Chat about cars you've been in lately

[Tenesmus]

BMW X3 2.0 diesel auto in the inevitable silver. Plasticky dash for a supposed premium brand. Fancy screen tells you that you need to put it into reverse when reversing. Bit of a bouncy ride but this was in the back squashed up against a baby seat and another unfortunate adult in the middle. Slid about on the seat on corners. Why not get a Honda or Nissan?

[Richard C]

Mine to drive for the next three years, noisy engine, crashy 17" wheels and a silly electric parking brake spoil an otherwise ok car

Just got rid of this

92,000miles by the end and had three sets of tyres on the front a couple of wiper blades a sticking door lock and that was all that was done to it in that time, not a bad car at all.

[Tenesmus]

Hire car sat outside is a bright red 4 door Astra 1.6 auto with 4k on the clock. Auto has a manual mode. No silly pushbutton handbrake, a relatively uncluttered dash and best of all - and this is a first - the owner's manual in the glove box so now I know that it will only start in P with your foot on the brake. Usual dull black interior and restricted rear vision due to massive pillars. Driving from Bristol to Helston tomorrow, then on to Plymouth, and overnight stay before back home. Was delivered by a kid who drove it like it was stolen.

[Tenesmus]

All round visibility is rubbish, lovely autobox, loses umph on hills, comfortable, headrest you can't rest your head on. Easy to drive. Nice colour and looks ok. Like.

[Tenesmus]

Last week it was a Hyundai ix35 from Hertz in Ireland. 2wd diesel base manual model with no toys to speak of which meant no confusing buttons all over the dash. LCD display on the radio not very clear. Little display by speedo suggests when to change gear.

Seats not as supportive as the Qashqai (last similar thing we had) so not as comfy. Back seats seem ok. Goes ok. Usual silver and black plastic interior looks cheap compared to the exterior. Tailgate not easy to close by the vertically challenged. The Mrs drove it and was happy. High up with good visibility and handy for driving onto the beach.

[BennyVitesse]

Nissan Note 1.4 Acenta R. My aunt's new car, replacing her Focus 1.6 Zetec (unreliable heap).
Fits Nan's wheelchair, seats 5 in comfort and it has air con, bluetooth stereo,all round electric windows, and tinted glass. We got 55 mpg through a long section of 50 mph roadworks and 50 mpg for the rest of the 200 mile trip.

Along with the new Astra its a shining example of how well us Brits can make a car, just a shame we can't run a company.

I can't be the only one who is impressed with them, I spotted dozens out and about this weekend.

[Tenesmus]

Astra SE diesel rental on a 12 plate. Anonymous silver, dull interior, uncomfortable passenger seat, rubbish stereo (may have been buggered by someone maxing the volume), auto wipers that came on when there was a single raindrop and didn't come on when there was a deluge, and hateful button handbrake that goes "ping" quite a lot.

Goes ok but I couldn't figure out how you make the windows do anything but go all the way up, and all the way down.

[Bert3]

Most of these cars have one thing in common .... they've had a damn good beating from the 'Ugly' stick. Functional? Yes ... Asthetically pleasing? ..... ooohh no ....

[Alucard7002]

2007 Mercedes Sprinter - Asda Delivery Van option

145K

Drives like a brick on four soggy cheesecakes for springs! Otherwise, surprisingly comfortable seats... that's about it other than the obvious fact it is HOPELESS at making progress off the line, 2.1l straight 4 turbo diesel 87hp/162lb ft through a 5 speed slushbox and 2.4 tons of van (assuming the weight, as the payload is a hair under a ton)

Also the auto 'box was either broken or from a petrol as it never rode the torque curve and was forever dropping cogs and wailing to 3,500rpm (at part throttle, hit the kickdown and it changes @ 4,100rpm)

Pain in the bum to drive smoothly, you needed to feather/massage the throttle to "confuse" the 'box in order for it to behave the way it should and surf what little torque it has.

Averages 24mpg too.

[Very Tall Brad]

Seat Toledo - Solid, boring, anonymous, well put together.
Skoda Rapid - same car, same comments. But cheaper than the Seat Toledo.
Nissan Juke - a bit bouncy, poor rear visibility, funky shape, good features and great value.

As you can see, I am looking to buy a sensible car. It ain't gonna happen is it?

[Tenesmus]

Have you tried a Qashqai - bigger brother of the Juke? I quite liked it for a "sensible" car.

[Very Tall Brad]

Have you tried a Qashqai - bigger brother of the Juke? I quite liked it for a "sensible" car.

No. I don't like the looks.

[Bert3]

As you can see, I am looking to buy a sensible car. It ain't gonna happen is it?

Have you thought about an old 800 Rover? ...... Better equipped, very comfortable, and a lot easier on the eye than a new Mondeo/Vectra etc ...... not forgetting that the c£17k you'd save will buy about 50,000 miles worth of petrol even for a V6 auto.

You know it makes sense

[Very Tall Brad]

As you can see, I am looking to buy a sensible car. It ain't gonna happen is it?

Have you thought about an old 800 Rover? ...... Better equipped, very comfortable, and a lot easier on the eye than a new Mondeo/Vectra etc ...... not forgetting that the c£17k you'd save will buy about 50,000 miles worth of petrol even for a V6 auto.

You know it makes sense

Too old to be reliable and tax efficient!

I feel an Insignia Estate might be on my eventual shortlist for an everyday car.

[Charles827si]

As you can see, I am looking to buy a sensible car. It ain't gonna happen is it?

Have you thought about an old 800 Rover? ...... Better equipped, very comfortable, and a lot easier on the eye than a new Mondeo/Vectra etc ...... not forgetting that the c£17k you'd save will buy about 50,000 miles worth of petrol even for a V6 auto.

You know it makes sense

Too old to be reliable and tax efficient!

I feel an Insignia Estate might be on my eventual shortlist for an everyday car.

If you want to keep the British theme running, have you considered a Jaguar XF sport brake - as a good as an estate car?