3 things you Love & Hate about your car..
Discussion
Car 1
Love...
The looks
The old-skool, unassisted-everything driving experience
The simplicity of the thing
Hate...
Rusty bits
Bits that rattle and clunk
Never having time to address the above!
Car 2
Love...
Effortless, mostly near-silent driving
Huge boot
It costs bugger all to run
Hate...
Crap headlights
Gets noisy under full power
Cramped rear legroom
One of those is a Capri, the other an Auris hybrid, I'll let you work out which is which
Love...
The looks
The old-skool, unassisted-everything driving experience
The simplicity of the thing
Hate...
Rusty bits
Bits that rattle and clunk
Never having time to address the above!
Car 2
Love...
Effortless, mostly near-silent driving
Huge boot
It costs bugger all to run
Hate...
Crap headlights
Gets noisy under full power
Cramped rear legroom
One of those is a Capri, the other an Auris hybrid, I'll let you work out which is which
Audi A3 2.0TDI
Love (well, like):
1) - DSG. Brilliant gearbox.
2) - It's pretty reliable.
3) - Economy is pretty good considering its the 170 engine.
Hate:
1) - The rattles. As soon as one stops, another starts
2) - It's diesel.
3) - How many miles I've put on it, and how much it's depreciated because of that!
Love (well, like):
1) - DSG. Brilliant gearbox.
2) - It's pretty reliable.
3) - Economy is pretty good considering its the 170 engine.
Hate:
1) - The rattles. As soon as one stops, another starts
2) - It's diesel.
3) - How many miles I've put on it, and how much it's depreciated because of that!
Alfa Romeo 3.2GT V6
Love
1, Front seats - By far and away the most supportive and comfortable seats I've had the pleasure to sit in. They make the interior feel extra special.
2, That engine - Should be number 1 really, So creamy smooth and tractable. You can drive around in pretty much any gear you choose. Then there's the noise, a lovely low rumble that continues into a racing car howl at the top end. To finish off Alfa make it absolutely beautiful to look at, I'll be painting mine crackle red soon.
3, It's an Alfa. I can't put my finger on it, but they make you feel special. They are flawed in so many way's, but unlike most other cars there's an obsession with making them the best they can be. There's far faster cars and better handling one's then my GT out there, but very few give you the same feeling.
Hate.
1, Fuel consumption - It's tragic. My wife drives the car during the week and covers about 5 miles a day and that's it. Great for keeping the mileage down but awful for fuel consumption. She gets around 17mpg at this time of year when it's freezing outside, even though it's garaged at night.
2, Gear change - Far too long.
3, I can't leave the dam thing along at the weekend. Always doing something with it, spending money I shouldn't be on things that could wait and are not important. Spending money on headlight restorer when really I should be taking the family out...
Love
1, Front seats - By far and away the most supportive and comfortable seats I've had the pleasure to sit in. They make the interior feel extra special.
2, That engine - Should be number 1 really, So creamy smooth and tractable. You can drive around in pretty much any gear you choose. Then there's the noise, a lovely low rumble that continues into a racing car howl at the top end. To finish off Alfa make it absolutely beautiful to look at, I'll be painting mine crackle red soon.
3, It's an Alfa. I can't put my finger on it, but they make you feel special. They are flawed in so many way's, but unlike most other cars there's an obsession with making them the best they can be. There's far faster cars and better handling one's then my GT out there, but very few give you the same feeling.
Hate.
1, Fuel consumption - It's tragic. My wife drives the car during the week and covers about 5 miles a day and that's it. Great for keeping the mileage down but awful for fuel consumption. She gets around 17mpg at this time of year when it's freezing outside, even though it's garaged at night.
2, Gear change - Far too long.
3, I can't leave the dam thing along at the weekend. Always doing something with it, spending money I shouldn't be on things that could wait and are not important. Spending money on headlight restorer when really I should be taking the family out...
1996 MK2 MR2
Love:
1. The noise. Even with a standard exhaust, the roar behind my left ear on WOT from 4.5k+ RPM is amazing.
2. Pop-up headlights.
3. The handling in the dry. It feels so calm and collected, even on twisty B roads. It feels like no road is too difficult.
Hate:
1. Handling in the wet. Even in the lightest of drizzle, immense concentration of the position of my right foot is needed. It feels like one wrong move, and it'll try and kill me.
2. Tyre size on the rear. They're 225/50/15, which are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of. I guess this isn't Toyota's fault, but still annoying. Tyres are especially important for me, see point 1 above.
3. Stupid ratchet seats. To get behind the front seats it uses a lever system, which when lifted sends the seat fully forward. After items have be placed/retrieved from behind the seat, you push it back, but it stops on the first 'click', and it has to be adjusted all over again.
Love:
1. The noise. Even with a standard exhaust, the roar behind my left ear on WOT from 4.5k+ RPM is amazing.
2. Pop-up headlights.
3. The handling in the dry. It feels so calm and collected, even on twisty B roads. It feels like no road is too difficult.
Hate:
1. Handling in the wet. Even in the lightest of drizzle, immense concentration of the position of my right foot is needed. It feels like one wrong move, and it'll try and kill me.
2. Tyre size on the rear. They're 225/50/15, which are becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of. I guess this isn't Toyota's fault, but still annoying. Tyres are especially important for me, see point 1 above.
3. Stupid ratchet seats. To get behind the front seats it uses a lever system, which when lifted sends the seat fully forward. After items have be placed/retrieved from behind the seat, you push it back, but it stops on the first 'click', and it has to be adjusted all over again.
Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet.
Love:
1. Peoples reaction when I put my foot down and ask what engine it is.
2. Abarth 500/Grande Punto share the same engine, meaning the bigger turbo's and such are a direct bolt swap.
3. Exclusivity - The shape is common as muck, but there are only 1600 Turbocharged Grande Punto's in the country, and it's nice to know that.
Hate:
1. The fact that chavved out Corsa's think they can have it, because it's a mere 1.4. (The side stripes might not help that!)
2. The ride, it's appalling! Especially on Bristol roads.
3. Getting parts is a nightmare. Took 2 days of solid looking to source a DMF.
Love:
1. Peoples reaction when I put my foot down and ask what engine it is.
2. Abarth 500/Grande Punto share the same engine, meaning the bigger turbo's and such are a direct bolt swap.
3. Exclusivity - The shape is common as muck, but there are only 1600 Turbocharged Grande Punto's in the country, and it's nice to know that.
Hate:
1. The fact that chavved out Corsa's think they can have it, because it's a mere 1.4. (The side stripes might not help that!)
2. The ride, it's appalling! Especially on Bristol roads.
3. Getting parts is a nightmare. Took 2 days of solid looking to source a DMF.
Range Rover Classic;
Love;
1) So versatile, can "climb every mountain, and ford every stream", tows 3.5 tons, can cruise happily at 80mph all day long, great around town and is extremely comfortable.
2) Image-less. People react warmly towards it.
3) It's feeds from the green pump, so it has a great soundtrack
Hate;
1) The fact the bodywork seems to disappear faster than the fuel in the tank
2) It handles like a dinghy in a storm
3) It was built in the early nineties in the midlands. To put it politely, the electrics are not the finest.
Love;
1) So versatile, can "climb every mountain, and ford every stream", tows 3.5 tons, can cruise happily at 80mph all day long, great around town and is extremely comfortable.
2) Image-less. People react warmly towards it.
3) It's feeds from the green pump, so it has a great soundtrack
Hate;
1) The fact the bodywork seems to disappear faster than the fuel in the tank
2) It handles like a dinghy in a storm
3) It was built in the early nineties in the midlands. To put it politely, the electrics are not the finest.
Lotus Elise
Love:
The attention it gets
It feels special everytime I drive it
The acceleration (fastest car I've owned so feels like a rocketship)
Hate:
The attention it gets (times when I don't want it to get attention i.e when parked unattended etc)
The drive in bad weather, it's at these times when I wish I had a second car
Love:
The attention it gets
It feels special everytime I drive it
The acceleration (fastest car I've owned so feels like a rocketship)
Hate:
The attention it gets (times when I don't want it to get attention i.e when parked unattended etc)
The drive in bad weather, it's at these times when I wish I had a second car
2004 Mk.1 Ford Focus Estate.
Love:
1: The handling, you can chuck it into a corners with confidence, even in its estate form, it lets you know in good time that you're being a tit so you can slow down if you're going to bin it. Not binned it yet.
2: Interiour comfort, I actually find it to be a very comfortable car, it is my first car so probably there are others that surpass it vastly in this area but it's comfortable for me, I can plug my phone into the radio and have all the toys I could ever want via that and it does a decent approximation of a long mercedes in my imagination.
3: 100BHP in a 1.35ish tonne vehicle isn't impressive to PH but in my circle of friends and acquaintances the power to weight ratio is quite respectable. Looking to get a car that improves this at some stage, probably an Ovtavia VRS.
(Honourable mention to the fact that it's my first car and therefore it's the best ever made.)
Hate:
1: Fuel Economy, Yeah a 1.6 engine white goods estate car is meant to be good on fuel isn't it? It's not really, I struggle to get 40mpg out of it, I can just about do it on a run with no cargo but that's not really the point. I wish I could get more out of it but I really can't, maybe I just need more practice.
2: Laggy throttle response, the fuel injection is lazy and tired, you can mat the pedal with the clutch in and count the seconds while the EFI says "who, what, should I be doing something now?" This makes it quite difficult to get into the habit of rev matching although I can do it below 30mph for all the good that does me.
3: Well a lot of it doesn't work but that's because it's old and has 130k miles on it. I am confident that I could replace everything that doesn't work for a nice, cheap part from the scrappies or ebay but I can't really be bothered.
Love:
1: The handling, you can chuck it into a corners with confidence, even in its estate form, it lets you know in good time that you're being a tit so you can slow down if you're going to bin it. Not binned it yet.
2: Interiour comfort, I actually find it to be a very comfortable car, it is my first car so probably there are others that surpass it vastly in this area but it's comfortable for me, I can plug my phone into the radio and have all the toys I could ever want via that and it does a decent approximation of a long mercedes in my imagination.
3: 100BHP in a 1.35ish tonne vehicle isn't impressive to PH but in my circle of friends and acquaintances the power to weight ratio is quite respectable. Looking to get a car that improves this at some stage, probably an Ovtavia VRS.
(Honourable mention to the fact that it's my first car and therefore it's the best ever made.)
Hate:
1: Fuel Economy, Yeah a 1.6 engine white goods estate car is meant to be good on fuel isn't it? It's not really, I struggle to get 40mpg out of it, I can just about do it on a run with no cargo but that's not really the point. I wish I could get more out of it but I really can't, maybe I just need more practice.
2: Laggy throttle response, the fuel injection is lazy and tired, you can mat the pedal with the clutch in and count the seconds while the EFI says "who, what, should I be doing something now?" This makes it quite difficult to get into the habit of rev matching although I can do it below 30mph for all the good that does me.
3: Well a lot of it doesn't work but that's because it's old and has 130k miles on it. I am confident that I could replace everything that doesn't work for a nice, cheap part from the scrappies or ebay but I can't really be bothered.
2005 Impreza WRX
Love:
The way it gets down the road. It's definitely not the last word in performance but it makes me feel a little bit like Colin McRae.
The grip. Love the way it can slingshot you out of a bend, even in the wet. It also has just enough slip on the back end to still be fun.
The noise. It sounds great from inside the car when out for a proper drive.
Hate:
The noise. Around town and in company, a little bit too much noise for the actual speed you are doing. And to everyday folk, that sound is also synonymous with chavs up and down the land.
Lack of 6th gear. Extremely capable car but it sits at 3,000+ on the motorway which is very frustrating.
Turbo and narrow power band. Still not completely used to it after a year, which is probably my fault but I think I prefer NA.
Love:
The way it gets down the road. It's definitely not the last word in performance but it makes me feel a little bit like Colin McRae.
The grip. Love the way it can slingshot you out of a bend, even in the wet. It also has just enough slip on the back end to still be fun.
The noise. It sounds great from inside the car when out for a proper drive.
Hate:
The noise. Around town and in company, a little bit too much noise for the actual speed you are doing. And to everyday folk, that sound is also synonymous with chavs up and down the land.
Lack of 6th gear. Extremely capable car but it sits at 3,000+ on the motorway which is very frustrating.
Turbo and narrow power band. Still not completely used to it after a year, which is probably my fault but I think I prefer NA.
Modified RenaultSport Megane 250 Cup (KTR)
Love:
1. The all conquering LSD. Makes cornering at silly speeds and being fired out the other side feel like you're a bullet in a gun
2. The looks. In my eyes, the most sleek, best looking hot hatch out there.
3. The pop and crackle on the overrun (something it wouldn't really do when stock)
Hate: (Hesitate to say hate.. more 'could be improved'
1. The sound system. Sounds like I'm inside an empty coke can.
2. Getting in and out can be a bit of a pain - Recaro's are great when you're in, but can be tricky getting out of!
3. Depreciation. Enough said.
Love:
1. The all conquering LSD. Makes cornering at silly speeds and being fired out the other side feel like you're a bullet in a gun
2. The looks. In my eyes, the most sleek, best looking hot hatch out there.
3. The pop and crackle on the overrun (something it wouldn't really do when stock)
Hate: (Hesitate to say hate.. more 'could be improved'
1. The sound system. Sounds like I'm inside an empty coke can.
2. Getting in and out can be a bit of a pain - Recaro's are great when you're in, but can be tricky getting out of!
3. Depreciation. Enough said.
2004 Skoda Superb TDI 130 Elegance
Things I like:
1. The heated leather seats= absolute comfort like your in your living room by the fire
2. The economy. Constant 47 mpg on hard spirited driving
3. How quickly it reaches temperature for a diesel
Things I hate
1. Corners really badly. Front left wheel especially & it slides in dampness easily
2. Great stereo system however door plastics rattle on heavy song beats so it ruins it. Effing annoying
3. The length. P sensors not operating and its pretty hard to reverse into certain spots even being a bloke!
Things I like:
1. The heated leather seats= absolute comfort like your in your living room by the fire
2. The economy. Constant 47 mpg on hard spirited driving
3. How quickly it reaches temperature for a diesel
Things I hate
1. Corners really badly. Front left wheel especially & it slides in dampness easily
2. Great stereo system however door plastics rattle on heavy song beats so it ruins it. Effing annoying
3. The length. P sensors not operating and its pretty hard to reverse into certain spots even being a bloke!
Renault Megane R26
Love...
1. The handling and diff
2. Good looking/different
3. 'Rarity' as not many non-PH'ers (especially 320d drivers) know what it is and think I've drilled holes in the rear bumper to poke my zorst through ainnit. That all changes when I plant my right foot.
Hate
1. The crap/cheap/creaky interior
2. Even the most basic parts cost a premium
3. The labour costs for fitting those expensive parts is even worse due to Renault making the car/engine bay layout so fecking awkward.
Love...
1. The handling and diff
2. Good looking/different
3. 'Rarity' as not many non-PH'ers (especially 320d drivers) know what it is and think I've drilled holes in the rear bumper to poke my zorst through ainnit. That all changes when I plant my right foot.
Hate
1. The crap/cheap/creaky interior
2. Even the most basic parts cost a premium
3. The labour costs for fitting those expensive parts is even worse due to Renault making the car/engine bay layout so fecking awkward.
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