While some on here seen to dislike anything new we love it, I like to call it progress.
Never seen any comments on the forum myself which would lead me to this conclusion, but that may just be the fact that i am willing to accept that my own opinion is not always the right one.
But the forum members who constantly moan about the excellent cars we have today never announce that they will be going to live in Umgoogoo land because they have no modern conveniences.
Wow!, were you a comedian in the 1970's perchance?
Edited by badbusdriver on 31/03/2020 at 12:59
|
|
My point about electric handbrakes is, yes, sometimes they go wrong but I find less than conventional ones. I've lost count on how many times I encounter cars need remedial work on mechanical ones to get through MOTs and often quite expensive work.
Whilst I accept that they are to an extent a solution in need of a problem I do not think they are something to be particularly worried about on a used car.
|
My point about electric handbrakes is, yes, sometimes they go wrong but I find less than conventional ones. I've lost count on how many times I encounter cars need remedial work on mechanical ones to get through MOTs and often quite expensive work.
Hardly surprising. I wonder what the ratio is of mechanical to electrical parking brakes for cars presenting for MoT test. Thirty to one?
|
|
|
|
While some on here seen to dislike anything new we love it, I like to call it progress.
Never seen any comments on the forum myself which would lead me to this conclusion, but that may just be the fact that i am willing to accept that my own opinion is not always the right one.
Think you are the 70's comedian with comments like that.. There is a large number of posters on here that long for simple cars (just like a basic Dacia) but none of them has actually bought one.
|
|
Definition of the word progress - development towards an improved or more advanced condition.
A gearbox unwilling to select gears isn't progress e.g. DSG (Doesn't Select Gears) nor is a so called innovation that makes a simple operation more time consuming or laborious i.e. touchscreens. Menus are for restaurants, not motor vehicles.
|
|
I believe in KISS.
If I cannot get into a car and after 5 minutes learn how to operate the basics- lights, wipers, heater,and radio - and can start the car and select the correct gear easily - if manual - or use the automatic simply - then I don't buy it.
It is so easy to do and yet according to this thread many car buyers cannot have done this.
There is a word to describe behaviour like that..
|
I believe in KISS.
If I cannot get into a car and after 5 minutes learn how to operate the basics- lights, wipers, heater,and radio - and can start the car and select the correct gear easily - if manual - or use the automatic simply - then I don't buy it.
It is so easy to do and yet according to this thread many car buyers cannot have done this.
There is a word to describe behaviour like that..
It may be easy to do, but some people DO buy cars because they like the shape/interior and size of motor, without giving a thought to what knobs are easy or not to get to while driving, in some cases are not even concerned as to cost of repairs if motor breaks down, with the attitude- we will worry about that when it breaks- then find they cant afford it...then moan
|
I believe in KISS.
If I cannot get into a car and after 5 minutes learn how to operate the basics- lights, wipers, heater,and radio - and can start the car and select the correct gear easily - if manual - or use the automatic simply - then I don't buy it.
It is so easy to do and yet according to this thread many car buyers cannot have done this.
There is a word to describe behaviour like that..
It may be easy to do, but some people DO buy cars because they like the shape/interior and size of motor, without giving a thought to what knobs are easy or not to get to while driving, in some cases are not even concerned as to cost of repairs if motor breaks down, with the attitude- we will worry about that when it breaks- then find they cant afford it...then moan
They're the people who spend a lot on a shiny thing without going for a decent test drive, then complain about the harsh ride quality despite it obviously having bling-bling wheels and tyres. I see Quite a lot of those cars PXed at my local KIA dealership - BMWs, Mercs, Audis, Mini Coopers, etc. God knows how much £ they lost on the deal.
|
|
|
I believe in KISS.
If I cannot get into a car and after 5 minutes learn how to operate the basics- lights, wipers, heater,and radio - and can start the car and select the correct gear easily - if manual - or use the automatic simply - then I don't buy it.
It is so easy to do and yet according to this thread many car buyers cannot have done this.
There is a word to describe behaviour like that..
It may be easy to do, but some people DO buy cars because they like the shape/interior and size of motor, without giving a thought to what knobs are easy or not to get to while driving, in some cases are not even concerned as to cost of repairs if motor breaks down, with the attitude- we will worry about that when it breaks- then find they cant afford it...then moan
If they run their lives like they buy their cars, then the next six to twelve months are going to be very painful financially.
|
|
Try before you buy - it's all very well to read reviews, tests and press comments if thinking about a new car to get a short list, but there is no substitute for actually driving your selection before you part with the cash.
If you buy a pair of shoes you go to the shop, try them on, and walk a few steps - all this for a purchase of perhaps £20-60. Yet it seems people spend £20-60k on a car without having first driven it. Get an extended loan of a vehicle (perhaps 2 days) or hire one for a day. Drive it in town, on the motorway, on lanes. Play with the gizmos. Then make an informed decision.
It is also easy to be critical of new technology (EPB, touch screens etc). But the reality is that most cars today are hugely more relliable than cars of old. People tend to make a fuss when something goes wrong and blame the technology, model or maker. Rarely do they volunteer that they bought a new car, and apart from fuel, tyres and the occassional bulb or brakepad it ran faultlessly for 100k over 5 years.
40 years ago such a vehicle would likely be an MOT failing rust bucket, with rattlely engine, failing clutch, blown exhaust, shot shock absorbers. Its next appointment would be at the banger racing track or the scrappers.
|
|
|
|
From what I've seen cars now tend to come with an encyclopedia to tell you about all the controls etc. Our MK1 Fabia was straightforward and easy to use. We like cars like that. It will soon be due an upgrade, for the time being will suffice being the ideal car for our youngest to use to learn to drive. With commuting to work by bus now only one car is a necessity, even for long journeys the Fabia suffices instead of driving the Picasso.
|
|
One thing definitely in favour of an EPB, is that being automatic, it never gets abused.
It never ceases to amaze me how many drivers attempt to stretch the handbrake cables when parking on the flat, never mind on a steep gradient.
|
One thing definitely in favour of an EPB, is that being automatic, it never gets abused.
It never ceases to amaze me how many drivers attempt to stretch the handbrake cables when parking on the flat, never mind on a steep gradient.
That maybe because some drivers do not trust a standard handbrake cable, where EPBs are less likely to fail, so its said, I only tried one in Florida on a Chevy and found it very good, but thats me. at least they take up less room for other things like cupholders ;)
|
That maybe because some drivers do not trust a standard handbrake cable, ...........
I'd wager most have zero knowledge of the mechanics and even less mechanical sympathy. A bit like not knowing you can over-tighten a wheel nut for instance, (or any other thread for that matter)?
|
|
I'd wager most have zero knowledge of the mechanics and even less mechanical sympathy.
You only need to know,(no knowledge of mechanics required) if it fails the car rolls, simples, mechanical sympathy has nothing to do with it, it just tells you to pull the handbrake up further hoping it wont fail, which used to be more likely on disks
|
|
From what I've seen cars now tend to come with an encyclopedia to tell you about all the controls etc.
They have to, because there are so many. But they don't tell you anything about simple operations like changing the oil and filter - even where such things are. Cynics say that is to keep dealers in business, but I for one would happily do that task to satisfy myself it was done correctly. I still do it for my 306, but not the 207 because I can't, everything is boxed in and it needs a hoist.
|
From what I've seen cars now tend to come with an encyclopedia to tell you about all the controls etc.
They have to, because there are so many. But they don't tell you anything about simple operations like changing the oil and filter - even where such things are. Cynics say that is to keep dealers in business, but I for one would happily do that task to satisfy myself it was done correctly. I still do it for my 306, but not the 207 because I can't, everything is boxed in and it needs a hoist.
My Jazz handbook covers servicing...
|
From what I've seen cars now tend to come with an encyclopedia to tell you about all the controls etc.
They have to, because there are so many. But they don't tell you anything about simple operations like changing the oil and filter - even where such things are. Cynics say that is to keep dealers in business, but I for one would happily do that task to satisfy myself it was done correctly. I still do it for my 306, but not the 207 because I can't, everything is boxed in and it needs a hoist.
Too much complexity in today's cars.
That's what Haynes manuals are for.
|
|
<< That's what Haynes manuals are for. >>
Haynes manuals aren't what they were either, probably for the same reason: cars are not presented to the end-user with the expectation that they might DiY. Haynes has diversified into manuals for all sorts of things, nothing to do with motoring. I think there is even one for Women (maintaining them, that is).
|
<< That's what Haynes manuals are for. >>
Haynes manuals aren't what they were either, probably for the same reason: cars are not presented to the end-user with the expectation that they might DiY. Haynes has diversified into manuals for all sorts of things, nothing to do with motoring. I think there is even one for Women (maintaining them, that is).
The Haynes Beekeeping Manual is excellent for beginners... I recommend it highly..
Looking after bees is far more complex and dangerous than repairing and servicing cars... :-)
|
<< That's what Haynes manuals are for. >>
Haynes manuals aren't what they were either, probably for the same reason: cars are not presented to the end-user with the expectation that they might DiY. Haynes has diversified into manuals for all sorts of things, nothing to do with motoring. I think there is even one for Women (maintaining them, that is).
Women though can be far more temperamental than cars and no man fully understands them ;-)
|
|
In that case a queen bee needs a great deal of expertise, which I'm sure Madf has.
|
In that case a queen bee needs a great deal of expertise, which I'm sure Madf has.
I blush:-) Thanks. The cheque is in the post... :-)
|
|
Adding to a family initially costs nothing, in a way you know what you're going to get, but never can be certain and commitment is normally a minimum of 18 years. Adding to a car collection is more pricey at the outset, but you can get rid if troubleome/expensive to run or you bored of it. Much harder with a child or wife.
|
|
From what I've seen cars now tend to come with an encyclopedia to tell you about all the controls etc.
The daft thing is that nowadays, the hefty tome can only be sourced in electronic format. I mean, who wants to keep a tablet with you when you're out and about all the time? Even those huge-screened smartphones don't have that big a screen for displaying large pdf documents.
Too many cars now have 'features' that essentially meaningless - quite often information overload. No wonder so many have the three-lettered satefy devices - we're taking our eyes, and thus attention away from driving so much that we need them to save us.
|
|
I started driving in the early 1970's. At the time the average motor needed but a basic socket set, spanner set, a few screwdrivers and a hammer to effect pretty much all repairs and servicing.
The Haynes manual had sufficient detail to rebuild a complete car. The complete wiring diagram was typically on no more than 2 pages. Electrical diagnostic equipment was limited to a 12v bulb and length of wire.
The concept of a 12 or 20k service was unknown - every 3000 miles (including greasing steering etc) was the norm.
My nephew has just bought his first new car. His key criteria included whether it has a recharging pad for his iphone. The world moves on and many/most buyers below the age of 30 have no interest in DiY - only that it does what they want reliably.
It is open to debate whether the improvements in reliability, performance and economy are due to, or in spite of, increased complexity.
If you want a simple car, get involved in classic cars with like minded people.
|
|
My current 2005 built Mazda3 is just fine. It was (and still is) what I want. I was only ever considering replacing it because parts availability would start to become more tricky, and, at the time, I could afford to. Now I can't (forgetting the current worldwide situation).
Pointless me getting a 'classic car', as I don't want to spend all my free time tinkering with it just to keep it on the road, besides...I live in a flat and have no space for tools to any great degree.
My generation of car (2000-2012 ish) is in my view the 'sweet spot' - reasonable simple to look after, not too much fancy electronics, easy to use, comfortable, long-lived, reliable and safe.
|
The world moves on and many/most buyers below the age of 30 have no interest in DiY - only that it does what they want reliably.
It may sound unfair to suggest that many young (often lady) owner-drivers have no idea what is under the bonnet, and only think about attending to their vehicle when it stops working, or more likely when strange lights appear on the dash.
|
|
My local trusted independent says it is not uncommon for cars to be brought in with warning lights that " have been lit for a week" and no oil in the sump, "it made a funny noise" or "it just stopped". "Its been making a funny squealing noise" well it would, as there's no pad material left so it's metal to metal piston on disc.
MOT frequency reduction has been considered (before the current extension) which he does not think is a good idea for road safety, not because he'd lose some revenue from testing. The regular checks on tyres, fluids, lights which used to be a habit with most drivers years ago seem to have stopped, except for older drivers and car enthusiasts, most now rely on the car telling them its not happy in terms that can't be ignored.
|
My local trusted independent says it is not uncommon for cars to be brought in with warning lights that " have been lit for a week" and no oil in the sump, "it made a funny noise" or "it just stopped". "Its been making a funny squealing noise" well it would, as there's no pad material left so it's metal to metal piston on disc.
MOT frequency reduction has been considered (before the current extension) which he does not think is a good idea for road safety, not because he'd lose some revenue from testing. The regular checks on tyres, fluids, lights which used to be a habit with most drivers years ago seem to have stopped, except for older drivers and car enthusiasts, most now rely on the car telling them its not happy in terms that can't be ignored.
That's why so many people still wait until an MOT 'advisory' reaches 'fail' before doing anything. An otherwise very intelligent female colleague of mine often relied on them to tell her to change her tyres. To be fair, several blokes do the same.
The clips from the US TV sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory' where the character Penny drives her battered old Golf convertible around for God-knows-how-long with the 'check engine' light on until the car (expensively) dies springs to mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
