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

Part of me often wonders which has (and has had) the dodgier (corrupt/criminal/right wing) governance.

But lovely weather and food tho.

Yes, there is deffo a reason why the parking areas at all the bike parks are usually full of vans!

I think leasing from VW direct is the best option for people like yourself in the ‘leisure’ category.

I actually think buying, or at least borrowing to buy is the better option with high end transporters, as they hold their value so well it will probably cost you less in the long run, as the depreciation you get hit for when leasing will not be realistic. Having the option to alter the space in the back to get exactly what you want out of it is obviously a big plus with owning outright. I don’t think you’d get away with modding a lease.

Don’t know if this would be if interest but a mate sells these as bike racks for vans .

Hence suggesting the Berlingo if you need more height.

Resale on a Caddy will be good obvs.

Although how good does depends on a few factors. The bigger plus imo is that it will be easier to sell, which makes a difference if you don't want to dick about when it comes to buying your T6.

Does he have a website for these or social media?

I’ve looked at all sorts of permutations with this to get a van on the business mostly for the purpose of private camping trips. It would mean getting rid of my regular car which is fully paid for and doesn’t generate much in the way of bills and with my sensible head on it’s more economical to rent a van as I need it. If I owned one it wouldn’t actually be doing van duties 90% of the time. 6 weeks per year rental will cost me about £1500 and I don’t have to park it the rest of the time.

https://www.carbox.co.uk/shop/bikestow-bike-rack-for-van-and-home-3/

He’s not the manufacturer but sells them as part of his product range .

And you put it so nicely....

CarGurus shows the price history of vehicles for sale

Cheers, I’ll forward this to a friend or two

Just found out about the Ineos Grenadier. Sounds sweet if you want a new Defender.

I think I need to swap out the Clio's 16" wheels for some 15" Speedline 2118s. But, do I really want to drive around in a modified Clio??

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If you do fit 15's don't lower it. Very much regret modifying my 182.

I'd planned to drop it on Cooksport springs, it's only 30mm-ish. What's the issue?

Well I got to the point where the car was only at its best on a smooth road surface or track. The car ended up being so compromised on normal roads - and looking back I bought it due to its fantastic ability on less than perfect roads. All I'm saying is I wouldn't do it again. Looked alright though!

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Had a few run ins with the met traffic and west mercia traffic. Most have which ended, after much hassle with letters of service falling below standard and some even got me a pay out, as the Met officers lied. Yes I am still bitter, having several witness of other drivers, a paramedic unit and being carted off in an ambulance all before the Police arrived and discovering I had failed to produce my documents. While the other driver, failed to stop after an injury collison, had not tax, insurance or MOT and the met police didn't prosecute him for anything but I got prosecuted for failing to produce documents.

Flipside is Warwickshire traffic officers can be quite nice.

None of that sounds very pleasant. Had a chat with a few different officers today, going to chat to the chap in question on the phone tomorrow. I'll definitely ask him why he booked me when he crossed the solid himself. Also managed to track down the driver of a vehicle waiting to pull onto main road from side road, see what they remember about where exactly I was. Only thing I don't understand is why he wanted 3-4 minutes to pull me over.

The trouble with vans, IME, is that they're all so horrible to drive. Upright seating position, horizontal steering wheel the size of Greenland, and even the pokey ones seem slow given the frontal area. And as for the handling, the CoG is going to make that a disaster from the beginning.

What's required, I believe, is a low-slung shooting brake with a taller boot. 2 seats up front - everyone else can take the bus. Tall loading bay at the back, with enough room to put 29ers in upright without taking the wheels off. If it's designed using a Kamm tail design it should be reasonably aero. Carbon chassis for rigidity and crash-protection, with carbon panels to keep the CoG down. Double wishbone suspension all round, with theomagnetic dampers for adjustability. Something pokey up front, maybe an LT5 lump. 750bhp should be enough. 4WD, sequential box if possible.

I can't believe no-one makes such a thing. There must be at least 3 or 4 other people in the world who'd buy one.

Yeah I know the feeling, I've been down that route before and I'm super keen to avoid it this time around. Cup shocks and a modestly updated spring, nothing more severe.

Looked good!

It is my life, I am gifted. Have had friends in the Met, motorbike police and in traffic that used to turn up at my door at all hours of the day and night to use my loo or consume my biscuits/panetone and really get the hump if I told them wear the teabags, leaves and teapot and moka pot or coffee machine were go make it yourself. Neighbours tho I was dodgy because of the fuzz turning up at all hours. Sometimes my friends were so busy wasn't enough time to go somewhere for a toilet break and a quick drink and snack.

What is the actual code you have been given points for? From experience being polite and respectful may help, but may not. As to him crossing the line, all the copper has to say is in pursuit of his job to catch the criminal...in other words you. Bn chance mon ami.

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Double white lines where the line nearest to you is broken. This means you may cross the lines to overtake if it is safe, provided you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side. White direction arrows on the road indicate that you need to get back onto your side of the road.
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Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26

I really liked the Caddy we had, i think it was technically a maxi Crew Van. I also had one with a bulkhead in for a bit but the bulkhead annoyed me no end with the restricted seat position.

I'm currently at a point of needing a small van to tow my rally car and load with spares but the investment is significant here, and i'd need a crew van with 5 seats to really justify it.

I've been looking at Mercedes Vitos as a more reasonably priced option, and also considered a people carrier like a Touran / Sharan with the rear windows blanked off with vinyl

Vitos rust worse than a sprinter. Like a 70's morris marina.

Not so much in New Zealand they don't, they don't salt the roads here.

Not sure it is the salt just poor metal and paint. Especially when the mercs become worse than transits for rusting.

I've looked at a few here, even ones that live near the coast and at worst there was some minor rust on versions with steel wheels and not really anywhere else.

I've yet to see a properly rusty car here at all.