Explaining French cars to my brother

[tinkertaylor]

Apart from the 205 GTI, my brother pretty much hates all French cars. I've been trying to convince him, regardless of reliability etc that the quirky French cars are uber cool, but he doesn't 'get' cars like this:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

I love things like the XM, C6, Vel Satis, Avantime etc etc

Can anyone on here explain/convince him as to why quirky French cars are excellent? If anyone has owned any interesting cars how was your experience?

[cuprabob]

Your brother is right, it's you that's wrong

[martin84]

You're a burke for trying to convince him and he's a burke for bothering to listen.

[surveyor]

I don't think you can. You either get it or you don't.

To be fair it's difficult to think of too many recent French cars that have the same 'calling'.

[MG CHRIS]

Your brothers right would never touch a french car turly hatefull things. But would have a 205 gti.

[CraigyMc]

Are you writing this from your ward? It's your time on the communal PC, isn't it?

Nurse!

[nagsheadwarrior]

Its all down to the Je ne sais quoi , like the delights of a hairy lady garden the French car will never be for everyone!

[tinkertaylor]

I knew i'd get replies like this

[wormburner]

98% of France's cars are bilge. The 2% isn't enough for a following along national lines. Just pick the ones you like. Trying to ignore the 98% and talk up the 2% isn't a convincing argument.

[martin84]

In fairness I think I get what the OP is saying. Peugeot may have slipped into making some guff in recent years for instance but they and other French firms do still make cars which are a bit more interesting than the standard German grey-good. A Peugeot 308 is more interesting looking than a Ford Focus for instance, but the latter is a better car. The Citroen C5 is quirky and fun looking, but an accountant would buy a 5 series.

[cuprabob]

Where is Papa and Nicole when you need them?

[CraigyMc]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Its all down to the Je ne sais quoi , like the delights of a hairy lady garden the French car will never be for everyone!

Yes, but while a pubic coiffeur is a trifle, replacing the crap wiring on many a French voiture is not the work of a moment.

[hedgefinder]

why try and convince him to buy something made of plastic, tinfoil and cheese and built to last as long as the journey home?

[tinkertaylor]

martin84 said:

In fairness I think I get what the OP is saying. Peugeot may have slipped into making some guff in recent years for instance but they and other French firms do still make cars which are a bit more interesting than the standard German grey-good. A Peugeot 308 is more interesting looking than a Ford Focus for instance, but the latter is a better car. The Citroen C5 is quirky and fun looking, but an accountant would buy a 5 series.

this is exactly what I was trying to say

[martin84]

hedgefinder said:

made of plastic, tinfoil and cheese and built to last as long as the journey home

Doesn't seem to stop uber petrolheads buying Alfa Romeos.

[Dactub]

hedgefinder said:

why try and convince him to buy something made of plastic, tinfoil and cheese and built to last as long as the journey home?

You have been watching to much topgear haven't you .

[tbc]

the 11th commandment is

THOU SHALT NEVER BUY A FRENCH CAR

[tinkertaylor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QphqydDiqvE

I lost all respect for Clarkson after this episode

He appeared to like it in the 1990's though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeYSE9K9Nus

Edited by tinkertaylor on Sunday 12th August 22:07

[GrumpyTwig]

Give up, most people are too blinkered and ignorant to even attempt to appreciate a french car. We live in a world of grey german cars and grey weak minded souls.

[Dactub]

tinkertaylor said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QphqydDiqvE

I lost all respect for Clarkson after this episode

He appeared to like it in the 1990's though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeYSE9K9Nus

Edited by tinkertaylor on Sunday 12th August 22:07

Topgear is great but it's a comedy show done for entertainment and controversy, problem is some people believe that it's fact and real life that's why you have so many mini clarkson pub warriors on here funny really;).