Safe Speed Forums

Following on from the (now sticky) rogues gallery, and a conversation I've been having with some colleagues, I thought it would be interesting to know what sort of car the members drive and what it says about them? In context, knowing what cars you've had in the past or planning to get may be useful?

Just a bit of fun!

Anyway, me:

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Passat 1.9 TDi 130
Year: 2005 (last of the old model)
What it Says:
The Mk5.5 Diesel VW Passat is the motoring equivalent of Clarks lace up shoes when all your school chums are wearing Reebok basketball boots. It says, in capital letters, SENSIBLE. It's a car for a grown up - no boy (or girl) racer would ever aspire to this car, except perhaps to tow their track toy around. It says, sadly, that I am boring.

My last car was a 2002 206 GTi. That car was the vehicular version of a terrier - a bit yappy, needed lots of attention. Changing from a 206 GTi to a VW passat? Rapid growing up!

My next car? I'm hoping to get a second car, a trackday / summer special - a Westfield or Caterham - to keep in the garage and polish all winter. If I don't do that, my choices are limited by the high miles I do, petrol really isn't cost effective and exciting diesel cars aren't that common. Perhaps a Mondeo ST TDCi, or Alfa GT JTD if they release a 2.4 JTD?

_________________
COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

I wasn't willing to put a photo up (want to retain just a "little" anonymity) but this I can do:

I drive a SAAB 9-3 Aero HOT auto convertible. (205bhp) It's one of the last "old shape" 9-3s on an 02 plate. I've had it for about 20 months.

I really like it, wonderful mid range acceleration, very comfy, four real seats, feels like a saloon with top up, lots of nice features like memory seats etc.

Mrs Beard has a SAAB 900S ("new shape 1994 model) auto with 207,000 miles on it - it's been a great car...

Not sure what my car says about me because I only got it because a. I needed something reliable, b. Good fuel economy c. cheap to maintain d. Mrs would not believe that you can achive a-c with something less than 3 years old.

so

53 Focus 1.8 TDCI.

However things will (hopefully) be changing in the next month or so as I may be working from home so a-c no longer an issue and d becomes moot.

Planning on TVR Griffith 4.3 pre cat (could get a newer Chimera for the same money but I love the look of the early Griffs)

There is a medalion in my photo it's just hidden under my chest wig and the latest copy of Mid Life Monthly

_________________
It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair

Well I have a 1998 Rover 620 and a 1999 Ford Cougar

No idea what either says about me, other than that I make up my own mind about cars and refuse to buy something purely because it's "fashionable".

Very happy with both cars. I've had a pair of bumpers for another car in the Cougar's boot for a week now. Keep forgetting they're there!
Possibly the most practical coupe in recent years?

_________________

Bought the old lady another Citroen Xantia Diesel.....Turbo one this time because normally aspirated ones are shite.
It was one owner from new with FSH and 70K on the clock, that only happens once in a blue moon in the secondhand diesel world.
It's cheap to run, cheap to service, and overall you get a lot of car for little money.

Me...I prefer my bike in this weather although if I do have to get in a car then I jump in whatever is hanging around at the time.

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

I drive a 1998 Peugeot 406 1.9 TD. No I'm not a taxi driver - I just drive a 120 mile round trip to work and back most days. So needed something reliable, relatively economical, comfortable and affordable. I do really like it - not amazingly quick but very comfortable and holds the road superbly. And it seems to do 45mpg whether I drive it at 40 or 90mph. Never really been into spending a fortune on cars and getting them purely for "image".

_________________
Why can't we just use Common Sense?

do you often drive around being followed by those friendly chaps with the flashy lights on their cars?

_________________
COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

well i have an grey old -megane coupe.. which says errr... a to b with a slightly sporty look (well i like it anyway), goes well enough, and the back seats are small enough to dissuade the inlaws from catching too many lifts.

wife has a soft top smart.. which we both love... you can make your own conclusions there.

and we just brought a 1982 Bedford motorhome (currently not running due to alternator problems) which says.... hmmm... i've worked with software & electronics too long and want to get my hands dirty

Not sure what my car says but about me, but I know what people think about someone owning a Vauxhall Corsa . No I’m not a boy racer (not at 53). The model is a 1.4 exclusiv , I purchased it because my Aunt gets discount as her husband was a Vauxhall employer. I’ve had it 2½ years a few minor problems but up till now it’s been a good little car, very economical which is another reason I purchased it. I’ve been using it to travel to Oxford and back every week since new (400 mile round trip)

I’ve had lots of cars (mainly small) I’ve had many mini’s, was passenger for a friend who rallied a mini, and once built one with a 1430 (David Vizard design) engine in it, Cooper S brakes, etc, went like s...t of a shovel. I’ve been (total) restoring a TR6 2.5 fuel injection (150bhp) for the past 7 years. Maybe it’ll be too late to put it on the road the way this Government are heading.

_________________
Useless laws weaken necessary laws.

My tatty 1994 Mercedes campervan (which I use as a mobile office) seems to say:

- I don't have much money or time
- Nothing is more important to me than keeping the campaign running at all times

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I wouldn't know Handy, my bike doesn't have mirrors because I think that looking at where I am going is far more important than looking at where I have already been

_________________
What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

I used to have a 1.8 Golf GL (mk3). That was a really nice car, but I sold it when the tappits started to get noisy (hydraulics therefore no adjustment).

I now drive a 1995 (old shape) Rover 418SLD. Its a 1.8TD and its faster than the Golf was but its so annonymous that for the first couple of months I kept walking past it whenever I parked it! I don't care what it looks like because it does 48mpg and its fairly cheep to insure.

Next car will be (hopefully) a jacked up SJ410 soft top, just because I can!

_________________
Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Hmm, I have two pertinent philosophies

1. Reliability by volume

2. Use an appropriate tool for the job

I think these two philosophies coupled with what is probably some sort of mid life crises and plenty of space leads me to the following admission

'95 Jaguar XJR
'90 Jaguar Sovereign
'99 Lotus Elise 111s
'90 110 Defender county (10 seat)
'78 Honda CB400F (restoration project)
'03 Honda NTV650 Deauville
'03 Yamaha YZF R6

Looking at that list I feel a little embarassed, but following philosophy 1, there is almost always something that A, works and B has petrol/diesel in it. Following philosophy 2 (and assuming the appropriate vehicle is in working order) I have something available for "moving bulk items/children/pets", something for long distance comfort, something to get to and from work, and a little something for the weekend

Here endeth my confession, whew I feel all relieved now....


Back to the original question.

What does that say about me ? I have no idea, answers in a follow up post please.

_________________
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - kebab in the other - body thoroughly worn out, screaming WOO HOO What a Ride

That you are a British car / Japanese bike fan?

That I wish I had as much parking space as you?

That's a nice range of cars - GT, big saloon, off roader and sporty runabout.

_________________
COAST Not just somewhere to keep a beach.

A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

It gets a bit cosy when Mrs Scrote brings the company car home.....

_________________
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - kebab in the other - body thoroughly worn out, screaming WOO HOO What a Ride

current runabout:

2.0i cav 1990 model 4 door, 164,000 MLS (just over half way to the moon ).

Bought in Spring 2001 for the princley sum of 200 smackers because it had a water pump prob (fixed that easily enough.)

Still going strong, feels tight as a drum and not failed an MOT yet!

Regards

Andrew

P.S. And I suppose that that says I am a tight-arsed scruffy-don't want to get up in the morning type

_________________
It's a scam........or possibly a scamola


Homer Simpson

Not wishing to put a dampener on the current thread, but this has come up in the past:

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1398

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5271

I still have the car mentioned in those threads, and it has still (touch wood) been 100% reliable.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

BMW 545i, but I'm lusting after the M5.

Also a pile of motorcycles.

Still not parted with it, due the fact its not costing my a bean to run other petrol, tax etc. Don't know what it says about me. I like to be different I suppose, hate following the crowds. I wanted a quick, rare-ish car on a budget. Seemed to tick all the boxes.

Previously Ive had another Capri, almost identical, a Ford Escort 1.6 and a Saab 900 Turbo(old shape) which was rubbish.

Finally narrowed down the Capri's replacement, its definately between a Merc CLK 430 and a Vauxhall Monaro. I'm leaning towards the latter because its probably the nearest thing there has ever been to a New Capri. Ford never managed it, so its kinda ironic that its a Vauxhall. Though I think they should have sold it as a Holden. Dont think I'd have the heart to sell the old girl though, so will keep it on a classic policy.

Same as before but soon to be changed for whaever my new employer deems fit to give me.

So now it says 'flash git' wholey untrue of course.

soon it will say........'did i really want this job?'