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

On the contrary. It would appear that even though I'm in the centre of petrol production, they still produce some truly appalling fuels here. Yes, even though the filling stations are all government run, they still produce Tesco quality fuel.

The R32 is nearing the end of its' time with me. I was considering keeping it and bringing it back, but I have another car in mind for the UK.

Having read a series of blogposts and forums regarding the production period of the R32's, it would appear that there were some concerns about VW's funds being diverted to the Veyron project and quality went through the floor for all VW's. Not that I've had any major issues with mine, but it does seem to enjoy snacking on suspension bushes and engine mountings. And fuel, a lot of fuel.

Not bad.

Jaguar present Team Sky with concept Tour de France F-Type - YouTube

does it come with two free dogma's ?

yes, also a couple of full kit wankers and a hipster included.

Concept my arse.

Publicity stunt for dentists...

No doubt dreamed up by some marketing donut in the West End. (Albeit a year late)

What's the Cockney grocer fella from Masterchef doing there?

That's Sir Dave...easy mistake tho, same personal stylist. (Harry Hill)

Miaow

Is it wrong that I've started wanting a Skoda Estate thing just because I keep seeing them in Le Tour :

http://blobproxy-cdn.skoda-auto.com/wwk2-en-gb/sitecollectionimages/gallery/octaviaestatevrs/oct_vrs_e_gallery2_201406221638.jpg

Yes what you need is a Jaguar XF Sportbrake.

Once I get to my fiftieth birthday, yes.

Oh sorry, what with you looking at Skoda estates I assumed you were a pensioner. :-)

We're getting about £3.5k from insurance on the car. May be able to add to that a bit. Any ideas on something small, economic, easy to drive and with space for occasional trips with bikes, for about £5k?

Sounds like you're describing the Volvo 850 T5-R down to a T.

^Apart from the small and economical bits.

or an mgb gt with a roof rack...

i averaged 31mpg over 700 miles last week, and that included several rally d'cornwall stages...

We're getting about £3.5k from insurance on the car. May be able to add to that a bit. Any ideas on something small, economic, easy to drive and with space for occasional trips with bikes, for about £5k?

Mint Mk2 Golf GTi. 5 door for practicality, 8v for economy.

I'd say get a fun car and a bike rack. But that's me. Golf?

We're getting about £3.5k from insurance on the car. May be able to add to that a bit. Any ideas on something small, economic, easy to drive and with space for occasional trips with bikes, for about £5k?

Mini and two Bromptons :-)

The main thing is that this is Kirsty's car, and she gets funny about certain things. For example, at the moment it absolutely has to be a five door. If it was me I'd buy something older and more interesting, but she finds newer more reassuring. It should probably rate highly on crash tests, too, as she's understandably still shaken up.

buy a honda from the future (and a bike rack)

Something like this would be reliable, economic etc and still fit two bikes in with the seats down and front wheels off:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406205173879/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/postcode/se135nd/radius/50/model/ibiza/price-to/5000/price-from/4500/make/seat/fuel-type/diesel/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p

The main thing is that this is Kirsty's car, and she gets funny about certain things. For example, at the moment it absolutely has to be a five door. If it was me I'd buy something older and more interesting, but she finds newer more reassuring. It should probably rate highly on crash tests, too, as she's understandably still shaken up.

Sounding more and more like a Volvo would work.

The main thing is that this is Kirsty's car, and she gets funny about certain things. For example, at the moment it absolutely has to be a five door. If it was me I'd buy something older and more interesting, but she finds newer more reassuring. It should probably rate highly on crash tests, too, as she's understandably still shaken up.

Saab.