Cars types or manufacturers you would never purchase.

[S10GTA]

simonr100 said:

Actually as a 7 year old child I remember trying to encourage my dad to buy a Volvo after seeing adverts on tv where a Volvo was parked and another car reversed into a space next to it, hit the Volvo and damaged itself but no damage to the Volvo. I have been driven in a Volvo and it was a dull sad drive, uninspiring, lacking of any feel or desire, it did the job but that was it.
Now that I am older I see Volvos for what they represent to people - just a mundane car to travel in, no style but safety. Nothing to say I chose this car because I could, it's more because I had no choice. A BMW is far better made, a better drive, better looking etc. A Mercedes is better engineered still with more safety features.

You might not like the reality but that's how many people perceive Volvo drivers- unable to get better or unable to obtain anything more desirable. Or simply saving to get a premium car.

Sure they might go on for a while in mileage terms but what a dull place to be. I am done here, I just gave a basic opinion but others forced me to say more derogatory things which was not my intention. I didn't want to upset anyone.

Buy a Volvo and be happy, just watch others snigger behind your back but don't care because it was your choice.

I really wanted to write a comprehensive reply but I really can't be bothered.

You're wrong. And a patronising .

[anonymous-user]

av185 said:

Is there a 'right' place......clearly not. So rear engined is not compromised then...in fact with long established proven advantages for both race and road cars.

Anyway the 991 911 is rear/slightly mid engined with some distribution ahead of the rear wheels giving both rear and mid engine advantages.

I really don't know why people still go on about the Porsche having the engine in the wrong place.

The Audi Quattro which was considered ground breaking in the 80's but it had terrible understeer with the placement of the engine.

Even now the RS models are a hit or a miss.

Pretty sad when Porsche can get it right.

[SWoll]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

I really don't know why people still go on about the Porsche having the engine in the wrong place.

The Audi Quattro which was considered ground breaking in the 80's but it had terrible understeer with the placement of the engine.

Even now the RS models are a hit or a miss.

Pretty sad when Porsche can get it right.

It did take them a long time to perfect what was essentially a packaging rather than performance driven decision though.

S10GTA said:

I really wanted to write a comprehensive reply but I really can't be bothered.

You're wrong. And a patronising .

Can't argue with that.

[av185]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

I really don't know why people still go on about the Porsche having the engine in the wrong place.

The Audi Quattro which was considered ground breaking in the 80's but it had terrible understeer with the placement of the engine.

Even now the RS models are a hit or a miss.

Pretty sad when Porsche can get it right.

Absolutely.......and if any evidence were needed that the front engine layout is flawed you only have to drive virtually any 'Aldi' and immediately fall asleep at the wheel due to their numb and inert steering and poor weight distribution....and the so called RS models are no better.

But jump in a properly set up E92 or preferably E90 V8 M3 to demonstrate sublime handling and balance coupled with a stunning engine......the last and greatest of the model before the latest dire reincarnation.

[CaptainCosworth]

S10GTA said:

simonr100 said:

Actually as a 7 year old child I remember trying to encourage my dad to buy a Volvo after seeing adverts on tv where a Volvo was parked and another car reversed into a space next to it, hit the Volvo and damaged itself but no damage to the Volvo. I have been driven in a Volvo and it was a dull sad drive, uninspiring, lacking of any feel or desire, it did the job but that was it.
Now that I am older I see Volvos for what they represent to people - just a mundane car to travel in, no style but safety. Nothing to say I chose this car because I could, it's more because I had no choice. A BMW is far better made, a better drive, better looking etc. A Mercedes is better engineered still with more safety features.

You might not like the reality but that's how many people perceive Volvo drivers- unable to get better or unable to obtain anything more desirable. Or simply saving to get a premium car.

Sure they might go on for a while in mileage terms but what a dull place to be. I am done here, I just gave a basic opinion but others forced me to say more derogatory things which was not my intention. I didn't want to upset anyone.

Buy a Volvo and be happy, just watch others snigger behind your back but don't care because it was your choice.

I really wanted to write a comprehensive reply but I really can't be bothered.

You're wrong. And a patronising .

[Rawwr]

simonr100 said:

Actually as a 7 year old child I remember trying to encourage my dad to buy a Volvo after seeing adverts on tv where a Volvo was parked and another car reversed into a space next to it, hit the Volvo and damaged itself but no damage to the Volvo. I have been driven in a Volvo and it was a dull sad drive, uninspiring, lacking of any feel or desire, it did the job but that was it.
Now that I am older I see Volvos for what they represent to people - just a mundane car to travel in, no style but safety. Nothing to say I chose this car because I could, it's more because I had no choice. A BMW is far better made, a better drive, better looking etc. A Mercedes is better engineered still with more safety features.

You might not like the reality but that's how many people perceive Volvo drivers- unable to get better or unable to obtain anything more desirable. Or simply saving to get a premium car.

Sure they might go on for a while in mileage terms but what a dull place to be. I am done here, I just gave a basic opinion but others forced me to say more derogatory things which was not my intention. I didn't want to upset anyone.

Buy a Volvo and be happy, just watch others snigger behind your back but don't care because it was your choice.

You sound unhinged. Seek help. Talk to someone.

[spookly]

I wouldn't rule out any car brand. If they come up with a car that I like and I feel compelled to buy it then I'd consider buying it.

Some brands do have an aura of bad reliability, or bad ergonomics etc. But I often find people have these more based on feelings and perceptions rather than reality. Ze Germans have done a great job of convincing the world they produce reliable cars whilst churning out cars that are neither reliable nor cheap to fix.

I can think of Citroens, Peugeots, Fiats, Skodas, Audis, BMWs I'd like to own. I guess the only brands that haven't ever really tempted are the Korean white goods brands, but if they make something that looks interesting I'd not rule them out either.

[jamieduff1981]

Whilst there are certainly brands I'm simply not interested in, I think it would be overstating things to say "I'd never, ever buy one".

That said, based upon what these brands (Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Renault spring to mind but there are more) have come out with to date, it's hard to imagine a scenario where there isn't something else I'd much rather spend my money on.

That isn't to say these manufacturers couldn't come up with something good, but as a matter of personal preference there would need to be a cultural shift within the manufacturer to market something that appealed to me rather than their current target markets:

e.g. Audi make a mid-engine V10 2 seater, which should appeal, but Audi have successfully taken all the key ingredients and made them add up to something I don't want.

[brrapp]

Honestly, I really am a Pistonhead, but most of the time I don't actually 'choose' the cars I buy. I just buy whatever comes along at the right time and price that will do the job. I just bought my daughter a 2006 Fiesta 1.4 diesel at the weekend because it was low mileage, good condition and she should get at least 3 years out of it for my £1000. I suspect there are many more of us in a similar position, price, practicality and opportunity come with a higher priority than brand or colour.

(I did choose my MX5 though and every bike I've ever had.)

ps, I've owned both Volvos and Skodas and loved them.

[k-ink]

I'm not interested in any modern German cars. Too unreliable, overly complex, needlessly expensive to fix, dull to drive. You can stick your £600 indicators and dodgy gearboxes.

[anonymous-user]

simonr100 said:

after seeing adverts on tv where a Volvo was parked and another car reversed into a space next to it, hit the Volvo and damaged itself but no damage to the Volvo.

And then the world discovered crumple zones and realised that putting the whole force of the impact through the human body to show how tough their vehicle was was stupid!

[J4CKO]

swerni said:

J4CKO said:

I dont think most people actually remember the old Skoda jokes, or are at least smart enough to realise that seventies jokes by Jasper Carrott were referencing the old cars which were *slightly* better Lada alternative.

Also, Volvo owners obviously aspire to own one as they bought one, I dont think they are all driving round wishing they had something German, I think a lot actively dont want something German, perhaps finding them a bit vulgar and obvious, the X5 and Q7 are nice cars but they do come with some image baggage, the XC90 is a lot less of a statement and I think they seem classier for it.

Speak for yourself.

What do you call a convertible Skoda?
How do you double the price of a Skoda?
etc etc etc

Both Skoda and Volvo have a stigma for people who grew up in a certain era.

There isn't manufacturer I can think of that I wouldn't buy.
As for type, cars with crappy little diesel engines, life is too short.

We had a T5 for a few years, a silver estate, I was 26 and I bloody loved it, was the fastest thing I had driven at that point, the T5 was such a cool car at the time, head full of touring car versions on two wheels but with all the traditional Volvo virtues still intact, it was all the cooler for being a Volvo and I loved having it being relatively young, the stiff fusty image changed forever, that started in what 1994 and they seem to have gone backwards a bit now but they do make a slightly less blingy alternative to the German stuff, not sure what the stigma would be now, even in the seventies and eighties they were generally owned by middle class types.


I would have a Skoda over some other brands, I quite like the slightly puritanical communist vibe with a bit of rally heritage, Ladas and the like were dire and no fun to drive, ok an Estelle wasnt fantastic by any means but it was cheap transport and the last rear engined stuff appeared here in the late eighties, almost 30 years ago, I cant justify not buying an Octavia or Superb based on 30 year old jokes and to be honest trotting those out just makes us sound like my grandma calling the radio a wireless.

[silent ninja]

Fort Jefferson said:

silent ninja said:

Never contemplated owning a French car and never will. I just don't like them and they feel cheap and nasty.

Ones I strongly dislike are Audi and Volkswagen. Audis are just so showy and fairly dull blobs to drive. The new Q7 looks like an obese American.
I guess I dislike the owners more than anything? I drive a BMW 430d and I swear 80% of the cars that keep trying to undertake me, race me or just drive aggressively near me are VW Golfs! Mine isn't the fastest car in the world, but maybe they're used to dusting off 2 litre German cars and have little man syndrome in their hatchbacks...

If you get your head any further up your own arse, you won't be able to breath.

That's been my experience. Audis, Mercedes, BMWs, Jaguars, Fords...all fine and nothing out the ordinary. But every bloody time it's a Golf or Seat hatchback doing something dodgy. ahole overtaking me on a roundabout and cutting me up - it's a Golf. ahole almost in my boot when I have nowhere in front to go on the motorway - it's likely a Golf. ahole in right lane to turn right but you know he's going straight and just wants to cut you up - it's a Golf. I think the car attracts the young boy who thinks "yep I've bought premium, and this gtd is the dog's..."

Generalisation sure, but that's been experience.

[Xtriple129]

I have a real problem with any and all VAG products. I do not like the company now and am not that keen on the people who buy them!

There, just upset about half the population and a sizeable percentage of all Pistonhead readers

[Vitorio]

Xtriple129 said:

I have a real problem with any and all VAG products. I do not like the company now and am not that keen on the people who buy them!

There, just upset about half the population and a sizeable percentage of all Pistonhead readers

Quick, say something about BMWs and fast fords as well, and you've pretty much got 90% covered

Im not a big VAG fan myself either, its just four variations on each platform, with some brand specific changes (Posh golf, cheap golf with a big boot, cheap sporty golf and regular golf), and so far they dont have anything really exciting

Seat does come close, but then they went and made the Mk3 Leon another golf with different headlights, rather then the rather interesting Da silva designed Mk2 (back when they were still trying to be "the spanish alfa romeo")

[PomBstard]

jamieduff1981 said:

Whilst there are certainly brands I'm simply not interested in, I think it would be overstating things to say "I'd never, ever buy one".

That said, based upon what these brands (Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Renault spring to mind but there are more) have come out with to date, it's hard to imagine a scenario where there isn't something else I'd much rather spend my money on.

That isn't to say these manufacturers couldn't come up with something good, but as a matter of personal preference there would need to be a cultural shift within the manufacturer to market something that appealed to me rather than their current target markets:

e.g. Audi make a mid-engine V10 2 seater, which should appeal, but Audi have successfully taken all the key ingredients and made them add up to something I don't want.

This pretty much sums up my view of things. I'll buy something if it suits what I'm after. I have absolutely no interest in the entire range of many manufacturers - some of that based on past experience, and some based upon the lack of anything exciting.

I'll also add that as a previous Volvo owner, I'll not have another - just didn't want to drive it any more after 8 months, rubbish build quality, hard to get parts, and just dull. There's nothing in their current range that appeals at all.

In fact the number of cars that do hit the right buttons for me seem to be ever dwindling. I feel the need for a classic car...

[Nors]

I don't give a st what others like or dislike - thats their choice! I'll buy anything that ticks my boxes, at the time of looking!!

I'd never say never to any 'brand' if it had something in it's range that appealed.

I can understand if a certain kind of car or whatever doesn't appeal but I don't get the 'hate' bit. It's just a motor at the end of the day and nobody is forcing anyone to buy it.

[anonymous-user]

Vauxhall is getting plenty stick.

The new Astra seems to be getting a lot of good press.

Any feedback?

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-...

[Bradgate]

Mainstream Audis, Ie not the sports cars or S/RS models.

If I wanted a car like an A1, A3, Q3, A4, Q5, A6 etc etc I'd just save several grand and buy the equivalent mechanically identical VW or Skoda instead.

Modern Peugeots, too. This company produced some of the finest cars of the 80s & 90s, but has totally lost the plot and every modern one I have driven has been miles behind the equivalent Ford or VW.

Edited by Bradgate on Monday 29th August 19:34

[av185]

spookly said:

I can think of Citroens, Peugeots, Fiats, Skodas, Audis, BMWs I'd like to own. I guess the only brands that haven't ever really tempted are the Korean white goods brands, but if they make something that looks interesting I'd not rule them out either.

I would go so far as to say that the badly driven maxxed out pcpd ubiquitous repmobiles aka diesel A4 320 C class whatevers hogging the majority of outside lanes on UK motorways have diluted the once 'premium' image associated with 'Aldi' BMW and Merc which disappeared long ago and further ill advised brand advertising by the likes of Tinih Tempah bruv innit and his ilk have contributed to their relegation to essentially 'white goods' too.

I mean, does anyone driving the likes of an A4 diesel seriously think they are 'premium' when the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall is actually the better car. Comedy gold if only on delusion...

Edited by av185 on Monday 29th August 21:00