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

are we cool for next weekend?

The MG? Yep. It's sat, newly washed, in the garage, waiting for you.

giddy up! I have your book and surprise pressy. I foubnd a few old reaipts, too

I might wag work on Friday and smoke some tongan woodbines if you are around.

i'll bell you later

Wicked. I have a school disco to run on the Friday. Fancy a slot in the wheels of steel?

(Ofsted would never allow this)

I am just getting over a week of two new top teeth, mate. a school disco would send me over the edge and into the loony bin

Ok, so current consideration is this R32, which is a VW approved used car that has a full 12 month warranty:

It's a 58 plate/2008 on 68,000 miles, and it's £10,995.

Next up is this S6:

57 plate/2007 on 55,000 miles, and it's £15,750.

Although it's not on the dealers website at the moment, which may mean it has sold.

Which of the two, and why?

Or - an old Formula 1 medical-car:

56 plate/2007, 78,000 miles, £11,950

I think you need to buy that

The Merc?

The Merc is the only interesting one. You probably shouldn't, but should buy that.

R32 too small, you'll get frustrated after having the Volvo.

S6 looks dull and probably drives that way unless you have your right foot planted in a straight line

I vote merc as well, nice pedigree.

Got a link to the ad?

I agree with above. The Golf has dated quite badly what with its zingy chrome everything.

In regards to a small hatch taking a bike. Not be but this is my old pug 306 with a 54 cm bike in it to give you an idea of how it looks. Basically you need quite a wide space and tailgate opening. And a flat floor.

1 Attachment

I vote merc as well, nice pedigree.

Got a link to the ad?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201803014176753?minimum-badge-engine-size=4.0&fuel-type=Petrol&sort=sponsored&postcode=se233un&price-to=16000&radius=1500&transmission=Automatic&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&body-type=Estate&page=6

I carried my bike in/on MX5, nae problem, although the roll bar helped as a portable bike rack. Good weather was useful, too.

That r32 feels very expensive to me, though tbf I've never seen a nice one, they hit bottom a few years ago and the units I've seen driving them tells me there won't be many around after much longer.

Last year saw a "vw approved" polo bluemotion, drove very weird, despite meant to have a vnt turbo (nornal 1.4 tdi of that era have fixed geometry turbo) it did not. At some point someone had replaced it with the wrong one, so car only had power for 200rpm then flat. Vw garage insisted nothing wrong and "they all drive like that"
Dealers.... I rarely buy anything from one

Looks lovely. Those seats remind me of the w124 taxi leather seats as well.

I don’t read it as being an ex f1 medical car though, but as same model. Or do I get it wrong?

Sorry - it's not an actual ex F1 Medical car, it's the same model that was used for that purpose.

Merc looks great. Bare in mind that the load space is a little narrow so does reduce capacity.

Why do cars of this ilk always have many previous owners? Is it maintenance costs or just that's the kind of market they are in where people change cars every 18 months?

I think most people change cars quite often - I'm unusual in the length of time I've owned the 850R I'd say. My 911 has something like 11 registered keepers - the guy who had it before me did under 500 miles before selling it to me, in around six months, as an example of how that happens.

The merc looks good, that engine is a beast. The golf looks like shite. Audi looks boring.

Audi is (significantly) the most powerful.

Another vote for the Merc. Can the emblem be replaced for a flat one. I'm afraid it's a deal breaker.

Obviously the Merc is the best one. An E class would be even better. I still want another :-D

Interesting about the 911. A lot of owners who didn't do many miles sounds like an unreliable car that they wanted to move on quickly. Obviously you've had a lot done because you wanted to, but it might have been a clue to the amount of things that did just needed fixing.

The mk5 R32 my dad had he never liked, preferred the GTI he had before.

I also think the mk5 has aged badly as others have said.