The Car Thread.

[Gray]

Lost my no claims by not having any insurance for 3 years after being told incorrectly about driving my wife's car.

☹️ You can rely on insurance companies to have illogical T & C....ones that always, magically, seem to work in their favour.

If you were given incorrect advice over the phone, the conversation was almost certainly recorded - just a shame it took 3 years before you felt the negative effect.

 

[michael hoy]

☹️ You can rely on insurance companies to have illogical T & C....ones that always, magically, seem to work in their favour.

If you were given incorrect advice over the phone, the conversation was almost certainly recorded - just a shame it took 3 years before you felt the negative effect.

I tried to sort it out with 3 weeks left but all i got was we have a new system and your data will be on the old one. Someone will comeback to you in 48 hrs.
Needless to say having made contact many times nothing transpired.

 

[Gray]

I tried to sort it out with 3 weeks left but all i got was we have a new system and your data will be on the old one. Someone will comeback to you in 48 hrs.
Needless to say having made contact many times nothing transpired.

They make their own rules Michael.
AXA put me on the house claims database purely for making an enquiry.
They even rejected the Ombudsman office's first instruction to do the right thing.
Eventually they were made to do it and pay (not enough) compensation.
An often despicable industry, unavoidable for car owners needing to (legally) drive🤨

 

[plastic penguin]

Just seen this 2012 Focus ST-3 estate, in my fav colour. But at 9k is that too expensive?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Just seen this 2012 Focus ST-3 estate, in my fav colour. But at 9k is that too expensive?

Hard to know. Used car prices are still higher than they were pre-pandemic.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hard to know. Used car prices are still higher than they were pre-pandemic.

Cheers 12th. Some brands have dipped over the last 12-18 months, while others have crept up. And it's even harder as the ST estate is quite rare on a dealers forecourt.

While I adore my Alfa, it's as sweet as a nut, after 18 unbroken years of Alfa ownership, I fancy a change.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

While I adore my Alfa, it's as sweet as a nut, after 18 unbroken years of Alfa ownership, I fancy a change.

Sounds like a test drive might be in order?

 

[plastic penguin]

Sounds like a test drive might be in order?

Could well be right

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Could well be right

Just in case you do buy and were tempted to use dealer finance (which I suspect you won't be), there's a bit in this week's Autocar about commissions and the FCA taking an interest. In some instances, GAP cover costs are as much as 70% commission, and dealer finance rates can be double the lowest that they can offer in order to generate a shedload of undisclosed income. Given that hard disclosure came to financial services twenty-odd years ago, I'm baffled as to why car dealers haven't had similar obligations imposed before now - but it is being forced upon them.

 

[plastic penguin]

Just in case you do buy and were tempted to use dealer finance (which I suspect you won't be), there's a bit in this week's Autocar about commissions and the FCA taking an interest. In some instances, GAP cover costs are as much as 70% commission, and dealer finance rates can be double the lowest that they can offer in order to generate a shedload of undisclosed income. Given that hard disclosure came to financial services twenty-odd years ago, I'm baffled as to why car dealers haven't had similar obligations imposed before now - but it is being forced upon them.

Thanks for that. I did and I haven't.

Test drove it and goes like a rocket, but it's a typical Dagenham dustbin. Nice but lacks character.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Thanks for that. I did and I haven't.

Test drove it and goes like a rocket, but it's a typical Dagenham dustbin. Nice but lacks character.

Maybe that's scratched the itch, then?

 

[plastic penguin]

Maybe that's scratched the itch, then?

Yep.

 

[michael hoy]

I purchased one of the below recently.
Very nice to drive, quite inside and all the bells and whistles you would ever need.
Best picture i could find

 

[Revolutions]

Just had a week in Ibiza with this 330i. Lovely car. Speedy, comfortable & just about everything is automated, including locking & unlocking. A pleasure to drive.

A few months back I hired a Polestar 2. Apart from lack of wireless phone charging you get in a Tesla model 3, and the superfast charging, all round a nicer experience imo. The interior feels more like a futuristic ‘normal’ car than Tesla, which is a touch sparse & feels odd.

I’m starting to compile a Goldilocks set of features for the day I actually buy a car again. Been 12 years now since I last owned one 😳

 

[Friesiansam]

I’m starting to compile a Goldilocks set of features for the day I actually buy a car again.

Wheels are a good starting point, always useful!

 

[plastic penguin]

Just had a week in Ibiza with this 330i. Lovely car. Speedy, comfortable & just about everything is automated, including locking & unlocking. A pleasure to drive.

A few months back I hired a Polestar 2. Apart from lack of wireless phone charging you get in a Tesla model 3, and the superfast charging, all round a nicer experience imo. The interior feels more like a futuristic ‘normal’ car than Tesla, which is a touch sparse & feels odd.

I’m starting to compile a Goldilocks set of features for the day I actually buy a car again. Been 12 years now since I last owned one 😳

(Groan)

BMW are cars for those who can't think for themselves (present company excepted). It's not the prettiest car around. The grill looks like Kenneth William's nostrils.

The only BMW I like is the old E30 325i Touring. Otherwise, they are meh.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Test drove it and goes like a rocket, but it's a typical Dagenham dustbin.

Must have dreamt about this phrase last night. I drove an electric Mustang, and the interior was comically low-rent. It also had tyres like those hollow plastic ones that used to be attached to kids' ride-on toys in the '70s/'80s. It also had a dial to add in a V8 soundtrack, but when activated it also played a blatantly racist corporate video on its screen.

Make of that what you will. Not sure I can...

 

[plastic penguin]

Must have dreamt about this phrase last night. I drove an electric Mustang, and the interior was comically low-rent. It also had tyres like those hollow plastic ones that used to be attached to kids' ride-on toys in the '70s/'80s. It also had a dial to add in a V8 soundtrack, but when activated it also played a blatantly racist corporate video on its screen.

Make of that what you will. Not sure I can...

😂

That sounds normal for a modern Mustang. They have very cheap interiors....

 

[Friesiansam]

Must have dreamt about this phrase last night. I drove an electric Mustang, and the interior was comically low-rent. It also had tyres like those hollow plastic ones that used to be attached to kids' ride-on toys in the '70s/'80s. It also had a dial to add in a V8 soundtrack, but when activated it also played a blatantly racist corporate video on its screen.

Make of that what you will. Not sure I can...

Given the cars that Ford has given the Mustang and Capri names too, it seems Ford don't give a toss about their brand heritage.

EDIT: Saw and heard a Mustang go past whilst waiting to turn right out of the village this morning. 'Twas a proper one, with a real V8 burble...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Given the cars that Ford has given the Mustang and Capri names too, it seems Ford don't give a toss about their brand heritage.

Given that some of them now ride dreadfully, I suspect Richard Parry-Jones is (wheel)spinning in his grave.

 

[plastic penguin]

You see I'm quite a rare bunny. All the bells and whistles in a car doesn't interest me. At the shops earlier and this Merc was parked at the side of the Alfa. When the owner opened the door it had ambient lighting in the door cards, the owner said he can change the colours if needed.

I just love a car that's driver focused rather than unnecessary toys.

 

[Al ears]

You see I'm quite a rare bunny. All the bells and whistles in a car doesn't interest me. At the shops earlier and this Merc was parked at the side of the Alfa. When the owner opened the door it had ambient lighting in the door cards, the owner said he can change the colours if needed.

I just love a car that's driver focused rather than unnecessary toys.

The little toys only amplify the desirability of a driver focused car.....
You can have both you know.

 

[Friesiansam]

You see I'm quite a rare bunny. All the bells and whistles in a car doesn't interest me. At the shops earlier and this Merc was parked at the side of the Alfa. When the owner opened the door it had ambient lighting in the door cards, the owner said he can change the colours if needed.

I just love a car that's driver focused rather than unnecessary toys.

The little toys only amplify the desirability of a driver focused car.....
You can have both you know.

I’m with PP on this.

 

[plastic penguin]

The little toys only amplify the desirability of a driver focused car.....
You can have both you know.

It's only desirable if you like technology. When it comes to warning lights or other gizmos, that's fine. Otherwise, it adds weight and expensive if this tech goes pear shaped. With some brands they plough more into the tech than the drivability. One reason I dislike EVs.

I've got nothing against EVs as an alternative to trad petrol or diesel, but it's like sitting in a mobile laptop. Mrs. Ps brother has a Tesla Model S. It's so fast but totally soulless and the tech is ridiculous.

 

[Revolutions]

I know this is probably a bit busy for you, but gotta love a car with no unnecessary extras.