This should be interesting.

[CurtisOliver]

I like the idea Diachi. Wondering whether it should be international politics in order to include everyone. It also allows the thread to be reused.

 

[Richie89]

Must be a random act of vandalism.
I'll keep my eyes open and see if I can catch him in the act the next time he tries something like this!

:crackup:

I drive a tiny little VW, that gets around 40mpg average. Costs nothing to run and I do actually like it, but it's borne out of necessity as insurance costs are absurd in the U.K. When I have more no claims bonus years I might get a bigger car, and I would love to import and drive a Ford Crown Victoria, maybe when I win the lottery for the fuel bill.

I got pulled over by a crown Victoria last year. Lol
Crazy how you say that about the fuel costs and all that because 90 percent of US law enforcement actually used to use those, and some still do, and yeah those V8 drink gas like crazy, my 5.0 litre mustang gets like 16mpgs (

 

[CurtisOliver]

16MPG, quite thirsty then.

 

[diachi]

I like the idea Diachi. Wondering whether it should be international politics in order to include everyone. It also allows the thread to be reused.

An international thread may work, I was thinking something along the lines of the "LPF Presidential Candidate" thread, but for the UK.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Yep, that will work. :beer: Go ahead. I'm sure there will some nice discussions.

 

[Cyparagon]

my 5.0 litre mustang gets like 16mpgs (

Brutal. Are you hauling boat anchors in the back seat or something? My 5.7L gets 21/28 city/highway MPG.

Fuel is such a small proportion of expenses when owning a car anyway, though. After purchase price or payments, insurance, repairs, parking/housing costs, and vehicle/driver licensing, fuel costs aren't even noticeable... at least where I am.

 

[trussmonkey25]

Daily drivers: 2004 Chevy Impala, 2005 GMC Canyon.
2017 Chevy Equinox for the wife.

1967 Chevy Nova SS for fun!

Nice car. My brother restored one a while back but never finished painting it. He got a ticket for doing 87 mph in a school zone. He sold it soon afterwards.

My car is a beat up old Dodge van I use for construction.

 

[diachi]

Brutal. Are you hauling boat anchors in the back seat or something? My 5.7L gets 21/28 city/highway MPG.

Double what my Dakota gets ... I bet it's way more fun to drive too...

 

[Benm]

My car recommends a gear change, but I ignore that and watch my tachometer. I don't like to be watching the gear shift display as it may save a bit in gas, but I've been driving fine without one for many decades with no problems and I find it mostly a distraction.

That's what i am used to doing as well, just look at the RPM's and driving conditions, and choose gear suitable for it.

These suggestions were really mad though, insisting i switch from 3rd gear to 5th when climbing a slope that the little car could barely do at constant speed, my consideration was more like shifting down to 2nd gear so it doesnt stall when the slope gets a bit steeper further on.

Another really annoying thing it did: i refused to start. I put the (manual) gear in neutral and tried starting the engine, which works in any manual transmission car without the 'smart stuff' installed. The display promply said 'press clutch!'.

Oddest thing is that when i complied, pressed the clutch, then let it release, it would start like any oter car in neutral.

I can see why it would be a safety feature to block starting when the car is in any gear, but neutral? On the other hand, being able to crank the starter motor when in gear can actually be very useful in an emergency: if you for some reason stall on a railroad crossing you can move the car off of that using only the power from the starter motor. It's not fast, not good for your car, but probably better than say being hit by a train

 

[paul1598419]

My car is the same. It won't start unless you depress the clutch. It may be a hassle to you, but I'm used to it. I guess someone might find themselves in a situation where they are stuck on some train tracks and a train is seconds away from destroying their car, but I have only seen it in the movies. I would never be in that situation as I don't cross train tracks when a train is coming. If you don't have the time to engage the clutch, or if for some reason you must use your starter motor to move your car, well there's always the option of getting out and saving your life.

 

[diachi]

That clutch thing really confused me when I first encountered it...

Back in the UK I'd never seen that, but when I went to buy a new vehicle(not the $400 beater I had) I couldn't get it started! Had to go back into the dealership looking like a fool to have them come help me (here they just give you the keys and send you on your way, alone!).

That was the jeep 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, nice vehicle, had all the bells and whistles.

The other problem I had was with the manual transmission Ford Ranger I test drove - couldn't find the parking brake! Turns out it was the same as any other truck and had the brake lever and release down by the drivers door. Thought that was weird on a manual.

The Jeep was too pricey for me and the Ranger was shit to drive, ended up settling for an automatic and got the Dakota ... I think the sound from the straight pipe and air intake sold me on that, but it's nice to drive too, plenty of power.

 

[NightExplorer96]

I own a 2000 Volvo S40 1.9T. Bought it about 2 years ago for $4,000 when it had 121,000 miles on it. About 133,000 miles on it now. I've had some few expensive maintenance to do on it but it seems to work fine now.

Really do need to get something new ASAP when funds allow. Note it dosen't look as good as it did in the picture. Some of the paint has worn off and it could use a good clean also. Here is the day I bought it

-Alex

 

[diachi]

I own a 2000 Volvo S40 1.9T. Bought it about 2 years ago for $4,000 when it had 121,000 miles on it. About 133,000 miles on it now. I've had some few expensive maintenance to do on it but it seems to work fine now.

Really do need to get something new ASAP when funds allow. Note it dosen't look as good as it did in the picture. Some of the paint has worn off and it could use a good clean also. Here is the day I bought it

-Alex

Looks nice! Volvos are nice dependable cars! Guy I worked with a couple years ago was still driving one from the 80s that belonged to his parents. Only seen it break down once, at -40C. Pushing that into the hangar to warm up was... fun?

What are you thinking of replacing it with?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Looks nice! Volvos are nice dependable cars! Guy I worked with a couple years ago was still driving one from the 80s that belonged to his parents. Only seen it break down once, at -40C. Pushing that into the hangar to warm up was... fun?

What are you thinking of replacing it with?

Thanks! Volvo's are also good on safety I've heard. Hmmmm... not sure yet. Probably a same sized sedan as that's all I really need. I never really do anything crazy with my cars except stay on roads no off roading etc...

-Alex

 

[trencheel303]

Curtis when I get my Vic (if I ever do...) I'll drive down and give you a turn in it

I think realistically one can be had in the UK (imported and all) for a few thousand. A few modifications need doing; they will need indicator repeaters putting in on the side, the angle of the head lamps changing. Although cars with side markers (Amber lights on the side) are actually becoming more popular here, it's still a requirement to have front facing white lights as well - if they're just orange it's an MOT fail. I'm not sure whether the Vic's side lights are just the Amber ones or if it has white front facing ones too, otherwise the bulbs in the lights near the grille would need changing, and the corner ones could legally stay orange still somewhat preserving the American look.

 

[GSS]

Brutal. Are you hauling boat anchors in the back seat or something? My 5.7L gets 21/28 city/highway MPG.

Fuel is such a small proportion of expenses when owning a car anyway, though. After purchase price or payments, insurance, repairs, parking/housing costs, and vehicle/driver licensing, fuel costs aren't even noticeable... at least where I am.

I'm curious also?
With 6 speed trannie's and over drives, computer management etc, 16 mpg doesn't add up.
On another note I hate seeing someone that restore's or buys an old school muscle car for $100,000's and complains on the price of buying a 10 gallon can of 102 octane gas on a car they only drive 500 to 1000 miles a year??