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

Last pic of them all is for @Dammit
He said 'wanna see what's inside this shipping container?'
Uh, yep.

How different the world might be if Hans Ledwinka & Ferdinand Porsche had swapped legacies.

Had a stunning Porsche just appear round the corner from my place.

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I really like the mk7 golf to drive. But 3.5 hours? I'd be looking for and old Jag.

Who the fuck owns that? :o)

I'd be looking for something a little more reliable than that, but certainly a larger car with a bigger engine that would be turning at a lower rpm (if this is a motorway cruise) would be my choice. Something small is likely to be noisier, harsher, and in general a less desirable place to sit for (if you don't choose an old Jag) 7 hours.

You're in Sweden from memory? A V70 would probably fit the bill - comfy seats, quiet, decent radio and the stock T5 is really nice for motorway work - the turbo spools instantly at motorway revs when you want to pass, idles when you are cruising.

May have solved my weird oil consumption in the A3. Replaced the cracked o-ring seal on the oil dipstick. Oil has remained at correct level for 1500klms. Happy if that has fixed it as it cost 45 cents.

Also, small cars on long drives... Mk7 golf is fine. Driven them extensively on long trips and the lower end models with 16 inch wheels are quiet and smooth at motorway speeds. And very efficient. Comfortable interior too if you're not giant.

Drove a mk6 manual gti 2400 miles in 4 days and was completely happy with it.

I have had newer golfs / octavias in the past and found them much better at longer runs than equivalent polo or fabia. I'd look for a mk6 onwards golf or equivalent Seat Leon maybe

Not that old! Look at the aluminium XJ with a naturally aspirated v8. Light, powerful, 30+mpg and super comfortable. You can even have a diesel if you hate enjoying life that much.

Is the Fabia better than a golf?

It's cheaper.

I know it's a dull cliché but Golf's seem hard to beat. After spending a bit of time driving Golf* in London, UK roads, and down France it's hard to see what else you'd want from a practical pov - comfortable and spacious**.

I've only been driven in Fabias and they feel just like the cheaper / older golfs. However, they share the same engines and are meant to have good build quality. That said you can get an Octavia with pretty much all the same engines.

Minicab's seem to like Skodas which counts as a tick in my book.

If the driving route you're likely to do it a known quantity I'd do some research as to the real world mpg for that route.

*mk6 1.4 TSI auto DSG 7 speed

**x2 ppl, small PA system, decks, x4 cases of wine, x2 cases beer, luggage.

Sweden yeah. The v70 has crossed my mind but it's everywhere here so feels a bit dull. TBH I can't think of a single newer car I actually want. I like the interior of the v70n but that's about it.

If I had all the monies and a garage I'd get another w124, ideally a 300. But as our e220 is starting to rust after two winters of daily driving it feels like I'd just run it into the ground.

Maybe I should just get over myself and get a unit of car that comfortably takes me from a to b and that's it. Skip the whole image / idea of having a car I like. But that'd be dull wouldn't it.

Fabia is the same platform as the polo and Ibiza, while golf and Octavia share the same platform.

I now have a fabia estate, but on longer runs the gear ratios and road noise on the motorway are compromised compared to an equivalent 1.6 TDI golf.

Next time I buy I'll probably get a petrol Golf with a 6sp

Congrats on the new arrival @BQ

Hope you enjoy the shit out of it and there's no issues with it. Badman status confirmed.

No love for the Saab 9-5?

Really starting to come round to the 996 Turbo phase 2, really handsome, should invest now I guess

That I have. But the nice ones are getting old as well. Mate of mine has a 9-5 aero. Great car with heaps of power when you need it.

Most of them have been driven to shit by the youths though. Probably the most stock bhp / £ you can get at the moment.

I wasn't thinking of the 260bhp versions, but a low 100+ bhp version as your commuter trundler.

Lovely. Good use of the cortina parts bin too.

Beautiful, but I thought only one of those remained and it was in racing stripes.

V Similar shape to the Mangusta.

You missed it. They were below £30k for a while. Not now.

Don't worry though, they drive a bit stodgy, better to keep saving for a GT2.

Vallelunga?

Ha. Yes maybe a hybrid of the two?

Vallelunga face on a Mangusta body.

Never knew Mangusta meant Mongoose.

Crazy how these shapes are becoming so attractive with the modern dross.

/csb

Never seen one of those before! Love the blue interior and mag/cross ply combination.

Nurse!

Meanwhile in NW6, Range Rover ownership is going well...

Looks innocent. New bumper corners, driving lamps, expansion tank and other bits and bobs fitted.

But inside...

Attempting heater matrix and blower motor replacement. 4 hours to remove upper and lower dashboard, instrument binnacle, centre console, gear selector, centre armrest, air conditioning plenum and finally the heater box. On dismantling the heater box (another 2 hours!) I have found that the blower motor bearings are shot. Going to see if these guys can help:
http://www.robsonandfrancisrewinds.co.uk/veteran/index.html

For once I have labelled and bagged all the components and fasteners but this is still going to be quite a job to reassemble.