Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 10:34:20 GMT
So, no comment on the rugby? [snigger] Yes. Bollocks.
But at least I was there, and had lots of lovely ale, and rissole, chips and curry sauce for tea. Tidy.
I now hope the English give you a pasting.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 10:37:04 GMT
This weekend's new theory is that it might be an idea to get a second hand Prius or Insight and then rent a large car for long summer holiday drives when needed. I know someone suggested similar on here before, and I rejected the thought, but it might just work, having thunk about it a bit. And I was in a Prius for the fist time this weekend. I rather liked it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 10:42:05 GMT
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 5, 2018 10:57:38 GMT
...and me sicking my kebab up in a bin. A giant Astra. Lovely. You'd trade in a functioning Mercedes for that?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 11:18:13 GMT
Yeah, because I can see past the badge.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 5, 2018 11:26:15 GMT
To what? A thing built for a painter-and-decorator that rides like a farm cart? I've ridden in them. They're horrible.
Would you really want to do your long Vendée trip in that?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 11:55:49 GMT
Blimey. Painter and decorator? OK, that'd really bother me (not)...though I'm not sure many roll around in 16mpg, 230bhp 2.8 V6 Turbo versions.
I suppose I'll have to judge for myself as I haven't driven it yet. But I've been in /driven a few cooking Vectra Cs and Astras, I really don't share your derision. I'm going to have to park the actual testing of any candidates for a couple of weeks anyway, haven't got the time to get something bought before we go away for half term.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 12:52:50 GMT
That Vectra has got one of the best MOT histories I've ever seen. No fails and no advisories until 2017, when it failed for cloudy headlamps. But no MOT currently having expired in August 2018. Theories for no MOT since August? Bereavement sale?
I really am quite tempted. Wish I wasn't travelling next weekend now.
EDIT: sorry no, scratch the above, MOT valid until August 2018. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 13:50:13 GMT
You're not going to believe this, but this is copied verbatim from my missus when I sent her a link to that Vectra to look at:
"Mmm, not sure about vauxhall...
Seems a bit painter/decorator vehicle..."
I shall be purchasing the vehicle immediately on that basis.
I remember suggesting the Vauxhall Astra to my mother when she was buying a brand new car in 1983 after my Dad died. She said no, on the basis that it was a "working man's car". Honestly. She grew up on a council estate, daughter of a coal mining family on one side, Maltese immigrants on the other, and my Dad worked on the production lines at the Mars factory. She bought a Colt Mirage. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 5, 2018 15:28:02 GMT
No disrespect intended to painters and/or decorators, a noble trade plied by a friend of mine. But he doesn't take long road trips through France, and I wouldn't ask to borrow his car (a Peugeot estate the last time I noticed, but he's had a Vauxhall one before) for my next one.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 15:58:08 GMT
I think an awful lot of French people would be surprised that the thought of driving a Peugeot estate through France should cause anyone to imagine it would be an uncomfortable or unpleasant experience. Far from it, Peugeots are some of the nicest cars to cover long journeys in, big ones any road up.
I can't even being to imagine why you think it would a problem in that Vectra. Big powerful engine, automatic, squashy comfy leather seats, aircon and all that jazz of course. It's the most luxurious spec level on a large estate car designed for reps to do frequent motorway journeys in. I'm really baffled why you think it'd be a nasty experience.
I drove to Gibraltar and back in a 1.3l 4-speed FIAT Regata, it was an utter hoot and perfectly comfortable. Twice. That Vectra is several generations of improvement away from a Regata, and benefits from quite a splendid specificaiton.
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Avant
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Post by Avant on Feb 5, 2018 16:03:48 GMT
To me a Vauxhall estate suggests the man who's come to mend the photocopier - but that's normally a diesel Astra rather than that nice-looking V6 Vectra.
I've never owned a Vauxhall or wanted to own one (with the possible exception of the Mark 2 Cavalier) , but then I never tried a six-cylinder one. Medium body, big engine is my favoured combination, so this one could be good, in the Velox tradition.
I wonder how the sums stack up, Alanovic - a big powerful car for under £4k versus a possibly newer Prius and hiring a big car for the holidays. Or get the Prius and buy a roof-box.... or save up for a Lexus hybrid which'll be bigger.
I suppose after half-term the Vectra and that attractive Saab Aero may have been sold.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 5, 2018 16:04:06 GMT
I drove to Gibraltar and back in a 1.3l 4-speed FIAT Regata, it was an utter hoot and perfectly comfortable. Twice. That Vectra is several generations of improvement away from a Regata... ...Yes. I believe Vauxhalls are improving, though, so the gap may be narrowing. You have a Mercedes. Most of it still works. You gain nothing - certainly not eco-points - by swapping it for an ancient, thirsty Vauxhall. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 16:17:37 GMT
I have my orders. I'm not after eco-points. I'm after fulfilling the wife's idea of eco-points. These are totally different matters, not necessarily based on reality.
I think you overestimate the gap between this 60k mile luxuriously appointed Vectra with impeccable service and MOT history, and my 13 year old 125k mile Merc with its slipping torque converter, dodgy turbo and dying airspring.
The motoring press always gave the impression that this generation of Vectra was only marginally behind the oft-lauded and sainted Mondeo of the time, so I can hardly imagine it drives like a knackered Morris Marina.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2018 16:19:19 GMT
To me a Vauxhall estate suggests the man who's come to mend the photocopier - but that's normally a diesel Astra rather than that nice-looking V6 Vectra. I've never owned a Vauxhall or wanted to own one (with the possible exception of the Mark 2 Cavalier) , but then I never tried a six-cylinder one. Medium body, big engine is my favoured combination, so this one could be good, in the Velox tradition. I wonder how the sums stack up, Alanovic - a big powerful car for under £4k versus a possibly newer Prius and hiring a big car for the holidays. Or get the Prius and buy a roof-box.... or save up for a Lexus hybrid which'll be bigger. I suppose after half-term the Vectra and that attractive Saab Aero may have been sold. I'm not sure I'd want to drive a Prius with 4 people, a roof box, a full boot and a trailer with 4 bikes on it, across France.
Lexus GS hybrid is a thought though. Actually, who cares if it's a hybrid or not?
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