Motoring Discussion > Getting restless :-p Buying / Selling
Thread Author: Stuu Replies: 127

 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Its been 10 months and 14000 miles, ive done well!

Something on a forecourt local to me has caught my eye, its a car ive always wanted and its more like the sort of thing I wanted when I went out to buy a car last time, its far more practical than the Ignis being 5dr and larger.

On the plus side its worth less than mine so it wouldnt cost me anything to make the change, may get a few quid back. the car itself looks like a fine example of the breed, ticks all the right boxes condition/ownership wise.
Id also save about 40% on car insurance and its about £30 a year cheaper to tax.
Other factors are that my car is due its MOT in 6 weeks time ( car im looking at has 11 months ) and I strongly suspect it needs some suspension work doing, unlikely to be hugely cheap though I can afford it if I need to so its a factor rather than a big pressure.

On the minus side, obviously I know my car and its pretty good aside from the suspension potentially needing something doing. The contender is heavier on fuel ( its an auto ) but not by a great deal as the Ignis has got much thirstier on these newer tyres.
It weighs on me that ive had the new tyres on the car, thick end of £250, though they have been very welcome in this rainy winter.
The other car is a few years older and nowhere near as fun as the Ignis ( that said I feel like ive had my fill of fun tbh ).

Is there ever a good time. Financially Im better than ive been in years so I feel comfortable taking a little risk with an unknown car, but I do wonder if I can control man maths as the bald figures make the swap very cheap and the other car is pretty welle xactly the car i wanted before the saga with the Wagon R happened ( no it isnt a Wagon R! ).
Should I look at it seriously or just make a point of ignoring the impulse...



 Getting restless :-p - Alastairw
Leave it Stu, its not worth it....

Better the devil you know and all that
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

Cheaper tax and heavier on fuel?

If it's what you want then go for it ...


 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
>>Cheaper tax and heavier on fuel?<<

Yes, it just slips into the age where its taxed on engine size and its under 1500cc, so only £130 a year. Im paying £182 ( 6M x 2 ) a year on the Ignis or I think £165ish for the full year.

Thats kinda my thoughts as I was due to change it this summer anyway and the Ignis is becoming a problem for us, not in its service but its characteristics.

The ride has becoming wearing, to the extent that I find myself driving the long way round to avoid the really awful roads around here. In my wifes car you dont feel the bumps nearly so much and we now choose to take her car over mine purely on the basis of ride comfort - ive never until now owned a car id actively avoid driving although its not that I hate it, its just a relief to take the Sirion. I dont like feeling that way about my car really.

With the car im looking at being auto which I feel im creeping towards needing for my mobility issues and it being Toyota Camry like in reliability reputation ( I was talking to an owner the other day who did 100k in one with just tyres and oil changes, no faults at all and theirs was an older £600 jobbie ), it feels like the kind of car id be more content with as while the Ignis is alotta fun on a good day, it wasnt really what I wanted to own and theres little escaping that as the needs exist which it struggles to meet.
 Getting restless :-p - Lygonos
V/W plate Civic 1.4 auto ?
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Haha, no but nice cars.
 Getting restless :-p - Zero
Just tell us so we can all be scathing and horrible and get it out of the way.

I mean - we haven't even started on the "I told you so"s yet
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 29 Dec 11 at 22:56
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I could thats true.
 Getting restless :-p - RattleandSmoke
We need some guy sagas on here, so go ahead and buy it, it will certainly increase the sites traffic :D.

 Getting restless :-p - -
Likely to be Japanese or Korean then if it's got a reputation of total reliability, probably not a fashion statement which is going to make it good value.

Daihatsu Move or Grand Move is my first guess, with Corolla coming up on the outside.

I fully understand the ride issues Stu, whilst the little C2 VTS is very quick and amazing on fuel given the way its driven, the ride is dreadful, and on shell pocked East Northants urban warfare roads its hellish, however SWM loves it.

For those who haven't driven in E Northants towns, they must be amongst the worst in the country, speed calming measures not needed.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 30 Dec 11 at 00:29
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

Jazz or Yaris?
 Getting restless :-p - Clk Sec
Not old enough for a Jazz.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Nice car, quite liked it, but the trader was a tit and I didnt like the car so much id want to deal with him, he made me uneasy, know what I mean? Not a Grand Move but an excellent guess.

But the seed is sown that id like a change so with my fairly short shortlist ill be keeping an eye out.

Grand Move is on the list GB, another car I rather like although thin on the ground - they are so cheap I could buy one and keep the Ignis!

Yaris Verso also on the list, parents had one, ugly but crikey its practical.

Not sure what else yet, im not sure if im ready for Perodua Kenari...

 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
>>I fully understand the ride issues Stu, whilst the little C2 VTS is very quick and amazing on fuel given the way its driven, the ride is dreadful, and on shell pocked East Northants urban warfare roads its hellish, however SWM loves it.

For those who haven't driven in E Northants towns, they must be amongst the worst in the country, speed calming measures not needed.<<

I know shocking isnt it. You know Greening Road in Rothwell, past the school? I go down there quite often and it damn near shakes your fillings out. Two types of rapidly disintergrating speed bumps, many of which are immediately followed by a hidden pothole.

Im getting too old for hard riding cars and the wife was nearly car sick the other day - we only went 10 miles in it!
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
Sell it and buy a Peugeot !
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
The only Peugeot id buy is a 1007 and that would be more for the irony ( the least desirable Pug known to man ).
 Getting restless :-p - corax
>> The only Peugeot id buy is a 1007 and that would be more for the
>> irony ( the least desirable Pug known to man ).

Oh I don't know I quite liked the one I drove. If it had had a torquey 2.0 Hdi rather than a weedy 1.4 petrol, and doors that you could rely on to close, and a decent stereo, things would be rosier.

Good commanding driving position, and comfortable. Heavy car due to the safety kit, but meant it was good on the motorway. It did have a real OAP feel to it though, reinforced by the odd grey hair stuck to the carpet.

Certainly a car for a bad back :)
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
There could be of course many reasons why certain cars are rare. By far the most common one though is that they weren't very good and that the more popularly chosen alternatives in their category were better.
 Getting restless :-p - -
I used to like driving the 1007 round the compounds with the door still open, took me back nigh on 40 years to driving a Bedford CA van with sliding doors clipped open in the summer.

Wouldn't own a 1007 though, seen too many at workshops with the whole interiors stripped out down to the bare shell, and techs scratching their heads trying to fix wiring problems.

edit.
''There could be of course many reasons why certain cars are rare. By far the most common one though is that they weren't very good and that the more popularly chosen alternatives in their category were better.''

Thats not the case H, people still go on about Focus and Mondeo as if they are the standard others are judged by, having the task of driving pool cars of both recently i wouldn't have either one as a gift.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 30 Dec 11 at 11:54
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
My feeling about cars like the Focus and Mondeo is that its the strength of the Ford brand which sells them - the Escort sold despite being rather terrible until its final years.

Im also intinctively drawn to cars which are more unusual because im rather eccentric and id consider it personally unacceptable to drive a car that I see replicated on every street - I cant think of anything more labouring for the soul.

That Charade I had, despite the kooky colour, was one of the nicest cars ive ever owned but theres not many about so clearly what I like isnt what many others do, therefore as a guide, any car that most people dont buy is more likely to be something for me than a populist choice.
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
cant think of anything more labouring for the soul.

And clearly your back and teeth ! Buy something oddly French and get a decent ride !
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Ooh la la...
 Getting restless :-p - -
Buy something oddly French and get a decent ride !
>>

One of the best riding smaller cars i've ever driven was the old shape basic Hundai Accent, would have given a Berlingo a run for its money for supple ride, had Accent for a fortnight in Malta on some seriously bad roads, brilliant car.


 Getting restless :-p - Dog
>>took me back nigh on 40 years to driving a Bedford CA van with sliding doors clipped open in the summer<<

Hehe! - The Evening Standard/News used to use them, I can remember the (open) doors used to constantly slam shut when y'all put the anchors on a bit sharpish, like.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
You puzzle me gb, you say "I wouldn't have a Mondeo or Focus as a gift" and then state the over-bland Hyundai Accent is "a brilliant car".

Confused of Cornwall.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
He's just a bit odd Dog. Nice enough, but odd.

:-)
 Getting restless :-p - -
>> Confused of Cornwall.
>>

Dear Confused.

Horses for courses, having been led to expect Mondeo and Focus to be fantastic quick sharp handling real drivers cars, i've come away from using both feeling underwhelmed, i was led to expect something magical almost.

Hyundai's Accents and Lantras i'd driven hundreds of times as the rental companies took them on in fleets, i liked how they drove in close work and the way they ran from cold and how simple and easy there were to manoeuver, good clutches and engines hard to stall.

After being initially disappointed to find a 35k miler old shape Accent waiting for me in Malta i was stuck with it and wanted to hate the thing...however it did everything i wanted, it never faltered it never stalled it rode over pot holes and joins and lumps and creases in the road and ironed every one out without hopping all over the place, superb little car.

The last time i drove a Focus extensively was in Co Clare with similar road surfaces to Malta, what a heap, reminded me of the ride quality of a Mickey Mouse Foden of late 60's vintage that had cart springs and no rear dampers, it didn't go very well either.

The Accent if you read the experts reviews should have been a wobbly heap, the Focus should have been superb, my own experiences of both are competely opposite in practical everyday use.

And if i had a shilling for every time i've stalled a Diesel Mondeo or Focus i'd be able to take early retirement, its not just me, most tranny! drivers (even ex ones) find the same, you try to be gentle with the clutches and keep the revs down, you can't.

If i wanted a car for a motorway run or country road blast then i'd probably choose differently but given the choice between a decent Accent and Focus for general dodging about i'd take the Accent every time, the ride quality is compromised too much on modern European cars to please road testers and for supposed good looks with huge alloys and elastic band tyres.

My old job does give you a different perspective of cars, i imagine your old job does too.

All the best.

Clear Thinking of Northants...;)

PS, a Lancer Estate could well be considered an up to date Accent estate if you think about it.
Last edited by: gordonbennet on Fri 30 Dec 11 at 13:17
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

Odd, as Humph says ;-)



 Getting restless :-p - Zero
There not too much up to date about my Lancer estate thank you!
 Getting restless :-p - -
>> There not too much up to date about my Lancer estate thank you!
>>

Yep and like all good sound cars if it aint broke they haven't fixed it either.

Dangerous ground Z, you'll be accusing yourself of being a Luddite next.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
>>PS, a Lancer Estate could well be considered an up to date Accent estate if you think about it<<

=>LOL<=

I do know what you mean actually gb, a lot of Teutonic rolling stock are good on bowling green (type) roads, but with The Somme (type) roads we have to contend with on a daily basis, well then something a tad more compliant is kinder on the amalgam.

Reminds me of when I rented an old shape Fiat (Seat) Panda for up in the hills (Teide) of Tenerife = luved it!
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Stalled? Last time I stalled a car was on my driving test in 1976. I'd been learning on my dad's Volvo 240 and had a few lessons on a driving school Mini. I was due to take the test in the Mini but got a shock when I turned up for the pre-test lesson to be told that my regular instructor was off sick. The substitute guy had a 1300 Mk1 Escort. I'd never driven one before and we went straight the test centre in it. All went fine but I managed to stall it emerging from a junction. Fortunately I must have convinced the examiner that it was a minor indiscretion as he gave me a pass. Scared the crap out of me mind !

Must've had a deep psychological effect though as I've never stalled anything since.



 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>> ''There could be of course many reasons why certain cars are rare. By far the
>> most common one though is that they weren't very good and that the more popularly
>> chosen alternatives in their category were better.''
>>
>> Thats not the case H, people still go on about Focus and Mondeo as if
>> they are the standard others are judged by, having the task of driving pool cars
>> of both recently i wouldn't have either one as a gift.
>>


I think that largely that is the case, at a given size, class and and price poor cars sell less well - and if more people were able to get past the stereotyping they would enjoy what have, generally, been the best in class for the last 12 -15 years or more.



 Getting restless :-p - corax
>> I think that largely that is the case, at a given size, class and and
>> price poor cars sell less well - and if more people were able to get
>> past the stereotyping they would enjoy what have, generally, been the best in class for
>> the last 12 -15 years or more.

I've had a few Fords in the past, but with the later models I find there's something a bit tacky about their interior trim - too much silver for one. And they start to get flaky when they're older. Someone on this forum described them as having short term glitter - I think that's true.

Of course I won't convince you, being a Ford man through and through.
 Getting restless :-p - mikeyb
GB - I'm with you - none of the recent Fords I have driven have impressed me. Not disappointing either, but just found them a bit cheap feeling.

I like VAG interiors and get fed up reading every review saying that Ford interiors are of the same quality. I know its subjective, but to me they do feel a bit cheap and plasticky, and when all that silver paint starts to flake they do look a bit tired.

Did go through a spell of getting a lot of Focus 1.6's as hire cars just before the new model came out. Really didn't like them - found the engines very thrashy and they felt a bit tinny, but other colleagues loved them. Horses for courses
 Getting restless :-p - -
>> GB - I'm with you -

Thank goodness for that was starting to feel like Quasimodo here..;)
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I remember in the late 90's all the car mags said the Mondeo was the best in its class - I drove several and I thought they were rather unpleasent, nor that nice to drive.

Ive driven both an old model Fiesta and the newer shape one, neither of which inspired me to want one. The newer one especially was poorly packaged inside with an anemic engine.
A few soft touch plastics might look good in the showroom but in the real world, you need to get the basics right before you start putting the tinsel on.

For me I feel the most warmth to cars which go about their job in a reliable, hassle-free way.
I like things like well designed folding seats ( the Fiestas are crap ), robust trim that can actually take the wear and tear of daily use ( flaking soft touch plastics look nasty as do thin hard carpets after a few miles ) and those practical touches like plenty of storage around a dashboard like my wifes Sirion which has 6 cupholders ( all but one reachable from the drivers seat ) decent door pockets and a large deep shelf under the glovebox along with another decent space under the cd player.
These are the things that make me like a car - so many times ive got into loan cars and struggled to find somewhere big enough to stick my mobile, which is just rubbish in 2011.
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>>
>> Of course I won't convince you, being a Ford man through and through.
>>

Currently two BMWs and a Renault ...

 Getting restless :-p - Iffy
...Currently two BMWs and a Renault ...

He'll be back.

As regards stalling Ford diesels, I'm surprised gb had a problem with them.

The anti-stall software on both the Focus diesels I've had means they pull away with no throttle on a hill.

Curiously, both are even less keen to stall in reverse than going forwards.

 Getting restless :-p - rtj70
>> The anti-stall software on both the Focus diesels I've had means they pull away with no throttle on a hill.

You never drove a MkIII Mondeo diesel then. They would easily stall with revs. You soon got used to them.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Eh ? Never once stalled either of mine. Used to trickle off with no throttle at all.
 Getting restless :-p - rtj70
The demo Mondeo diesel I had would stall even with some throttle. I was coming from a petrol 1.8T Passat at the time. I stalled it a few times and adapted. Maybe it was a diesel thing.

The Mondeo I got (Euro IV) I didn't stall once mind. Maybe the demo I had was the issue? We're talking 2003 timeframe.

But the Mondeo TDCi was a fairly unrefined lump compared to todays diesels. Apart from Cheddars which was as smooth as a straight six apparently.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Oh agreed on the agricultural nature of the engine. But parking for example was a one pedal affair. Never felt in danger of a stall.
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

I had a 48 hour demo TDCi 130 in early 2002 (a Zetec S) and stalled it a few times, then goit used to it and never had a problem with my own Ghia X.

>>
>> But the Mondeo TDCi was a fairly unrefined lump compared to todays diesels. >>

Despite your quip at my expense I am going to disagree with you, I have driven many diesels and few have been as refined as my old Mondeo, it lacked the diesely gravellyness that afflicts many, its not simply noise rather NVH.

Recent Renault 2.0s have been good, likewise the CR VAG 2.0 140, also I have to say that the 123d is great in this regard, strangley more refined than a 118d as well as more powerful.







 Getting restless :-p - rtj70
Apart from the particular Mondeo TDCi you had, the others all sounded like Transits. Oh hang on a minute, they were transit engines.

I think you are remembering a diesel more refined than others at the time. The others today are more refined than that old lump.
 Getting restless :-p - rtj70
So question Cheddar... what is more refined... the BMW or the old Mondeo. You have to say Mondeo surely. Otherwise your opinion on modern diesels (the Mondeo used a Transit engine albeit modified) is.... no worth a lot.

Not having a go. I had a Mondeo TDCi. I thought the Mazda6 that replaced it more refined. You thought not. The Passat 170PS diesel is better still. And I still suspect you will say a 9 year old Mondeo TDCi is more refined.
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>> So question Cheddar...>>

The BMW is more refined though there is not a lot in it, both rev sweetly in a petrol kind of way, if anything the Mondeo idled more smoothly, not quieter, rather idled in the true sense of the word with no diesely throb. The engine in the Mondeo and XType was not a lot different from the Transit, more a positive reflection on the Transit, though most Transits were 2.4 and a lower state of tune where as the Mon and X were 2.0 and 2.2.

I found a Laguna 2.0 150 and Golf 2.0 140 CR to be a step on as is the BMW though the Octavia 2.0 170 CR is/was less impressive.

Of course the Passat CC 170 is the dogs, others don't bear comparisonl do they ;-) Soon to drop the Passat moniker of course.

 Getting restless :-p - Zero

>> it more refined. You thought not. The Passat 170PS diesel is better still.

You know specsavers do hearing aids now? So while you are down there getting your eyes checked.......
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>> >> it more refined. You thought not. >>

Do Specsavers also do English lessons ...

 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>>
>> I think you are remembering a diesel more refined than others at the time. The
>> others today are more refined than that old lump.
>>

It only went a year ago.
 Getting restless :-p - corax
Guy next door had an X type TDCi. Now he has a current shape Mondeo TDCi. Both sound like a bucket of bolts. Accompanied by a distant police whine that I thought was the turbo on the way out, but since listening to a few more go past, turns out that's normal.

He also has a Kia Sedona diesel. Much smoother sounding.

Of course I haven't had the intense pleasure of being inside these TDCi's. Might be very different.

Last edited by: corax on Sat 31 Dec 11 at 09:11
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I know someone with a 2.2 diesel X Type which he reckons is easily quieter than the V6 one he had before. Thta said from the outside the newer engine certainly doesnt sound that loud so its no suprise really.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
I always found the diesel BX (Citroen) quieter than the petrol equiv.
 Getting restless :-p - Bromptonaut
>> I always found the diesel BX (Citroen) quieter than the petrol equiv.

Moved from a 1.6RS hatch to a 1.9RD estate in 1993. The diesel was noisier outside but on the road much more refined. Mostly down to IDI pull/low revs I suspect.
 Getting restless :-p - Hard Cheese

>> Guy next door had an X type TDCi. Now he has a current shape Mondeo
>> TDCi. Both sound like >>

Strange, totatly different engines, the X is the same as the Mon III, the Mon IV has the same engine as in many Peugeots and Citroens etc.

Generally it is the NVH on the move rather than the sound from outside that is relevant.

 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Going to look at a VAG product tomorrow. Heres hoping they are as good as they're supposed to be.
 Getting restless :-p - Dave_
Gotta be a Skoda Stu :)
 Getting restless :-p - RattleandSmoke
I reckon in its a 1972 VW Beatle, maybe Stu's got bored of 80's and 90's designs.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Roomster ?
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
HoHo - Good motor though, especially the Scout.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
>>Gotta be a Skoda Stu :)<<

It is. Ive not owned a VAG car for 13 years and its manual, but otherwise it suits my needs so im going to have a look. The dealer is a good'un.
 Getting restless :-p - Dave_
>> It is.

Bingo! :D

I was just nosing around the Trader to see if I could find the car... Are you sure it's a pre-emissions-based VED? IIRC Y-reg and newer cars are taxed on CO2 emissions, and the only likely candidate I can find is a 51-plate.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Its not on trader yet, new in, but it is on their website.
 Getting restless :-p - Dave_
Knowing you, I hope it isn't a Felicia...

If it's a Fabia or an Octy then check all the electrics work and that there are no strange warning lights.
Check interior courtesy light switches work on every door.
Front wishbone bushes prone to wear >100k but new wishbones quite cheap. Check tracking, suspension clonks.
Number plate bulbs blow regularly due to shock from slamming tailgate.
Check for engine plastic undertray.
Check "venetian blind" airvents work - no biggie if they have a dead slat but a good indicator of general vehicle care.
Shouldn't be any rust - they were all fully galvanised.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Tue 3 Jan 12 at 22:01
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Whats wrong with the Felicia, I looked at one before xmas, seemed ok for getting about?

Im looking at a 1.6 Octy, base spec, far from convicned by them but im curious.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Estate, or the inconvenient model?
 Getting restless :-p - Dave_
>> Whats wrong with the Felicia, seemed ok for getting about?

Nothing wrong with the Felicia, they're fully Volkswagenised so they keep going well enough. It's just that the basic design dates back to the pre-VAG Favorit from the end of the '80s, whilst a Fabia or Octavia is so much more modern in terms of looks, space utilisation, cabin ergonomics and so on.

Hope the 1.6 is a good 'un, the pointers I gave are gleaned from my 300k miles in a base model Y-reg facelift diesel estate and cover everything that goes wrong, i.e. not much :)
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Tue 3 Jan 12 at 23:14
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I liked my old Volvo 460 more than any other car ive owned and that was pretty well a 1980's Renault. I have a soft spot for relative simplicity of the times.

I like the space in an Octy but I suspect it will be tired as many VAG cars I have cleaned over the years seem to look tatty as they get older and Im not into tatty. But then thats the nice thing about not needing to change the car, I can wait until all planets align and something feels right when I see it.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Didnt fancy the Octy, it was tatty, as was a Felicia I looked at which was more rotten in the wings than it had any right being.

Im off tomorrow some distance to look at a wild card option. Spoke to dealer, they seem reasonable, already offered book for my car, so thats a good start.

Its not too old, its auto and comes with all the right bits of paper, along with a big service thrown in so it should be set for a year if I went for it. With the looming expense on the Ignis, I like the sound of that. Wont cost too many beans to change either.
 Getting restless :-p - Zero

>> Its not too old, its auto


An old leggy small engined autobox Disaster and Aggravation, meet your two new bed fellows.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Oh if I buy it, you will adore it Zed, it will give you so much ammo there wont be much left to hit.

Call it a late xmas prezzie :-)
 Getting restless :-p - Zero
Its going to be a good year, you with a new heap and Rats fitting a kitchen? I can't wait.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Ok, load thee gun Zero, FoR has bought new wheels :-p

 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
Well you have to disclose it - I would vote for you to do stylishly and slowly - bit like a classy striptease....:--)
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Its online, im sure someone can get on the trail.

I got a new MOT, service inc cambelt, went halves on a years tax and they dropped the price by 20%. I did help that I looked up when it was last taxed and it had well surpassed the 90 days point so I knew I was the golden goose as the cars are an aquired taste :-)

Ive never said umm and ahh and hmm so many times in me life, nor have I blamed my strict wife for where I needed the price to be. Its a jolly good game though, most enjoyable.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Nissan Cube?

Actually, my local Nissan emporium loaned me a Cube once. Not a bad a car at all. Loads of kit including a reversing camera. Molto practicale if you need a van but want a car.
 Getting restless :-p - Clk Sec
I'd rather drive a Reliant Robin...
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
My son hid below the level of the dashboard the day I had it.
 Getting restless :-p - Clk Sec
Who can blame him?
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
Could have been worse - could have been been bedecked in the Union flag !
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Yeah, that was their other courtesy car a Micra with a union flag wrap thing. He hid in that one too.

Rather hoping the Merc dealer ( I'll have use Chester or Stoke I guess ) will be loaning out AMGs...

:-)
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
>>Nissan Cube?<<

Right vein of thought but less cool. Its already been named, initially The Fishtank, but Nemo for short :-p
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Multipla? Noooooooo !!!????
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
If you think thats bad, you aint seen nothing yet. I realise what ive gone for is so deeply uncool, but I also realised that it made utter sense for what I want from a car and ive reached that point where I simply dont care at all what people think - my insurance will drop £360 a year so people can laugh at me and ill laugh all the way to the bank :-)
 Getting restless :-p - corax
Daihatsu Move?
 Getting restless :-p - bathtub tom
Berlingo, Kangoo, Partner type of area?
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Looked at a Berlingo but I didnt want to stretch the budget to get a sound one - they often lead hard lives so the cheap ones are cheap for good reason, but i do love them as a car.

 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
We won't laugh Stu, honestly we won't...It'll be fine...

:-)

 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Oh Im sure you will, I would if any of you bought one :-) Its not the kind of car a bloke buys if he is trying to attract the opposite sex ( hence my wife likes it as I aint gonna pull anyone under 60 in it ).

corax - different badge...
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
Kenari,
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Told you it was bad, well, from a style point of view anyway, the actual car in operation is alot better than I expected.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Doesn't make any difference. Some of my er, proudest moments were apparently enhanced by the pulling power of my Wolseley Hornet.

:-)
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I am the owner of a Perodua Kenari. There, I said it.
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
Ok, what's one of those then?

Edit OK found one...

www.modifiedcars.com/pix/cars_large/21052_25819.jpg
Last edited by: Humph D'Bout on Sat 7 Jan 12 at 17:42
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perodua_Kenari
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
In this colour.

car.cast.co.uk/img/v/i/orig/3893220/1/FN02GGZ.jpg
 Getting restless :-p - Runfer D'Hills
What days do they collect those then?
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Good point, ill make sure its outta sight on bin days :-)
 Getting restless :-p - ....
On the plus side with the winds that have been battering the UK you'll save a fortune in petrol with a tailwind. Especially if you retro-fit the mini bus shelter in Humph's link.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
>>On the plus side with the winds that have been battering the UK you'll save a fortune in petrol with a tailwind. <<

I did say to the wife that I better check the wind direction and speed before coming home.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
Not a million miles from the Suzuki Wagon R you had before stu.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
That first Wagon R, despite that cars issues and the subsequent ones come to that, did make me realise that these min-mpvs are close to perfect for what I need in a car and since I couldnt buy another Wagon, it limited the options.

Id discounted the Kenari because, tbh, I thought it looked abit silly, but actually, its not that small in the flesh and its more spacious inside than a Wagon R. They are also cheap and having looked at some knackered mainstream stuff, I figured it was worth a look and I found it rather more capable than id thought it would be.
If you can get past the looks and the jokes and try it, its one of those simple, no-nonsense utility cars with a peppy little engine.

It also has the same 1.0 3pot that I had in my Charade which is a very sweet engine and this one sounded sweet as a nut.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
It's interesting to read the favourable reviews of other Kenari owners ~

www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/owners-reviews/perodua/kenari/estate-2000/
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Yes I read them, but people cant ever get past the looks of the things, that said there are 1600 odd Kenari on the road so im in a 'select' group of the enlightened.

Strip away the Perodua moniker and the high body and what you have is a well engineered Daihatsu with the 1.0 from the Charade. Mines an auto so it has a hopeless 3 spd box, well its limiting anyway, but it is smooth and responsive though a little short geared.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
>>that said there are 1600 odd Kenari on the road<<

It certainly looks presentable enough in this colour ~ www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/perodua/kenari-2001/

I wouldn't fancy doing any long journeys in it with that engine gearbox combo, but you didn't buy it for that,

AND ... it should perform admirably in the snow (if we get any!)
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I prefer the green, its a colour I really like on other cars and I rather dislike 'gold' colours.

I shall give a long journey a go, the Ignis is pretty loud anyway so im fairly used to low geared cars, but its quieter in normal use and the ride is pretty supple so its an improvement.

What I really want is a small van for zipping down country lanes and thats pretty well what it is, I rarely do over 50 so its no fuss about performance.
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
I bought a Saab 900 auto about 13 years ago, but the gearbox was a 3 speed Borg Warner and it totally ruined what was otherwise a great car and a nice ZF 4 speeder would have transformed it enormously,

I dare say a 3 speed auto with your size of engine will be ideal for flitting about the lanes of Northants, but do bare in mind that green is not the most noticeable colour to old duffers flying about in their Lancers!
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
It slips into top gear just below 30 so its intelligent enough not to stick in 2nd for too long.

I think what its missing is a lock up 4th like the Sirion which brings the revs down.

I think the old duffer might notice a wheelie bin at speed with a strange looking chap at the wheel :-)
 Getting restless :-p - Dog
>>I think what its missing is a lock up 4th like the Sirion which brings the revs down<<

That's it - lock up 4th, my old BMW525e (E28) was amazing in that once 4th gear came in about 50mph, the rev counter used to literally take a nose dive to about 1800rpm (when driven gently!)
 Getting restless :-p - Dave_
>> I am the owner of a Perodua Kenari. There, I said it.

Oh, God. *facepalm*
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
I hope that Zero is out tonight.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Oh I dont mind, if I wasnt up for having the peehiss taken outta me/the car id have never said a word.

I laughed out loud about the bin analogy. It just looked like a fishtank to me and to go with that, ive got a Nemo soft toy which will live on the dashboard.

I can now wear a Stetson to go to the shops :-)
 Getting restless :-p - Lygonos
>> I now wear a Balaclava to go to the shops :-)

Fixed it for you ;-)
 Getting restless :-p - njgleeds
Wow.
 Getting restless :-p - corax
>> I am the owner of

Ha, I was going to suggest a Perodua Nippa, but thought it might be a bit obvious.

And I just like saying it :)
Last edited by: corax on Sat 7 Jan 12 at 19:16
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
Well if it makes you feel any better, Kenari is apparently Malaysian for canary... tweet tweet
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
I read that on Wiki - unpretentious name anyway. :-)
 Getting restless :-p - swiss tony
>> Well if it makes you feel any better, Kenari is apparently Malaysian for canary... tweet
>> tweet
>>
Well.... you did get it cheep.
 Getting restless :-p - Zero
You are without doubt a perverse individual Stu. There is a touch of the masochist about you.

Anyway, not to worry, I give it 6 months.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I knew when I bought it the reaction of the room, which makes me smile rather than worry.

Its coming with a years tax so ill keep it atleast that long, but if the dealer took 5 months to shift it, do you think im under any illusions about the fact that its almost impossible to sell privately - look at the cars ive kept longest and they are always small, reliable far eastern cars, so for whatever reason, they hold my interest the longest.
 Getting restless :-p - BobbyG
FFS thats ugly Stu !!
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
I can always park it next to a Rodius...

In all seriousness though, im no oil painting so the image has hardly been tarnished,
 Getting restless :-p - Manatee
I'd have to have a yellow one.
 Getting restless :-p - R.P.
Paper and cardboard around here.
 Getting restless :-p - Manatee
And garden waste here.
 Getting restless :-p - Stuu
My union says DIY, im polishing the hubcaps as per the new settlement :-p
 Getting restless :-p - Avant
Perodua ad astra.

Stu's next car will be a Vauxhall.
Last edited by: Avant on Sat 7 Jan 12 at 22:13
 Getting restless :-p - bathtub tom
Now I don't feel so bad about my Kia Pride.

;>)
Latest Forum Posts