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Post by Humph on Jan 13, 2022 12:35:57 GMT
I quite like utilitarianism.
Two of my favourite cars I’ve ever had were my Mk1 Panda and my old Defender.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 13, 2022 12:38:10 GMT
I'm wondering who on God's clean earth would have bought a new Ford Escort rather than a Corolla in 2000 (we owned an R reg Escort 1.4 of the final generation and I'm kicking myself for being so brand stubborn now, it was a horrible car in comparison). Answer: No one (unless you could find one that had been crated up for a few years), the Focus model will be 25 years old next year. Where did the time go ? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 12:38:31 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 12:41:37 GMT
I'm wondering who on God's clean earth would have bought a new Ford Escort rather than a Corolla in 2000 (we owned an R reg Escort 1.4 of the final generation and I'm kicking myself for being so brand stubborn now, it was a horrible car in comparison). Answer: No one (unless you could find one that had been crated up for a few years), the Focus model will be 25 years old next year. Where did the time go ? The Escort ran alongside the Focus for a couple of years, the last Escorts were X reg year 2000 cars, as is our Corolla. So somebody could have chosen between a Corolla and an Escort in 2000, and of couse for many years before that. |
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Post by Humph on Jan 13, 2022 12:42:32 GMT
Certainly an interesting design. One with a uk fuel price friendly engine would appeal
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 13, 2022 12:47:02 GMT
By that stage Al I'd very much doubt the Corolla and Escort would be in the same price range.
You could probably get an Escort free with a new Ka by then.
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Post by EspadaIII on Jan 13, 2022 15:05:18 GMT
Having pottered about a bit in the Corolla myself now, I'm wondering who on God's clean earth would have bought a new Ford Escort rather than a Corolla in 2000 (we owned an R reg Escort 1.4 of the final generation and I'm kicking myself for being so brand stubborn now, it was a horrible car in comparison). It's just so "right". And having driven my sister's Mini last weekend, I'm wondering how the design and layout of interior controls and switchgear have regressed since the Corolla was made. The Mini is fun on the move, it has a great engine note, nice handling (although ride is choppy, but to be expected), but the controls - dear Christ they're bad. Even the essential ones like the light switch. I set off on Saturday in daylight, but misty conditions. Then realised it's on "auto" lights, so the proper lights weren't on. Could not for the life of me see where the light controls were, so I actually stopped the car to look for them. Under the dash on the right hand side of the steering wheel, hidden from the driver's view unless you actually bend down to the right, is the answer. Ridiculous. I bet there are huge numbers of Mini drivers who never bother to find it. As for the radio controls etc on the big round screen in the middle, I've never seen anything so confusing, unintuitive and distracting. I think you would need a fortnight's course and 3 hour written exam to master them. Baffling and hideous. How I wish there was a 'like' button.. The period from 1988 - 2000 was the pinnacle of car design and reliability, especially Japanese. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 13, 2022 16:09:56 GMT
Before Japanese-branded cars were widely made in Europe, parts were expensive and insurance premiums high to match. This may not have bothered low-risk middle-aged drivers (the kind we are now) but it certainly made a difference to the under-30s back then. I’d probably have bought that 1.6 Liftback otherwise.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 17:29:57 GMT
Maybe that's why they offered the 1.4 in the Corolla, like the one wot we've got 'ere. But yes, I get your point and now you mention it, my memory is jogged about insurance premiums being higher for Japanese stuff.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 13, 2022 17:34:08 GMT
It wasn't just Japanese. Euro car parts was based out of London, had a massive catalogue you ordered through the post then mail ordered the parts which sometimes fit, sometimes didn't even if you included the VIN in the order.
Insurance was also higher for Euro cars over BL stuff.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 17:36:03 GMT
Most, almost all I expect, of the parts I used came from breakers yards, and even then were the ones you had to dismantle yourself.
Ordering new parts? Luxury....
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 13, 2022 17:39:14 GMT
I draw the line at scrap yard brake pads and shoes. 😁
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 17:40:42 GMT
I didn't.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Jan 13, 2022 17:51:25 GMT
The catalogue I ordered for my dad for things like thermostats when the car was still relatively new, less than 5 years.
When I inherited the car it was the scrap yard for me. Climbing over stacked cars, ripping jeans and legs on jagged edges. Haggling with the old bloke in the shed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2022 17:57:22 GMT
>>Climbing over stacked cars, ripping jeans and legs on jagged edges. Haggling with the old bloke in the shed.
Just that. And feeling a little bit cool because I was there so often the nasty dogs knew me and I was just marginally less intimidated by the guy who owned and ran the place with his sons than more occasional visitors.
Happy days.
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