Tell us your driving secret - it's safe with us

[biggbn]

Axe wound said:

Earl of Petrol said:

parabolica said:

I honestly believe in todays world there is not a single crap car to drive. Even the most basic, slow, built to a budget white goods appliance will cover all the basics to a perfectly acceptable level and it’s only car snobs who will decry otherwise.

Think you are right, and it’s been the case for some time. I can remember looking at new small, basic cars in the early 90’s. They all did the job.

Ever driven a Citroen C4 Cactus? They're woeful.

I'm a lucky boy in that I've had a few years of getting to drive tons of stuff ranging from £150 stboxes all the way to brand new Bentleys and out of every 'newish' car I've driven, those Cactus's are the worst. They're built badly out of cheap material. The steering feels like it's done by pulling two pieces of string. The petrol engines are hopeless, the front seats would be more at home outside a bus stop and the infotainment screen they use looks and feels like it's come out of a ToysRus catalogue. You'd be better off going to work on your hand and knees.

I love small, cheap cars because they almost always do exactly what you want them to do (like paulrockliffe's Citigo), but there's definitely still some crap out there.

Edited by Axe wound on Sunday 18th September 08:20

I like the Cactus, does exactly what it says on the tin. Each to their own. As my old papa said about whisky, there are no bad ones, it's just some are better than others

[Axe wound]

biggbn said:

Axe wound said:

Earl of Petrol said:

parabolica said:

I honestly believe in todays world there is not a single crap car to drive. Even the most basic, slow, built to a budget white goods appliance will cover all the basics to a perfectly acceptable level and it’s only car snobs who will decry otherwise.

Think you are right, and it’s been the case for some time. I can remember looking at new small, basic cars in the early 90’s. They all did the job.

Ever driven a Citroen C4 Cactus? They're woeful.

I'm a lucky boy in that I've had a few years of getting to drive tons of stuff ranging from £150 stboxes all the way to brand new Bentleys and out of every 'newish' car I've driven, those Cactus's are the worst. They're built badly out of cheap material. The steering feels like it's done by pulling two pieces of string. The petrol engines are hopeless, the front seats would be more at home outside a bus stop and the infotainment screen they use looks and feels like it's come out of a ToysRus catalogue. You'd be better off going to work on your hand and knees.

I love small, cheap cars because they almost always do exactly what you want them to do (like paulrockliffe's Citigo), but there's definitely still some crap out there.

Edited by Axe wound on Sunday 18th September 08:20

I like the Cactus, does exactly what it says on the tin. Each to their own. As my old papa said about whisky, there are no bad ones, it's just some are better than others

Okay.

[LunarOne]

There still are truly terrible cars. I had to take a 10-day trip to New Jersey in May this year and the best rental I was able to get for a reasonable price near JFK airport was a Nissan Versa SV which has to be the most hateful car I've driven since well, since the Nissan Sunny van with no brakes I had to drive in my first job. Underpowered engine, CVT transmission, FWD, numb steering, and a nasty plasticky smell from the interior. It didn't look awful and had carplay so it wasn't all negative. But seriously, it was just horrible to drive and the 'gas pedal' just changed the volume of the godawful droning noise it made.

[Jaguar steve]

LunarOne said:

The spinner of plates said:

Ok, if this is a safe space..

I’m increasingly confused and conflicted about whether I’m actually a car enthusiast or not!

Perhaps you're like me. A driving enthusiast rather than a car enthusiast. Don't get me wrong, I like cars, but I don't pore over power to weight ratios or worry whether I have Macpherson struts or double wishbones. I don't want ceramic brakes, because I never do track days. Driving round in circles on the same piece of tarmac holds little interest. Unlike some here though, I do dislike FWD cars unless they are small runabouts as I can definitely tell the difference.

I think that's me too. I'm not interested much in cars or day to day driving anymore and although I'm no Driving God like so many want everybody to think they are I do still look forward to going on a long journey to somewhere new or a holiday or Euroland road trip no matter what it is I'm driving.

You won't ever catch me joining in any internet circle-jerk over some unpronounceable Supercar or the latest Tutonic Uberwagon though, or having palpitations breathlessly anticipating an entire weekend alone in the garage with a car and 300 quids worth of detailing products and a box of cotton buds. I certainly couldn't tell you in an adenoidal whine and in precise consecutive order what all the VW Golf paint names and codes are and the thought of making a lot of noise whilst driving round and round and round and round in identical circles but going nowhere at all for hours on end doesn't appeal much either because, well because that's all jet skiers seem to do off the beach at Clacton.

[daytona111r]

I sometimes find driving on the motorway or through town can be more fun than on country lanes.

[grumbledoak]

Singing along. Loudly and no doubt badly.

[randomeddy]

parabolica said:

I honestly believe in todays world there is not a single crap car to drive. Even the most basic, slow, built to a budget white goods appliance will cover all the basics to a perfectly acceptable level and it’s only car snobs who will decry otherwise.

Oh I don't agree with that, we bought a 1.0L 3 cylinder Yaris for the wife, I was painfully slow and sounded terrible.
It didn't last long.

[C70R]

Roger Irrelevant said:

I don't really care what a car weighs.

So much this.

Evo and other magazines have convinced Joe Average that anything less than a featherweight isn't a "true drivers' car". It's also convinced them that they can absolutely notice differences of as little as 1-200kg between cars.

I remember a Z4 owner telling me how much better the facelifted version with the much (50kg) lighter engine drove, and how much better the (electric power-assisted) steering was due to the reduced weight.

It's hilarious really.

[donkmeister]

Super Sonic said:

MrGTI6 said:

I pass them on the inside and glare at them. They normally look really confused, though I suspect that's how a lane-hogger's face tends to rest.

I hope a nobody suddenly brakes in front of you while you're glaring.

But if you are undertaking an MLM, there is no-one in front of you... That's the point.

[donkmeister]

Sporky said:

Flanders. said:

I'm currently overseas and my hire car is a very basic Fiat 500 with the smallest engine fitted.

It's a fantastic car which I would love to have at home.

Holiday romance...

Having had a Fiat 500 on one of the Balearics I know what he means... I was all over Autotrader looking at them ("How much?! For something with the engineering sophistication and same BHP as my lawnmower?!") as they are fun to drive, but I think sunny days on almost empty roads where people don't take an overtake as a personal affront makes any car fun.

I fear having one as a daily driver over here would result in frustration.

[Slippybackside]

I cut in junctions last moment as I value my time more than someone’s emotions within reasonable safety
I don’t get mad when someone does it to me
I leave a gap in front if I’m already in incase anyone wants to do the above

I don’t hate middle lane hoggers on an empty road
I enjoy hypermiling a i6 with 450hp trying to crack more than 500 per tank of fuel

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Axe wound said:

Earl of Petrol said:

parabolica said:

I honestly believe in todays world there is not a single crap car to drive. Even the most basic, slow, built to a budget white goods appliance will cover all the basics to a perfectly acceptable level and it’s only car snobs who will decry otherwise.

Think you are right, and it’s been the case for some time. I can remember looking at new small, basic cars in the early 90’s. They all did the job.

Ever driven a Citroen C4 Cactus? They're woeful.

I had one for 2 years, and it was great. Did everything it said on the tin, and often got 70mpg+ on a long run. My youngest lad learnt to drive in it and he was sorry to see it go.

If you want a high performance machine that handles like it's on rails, it's probably the wrong choice.

[biggbn]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Axe wound said:

Earl of Petrol said:

parabolica said:

I honestly believe in todays world there is not a single crap car to drive. Even the most basic, slow, built to a budget white goods appliance will cover all the basics to a perfectly acceptable level and it’s only car snobs who will decry otherwise.

Think you are right, and it’s been the case for some time. I can remember looking at new small, basic cars in the early 90’s. They all did the job.

Ever driven a Citroen C4 Cactus? They're woeful.

I had one for 2 years, and it was great. Did everything it said on the tin, and often got 70mpg+ on a long run. My youngest lad learnt to drive in it and he was sorry to see it go.

If you want a high performance machine that handles like it's on rails, it's probably the wrong choice.

Said much the same earlier, great wee utilitarian cars.

[ESDavey]

I like the look of Austin Allegros

Best drive was in a 1.1 Ford Escort across the Welsh mountains in the damp

[carlo996]

Jaguar steve said:

I think that's me too. I'm not interested much in cars or day to day driving anymore and although I'm no Driving God like so many want everybody to think they are I do still look forward to going on a long journey to somewhere new or a holiday or Euroland road trip no matter what it is I'm driving.

You won't ever catch me joining in any internet circle-jerk over some unpronounceable Supercar or the latest Tutonic Uberwagon though, or having palpitations breathlessly anticipating an entire weekend alone in the garage with a car and 300 quids worth of detailing products and a box of cotton buds. I certainly couldn't tell you in an adenoidal whine and in precise consecutive order what all the VW Golf paint names and codes are and the thought of making a lot of noise whilst driving round and round and round and round in identical circles but going nowhere at all for hours on end doesn't appeal much either because, well because that's all jet skiers seem to do off the beach at Clacton.

Forgive me, but you do come across quite judgemental, despite the carefree attitude? Perhaps those Supercar and Uberwagon owners are slight more secure in their lives and choices? A very odd post.

[CallThatMusic]

The older I get the faster I go…

[457892345]

Seat belt locking clip to fasten lap portion of the belt down so when cornering you stay put.

Probably the cheapest mod you can do and one which benefits the drive enormously. Surprised oems not cottoned onto it with the sportier cars.

[Adam205]

Very rarely can I be arsed to put my A110 in manual mode, despite the internet saying it should have been a manual car...

[slipknotted]

Having driven a 350hp hot hatch on the road and a few GT5/GT4/GT3 Ginettas and Porsches on track, I have no intention to own a road car with more than 200 or 250 horsepower. Old Hondas with 100-240hp, a good manual box, lightweight, good handling and a fun exhaust are enough for me on the road, I like my license. Also not a fan of turbo lag lol, Not got to the track car bit yet but I can see the need for a bit more oomph, even then, the faster you go the more damage/death you're gonna cause when you inevitably bin it.

[Niponeoff]

slipknotted said:

Having driven a 350hp hot hatch on the road and a few GT5/GT4/GT3 Ginettas and Porsches on track, I have no intention to own a road car with more than 200 or 250 horsepower. Old Hondas with 100-240hp, a good manual box, lightweight, good handling and a fun exhaust are enough for me on the road, I like my license. Also not a fan of turbo lag lol, Not got to the track car bit yet but I can see the need for a bit more oomph, even then, the faster you go the more damage/death you're gonna cause when you inevitably bin it.

There is no lag with a modern turbo.

Know what you mean about 250hp though. Just bought this.