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

We all own many bikes, so why not own many cars? I certainly don't see why I shouldn't. If it's something I can afford to do then why not?

The only thing stopping my dad acquiring any more is the space issue (he's twice as many as I have bikes, last time I counted). It's also a bit of a pain when MOT time comes around.

I am being forced to write off my car as it has an unusual roof, only because a tiny glass panel shattered (inexplicably, no impact evident). The manufacturer long washed their hands of this car (A2 - I know, I know ...) Fucking bleaurgh. What a stupid waste.

So now I need a cheapish economical family car, small estate/ mini mpv type thing. Anyone got a C3 picasso?

I love this.

I love that too. There's something about taking a luxury handbuilt exotic motor and tearing it down to rebuild it as a hooligan machine that really appeals to me. I think I like it so much because it would piss off the average Rolls fan.

I don't love that one as much as I love this though. I'd paint it in red oxide primer and drive the shit out it just to annoy classic car fans.

I am being forced to write off my car as it has an unusual roof, only because a tiny glass panel shattered (inexplicably, no impact evident). The manufacturer long washed their hands of this car (A2 - I know, I know ...) Fucking bleaurgh. What a stupid waste.

So now I need a cheapish economical family car, small estate/ mini mpv type thing. Anyone got a C3 picasso?

Can Autoglass help?
If not,
Search on the net for breakers. You might be able to get a roof panel from them, or they may have the parts to replace it with the metal alternative.

+1, you must be able to get a replacement part from a scrapper- join an Audi forum and ask?

join an Audi forum

involuntary shudder

Thanks guys...

No this is a farce, a scandalous fiasco fucked up type sitch. Teh interwebs is littered with sorrowful woe about these roofs. I have explored the avenues, and it's a World Of Pain: I'll take the cat d write off, thangyouverymuch, had the car 10 years, always hated the lack of space, so time to move on.

So: does anyone have any experience of the C3 picasso?

http://vimeo.com/35945184

involuntary shudder

Haha. I already did this. It's really bad.

Thanks guys...

No this is a farce, a scandalous fiasco fucked up type sitch. Teh interwebs is littered with sorrowful woe about these roofs. I have explored the avenues, and it's a World Of Pain: I'll take the cat d write off, thangyouverymuch, had the car 10 years, always hated the lack of space, so time to move on.

So: does anyone have any experience of the C3 picasso?

It's fuck ugly and has Citroen (lack of) reliability.

Passat Estate. Buy one.

Volvo V50 cheaper than Passat, just as well specced...

Was thinking about a v50... and a passat or golf estate... but all of them are gas guzzlers. C3 is good milage, low VED, slow, ugly and sensible. Like me.

Am actually quite keen on getting what I affectionately call a spazz wagon : Berlingo, Kangoo, that sort of thing. My better half is going nuts with me cos they're so basic and super ugly. But that's what I like about them.

I test drove all three, and settled with a second hand v50, it's not that thirsty, depends on what you're using it for.

The Golf estate is scarcer as it's not that popular over here, but you get a surprising amount of space.

The Passat is great but you pay a bit of a premium for it iMHO

It's a sad world when a Passat is viewed as premium.

If you like the quirky/basic/frugal idea then I've always championed the Multipla. It's disgusting to look at but by far the best in its class.

Citroen will go wrong, and depreciate like it is falling off a cliff.

I'd get the Kangoo if it's big enough- based on a commercial platform, so tough as nails. The 4X4 diesel Kangoo is Gordan Murrays favourite car (or was a couple of years ago when I read the interview).

EDIT Multipla is a good call, but a lot bigger than the Kangoo.

It's a sad world when a Passat is viewed as premium.

If you like the quirky/basic/frugal idea then I've always championed the Multipla. It's disgusting to look at but by far the best in its class.

There is a premium on the price compared to it's competitors... it's not premium.

I am being forced to write off my car as it has an unusual roof, only because a tiny glass panel shattered (inexplicably, no impact evident). The manufacturer long washed their hands of this car (A2 - I know, I know ...) Fucking bleaurgh. What a stupid waste.

So now I need a cheapish economical family car, small estate/ mini mpv type thing. Anyone got a C3 picasso?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A2-Breaking-Spares-/320833815260?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ab32f82dc#ht_2737wt_1396

A very quick look on ebay shows one with the glass panel for breaking...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8nKRhZiT-U&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8nKRhZiT-U&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video[/ame
&v=R8nKRhZiT-U]

V-L. I don't know if the Cannonball is anything like the Gumball, but I hope for your sake that it is..

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4n5spSd3sw&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4n5spSd3sw&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video[/ame
&v=l4n5spSd3sw]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb28cHZkx0Q&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb28cHZkx0Q&feature=BFa&list=PL5330CE790EB8BFF5&lf=plpp_video[/ame
&v=Pb28cHZkx0Q]

Most probably a repost, but I find the Merc 190 E 2.5-16 Evo II attractive in a brutal way.

It's funny your choice in cars mate. 6/7 years ago you could have picked up a 300SL for relatively reasonable money. If I remember correctly 70/80K would have picked up a decent example. Then (think it was) AutoCar did a piece (not that this was the trigger) on them and virtually overnight the prices went sky-rocketting and last year they were selling anywhere up to £650K. I'd take the roadster version over the gull-wing every day of the week though. Far more beautiful lines in my opinion.

The evo 2 is just the perfect Mercedes for car collectors,outrageaous only for a Benz,but it's only an overwinged slow piece of crap.
Would anybody rather drive it instead of an E30 M3?

2 years ago at Le Mans classic there was a German guy who brought and had sessions with his mat Black 300SL,that's outrageous(had a "colour" coded SLS in the paddock as well)

google says its about 75% of the wildness

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A2-Breaking-Spares-/320833815260?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ab32f82dc#ht_2737wt_1396

A very quick look on ebay shows one with the glass panel for breaking...

Hmmm ... I have no idea how to fit glass... and my insurer's offering me decent cash for it ... I'm gonna get out while I can and buy an even uglier family bucket. But thanks pigfarmer! Basically, I can't be arsed.

Multipla probly too massive fir my tastes, but thanks Saadat for suggesting. Kangoo seems interesting. Been looking at Passats all day, mostly they've been totally hammered on miles ... maybe that's a good sign really. Also golf estates... V50 is a consideration...

Hmmmmmm

Might be worth buying if you can buy the car back from the insurance company for sell on as cat c? could be worth a G or 2 judging by the new prices...

good luck anyway mate. I'd advise you to stay away from estates if you don't care what your getting purely due to the practicality of parking.

Hmmm ... I have no idea how to fit glass... and my insurer's offering me decent cash for it ... I'm gonna get out while I can and buy an even uglier family bucket. But thanks pigfarmer! Basically, I can't be arsed.

Multipla probly too massive fir my tastes, but thanks Saadat for suggesting. Kangoo seems interesting. Been looking at Passats all day, mostly they've been totally hammered on miles ... maybe that's a good sign really. Also golf estates... V50 is a consideration...

Hmmmmmm

As long as the important things have been changed at the set intervals, VW engines will run and run and run. I'd recommend a 3 series BMW estate for real bomb proof miles but they can be thirsty.