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Very true.. :no:Quote:
The British car industry is a bit of a bust, in my opinion, because unless you want a land-rover you have to be absolutely loaded to buy anything it produces.
Land Rover only makes 2 models under 30k I believe and one of them isnt sold in the US and the other is.. well.. ~D .
The Brits can get away with it because of the class and performance I think.. they all get a lot of respect, especially over here in the US.
PJ, what do you think of Morgans (the car)?
Thank God ~DQuote:
Britain.
Jaguar, TVR, Landrover, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley...
No one builds cars like Britain.
I dont know how they are today but when I was young they were notoriusly unreliable. Their elecrtics sucked. I guess Ford taking over most of them has improved them. ~D
Im speaking from experience. My first car was a brand new MG midget in 1970. It set itself on fire one day. I had a Triumph TR4a. One day going down the street the steering disconected itself and I ran into a fire Hydrant. My Lotus was pretty nice though. Toughest and most reliable car I ever had was a 1968 Volvo 122.
Japan. Reliable, and cheap to maintain (at least here in the US), and fairly sporty for the price.
Germany would win if I had lots of disposable cash. BMW (M5 or Z4) and Porsche would get my business.
I'm torn between the U.S. and Germany.
Germany.
Like my Ford Escort where the gear box just surrendered when I was in the fast lane of the M1 leaving me in neutral? Or my Fiesta SX that just loved to rust and the coolant loved to leak everywhere? Every country has dodgy cars. The makes you listed are all notoriously unrealiable. I did have the pleasure of owning an imported Mustang for a while though. That was just... awesome! Capri is also fun to screech around corners in.Quote:
I guess Ford taking over most of them has improved them.
The most overated country for cars ??? France. The things are so boring its unbelievable and the recent crop look like they were designed by someone who started drawing the design too close to an edge of the paper and had to quickly rush in the rear end. My list of gripes from experiences of driving 8 different Peugeots (106, 106 rallyee, 206, 206 racing version, 206 rallying version, 306, 307 diesel, 406), 4 Renaults (Clio and Clio V6, a Megane standard and a racing moddified version), 3 Citroens (2 C5s and a Xsara) The clutches and gear boxes either provide no feedback at all or require a sledgehammer to put into place, the interiors are too small, the pedals tend to be too small and unresponsive, the steering is often too heavy or too light, they're far too heavy for what they're worth, the brake pads wear out too quickly, the brakes are unreponsive and weak, the gear ratios have been chosen by a man who can't count, the handbrakes are horrible......
Would that be the Escort and Fiesta made in Britain?Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Khalifah
And you just kept buying them?? 15 french cars !!! ~:eek: and you couldn't see a pattern?Quote:
The most overated country for cars ??? France. The things are so boring its unbelievable and the recent crop look like they were designed by someone who started drawing the design too close to an edge of the paper and had to quickly rush in the rear end. My list of gripes from experiences of driving 8 different Peugeots (106, 106 rallyee, 206, 206 racing version, 206 rallying version, 306, 307 diesel, 406), 4 Renaults (Clio and Clio V6, a Megane standard and a racing moddified version), 3 Citroens (2 C5s and a Xsara) The clutches and gear boxes either provide no feedback at all or require a sledgehammer to put into place, the interiors are too small, the pedals tend to be too small and unresponsive, the steering is often too heavy or too light, they're far too heavy for what they're worth, the brake pads wear out too quickly, the brakes are unreponsive and weak, the gear ratios have been chosen by a man who can't count, the handbrakes are horrible......
IMO the germans build the best cars. The Audi incident , however, proves that there are exceptions. But then again, I wouldn't jusge US cars on Dodge Rams alone...
The most cost effective cars are probably japanese.
the british... well aren't most of them german owned by now? Anyway, I've never driven one, so I can't honestly form an opinion.
Theyre pretty cool, not really my taste though. The newer looking one (aero8 i think) is really nice. It combines that old style with a modern flare.. :thumbsup:Quote:
PJ, what do you think of Morgans (the car)?
Gawain, theyve really improved quality control over the years.. although the electronics are probably the most unreliable part of most British vehicles.
Actually, I believe Ford has bought most of them from Germany - I know they have Land Rover, Jaguar and some others.Quote:
the british... well aren't most of them german owned by now?
However, they are almost entirely designed and made in Britain.
The Germans and Ford did a lot to increase quality, but didnt stifle the British designers.
Oh god no! I used to test drive them and I am still interested in amateur production car racing and a bit of rallying. One of the best participation sports in the world, I can see why people think it's boring to watch - I find it quite boring to watch too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sigurd Fafnesbane
I couldn't possibly have bought that many cars in 8 years in addition to the non-French cars I have driven.
yeah, Morgans are nice.
I know lots of people who hate how they look. I used to like how the newer ones look but now I'm not so sure, I think I prefer the older ones that had the old styling because, well, they are old.
Then again I've also recently decided that I like Morris Minors.
Not that I know about working on Morgans but I also prefer older cars because it's easier to work on them (for anything that you can't do with a computer).
Nothing says power and performance like the "volkswagen."
...
:laugh4:
British! I've only owned one other vehicle that wasn't British manufactured. An H1 that I rolled about 4 years ago. If I ever get a SUV again I'm going to get a Landrover.
1st - Japan. Toyota wins easily. To bad the Prius is kinda a faillure in Europe.
2nd - Germany. Overall, they make really good car. Audi, VW and Mercedes are all great, although I usually don't like these cars.
3rd - France. Renault are usually great (possibly the best cars for a young driver), and PSA is making some great cars (although Citroen is having difficulties I think). But I agree that the new french cars design are quite *horrible*. Dunno where they found their designer, but they should all be fired.
4th - UK. I've never driven any car from GB, but I just like the design. TVR, Rolls, Jaguar, etc ~D
Now, US might also make good cars, but I've never tried them, and most of them really look ugly (alhough Ford is doing a bit better than other)
And Italian cars just suck. Fiat is probably the worst car maker ever. I will never buy, drive or even enter in a Fiat. But I wouldn't mind driving a Ferrari or a Buggati, just for the fun.
We've got a a guy here in town with a Morgan. He loves the car so much even named his son Morgan. Seriously. :yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Taffy_is_a_Taff
germany, and then france.
germany because i am driving a 1970s volkswagen golf, that has never been rebuilt and runs in good nick, france because of the new citeron xsara, they've had the least serious problems with their cars in the world rally championship, like 4 in 2 years or something...
btw my family own a new toyota, my friend owns a toyota supra, a whole heap of people i know own toyotas, and they are S*&T we checked them out and yes they are cheap, but they are still pieces of rubbish, horrible build quality.
thanks,
dizzy
How can anyone vote France? Gah.
Yeah rightQuote:
Now, US might also make good cars, but I've never tried them, and most of them really look ugly
American cars are far nicer than French ones.
If I am not mistaken, Australia builds her own Toyotas and Mitsubishis.Quote:
Originally Posted by dessa14
Here in Europe those two car brands have a very high quality signature. They even give a 5 year warranty on their cars.
In Europe Toyota’s headquarters lie in Brussels and has factories in UK, France, Poland and Turkey.
Germany.
Three things are recommended in Germany:
Beer, cars and unlimited speed on the motorways - what a combination!
Tough choice between Germany and France... I think France wins because of the comfort.
I would've said Italy as they undoubtly produce the most exotic cars, but they also created the Fiat Multipla... ~:eek: THE most horrible car created EVER in history and beyond!
I guess we must really hate Frnace nowdays as I cant remeber the last new French car Ive seen. Last I remember here were Citroens from the 40s and the renault daphines,
http://gilles.chagnon.free.fr/cours/...s/dauphine.jpg
I remeber the girl across the street had one. I was about 10 then and thought it was cool. So little. Was one of the few cars that was in the same class as the beetle back then.
Admittedly the Multipla is incredibly ugly, but for long journeys those things are the bomb. Masses of leg and luggage room.Quote:
Originally Posted by Apache
I am disregarding sports cars (because I hate them) so i have to go with Germany. The origional Beetle was the greatest car since the Model T.
Again id lile to know why if french cars are so wonderful there are none imported over here.
Good question - as the current French cars (especially Renault) are truly excellent cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gawain of Orkeny
Perhaps it has indeed something to do with
a) general prejudices against French cars
b) a dislike of the French
So that French automotive companies considered it not to be worthwhile to set up a distribution network in the US or even make the investment to produce cars in the US.
Whatever the reason - it sure is a loss for customers in the US...
australian toyotas are put together in australia, the bits come from japan, even the bits are pieces of rubbish though, personally, i like the quality of the french and german cars.
i have found that pommie cars seem to have a general rule. Great... except for that one vital thing...
i personally like volkswagens the most, i love test driving the new golfs and passats when they come out here.
lately alot of the french cars are hideous looking.
i do still like the peugeot (sp is wrong) line though
thanks,
dizzy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gawain of Orkeny
90 something per cent of american cars are not imported in most European countries either on the grounds of:
a) they look ugly( both ways) / tastes differ and European and American cars have evolved separately in many cases. However, the most beautiful car I ever driven was american.
b) Too big and power hungry-fuel thirsty, inefficient, not enough juice per cc...
c) Expensive transportation costs, you have to wait months for some customisations.
Simple as that. Unlike the Asian constructors, most american ones apart from ford, develop cars for America and not for global markets. As a result the imports of cars in the country are affected too.
A Korean car company is like Cinderella trying to look pleasing.
I'll choose a German car when I deserve one. ~D
No... its this:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ser Clegane
The only way I could see someone rating French cars in general over other countries' cars would be if they were young and only had a very limitted experience of driving and/or a very tight budget. All countries have their bad apples, but the simple fact remains for pretty much all French cars:Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Khalifah
They are boring to drive
and for the rare model that isn't (such as the Clio V6), I guarentee you that there is an equivalent class of car made by another country that is better. They are just boring and the design is either predictable or different in a bad way.