Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Transit Connect though? Basically a Mondeo engine.

Electric motors do have reasonable torque but it depends on the amps and voltage I guess. I think more than the amount of torque it's that they produce full power from zero rpm.

Definitely the way of the future. Fwiw, an electric drive train is as durable and more reliable compared to old Diesel tech but the battery packs is where it falls down. Soon though. Nanotech and graphene will probably solve it.

The electric conversion chap finally got back to me with a ball-park cost - £35k.

I had almost completely forgotten about my initial inquiry such was the length of time between q and eventual a.

I'm sure the chap is a genius, brilliant at what he does etc etc, but I can't possibly put myself in the situation of being reliant on someone who takes a month to respond - most especially if I'm trying to get hold of him stood next to a dead vehicle on the side of the road.

I love the idea, I do think an electric powered DS would be awesome, but if this chap is the only game in town then this isn't happening.

I'd follow your instincts for sure. I think most people doing this are eccentric geniuses with no perception of a timeline.

There is a company in California doing turnkey EV cars from old classics.

Project for the future.

Called it.

He's not always quick to reply so don't take it personally if he Doesn't respond straight Away.

#cursed

Did super car test day yesterday. Now want R8. Looked up insurance for the lols. Group 50.

One of the stand outs at Dunsfold was the pair of Vauxhal VXR8s. Couldn't drive them, but could pay for a drift ride. The sound of those things eclipsed everything else. Gloriously beastly. Need one of those, too.

Zero pounds. Can't ever see me having enough cash to justify anything like that. Although I wish I'd got the T5 version of my V50 now. Maybe I'll aim for that.

Went with my wife to buy her a qashqai yesterday. Test drove the 1.2 petrol and it was surprisingly good. My wife didn't really like it tho. For the very good reasoning that it was a 1.2 qashqai. So we bought an x1 20d msport today. Much nicer.

I assume new diesel won't have any issues with the future diesel regulation changes?

Floor pan is unique and the engine is the PSA engine while the gearbox is unique to the connect. So single mass fly wheel.

Erm...Not sure. How can a man with little car knowledge find out?

What would people think that this would be worth in three years with a) 15,000 more miles on it, and the MB service history maintained?

And what else might fit the auto/estate/sufficient power requirements for ~£550/month/three years?

Anyone have any experience with ~2013 Skoda Octavia vrs estates? We had a mk1 which was a lot of fun, and the Volvo has very nearly got to the point where the trim has all fallen off and needs ripping out and roll caging. Some mentalist I know spent more money making his 850 showroom than a new one would cost, but I'm not that flush. Anyway, Octavia looks like a nice mix of sensible and shouty, and can't find large numbers of people moaning about anything specific online.

Parking in some London boroughs cost twice as much for diesels than petrols.

If you're still considering a Passat, I drove one the other week (not W-engined unforch). Feels like a much smaller car around town due to the auto box and very light steering but the the interior quality is shit. Creaking plastic and fake chrome all over the place.

I was driving a Dodge Ram Hemi in Ca, then a Nissan Versa Note in Co - 5.7 litres of V8 and then 1.6 litres of I4. I have to admit I very much enjoyed the Dodge, the Nissan much less so - it was truly shit. Plasticy, cheap, but it did handle far better than the Dodge, was better damped.

It was interesting getting into the 850R, sleep deprived and grumpy, to find actual real steering feel, comfy seats, a car that didn't threaten to roll onto it's roof in a mild corner and had actual power (output wise the Volvo is pretty much on par with the Hemi, weighs quite a lot less though).

There's not a heap of room in those c class estates. They were on the list for our car shopping a while back and I'm not sure you can easily get a bike in the back. Not without dropping the seat post and removing the wheels. They do have a hint of "special" though so I imagine the c63 would be nice. Does the £550 include tyre budget?

Hmm, interesting - I like being able to put the bike in the back complete, that's part of the point.

Those Ram trucks are extremely civilised. Impressively thrifty on gas too considering. I love that 8sp ZF auto - super gearbox.

Progress on the car - engine back together, with all new valve train. Headers back on (Urgh) intake manifold, EFI and all electric trickery all back on.

Got to re do all the plumbing and see if anything needs movingnew fan clutch (didn't have one before.) Then flush gas tank, oil and coolant and see if we're back up to full ramming speed!

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I'd definitely ask to test it out. I didn't actually try but I did install a baby seat, so no folding down seats and put a pram in the back. Wasn't a tonne of room at all.

Weird. My A4 Avant has good Leg room in the back and fits 2 child seats easily. Tbf I do take a wheel off with a bike tho. Many family room with thule on too.

Get an E55 AMG. Tonnes of space. Quite quick. Anecdotally very reliable. Really nice to drive.
(parents car for as long as I can remember*).

• could be the 63. Can't remember.