Like most makers BL group made some excellent and some poor cars, i had great service from my Land Crab, Princess 1800 wedge, Rover P6 V8, Rover 827 to mention a few, even the series 2a LWB ex army LR was great for what it was.

The two most hated cars in my ownership of the marque were a 2200 Land Crab and a Rover 2300SD1.

Both better and worse than other makes around at the time, but never let the chance to shove a knife into this country's heritage pass by unused.

Its not just the makes in the OP churn out cloned cars, its now most makers the general appearance of those cars varying as the price bands dictate, cars match the individuality of buyers and buyers are increasingly clone like hence indentikit cars, just as they buy into indentikit estate houses (dear Lord spare me from such a fate) and clothes.

What i can't understand is how plain and ugly has gained such fashion status, LR Ewok, Audi A1, Fiat 500L, Mazda and Mitsi pseudo 4x4's, Volvo C30, Scirroco, Ibiza to name but a few, why would anyone pay good money for cars so stunningly plain is a total mystery....cars like Roomster, Yeti, Multipla etc are at least indvidual and making no pretence of style, even Lexus grills have now gone way past motor accessory shop look, why....but the most crass piece of styling tat of late has to be the Aston style grill as fitted to Fiesta...please.

Edited by gordonbennet on 10/06/2014 at 23:41

QUOTE:...""Anyone singing the praises of BL either was not around at the time or has totally lost the plot and should retire gracefully from both these forums and driving. BL was a company which cynically sold rubbish and deserved to go broke.""

Their cars weren't any worse than Renaults or Fiats of the time, yet those two companies survived.

QUOTE:...""Someone once said that the Dolomite was a car you should drive wearing a dinner suit.""

..........Except the Sprint version, which you need to drive wearing a boiler suit!

Edited by Sofa Spud on 11/06/2014 at 18:35

Perhaps there is a stronger and more sophisticated marketing side to manufacturers today?

Part of the brand, or name being created, is the look of a car, so if Audis are all designed to be recognised as Audis, it helps them keep their name in lights and to boost sales no doubt.

Back in the day, a Rover was often recognisable as one.

The worst 'feature' today, for me, is the Lexus rhomboid or what ever it is they call the gaping mouth at the front. On its own, it would prevent my buying any of its models.

global warming though is pretty much a scientific fact....

No a fact is either true or it is not. No grey area there. You cannot be 37% pregnant

MMAGW has yet to be a proven irrefutable scientific fact. It is still only a theory.

Consensus does not transform a theory into a fact.. Science does not work on consensus, or endless computer models. You suggest a theory, find evidence that confirms your theory then its an accepted fact. Once it's reproduced by your peers.

Produce your evidence. Don't forget to show your workings in the margin.

Religions do however accept half truths so perhaps Alan your preaching the new religion?

I'm an agnostic....and I have a letter from the chaplain to prove it !

Peak oil can be debatelabe, global warming though is pretty much a scientific fact....... It is pretty self-evident that it's real - you can see it everyday.

Are you joking? It has been proven to be a myth invented by the elite who are investing in 'emerging economies' and 'carbon trading'.

Edited by Hamsafar on 18/06/2014 at 14:33