After all my thoughts of possibly getting another new or nearly new car to replace the Korando.
I had my routine hospital check for the macular degeneration yesterday and no need for further injections, nothing to worry about, but a loss of some photoreceptors. Consultant says maybe up to a few years more driving, but 6 monthly checkups.
On reflection, Have decided not to replace the Korando and will use it till whichever one of us is not happy driving.
Actually relieved to know, so can plan accordingly. Good bus connections here, 10 minute walk to Trains and mates with taxis for Stansted should i travel.
Probably for the best. Not worth the hassle, especially as it likely becomes more difficult to get used to something new (especially as the tech is now changing quite a bit) as you reach your twilight years.
Given you've chopped and changed a good few times in recent years, the odds were that you may have changed it for one you didn't like and would have to go through it all again (at extra expense) or put up with a car you liked far less than the one you replaced.
You may be lucky with your eyesight, but it may deteriorate suddenly and by quite a bit. I suppose it just means either travelling a long way for a main dealer service or (especially when out of warranty) sourcing a decent local indie to look after it.
Maybe if you're lucky, where a main dealer is a longer distance away, the location might offer a 'day out' (sightseeing, shopping, etc) for the annual service, so you can go there, leave it and do something, then pop back later to pick it up.
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Andy,
Everything you say is correct.
Very much part of my thinking.
Thanks, you crystallized my thoughts.
ORB
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Getting used to the new tech in vehicles is something i've wished to avoid for many years now, its not getting doddery or losing sight or me marbles the few i have left, i simply don't want the r****** and don't wish to pay for things that are pointless unreliable and costly to fix, i experience enough of the tat at work where modern trucks are often ahead of typical car tech, the experience is underwhelming at best even if it works as its supposed to which it usually doesn't.
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Getting used to the new tech in vehicles is something i've wished to avoid for many years
Likewise I've wished to avoid new tech and Mrs BJ even more so. However my desire to have a recent non SUV with a petrol engine, before they all vanish, overrode this - and you know what, don't tell Mrs BJ but I quite like it and it's already saved by bacon a couple of times. Once re a speed limit change I wouldn't have otherwise spotted (sign overgrown) and secondly re someone in front stopping very abruptly (no one around ahead- cash for crash attempt?).
The adaptive cruise & lane control, stunning. Fab auto LED headlights that have transformed night driving for me. Rather joined up Android Auto with Google maps , DAB, FM, internet radio/audio books etc - oh and love the rear camera.
HOWEVER all basic functions on my car are operated by buttons, knobs combined with excellent voice control for infotainment/navigation although most audio can be controlled by the steering wheel buttons!
PS If your career is in crash for cash - don't pick on a newish car!
PPS Dashcam now installed.
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
Totally agree, surprised given the amount of tech fitted to modern cars they don't come built in as standard.
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
Totally agree, surprised given the amount of tech fitted to modern cars they don't come built in as standard.
Is that because some European countries have very strict data protection laws and you have to be careful what is recorded?
At least some cars now have a usb power socket built into the rear view mirror to run a dash cam.
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
Totally agree, surprised given the amount of tech fitted to modern cars they don't come built in as standard.
Is that because some European countries have very strict data protection laws and you have to be careful what is recorded?
At least some cars now have a usb power socket built into the rear view mirror to run a dash cam.
Not seen that before - that's a smart idea and stops the need to have a wire installed round the windscreen.
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
Totally agree, surprised given the amount of tech fitted to modern cars they don't come built in as standard.
Is that because some European countries have very strict data protection laws and you have to be careful what is recorded?
At least some cars now have a usb power socket built into the rear view mirror to run a dash cam.
Not seen that before - that's a smart idea and stops the need to have a wire installed round the windscreen.
Neat - but not a problem that needed a solution - I just ran the cable up the screen pillar and across the top of the windscreeen, just gently pushing the cable behind the trim,
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PPS Dashcam now installed.
One bit of technology I do have and approve of.
Totally agree, surprised given the amount of tech fitted to modern cars they don't come built in as standard.
Is that because some European countries have very strict data protection laws and you have to be careful what is recorded?
At least some cars now have a usb power socket built into the rear view mirror to run a dash cam.
Not seen that before - that's a smart idea and stops the need to have a wire installed round the windscreen.
Neat - but not a problem that needed a solution - I just ran the cable up the screen pillar and across the top of the windscreeen, just gently pushing the cable behind the trim,
That's what I did with mine - but then had to run it behind the passengers footwell and up to where the USB socket is in the car below the infotainment screen - then you have to have it plugged in all the time - a separate USB socket built into the rear view mirror saves that wiring and allows easier plugging in - all good in my book.
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Some of you might remember that I live in Austria. I'm a member of the main national motoring club, and I had an email a few days offering refresher days for older drivers. There was some practical stuff involved so that participants could assess their ongoing abilities in a safe environment, e.g. swerving manoeuvres, braking and cornering safely, but interestingly there was a separate session covering the new tech that's around, to help them get to grips with it. Other optional sessions include an assessment of concentration abilities and reaction times. Sounded like a really good idea. Total cost is 180 euros per person or 325 for couples, and in two 'counties' there is a state grant of 40 euros. I haven't decided whether to participate yet.
Edited by Mike H on 10/03/2025 at 14:31
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Getting used to the new tech in vehicles is something i've wished to avoid for many years now, its not getting doddery or losing sight or me marbles the few i have left, i simply don't want the r****** and don't wish to pay for things that are pointless unreliable and costly to fix, i experience enough of the tat at work where modern trucks are often ahead of typical car tech, the experience is underwhelming at best even if it works as its supposed to which it usually do
Having recently switched to a BMW I 3 from a Mark 2 Honda Jazz (auto) I have no regrets.
Easy to drive home after buying..the essentials are simple. Made a policy of learning 1 new thing a week,, U tube and manual cover it all.
Fortunately at 77 my brain and eyes still function . Just try to do a little at a time is my secret/
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Getting used to the new tech in vehicles is something i've wished to avoid for many years now, its not getting doddery or losing sight or me marbles the few i have left, i simply don't want the r****** and don't wish to pay for things that are pointless unreliable and costly to fix, i experience enough of the tat at work where modern trucks are often ahead of typical car tech, the experience is underwhelming at best even if it works as its supposed to which it usually do
Having recently switched to a BMW I 3 from a Mark 2 Honda Jazz (auto) I have no regrets.
Easy to drive home after buying..the essentials are simple. Made a policy of learning 1 new thing a week,, U tube and manual cover it all.
Fortunately at 77 my brain and eyes still function . Just try to do a little at a time is my secret/
Unfortunately this ability seems to be quite variable, and obviously isn't as good the older you get. My dad, who's 81, has found getting used to his mid-upper spec 2020 Fiesta far more of a challenge than he bargained for.
I suspect that's partly due to the large gap between him buying his previous one (a near base-spec 2008 one, and that after a 1996 mid-spec one, but both with the 1.25 Zetec engine), but also because a lot of car tech, especially in-car tech has changed far more in the last 15-20 than it did the previous similar period, plus he is obviously that much older.
And has never been tech savvy and lazy in that respect (he rarely if ever bothers to read the manual for any new device, until perhaps he's angry at it not doing what he wants or he's done something wrong / its done something unexpected. That's normally when muggins gets a phonecall...
He also bought it without doing any homework and not actually needing the overwhelming majority of the functions (he 'believed' the hype from the dealer and didn't admit [ego IMHO] he'd been played [he used to be a sales person in another industry]), or the 50% extra performance, especially as he now doesn't (want to) do longer drives anyway.
He could've kept his relatively simple older car, which wasn't in that bad shape and had the few minor issues fixed, and saved himself best part of £14k and the stress of the past 2+ years. I suspect he'll be giving up driving within the next 2-3 years anyway due to declining general health. Plus he now has a car with the dreaded belt-in oil 'Ecoboost' 1L engine.
A someone famously said on film: "A man's gotta know his limitations..."
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I’ve been there. Unfortunately older people often make poor financial decisions, at least in the eyes of the next generation. As for the 2020 Fiesta have you actually checked the engine to see if it’s the belt type. It was then that the new chain version was being introduced so he may have escaped the dreaded belt.
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Unfortunately older people often make poor financial decisions, at least in the eyes of the next generation.
Just as - younger people often make poor financial decisions, at least in the eyes of the previous generation.
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The UK does not have the opportunity for drivers who have lost their licence for any reason, to retain their mobility.
The French attitude to this is to authorise "voitures sans permis" - cars without licence.
There are restrictions on speed - 45 km/hr and prohibited from motorways and expressways,
But if necessary you can chug your way over to the boulangerie, supermarket, doctor, diy shop, vet etc at 45 km/hr - not great, but better than a taxi, bicycle or shank's pony, without being in possession of a licence.
Very little if any public transport is available in rural France, we usually see 2 or 3 about at the supermarket.
An example:- garage-vivant.fr/aixam-500-fiche-technique-prix-et.../
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The UK does not have the opportunity for drivers who have lost their licence for any reason, to retain their mobility.
The French attitude to this is to authorise "voitures sans permis" - cars without licence.
There are restrictions on speed - 45 km/hr and prohibited from motorways and expressways,
But if necessary you can chug your way over to the boulangerie, supermarket, doctor, diy shop, vet etc at 45 km/hr - not great, but better than a taxi, bicycle or shank's pony, without being in possession of a licence.
I believe you can also drive one of those things if you've lost your licence from being drunk.
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"I believe you can also drive one of those things if you've lost your licence from being drunk"
It can depend on what you did when you were caught DD and how many people you killed - a judge can order that you are banned from driving anything in rare cases.
Colloquially known as "pots de yaourt (pots of yogurt) due to the abs plastic bodywork or even voitures d'ivrognes (drunk's cars)
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I’ve been there. Unfortunately older people often make poor financial decisions, at least in the eyes of the next generation. As for the 2020 Fiesta have you actually checked the engine to see if it’s the belt type. It was then that the new chain version was being introduced so he may have escaped the dreaded belt.
You are correct that the camshaft is now driven by a chain, but the oil pump is still belt-in-oil. I would only think about buying a car with the revised engine if all the belt-in-oil related problems had been resolved, and only one year out from such changes, you might not know yet.
My dad didn't do any homework at all, so if it does work out, it would be pure luck. Given the usage related problems he's had (getting used to it), he regrets the choice he made, but its pointless him changing it now, given he's not awash with cash and he likely wouldn't get many years' use out of any replacement, given his age and what type of driving he wants to do.
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There is no good reason why the elderly should make rational decisions:
- old(er) age is a time when there is no price to pay for irresponsibility
- you can't take the money with you
- if you hang on to it it may simply get burned in care home fees
- if you have an itch you want to scratch - go for it - you will never get another chance
The young have to take responsibility for their decisions - they may have 50 years or more to regret them. Post 70/80, the elderly can simply indulge if they can afford it - wine, women, song, partying, cars, holidays etc.
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There is no good reason why the elderly should make rational decisions:
- old(er) age is a time when there is no price to pay for irresponsibility
- you can't take the money with you
- if you hang on to it it may simply get burned in care home fees
- if you have an itch you want to scratch - go for it - you will never get another chance
The young have to take responsibility for their decisions - they may have 50 years or more to regret them. Post 70/80, the elderly can simply indulge if they can afford it - wine, women, song, partying, cars, holidays etc.
Scratching that itch -
tinyurl.com/2c2d44sz
By the time it's road registered and CO2 taxes paid it will be north of 100 grand euros, about
£83,333 sterling.
How does Terry view this?
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- you can't take the money with you
Scratching that itch -
tinyurl.com/2c2d44sz
By the time it's road registered and CO2 taxes paid it will be north of 100 grand euros, about
£83,333 sterling.
How does Terry view this?
Yes Please.
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Scratching that itch -
tinyurl.com/2c2d44sz
By the time it's road registered and CO2 taxes paid it will be north of 100 grand euros, about
£83,333 sterling.
How does Terry view this?
Rent one for a week or two to get it out of my system. Flaky knees and a reluctance to spend the remainder of my retirement on bread and dripping would preclude purchase.
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Brother in law sold his Mustang 5.0 last year. It was about 9 years old and he had it for about 6 years. He sold it to a Ford garage rather than trading it in and lost very little compared to what he paid for it. He had restricted mileage insurance (maybe 2k miles) which he paid two or three hundred pounds a year. You can’t have a car like that if you worry about petrol costs but other than that it was a surprisingly cheap and reliable motor to run.
It was very impressive as a passenger on the open road even at legal speeds. It didn’t made me want one though, I’d be too worried about my licence, but I could see the attraction. My other brother in law hired a Morgan for the weekend last summer. A few minutes, again as a passenger, dispelled any thoughts I may have had about getting one. Uncomfortable and very vulnerable feeling.
Never meet your (car) heroes.
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I'd put good money on the Mustang not being easy to park or to drive on narrow streets.
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I'd put good money on the Mustang not being easy to park or to drive on narrow streets.
I suspect that most Mustang buyers are not getting it for that sort of usage. On a nice day, with a trophy blonde in the passenger seat it is just the thing to blast off down the coast for a romantic weekend away. If you are single and can afford it then why not.
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I'd put good money on the Mustang not being easy to park or to drive on narrow streets.
I suspect that most Mustang buyers are not getting it for that sort of usage. On a nice day, with a trophy blonde in the passenger seat it is just the thing to blast off down the coast for a romantic weekend away. If you are single and can afford it then why not.
Perhaps, although if I was that well-heeled (including being able to afford a 'much younger model') I wouldn't be buying a new Mustang, even if the V8 sounds lovely and looks quite nice on the outside. They are not exactly what you'd call 'quality' on the inside, like 99.9% of American cars since the 1970s.
Now a vintage (Bullet type) Mustang on the other hand, that at least has classic appeal. Otherwise I'd buy some upmarket Euro sports saloon or similar.
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Been in a modern Mustang then Andy?
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Mustang is not (or should not be) about quality and sophistication.
It is about LOUD - not just lots of noise, but go very fast (in a straight line), awful fuel consumption, garish bodywork, possibly adorned with go faster stripes.
Even better if the slightest prod on the loud pedal spins the wheels, and the tail can be hung out on every corner even at slow speeds. Cock a snook at the green wellie climate change brigade, and annoy the battery power afficionados.
It is a "look at me" car. Some will be envious of car + well endowed and shapely companion - others contemptuous (or claim to be so).
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Been in a modern Mustang then Andy?
Nope, but a local owns one and I know how it 'goes' (sounds great), and have seen videos of the interior when the current version first arrived. Theirs looked great on the outside, in the 'Ford blue' with the white centre stripe.
On the other side, my local KIA dealer had a vintage top-end one as a PX (you have to wonder what they PXed it for) a year or so ago if I recall, up for well over the Ton at the time.
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