Topic: What Car Do You Own/Drive?

[Jason McG]

Q7 is the best looking one.

Keith, have you driven any of the VXR's? I heard they suffer really badly with torque steer and while going fast in a straight(ish) line is good, what about when you have to go round a corner?

[Hinesy]

that's like saying Phil is the best looking Neville. 

[¡Basta Ya!]

Not so sure on the X3, myself. Will it be a company car/have to be a beemer?

[keithcun]

Q7 is the best looking one.

Keith, have you driven any of the VXR's? I heard they suffer really badly with torque steer and while going fast in a straight(ish) line is good, what about when you have to go round a corner?

I've resisted test driving at the moment as I'm rather an impulsive fucker and I'll end up signing on the dotted line. The Astra VXR and the Vectra VXR (another on my possible list) do suffer from torque steer (Astra moreso) but as long as you have your hands on the wheel, it shouldn't be a problem. You just have to be reasonable when accelerating from standstill.

I could get a brand new Astra VXR or a 6 month old Vectra VXR for the price of an '06 350z GT so I'm kinda tooing a throwing by the day. I need to get my mortgage paid off, which hopefully should be in the next month, then I can get my arse in a few cars and take it from there.

The reason I like the VXR's apart from they are good looking, and the 350Z for that matter, is there aren't that many around. I lke the Focus ST but there are about 4 within a mile of me, and I don't want something that every fucker has got.

Toyed with an M5 and M3, but for the money I have, you are looking at a 5 year old car with the running costs to match.

[rotistgeil]

Wait for/get the VXR 8!!!




 

[Something Else]

PS - BMW diesels are generally faster and quieter than the petrol equivalent now, as proven, much to clarksons chargrin, on last series of topgear.

but its not quieter and only the 3.0D is a better engine than the petrol

damn them editors, but they really are not quieter, quieter than other diesels but still nowhere near as refined as the petrol

[keithcun]

Wait for/get the VXR 8!!!




 

that maybe the next after this one.

but its not quieter and only the 3.0D is a better engine than the petrol

damn them editors, but they really are not quieter, quieter than other diesels but still nowhere near as refined as the petrol

And that's not a patch on the 335 twin turbo.

[Corkboy]

I intend to keep it strictly on road though

So why do you need a jeep type thingy?

[nidgemo]

but its not quieter and only the 3.0D is a better engine than the petrol

damn them editors, but they really are not quieter, quieter than other diesels but still nowhere near as refined as the petrol

They are you know. Clarkson was furious.

Drove a new diesel 5 series and a new petrol 5 series, same size engine, same spec etc, and used a decibel meter in both.

The diesel was quieter than the petrol. Not by much (3db IIRC) but it was quieter. It also had a faster 0-60 time.

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/used_car_reviews/article1315918.ece

As a general rule of thumb the big-engine petrol models are great to drive but expensive to run, while all the diesel models are almost impossibly refined and reassuringly economical. If your budget will stretch then treat yourself to the 535d. It comes with a twin turbo 3 litre diesel engine producing 272bhp and 413 lb ft torque. Performance is mind-blowing: 0-60mph in 6.5sec and a top speed of 155mph, all while returning nearly 35mpg. If ever there was an argument for changing from a petrol car to a diesel one, the BMW 535d is the best one I have heard.

Cheaper to run, longer service intervals, and lower emissions so friendlier to the earth as well.



Diesel. It's the future.

[nidgemo]

So why do you need a jeep type thingy?

Like the look of them. Simple as that. Don't need one. Just like them. At 6'4", they're a bit roomier for me too.

Why do you need an S class merc?

[Corkboy]

Why do you need an S class merc?

I find I really can't negotiate the daily 3.5 mile urban commute without the confidence of a 5.6 litre V8.

[nidgemo]

I find I really can't negotiate the daily 3.5 mile urban commute without the confidence of a 5.6 litre V8.

This is why I need a 4x4 jeep.

I have to drive half a mile into work on a newly built bypass 5 days a week. And then home again.

[keithcun]

They are you know. Clarkson was furious.

Drove a new diesel 5 series and a new petrol 5 series, same size engine, same spec etc, and used a decibel meter in both.

The diesel was quieter than the petrol. Not by much (3db IIRC) but it was quieter. It also had a faster 0-60 time.

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/used_car_reviews/article1315918.ece


Cheaper to run, longer service intervals, and lower emissions so friendlier to the earth as well.



Diesel. It's the future.

Not according to BMW's own website. 

here

And the noise levels will be down to superior noise deadening, not the engine. people want to hear the petrol engines, not the box of spanners noise of the diesel.

[rotistgeil]

Diesel Power!!!!

As Audi is doing quite well with diesel at LeMans, rumours have it that they might/will introduce a V12 Diesel R8.





These are just shopped pics from Auto Motor Sport Germany but it will be quite an engine.

[Jason McG]

A 350z or a vauxhall??? That's a no brainer.

[keithcun]

A 350z or a vauxhall??? That's a no brainer.

To be honest, I've never had a bad Vauxhall and they (VXR's) are hardly the run of the mill rep cars. I do prefer the 350Z though. just got to sift through all the shitty imports though to find a good UK car.

[rotistgeil]

Vauxhall

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/467653

0-60 in 2.9 secs

[Emlyn18]

im gonna get a golf i think

[MichaelA]

nidgemo, I associate you with the aesthetic, so why on earth would you want an X5.

He's plummeted in my estimation. Anyway, here's my runaround, although the heating has just packed in, hardly ideal in January in Scotland. 

[Hinesy]

And a fine car it is too Mr A. If the cabin is a tad noisy...

[Ashfordian]

What litre engine has that got, Michael?

[Phil M]

If I could afford one I'd buy one...

[chris2006]

Diesel Power!!!!

As Audi is doing quite well with diesel at LeMans, rumours have it that they might/will introduce a V12 Diesel R8.






These are just shopped pics from Auto Motor Sport Germany but it will be quite an engine.

The pants have been well an truly creamed!

[Something Else]

Not according to BMW's own website. 

here

And the noise levels will be down to superior noise deadening, not the engine. people want to hear the petrol engines, not the box of spanners noise of the diesel.

thank you

the diesels are noisier, try looking yourself rather than getting info of what is a great journo but one who bows to the presures of an editor, and people who give him money

the cabin may be slightly quieter but thats all sound proofing = weight and its just not the same

Diesel Power!!!!

As Audi is doing quite well with diesel at LeMans, rumours have it that they might/will introduce a V12 Diesel R8.





These are just shopped pics from Auto Motor Sport Germany but it will be quite an engine.

would be a hell of a car, with a hell of an engine but you still want the noise of a petrol

if they could do that then theres your winner

[nidgemo]

thank you

the diesels are noisier, try looking yourself rather than getting info of what is a great journo but one who bows to the presures of an editor, and people who give him money

the cabin may be slightly quieter but thats all sound proofing

well, I always sit in the cabin while driving my car, so if it's quieter in there, then as far as I'm concerned, it's a quieter car.

And anyway -- I don't want to sit in my car and hear noise like I'm sitting in the central reservation of a motorway. I want quiet, and some good music / talk radio / podcasts on.

Can't get the buying a car for the sound. The last sound I want to hear for 3 hours on a long drive is incessant engine screaming.

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

i own a admiral  500 & 12 tea..6 litre twin turbo'd xl 4200 es.bungalow bike high heeled car..
i got it with a free magic trick and compass(with cheese) pointing northward....starboard bound !!

[Corkboy]

Can't get the buying a car for the sound. The last sound I want to hear for 3 hours on a long drive is incessant engine screaming.

You want it there for you to hear, though. That's something you don't really get with a diesel. You don't get the steady snarl of a nice six cylinder, or the basso rumble of a V8. Good cars are quiet until you want them to be loud.

Also, the power progression on diesels is a little hard to appreciate. If you've grown up on petrol, the whole notion of having loads of low end torque, which then kind of peters out when the turbo decides it's done, is a little unsettling.

[Phil M]

Are you lot all professional footballers or something?

I've only seen most of these cars on Top Gear ffs!

 

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

Are you lot all professional footballers or something?

I've only seen most of these cars on Top Gear ffs!

 

nah mate far from it,im a local yokel.
paid for mine with bean's that a local farmer wanted to trade for it!

 

[rotistgeil]

would be a hell of a car, with a hell of an engine but you still want the noise of a petrol
if they could do that then theres your winner

Use a different exhaust if needed, it'll do some noise but the torque and speed will just do nicely.

[uneverwalkalone]

just posted this in the new car thread, but it will probably get more response here...

Speaking of cars - anyone got an X3?

Fancy a jeepy looking thing for my next car, and want to stick with BMW, but couldn't quite stretch to an X5

Anyone have one / had one / know anyone with one?

X4 coming out soon, also an X6

[7Dalglish]

You want it there for you to hear, though. That's something you don't really get with a diesel. You don't get the steady snarl of a nice six cylinder, or the basso rumble of a V8. Good cars are quiet until you want them to be loud.

Also, the power progression on diesels is a little hard to appreciate. If you've grown up on petrol, the whole notion of having loads of low end torque, which then kind of peters out when the turbo decides it's done, is a little unsettling.

The sound of a rotary engine at 9000rpm over a V6 or V8 any day, it's sweet music.

[MichaelA]

What litre engine has that got, Michael?

3.2 litres 

[NickoH]

The last sound I want to hear for 3 hours on a long drive is incessant engine screaming.

The last sound I would want to hear is you talking for 3 hours on a long drive 

[nidgemo]

You want it there for you to hear, though.

No, I don't. I really don't want a car that interferes with what I want to listen to when driving.

If you've grown up on petrol, the whole notion of having loads of low end torque, which then kind of peters out when the turbo decides it's done, is a little unsettling.

That's why they have gears

Seriously, though, possibly people are used to changing higher in petrol cars, so when they drive a diesel it feels sluggish - anyone used to driving a diesel would be changing too low in a petrol.

I know in my current car (BMW diesel) I'll not go any higher than 4.5k revs or it starts to peter out - a petrol driver would probably want to push it on to 6k, as that would be what they were used to doing - and then blame the car for it, rather than their unadaptive driving style. But I know I get the best acceleration in that 2000 - 4500 range

(note - this is if you're blasting it for a fast run - I'll normally change at about 2.5-3k in everyday driving, I'm not caning the shite out of the engine all the time)

[nidgemo]

The last sound I would want to hear is you talking for 3 hours on a long drive 

I bet you'd love it.

I'm fantastically entertaining, informed and argumentative. I'm great company.

[voronin_is_ghod]

i drive a ferarri but its in the shop so im driving a ford fiesta

[keithcun]

No, I don't. I really don't want a car that interferes with what I want to listen to when driving.

That's why they have gears

Seriously, though, possibly people are used to changing higher in petrol cars, so when they drive a diesel it feels sluggish - anyone used to driving a diesel would be changing too low in a petrol.

I know in my current car (BMW diesel) I'll not go any higher than 4.5k revs or it starts to peter out - a petrol driver would probably want to push it on to 6k, as that would be what they were used to doing - and then blame the car for it, rather than their unadaptive driving style. But I know I get the best acceleration in that 2000 - 4500 range

(note - this is if you're blasting it for a fast run - I'll normally change at about 2.5-3k in everyday driving, I'm not caning the shite out of the engine all the time)

they are alright for reps, taxis, tractors, buses and lorries, but for enthusiasts, where engine sound, speed, driveability are paramount, then it's petrol all the way.

[TheKid.]

a new mondeo just drove past me, i quite like it :-/

[nidgemo]

they are alright for reps, taxis, tractors, buses and lorries, but for enthusiasts, where engine sound, speed, driveability are paramount, then it's petrol all the way.

Used to be.

nowadays the speed and driveability is no different. Only the engine sound (which I don't want to hear anyway) is different.