noslen Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Well the Germans know a thing or two about making .. Good cars (If you forget about the GM Opel sh*te) Actually Bibbs I recently had the pleasure(?) of driving a Vauxhall Vectra from Scotland to London, and also a Vauxhall Astra from London to Manchester. I must say I was extremely impressed with the build quality and driving characteristics of both. I'm a terrible car snob, but these were genuinely impressive. The fact that thay are so uncool makes them cheap on the used market also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noslen Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 LOL. What 4-door car don't they use as taxis these days? I've seen Beemers, Audis, Jags, Mercs, you name it. Anyhow, as you might gather, that was a quick test drive. The dealer and I got in the E280 diesel. I turned the key. We both listened to the agricultural clatter for a minute, looked at each other and shook our heads. Didn't even bother to drive it. Been a loooong time since I drove a diesel Merc, and I'd hoped they'd gotten a lot better. They're certainly quieter than they were, but it still sounded like a tractor... The AMG E55 is a blast, though I've got it for the weekend and I'll see how I get on with it. He's had it in stock for a while, so I could probably get a good discount. Given that I don't have the decision from the insurance company, despite their promises to do something about it today, I guess final decisions will have to wait but at least I've got something nice to drive for the weekend. The car dealer says he thinks he's got a regular petrol E-class coming in fairly soon, so I might hold off and try that too. Now we're talking - AMG are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) Actually Bibbs I recently had the pleasure(?) of driving a Vauxhall Vectra from Scotland to London, and also a Vauxhall Astra from London to Manchester. I must say I was extremely impressed with the build quality and driving characteristics of both. I'm a terrible car snob, but these were genuinely impressive. The fact that thay are so uncool makes them cheap on the used market also. Oh dear .. It just shows how bad other marques are if the Vauxhall lineup is concidered good. Same as Euro Fords. The only good reicent Vaux are : VX220 (Made by Lotus), Monaro (Made by Holden) .. erm .. Fords? If they come from Europe, no. XR6, XR8, GT & Mustang - Yeah, they'll do. (All in my opinion obviously ) Edited October 17, 2008 by Bibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onzenuub Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Actually Bibbs I recently had the pleasure(?) of driving a Vauxhall Vectra from Scotland to London, and also a Vauxhall Astra from London to Manchester. I must say I was extremely impressed with the build quality and driving characteristics of both. I'm a terrible car snob, but these were genuinely impressive. The fact that thay are so uncool makes them cheap on the used market also. Are you trying to tell us it is a pleasure to drive from Scotland to London? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Are you trying to tell us it is a pleasure to drive from Scotland to London? Well it's a lot better than the other way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Actually Bibbs I recently had the pleasure(?) of driving a Vauxhall Vectra from Scotland to London, and also a Vauxhall Astra from London to Manchester. I must say I was extremely impressed with the build quality and driving characteristics of both. I'm a terrible car snob, but these were genuinely impressive. The fact that thay are so uncool makes them cheap on the used market also. I have a confession to make. My current car (the one with added tree) is a 2.5l Vectra. It started off as a company car. After about a year of running it, the company decided they weren't going to do company cars any more (which was fine by me - the tax penalties are painful) so offered the car to me at a ridiculously good price. It wasn't my sort of car, but the price was too good - I bought it and have been running it ever since (it's now 4 years old - unusual for me as I normally replace my cars every 2-3 years). Yes, whilst it's fairly quick (quicker than you might expect) it isn't exactly dynamic to drive, but it's well screwed together (better than the Saab 9-3 Aero I had before it), 100% reliable and has been a good workhorse - it hasn't given a day's trouble in the 80,000-odd miles I've done in it so far. It's probably the least flashy, fun or interesting car I've owned in 25 years, but although it bores me to death, respect is due - they're a LOT better than their reputation suggests. However, boredom gets... err.... boring - and I'll admit that I'm also a car snob - hence sensible is going out the window and I'm returning to my penchant for slightly more interesting machinery =] Well it's a lot better than the other way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Many real estate agents around here love the benz (high mileage drivers), the build quality on the pre 2000 year is exceptional (before Chrysler got their hands into it) but after a few years apparently the quality came back - I love the new S550 and will probably get one once the prices drop more - 150k miles is just getting those engines broken in My S420 has about that and it purrs like a kitten. I wouldn't mind a 1999 S600 - I may opt for that one AMG E55 wow - I'm not sure I would recommend that one - but I'm sure it's fun to drive - if you were looking in that price range, I'd suggest going up to the S class Yup - Benz lost the plot for a couple of years, but they seem to have gotten their mojo back post 2004 - this thing just oozes quality. Hopefully quality is back where you could put 250k miles on a Merc without worrying about it (I did close to that in my first - an '80s 230TD estate). It'll be interesting to see what the economy is like on this AMG, though - I'm told I should expect to be pleasantly surprised provided I don't drive it with a lead foot. I'll confess I looked at an 'S' class on the forecourt. Gorgeous thing, but I think it's going just a little too far for me - it would be easily the most upmarket car in the parking lot at work and I don't like to be quite that conspicuous (especially given that we are a charity). The AMG, however, just looks like another E-class and would fit in with the BMWs & Audis driven by some of my colleagues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 vw polo for the mother earth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) I initially liked the Lancer ..it LOOKS awesome. like an airplane from the front. test drove it. it was weak. then i drove the mazda 3. nicer interior, it felt more natural, and more punch even tho it had less horse. only thing is it DIDNT look like the lancer. dealer offered me free skirts and spoiler to get it more lancer like if i bought it. still undecided but the Mazda3 is worth looking at. probably even cheaper on insurance... at least here...as for Mercedes Benz...well everyone knows it's made in Mexico Edited October 17, 2008 by highoeyazmuhudee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onzenuub Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Fiat 500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 twingo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onzenuub Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Cinquecento Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 koenigsegg for the mother earth... fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onzenuub Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 fixed The Bugatti Veyron is a nicer car to drive in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Can you guys buy Infiniti in the UK? I feel like it's just badged as Nissan... In any case, I'd echo the Jag and add that I've got an Infiniti G series and the new Mazda6 and both are a blast to drive.. Mazda RX8 is pretty cool http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/rx-8/ Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Rx-8 R3 is out. 0-100km 6seconds. 19"alloys, sports sus, body kits. starts at $40k CDN but i'd wait till 2010 for the rx8 totally redesign including a new engine. who knows, maybe even a factory Turbo for north america this time. Veyron is a helluva car! W16 engine! and for those who havnt seen it yet : TopGear speed record on the Veyron TopGear Veyron VS EuroFighter 2000 jet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) No Infinity in the UK. The price of petrol makes the 350z (the G35 equivalent? or the import Skyline) and the RX8 a bit silly here. We have just had a MASSIVE price drop in petrol, people are raving that it's only 99p a litre (About $6.90 a US Gallon). Edited October 17, 2008 by Bibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 No Infinity in the UK. The price of petrol makes the 350z (the G35 equivalent? or the import Skyline) and the RX8 a bit silly here. We have just had a MASSIVE price drop in petrol, people are raving that it's only 99p a litre. G35 is the skyline 350Z is a 350Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 G35 is the skyline 350Z is a 350Z Same engine and chassis though. So in Europe (inc the UK) we don't get the G35/Skyline, we have the 350z as the only option. But there are Japanese personal imports of the Skyline (RHD, over LHD). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Can you guys buy Infiniti in the UK? I feel like it's just badged as Nissan... In any case, I'd echo the Jag and add that I've got an Infiniti G series and the new Mazda6 and both are a blast to drive.. Mazda RX8 is pretty cool http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/rx-8/ Good luck! Thanks, Shundi Nope, Infiniti isn't available over here. Other than the 350Z and the new GTR (which is out of my price range, otherwise we'd not be having this conversation as I wouldn't be looking at anything else) there's not much upmarket available from Nissan over here. I've driven the RX8 - very nice car and a real bargain, but if I'm going to be sensible, I should go for a proper 4-seater (the RX is more of a 2+2). I'm 99.9% decided on acting my age and buying a Benz Speaking of which, before I start drinking, I think I need to go have a quick blat around the local lanes in the AMG.... back in a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Benz is a great decision... my dad had an S-class in the mid 90's... they took the chassis for that off of a Panzer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 The Bugatti Veyron is a nicer car to drive in. You would know this how? I agree btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onzenuub Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 You would know this how? I agree btw Last summer I drove one in Luzern, Switzerland. Just a few blocks, not on the highway ([censored]). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllergyDoc Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Why the 5-1 ratio of female sheep to male, John? The Spanish government doesn't care what you do with your female sheep on your own property? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_r Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Last summer I drove one in Luzern, Switzerland. Just a few blocks, not on the highway ([censored]). Lucky sod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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