jerks on downshifts unless you rev match and that L-series sounds like a Mini or Maxi when extended.
I honestly think I prefer the Yaris HSD - and that's not saying much.
Probably wasn't helped by the fact that every road I took was dug up, but I thought "if this is the future of driving, you can shove it up your arse".
I'm missing my S2000 so much already, I could cry. It's only in for a service & MOT, FFS!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,330
Likes: 180
Indeed, it looks good in white or red - the handling IS better but the quality of materials is worse ... not sure whether it's a win or a fail. No full glass sunroof option and that awful slab of black plastic around the god awful radio is just a finger print magnet waiting for sticky marks.
The radio btw which doubles as a clock, feels like someone raided the late 2005 Halfords seconds bin.
I know they are probably trying to force people into upgrading to an HR-V which is leagues better inside but my god do you pay through the nose for it.
The radio btw which doubles as a clock, feels like someone raided the late 2005 Halfords seconds bin.
I know they are probably trying to force people into upgrading to an HR-V which is leagues better inside but my god do you pay through the nose for it.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,296
Likes: 830
From: Nottingham
Haha. Honda force me to drive a jizz home when the owd girl is in for a colonic
They remind me what a greenhouse mounted on an ariel nomad with prius tyres and a mower engine would feel like.
I sometimes get the train and that is far from pleasant or quick or cost effective or anything positive
Baaah
They remind me what a greenhouse mounted on an ariel nomad with prius tyres and a mower engine would feel like.
I sometimes get the train and that is far from pleasant or quick or cost effective or anything positive
Baaah
