Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2024 16:31:36 GMT
No, not by me this time. Not yet, anyway. But by Mrs Al Snr, i.e. my dear old Mum.
The trusty and infamous FIAT 500L went in for an MOT before Christmas and had a bit of a spectacular fail/advisories list. One of the components required for the exhaust system, Old Mother Al was informed, was not available anywhere in the country, and a lead time could not be identified. So she faced the prospect of an extended time off the road. My stepfather’s Range Rover is also currently indisposed (colossal surprise there), and his wreck of a 20 year old Navarra isn’t a suitable conveyance for an older lady either, so in a bit of a panic Mum decides she needs a new car.
Right next to the MOT centre where the FIAT stood is a main dealer. A Ssangyong dealer. Mum walks over the road, and asks them what they had. Knowing nothing of the marque at all, she spots a 2019 reg Tivoli – a kind of SUV/Crossover car for the uninitiated, with very low miles, in 1.6 petrol automatic form, and at an eye-catching (to her) price.
A day later the dealer drives it out to Mum’s place for a test drive, and after consulting with me to check she isn’t buying, in principle, a total lemon, she decides she lives the vehicle very much and places a deposit.
The car was in her ownership the next day. Bish bash bosh.
Seems pleased with it so far, but has been a bit baffled by some new electronic tech, like the High Beam Assist. Did not like that AT ALL – and it took a while to help her out over the phone to find the right part of the manual where the settings to switch that off reside.
Haven’t personally seen or driven it yet, but I await my opportunity with interest.
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 3, 2024 17:02:42 GMT
It will suit her very well. I just worry about bespoke parts availability if Ssangyong depart the market (as Mitsubishi and Daihatsu have done).
Surprised about Fiat exhaust. I would have thought that a Jeep product may be similar?
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 3, 2024 17:27:13 GMT
A trip to one of the many bespoke exhaust manufacturers would have been cheaper than a new car.
Shiney is good though. Auto express appear to be quite enthusiastic about the one they've had on test, though not so happy about the diesel. Carwow a bit less so. Looks to be Juke size in a Duster market and family friendly.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 3, 2024 17:37:13 GMT
…if Ssangyong depart the market (as Mitsubishi and Daihatsu have done). Oh? I didn’t know about Mitsubishi. I was only reminded of Daihatsu by the news story the other week that they’d been faking safety tests for decades. |
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 3, 2024 21:32:59 GMT
Yes. No new car Mitsubishi sales for over three years. Daihatsu stopped UK sales in 2009.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 9:05:03 GMT
A trip to one of the many bespoke exhaust manufacturers would have been cheaper than a new car. Shiney is good though. Auto express appear to be quite enthusiastic about the one they've had on test, though not so happy about the diesel. Carwow a bit less so. Looks to be Juke size in a Duster market and family friendly. Well when you're a 76 year old lady, living somewhere remote, your only viable car is stuck in a garage because it can't be legally driven on the road, the exhaust part wasn't the only fail, the car is worth peanuts and may well be beyond economical repair, you need your car tomorrow and it's Christmas next week, then a trip to a bespoke exhaust manufacturer is pretty much out of the question. The FIAT lasted her about 8 years I reckon, it was nearing 100k miles and she was losing confidence in it after a couple of reliability issues (some diesel gubbins related nonsense). So shiny it had to be. The new car was £13k at 4 years old, with 10k miles on the clock, FMDSH, and a top of the range specification. Seems a fairly sensible buy. |
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 4, 2024 9:20:05 GMT
Assuming it is reliable and she (and the car) survive another few years then it's not a stupid buy.
In fact are there any stupid buys out there now? Someone may overpay through their stupidity but there are few bad cars (JLR reliability notwithstanding).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 9:26:25 GMT
Don't start me on JLR. You've just reminded me of last month's other extended family car purchase. My brother-in-law and sister have just made what I consider to be a stupid car buy. A 2016 Jaguar F-Pace, nearing 40k miles on the clock and for about £20k from a main dealer. A 2.0 diesel, so at least it isn't the 3.0. All in black, inside and out. Just waiting for the first tales of problems, dealer intransigence, warranty denialism and massive bills. An 8 year old diesel Jag SUV. I ask you.  |
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 4, 2024 11:06:38 GMT
£20k?? For that?? There are so many better cars for the price.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 11:17:18 GMT
I know. I tried to tell them. But badge. They're all about badge.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 4, 2024 11:27:59 GMT
When dealers are asking £12k for a 70,000 mile 18 year old S type, an 8 year old fashionable SUV with slightly over half the mileage and less than half the age doesn't seem so bad at £20k. Wouldn't be my £20k but taken in context is it really so over priced ? Yes, they'll get a shock when they want to get rid of it that's the risk buying at the moment anything that has been in stock for a couple of months or more.
We're in the transition now between cars for which dealers have paid a healthy premium in existing stock Vs what they will be paying from now onwards.
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 4, 2024 11:38:59 GMT
I know. I tried to tell them. But badge. They're all about badge. I like a nice badge but sometimes it is easier without one. If asked I tell people I drive an electric Hyundai. 99% of people have no clue what I am talking about and have no thoughts about me one way or the other; the remaining 1% consider me intelligent! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 12:10:04 GMT
I know. I tried to tell them. But badge. They're all about badge. I like a nice badge but sometimes it is easier without one. If asked I tell people I drive an electric Hyundai. 99% of people have no clue what I am talking about and have no thoughts about me one way or the other; the remaining 1% consider me intelligent! B-i-L is now a retired General, needs to be seen in something befitting of his status, see. Always been like that with him. A corking good bloke over all, but very brand sensitive. A marketing man's dream. |
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 4, 2024 13:08:40 GMT
I can so see a retired general in a Jag!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 13:36:05 GMT
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