Quirky 'not that good' cars you can't get yourself to sell.
Discussion
Some cars seem either blindingly average or else are a bit tough on the eye to most, but somehow you just can't sell them as they have won a place in your soul.
I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
Not so much quirky, but certainly not that good...
My nomination is a 250k mile base model C220cdi Merc W203 estate auto in that god awful metallic beige colour I have kicking around.
It's tatty and worth a packet of crisps on a good day... but it just seems to fit me like a glove, has never let me down and I find myself agreeing to unjustifiable money when the annual call comes at midday after I've dropped it off for a service / MOT...
For years I've been saying it should go and be replaced with something more modern.
And financially I'm in a position to act.
Yet there it is, covered in road grime, still on my driveway.
My nomination is a 250k mile base model C220cdi Merc W203 estate auto in that god awful metallic beige colour I have kicking around.
It's tatty and worth a packet of crisps on a good day... but it just seems to fit me like a glove, has never let me down and I find myself agreeing to unjustifiable money when the annual call comes at midday after I've dropped it off for a service / MOT...
For years I've been saying it should go and be replaced with something more modern.
And financially I'm in a position to act.
Yet there it is, covered in road grime, still on my driveway.
I feel like my thread has arrived. Although maybe not that 'quirky'
Alfa GTV V6.
I have had it 9 years. At its peak it managed about 2,000 miles a year under my ownership (it was a gf's car for a few years where it was used more). I've always had the Monaro whilst I've had the GTV, so it almost never gets picked.
It's FWD, the engine is too big so the turning circle is a joke, the doors are awkwardly long and with no protective strips or anything attract car park dings, the windscreen is like looking through a post box, it's too low even though it's not lowered, the seats offer no lateral support at all, the driving position is standard Italian 'monkey' layout, the stereo is as good as inaudible, the boot is about the size of a couple of bottles of wine, the headlights barely illuminate their own housings because the bonnet covers most of them, there isn't anywhere to put anything inside the car other than perhaps a pair of sunglasses in the door pocket, the back seats aren't suitable for humans with legs, adjusting the driver's seat with the ignition on is playing airbag light roulette, if you don't tidy the seat belts out the way before shutting the door they put a dent in the door cards, I could go on.
But it just looks so pretty, and it has a ragazzon exhaust on it that makes my face pull bedroom faces. I have been saying I'm selling it for 6 years, and it's only a few months ago that I've managed to list it on Autotrader for the first time. 2020 was going to be the year...
Also, to the OP, I think the Avantime is brilliant, good on you for having one
Alfa GTV V6.
I have had it 9 years. At its peak it managed about 2,000 miles a year under my ownership (it was a gf's car for a few years where it was used more). I've always had the Monaro whilst I've had the GTV, so it almost never gets picked.
It's FWD, the engine is too big so the turning circle is a joke, the doors are awkwardly long and with no protective strips or anything attract car park dings, the windscreen is like looking through a post box, it's too low even though it's not lowered, the seats offer no lateral support at all, the driving position is standard Italian 'monkey' layout, the stereo is as good as inaudible, the boot is about the size of a couple of bottles of wine, the headlights barely illuminate their own housings because the bonnet covers most of them, there isn't anywhere to put anything inside the car other than perhaps a pair of sunglasses in the door pocket, the back seats aren't suitable for humans with legs, adjusting the driver's seat with the ignition on is playing airbag light roulette, if you don't tidy the seat belts out the way before shutting the door they put a dent in the door cards, I could go on.
But it just looks so pretty, and it has a ragazzon exhaust on it that makes my face pull bedroom faces. I have been saying I'm selling it for 6 years, and it's only a few months ago that I've managed to list it on Autotrader for the first time. 2020 was going to be the year...
Also, to the OP, I think the Avantime is brilliant, good on you for having one
My much loved RenaultSport Megane 225. I bought it just before RenaultSport launched a variety of tweaked models in the form of the Trophy, F1, R26 and finally the R26.R.
So it is a normal 225 with optional Xenons and climate control which I specified when I ordered it. Had it since 2006 and despite it having stupidly low miles for sentimental reasons and for lack of value anyway, I wouldn't sell it.
It's by no means a bad car, more comparable to a standard Focus ST of that era but it's not 'the' model that is revered like the outgoing models.
So it is a normal 225 with optional Xenons and climate control which I specified when I ordered it. Had it since 2006 and despite it having stupidly low miles for sentimental reasons and for lack of value anyway, I wouldn't sell it.
It's by no means a bad car, more comparable to a standard Focus ST of that era but it's not 'the' model that is revered like the outgoing models.
Citroen DS5.
Quirky because it had concept-car styling; huge great chrome sabres running from the headlights up to the door mirrors, it had three sunroofs, it had a myriad of switches in the roof between the left/right hand forward sunroofs, it virtually had jewels for buttons, loads of tech and you felt special driving it.
However, the 19” alloys gave it a very firm ride, fine on a smooth road but on older or poorly maintained roads it was rather jarring. The engine was decent enough, a fairly standard PSA 2.0 HDI but the gearbox was hard work; I’d read the autos were a bit rubbish so went for a manual, six speed job. However the gears were so short, you were forever changing gears and it got tedious quickly. So despite the wonderful interior, quirky styling and all the tech - HUD, directional Xenons, massaging leather seats and so on, it was a tiring car to drive any great distance.
I bought a Rover 75 estate to take over a majority of driving duties, however after 18 months the Rover was just the more comfortable car and easier to drive, so the DS5 was sold with a heavy heart, I miss it but I’m glad I had one. A great, quirky car although to many, perhaps rather “ordinary”.
Quirky because it had concept-car styling; huge great chrome sabres running from the headlights up to the door mirrors, it had three sunroofs, it had a myriad of switches in the roof between the left/right hand forward sunroofs, it virtually had jewels for buttons, loads of tech and you felt special driving it.
However, the 19” alloys gave it a very firm ride, fine on a smooth road but on older or poorly maintained roads it was rather jarring. The engine was decent enough, a fairly standard PSA 2.0 HDI but the gearbox was hard work; I’d read the autos were a bit rubbish so went for a manual, six speed job. However the gears were so short, you were forever changing gears and it got tedious quickly. So despite the wonderful interior, quirky styling and all the tech - HUD, directional Xenons, massaging leather seats and so on, it was a tiring car to drive any great distance.
I bought a Rover 75 estate to take over a majority of driving duties, however after 18 months the Rover was just the more comfortable car and easier to drive, so the DS5 was sold with a heavy heart, I miss it but I’m glad I had one. A great, quirky car although to many, perhaps rather “ordinary”.
Continuing the French theme, my 07 Megane DCI that I bought for £1200 as a "temporary" car three and a half years ago. I had just started a new job with a 60 mile each way daily commute and on the first day my borrowed Fiesta dumped all it's coolant on the M25 just after the QE2 bridge. I borrowed other cars from family for the rest of the week, but needed to buy something that weekend to get to work on Monday.
The only criteria were it needed to be diesel and viewable on my my way from work.
It's rubbish and noisy, but it has never broken down, and has only cost me a set of glow plugs, tyres and front brake pads in 33K miles. I also admit, 60 MPG and £30 annual road tax help.
I have toyed several times with getting something nicer but then think what is the point, especially as I am barely doing 400 miles a month now.
The only criteria were it needed to be diesel and viewable on my my way from work.
It's rubbish and noisy, but it has never broken down, and has only cost me a set of glow plugs, tyres and front brake pads in 33K miles. I also admit, 60 MPG and £30 annual road tax help.
I have toyed several times with getting something nicer but then think what is the point, especially as I am barely doing 400 miles a month now.
t but I still love it, and can't bring myself to part with it. Agree with you on the Avantime, I had a Citroen C3 Pluriel for a while before it ended up getting scrapped for having more issues than I could afford to fix constantly, I really really see the appeal of the Avantime though as the Pluriel was prefect with the open air experience except it was a little too small and had not enough power (and being truly awful in reliability and build quality).
Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
Agree with you on the Avantime, I had a Citroen C3 Pluriel for a while before it ended up getting scrapped for having more issues than I could afford to fix constantly, I really really see the appeal of the Avantime though as the Pluriel was prefect with the open air experience except it was a little too small and had not enough power (and being truly awful in reliability and build quality).
Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
Ah yes, my BMW 130i.
It’s a pretty average car and most find them somewhat challenging to the eye. However, in a world of FWD, 4 cylinders and increasingly more autos than manuals, I find it refreshing and different experience.
It’s got a great engine, sound ace, goes well and has a bit of character. It stopped deprecating about 5 years ago and costs buttons to maintain. I don’t need it but it’s staying, possibly forever.
It’s a pretty average car and most find them somewhat challenging to the eye. However, in a world of FWD, 4 cylinders and increasingly more autos than manuals, I find it refreshing and different experience.
It’s got a great engine, sound ace, goes well and has a bit of character. It stopped deprecating about 5 years ago and costs buttons to maintain. I don’t need it but it’s staying, possibly forever.
Seems to be a Renault theme running through this thread.
Ours is the Renault Scenic, on our third now. The current one is 17 years old, was bought for £1200 nearly six years ago and is still going strong, many scratches, a few dents and other blemishes, very versatile, comfortable, nothing to look at, starts first time every time, gets washed about twice a year if that, and has an oil change each MOT, but has been like a faithful old dog.
We never sell them, only scrap them.
Ours is the Renault Scenic, on our third now. The current one is 17 years old, was bought for £1200 nearly six years ago and is still going strong, many scratches, a few dents and other blemishes, very versatile, comfortable, nothing to look at, starts first time every time, gets washed about twice a year if that, and has an oil change each MOT, but has been like a faithful old dog.
We never sell them, only scrap them.
S16KBW said:
Agree with you on the Avantime, I had a Citroen C3 Pluriel for a while before it ended up getting scrapped for having more issues than I could afford to fix constantly, I really really see the appeal of the Avantime though as the Pluriel was prefect with the open air experience except it was a little too small and had not enough power (and being truly awful in reliability and build quality).
Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
even now I find myself tempted by a Pluriel as a town runabout..Avantime is top on the list of next car to buy when I have the funds
hmm now that I may be acquiring a C6 which is ideally suited to longer journeys, do I really NEED the C-Crosser as well? Maybe a Pluriel for day to day use would be fine
My Saab 9-5. I bought it for the train station car park but ended up restoring it instead. Only done 85k miles and with new badges, paint repaired and refurbished alloys it looks pretty cool to me. Stage one remap and about 230hp/260lbs torque it goes well too and I just like driving it because it’s so comfy. Scalps diesel rep mobiles with ease.
Dynamically, the Monaro is a bit crude also but having owned it since new in 2006, and spent about a million quid modifying it, cannot ever see myself selling it. Currently resisting the urge to fit an even bigger supercharger.
Dynamically, the Monaro is a bit crude also but having owned it since new in 2006, and spent about a million quid modifying it, cannot ever see myself selling it. Currently resisting the urge to fit an even bigger supercharger.
StephMurphy said:
Some cars seem either blindingly average or else are a bit tough on the eye to most, but somehow you just can't sell them as they have won a place in your soul.
I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
One of my must have cars, salut mon ami!!I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
StephMurphy said:
Some cars seem either blindingly average or else are a bit tough on the eye to most, but somehow you just can't sell them as they have won a place in your soul.
I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
Well Frank likes the Avantime, so I think you're OK with that one.I give you my Renault Avantime. A 2 door people carrier only the French could possibly have made with questionable reliability, build quality, fit and finish. Then add in looks only a mother could love and well, why have i still got it? I mean, come on, 2 doors?
For me it's the fact i never ever see another one unless i visit a friend in Bordeaux. It's the crazy design that is somehow so much fun. It's the sense of achievement when you sort the known issues these cars have. It's like a never ending project and a best friend.
The genuine good sides are the three litre creamy V6, it's standard 210 bhp lightly fettled upwards by around 25 bhp on this particular car, the useful torque from as little as 1,500 rpm and the lazy automatic which for such an old design shifts seamlessly up and down. Plus once used to it you can fit a good lot of stuff or people inside.
Anyone got a weird car they love?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCzDed7XoNY
I can also concur with the second poster. Bought a POS C250TD Estate (so a W202) for 700 pounds a few years ago. Bit bashed up, rust on every panel, 212k but it had a years MOT, was ridiculously economical and never missed a beat in my tenure. Personal circumstances meant that it had to go in the end and I expect that it wasn't far from the scrapheap but it was comfortable and relaxing to drive and I was sad to see it go, in some ways more than my Subaru (WRX Wagon).
Current one is a Chrysler Grand Voyager, which I've been intending to replace for the last 2 years. Quite fancy an X5/XC90/Disco 4 but in all honesty, we don't really need anything that big any more and the cost to change/potential "bork factor" doesn't really merit it. However, we've had it nearly 5 years now (was a year old when we got it but relatively high miles, so we got a great deal) and it doesn't really owe us anything now. Absolutely zero driving appeal but it's comfortable, my wife likes the high driving position, good visibility, the kids like it, it's surprisingly economical on a run, we can seat 7 plus decent luggage if we want to and you can fold all the rear seats into the floor and take a ton of stuff to the tip in it, plus I'm not at all precious about it, so if the kids wreck the interior/it gets a few dings in it then whatever. It has only needed a new battery, new set of tyres and regular oil changes in 5 years and 60,000 miles, so I've developed a grudging respect for it, if not love.
I expect it'll go in the next year or so though, as I picked up a mk7 Golf Estate last year, which would work fine as a family car and I fancy something with a bit more performance for myself.
Was a big fan of my second gen Renault Laguna I had as a stop gap. A slightly awkward looking thing, but I always liked it. It had the 1.8 16v petrol engine. I think it was later cut for being a bit under powered, but with 126bhp it wasnt properly slow, and made a great induction noise. Looking past the plasticky cabin, it was well laid out and the seats very comfy. Handled well and gave me no issues, bar the key card causing locking trouble and locking me out, proper rubbish that thing.
When I eventually did sell it to a mate, he crashed and wrote it off without insurance before he paid me. Eventually did get the money after months of him mugging me off. We've not spoken in about 10 years, a sad end to both the car and a friendship.
When I eventually did sell it to a mate, he crashed and wrote it off without insurance before he paid me. Eventually did get the money after months of him mugging me off. We've not spoken in about 10 years, a sad end to both the car and a friendship.
StephMurphy said:
Renault Aventime V6
Had a version of this engine in my 406 coupe, a nice engine with plenty of power and happy to rev. Very enjoyable. Edited by Pebbles167 on Thursday 17th December 18:56
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