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

Seen the new 4 series teaser shots?

RIP BMW design team

Found a nicely patina'd MG Midget in the best colour around the corner from my place, being consumed by overgrown flora. If it's got an engine and a floor I might approach the owner, even if it's fucked it'll look ace in my front garden.

Fit yellow bulbs, or those silver showing yellow and it will be fine.

Cheaply...depends where the leak is. Usually found with a dye test. Then replace what is leaking and any mechanical bits that are not happy that they haven't been used for years.

You still got the other fury Joe?

I miss that thing. Got a pic?

High on fumes

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surely not

The inevitable 500hp M4 with even more aggressive styling will be even worse (if thats possible).. Every current BMW is a dogs dinner (i3 an exception).

Such a masculine and aggressive front end, what's to like? Looks like a very angry rodent...

PS I wanna change the grille on my Suby to this... I know it's a silly little mod but I really hate the chrome on this car... +10bhp... Badge will go as well...

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Maybe it needs a bigger grill for another 10hp

It’s under control thanks. just keeping the little fella poised for easy miles.

Bonnet scoop for an extra 30bhp?

I've seen some incredible ones out here, like the dad picking up the kids from school in his crazy V8 with a scoop so tall he can barely see out of his windscreen... It's fucking amazing...

Dave

I'm in the market for a car to replace the 20yr old Ford Focus that was stolen just before lockdown started.
Any suggestions for a 5dr hatchback, petrol 1.6l or thereabouts, ULEZ compliant and not more than £1500
We're never going to drive it more than a couple of times a month, but we will be doing distance to see friends and family around the country, so needs to be reliable and not horrendously expensive to run.
Thanks in advance

2006-2012 Honda Civivc 1.8

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Mazda5.

Honda Jazz

I'm selling a Honda jazz for a little more

Got to be a Jazz corndog. Stretch the budget a little

How does the car rental firm with the Golfs (forgot the name) stack up against buying something if it’s going to be used twice per month?

Having your own car is cheaper than using a Zip Car regularly. But, if one thing goes wrong that requires a proper repair then it flips and a Zip Car is cheaper. Sometimes significantly so.

Wanting to spend £1500 on a reliable car would require the buyer to be either lucky or very knowledgable of cars.

That’s what I was thinking, but I don’t have any analysis to back it up. I’ve got plenty of experience of maintaining old cars though.

I’d also add having to find somewhere to put a car, keep the battery charged (if use is infrequent), time spent taking it to get serviced etc. Zip Car is an attractive idea in many ways- they have a couple on our road now (which makes my inability to remember their brand a bit of a senior moment), so very convenient.

If you take one for longer than a few hours the pricing gets nuts, like £180 a day.

The cheapest way to do it is use hire cars for longer trips and Zips for stuff under 2hrs.

I've been hiring cars from London City Airport. Usually for £9 a day.

It's a faff though. The whole thing is a faff.

The state of some zip cars - inside and out - will however make you angry.

Depending on your habits. You might be cool with half eaten chicken in the footwell and the lingering stink of yesterdays drug dealing activities. I've got to the point where I'm very much 'fuck that'.