what car you've owned has most surprised you?
Discussion
As above, what car have you owned that has really surprised you by being either 'really good' or 'really bad' say pro rata to expectations, value or general ownership experience
It's my old Ford puma for me on the good side, was so surprised just how much fun it was and didn't give any nasty bills.
I had a nightmare with a vw polo gti that just gave up on life after 40k miles, so that would be my lemon unfortunately.
Would really like to see p/h ers' opinions on their cars, the ones you regret selling on and indeed the ones you regret buying?
It's my old Ford puma for me on the good side, was so surprised just how much fun it was and didn't give any nasty bills.
I had a nightmare with a vw polo gti that just gave up on life after 40k miles, so that would be my lemon unfortunately.
Would really like to see p/h ers' opinions on their cars, the ones you regret selling on and indeed the ones you regret buying?
My Passat Diesel is a lot better than I was expecting, it is ok to drive and comfy over long distances etc... and still going strong (touch wood!!) at 135k miles too. Far better than the Mondeo estate I upgraded from.
I was most disappointed with my TVR 350i but that's just because it went wrong so much.
I was most disappointed with my TVR 350i but that's just because it went wrong so much.
My first car, an A reg Ford Fiesta 1.1. It was amazing, did everything I wanted when I was 17, the only time it ever broke was when I was showing off so that was my own fault and doesn't count! The engine usde to rattle so badly that the main lead kept falling off the starter motor whenever I fired her up, that was my 'security' device - wouldn't start without putting it back on!
I also used to be able to start it, take the keys out and carry on driving, managed Basingstoke to Southampton with a mate before he clocked on that he was holding the keys to the very car we were doing '70' in down the M3.
I would have that car back any day of the week, seriously. So much character it was untrue, it always made me smile seeing other peoples faces when 4 or 5, 6 foot plus rugby players (honestly, and not 'PH' 6 foot'ers!!) got out of this shoe sized car and toddled off down the road!
Good times, good times!
I also used to be able to start it, take the keys out and carry on driving, managed Basingstoke to Southampton with a mate before he clocked on that he was holding the keys to the very car we were doing '70' in down the M3.
I would have that car back any day of the week, seriously. So much character it was untrue, it always made me smile seeing other peoples faces when 4 or 5, 6 foot plus rugby players (honestly, and not 'PH' 6 foot'ers!!) got out of this shoe sized car and toddled off down the road!
Good times, good times!
Bought my 309 GTI because it was great value and people raved about them. I was expecting to miss RWD and wish I'd bought another E30.
I was wrong, it is way, way more fun than an E30 and the handling is sublime. The dash may rattle and look a bit cheap, but once you start driving you don't even notice.
My best car purchase by some margin.
I was wrong, it is way, way more fun than an E30 and the handling is sublime. The dash may rattle and look a bit cheap, but once you start driving you don't even notice.
My best car purchase by some margin.
My current car. I went from an Impreza WRX to my 320d Compact on a 52 plate (was doing some long commutes) and I actually really love it. Its my first BMW but I'm a convert now. It pulls quite nicely, can go a bit sidewise when required and handles really nicely around the country roads here. Expected it to be quite boring.
Now I need an e46 M3 in my life though
Now I need an e46 M3 in my life though
W00DY said:
Bought my 309 GTI because it was great value and people raved about them. I was expecting to miss RWD and wish I'd bought another E30.
I was wrong, it is way, way more fun than an E30 and the handling is sublime. The dash may rattle and look a bit cheap, but once you start driving you don't even notice.
My best car purchase by some margin.
I was very nearly going to buy a 309GTi for my first car, I wanted a phase1 version, but after waiting around 6months I couldn't fined one so i brought a E30 lol.I was wrong, it is way, way more fun than an E30 and the handling is sublime. The dash may rattle and look a bit cheap, but once you start driving you don't even notice.
My best car purchase by some margin.
My MX5 has been a pleasant surprise, of being absolutely incredible for £2500. However, my big surprise is my old Ford Focus Ebony 1.6 Zetec. It was a really nice car to drive, with nicely weighted steering and excellent handling. It had a full leather interior and it was a lovely place to sit, and served me well for the one and a half years I owned it. If I had any complaints, it's that it suffered from minor electrical faults and the engine was fairly gutless, but it responded well to being driven hard to unlock it's meagre power. The suspension was excellently judged and relatively stiff without being crashy. It left me with a very favourable opinion of Fords, as did my mkV Fiesta Zetec S.
The Legacy. On the way home from collecting it, I mashed the accelerator expecting to be blown away by the performance. It was relatively entertaining as it came on boost, then thoroughly disappointing as it fell off the boost again...
... and then the second turbo spooled up and it felt thoroughly epic. A whole new order of magnitude of power compared to the MX5 that I'd just sold.
... and then the second turbo spooled up and it felt thoroughly epic. A whole new order of magnitude of power compared to the MX5 that I'd just sold.
dev635 said:
Interesting replies, I wondered whether more people would say their first car as many hold a special affection for them. Personally I had a 1989 mini that refused to work when it rained! Fun and anguish in equal measure
Stu-b, out of interest why was the aston so bad?
Not very quick. At the time the manual version was mooted as being the fastest in the World. Water ingress. Have had a few and very common problem that is difficult to eradicate. Sound deadening was - and I still find this difficult to believe - lead with foam stuck to either side. Made me think car was not well thought through at all. In other words a heavy car gets heavier and water problem is compounded. Just a poor driving car really with headline statistics blantantly a lie. Quality under the beautiful skin was shocking. Stu-b, out of interest why was the aston so bad?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff