Opinions on barges
Discussion
It's a totally vague question, so I really don't see what useful response you expect to get. If you need an answer, I'd say that a good barge is good, a bad barge is bad, a big barge is big and a small barge is small. Not sure what relevance your age has, but then I have no idea what kind of "barge" you're looking for.
Have a look at all the threads on cheap cars, such as the Bargain Barges thread.
Have a look at all the threads on cheap cars, such as the Bargain Barges thread.
This thread is where you want to be
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
At 18? Hope you've got an okay income. A proper barge will attract maximum pre- '06 tax and despite what people claim as their MPG 'on a run', a normal average is usually 30% worse!
Re: size, a barge is typically quite an old thing which means they're often easier to see out of than a modern hatchback. My old 5-series is very simular in size to my previous mk3 mondeo, yet it's much easier to judge when parking/driving down narrow streets etc.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
At 18? Hope you've got an okay income. A proper barge will attract maximum pre- '06 tax and despite what people claim as their MPG 'on a run', a normal average is usually 30% worse!
Re: size, a barge is typically quite an old thing which means they're often easier to see out of than a modern hatchback. My old 5-series is very simular in size to my previous mk3 mondeo, yet it's much easier to judge when parking/driving down narrow streets etc.
Slow said:
My focus is so f
ked its doing 25 mpg on a run , 15 round town.
I would spend the money on getting your focus running right, 25/15, unless you're running a badly tuned 2.5 ST or RS you have a serious fueling issue. ked its doing 25 mpg on a run , 15 round town.I don't personally think having a knackered car is a reason to go spend more money on another car just for the sake of it. Doesn't make sense?
Camaro said:
I would spend the money on getting your focus running right, 25/15, unless you're running a badly tuned 2.5 ST or RS you have a serious fueling issue.
I don't personally think having a knackered car is a reason to go spend more money on another car just for the sake of it. Doesn't make sense?
The car is going eitherway. I don't personally think having a knackered car is a reason to go spend more money on another car just for the sake of it. Doesn't make sense?
Going to my brother to learn to drive in. (march insurance is up and may hes 17 so might as well change in march)
And if it wasnt i would still get rid of it due to its so basic and poo
Mr Roper said:
johnnyBv8 said:
It depends how good you are at parking.
You park your own car? I suspect the OP cannot afford these though but he didn't specify a budget.
OP - as mentioned about, just peruse the bargain (I assume you have limited budget) barge thread. Remember, when barges go wrong (as any car can and will do), they are often more expensive to fix than cars like your Focus. Whilst fuel usage on a long run can be reasonable, town driving really fooks up economy on big/heavy cars.
Dracoro said:
The GS has a rear camera making parking a doddle and the Lexus LS can park themselves.
I suspect the OP cannot afford these though but he didn't specify a budget.
OP - as mentioned about, just peruse the bargain (I assume you have limited budget) barge thread. Remember, when barges go wrong (as any car can and will do), they are often more expensive to fix than cars like your Focus. Whilst fuel usage on a long run can be reasonable, town driving really fooks up economy on big/heavy cars.
My drive to college each morning is about 30 minutes of A roads and 5 minutes in town.I suspect the OP cannot afford these though but he didn't specify a budget.
OP - as mentioned about, just peruse the bargain (I assume you have limited budget) barge thread. Remember, when barges go wrong (as any car can and will do), they are often more expensive to fix than cars like your Focus. Whilst fuel usage on a long run can be reasonable, town driving really fooks up economy on big/heavy cars.
Looking to spend up to 1k or so as it only has to last another year. Would a bmw 5/7 series (e38?) be able to fix most, if not all things at home with non oem parts?
Slow said:
Would a bmw 5/7 series (e38?) be able to fix most, if not all things at home with non oem parts?
I bought an E34 BMW which is a simular era and uses simular tech to the E38. I previously had a Mondeo TDCI which is simular in tech to your Focus. I find the BMW much nicer to work on.Non-OEM parts are very often a false economy though so chose wisely.
As a long term Bargeist myself I have some observations.
Barges may well have a lot of power but they are heavier than a Very Heavy Thing which somewhat negates all the BHP available. Because they are so heavy accelerating and and braking all that mass with enthusiasm will use more fuel than you can possibily imagine. They do not handle anything like a hatchback either and I'd honestly suggest you leave the RWD oversteeer you might fancy a go at to somebody else. Most Barges don't have anywhere near the road feel you get with a hatchback, so it's very hard to tell what the arse end is up to and driving one very hard means you will almost certainly go into somebodys front garden backwards sooner or later.
You need to have a think about what you want it for too. Unlike a smallish hatchback Barges are not all things to all men and owning one is often a right PITA. They are often laughably difficult to park and manouvre in small spaces and more than once I've had to ask somebody to move to give me enough room to get out. They are a positive liability in narrow streets or county lanes and making progress through heavy trafic is much more difficult that it is in something small and nippy - and incidentaly If you fancy a little B road hoonage I know for a fact an 1.7 Astra diesel will piss all over my 240BHP XJ8 through the twisty bits.
If you want a comfy motorway cruiser with some toys to play with and are prepared to fork out £100 on fuel every 350 miles or so than that's fine - Barge away. But, honestly if you want something sensible and day to day useful then a Barge may not be what you are looking for.
To give some perspective Mrs JS and I have the choice everyday between a XJ8, a MG TF and a small diesel van. We're fortunate enough to be able to run all three without having concerns over which costs more per mile. Last year the XJ did just over 4000 miles between MOTs, the MG did around 8000 and the van did 9000. I'm way too old and fat to worry about what I'm driving or who sees me driving what and that should tell you something... correct and most practical tool for the job and all that, and on that basis the XJ comes last.
Barges may well have a lot of power but they are heavier than a Very Heavy Thing which somewhat negates all the BHP available. Because they are so heavy accelerating and and braking all that mass with enthusiasm will use more fuel than you can possibily imagine. They do not handle anything like a hatchback either and I'd honestly suggest you leave the RWD oversteeer you might fancy a go at to somebody else. Most Barges don't have anywhere near the road feel you get with a hatchback, so it's very hard to tell what the arse end is up to and driving one very hard means you will almost certainly go into somebodys front garden backwards sooner or later.
You need to have a think about what you want it for too. Unlike a smallish hatchback Barges are not all things to all men and owning one is often a right PITA. They are often laughably difficult to park and manouvre in small spaces and more than once I've had to ask somebody to move to give me enough room to get out. They are a positive liability in narrow streets or county lanes and making progress through heavy trafic is much more difficult that it is in something small and nippy - and incidentaly If you fancy a little B road hoonage I know for a fact an 1.7 Astra diesel will piss all over my 240BHP XJ8 through the twisty bits.
If you want a comfy motorway cruiser with some toys to play with and are prepared to fork out £100 on fuel every 350 miles or so than that's fine - Barge away. But, honestly if you want something sensible and day to day useful then a Barge may not be what you are looking for.
To give some perspective Mrs JS and I have the choice everyday between a XJ8, a MG TF and a small diesel van. We're fortunate enough to be able to run all three without having concerns over which costs more per mile. Last year the XJ did just over 4000 miles between MOTs, the MG did around 8000 and the van did 9000. I'm way too old and fat to worry about what I'm driving or who sees me driving what and that should tell you something... correct and most practical tool for the job and all that, and on that basis the XJ comes last.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Wednesday 9th January 12:35
Slow said:
Well the age means 5l cars are no use sort of thing 
Been looking in those threads but just wondering what it would be like being young. Having a car the size of a boat to park etc.
You do realise the UK isn't the only country in the world and not all countries drive around in tiny tinny little hatchbacks?Been looking in those threads but just wondering what it would be like being young. Having a car the size of a boat to park etc.
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