CARS! - I never thought I would say this....

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Wed 29 Feb 2012 20:08
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - oldroverboy

This year, I can't be bothered to make the trip to the geneva motor show after attending most years since 1980 when i went to work in switzerland. Forget all the drinks with all the old friends on the stands and the silly jokes in the minutes after the show closes. Not a problem with tickets, still get them free, still able to stay there with friends, but no longer excited by all the noise and crowds. Many happy memories though!

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 02:58
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - 1litregolfeater

I can imagine, motor cars now are just appliances designed for travel from A to B with the least pollution, while the largest amount of tax is extracted from the operator.

Not very exciting

I can imagine how it was in the fifties and sixties and even seventies if you had some money.

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 11:56
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - concrete

Yes, motoring was quite exciting then. I went from a Mini in the late 60's to a couple of Spitfires to a TR to a GT Cortina to a 3 litre Capri to a 911. Brilliant. Then I got married and had to settle for more practical transport, although usually a sportier version of the family saloon offerings. Then of course our 'noble' politicians took notice. There is easy money in what people enjoy. First you rubbish it- cars are bad, drinking is bad, smoking is bad etc. Then you tax it, because it is bad for us ( but please keep on doing it because we are screwing you rotten for money). Like you I now regard cars as merely transport and cannot get overly excited by them. Apart from a bit of comfort and decent running costs that is as far it goes. The main thrust for me on this forum is the advice on how to avoid problems with transport. It is a shame for Oldroverboy but like you said, we still have the memories. Cheers Concrete

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 14:48
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - Bobbin Threadbare

I think I've missed out a bit. I look at the VED and insurance on cars that are supposed to be fun to drive and feel disappointed as it's so high. So I'll try and get something sensible next time, even though I don't need something that can take more than one or two people.

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 16:24
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - concrete

Hello Bobbin, yes you have missed some of the fun. Although they weren't all golden years. Poor reliability, poor roads and lack of money took some of the shine off. But at least the Government kept it's big greedy nose out of the scene then. It sounds like you are young enough to enjoy the current crop of cars on offer, so treat yourself now and then. It is better than listening to 'all our yesterdays' from us old 'foggies'. I think I would like to trade myself in for a model with fewer miles on the clock. Cheers Concrete

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 16:54
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - xtrailman

The thing is back then you could drive a car, now the roads are just too busy.

Its pointless overtaking most of the time, as all you do is reach the back of yet another tail back.

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 17:04
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - Bobbin Threadbare

Give me an empty motorway at night....or empty all of the tourists out of Cumbria!

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 19:50
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - Farm Hand

OldRoverboy, I'm probably not as old as you but I'm no youngster either and I too have lost that spark as to what I drive now. I think a lot to do with this is me getting older, but with the increase in traffic on todays roads, and very bad and discourteous drivers in abundance I no longer find driving fun and entertaining as I used to. I have had some nice sporty cars in the past which were fun and you could enjoy the open roads and go out for a spin just for the fun of it - not anymore for me though - never mind the cost of fuel.

I remember when you could have a good blast down an a-road leap-frogging each other as a bit of fun with other people on the road and drivers used to smile and wave at each other just enjoying the moment. Not now though - dare overtake someone (safely) and you get a scowl or the finger. What has happened to the spirit of our nation?

But I am sure I am not alone when I say I now feel persecuted as a motorist, just for owning a car, what with ever increasing costs, regulations, green lobby, local councils obsession with petty car parking rules and armies of revenue collectors poised to extract money out of the motorist if you should dare park with a tyre on a white line etc.etc.

The economics of running a car now seem totally different since when I was a lad! First of all your part-ex is worth b***** all, the new ones all the money (thats if you can get one inside 6mths) Over a barrel for servicing to maintain warranty, fuel, road tax, insurance hikes Blah! Blah! -

Roverboy, I am on the brink of buying that appliance and complying in full with the wishes of our elected politicians who know whats best for us - the majority population.

Sorry about the rant folks - just had a very bad week. Ah well its WEEKEND!

As concrete points out, it wasn't all sweetness and light. I spent many a fine weekend under an Allegro, Beetle, Mini, Maxi, TR7, Alpine, Rover(s). But on the upside, insurance costs were peanuts considering my age and inexperience. Couldn't even begin to think cost of petrol then it was that cheap.

Yep! A golden era lost forever?

Edited by Farm Hand on 02/03/2012 at 19:53

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Fri 2 Mar 2012 21:35
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - Bobbin Threadbare

Also you could fix the car yourself back in the day. There's a lot of electronics in cars now that needs sorting with diagnostic software and so on.

There were about 200 million cars in the world in 1970, and now we're running at something close 1 billion. There's 30 million-odd motorists in the UK alone. No wonder it's feeling a bit cramped.

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Sun 4 Mar 2012 10:24
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - gordonbennet

''Yep! A golden era lost forever?............''

Excellent post Farm Hand and i agree with every word, especially the one with stars..;)

''Roverboy, I am on the brink of buying that appliance and complying in full with the wishes of our elected politicians who know whats best for us - the majority population.............''

Are but you're in danger of letting your guard down doing what you're told, see what propaganda and blinkering can do, don't fall for politicians underhand deviousness, remember as soon as they move their lips they are lying.

Once they've got everyone driving a shoe box with almost free VED they'll come up with some more bull, aided and abetted by tame program makers and media, such as lunch time on Radio 2.

Then to ease congestion and get the lost VED income back in they'll simply introduce GPS road pricing.

It won't stop there though, together with your road use bill will come the invoice for your overspeeds and road/parking infringements, then will come automatic speed limiters...and as a bonus total surviellance of the proletariat, can't monitor illegals and criminals as by their very nature they won't be in the system, brilliant...Stalinites and appatchiks especially in the EU will love it.

___-:)

Edited by gordonbennet on 04/03/2012 at 10:25

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Sun 4 Mar 2012 13:23
CARS! - I never thought I would say this.... - hillman

The first car that I owned, in 1964, was a Vauxhall Velox 2.2 litre six cylinder. It was a pig to start when cold. Living on a hill has its advantages in that I could bump start it most days.

It ran on 5 cylinders generally, but when I took it to an auction to try to sell it the 'lads' would always raise the bonnet and twiddle while looking at the cars. It didn't sell, but it ran like a dream after that.

When I took it to be serviced the mechanic took me aside and advised not to bring it to him for the MOT because it would fail through corrosion around the spring shackles. It had to go.

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