Own a drivers car but no interest in cars!
Discussion
plenty said:
To be fair RD, if I lived in Canada I’d be on the track all the time. My last road trip in Ontario left me by the side of the road with an instant confiscation of car and licence. There is zero tolerance there for what in the UK would be considered normal if spirited road driving.
You get used to it...plenty of lightly travelled roads but you need to know them
No cameras though.
GrizzlyBear said:
I was told by one person (with a Mk 2 Golf GTi) it stands for Gasoline Turbo Injection... Speaking slowly didn't help with that one.
That reminds me of a guy that I worked with in the early 1980s. He wanted a Ford Escort Ghia. I asked what the Ghia stood for?
Well, he said after some thought, it means it's got all the 'gear'
I love how people make a judgement as to whether someone is worthy of a performance variant of a car based on their age and gender.
Describing people as old giffers/buffers like older people are a different species that are only allocated a a Honda Jazz, Nissan Micra or similar. Sir Stirling Moss fit that profile at the end of his life but would have still driven rings round us all. You just dont know what someone has been through in their life, sixty plus years of driving potentially and may have had all manner of really fantastic cars.
"Bimbos" driving higher spec performance models, the way we talk about ladies on here sometimes reminds me of the film "Chicken Run", "The Royal Air Force doesn't let chickens behind the controls of a complex aircraft". Again, some ladies are into cars, not as many as men but they are out there and even if they arent and buy it for different reasons then that is no more or less valid than what we buy cars for. Quite a few "Gene Hunts" on here !
It seems a lot like "Why should they have that, they dont even drive it fast like I would", thing is, unless you follow them 24/7 then you dont know what they get up to, or what they get out of having a particular car.
The tough bit is, life isn't fair, some people have more money to buy what they like and they dont need to check with PH is they have the right stuff to be deemed worthy.
I quite like it when someone has something decent but doesnt make a fuss about it, its just another facet of their life, not their entire life like we can get like on here.
Describing people as old giffers/buffers like older people are a different species that are only allocated a a Honda Jazz, Nissan Micra or similar. Sir Stirling Moss fit that profile at the end of his life but would have still driven rings round us all. You just dont know what someone has been through in their life, sixty plus years of driving potentially and may have had all manner of really fantastic cars.
"Bimbos" driving higher spec performance models, the way we talk about ladies on here sometimes reminds me of the film "Chicken Run", "The Royal Air Force doesn't let chickens behind the controls of a complex aircraft". Again, some ladies are into cars, not as many as men but they are out there and even if they arent and buy it for different reasons then that is no more or less valid than what we buy cars for. Quite a few "Gene Hunts" on here !
It seems a lot like "Why should they have that, they dont even drive it fast like I would", thing is, unless you follow them 24/7 then you dont know what they get up to, or what they get out of having a particular car.
The tough bit is, life isn't fair, some people have more money to buy what they like and they dont need to check with PH is they have the right stuff to be deemed worthy.
I quite like it when someone has something decent but doesnt make a fuss about it, its just another facet of their life, not their entire life like we can get like on here.
I can't say that I care that people who are not that interested in cars have fast/enthusiast cars. It's up to them.
That doesn't stop me finding it a bit odd that quite a few people(not necessarily wealthy) buy cars that are expensive to buy, expensive to run, uncomfortable, theft magnets and/or temperamental when they have no interest in driving or cars, never drive on interesting roads or even really go anywhere, though.
Quite a few friends and colleagues did this in their late 20s. Some still still do in their 40s.
I've been for a few rides in friend's fast/sports cars during which I've encouraged them to hang on to a low gear and wring them out a bit (including one with the aforementioned Boxster)
. Many didnt seem to realise that the rev counter worked beyond 3000rpm and coasting around bends, downshifting at the apex and sawing at the wheel is fairly standard. Some have been kind enough to let me drive their cars and bikes, which has been good.
For me it's not about the car.
That doesn't stop me finding it a bit odd that quite a few people(not necessarily wealthy) buy cars that are expensive to buy, expensive to run, uncomfortable, theft magnets and/or temperamental when they have no interest in driving or cars, never drive on interesting roads or even really go anywhere, though.
Quite a few friends and colleagues did this in their late 20s. Some still still do in their 40s.
I've been for a few rides in friend's fast/sports cars during which I've encouraged them to hang on to a low gear and wring them out a bit (including one with the aforementioned Boxster)
. Many didnt seem to realise that the rev counter worked beyond 3000rpm and coasting around bends, downshifting at the apex and sawing at the wheel is fairly standard. Some have been kind enough to let me drive their cars and bikes, which has been good.For me it's not about the car.
MC Bodge said:
That doesn't stop me finding it a bit odd that quite a few people(not necessarily wealthy) buy cars that are expensive to buy, expensive to run, uncomfortable, theft magnets and/or temperamental when they have no interest in driving or cars, never drive on interesting roads or even really go anywhere, though.
Some people will do it just for the image. I know a few people who have invested a serious chunk into cars just because it looks better in the works car park.My brother in law has no interest in cars, scared of driving quick and doesnt go anywhere, certainly not on interesting roads or for pleasure yet because he is management he spends about 80% of his spare cash a month leasing a Merc so it looks good next to his MDs Maserati and better than his staff's s
tters. Its crazy as he only works about 2 miles from home and for the last few months has been fully working from home so currently is paying the tick end of £500 a month for something to do the weekly shop in. RB Will said:
MC Bodge said:
That doesn't stop me finding it a bit odd that quite a few people(not necessarily wealthy) buy cars that are expensive to buy, expensive to run, uncomfortable, theft magnets and/or temperamental when they have no interest in driving or cars, never drive on interesting roads or even really go anywhere, though.
Some people will do it just for the image. I know a few people who have invested a serious chunk into cars just because it looks better in the works car park.My brother in law has no interest in cars, scared of driving quick and doesnt go anywhere, certainly not on interesting roads or for pleasure yet because he is management he spends about 80% of his spare cash a month leasing a Merc so it looks good next to his MDs Maserati and better than his staff's s
tters. Its crazy as he only works about 2 miles from home and for the last few months has been fully working from home so currently is paying the tick end of £500 a month for something to do the weekly shop in. I don't think its unusual for middle aged women to drive hot hatches. Wasn't the Golf GTI Mk2 marketed with a woman in a fur coat driving one? My wife has only owned 2 cars, a 205 GTI 1.9 and a Fiesta ST150. Both favoured in their day by younger males. She drives fairly sedately most of the time and I doubt she's ever red-lined either of them, but she appreciates the nimble handling and ability on occasion, to put boy races in 1.2 Corsas in their place at the traffic lights when they take liberties.....
Going back 25/30 yrs or so I used to see a very old lady- maybe late 80’s in full mad old lady gear (mad hat and dame Edna glasses) driving where I lived in a mint 2.8 Capri brooklands. Always made me smile !
Actually alternatively when I was a teenager my best mates mum had been a rally driver. Indeed her husband was a rally champion. So at the lights you see middle aged mum. Boy racer thinks I’ll blow her away at the lights. She’d just destroy them ! What a top mum !!!
Actually alternatively when I was a teenager my best mates mum had been a rally driver. Indeed her husband was a rally champion. So at the lights you see middle aged mum. Boy racer thinks I’ll blow her away at the lights. She’d just destroy them ! What a top mum !!!
MC Bodge said:
For me it's not about the car.
Absolutely not.About 3 or 4 years ago I had a Honda Jazz loaner, and down a B-road I knew well I rather upset a 20-something lad in an R53 Cooper S (carried a ton more speed through a clear-sighted corner than him and was 2/3 through a momentum overtake down the next straight before he realised I was even on the same road...good job, as he put his foot down straight afterwards and tailgated me for a bit). About a mile later I then passed a businessman in a Cayenne Turbo.
Nothing to do with the Jazz, not that much to do with me...both of them had 'performance cars' but for whatever reason were pootling down a lovely road in warm sunny conditions...
Wacky Racer said:
croyde said:
That reminds me of a guy that I worked with in the early 1980s.
He wanted a Ford Escort Ghia. I asked what the Ghia stood for?
Well, he said after some thought, it means it's got all the 'gear'
He wanted a Ford Escort Ghia. I asked what the Ghia stood for?
Well, he said after some thought, it means it's got all the 'gear'
I was always in awe of the Ghia models!
Wacky Racer said:
croyde said:
That reminds me of a guy that I worked with in the early 1980s.
He wanted a Ford Escort Ghia. I asked what the Ghia stood for?
Well, he said after some thought, it means it's got all the 'gear'
He wanted a Ford Escort Ghia. I asked what the Ghia stood for?
Well, he said after some thought, it means it's got all the 'gear'
av185 said:
bristolracer said:
I suspect a lot of Porsche Boxsters have been sold on their looks and status rather than their ability.
The slight flaw in your reasoning is that the Boxster is widely regarded as consistently one the best cars in its class.To me is no different to me researching washing machines buying a Bosch that does exactly what I want , has good reviews by experts and then get accused of being a show off when I could have bought a Candy/AEG or whatever the budget brands are for half the price because it still washes clothes.
it's always the same whenever a Golf GTI is comes up, this place ends up a cesspit when people start slating good very popular cars because they are popular & good ,
,
havoc said:
Absolutely not.
About 3 or 4 years ago I had a Honda Jazz loaner, and down a B-road I knew well I rather upset a 20-something lad in an R53 Cooper S (carried a ton more speed through a clear-sighted corner than him and was 2/3 through a momentum overtake down the next straight before he realised I was even on the same road...good job, as he put his foot down straight afterwards and tailgated me for a bit). About a mile later I then passed a businessman in a Cayenne Turbo.
Nothing to do with the Jazz, not that much to do with me...both of them had 'performance cars' but for whatever reason were pootling down a lovely road in warm sunny conditions...
There are few better pleasures than smoothly threading (briskly, but smoothly) a modest car along an interesting road and amusing yourself by seeing the people in much more potent machinery struggling around the bends. About 3 or 4 years ago I had a Honda Jazz loaner, and down a B-road I knew well I rather upset a 20-something lad in an R53 Cooper S (carried a ton more speed through a clear-sighted corner than him and was 2/3 through a momentum overtake down the next straight before he realised I was even on the same road...good job, as he put his foot down straight afterwards and tailgated me for a bit). About a mile later I then passed a businessman in a Cayenne Turbo.
Nothing to do with the Jazz, not that much to do with me...both of them had 'performance cars' but for whatever reason were pootling down a lovely road in warm sunny conditions...
The ultimate scenario being overtaking through a well-sighted bend - the driver in front slowing excessively and being unaware of the sight-line as it is beyond the end of their bonnet.
Especially if you can keep your family members happy at the same time.
aka_kerrly said:
You mean in exactly the same way the Golf GTI mk5 is well regarded by motoring journalists around the world winning various Car of the Year, Best Hot Hatch awards and group tests. Ever consider perhaps that you don't know a lot about a subject so you read a copy of What Car where they say the Golf GTI is their choice, you look in the classifieds an see one in budget & in a colour you like - that's ideal.
,
You nailed it for me. ,
The Mk5 GTI is a modern classic. In the lineage the best models were mk1, 2, 5 & 7/7.5. However, what makes the 5 stand out is it was a return to form and a very accomplished car. It's now 15 years since it came on the market and as good as the 7 and 7.5 are they are a hell of a lot more expensive.
I do believe it's a drivers car and probably the best in class at the time. I wouldn't compare it to a Lotus, Porsche or whatever else some people have compared it to because they're entirely different. However, the Mk5 GTI is a drivers car and this particular car I've driven and it feels great at a mere 95,000 miles and has been so well looked. There's hardly a mark on it.
To the owner it's just a car although shes really looked after it. To me it's a modern classic and I'd definitely like to have the car when shes ready to part with it. I suspect I'm in for a wait though!
Alfahorn said:
You nailed it for me.
The Mk5 GTI is a modern classic. In the lineage the best models were mk1, 2, 5 & 7/7.5. However, what makes the 5 stand out is it was a return to form and a very accomplished car. It's now 15 years since it came on the market and as good as the 7 and 7.5 are they are a hell of a lot more expensive.
I do believe it's a drivers car and probably the best in class at the time. I wouldn't compare it to a Lotus, Porsche or whatever else some people have compared it to because they're entirely different. However, the Mk5 GTI is a drivers car and this particular car I've driven and it feels great at a mere 95,000 miles and has been so well looked. There's hardly a mark on it.
To the owner it's just a car although shes really looked after it. To me it's a modern classic and I'd definitely like to have the car when shes ready to part with it. I suspect I'm in for a wait though!
They are capable but I do find a bit boring, certainly now. I wouldn't call them a modern classic by any means - because there are far too many made nor particularly a "drivers car"The Mk5 GTI is a modern classic. In the lineage the best models were mk1, 2, 5 & 7/7.5. However, what makes the 5 stand out is it was a return to form and a very accomplished car. It's now 15 years since it came on the market and as good as the 7 and 7.5 are they are a hell of a lot more expensive.
I do believe it's a drivers car and probably the best in class at the time. I wouldn't compare it to a Lotus, Porsche or whatever else some people have compared it to because they're entirely different. However, the Mk5 GTI is a drivers car and this particular car I've driven and it feels great at a mere 95,000 miles and has been so well looked. There's hardly a mark on it.
To the owner it's just a car although shes really looked after it. To me it's a modern classic and I'd definitely like to have the car when shes ready to part with it. I suspect I'm in for a wait though!
Great value for money though if you get a good one and put a remap and some very basic and cheap modifications can be made so much better.
While also I don't understand, people rave about it saying "It drives so well..blahblahblah" yet forgetting it has the same lifeless electric steering that many modern cars (EG BMW m35/m40i) , yet these people never say anything negative about the steering in the Golf yet they will bemoan the BMW, (or Mercedes and Audi's of the time etc).
the other thing to remember is the Golf Mk4 was so goddamn awful - as was the FN2 Civic and Astra VXR and Focus ST of the time for a variety of reasons, the Golf was just "the nicest" choice.
Also mentioning cost, I can't remember the list price of a Golf Mk5 GTI but let's say it was £17,795 - In 2019's money that is a shade over £27k. And compare what you get as a difference. I think RRP for a new Mk7R is around £31k!
Nicer interior, factory fit fully adaptive cruise control, adaptive dampers and LSD (optional) etc etc.
In terms of "drivers car" I'd say the best sporty hatchback at the time as an "enthusiast" was probably the older E-series 135i, twin turbos, nice hydraulic steering and a well screwed together interior.
If you want to compare directly to FWD Hatchbacks then the run outs of the Ep3 were a better drivers car , but were not as nice to use on a day to day basis.
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