"On reflection, how many of you will admit that it you actually chose (consciously or not) your partner for the same or similar reasons e.g. looks, build quality, reliability, performance, economy, 'kit', practicality etc."
Nicolle? yup all of those reasons, looks, reliability, performance, kit, toys, practicality.
Not very economic tho very expensive to run, Garaging costs a fortune, only runs on semilon chardonay at 7 quid a litre.
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Oh!
And it came without any handbook, has loads of features and foibles I never worked out. Anyone know how to disable the voice synthesis?
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It's funny you should say that about your wife RF 'cos I feel the same about mine ;-)
In fact, having a younger wife is like having a new car - the bodywork's great, clutch/brakes are a bit fierce, there's one of two new gadgets you haven't had before but the controls are in the wrong place!!
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Hahahah .. I love it!!!
Well, baring my soul here, and there's me hardly knows you, BUT...
I chose my one and only partner on the basis of pure chemical attraction.
Let me tell you...
I was just turned 16 (so was he) and we haven't been apart since.
Having chosen on instinct - he has proven to be
dashed good looking, can't be beaten on appearance
good performer (keeping it clean)
hard worker
honest
reliable
needs little or no maintenace
little niggling faults in no way hinder the overall desirablility
increased in value over the years
later models of this type from the same manufacturer are absolutely gorgeous (2, now 15 and nearly 19, although are of a variant kind, and not *quite* so smooth running)
If I'd gone shopping with a wish list, I couldn't have found better - hence am hanging on to this little number - it's a classic!!!!
I could go on and on and on - suffice it to say, that just like my shopping and research for the new car. I KNOW A GOOD THING WHEN I SEE IT :-D
However, would not let him read this, no way ...
and god knows what kind of reply you'd get from him.
ps have of course, perused a few rival brochures, and made comparisons over the years (no test drives though thank you) - my friends also wish they'd got as good a deal as me! Infact most of them seem to have gone for the trade-in route :(
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Quite ironic Volvoman. I got rid of my last girlfriend for all the reasons, bar number 3, cited in my Vectra post :o)
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Unlucky in love and in motors then Dan ? (ps hope to meet you soon BTW).
Well as for me - I've got to admit that youth, performance, bodywork, 'kit', good looks, curves/lines all came into my choice with Mrs V. She also scores heavily in terms of practicality, economy and reliability. Like some of our foreign motors though she can bite in unexpected ways when you least expect it ! All in all she certainly keeps me on my toes and if she'd been a car I might have .......
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Oh and for anyone who's wondering I didn't acquire Mrs V in the same way I get my cars - ie from friends or the family - and she's not 2nd hand !
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Oh and for anyone who's wondering I didn't acquire Mrs V in the same way I get my cars - ie from friends or the family - and she's not 2nd hand !
V'man,
Mine was very very low mileage model (did I say model!!?!) and I was allowed to do an extensive test drive before making a final decision.
I would have loved one with zero miles on the clock but....
The only problem with the test drive was that I couldn't test more than one at a time..
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Unlucky in love and in motors then Dan ? (ps hope to meet you soon BTW).
I learnt much from both! Most happy single at the moment and fingers crossed should shortly be Vectra-less!
Will be good to meet you too of course - slowly sorting with HF. If we can arrange in London (I'm looking into suitable child friendly pubs etc) then hopefully we'll get a few more out of the woodwork as well! No doubt HF will do a nice big new thread once more is decided...
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VW Polo 1.0L 1990 'G'
Secondhand, first car, friends had all had them and they were reliable and dependable despite the hatchback looking like a bread van. Fairly cheap to insure, mechanically not bad, blew the head gasket though which was a bit steep despite getting 50% off the warranty company.
Peugeot 106 XL 1.4 1997 'P'
Bought this new, chose it for a nippier engine, fairly good reputation, not bad interior. However, the reality was it was unreliable, its reputation was going down faster than the Titanic. Sold it after 12 months, it spend 2 of those at the dealership having warranty repairs. Never again.
Rover 620Si Auto 1994 'L'
A bit of a change in 1998, a friend of the family was selling it as it was surplus. It was nearly five years old with only 27K on it and I'd admired the elegant looks from when they first came out. Engine was fantastic, very revvy and the auto box was supersmooth, nice interior, very cheap to maintain as nothing ever went wrong. I adored that car put 30K miles on it and was looking to put another 70,000 on it. Got smashed up in a motorway accident and written off, probably saved my life.
Rover 623GSi Auto 1998 'R'
With the settlement from my old car and bit of cash, bought another one only with all the toys and the bigger engine. I knew this one handled better and it didn't disappoint, very quick off the lights and an excellent cruiser. The engine expired after a gasket fault led to it losing too much oil cracking the cylinder head. Uneconomical to repair so flogged it to the mechanic for £500.
Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi 2002 '52'
Bought it for its excellent looks, fantastic interior, comfort and ride. Surprised by the diesel which was supremely quiet and only slightly less refined than the 2.5 V6 but does 45+ mpg. So far so good.
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Volvoman,
As with car - best I could afford at the time!
Matt35.
(At least I thought I could afford her.)
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Car: 'G' reg Golf GTD, chosen because it was cheap (£250 - purchase price + repairs) and I needed a diesel. Actually, it did a long journey on Sat night/Sun morning without a problem. I was very pleased (and relieved!)
As for the second question - I've always admired the look of a classic. Ok, they need more maintenance and a quick rub over with an oily rag once in a while, but the end result is worth it. (Quickly looks around for a handy parapet to duck behind).
Cheers
Rob
"Bucket o'lard"
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1996 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS Estate.
Bought it for the:
looks
spacious interior
hard wearing interior
alloys
air con
huge boot (although the load cover is quite fiddly)
and beacuse I wanted a so called 'exec' car and couldn't afford anything newer than an E reg Merc or F reg BMW which IMHO do not look as nice as the Omega although they are probably a dman site more reliable!
Plus had a D reg Carlton before hand which was getting a bit dated.
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These car v significant other comparisons are amusing.
Some of you might remember that I acquired my current car by chance rather than by choice, and whilst being several years newer, it's a lot larger than previously owned vehicles.
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