Stupid things non petrolheads say....
Discussion
Cotty said:
m444ttb said:
I've met a few of these 'old cars are too expensive so I'll finance a new car' types. Never sure whether they are stupid or simply dishonest with themselves. If they want to finance a new Corsa then I've no problem with that.
My conversation with someone who leases a new Vectra every few years is they need to know what the monthly cost is so they can included it in their budget. If it goes wrong the dealer will sort it.Will not listen to the fact that the money saved could be put into the bank to more than deal with any problems that may happen.
Some people are amazingly risk averse. But if you live hand to mouth with nothing behind you (like so many do) maybe you can't take risks occasionally.
Stick a few tens of thousands in the bank and you can cope with anything. Instead of keeping it, though, most people go on a cruise and piss it away.
Baryonyx said:
Hearing non-motorbikers say "Oh, I'd love a bike, but I wouldn't ride one, I'd kill myself on one".
What is that all about? Usually uttered by someone who drives a prosaic diesel family car. What, you're soooooo crazy that you couldn't trust yourself to five minutes on a bike without dying three times over? Is it that they're scared of getting on a bike, their judgement clouded by pre-conceived notions about the inherent dangers of bikes?
I've heard this one a few times recently, as well as other people saying "careful on that bike; deathtraps, the lot of them...". Yes, there is something mystifying about piloting something that won't balance under it's own steam, and accident statistics are skewed by reckless young riders coming a cropper quickly, or the stereotypical DAS BAB having a nasty accident on the back of their brand new Ducati.
The funniest thing is that some of the people who make these comments are dreadful drivers, suffering from SUV-mentality, as they call it in America: crash, but avoid the results. Most bikers ride to the anti-SUV mentality, namely concentrate and avoid accidents entirely. The funniest thing is that I've even heard this line from petrolheads, a long time CTR owner no less! He craves racey handling, high bhp/weight ratios, revvy N/A engines and outright thrills, apparently like many a petrolhead bored with heavy, numb turbo 4 pot cars. He should try a bike!
It's perfectly rational.What is that all about? Usually uttered by someone who drives a prosaic diesel family car. What, you're soooooo crazy that you couldn't trust yourself to five minutes on a bike without dying three times over? Is it that they're scared of getting on a bike, their judgement clouded by pre-conceived notions about the inherent dangers of bikes?
I've heard this one a few times recently, as well as other people saying "careful on that bike; deathtraps, the lot of them...". Yes, there is something mystifying about piloting something that won't balance under it's own steam, and accident statistics are skewed by reckless young riders coming a cropper quickly, or the stereotypical DAS BAB having a nasty accident on the back of their brand new Ducati.
The funniest thing is that some of the people who make these comments are dreadful drivers, suffering from SUV-mentality, as they call it in America: crash, but avoid the results. Most bikers ride to the anti-SUV mentality, namely concentrate and avoid accidents entirely. The funniest thing is that I've even heard this line from petrolheads, a long time CTR owner no less! He craves racey handling, high bhp/weight ratios, revvy N/A engines and outright thrills, apparently like many a petrolhead bored with heavy, numb turbo 4 pot cars. He should try a bike!
I would be more careful on a bike than in a car, sure. The difference is this: if some douche rams into me in my car, I might be a little bit hurt; if some douche rams into me when I am on a bike, I would be a lot hurt or dead.
Outside a shop yesterday, a young guy pointed to my E350 CDI Coupe (it's the AMG Sport model which I never mention, as it's a trim level, but is relevant here).
Guy: "Is that yours, mate?"
Me: "Yes"
Guy: "You should've got the C-Class Coup"
Me: "Oh right"
Guy: "Yeah, my mates got a C220 diesel Coup AMG Sport and it's f
king well fast. Much faster than that!"
Me: "Oh right"
Something similar happened when a friend told me he'd ordered a brand new "A-Class AMG". I got a bit excited and badgered him to let me have a go when it arrived thinking it was an A45 - it is an A180 CDI!
Guy: "Is that yours, mate?"
Me: "Yes"
Guy: "You should've got the C-Class Coup"
Me: "Oh right"
Guy: "Yeah, my mates got a C220 diesel Coup AMG Sport and it's f
king well fast. Much faster than that!"Me: "Oh right"
Something similar happened when a friend told me he'd ordered a brand new "A-Class AMG". I got a bit excited and badgered him to let me have a go when it arrived thinking it was an A45 - it is an A180 CDI!
ORD said:
It's perfectly rational.
I would be more careful on a bike than in a car, sure. The difference is this: if some douche rams into me in my car, I might be a little bit hurt; if some douche rams into me when I am on a bike, I would be a lot hurt or dead.
That. Given that the majority of people on my commute can't seem to identify a car on the road without trying to have an accident with it, I dread to think how long I would last on something which is even smaller.I would be more careful on a bike than in a car, sure. The difference is this: if some douche rams into me in my car, I might be a little bit hurt; if some douche rams into me when I am on a bike, I would be a lot hurt or dead.
zeppelin101 said:
ORD said:
It's perfectly rational.
I would be more careful on a bike than in a car, sure. The difference is this: if some douche rams into me in my car, I might be a little bit hurt; if some douche rams into me when I am on a bike, I would be a lot hurt or dead.
That. Given that the majority of people on my commute can't seem to identify a car on the road without trying to have an accident with it, I dread to think how long I would last on something which is even smaller.I would be more careful on a bike than in a car, sure. The difference is this: if some douche rams into me in my car, I might be a little bit hurt; if some douche rams into me when I am on a bike, I would be a lot hurt or dead.
I don't drive a diesel car.
Cotty said:
m444ttb said:
I've met a few of these 'old cars are too expensive so I'll finance a new car' types. Never sure whether they are stupid or simply dishonest with themselves. If they want to finance a new Corsa then I've no problem with that.
My conversation with someone who leases a new Vectra every few years is they need to know what the monthly cost is so they can included it in their budget. If it goes wrong the dealer will sort it.Will not listen to the fact that the money saved could be put into the bank to more than deal with any problems that may happen.
£2-300 every month on finance for a new car is OK - most of it disappearing in depreciation.
Yet £2-300 one month every so often on repairs/consumables is expensive.
These people usually go for smallish hatchback type cars which are not that expensive to maintain even if you take them to a garage.
zeppelin101 said:
That. Given that the majority of people on my commute can't seem to identify a car on the road without trying to have an accident with it, I dread to think how long I would last on something which is even smaller.
I'd go with that. Though I haven't ridden (on road) for many years, I remember that from my first ride to my last I was always looking to go just that little bit faster. The best advice I was given was to imagine that everyone on the road was intent on killing me and ride accordingly. Occasionly this would slip to the back of my mind as I eagerly anticipated the upcoming straight. This is when a car would launch a surprise attack. "sorry mate, I didn't see you" as the saying goes. "I saw you, I just forgot you wanted to kill me" I've been lucky enough to be able to reply.My girlfriend was moaning the other day thatcher car (Suzuki alto) was too slow for overtaking when on the motorway.
Now her 1.0 car is obviously not quick but what made matters worse was that she didn't understand that to overtake faster she needs to drop it into 4th as she seems to think the gear that allows the highest speed allows the best acceleration.
She's also really harsh with the gearbox and keeps crunching the synchros. Never known anyone to have so little mechanical sympathy.
Now her 1.0 car is obviously not quick but what made matters worse was that she didn't understand that to overtake faster she needs to drop it into 4th as she seems to think the gear that allows the highest speed allows the best acceleration.
She's also really harsh with the gearbox and keeps crunching the synchros. Never known anyone to have so little mechanical sympathy.
jamieduff1981 said:
my perception of motorbikes remains. Partly it may be because almost everyone knows of someone who has been seriously injured or was killed in a bike accident. It does taint one's judgement somewhat.
Almost everyone knows of someone killed or injured in a car accident, but this doesn't taint their judgement.It's merely using convenient facts to support a prejudice.
jamieduff1981 said:
I'm in this camp too. I'm afraid of bikes. It's not so much myself that I'm afraid of, but I'd feel extremely vulnerable riding on the road. Possibly irrational, and statistically it appears safer per-hour of indulgence than private flying which I do enjoy, but my perception of motorbikes remains. Partly it may be because almost everyone knows of someone who has been seriously injured or was killed in a bike accident. It does taint one's judgement somewhat.
I don't drive a diesel car.
Well yes, but your rationale is that you're too scared of cars and other road users to try a bike. Which is entirely your own personal choice. At least you're being honest and not dressing it up with a "I'm so fI don't drive a diesel car.
king mental I couldn't trust myself on a bike, I'd kill myself" kind of thing.over_the_hill said:
I don't understand how they get the separation in their own minds.
£2-300 every month on finance for a new car is OK - most of it disappearing in depreciation.
Yet £2-300 one month every so often on repairs/consumables is expensive.
These people usually go for smallish hatchback type cars which are not that expensive to maintain even if you take them to a garage.
This is their exact thinking.£2-300 every month on finance for a new car is OK - most of it disappearing in depreciation.
Yet £2-300 one month every so often on repairs/consumables is expensive.
These people usually go for smallish hatchback type cars which are not that expensive to maintain even if you take them to a garage.
"Oh blimey, my car cost £500 this month. I better spend £300 a month for the next four years to avoid that again!"
Update on Fiat girl. Her Dad has had a look at all the contracts etc. and reckons she'll be better getting the car back. Apparently the Fiat has a higher safety rating than her boyfriend's car, so will be better for the baby anyway (despite only 3 doors, and tiny, tiny boot, I guess...), so she's getting in touch with the girl who bought the Fiat to try and buy it back. This will work out fine because "I've not sent the paperwork off anyway", despite this being about 3 months ago.
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