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

A3 will not be a low insurance group...

The Mini will be most exciting to drive.

Not sure where to put this, here or in epic win.
A friend just emailed me this screenshot of an email he just sent.

*
My insurance company just phoned me and said they need me to send several photos over of my car so they can confirm the modifications and so on. Some prick has reported me or something but all the modifications are declared anyway. These are the photos I sent in via e-mail...

I'll post the response when it comes through!*

Good work. Could end badly.

I really want one, but not sure if I can afford it though. Parts, service, insurance etc.

Depends on the Mini.

Golf...

I really want one, but not sure if I can afford it though. Parts, service, insurance etc.

I couldn't afford my M3 when I bought it, so I asked my boss for a pay rise. He asked what for and I said for a car I'd bought. He said no. So I got a better job that paid more. Problem solved.

Not sure where to put this, here or in epic win.
A friend just emailed me this screenshot of an email he just sent.

*
My insurance company just phoned me and said they need me to send several photos over of my car so they can confirm the modifications and so on. Some prick has reported me or something but all the modifications are declared anyway. These are the photos I sent in via e-mail...

I'll post the response when it comes through!*

Looks like its either (or both) running rich, or a diesel.

Having test driven all of them recently I'd go Golf...

Definitely the Golf - I have had a mk5 Gti, A3 with same engine, and a cooper S, and the golf is way better - mini is poorly packaged inside, and ride is shite

Worth getting last weeks autocar, they have an article on 5k hot hatches

thanks, but don't think I'll go for GTi though. maybe 1.9 diesel?

I really want one, but not sure if I can afford it though. Parts, service, insurance etc.

Having clicked on the link, at that age and mileage, don't buy a Mini.

Steering rack, steering pump, gearbox, gear linkage, clutch, master cylinders, rear brake calipers, and exhaust are all liable to fail.

Definitely the Golf - I have had a mk5 Gti, A3 with same engine, and a cooper S, and the golf is way better - mini is poorly packaged inside, and ride is shite

Worth getting last weeks autocar, they have an article on 5k hot hatches

Run flats are the problem on the Mini.

16" wheels on standard tyres will make such a difference.

Yeah I Was running 16's, it was great fun when you wanted a blast but a pain the rear of the time

HTFU...

Brands spec damping on my coilovers while driving around London. Air over speedbumps...

Is that the Old Kent Road?

Don't know but it's boss.

Edit: Driving on the right. Probably Deustchland.

Porsche following a Beetle following a Porsche.

Clearly Germany.

loving the "rear view mirror" on that

"Up periscope!"

Bang!

WTF is that?

Fuck knows but I want it!

Anyone know why Jaguar X-Types are so cheap? Is it the price of fuel etc and running costs. No one wants a large engine any more.
Look at this for example

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3551977.htm

But there are loads like this

I've only been in one X type, and it was a minicab on the island of Guernsey, but the trim creaked like a bitch, the suspension or steering made worrying noises, the wood was splitting. Basically all the care and attention to detail you expect on a modern Jag was notable by its absence and instead you got the thrown-together-by-arseholes build quality of a 70s Jag. A Mercedes minicab of the same age is like a new car in comparison.

They are cheap now because no-one wants one. They don't want one because they didn't want one when they were new. They were and are a travesty. The Allegro Vanden Plas of the lineup. The Rover 45 of engineering integrity. Jaguar's DNA is in their wonderful chassis, engines and beautiful styling, and Ford thought a Mondeo front-drive chassis, Ford engines, the desperate marketing ploy of 4 wheel drive to pretend it was a rear drive platform really, and a really ugly old-man body would convince the customers. Unfortunately the customers can tell when they are being hoodwinked.

Plus small reps' cars that pretend to be luxury models are a bit Hyacinth Bucket.

I would rather have a Mondeo than the Jag - lot of bang for your buck and a surprisingly good steer