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

Blew 4GB of pics at FOS.

Here's a preview...

Needs painting, but this looks great fun:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200943166372

there's a better one on ebay at the mo - a yellow one with a v8.
hang 5, ill try and find it...

Oooh, this one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-CAPRI-Mk1-GT-3500cc-V8-Tax-MOT-/271239522676?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f2722a974

Thank you - I'll check him out, that's near enough to drive down for 8.30 and cycle back to work.

It's a 1994 mkIII 16v GTI bought from this very forum (thank you Eyebrows) - it's now done 98,0000 miles.

It's difficult to describe the clonking, it judders the whole car forward in one big clonk when I lift the clutch to engage 1st or 2nd. Maybe I shouldn't drive it down...!

What kind of clonking and when? This place is really good:

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1075/132690.php

He's looked after my MKIII several times and is honest, main guy's name is Andy. What's the mileage and model of your Golf?

Needs painting, but this looks great fun:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200943166372

I'd leave it matt black.

So that people can draw a comedy cock on it with chalk?

snigger

Ahhhhh no I'm not completely new but I go away to wales/scotland far out places walking/riding ect a fair bit and I think a defender might be the way to go

Any one got any advice?

If I were you I'd go for the Range Rover Vogue.

Or a Porsche Cayenne.

If you want to tinker, get one. They're fucking great. Get on a landy forum for advice on what engine/what to look for etc if you're going second hand.
I worked at the Special Vehicles unit for my 6th form work experience: best summer ever!

Failing that get an old HiLux with an Ifor Williams box on the back for bikes/hay/labradors. As TopGear proved they last for ever.
Be prepared to spend tons on fuel whichever you go for.

For comparison, I can fit 2 bikes, 2 people and luggage for over a week in the back of a 1.2l vw polo and it uses fuck all petrol. Ever.
Will you be towing stuff/driving off-road a lot?

Don't buy a Defender or any SUV unless you live on a farm. If where you're traveling to has some mud and 4 wheel drive is needed an Audi or a Volvo estate would fit the bill. Still masses of space in the back for bikes and tents etc. A large vehicle like a Defender is only going to cost you money in fuel and tyres.

I went camping in an old Pug 205 with 3 bikes, a tent, food, old sleeping bags that don't pack down small and a few normal pillows. Basically you don't need a giant car to for anything unless you have huge amounts to carry or lots of kids. If you really need the space inside the car for 4 people you can get a decent bike rack that fits onto the tow hitch.

Any one got any advice?

Make sure you're with someone you really love and always use protection

Who cares about cost/practicality, they look BAWSSS

You need a 110 double cab with a snorkel pipe and a winch

Don't buy a Defender or any SUV unless you live on a farm. If where you're traveling to has some mud and 4 wheel drive is needed an Audi or a Volvo estate would fit the bill. Still masses of space in the back for bikes and tents etc. A large vehicle like a Defender is only going to cost you money in fuel and tyres.

I went camping in an old Pug 205 with 3 bikes, a tent, food, old sleeping bags that don't pack down small and a few normal pillows. Basically you don't need a giant car to for anything unless you have huge amounts to carry or lots of kids. If you really need the space inside the car for 4 people you can get a decent bike rack that fits onto the tow hitch.
Don't listen to him! He's a spoil sport

Make sure you're with someone you really love and always use protection

Or him! Worst kind of spoil sport

Don't listen to him! He's a spoil sport

A Peugeot 205 is much more fun 99% of the time, unless you're a farmer and drive offroad properly that is

Who cares about cost/practicality, they look BAWSSS

You need a 110 double cab with a snorkel pipe and a winch

don't piss about, get a bowler

I absolutely understand the appeal of a Defender - but - they are slow, noisy, uncomfortable, unrefined, expensive to buy, expensive to fuel, and expensive to insure. If you're a teenager your insurance will be thousands and thousands.

You don't need four-wheel drive to go on maintained gravel or dirt roads - any car with reasonable ground clearance will do, such as the majority of cheap hatchbacks.

Damn! I though this thread was going to ask what our first car was. I was going to post a pic of a 1980 Honda Civic in Rust Brown.

By far the coolest thing I have ever owned.

I absolutely understand the appeal of a Defender - but - they are slow, noisy, uncomfortable, unrefined, expensive to buy, expensive to fuel, and expensive to insure. If you're a teenager your insurance will be thousands and thousands.
.

But you can drive over roundabouts instead of around them.

My first car was a 196? Morris Minor, two-door, NHS green. Like the one below, but in shit condition.

I do like those early Civics. I almost bought one but found a 1980 Datsun Cherry instead - which handled even worse than the Morris Minor. It was only £150 though. I sold it for a tenner, which is amusing.

I absolutely understand the appeal of a Defender - but - they are slow, noisy, uncomfortable, unrefined, expensive to buy, expensive to fuel, and expensive to insure. If you're a teenager your insurance will be thousands and thousands.

You don't need four-wheel drive to go on maintained gravel or dirt roads - any car with reasonable ground clearance will do, such as the majority of cheap hatchbacks.

Unless you get that farmer specific insurance which is a pittance, cannot remember it's name but it's fantastic for younger drivers.

£250 fully comp for an 18 year old sort of thing.