The Car thread - The Bear and Badger

poprock

Freedom beckons Gav. You’ll get there for sure.

LivDiv

Having the right instructor can make all the difference.
Mine was great, really taught how to drive rather than how to pass a test.

afgavinstan

Aye that was the overriding feeling when I done that intensive course last August. Now I can take me time, and also learn on roads I know very well.

Unlikely

Much better this way, Gav.

afgavinstan

Also can I add, Mini Cooper S' are waaaaaaaaaaay better than a bog standard corsa. Things a wee rocket! And! I feel safe and not-penned-in in one!

Paul the sparky

The fucker examining you can have a big bearing on your outcome too, the guy I passed with had me at ease as soon as I pulled away, the first guy I had was a shambles and had me driving through major roadworks he didn't know about, which weren't clearly marked. We were both stumped as to a lot of stuff going through that junction I can tell you.

Not that I can lay the blame at his feet, I was nervous enough to fail that test several times over. Second time though, nerves calmed, the safe and conscientious pre-cog driving savant in me had a chance to shine.

poprock

afgavinstan wrote:

Also can I add, Mini Cooper S' are waaaaaaaaaaay better than a bog standard corsa. Things a wee rocket! And! I feel safe and not-penned-in in one!

Aye, nice wee cars those. I bought my ex-wife one. She did manage to overcook it and roll it into a field eventually, mind.

Bob

Minis are wank
Bought by people more interested in looks and style.

Plus cooper s have awful cam chain issues be very careful if they pop and bang on the over run

poprock

poprock wrote:

I bought my ex-wife one.

Bob wrote:

Bought by people more interested in looks and style.

Hiya Bob.

Bob

Maybe if you hadn’t ...

Jaco

@pop. Welcome to the world of Bob. It’s a strange, desperate place, where being completely inappropriate, wrong and inconsiderate are thought of as “okay”. They have sprout flavoured chocolate there.

poprock

I don’t take any offence. But the Mini was a good drive. Fun, solid wee thing (which wasn’t that wee really) and the build quality was miles ahead of its rivals at the time.

Bob

poprock wrote:

I don’t take any offence.

Is the correct answer.

It’s just my opinion

poprock

And it’s okay to be wrong. Lots of people often are.

cockbeard

They're just amateurs though, some of us always are

LivDiv

Can't say I've ever been a fan of the new mini. Too big, too expensive, none of the soul of the original.

Plus if you have ever lived in London you will likely know them as Foxtons cunt mobiles.

afgavinstan

Another two hours out in that awesome Mini with Bossman Bill this morning. At the point now where next week I'll be doing a mock test with him, so I must be doing okay.

Started looking again. Can't help myself. Leaning towards a 2012-14 Focus/Civic/Leon. Or a 3dr Megane.

Buzzing!

Jaco

Well done fella!

The Focus is the better drive. Civic from that era is decent but tends towards oversteer and isn't as nice to drive (lacks torque too – so not very peppy). I had a late 2011 Leon, and it was a lovely car. Rides a little firm, but you get a lot of kit for your money. And it's a Golf underneath, so they're well made.

DO NOT TOUCH A MEGANE WITH A BARGE-POLE, WHAT ARE YOU MAD? Never buy secondhand French cars unless you enjoy spending all your free time stood by on the side of the road or waiting for your mechanic to ring. My wife had a Megane and I've banned her from even mentioning French cars ever again, let alone buying one fo the damn things.

poprock

Yeah, isn’t the Megane the one where you have to remove the entire front end to change a headlight bulb? It’s half a day’s labour costs at any garage for something you should be able to do yourself in 5 mins.

Webbins

I had a Clio and all French cars actually roll out of the factory unfinished. You have to add the finishing touches yourself. I still think I should have billed Renault for putting a proper weatherproof silicone seal on the sunroof. Le twats.

Jaco

poprock wrote:

Yeah, isn’t the Megane the one where you have to remove the entire front end to change a headlight bulb? It’s half a day’s labour costs at any garage for something you should be able to do yourself in 5 mins.

Also the hydraulic tappits need adjusting roughly every 23 seconds. Which costs between £200-£300 a time because you need specialised tools so can't do it yourself.

Gnnnnnnggghhh.

poprock

Anyway, er … congrats Gav! Bossing it.

afgavinstan

Cheers gents. And for the advice. I just liked the shape of the Megane tbh. Something large enough to hold me, have a comfy armrest/seating position, and not make me feel penned in. The back window would've been shite too I suppose.

I like the Civic's shape and styling, and like how Hondas seem to be indestructible. The Focus and the Leon just feel a bit safe and unexciting but I know they're both really solid choices.

I just want something not too small, not too big, that fits me comfortably and let's me have a relaxed driving position, has a tiny bit of luxury about the trim, and is cheap. That's all. That. Is. All. How hard can that be?

...... *runs*

yourfavouriteuncle

A Lamborghini?

Bob

poprock wrote:

Yeah, isn’t the Megane the one where you have to remove the entire front end to change a headlight bulb? It’s half a day’s labour costs at any garage for something you should be able to do yourself in 5 mins.

Or you can turn the wheel on full lock and do it yourself in about five minutes through a little access hatch

cockbeard

Mazda five is similar size as Megane, not many on the road, and not crazy expensive, my ex picked one up but she now drives a Juke so no accounting for taste. Though the Five was pretty, solid , and could pick up her skirts when she needed to, not for long mind

Bob

I think that’s Mazda 3. The five is a people carrier

Jaco

If you want space and reliability Gav, you should consider a Skoda Octavia. VW Golf underneath, but bigger/roomier. Good engine range. Utterly bombproof.

The Daddy

Or a Leon estate, which is basically the same but not a Skoda.

Jaco

Aye. Ride harder than a Skoda though. All depends on budget too. What you looking to spend gav? Are we talking £1k, £5k, £20k?

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