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

I don’t do a lot of driving. Help me understand who is the dick in this situation

I’m half way reversing round a corner because the road I turned in to is blocked.

Driver arrives on the road Im reversing in to blocking the course of my manoeuvre

I continue my manoeuvre slowly in the hope that they back up and let me complete . The road behind them is clear it’s a quiet residential street

They do not

They beep

I don’t want to stop and drive up the street because it’s lined with cars and once you start going up it you are committed

I shut the engine down and get out and ask him to let me complete because the road is blocked ahead

He says I know I’m just parking on that street

I ask him to back up please so I can complete then get back in the car

He aggressively drives around my car instead

So:

1. I’m a dick
   
2. He’s a dick
   
3. Both dicks
   
4. Dicks, dicks everywhere
   
   

He’s a dick

Dicks, dicks everywhere

He's a dick. And it's symptomatic of the general level of entitlement that is so endemic. No-one wants to lose face/waste a few precious seconds by reversing when there's a jam so everyone sits beeping and swearing at each other until the space behind gets blocked and everything escalates. It really rustles my jimmies.

I don't know my BMWs beyond the E36. Is that the model with DCT or is it the one with the awful SMG?

If SMG then it's not all bad, because they can be converted to a proper manual, which increases the value just like the similar conversion does on the original Aston Martin Vanquish.

Good counterpoint.

Of course the E63 is so much more of a range-topper than the 300TE-24, which was merely a little bit faster than the 300 or 280, and didn't really warrant all that performance braking and suspension fit-out.

1. Both you guys have the carowner virus
   

Looking for a suitable candidate to replace the Grand Picasso. Ok car but this one is really not a good example.

I need high suspension (for carrying heavy loads on regular basis), good mpg and reliable. And cheap to tax if possible. A good sound system would be great too although obviously no essential.
A 1.6-2.0 engine, petrol or diesel, would be fine I guess.
The current 1.6 HDi with turbo on the C4GP is adequate and returns a good mpg on the M'way.

I've shortlisted:
Subaru Outback or Forrester
Volvo XC70 or 90
Jeep Compass
C4 GP manual petrol
Mercedes Vito

Any other worthy recommendations?

2 and 4.
Unfortunately it can lead to this sort of thing:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/23/somerset-couple-stabbed-to-death-as-young-children-sleep-upstairs
Welcome to 2021

fucking hell that is bleak

You can install heavy duty suspension/springs on a Passat. That would give you a huge cargo space, and tonnes of genuinely economic engine choices. If you buy one with whatever they call their stereo upgrade then it's decent.

It's not the most inspiring thing, but they do what they do exceptionally well.

Fuck. That is so unfathomably pointless and sad.

I am biased, but:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111219794978

Does it need to be ULEZ?

good mpg

XC70 or 90

Having owned both: neither will see mid 30s unless you live on the motorway.
2.4 however is a solid lump and they're very capable load luggers. Generally easy to repair and parts readily available. Buy a Chinese Volvo VIDA and never visit a dealer for fault finding ever again.
Stereos are reasonable as standard, but near impossible to upgrade due to MOST security. No complaints however!

Now on my 4th Volvo; V70 > XC70 > XC90 MK1 > XC90MK2

The Clio survived another trip to the lake district at the weekend, and sailed through its MOT today. Great little car. Almost on 80k miles now.

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Fuck me. That is bleak. Assume those who did it were involved in some kind of (organised) crime already.

But yes, this is why I try to not to drive unless it's totally necessary.

love this. my biggest motoring regret is not buying a mint 182 with just over 40k miles about 5 years ago, turini wheels and all. great price at the time and in the context of today's market, an absolute steal.

Are these loads tall?
If not an estate would be nicer to drive and give you much better fuel economy than an SUV.

I can totally recommend the Citroën C5 Tourer Exclusive. I think mine is a brilliant car and it just erases the miles.

Very comfortable, reasonably fast, great on fuel (I have the 2.0 HDi 160 which is light years ahead of the gutless 1.6), big luggage space, and (make sure you get the Exclusive trim) self-levelling height-adjustable suspension for your heavy loads (even a switch in the boot to raise or lower it) or rough terrain. The car lowers at speed for better economy. Great stereo too.

The CrossTourer is the same car but rides an inch higher.

YIKES

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111069312873?make=Ferrari&sort=price-asc&include-delivery-option=on&postcode=cb41ln&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=6

Presumably the hearing aid beige vinyl would just peel off?

It had better wanna do!

Sweet Jesus. In my view this was the last pretty Ferrari

360 coupe is nice in the right colour IMO, as is the 550, but yeah they're all a bit stabby from then on

the last pretty Ferrari

close run thing but my vote goes to the 575M.

Since the 355 and 550/575 they've all been designed by computers and accountants