Love is... a car that just works!
Discussion
Oh yes. Some time back I bought a Mk2 Mondeo 2.0i Ghia X Estate for all of £950 with 96k on it.
It was at the time just a sensible car to be able to tow bikes and loads of kit around in comfort.
Despite only being a Mondeo and not even a "hot" one I grew to love it, it was quick enough, handled really well for what it was and averaged 34mpg or so in my normal use (with ~40mpg on a 'run').
Wasn't totally problem free but always got me home, even if once it was on 3-cylinders (failed coil-pack, cost £15) and once the starter packed up and had to bump it.
Even at 174k it was a nice place to be, all the toys still worked and was nicer to drive than the newer mk3 Mondeo company pool cars with half the mileage.
Took it to 174k then sold it for about £300. Only sold it because of a new job with a car allowance otherwise I'd still have it.
Despite the new car being better in every regard (apart from Aircon, weight and height) still somewhat miss it, especially as it appears it's no longer on the road and hasn't been since 2013.
It was at the time just a sensible car to be able to tow bikes and loads of kit around in comfort.
Despite only being a Mondeo and not even a "hot" one I grew to love it, it was quick enough, handled really well for what it was and averaged 34mpg or so in my normal use (with ~40mpg on a 'run').
Wasn't totally problem free but always got me home, even if once it was on 3-cylinders (failed coil-pack, cost £15) and once the starter packed up and had to bump it.
Even at 174k it was a nice place to be, all the toys still worked and was nicer to drive than the newer mk3 Mondeo company pool cars with half the mileage.
Took it to 174k then sold it for about £300. Only sold it because of a new job with a car allowance otherwise I'd still have it.
Despite the new car being better in every regard (apart from Aircon, weight and height) still somewhat miss it, especially as it appears it's no longer on the road and hasn't been since 2013.
I expect a car to work.And when it ages bit and piece have to be repaired.The worst car I've owned was a Hillman Imp.Lovely little cat cheap on petrol engine just kept overheating.Had three VW Beetles they run forever just no room for shopping.
Modern cars have become to complex but the majority are reliable.They are becoming trow away items white goods.
Modern cars have become to complex but the majority are reliable.They are becoming trow away items white goods.
I've had a 100bhp Fiesta Ecoboost for the past few months (got a new job which needed a car after working close to home for five years and selling my old one).
I thought it would be a dull as hell after years of sporty stuff but it is actually a real hoot to drive and pretty economical too. The handling and ride are absolutely superb and the engine is surprisingly nippy as well. It's no GTI but as an all-round package it's brilliant.
I thought it would be a dull as hell after years of sporty stuff but it is actually a real hoot to drive and pretty economical too. The handling and ride are absolutely superb and the engine is surprisingly nippy as well. It's no GTI but as an all-round package it's brilliant.
Tractor lad said:
We replaced an incredibly troubkesome VW California (bought new) camper with an 8 year old Subaru 2.5 petrol Outback in January; it falls very much into the "just works" category. With 165bhp it's not fast but it goes well enough, no turbo to break, an incredibly effective 4wd system, all weather tyres so we don't get stuck and it's pretty comfy over long journeys. We're getting very attached to it.
toon10 said:
Yup I ran a 2.4 Honda Accord Exec for 4 years and the only thing that went wrong was a bulb went on the heated seat button. It had a nice engine, OK handling, was comfortable and well specced but I didn't love the car because it was the best in class at most things, it wasn't. I loved it because it never let me down.
Had both of these, Legacy (not Outback, but essentially the same car) first, bought a 2 year old car which we owned for 3 years and never let us down - used to tow animals (in a trailer, in case you were wondering) and pulled several people out of ditches in snowy weather. It was the car we forgot we had, in a good way - just put petrol in and service once a year. Only expense was an exhaust, which wasn't cheap as it was dealer only but the fact that nothing else ever went wrong made up for that. Only downside was fuel economy, we were doing a lot of motorway miles and the 2.5 petrol was starting to cost so we (well, my wife) bought a year old diesel X-Trail to replace it - lasted 6 months before poor economy (hardly better than the Legacy), niggling faults and my general not liking the thing meant it was traded in....
...for a 2.4 Accord Exec - another car that's had 3 years with us and it's just gone to a new home with nothing but fuel and servicing again.
No idea what to go for next, wife has an Up and as I work from home I haven't replaced the Accord yet (hired a few cars when I've needed to do long journeys) - modern stuff just seems to have so many things to go wrong, although we were pleasantly surprised by a Mazda 6 we rented recently, so the family workhorse might well be another Japanese car.
Mark; a late Spec B Legacy? It's the only 6 pot with a manual (the auto is woeful), it's nippy and sounds like a 911. RFL is silly for 2006 or later but it's won't break down and doesn't need a cam belt change as it doesn't have one.
Ours isn't great on fuel (2.5 4 pot) but the range is 400 miles and that's what matters. I don't have to worry about clogging it up with short trips, is quick enough to not cause pain (60 in about 9s; the spec B is 6.5ish) and I'm having a right laugh attempting to unstick it; it just hangs on and on and 165bhp isn't enough to trouble the traction.
Ours isn't great on fuel (2.5 4 pot) but the range is 400 miles and that's what matters. I don't have to worry about clogging it up with short trips, is quick enough to not cause pain (60 in about 9s; the spec B is 6.5ish) and I'm having a right laugh attempting to unstick it; it just hangs on and on and 165bhp isn't enough to trouble the traction.
Tractor lad said:
Mark; a late Spec B Legacy? It's the only 6 pot with a manual (the auto is woeful), it's nippy and sounds like a 911. RFL is silly for 2006 or later but it's won't break down and doesn't need a cam belt change as it doesn't have one.
Ours isn't great on fuel (2.5 4 pot) but the range is 400 miles and that's what matters. I don't have to worry about clogging it up with short trips, is quick enough to not cause pain (60 in about 9s; the spec B is 6.5ish) and I'm having a right laugh attempting to unstick it; it just hangs on and on and 165bhp isn't enough to trouble the traction.
Ours was a 2.5 (non-Outback) Legacy, we averaged about 28mpg I think - Spec B could be a possibility, I do so few miles that fuel costs really aren't an issue. Are they any less reliable than the standard car?Ours isn't great on fuel (2.5 4 pot) but the range is 400 miles and that's what matters. I don't have to worry about clogging it up with short trips, is quick enough to not cause pain (60 in about 9s; the spec B is 6.5ish) and I'm having a right laugh attempting to unstick it; it just hangs on and on and 165bhp isn't enough to trouble the traction.
They seem to be pretty bullet proof and because of the high tax band, they are a bit of a bargain; I've seen ones newer than ours with less miles for the same money. Astonishing bargain IMO.
The common issues aren't too daunting; bushes, drop links. That's about it.
I reckon the Gen 4 looks great too. If we didn't have an M135i for high speed kicks, I think I'd snap one up too.
The common issues aren't too daunting; bushes, drop links. That's about it.
I reckon the Gen 4 looks great too. If we didn't have an M135i for high speed kicks, I think I'd snap one up too.
Tractor lad said:
They seem to be pretty bullet proof and because of the high tax band, they are a bit of a bargain; I've seen ones newer than ours with less miles for the same money. Astonishing bargain IMO.
The common issues aren't too daunting; bushes, drop links. That's about it.
I reckon the Gen 4 looks great too. If we didn't have an M135i for high speed kicks, I think I'd snap one up too.
Food for thought, cheers.The common issues aren't too daunting; bushes, drop links. That's about it.
I reckon the Gen 4 looks great too. If we didn't have an M135i for high speed kicks, I think I'd snap one up too.
So glad my thread touched a chord. Seems to be a theme developing too, that old petrol engine Mazdas, n/a Subarus and Hondas are very dependable, as is the old Mk4 PD TDI Golf....you still say plenty of those going strong at + 11 years old.
Makes you think actually. In terms of real world performance, handling and economy (not the official euro economy), bread and butter cars haven't actually improved all that much in the past decade and I'd say that some things like ride quality on ever bigger wheels and complexity, has gone backwards.
I checked the oil on my Mazda again today. In 3200 miles since the last service it has used a negligible amount. Not had for an over 100,000 mile old petrol car. So why chuck away a perfectly serviceable and reliable motor?
So thumbs up to all of us running older cars on a shoestring. Much better for the environment than forking out for the latest so called wonder eco TDI/hybrid!!!
Makes you think actually. In terms of real world performance, handling and economy (not the official euro economy), bread and butter cars haven't actually improved all that much in the past decade and I'd say that some things like ride quality on ever bigger wheels and complexity, has gone backwards.
I checked the oil on my Mazda again today. In 3200 miles since the last service it has used a negligible amount. Not had for an over 100,000 mile old petrol car. So why chuck away a perfectly serviceable and reliable motor?
So thumbs up to all of us running older cars on a shoestring. Much better for the environment than forking out for the latest so called wonder eco TDI/hybrid!!!
Kj159 said:
I think it's a mix of it being my first car and the fact that it starts first time, does whatever you ask of it and doesn't really owe me a penny, but this car fits the bill for me. It gets mountain bikes piled onto a rack on the boot, used as a van for camping trips to Wales, left in airport car parks for weeks on end, left to fend for itself on the street for weekends when I go down to mates unis, I'm always happy to see it when I return and it still drives exactly how it should. Great little car
There's something about cars that have just been there for you, I think. An unquantifiable, intangible X factor.
GreenArrow said:
...Makes you think actually. In terms of real world performance, handling and economy (not the official euro economy), bread and butter cars haven't actually improved all that much in the past decade and I'd say that some things like ride quality on ever bigger wheels and complexity, has gone backwards.
I checked the oil on my Mazda again today. In 3200 miles since the last service it has used a negligible amount. Not had for an over 100,000 mile old petrol car. So why chuck away a perfectly serviceable and reliable motor?
So thumbs up to all of us running older cars on a shoestring. Much better for the environment than forking out for the latest so called wonder eco TDI/hybrid!!!
Yeah, good thread this. I've had a 2litre 03 Legacy (4th Gen) since 2006 - wow, 8 years now. It's a solid family hack only needing routine services, the odd bush and recently a new clutch (but at 80000 miles, with 50% city driving, and a Mrs that rides the clutch a lot - it lasted well). Did change the tyres all round but still on the 17 rims, which actually improved ride going over speed bumps.I checked the oil on my Mazda again today. In 3200 miles since the last service it has used a negligible amount. Not had for an over 100,000 mile old petrol car. So why chuck away a perfectly serviceable and reliable motor?
So thumbs up to all of us running older cars on a shoestring. Much better for the environment than forking out for the latest so called wonder eco TDI/hybrid!!!
It does 27mpg city driving & 35mpg on the motorways - current n/a petrol estates haven't really improved much on this, but mine drives all the wheels too.
I do wonder about the electrics in newer cars longevity with parking sensors, camera's, adaptive cruise, electric seats etc. Hybrid systems where the batteries last approx 10 years, and cost circa 7K to replace (although solid state batteries may improve longevity).
Been mulling over whether to replace it for a long while now (like months an months). Or possibly even supercharge the old girl to address the slight lack of power when fully loaded going up long motorway hills.
sister in laws Dad owns a 1993 Toyota HiLux. Its done over 200k hard miles. The heater has packed up, it has windy-up windows, door locks are an art, but the joy comes from the liberation of the experience..no worries about where to leave it, vandalism or bumping it. It just gets on with the job of starting every time and carting stuff about. Its really good fun. He does love it to bits and refuses to be parted from it despite having the funds to go out and buy whatever he wants
This reminds me of the old Honda advert " Isn't it nice when things just work"
Totally true in my opinion , I quickly begin to dislike a car that doesn't work. Not just for the expense of fixing , but for the inconvenience that usually comes with it , or my time lost fixing / fault finding.
My 2005 Lancer 1.6 was a pretty dull car , but in its 80k I had it for not even a niggle. I loved it for the fact that I felt it would always get me home. For me the Japanese cars are the ones that have caused me no problems , none at all other that servicing.
Totally true in my opinion , I quickly begin to dislike a car that doesn't work. Not just for the expense of fixing , but for the inconvenience that usually comes with it , or my time lost fixing / fault finding.
My 2005 Lancer 1.6 was a pretty dull car , but in its 80k I had it for not even a niggle. I loved it for the fact that I felt it would always get me home. For me the Japanese cars are the ones that have caused me no problems , none at all other that servicing.
Been pretty lucky with my last 3 cars. (All my cars tend to be nothing spectular!)
X reg 1.2 Clio. Bought as a stop gap after a disasterous Citroen. Ended up keeping it for 4 years. Apart from servicing, I never spent any money on it. (Europcar was the previous owner). It even managed the odd long motorway journey, and it visited the Isle of Man a couple of times. I only sold it when i ended up commuting more motorway miles.
52 reg 1.8 (petrol) Laguna. It was 4 years old and only had 19k on the clock when i bought it. Apart from a couple of sticky electric windows nothing broke. (Which is better luck than most Laguna owners have). One minor starting issue solved by the AA. I sold it after 4 years as I was worried about future bills. Bearing in mind it was now 8 years old and nothing had gone wrong yet! Sadly i don't think it is on the road now.
My current car, a 56 reg 1.6 Astra. A couple of rear springs for its MOT, and a recall notice for an electronic issue are the only things fixed in the 5 years I've had it. I had a spell of working away 2 years ago. The car could be lying in the driveway for 1-3weeks at a time. It would always start first time even in the worst winter weather. Last year it took us from Scotland to Rockingham (BTCC meeting) and back, driving down on the Saturday and back up on the Sunday after racing had finished with no issues. Even after 5 years I see no reason to part with it.
X reg 1.2 Clio. Bought as a stop gap after a disasterous Citroen. Ended up keeping it for 4 years. Apart from servicing, I never spent any money on it. (Europcar was the previous owner). It even managed the odd long motorway journey, and it visited the Isle of Man a couple of times. I only sold it when i ended up commuting more motorway miles.
52 reg 1.8 (petrol) Laguna. It was 4 years old and only had 19k on the clock when i bought it. Apart from a couple of sticky electric windows nothing broke. (Which is better luck than most Laguna owners have). One minor starting issue solved by the AA. I sold it after 4 years as I was worried about future bills. Bearing in mind it was now 8 years old and nothing had gone wrong yet! Sadly i don't think it is on the road now.
My current car, a 56 reg 1.6 Astra. A couple of rear springs for its MOT, and a recall notice for an electronic issue are the only things fixed in the 5 years I've had it. I had a spell of working away 2 years ago. The car could be lying in the driveway for 1-3weeks at a time. It would always start first time even in the worst winter weather. Last year it took us from Scotland to Rockingham (BTCC meeting) and back, driving down on the Saturday and back up on the Sunday after racing had finished with no issues. Even after 5 years I see no reason to part with it.
Edited by ch108 on Saturday 4th July 22:48
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