Does your ideal car just not exist?
Discussion
After reading the "Do people really want drivers' cars?" thread, I was reminded of a conversation my father and I had about cars, bemoaning that car makers didn't seem to get close to making the car we wanted to buy.
1. My father is in a financial and lifestyle position to have a nice RWD/4WD sports car as a main car, but a couple of powerful diesels have left him utterly addicted to diesel torque and more importantly diesel mpg, as he still covers long distance for work. Oh and he's an auto box man.
So we decided he wants a Porsche Cayman Diesel with 250+ bhp and an auto box. Or something vaguely like that, except there is nothing vaguely like that.
2. I have a dog who travels in my boot most times I use my (weekend only) car. I like going quickly, hence I have a fast but very practical Focus RS MP350. However, I really want a RWD/4WD car next time. Also want something a bit more premium than a Focus, but no bigger, determined by garage space. And ideally with no less bhp.
So what I really want is a BMW 1-Series M hatch. Or something vaguely like that, except there is nothing vaguely like that.
Does anyone else sit down with their next car criteria and find it just doesn't exist?
1. My father is in a financial and lifestyle position to have a nice RWD/4WD sports car as a main car, but a couple of powerful diesels have left him utterly addicted to diesel torque and more importantly diesel mpg, as he still covers long distance for work. Oh and he's an auto box man.
So we decided he wants a Porsche Cayman Diesel with 250+ bhp and an auto box. Or something vaguely like that, except there is nothing vaguely like that.
2. I have a dog who travels in my boot most times I use my (weekend only) car. I like going quickly, hence I have a fast but very practical Focus RS MP350. However, I really want a RWD/4WD car next time. Also want something a bit more premium than a Focus, but no bigger, determined by garage space. And ideally with no less bhp.
So what I really want is a BMW 1-Series M hatch. Or something vaguely like that, except there is nothing vaguely like that.
Does anyone else sit down with their next car criteria and find it just doesn't exist?
I want a Lotus Exige with four doors, a decent boot, excellent MPG and cost £10k. Every car purchase most people make is a compromise.
Simple ways around compromise are two cheaper cars which satisfy all requirements - although when going on a family holiday in France - I always wish I had my old VX220 or even my Eunos.
Then it all comes down to budget and running costs. I'm sure given enough money someone could customise a Diesel Cayman or 1 Series Hatch M for you.....
Mike
Simple ways around compromise are two cheaper cars which satisfy all requirements - although when going on a family holiday in France - I always wish I had my old VX220 or even my Eunos.
Then it all comes down to budget and running costs. I'm sure given enough money someone could customise a Diesel Cayman or 1 Series Hatch M for you.....
Mike
1 car is always going to be a compromise.
I want a good all rounder with entertaining handling, lots of power, practical, good on fuel, makes a nice noise, nice manual box but somehow automatic for traffic jams/pootling, looks nice, anonymous, but also "different", safe, comfortable, toys, etc.
Just can't be done with one car!
Closest would be an manual e36 328i Sport fully specced up in a nice colour with a non-Evo M3 engine swap (don't like M3 looks) with a hybrid gearbox that can autoshift(!), but with a button that can turn it into an aero-screened V8 Westfield
I want a good all rounder with entertaining handling, lots of power, practical, good on fuel, makes a nice noise, nice manual box but somehow automatic for traffic jams/pootling, looks nice, anonymous, but also "different", safe, comfortable, toys, etc.
Just can't be done with one car!
Closest would be an manual e36 328i Sport fully specced up in a nice colour with a non-Evo M3 engine swap (don't like M3 looks) with a hybrid gearbox that can autoshift(!), but with a button that can turn it into an aero-screened V8 Westfield
What I want is V6, fastback/breadvan/coupe style like a Scimitar or Z4 coupe or TVR Tasmin.
Except it would have a sliding targa style roof, like a 993 targa. It would be RWD with a 6spd manual. It would be cheaply made, basic interior, with 2 seats, 15 or 16 inch wheels. Made in Japan probably sO it wouldn't break down.
Except it would have a sliding targa style roof, like a 993 targa. It would be RWD with a 6spd manual. It would be cheaply made, basic interior, with 2 seats, 15 or 16 inch wheels. Made in Japan probably sO it wouldn't break down.
Chrisw666 said:
I want nothing too fancy.
Just an estate car that has 300 naturally aspirated horses, RWD, and magic suspension that allows me to waft daily but makes it feel as delicate as an Elise when I am in the mood.
This this and more if possible but in something daft like a stripped out manual hatchback with stupendous handling Just an estate car that has 300 naturally aspirated horses, RWD, and magic suspension that allows me to waft daily but makes it feel as delicate as an Elise when I am in the mood.
Chrisw666 said:
I want nothing too fancy.
Just an estate car that has 300 naturally aspirated horses, RWD, and magic suspension that allows me to waft daily but makes it feel as delicate as an Elise when I am in the mood.
Can't think of anything that does all that but a recent 330i Touring gets close (275bhp)...Just an estate car that has 300 naturally aspirated horses, RWD, and magic suspension that allows me to waft daily but makes it feel as delicate as an Elise when I am in the mood.
DJRC said:
Since TVR went, nope 
Unfortunately that overlooks the fact that the reason TVR went bust is nobody wanted to buy their cars!Reading this thread it's no surprise the world is full of 3-series BMWs and dreary Audi Avants.... Everyone's too scared to buy anything remotely out of the ordinary.
Just a few days ago someone said they wanted a sporty 2-door coupe and virtually wrote a word for word description of the Nissan 370Z - but hadn't considered buying one!
Yes, I think it's fairly obvious that we all have to compromise.
That said, the examples you come up with are rather more interesting - there, you don't want stupid things (sorry, but they are a bit!) like a big soft four-door car that can still handle like an Elise. You're not trying to break physics or anything, your old man just wants a fairly small sports car but with some form of a very powerful diesel engine. Since the idea of small sports cars is poise, precision and excitement, whacking a massive heavy V8 diesel in them is rare practice. 335d Coupe is as close as you'll get.
As for you, yours is hard too, but if you ask me what you need is an S4, which aren't a lot bigger than a Focus. Some sort of M3 Touring would be cool if you fancy RWD, and there it gets difficult - a small RWD car with dog space is obviously hard to come by for packaging reasons.
That said, the examples you come up with are rather more interesting - there, you don't want stupid things (sorry, but they are a bit!) like a big soft four-door car that can still handle like an Elise. You're not trying to break physics or anything, your old man just wants a fairly small sports car but with some form of a very powerful diesel engine. Since the idea of small sports cars is poise, precision and excitement, whacking a massive heavy V8 diesel in them is rare practice. 335d Coupe is as close as you'll get.
As for you, yours is hard too, but if you ask me what you need is an S4, which aren't a lot bigger than a Focus. Some sort of M3 Touring would be cool if you fancy RWD, and there it gets difficult - a small RWD car with dog space is obviously hard to come by for packaging reasons.
Edited by McSam on Thursday 1st December 21:13
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