The Car Thread.

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

McClaren(sic) is currently the pivotal team but it could change second half of the season, I don't think Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull are two far behind.

McLaren is going nowhere except staying on top, they clearly have the best car and two of the best drivers. I stopped watching F1 when it began looking like strategy was more important than the drivers, in determining the results and, when the cars began to sound like overpowered leaf blowers.

Drivers have been saying, for a long time, the racing would be better with less downforce, limiting the maximum g-forces and, wider tyres for more low-speed grip, both measures creating more overtaking opportunities.

 

[DougK1]

I have returned to F1 and I'm starting to enjoy it once again. A lot of British talent, perhaps it's time for whining Hamilton to retire?
Amazing what McClaren has done with the Mercedes engine and odd the Mercedes team, who have the crème de la crème pick of their engines is so behind McClaren, so weird!

Well done Lando, it's going down to the wire. Oscar Piastri has the slight edge, I do hope he doesn't start ramming his team mate off the circuit. It's also great you don't currently see this level of cynicism, good to see the end of Schumacher win at all costs mentality and nice to see some level of comradery and sportsmanship coming back into F1, which was sadly lacking in the past.

Highlights for me was the crazy duel between George Russell and Charles Leclerc, little reckless on the Frenchman's part, glad Russell made it to the podium.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F1-2025-Hungarian-GrandPrix.webp

I've been an avid viewer since the late 70's. Nearly stopped watching after the farcical Verstappen championship win in 2021. You've probably missed the Max "win at all costs" mentality over the years, but he's b*ggered this year as he hasn't got a good car, but doesn't stop him pushing other drivers off the track.

Never forget the Hamilton-Verstappen incident a few years ago at Silverstone where he blamed Lewis for pushing him off the track and ending his race. Strange that the following year Leclerc and Hamilton managed to get around the same corner side by side without issue. The Max and Lewis battle went on for few seasons, in one incident Max's rear wheel ran over Lewis's head, fortunately the Halo cockpit protection system had been introduced. Max is renowned for being a bully on the track, but the drivers aren't scared of him anymore.

There are some great youngsters coming through the ranks. Piastri is an incredible driver, given the right strategy through the race. I'd say he's untouchable and such a cool lad as well, gotta have an Aussie in F1 🙂

McLaren have both trophies in the bag this year. My money is on Oscar to win the drivers championship. As for Lewis, I think he'll retire at the end of the season, he's not having a good time at Ferrari. In his post quali interview at the weekend he actually said that maybe Ferrari need a new driver.

 

[Jasonovich]

I've been an avid viewer since the late 70's. Nearly stopped watching after the farcical Verstappen championship win in 2021. You've probably missed the Max "win at all costs" mentality over the years, but he's b*ggered this year as he hasn't got a good car, but doesn't stop him pushing other drivers off the track.

Never forget the Hamilton-Verstappen incident a few years ago at Silverstone where he blamed Lewis for pushing him off the track and ending his race. Strange that the following year Leclerc and Hamilton managed to get around the same corner side by side without issue. The Max and Lewis battle went on for few seasons, in one incident Max's rear wheel ran over Lewis's head, fortunately the Halo cockpit protection system had been introduced. Max is renowned for being a bully on the track, but the drivers aren't scared of him anymore.

There are some great youngsters coming through the ranks. Piastri is an incredible driver, given the right strategy through the race. I'd say he's untouchable and such a cool lad as well, gotta have an Aussie in F1 🙂

McLaren have both trophies in the bag this year. My money is on Oscar to win the drivers championship. As for Lewis, I think he'll retire at the end of the season, he's not having a good time at Ferrari. In his post quali interview at the weekend he actually said that maybe Ferrari need a new driver.

I go back to Nigel Mansell what a fire cracker!
Thanks Doug for filling me in, hadn't watched F1 for years until recently. I heard on YouTube with a big pinch of salt, that Hamilton allegedly told a reporter that he was leaving Ferrari.

I think he likes to be the big cheese, not so good for his ego now that he has been cast by Ferrari as supporting driver for Leclerc.

 

[plastic penguin]

Happy 60th birthday to the Ford Transit.

Loved by businesses and villain's alike.

 

[Jasonovich]

Happy 60th birthday to the Ford Transit.

Loved by businesses and villain's alike.

Ford Transit - loved by boisterous boys and bank robbers for 50 years | Autocar

We all have memories of the cars that helped to shape our lives; for me, it's Ford's iconic Transit van

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[DougK1]

Not as good as they used to be. My nephew hates his new one, nothing but trouble in the three months he's had it. Ford are actually going to take his back and build him another one.

 

[Dave_]

Not as good as they used to be. My nephew hates his new one, nothing but trouble in the three months he's had it. Ford are actually going to take his back and build him another one.

Our company was in the process of replacing our fleet of Sprinters with Hybrid Transits but halted the rollout after reliability issues and are now taking delivery of a mix of VW Crafters and Iveco Dailys instead.

The VW Transporter community are turning their backs on the T7 because of its Transit roots and instead opting for S2 Crafter's being VW built (as opposed to the S1 which were rebadged Sprinters)

 

[plastic penguin]

OMG what a thing 😍

 

[Jasonovich]

OMG what a thing 😍

Truly a work of art!

 

[jjbomber]

OMG what a thing 😍

Someone's dumped a car in front of a beautiful garden. Some people are so selfish!

 

[plastic penguin]

Truly a work of art!

Most Alfas are pretty, but this goes above most others.

I didn't particularly like the the look of the older GTV, it looked like it was styled on the Fiat 20v Coupe.

 

[plastic penguin]

Someone's dumped a car in front of a beautiful garden. Some people are so selfish!

Yep, probably if you are Alan Tichmarsh.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

That is rather lovely, isn't it?

 

[Jasonovich]

I'm not hang up on cars as I use to be, maybe it's because I'm a saggy old spud. I've had my 2015 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel Titanium for ten years now.

Oh Lord, won't you buy me
A Mercedes Benz?

Oh I wish, my missus is always nagging me to sell the car, maybe next year when I retire and I have a nice money pot, I may think about that Mercedes.

Anyway, I was driving around in my car not realising my brake fluid had depleted well below the minimum level and while on the road, I get ABS and Braking alerts flashing on my screen. I cut my journey short and droved straight home.
It was then, I discovered that my brake fluid require topping up. Done what needed to be done. Start the car, I was still getting the same annoying message. I noticed the front tyre looked like it could do with some air, so I pumped all four tyres to it's PSI limit.

Still getting the same message, I checked the fuses, all fine. My neighbour came over and offered to help.
He brought over his OBD2 Auto Scanner module, plugged it in to the cars socket and attempted to reset the message but failed.

The car wasn't displaying ABS failure symptoms, like brake peddles vibrating or grinding sound every time you put your foot on the brake, everything was normal. I thought maybe air in the braking tube or I need to replace the ABS module which is likely to be costly.
The trip to the mechanic was unavoidable, before doing so, I was thinking about my neighbour's OBD2 Scanner, and it was a cheap looking thing, possibly not up to the task. So I thought, nothing to lose, I'll go on eBay and order one myself, the Kingbolen EDIAG Elite £68.
I received it today, plug it in, activated it, downloaded the Ford diagnostic software and in a very short time I was able to lock onto the car and reset the Braking ABS alerts. Really impressed by this little device, you get free lifetime subscription.
Really please I got it, and saved me the unnecessary trip to the garage. I have an honest mechanic and is good as gold but there are rogue ones out there who'll scr3w you over.
I'm afraid your ABS is knackered, let's work out how much it'll cost Cha.......Ching ££££££££££ and VAT and Service charge.........Cha Ching!!!

 

[plastic penguin]

My daughter's Mini Cooper is off to the scrapper. The engine is toast, and it'll cost more to repair than it's worth.

BMW have messed up the Mini brand, and there's plenty of them (no idea why). My daughter will not touch another Mini if you paid her. Pit and finances sum up that brand perfectly.

 

[Jasonovich]

My daughter's Mini Cooper is off to the scrapper. The engine is toast, and it'll cost more to repair than it's worth.

BMW have messed up the Mini brand, and there's plenty of them (no idea why). My daughter will not touch another Mini if you paid her. Pit and finances sum up that brand perfectly.

My sympathy for your daughter, sorry to hear of her misfortune.
Does she have any bases or leverage with regard to making a warranties claim from the manufacturer?

 

[DougK1]

My daughter's Mini Cooper is off to the scrapper. The engine is toast, and it'll cost more to repair than it's worth.

BMW have messed up the Mini brand, and there's plenty of them (no idea why). My daughter will not touch another Mini if you paid her. Pit and finances sum up that brand perfectly.

Sorry to hear that PP. If I had a daughter I'd be pointing her in the direction of Hyundai or Kia for her next car.

 

[plastic penguin]

Sorry to hear that PP. If I had a daughter I'd be pointing her in the direction of Hyundai or Kia for her next car.

Thanks Doug. She's eyeing up a Ford of some description: Fiesta or Focus, although not the 1.0 EcoBoost.

I'm trying to get her to look at Japanese brands. She really likes the Mazda MX5 but wants something a little bigger. I quite like Suzuki Swift. Four seater and quite funky looking. And Japanese engines are pretty bullet proof.

 

[plastic penguin]

My sympathy for your daughter, sorry to hear of her misfortune.
Does she have any bases or leverage with regard to making a warranties claim from the manufacturer?

No, it's a 2009 with 115k miles on the clock. I think she'll be pleased to see the back of it in all truth, Jason.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Jasonovich]

Thanks Doug. She's eyeing up a Ford of some description: Fiesta or Focus, although not the 1.0 EcoBoost.

I'm trying to get her to look at Japanese brands. She really likes the Mazda MX5 but wants something a little bigger. I quite like Suzuki Swift. Four seater and quite funky looking. And Japanese engines are pretty bullet proof.

My daughter drives a Toyota Yaris, nice solid little car 😊

 

[DougK1]

Thanks Doug. She's eyeing up a Ford of some description: Fiesta or Focus, although not the 1.0 EcoBoost.

I'm trying to get her to look at Japanese brands. She really likes the Mazda MX5 but wants something a little bigger. I quite like Suzuki Swift. Four seater and quite funky looking. And Japanese engines are pretty bullet proof.

My sister bought a used 10 plate 1.5 Swift last year. One owner, FSH, under 30K miles on the clock. Cracking little car, handles really well, and I think they use Toyota engines, hers definitely is.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I'd suggest for reliability you want simplicity - am I right in thinking the Swift is naturally-aspirated? No turbo to go wrong, lower levels of stress on components etc. Not that there are many n/a engines around any more.

 

[DougK1]

I'd suggest for reliability you want simplicity - am I right in thinking the Swift is naturally-aspirated? No turbo to go wrong, lower levels of stress on components etc. Not that there are many n/a engines around any more.

Correct. As far as I know they are naturally-aspirated. Current models, not sure. The drive seems to be smaller engines with a turbo, to cut down on emissions.
My 21 year old Bora 1.9 PD TDI still chugs along with nearly 200K miles on it, refusing to die 🙂

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Correct. As far as I know they are naturally-aspirated. Current models, not sure. The drive seems to be smaller engines with a turbo, to cut down on emissions.
My 21 year old Bora 1.9 PD TDI still chugs along with nearly 200K miles on it, refusing to die 🙂

Can't tell from that whether you want it to!

 

[DougK1]

Can't tell from that whether you want it to!

No, I don't want it to 🙂 Apart from a dead battery letting me down once it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Door locks are playing up now, for remote unlocking, but not a major issue. I do regular oil and filter changes myself, and it burns next to no oil between changes. As long as it keeps passing it's MOT, with reasonable repair costs, I'll keep it going.