What do you drive?

[AndyMilts]

Seeing as we are on the subject, I’ve had my Ghibli for three months now...

Previously had a couple of GT’s and wanted to try the new generation. Can’t say I’m disappointed to be honest.

Went to the launch of these a few years ago, loved the look and always loved a Maser having had a bi turbo Spyder many years ago. But the PCPs were not great good to hear they have sorted them. Drove nicely and engine felt strong, a good change from a BM

[Backward point]

Fair point.

I like that Lotus, let's see a bit more.

Here's one I used to have, don't have a pic of my own to hand.

My son and I were in the usual Friday evening car park that is the M27 last evening, and there was a particularly lovely example of this in the outside lane - left-hand drive but on British plates with a J suffix. It just looked so elegant and tiny amongst the new behemoths around it - lovely slim pillars giving a 360 degree view without blind spots and no unnecessary "styling". I just had time to notice the wood-rimmed steering wheel and give the driver an approving thumbs-up before it moved away.

There was an Alfa and Lancia dealer in Winchester Road Southampton many years ago, and I always tried to have a look at the cars in the showroom. I was always attracted to the simple, elegant lines of the Alfas of the time. Equally, I was always put off by the legendary unreliability.

I suppose you could always admire the looks while waiting for the recovery service.

Somebody will be along shortly to tell us that they've covered a quarter of a million miles in one without as much as a plug change.

[alfat33]

Somebody will be along shortly to tell us that they've covered a quarter of a million miles in one without as much as a plug change.

Haha, that would be me. Actually nowhere near, maybe 10000 miles in the 3 years I owned it. It never broke down but even then it was about 25 years old so the usual succession of 'little' jobs - hub bearings, radiator leaking etc. It was such a well balanced drive, light and with 130bhp and decent torque it could keep up.

And mine had the rare factory sunroof. Which trapped my finger once. In a traffic jam, so I couldn't change gear when the traffic pulled away. How my wife laughed, and still laughs every time she repeats the story to this day :)

As I mentioned previously, I've always bought cars that other people tell me are unreliable.

[golf]

This for now but soon to go with baby due in 4 weeks.

[Enoch]

Took a few pics at Bala lake the other evening....





And had a bit of fun on the way home....

[FreeAgent]

My 'daily driver' is a Subaru P1 - although in reality on only drive short journeys a few days a week and this is more of a weekend warrior:



My other half has the 'normal' car:



And I recently purchased this for £800 and drove it 5,400 miles around europe for two weeks for a bit of fun - its probably going to replace the Subaru over winter:



And then of course there is the project car - 1970 Mini Clubman Automatic, 4 years in now and will eventually be a 16v beast:

[Lazydonkey]

I like that Lotus, let's see a bit more.

Your wish is my command





2010 na which was my daily driver for the first year but now an occasional commuter and weekend toy. Surprisingly practical and my 14 month old boy loves it.

Gets dirty quick easily mind...


It probably says a lot about me that I got as excited by the panda 4x4 as I did about the mustang! I'd love both please :D

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[ralphy]

Well it hasn't got wheels, but this is what I'm driving at the moment...









3,850 hp on tap - and I'd rather not think about the running costs...

R

[number2]

Well it hasn't got wheels, but this is what I'm driving at the moment...



3,850 hp on tap - and I'd rather not think about the running costs...

R

Now that's gonna take some beating, BTW R, pm me your address again as I have some more bits you might find useful.

[vagabond]

Every time I think someone has "won" the thread, another comes along and trumps it.

Please keep 'em comin'

[bigweb]

Well it hasn't got wheels, but this is what I'm driving at the moment...









3,850 hp on tap - and I'd rather not think about the running costs...

R

Love the boat mate. Any more details on it?

I've just spend the week messing around on a boat in southern Spain but it was nothing like that size.

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[TomWazza]

Fair point.

I like that Lotus, let's see a bit more.

Here's one I used to have, don't have a pic of my own to hand.

My son and I were in the usual Friday evening car park that is the M27 last evening, and there was a particularly lovely example of this in the outside lane - left-hand drive but on British plates with a J suffix. It just looked so elegant and tiny amongst the new behemoths around it - lovely slim pillars giving a 360 degree view without blind spots and no unnecessary "styling". I just had time to notice the wood-rimmed steering wheel and give the driver an approving thumbs-up before it moved away.

There was an Alfa and Lancia dealer in Winchester Road Southampton many years ago, and I always tried to have a look at the cars in the showroom. I was always attracted to the simple, elegant lines of the Alfas of the time. Equally, I was always put off by the legendary unreliability.

I suppose you could always admire the looks while waiting for the recovery service.

Somebody will be along shortly to tell us that they've covered a quarter of a million miles in one without as much as a plug change.

Haha, that would be me. Actually nowhere near, maybe 10000 miles in the 3 years I owned it. It never broke down but even then it was about 25 years old so the usual succession of 'little' jobs - hub bearings, radiator leaking etc. It was such a well balanced drive, light and with 130bhp and decent torque it could keep up.

And mine had the rare factory sunroof. Which trapped my finger once. In a traffic jam, so I couldn't change gear when the traffic pulled away. How my wife laughed, and still laughs every time she repeats the story to this day :)

As I mentioned previously, I've always bought cars that other people tell me are unreliable.

I bought one of these last year. I've had the Alfa bug for quite a while, ever since my Dad owned a 156 Sportswagon.

I go to Shelsley Walsh quite a bit with friends and when I saw a 2000 GTV run up the hill and I was smitten. I researched a few classics, but always went back to the Alfa 105's. I've owned mine for just under a year, it was a fresh import from Italy, I probably paid a little bit too much for it, but it's OK, I'm sure it'll appreciate in value anyway.



Despite having a clean MOT when I bought the car (must have been a mate of the dealer), when I re-mot'd it last month the car failed on perished bushes and track red ends, something I'm sure didn't happen in 12 months. Anyway the old fella is retired for winter now and I'll be carrying out an overhaul to the suspension, starting with the back end...



Re. reliability, not including the MOT failure, I've not had any issues with it. I guess time will tell... :)

[alfat33]

I bought one of these last year. I've had the Alfa bug for quite a while, ever since my Dad owned a 156 Sportswagon.

That looks fantastic. Mine was a 2000GTV (despite the picture I posted being the slightly earlier one like yours I think).

If the suspension bushes are shot I bet you'll notice quite a difference when you rebuild the suspension - I did. Mind you I wish I'd had the money then to make mine look like yours does now. Funny in those days they were cheaper than the Spyders but now it seems the other way round.

[alfat33]

Your wish is my command

Thanks, you're a gent. :)

[GC2012]

I got this new last year, E250 cdi coupe with AMG pack. Fancying a change after Xmas though. Possibly going for a 640d coupe m-sport or similar.

[GC2012]

Also no idea why that came out so small, was sent from my Iphone then uploaded.. At least you get the idea.

[pembers]

Love Saabs so when I saw this couldn't resist!

2002 9-3 Aero, 60,000 miles, FSH!

Needs some cosmetic tinkering but drives really well.

[ralphy]

Love the boat mate. Any more details on it?

I've just spend the week messing around on a boat in southern Spain but it was nothing like that size.

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It's a Princess 85, built locally to me in Plymouth and you can see details of an identical model here: http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/20...e#.V8XQzWVHn-0

The one I'm on must have had every optional extra that Princess offered when it was built, I really cannot think of anything that it lacks. A crew of three and there's 4 cabins.


The engines are Caterpillar C32 A's and they push out 1925hp/1435kW each, so they give 30+ knots at full throttle - no mean feat for a boat that weighs 87 tonnes. However, this comes with a price: it drinks fuel like there's no tomorrow...

Here's the consumption at 16 knots (one dial for each engine) and the digital display is showing litres per hour:



The engines:







SWMBO & friend enjoying the evidence of money disappearing off the stern.


R

[Glamdring]

Had a good look at a BMW i8 that was parked at our local shops. Beautiful design if more in the urban chic mode than the sleek BWM 840 of old. It occurred to me that the doors were so small the only drivers could be stick men or hobbits, so how Clarkson got in it when he reviewed it I've no idea. Definitely without any dignity!

[Carrot01]

brand new Golf R, DSG 5 door hatch in grey

[zanderpants]

Just about to pull the trigger on a Porsche Panamera Turbo S, uneccessarily fast and seems to be a marmite car but ticks all of my boxes better than anything else I have seen!

[eagletower]

Just about to pull the trigger on a Porsche Panamera Turbo S, uneccessarily fast and seems to be a marmite car but ticks all of my boxes better than anything else I have seen!

Are you getting the new one? Whereas I didn't like first Panemera the latest one really is superb!

[watchmad]

brand new Golf R, DSG 5 door hatch in grey

Good choice, I have one at the moment and love it. It's "just" a Golf but the Mk& chassis is great and 300hp is too!!!

[zanderpants]

Sadly can't afford a Turbo in the new form....... Your right it is nice though!

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[eagletower]

Sadly can't afford a Turbo in the new form....... Your right it is nice though!

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Turbo will be a hoot !

Enjoy!

[stiglet]

3 wheels on my wagon...

[subseastu]

That is a gorgeous car.I've had a couple of Alfa's (155 & 156) and had a similar experience to you regards the MOT of the 156. Clean MOT from the garage I bought it from and a year later I'm looking at a £1400 bill for brakes & exhaust from a different (honest) garage. Apparently the brakes where only 10% effective! Only had the car a year and driven about 3000 miles. Won't be buying a car from that garage again. But I still have the Alfa itch, family and friends think I'm mad.

[zanderpants]

Scub that, just ordered a brand new C63 AMG intead! So changeable....................

Just about to pull the trigger on a Porsche Panamera Turbo S, uneccessarily fast and seems to be a marmite car but ticks all of my boxes better than anything else I have seen!

[Jyaque]

Scub that, just ordered a brand new C63 AMG intead! So changeable....................

Why not have both..? ;)

Congratulations either way!

[markrlondon]

Here's the consumption at 16 knots (one dial for each engine) and the digital display is showing litres per hour:

!!!

[zelig]

This is week I have been driving this...



Quite a bit...



Really impressive cruising up the M5 - M6 - M74 to Glasgow.
...and pretty adept on the run up the A82 - A87 to Dornie too...



It's been quite an impressive week for the XF.

z

[AlphaOmega]

!!!

So that's 500 litres (both engines) to run at 16 knots for an hour. Let's say you spend two hours booting it about each day.

How much is it to buy 1000 litres of fuel?

[b11ocx]

Pick it up on Friday.

[ralphy]

!!!

So that's 500 litres (both engines) to run at 16 knots for an hour. Let's say you spend two hours booting it about each day.

How much is it to buy 1000 litres of fuel?

That'd be 1150 Euros - and flat out she can consume over 1000 litres per hour.

3 knots:



R

[mjrennie]

Had a good look at a BMW i8 that was parked at our local shops. Beautiful design if more in the urban chic mode than the sleek BWM 840 of old. It occurred to me that the doors were so small the only drivers could be stick men or hobbits, so how Clarkson got in it when he reviewed it I've no idea. Definitely without any dignity!

I sat in one this morning. It's interesting getting in and out. That is, it is not easy.

[Alex L]

I sat in one this morning. It's interesting getting in and out. That is, it is not easy.

But that's only due to the huge sills as the apertures are pretty large as a result of the dihedral doors. BMW are lending me an i8 for a couple of days next week to see whether I like it

[GOAT]

335D is the daily driver but....

liking Burnseys maserati and LOVING that Alfa GTV! as an aside, I could see the later GTV in 3.0 litre cup form being a good medium term proposition for occasional use and a bit of fun, especially for the outlay.- they're for motorbike money really.

[AlphaOmega]

That'd be 1150 Euros - and flat out she can consume over 1000 litres per hour.

R

That puts ownership into perspective...

I once worked for a client who specialised in marginal ownership (boats, planes, fast cars) and he always made it sound attainable but I had a sneaking feeling he was burying some big numbers somewhere. Those figures are painfully expensive. And that's without stocking the beer fridge!

[Lovewatches108]

This is week I have been driving this...



Quite a bit...



Really impressive cruising up the M5 - M6 - M74 to Glasgow.
...and pretty adept on the run up the A82 - A87 to Dornie too...



It's been quite an impressive week for the XF.

z

Epic journey!

[zanderpants]

Just go this brand new on Friday, so far its just stunning and great fun!! I used to have the previous model and this is so much better in pretty much every way!

[Alex L]

Just go this brand new on Friday, so far its just stunning and great fun!! I used to have the previous model and this is so much better in pretty much every way!

Very nice and much rarer that its predecessor (which my other half has in estate guise)

Yours is also the first non-S that I've seen

[Alex L]

Got this on loan for a couple of days from BMW, a lot better than I was expecting

Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr

[snowman]

Got this on loan for a couple of days from BMW, a lot better than I was expecting

Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr

They are rather good for something with a Mini engine and a Hoover motor, aren't they?

I've only briefly driven one, but it gives you hope for the future!

M

[Alex L]

They are rather good for something with a Mini engine and a Hoover motor, aren't they?

I've only briefly driven one, but it gives you hope for the future!

M

The synthesised sound is a little disappointing but otherwise it's quite impressive. I haven't quite gelled with it as the drive feels a little disconnected, I'd like to try a Tesla next as I'm used to big engines and brute force.

[Guido-K]

Currently got this:


But miss this from 5 years ago:

[Optimum]

My 630i was one of my favourite cars ever. Still miss it...

[Skyman]

They are rather good for something with a Mini engine and a Hoover motor, aren't they?

I've only briefly driven one, but it gives you hope for the future!

M

He can such a new car, look so dated?

[Guido-K]

Currently got this:


But miss this from 5 years ago:

[Guido-K]

My 630i was one of my favourite cars ever. Still miss it...

Do you have a boxster now?

[Optimum]

Do you have a boxster now?

Yep, that's right but I'm thinking of changing. Maybe all this talk of Maseratis is drawing me in!


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