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

Someone mention DAF?

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...anyone tuned the shizzle out of a W204 C 320d? - i see lots of options at GAD tuning.....lots of saloons for sale, would like an estate though...................

^ ah sorry thats a merc isn't it
i tought 320d was bmw

the below is no longer relevant
there was a bmw 3 series with a judd (?) formula one engine at the goodwood festival of speed, in top 5 fastest up the hillclimb

The 919 Tribute was there, they only ran it in the demo laps and not the timed runs

"A spokesman for Porsche Motorsport told Autosport: "There was a request from Porsche GB to go for a time attack before the Festival of Speed, but it is not what we wanted to do."

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/137342/porsche-turned-down-919-goodwood-record-idea

Very special. IMO the short cam 65º V6 coupled with a stainless exhaust is the best engine I've ever experienced. I had a Fiat Dino with the same engine - most got broken up for parts to feed the demand for parts.

The joint Ford/Psa engine as far as I'm aware.

Not that much of a petrolhead to be honest.

Diesel head?

Only mentioned as the earlier ford motor has a few common issues that arise.

It amused me that the ferrari and fiat had differing bhp.

Also the design of the engine is fascinating, how the engine balance was aided by the crankpully. So the crankpully had to be fitted in a certain position in relation to the crank and the firing stroke. If the crankpully was not fitted correctly, the engine became quite rough.

New life goal

Anyone got input on Amarok vs Navara vs Hilux? Main reason for a pickup is the camper so I have zero need for off-road capabilities. Google tells me the amarok is the best on motorways but it’s also £££

Hilux suffers from the top gear effect. How about the mitsubishi?

Haven’t considered it but will do some more research. Drove one years ago that was very agricultural, felt like riding a tractor without suspension

I've got an 08 Isuzu Rodeo, it is VERY agricultural. Condition more important than the model imho, ours needed £400 of welding for last MOT. Why don't you just buy a camper van

A camper van won’t work as a daily driver with two kids. And they’re even more £££

No love for a Toppola?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toppola

I’ve got heaps of love for a toppola! Sadly they won’t fit the four of us :(

A caravan is bigger & more practical imho. Or just get a really nice tent with inflatable poles.

Do you need a pickup truck for your main car? If so I can see the logic.

Otherwise I reckon you're better off with a caravan or renting a camper van. How many days p/a do you reckon you'll use it?

Does anyone know anything about ISOFIX?

Caravan is out as I can’t stand towing one around and it’ll restrict us to campsites. With a camper we can just park up in the middle of nowhere and kip.

Renting a camper van is an option but requires too much planning. We’re after the micro adventures where we go to a nearby lake for an evening swim and instead of driving home we stay the night.

Nights p/a is hard to say, but I reckon at least 10, hopefully more.

I’ve found some second hand campers for as little as £3.5k which is low enough to give it a try before potentially investing in something newer.

If you want to be able to take ad hoc trips I get it. A family friend and her BF bought a VW transporter* for ~£2k I think and converted it themselves - a well finished job, but not to a super high spec - good enough for surf trips tho. Although that was a few years ago.

*a regular one, not a lift up roof one.

Standardised seat surface fixture system for attaching compatible baby cradles and child seats to allow convenient fitting and removal with increased stability over the traditional seat belt moorings. What do you need to know?

If we were sans kids that’d make perfect sense, but a vw camper that sleeps four is silly monies. I think this setup might be a good compromise. The pickup itself is a bit ott as a car, but the freedom it’ll bring us makes up for it.

Under canvas tonight. 😎

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Is it a must if you're looking for a family car? And when did VAG start fitting them in their cars?

Not wanting to Jinx anything, but I'm looking for something more sensible than my mini. Any suggestions?

Ideally we'd like a 5 door Golf, but a decent one might be a bit speny right now.

Any other cheaper suggestions? Budget is £3-5k (probably £4k). Not up for HP/lease as it will probably be trashed.

Musts:
• good ncap rating
• Euro4
• petrol
• 4/5 doors

An big estate has already been vetoed, but I'm working on selling the merits of a small one... although who am I kidding something Golf sized is already getting tubby for London driving.