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Oct 10, 2007 11:33:17 GMT
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Cold ventilation (heater is jammed on melt your balderdash hot ALL the time, I was sweating like a paedo in a nursery driving round Mallory). Interior light (broken but still draws current) some way of turning the sodding heater off Give me a call or PM, as I should be able to help Back on topic - this is an interesting one & I'll add a few of my thoughts Not fussed about PAS - I have a big enough steering wheel!!! Heater - already has a volcanic one & despite being 40 years old (& a 50 year old design), the rear passengers have air ducts too. Front demist - works very nicely already & anyway the screen is small enough & close enough to do very easily by hand as soon as I get in. Rear demist - not yet but have a kit to fit one, if I can be bothered. New rear screens with built in ones are also available Power brakes? No thanks unless it actually needs them! Something else to go wrong. But then I've only owned cars without servos. Seatbelts? Already have them - 4 three point fixed. I prefer fixed to inertia anyway, as they also help hold me in place during cornering! Leccy windows - big deal! Leccy mirrors - nice & cheap to replace when damaged.... not. Only I drive my car so adjusting the wing mirrors isn't an issue. The only things on the want list are: A decent stereo. Nothing special, just decent & preferably a hidden installation. Hazzard lights. I'm an electrical dunce though, but one day will get a conversion kit. However some of the following would also be useful but I'm not bothered enough to do anything about it: Fully reclining front seats would be nice & can be done with parts from a 123GT if I wanted them enough to pay the premium for them. A split 60/40 folding rear seat (rather than all up or all folded) would be good too but again not essential & the practicality of the split tailgate arrangement more than outways the lack of a split rear seat.
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2007 11:35:37 GMT by Paul H
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Oct 10, 2007 11:58:17 GMT
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Its funny how you get spoiled. Choosing my new company car recently there was no way I was gonna even consider anything that didn't have a 6 speed gearbox. Depends on the car, dunnit? If you're in a 60s American barge with tankloads of torque a 2 speed powerglide is just perfect ;D
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Oct 10, 2007 12:06:56 GMT
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Ill have to join the open window club too, just a bit of a pain when your glasses get wet (small set of windscreen wipers anyone?)
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Oct 10, 2007 12:29:23 GMT
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I guess we are reasonably hard core? I think the Saab is dead posh because its got a two speed heater fan and there's even a little light on the dash to tell you you're low on fuel! I don't like inertia reel seatbelts in old cars but have fitted hazard lights to the Herald because of the type of use it gets (and who's in it). The heater works really well in there too but with no rear demist it does take a little time to clear the back so the wing mirrors are useful though I have lived without those before too. Actually as far as heaters go I would say an essential on my list would be one that can be turned off as it is more unpleasant driving in the summer with the heater on full blast than wrapping up warm in the winter! I suppose my level of comfort in a car is determined by the fact I consider them to be "outside" and so don't expect to be cocooned in a sleep inducing quiet cosy shell while driving. I also don't expect it to drive itself. I find the number of knobs, switches and sliding thingies in modern cars utterly distracting and on the rare occasions I drive one end up playing with them because they're there. I still won't get comfortable. Self cancelling indicators are also the work of the devil.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Oct 10, 2007 12:35:25 GMT
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My 2cv doesn't even have winding windows! No heated rear window, no self-cancelling indicators (perfection), no heater fan other than the big one on the front of the engine (which is why you may see me revving the engine in traffic!), the only central locking is that I can reach every door from the driver's seat. I don't seem to suffer much from misting up - you see some folk in moderns that are all steamed up and wonder what they are doing! (especially if they aren't parked up...).
However, some modern things I LOVE are electronic ignition (less faff), intermittent wipers (will fit them one day) and reverse lights if you live in the sticks! Now has halogen headlamps bulbs too.
The seats don't adjust other than back and forth. But as Seth says, if you're too comfy, you fall asleep! A serious issue in the Volvo with it's loungamatic seating.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org
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Oct 10, 2007 12:41:51 GMT
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aye, intermittant wipers was something I was going to mention on my wish list. With my (static) belt on I can just reach the wiper switch on the dash. Its a wee stretch. Theres a convenient foot operated "wipe once" option but when you car using that foot for the clutch most of the time in town... Not ideal really.
During summer such things as heaters and demisters and wiper controls become far more "optional". Just thought about this moring as I was driving in and thought "I wish this car had intermittant wipers"
I once had a Cortina with no heater. It got so cold on January that I couldn't feel my feet. In that situation no heater is dangerous. Car control is next to impossibel when you are numb.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Speedle
Posted a lot
Need a Country Rock band in the Hampshire Area? https://www.facebook.com/DirtRoadDiaryUK
Posts: 2,221
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Oct 10, 2007 12:42:32 GMT
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well the micra has; no power steering (not bothered) Heated rear window (an essential to me) one of the best car heaters ever! some comfy seats and working seat belts thats all i need
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,258
Club RR Member Number: 170
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All mod cons...ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Oct 10, 2007 12:44:00 GMT
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The Volvo comes with most of the mod cons anyway Ian :lol:. I admit the seats in the Volvo are damn comfy. I didn't really start to fall asleep in them though, except when we got back from the Ferry (mate drove from Tours to Calais that day, I then drove from Dover to Warwickshire at 12am! (the ferry was in super slow mode due to poor weather.)).
In terms of my cars I'm not sure if I can live without the stuff in them.
In the Escort XR3i Cabrio, it came with most of the toys. Things I could do with on that are a rear wiper (It's a cabrio so I guess I'll need to just use the heated screen more, but definately on the list would be power steering. In Spain I did get used to it (either that or I could park the Escort better with less manouveres!), but Jesus it was stupidly heavy (but then they are renowned for being so). Besides that, some seats without collapsed bolsters would have been nice.
In the Focus I don't really want anything in that atm. I would like more power :lol:. It has most of the toys though with AC, Electric heated Mirrors, Electric Windows, PAS, and some ICE which I installed on the car. Another thing I would like on it is ABS. I used to hate ABS, but in that Focus the brakes can be locked up readily, and not really caught back if you know what I am saying due to a lack of feel.
The MGB I'm not sure I need anything on that. Being a later car it comes with a good heater, Servo, and heated rear screen. I guess if I really need to say something, more power? :lol:.
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2007 12:48:00 GMT by ChasR
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Oct 10, 2007 13:16:11 GMT
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don't need: HRW, heater, a/c, e/w, s/r, PAS, reverse light, hazards... DO need: good wipers with intermittent, self cancelling, no leaks, cd player and good brakes. my current daily has none of the above save the cd player. its vileness. oh but it does have really comfy seats lol, and a wound down window usually
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Oct 10, 2007 13:31:32 GMT
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the jeep was pretty basic, no nothing really, the hood didnt really keep the water or the draughts out so unless it was really curse word down you were better off with out it as you couldnt see out the windows cos it hadno heater or demist and the poppers undid them selves at over 50mph anyway.
you get funny looks driving about in the rain with no roof or doors but as long as you were doin more than bout 20mph you didnt really get wet
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Oct 10, 2007 16:31:29 GMT
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I find it`s not so much what the car has and hasnt got, its remembering which car has it, the Capri has buggerall, the demister packed in a long time ago and I`m fine with that I`ll go anywhere in it at any time, the disappointment comes in situations like if I`m in the Mazda and think "I`ll adjust the speed of the intermittent wipers" then remember I can`t because its the Galant that does that, or get into the Galant thinking "This frost is no problem, I`ll turn on the front screen demister" and then realise to my horror and extreme chagrin that its the XR4x4 that has this novel feature.
If you know its not there you can allow/plan for it, if you get into a car thinking it has something that one of your other reptiles has got that`s when problems can occur.
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v8lee
Posted a lot
FoMoCoMoFo
Posts: 1,045
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Oct 10, 2007 17:08:02 GMT
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Its funny how you get spoiled. Choosing my new company car recently there was no way I was gonna even consider anything that didn't have a 6 speed gearbox. Depends on the car, dunnit? If you're in a 60s American barge with tankloads of torque a 2 speed powerglide is just perfect ;D Not if you're doing 1000 miles a week in it. Thing is, I can deafen myself and get shaken to bits + use a sh*tload of petrol whilst trying to keep the Mustang in a straight line at 80mph (feels like 180mph), and then jump in the Mundaneo diesel and do a ton (feels like 30mph) in complete air conditioned comfy cosiness. Spoilt, see. Which one would I rather be driving? If you don't know the answer to that you're on the wrong forum. (Clue: it's not the Mondeo).
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No more old cars
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Oct 10, 2007 18:16:29 GMT
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Definately depends on the car, how much use it gets, and what kind of use.
In a 'show; car (i.e. a non-daily, generally used to go to nice sunny shows) I can do without everything except a stereo. I don't mind winding my windows down by hand, I certainly don't need heated screens, and the trip computer doesn't get a look in.
For a daily, even a retro daily, I want as many gadgets as possible. Since having an airconned car I've decided it's invaluable for carting the little 'un around during the 1.4 days (approx) of sunshine we get every year. It's nice to get to your car, start the engine and set it to "Brrrrr", shut it all up again and just take your time extracting child from pushchair, pushchair and shopping into boot and then when you open the door again - blam. Not ovenlike at all.
My friend has a heated screen on his mongdeo and whilst I find the little wiggly wires distracting, and the cost of a replacement frightening, it's certainly impressive to watch it deal with frost.
Electric windows are good because I'm lazy, and also am a member of the windows-down club. However I have a lower wind tolerance so tend to put the window up and down a lot on a journey, it's safer to use one-touch than keep crankin'.
Trip computers are my new thing. My 'rocco had the MFA but I never really trusted it, and it only really did mpg and oil temp. The one in the Vectraa does everything, and it's spot-on accurate to the point I've just happily driven around with the 'Range' setting flashing "4 miles" at me, because it's not payday for another 5 hours. The fuel gauge itself can't be bothered to move off the stop but I'm confident the car will give me each one of those four miles. I do tend to find myself driving around watching the MPG gauge though rather than the road.
If I'm driving for the fun of driving though, I can do without it all.
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Never trust a man Who names himself Trevor. Or one day you might find He's not a real drug dealer.
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Oct 10, 2007 18:56:38 GMT
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all i need is a heater(cos i cant drive with numb fingers) and a stereo(becuase a 2litre ohc four isnt the most thrilling soundtrack). the carlton got specced with power steering and a rev counter when new, its not even L spec . rear demist hasnt worked for years, not to worry tho as i don't have a rear view mirror either
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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Oct 10, 2007 20:45:52 GMT
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pah. try a motorcycle. no nothing! and I mean - nothing Car wise, the Skoda is quite high spec. Stereo, heated rear window (no jokes), self canceling indicators, 3 speed wipers and a heater. all the toys - but no liesence to drive it!
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Oct 10, 2007 20:50:43 GMT
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pah. try a motorcycle. no nothing! and I mean - nothing Not true, hairnet has Radio, CB, hand warmers etc! ;D all kinds of kit. and my dads fictional goldwing. its like a Lexus on two wheels!! ;D ;D
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Oct 10, 2007 20:53:40 GMT
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Its intersting that a number of people have mentioned self parking wipers. I got into the habit of turning them off at the "right time" in my A35 very quickly and still do it without thinking about it.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Oct 10, 2007 21:01:22 GMT
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pah. try a motorcycle. no nothing! and I mean - nothing Not true, hairnet has Radio, CB, hand warmers etc! ;D all kinds of kit. and my dads fictional goldwing. its like a Lexus on two wheels!! ;D ;D he is a girl the MZ has manual canceling indicators, only have the speedo lights up, no fairings, your hands get very cold, radio? yeah...that comes from the mp3 player in your top pocket Another mod con necessary for the list: A clock! I added one to the bike using a cheap watch and a velcro strip!
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Oct 10, 2007 21:06:15 GMT
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Only joking, he has a sport bike aswell! Tell ya what though, hire the cheapest moped in Majorca, come home and ya MZ will be like top of the range Harley.
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Oct 10, 2007 21:11:24 GMT
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bike has clock
bike keeps yer hands warm too
cos you can get to destination quicker you don't need to worry about cold etc
;D
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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