Afternoon!

So has anyone driven a new, non-sports car recently?

Reason I ask is that I've just covered 110 miles in a new Golf 2.0 TSI turbo diesel jobby.

I can honestly say that I hope someone at least scratches it in the car park. It's the most uninvolving over designed nasty piece of work I've ever driven. All shiney and new with chrome (dickhead) pieces and the driving position reminds me of a shopping trolley...............baby seat.

Why why why did they see it fit to pack three or four pillows between the steering wheel and road wheels?

Totally characterless

........and breathe.........

 

yup ! i 100% agree i had the same 2.0 TSI as a loan car recently ... i found it actually dangerouse as it seemed to kangaroo bounce around corners if you ' flung ' it in with to much vigor... it was a car simple... a - b dont drive it fast , get in it and ' drive ' 100% soggy pants.. the fiat 500 or something like that was far more fun!

 

Pedantic maybe, but I assume you mean a TDI Diesel (TSIs are petrol)?

Utilitarian derivatives of the VW Golf are categorically NOT for enthusiasts!

(Perhaps they are somewhat insidiously aimed at that ever-increasing number of ever more dumbed-down folks out there who might inadvertantly be actually seeking out cars so underwhelming as to make the rest of their uber-ordinary and state-constrained existences seem remotely interesting......)

98

 

Nice theory Ron!

Mine is that they are aimed at the Playwithyourselfstationgeneration, who think that cars should feel as involving as a toy steering wheel.

Either way, I agree with Rich - I find it's more fun hustling a Ford Transit than most modern struggle buggies.

 

Didnt your Dorris have one of these Rich?

I was actually thinking of buying the GT Tdi DSG for my next car!

 

yep, most are rubbish

including the new Focus, feted by so many - what a boring, gutless little car

it's not just the lower level cars either - current M cars are down on quality compared to their immediate predecessors

 

I'm trying to remember the old XJ6/12; that car was about the same size/weight as these struggle buggies and although the steering was described as lifeless, I don't remember it being AS lifeless and the car was still fun to drive despite its exquisite refinement, that made some passengers feel queasy.

But that's what they're making now, basically. Only the rear seat is less uncomfortable and the feline elegance is replaced by a sort of naked obese girl sitting down kind of style.

 

very skinny steering wheels on the series 1-3

I've owned every model from 2.8 to 5.3, Daimler and Jag, as well as the XJ40 and X300 6.0s

the steering was too light, rather than totally devoid of feel

 

Thanks Gad - that's it exactly. I remember now.

I remember some owners went the poly bush route, but it only worsened NVH and the steering was still too light!

 

Aha - I think we've hit a chord!

I drove the car back from Leicester last night, then to Harrogate and back this morning.

I still don't get it!

It's got 150bhp a tidle wave of torque, but it's totally uninvolving. The pace was without question, probably the same as my old Megane 225 (similar to S2000 pace) but with more body role although it just wasn't in the slightest bit entertaining.

It also felt like a massive car - very high roof line and wide when you're in the driving seat.

What is the point of buying over