My Signum has privacy glass. Like PU's car it came with it. Anyway I like it. It helps to conceal stuff I have to leave in the car. Sorry if it causes irritation to some.
It also has twin exhausts. They came with it. Sorry about that too.
It also has a private plate which has been in our family for years and we like it. It is legally displayed and would mean nothing to anyone else. Sorry if that offends some too.
Suitably contrite ?
Anything else I should be apologising for ?
Edit- Forgive me, I forgot to mention the half leather seats. Dreadfully sorry about that too.....
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 19/02/2009 at 08:45
|
Well just so long as you don't have wood effect on the dashboard.
Don't worry about your other vices, I'm sure some system of fining those of us who share them with you is already being worked out.
|
Well just so long as you don't have wood effect on the dashboard.
What's wrong with that? My 2003 Focus has Black Cordia dark wood-effect door trim inserts, centre stack bezel and console top plate. Very tasteful.
|
|
Nothing wrong with it as far as I am concerned but I'm sure some one will be along very shortly to tell us that drug dealers have wood effect trim in their cars.
|
|
|
|
I can see a few hackles rising here - seems basically boil down to whether you think privacy glass is 'classy' in some way or conveys postive style messages about the er, incumbents.
Let me state categorically, that cheap looking bling never says tasteful or style guru. The bling markers mentioned by some here & alluded to by others, are usually items that started life on expensive 'prestige' type cars then percolated down the food chain to mass market cars. The final reside, of course, are the after-market accesory types: stick-on privacy glass, fake bluey 'zenon' bulbs, pretend clear lenses, 'double' exhaust pipe chromey things, spinal disc compressing low profile rims/tyres etc., etc.
Not saying any of the esteemed posters here descend to such depths of course - just that it's best to be aware of the impression cheapo aspirational hand-me-down bling creates - if you care much of course.
|
' seems basically boil down to whether you think privacy glass is 'classy' in some way or conveys postive style messages about the er, incumbents. '
or
provides privacy for the cars occupants, keeps the vehicle cool during warm weather, hides items inside from prying eyes, non of which falls in to your two categories.
|
|
|
>...since you will be licensed to drive a car with privacy glass, you might as well learn to drive in one.
Could we apply the same logic to, say, a Ferrari Testarossa?
|
How do you define "privacy glass"? Is the OP saying that the tint applied to the rear windows of these "learner" cars is so dark that it would fail the opacity test?
At what level of tint does it change from tinted, to sun-protection, to "privacy"?
Personally, I use the term"privacy" to mean a level of tint which would cause the car to fail the opacity test if that level of tint was applied to the front glass.
|
Assuming it's the standard tint applied to the new Focus (a neighbour has one) it would definately fail an opacity test.
It is also privacy in that you can't see in the car from the outside.
|
|
|
|
>...since you will be licensed to drive a car with privacy glass you might as well learn to drive in one. Could we apply the same logic to say a Ferrari Testarossa?
Well I don't see the problem, by extension. Better than learning in a Micra and jumping into the Ferrari.
The average learner is far more likely to get a car with privacy windows though.
Now I've started to think about this, it would make sense to have driving lessons and tests conducted in reasonably powerful cars of a middling size, equipped with most of the features typically found on private cars., than in the Micra/Fiesta. After all, you can no longer take your bike test on a 175cc Lambretta and then go and ride a superbike.
|
|
|
|
seems basically boil down to whether you think privacy glass is 'classy' in some way or conveys postive style messages about the er incumbents.
My mild objections to the stuff are:
o - It provides a colour-distorted picture of the world outside, which I don't like.
o - It makes vehicles impossible to see through, so they're a visual obstruction.
If you want an opinion on "style", well. It's usually favoured by a certain type - "the chav tendency" doesn't really cover them, but is indicative - and isn't "stylish" unless (just possibly) it's on something really unusual and probably really expensive - & I'm not talking about a tin-pot £50K car!
|
It came as standard on mine and does a fine job of keeping the dog cool in the back. As transporting the dog as well as family was a factor in choosing the car it was chosen for the practical benefits, not any chavness.
Mind I wouldnt call it "privacy" glass more like heavy tint.
|
|
|
No hackles on the move here, just mild amusement at what some can find to object to really. If I were overly concerned with automotive image, might I not choose to drive something other than a Vauxhall and two Fords ? They were all bought and are used for practical purposes. Some of the features mentioned above came as standard. I even like some of them but could live without any of them. As previously mentioned, if that offends some people I apologise, if it amuses others, I'm glad I brightened your day.
I am not without prejudice myself I freely admit. For example, I abhor the wearing of sports shoes for anything other than sport but lots of people do it so I try not to let it bother me.
Bigger fish to fry etc......
;-)
|
...so I try not to let it bother me.
Bigger fish to fry etc......
Well heck, it's only a 'post your opinions' site after all - who's really bothered enough to post on any subject? Anyone who posts that's who - if they weren't they wouldn't post!
Ok, I admit it - I pace up & down gnawing at my fingernails, ranting & raving over these things & admire deeply those who can remain aloof & unaffected! ;)
|
Woodbines - here chew these instead and save your own....
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7889890.stm
|
|
|
i think that they should make reactalite windows like the spectacles that way your windows are only tinted when the need arises and importantly at night they would be clear.
the other added bonus is the anti privacy glass people would only hate you half the time :-)
|
|
Just seen a Police Focus with privacy glass.
|
we could tell you but we'd have to kill you.
|
My new Mondeo Tit has privacy glass. I didn't like the idea but the rest of the car appealed so I got it anyway. I'm getting used to it, but undoubtedly the glass, together with the anti dazzle self-dipping rear view mirror, make the rearward view at night quite different from having clear glass. It's also odd when I look over my shoulder to find darkened glass.
I'll get used to it soon though.
|
|
> I think that they should make reactalite windows ..
Now that's a really good idea - it should satisfy everyone. I don't object to darkened glass for image reasons, but because it cuts down MY ability to get more traffic information without reducing the owner's. Similar to high-power lamps which prevent me seeing while improving things for that owner's. Not enough give, too much take.
Keeping the occupants cool - that's OK. All other reasons are pretty thin.
Edited by Andrew-T on 19/02/2009 at 19:25
|
"My new Mondeo Tit "
I have to assume you bought a pair ? :)
|
Well, here's the real reason why I like the rear privacy glass on my Signum. It has nothing to do with "image" or "bling".
I have to transport a dozen large holdalls around with me on a daily basis. They contain the essential kit I need for my work. I prefer not to use a van. Often I have to stay away overnight. When it is dark it is hard to see if there is anything in the loadspace of the car. This pleases me as I don't then feel it necessary to lug 12 holdalls into a hotel to a room which is inevitably at the furthest point from the front door, upstairs and through a squillion fire doors which all seem to open the wrong way.
That is why I like my "privacy" glass.
As for giving information to other road users, I do try to drive in a manner they will understand and indicate my intentions usuing the controls and lights provided.
Until it too is banned or taxed I will be pleased to specify it on any future cars I may buy. I have no problem in seeing out day or night.
|
So one national driving school uses Focus's with privacy glass. Wait til you see what the other national driving school is rumoured to be replacing its Vauxhalls with...
Clue: they now have a German owner.
|
Humph, as far as I'm concerned, you qualify for privacy glass. Definitely. I won't ask what you keep in these holdalls but what do you keep in your holdalls?
I'm going to have privacy glass next time too. To hell with transparency.
|
|
Isn't it awful that we have to ' qualify " for something like darkened glass so as not to fall foul of ' Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells ".
|
Wish I was allowed to say FD. All a bit hush hush I'm afraid........
Clue - Ve've been expecting you Herr Backbridge......
;-)
|
So what's the problem with "privacy glass" - not being able to see out or not being able to see in? My only gripe with darkened rear window glass is that it does tend to convert the car in question into a van, by blocking out information about the road ahead (e.g. other drivers' brake lights). As long as it's legal (no more than 30% reduction in light penetration IIRC) and as long as it is not fitted to the front door windows, then I don't have a problem. There will always be drivers in cars with more bling than mine, who sit higher up, go faster or have darker glass. C'est la vie.
The other side of the coin is that darkened glass (especially in the car in front) does help cut down GLARE: Glare from the third brake lamps in queues of traffic and glare from the ever more popular HID lights. I'm really quite happy for the chav, sorry driver, in front, to absorb all that nasty glare before it hits me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
