Rod H Wrote:More news at hand is the repair quote the bodyshop's has given to the insurance company is $8000. The Glass guide value for private sale is $6,480 - $7,920 and the trade-in value's in that range too. To buy a used one from a dealer around is $12,000.
I think we're gonna need a new-er car. Which is darn troublesome when you've the build of Jeremy Clarkson. And as we've decided it's gotta be a diesel and new, rather limiting. There was thoughts of why not go electric, but due to the infrastructure & the random long distances I've got to travel for work. Just means that they're the impracticable option.
So the list of things we need in a vehicle are:
*Must comfortably seat 3 to 4 Jeremy Clarkson sized people
*diesel fueled
*no clutch pedal
*holds a minimum of a 1m^2 of tools & kit
*Bluetooth & iPod friendly (or can accept the aftermarket radio I fitted to the 'Rolla)
*won't have radical Greens up in arms
*be rather reasonably priced
Oh and it should be smaller than a MB Vito/Transit van. 'Cos that's what my Dad drives now, yep he's a White Van Man.
Now I think of it, that's almost a Top Gear Challenge idea in itself and they'll try to find three vehicles that would meet those criteria for under £1500. Or one vehicle for £4500.
--Rod.H
You might be able to find a Renault Scenic 1.5tdci if you search for it.
I half-learned to drive in one (And a Ford Fiesta which was a much better car, but it belonged to the Instructor). Fucking hate the thing. But it fits 5 Jeremy Clarkson sized people + 2 kids in the back, and is frugal with diesel. The only problem is the engine. Put the foot down, and the noise increases right away but you've got time to look at the gearbox and wonder if you're in Fifth instead of Third before it actually starts accelerating... and then suddenly you've got to grab another gear because it's run out of revs. There is an auto version. I would imagine that it's even worse. And it's French so build quality is a bit *gallic shrug*. There are also some absolutely retarded design decisions, like the RHD model using the same instrument binnacle as the LHD one.... in the same position so you have to look over to the passenger side away from the road to check your speed. Oh, and the brake and throttle pedals are so close together that I'm forever getting a foot-full of revs when I'm bringing it to a stop... which is not a safe thing. Scary for the stopped car in front who suddenly hears this big diesel rev up behind him.
But they are cheap, big inside, comfy enough.... and do go easy on go-juice even with my lead foot. And the radio controls are perfectly in the driver's line of sight.
Not recommended, but it'll do in a pinch.
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--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?