Good analysis and I learnt that some cars have wet belts which I'd never heard of and had no idea, until I looked it up, what it was!
The environmental lobby and over zealous ignorant politicians are literally killing off our car industry on the altar of Net Zero which if you know even just a little bit about what really causes our climate to change makes the 'social murder' of our/the car industry COMPLETELY unnecessary.
Great article, thanks Pete. Like you, we had an elderly Vauxhall, traded it in for a Ford Mundane (Mondeo). Both were good cars and cheap to run but when the turbo failed on the Mundane, the cost of replacement was higher than the value of the car.
Looking at new and nearly new cars recently, I have to agree with all that you write. The best value seems to be a Renault Dacia (Romania). Who'd have thought that 'we' would now be supporting the Romanian car industry?
Western European car making was in decline even before Brexit. The idea of staying in the EU to support car making was chasing the past.
The industry had shifted not just to Asia but to Eastern Europe, Turkey. They can make cars cheaper than we can.
Personally, my mobility has shifted away from cars to buses, trains and Ubers, the odd car hire. This isn't green advocacy but static costs of cars, improved service of taxis and buses, the number of businesses that deliver for a small fee. Uber has filled in the gaps where public transport doesn't work, the places where cars are particularly useful. They just work in a way that old minicabs didn't.
Our 11 year old Mazda 3 is working very well. We were thinking of getting rid of it for a newer car, but everything we read suggests that we should just run it on.
2015 Honda Jazz here. It has the advantage, being an old automatic, that before it warms up it’s slowest speed is 30mph. I cannot wait to be hauled into court for speeding in a 20mph zone. Stated case incoming😆.
My first car was a Morris 1100, with 103,000 already on the clock… I kept it going for a few years with my own repairs mainly.
The next few were also old & cheap; then, with job changes & promotion at work, from 1979, I had a nice new company car every 3 years for a long time until tax changes made it uneconomic. To save money, I bought my leased, high spec. 2 litre petrol engined BMW 3 series, when it ended the three years and kept it serviced locally to reach over 160,000 miles in 20+ years. Then, rusting badly, the rear suspension broke badly, the engine was knacked & it went to the scrap yard.
Finally, just after the Government announced an end date for new petrol cars, I was then fortunate to buy, from an Audi Dealer, an Audi A4 Sport, 2.5 petrol TSRi, leather seats, metallic red, sun roof, heated front seats, sat nav, cruise control, etc. as it finished it’s first 3 year lease for somebody whose budget covered all the extras. A very nice, speedy and comfortable car which I hope will be the last I will need to buy. Already done 25,000 miles, 39mpg average with average speed about 41mph; not rushing for an EV any time soon.
I passed my test in 1972 but hardly ever enjoyed driving.
The roads are even less palatable to drive now.
Getting rid of my car (and retiring) was a very happy moment in my life.
My brother in law has just retired and sold his car - it’s like a weight off his shoulders and he had a top of range BMW.
My niece however loves her BMW and would need counselling if she lost it.
I realise most people think they need a car for work. I recognised when the need ceased and got rid.
But assessing the convenience and inconvenience of a car against not having one is often mixed with status. You don’t have a car?! (pitying looks all around).
Think twice about buying one. Renting occasionally is under rated.
That depends upon where you and your family live. We would find life far more difficult without a car. I had to do without lately and buses/taxis etc lately. Life was very much restricted.
They really don’t want you to drive at all.
Yes. You will walk to your nearest corner shop for food, watch Nextflicks for entertainment and be happy!! Bread and Circuses comes to mind.
However suggesting that the current government is not wonderful, could mean that you end up in prison, so be careful!
Good analysis and I learnt that some cars have wet belts which I'd never heard of and had no idea, until I looked it up, what it was!
The environmental lobby and over zealous ignorant politicians are literally killing off our car industry on the altar of Net Zero which if you know even just a little bit about what really causes our climate to change makes the 'social murder' of our/the car industry COMPLETELY unnecessary.
Great article, thanks Pete. Like you, we had an elderly Vauxhall, traded it in for a Ford Mundane (Mondeo). Both were good cars and cheap to run but when the turbo failed on the Mundane, the cost of replacement was higher than the value of the car.
Looking at new and nearly new cars recently, I have to agree with all that you write. The best value seems to be a Renault Dacia (Romania). Who'd have thought that 'we' would now be supporting the Romanian car industry?
Its all pretty shit, to be honest.
Whatever they touch turns to shit.
Like Midas, only more expensive
Western European car making was in decline even before Brexit. The idea of staying in the EU to support car making was chasing the past.
The industry had shifted not just to Asia but to Eastern Europe, Turkey. They can make cars cheaper than we can.
Personally, my mobility has shifted away from cars to buses, trains and Ubers, the odd car hire. This isn't green advocacy but static costs of cars, improved service of taxis and buses, the number of businesses that deliver for a small fee. Uber has filled in the gaps where public transport doesn't work, the places where cars are particularly useful. They just work in a way that old minicabs didn't.
Keep the Insignia. At least you know it’s a decent motor and the chassis is sound.
You dont like how Mazda 6’s looks?
I always thought that era of Mazda style was the successful version of what Merc was trying and failing to do
Our 11 year old Mazda 3 is working very well. We were thinking of getting rid of it for a newer car, but everything we read suggests that we should just run it on.
2015 Honda Jazz here. It has the advantage, being an old automatic, that before it warms up it’s slowest speed is 30mph. I cannot wait to be hauled into court for speeding in a 20mph zone. Stated case incoming😆.
My first car was a Morris 1100, with 103,000 already on the clock… I kept it going for a few years with my own repairs mainly.
The next few were also old & cheap; then, with job changes & promotion at work, from 1979, I had a nice new company car every 3 years for a long time until tax changes made it uneconomic. To save money, I bought my leased, high spec. 2 litre petrol engined BMW 3 series, when it ended the three years and kept it serviced locally to reach over 160,000 miles in 20+ years. Then, rusting badly, the rear suspension broke badly, the engine was knacked & it went to the scrap yard.
Finally, just after the Government announced an end date for new petrol cars, I was then fortunate to buy, from an Audi Dealer, an Audi A4 Sport, 2.5 petrol TSRi, leather seats, metallic red, sun roof, heated front seats, sat nav, cruise control, etc. as it finished it’s first 3 year lease for somebody whose budget covered all the extras. A very nice, speedy and comfortable car which I hope will be the last I will need to buy. Already done 25,000 miles, 39mpg average with average speed about 41mph; not rushing for an EV any time soon.
I’m a carphobe.
I passed my test in 1972 but hardly ever enjoyed driving.
The roads are even less palatable to drive now.
Getting rid of my car (and retiring) was a very happy moment in my life.
My brother in law has just retired and sold his car - it’s like a weight off his shoulders and he had a top of range BMW.
My niece however loves her BMW and would need counselling if she lost it.
I realise most people think they need a car for work. I recognised when the need ceased and got rid.
But assessing the convenience and inconvenience of a car against not having one is often mixed with status. You don’t have a car?! (pitying looks all around).
Think twice about buying one. Renting occasionally is under rated.
That depends upon where you and your family live. We would find life far more difficult without a car. I had to do without lately and buses/taxis etc lately. Life was very much restricted.
I live in the city so it’s easier than those living in the countryside (one of the few advantages).