how little do some people know about the car they drive
Discussion
I know there's likely to have been a few threads in the same vein, but I just have to tell you the 'Panic Conversation' I had with my sister on Sunday.
Just to get an idea, this is a single woman of 47, who has a Phd, owns her own house, holds down a decent job, and bought the 1.25 fiesta new with cash. (Well maybe a credit card, which she paid off with savings)
Sister: Hi, is that my brother ? I'm on the A5 near Shrewsbury, and I've just put the wrong fuel in my car, what shall I do.
Me : Phone the RAC, they'll take you to a garage, who will pump out the diesel, and charge you through the nose.
Sister : Diesel ? No, you don't understand, I put super unleaded in it, what should I do ?
Me : Buy a mars bar, check the tyre pressures, make sure all your lights work and drive home. Check your fuel consumption, because it might improve.
Sister: But they told me it only took unleaded.
Me : I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry, but you'll be fine, the car will be fine. Drive carefully, must go, I'm taking the dog to the petrol station so he can crap on the forecourt.
Just to get an idea, this is a single woman of 47, who has a Phd, owns her own house, holds down a decent job, and bought the 1.25 fiesta new with cash. (Well maybe a credit card, which she paid off with savings)
Sister: Hi, is that my brother ? I'm on the A5 near Shrewsbury, and I've just put the wrong fuel in my car, what shall I do.
Me : Phone the RAC, they'll take you to a garage, who will pump out the diesel, and charge you through the nose.
Sister : Diesel ? No, you don't understand, I put super unleaded in it, what should I do ?
Me : Buy a mars bar, check the tyre pressures, make sure all your lights work and drive home. Check your fuel consumption, because it might improve.
Sister: But they told me it only took unleaded.
Me : I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry, but you'll be fine, the car will be fine. Drive carefully, must go, I'm taking the dog to the petrol station so he can crap on the forecourt.
NateWM said:
I was at work cleaning a car outside when an old (but really mint!) Mazda 323F drove onto the premises and pulled up alongside me.
Him: "Ere mate, is dis a petrol or diesel?" (revving the engine)
Me: Petrol pal.
Him: "Cheers!"
He then wheelspins away....WTF.
that'll be stolen thenHim: "Ere mate, is dis a petrol or diesel?" (revving the engine)
Me: Petrol pal.
Him: "Cheers!"
He then wheelspins away....WTF.
95% know nothing.
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
I went to an MX5 club meet and was chatting to a chap about insurance - he had insured his as an MX5 - I pointed out it was an import - he had no idea.
I asked if he'd declared the mods "what mods ?"
It had everything from lowered suspension, performance exhaust, extra chassis braces etc he hadn't got a clue and bear in mind this was someone keen enough to join a car club !
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
I went to an MX5 club meet and was chatting to a chap about insurance - he had insured his as an MX5 - I pointed out it was an import - he had no idea.
I asked if he'd declared the mods "what mods ?"
It had everything from lowered suspension, performance exhaust, extra chassis braces etc he hadn't got a clue and bear in mind this was someone keen enough to join a car club !
Guy at work told me his Mini Cooper was useless in the snow due to it being RWD, my brother in law warned me about the treacherous handling on my 944, I said that the 944 is fairly forgiving considering its a 22 year old RWD car with no electronic safety aids, he reminded me the engine was in the back.
V8RX7 said:
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
That's so sad, I almost want to cry!They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
V8RX7 said:
95% know nothing.
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
Wow, that's hilarious. I guess you didn't want to tell them in case they changed their minds about selling it..I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
An old friend of mine was asked by an Aussie girl friend how many cylinders his car had -an E36 318i.
"I don't know.. Six, I think".
Okay, I know a lot of people who wouldn't know or care...but not someone who considered themselves a bit of a petrol head.
My sister in law arrived at the reception in my office the other day panicked, "I've just spent 10 mins at the petrol station and my fuel flap won't open, the light is on and I can't get any fuel in!"
I walk up to the car, look at the bent fuel flap (mini one) unlock the car and open the flap.
"Ohh, you have to have the car unlocked?!, why is that, that's weird"
I was going to tell her or even ask her if she had thought to read the manual, but it's a complete waist of time, she couldn't care less.
I walk up to the car, look at the bent fuel flap (mini one) unlock the car and open the flap.
"Ohh, you have to have the car unlocked?!, why is that, that's weird"
I was going to tell her or even ask her if she had thought to read the manual, but it's a complete waist of time, she couldn't care less.
Gaz. said:
V8RX7 said:
95% know nothing.
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
That's quite sad really. Why were they selling?I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
Gaz. said:
V8RX7 said:
95% know nothing.
I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
That's quite sad really. Why were they selling?I once bought an MX5 off an older couple with a hardtop fitted.
They said this was the hard top version which was very nice but sometimes they wished they'd bought the soft top as it would have been nice on a sunny day.
They were 100% serious.
Its a bit worrying really.
I remember changing the wheel at home a few years ago, some woman walking pass the house commented that I was mad and should have rang the AA, for a 5 minute job.
My brothers wife was on about the last shape micra not being has reliable due to peugeot engines (not quite, there tied up with renualt, but the micra still used Japanese engines anyway), then I pointed out that her diesel c max did actually have a peugeot engine. She was horrified by the fact it had a french engine, even though in has been faultless for years.
I quite like telling Mini, Mazda, Volvo, Suzuki, Land Rover and Jaguar owners where there engines come from.
I remember changing the wheel at home a few years ago, some woman walking pass the house commented that I was mad and should have rang the AA, for a 5 minute job.
My brothers wife was on about the last shape micra not being has reliable due to peugeot engines (not quite, there tied up with renualt, but the micra still used Japanese engines anyway), then I pointed out that her diesel c max did actually have a peugeot engine. She was horrified by the fact it had a french engine, even though in has been faultless for years.
I quite like telling Mini, Mazda, Volvo, Suzuki, Land Rover and Jaguar owners where there engines come from.
Edited by Noesph on Tuesday 29th January 23:26
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