Cars you never see anymore on UK roads post-1990

Cars you never see anymore on UK roads post-1990

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Discussion

turbobloke

103,734 posts

259 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Fiat Coupe turbo
Vauxhall Calibra turbo
MG Maestro turbo
Ford Escort RS turbo
Escort Cosworth

oceanview

1,511 posts

130 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Volvo 440 series.

I bought one back in 2004 as I got it cheap and made a few quid selling on!

I remember it was ok for plodding around in but, didn't rev and rolled like a rolly ship in a storm!

Limpet

6,292 posts

160 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Early Mondeos, Astras and Primeras seem to be being bought up by the banger racers if the meet I attended recently is anything to go by. I must have seen a dozen first gen Vauxhall Corsas wrecked in one meet as well, which I must confess wasn't massively upsetting lol.

valiant

10,064 posts

159 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Alfa 145/146.

In Cloverleaf/Ti trim looked the dogs goolies. Sadly I think rust has taken most of them to that scrapyard in the sky.

swanny200

111 posts

137 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Conscript said:
Renault 25. Never massively common anyway, but I'm nostalgic for them as my dad used to own one, and I remember seeing others around at the time. I haven't seen on in the UK in about 15 years now. Have seen them in France however.
Can't remember when I last saw a Safrane either to be honest, or a Xantia but spotted a 605 estate the other day

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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I saw a Triumph Acclaim the other day. Not immaculate, but definitely not rotten either. Can't remember the last time I saw one on the road

Passeyfier

285 posts

128 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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It gives me great satisfaction seeing any of the aforementioned still on the roads. Whether they're driven by the elderly or just by someone who wants to keep their car going they're a welcome sight amongst the ubiquitous contemporary models I usually see. Saw a very clean facelifted Mk1 Laguna on the way home from work today which brought a big smile to my face. Mk4 Golfs still seem to be plentiful around here but I'll add Corsa Bs to the list as they seemed to have disappeared overnight, as well as Mk1 Clios and early 106s.

Mercky

642 posts

134 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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unsprung said:
So... one still sees the Robin Reliant about? Haven't seen this quirky car listed in this thread.
Its not a fvcking Robin Reliant, Its a fvcking RELIANT ROBIN.

jon_273

112 posts

86 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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unsprung said:
A.J.M said:
Average life of a car in the U.K. being scrapped is 13.9 years according to the SMMT.
It makes one think: When battery-electric vehicles become rather more common on the roads, how long will they last? No ICE moving parts. Brakes that, because of the regenerative function, endure for ages. Features and functionality which, in some cases, improve with time and are updated over-the-air.

After 15 years or so, swap the battery array for a fresh one -- and repeat. Might need to do something about suspension bushings though.
Will people will still want one at 15 years old though? What about when fashions change change and people want to have the latest thing...

gazza285

9,779 posts

207 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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The Hypno-Toad said:
Alfa Romeo Cloverleaf Sprint
Did any of these even make it passed the '90s? I had one in 1992 and it was a complete rotbox then...

Wildcat45

8,056 posts

188 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Valgar said:
I haven't seen a probe in years, still see a lot of 306s around though
I had a good look at one just the other day. It was parked at a little back street car repair garage near me. Quite a striking car. It really was rather nice looking, if dated. IIRC it was designed by a woman.

Sofa

415 posts

91 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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unsprung said:
It makes one think: When battery-electric vehicles become rather more common on the roads, how long will they last? No ICE moving parts. Brakes that, because of the regenerative function, endure for ages. Features and functionality which, in some cases, improve with time and are updated over-the-air.

After 15 years or so, swap the battery array for a fresh one -- and repeat. Might need to do something about suspension bushings though.
I’d imagine EV’s will (on average) last about as long as current ICE cars do, assuming their depreciation curves remain the roughly same and battery packs don’t become massively cheaper.

A 14 year old Nissan Leaf will probably be worth peanuts, so I’d be surprised if many people would be paying thousands to swap out the battery pack for a fresh one.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Mercky said:
Its not a fvcking Robin Reliant, Its a fvcking RELIANT ROBIN.
Well said ! Pet hate of mine !

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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I see a young lad driving around here in a brown Chevette hatchback. It actually looks really good.

rossub

4,400 posts

189 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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wormus said:
Scrappage scheme killed most of the 90s cars.
This again? No it didn’t - 95% of them died of old car disease like they have for 100 years.

MrGTI6

3,157 posts

129 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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carlover2000 said:
Peugeot 306
Perhaps I notice them more because I've got one, but I feel like I still see a lot of them about.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Mercky said:
unsprung said:
So... one still sees the Robin Reliant about? Haven't seen this quirky car listed in this thread.
Its not a fvcking Robin Reliant, Its a fvcking RELIANT ROBIN.
Grahamdub said:
Mercky said:
Its not a fvcking Robin Reliant, Its a fvcking RELIANT ROBIN.
Well said ! Pet hate of mine !
doh! [face palm]

sorry 'bout that! hehe





Bungleaio

6,324 posts

201 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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I just bought a Mk2 Polo from my neighbour as a none runner project car. Whilst working on it at the weekend I was thinking I can't remember the last time I saw one on the road.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Passeyfier said:
It gives me great satisfaction seeing any of the aforementioned still on the roads. Whether they're driven by the elderly or just by someone who wants to keep their car going they're a welcome sight amongst the ubiquitous contemporary models I usually see. Saw a very clean facelifted Mk1 Laguna on the way home from work today which brought a big smile to my face. Mk4 Golfs still seem to be plentiful around here but I'll add Corsa Bs to the list as they seemed to have disappeared overnight, as well as Mk1 Clios and early 106s.
See loads of Mk4 Golfs which I guess is testament to that old saying 'German Engineering'. Despite its faults - losing window panes in doors, rear washer pipe coming adrift flooding the boot - and generally handling like a boat out at sea, it's a tough car the Mk4. Especially compared to contemporary rivals.

Also frequently see some B5 Audi A4s (Audi 80s seem non existent now) mainly old 1.9 TDIs Avants with moon mileage. B6s still bob around but they are 2000s on..

Bowlers

431 posts

92 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Noticed a Citroën BX near my grand parents home, could be a 1 owner from new example by the looks of it.

Then passed a Renault Safrane the other day, similar to the one in Ronin.