|
|
|
I do like modern cars, can't and won't deny it. I like comfort, safety (especially as I take my kids in the car), reliability, decent MPG etc. I love the style, shape and build quality of my modern. No, make that I LOVE those qualities in my modern. I like the fact parts are cheap and available everywhere, it's easy to bling up a bit and it's not too bad to drive. I still couldn't live without a retro though, I ove the way both compliment each other and the qualities of owning/driving both are brilliant.
|
|
Corsa Apology Champion 2014.
|
|
CIH
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,466
|
|
|
I detest modern cars. I work with the buggers allday. Oldcars have their issues but it's always becaus of the age sometimes from neglet ie; rust, old perished rubbers etc. Modern cars appear designed to be curse word. For example, the top v6 Espace is an engine-out job just to do the sparkies. Extreme example but that's the mentality of modern car design.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fuel injection or turbo/supercharging is hardly modern, it's been around since the 30's......ABS too. (on planes)
|
|
'98 e36 316i lux '97 mx5 harvard '87 Saab 900 T16s
|
|
|
|
|
Modern cars are easy to live with and as a mode of transport they are very effective.
20-30 years of development doesn't generally result in a deterioration in engineering!
However, legislation has resulted in cars being designed to pass tests for emissions, safety and recycling etc. The result is that motoring is safer and (in some ways) cleaner, but the vehicles themselves are heavy, very insulated and have complex emissions controls all of which detract from the "feel" of the car and increase running costs.
The arms-race for gimmicks and toys has also made cars heavier.
If Europe had not imposed catalytic converters on all cars the lean burn petrol engine might have resulted in much better economy.
On the other hand, I've just come back from Argentina and the air quality in Buenos Aires is horrendous. Maybe our emissions restrictions do serve a purpose....
Some of the manufacturing techniques and electronic coding of components is making home repairs very tricky, but most British men in 2008 have almost zero mechanical knowledge at all anyway.
All in all, I mostly drive a large, 4 year old diesel estate car that has more toys than you can shake a stick at, can do 50+mpg, 650 miles between fill-ups, which goes, handles and stops better than a sports car of 25 years ago. If I crash I'll probably not die.
It's not all bad.
|
|
Last Edit: Jun 2, 2008 18:52:41 GMT by mcbodge
|
|
dclane
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,037
|
|
|
Sat on my driveway currently are: Renault Laguna Sport Tourer - courtesy of Renault/Avis for 24 hours - they offered and I accepted. I'll try it tomorrow. For some unknown reason they keep offering me things in the vain hope I'll buy one of their cars . Er no, unless it's a free Megane cabriolet. Mitsubishi Colt CZ1 - a loan car whilst the Zafira's being repaired. Horrible, hateful little thing. I can't see out of the corners 'cos the A-pillar is too thick, it's noisy, slow, the gearchange is awful, the handbrake doesn't have any feel, it's uncomfortable and it's a year old. Progress I think not.
|
|
Last Edit: Jun 4, 2008 21:19:51 GMT by dclane
Current vehicle collection: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible - in mid-life crisis yellow No new retro as yet ... all attempts to sneak one onto the drive have failed.
|
|