View Full Version : Car (or bike) Chat!
preferred the Triumph 2500 mk2. dad had one for a while on loan.. was a nippy sweety.
https://goauctionmpc.blob.core.windows.net/stock/14-6-medium.jpg?v=63749609909410
police used them up here so it was good fun coming up behind speeders lol
walpurgis
20-11-2021, 16:21
preferred the Triumph 2500 mk2
That's the PI version, with the Lucas fuel injection. I had the easier to maintain TC carb model for a few years, I liked it a lot.
That's the PI version, with the Lucas fuel injection. I had the easier to maintain TC carb model for a few years, I liked it a lot.
yeah we liked it too. had a shot of the 2000 body rover too with the bigger engine in. it was quite nippy too.
dads last car was one of these
https://classicsworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/jaguar_xj6_offside_front_med.JPG-820x547.jpeg
xj6 4.2 straight 6 in that dark blue colour.. not silly quick for engine and it drank petrol, but it was in the day bloody luxurious and classy
https://goauctionmpc.blob.core.windows.net/stock/14-6-medium.jpg?v=63749609909410
Looks nice that. Think it’s been “pimped” a bit, or “restomodded” if you prefer - not sure they are the original wheels and it has either been lowered or it’s original shocks and springs are a bit soggy! Think the colour may not be a factory option too, but not an expert on BL cars by any means!
walpurgis
20-11-2021, 16:34
yeah we liked it too. had a shot of the 2000 body rover too with the bigger engine in. it was quite nippy too.
dads last car was one of these
https://classicsworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/jaguar_xj6_offside_front_med.JPG-820x547.jpeg
xj6 4.2 straight 6 in that dark blue colour.. not silly quick for engine and it drank petrol, but it was in the day bloody luxurious and classy
Yup, I had a maroon 4.2 XJ6 as well. It got through loads of juice (and power steering fluid.....it leaked :)). Mine actually felt slightly quicker than my 3.0 V6 Capri.
walpurgis
20-11-2021, 16:47
Just got the little Suzuki back. Replaced brake fluid and full bleed to get rid of air the last guy got into it somehow and a new alternator belt fitted. £104, so can't grumble. Brakes feel spot on.
Just got the little Suzuki back. Replaced brake fluid and full bleed to get rid of air the last guy got into it somehow and a new alternator belt fitted. £104, so can't grumble. Brakes feel spot on.
the cabin was airy, as were the brakes :D
Pigmy Pony
20-11-2021, 17:04
Using an app seems sensible…. :eek:
WFT is wrong with a key?
Key doesn't have the same pose value. I imagine these Tesla owners were more embarrassed than annoyed.
Pigmy Pony
20-11-2021, 17:11
I'd rather have a mk3 Cortina than a Tesla. Better looking and I could fix it myself. Shame you don't see any around anymore. Would have to be the Ghia in Bronze with the vinyl roof and the velour though.
I used to work with a bloke who's orange Mk 3 was won in a competition Kelloggs was running. It looked like a giant cornflake. I used to have a Mk 5, last of the ones before the Sierra. Bit thirsty, but it never let me down. I was once locked out of it on Manchester airport's car park, but didn't need the app updating, just a length of baling strap, provided by a helpful off duty copper :)
Dads last car was one of these
https://classicsworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/jaguar_xj6_offside_front_med.JPG-820x547.jpeg
xj6 4.2 straight 6 in that dark blue colour.. not silly quick for engine and it drank petrol, but it was in the day bloody luxurious and classy
Yes my father drove one of those for a while. Fuel costs didn't worry him as he could write them off as expenses.
However he ended up with a Daimler V12 5.3 litre car after he retired - and could no longer write off the fuel costs!
Early XJ6’’s are gorgeous looking cars, ruined in the 80’s with the big bumpers. I also love the early XJ-S - considered a “fail” at the time (you try replacing the E Type...) but I think the value will soar eventually on that era of Jags and Daimlers.
Early XJ6’’s are gorgeous looking cars, ruined in the 80’s with the big bumpers. I also love the early XJ-S - considered a “fail” at the time (you try replacing the E Type...) but I think the value will soar eventually on that era of Jags and Daimlers.
Someone near me has an XJS. it's fairly beaten up though.
I like the XJC, that's a classy coupe. About £30K for a decent one now.
https://i.ibb.co/LSL4WKd/1975-jaguar-xjc-42-automatic-s2-618b9ca1aad6a.jpg (https://ibb.co/cJGzHqh)
I like the XJC, that's a classy coupe.
Yes I agree, pure class those. Sure fire investment if you’ve got a few quid going spare...
Norway close to all electric already.
It can be done.
https://electrek.co/2021/12/03/norway-again-shows-all-electric-car-future-closer-than-people-think/
dave2010
08-12-2021, 07:07
Norway close to all electric already.
It can be done.
https://electrek.co/2021/12/03/norway-again-shows-all-electric-car-future-closer-than-people-think/
Comments - 1. Norway is a small market. 2. Norway has a lot of hydro power infrastructure - one of a few countries which do. Another is New Zealand. 3. Norway is now a relatively rich country - so some users can afford the Tesla Model Y - which seems to have arrived there - or maybe the data in that article reflects orders, not deliveries.
In the UK the Tesla Model Y hasn't arrived yet AFAIK. It looks as though Tesla may have cut the base models from their catalogue, so now only the long range and performance Model 3s are offered, as well as the Model Ys. That puts the price of entry with EVs up considerably. Typically around £50k for a reasonable model, though older used models - such as the Nissan Leaf are much cheaper - but will for many people only be good for local journeys. We have met people with Leafs and other small or older cars who were doing long road trips, but it did seem to be a bit tricky in terms of planning for charges. It is feasible with cars like the Zoe - but harder than the Teslas or other long range EVs. Many people are happy with small cars for short distance usage close to home.
In the current weather I reckon that practically the Teslas are only going to have a range of 200 miles or less - and that's based on a complete charge from 0 to 100%.
In the summer, with warmer weather, and less rain - so no need for full on lights, heating and windscreen wipers - the effective range is closer to 300 miles and fast chargers do deliver.
Mostly it seems best to operate those EVs in the range 40-80% charge. Recently went to Skye for a few days and was concerned about round trip, so charged up almost fully before leaving.
Should have been able to do the return trip without a top up, but took the "granny" charger and was able to charge overnight at the destination. That was more convenient than having to charge at faster public chargers, which we have found are often not reliable and sometimes quite expensive. Fast chargers or destination chargers are generally better for road trips - and some venues provide "free" charging using the destination chargers - though of course the actual charges are rolled into other services - such as overnight accommodation or meals.
Stopping for a meal is likely to cost the venue something of the order of £2 or less - based on 2 hours at 7kW charging, so if 2-4 people arrive in an EV the venue needs to recoup around 50p per person in order to offer "free" charging. At the current time that seems like a worthwhile incentive. Perhaps some commercial organisations can get better electricity tariffs - though I'm not sure that they can. Domestic users can usually get rates down to 5p per kWh for off-peak periods during each 24 hour period - but I'm not sure about larger organisations - such as hotels. Do they get different electricity prices? Cheaper - or more expensive?
Pigmy Pony
08-12-2021, 07:22
All very well, but it won't work when every man and his dog has an ev, unless the powers-that-be pull their finger out re. charging stations. And you know the gov's incentive won't be making evs more affordable, but rather to price petrol car ownership beyond ordinary folks' means.
I can see a future where many of us are born, live, work and die in the same street, like in the olden days. It's not like we need out-of-town retail parks and supermarkets any more, most people get it delivered.
walpurgis
08-12-2021, 07:49
What we need is a mobile charging service for folk who find their electric cars short of charge and are miles from a charging point. A fleet of big diesel generator trucks for instance that can do the job fast. I can see that catching on.
Pigmy Pony
08-12-2021, 07:53
:D And these trucks can carry really long cables so that while charging this EV, they can also do that other broken down one quarter of a mile up the road.
Norway close to all electric already.
It can be done.
https://electrek.co/2021/12/03/norway-again-shows-all-electric-car-future-closer-than-people-think/
2.8 million cars in Norway, on those figures they are selling 30,000 EVs a year - so Norway will be all electric in about 90 years. That's nothing like close to being all-electric.
:D And these trucks can carry really long cables so that while charging this EV, they can also do that other broken down one quarter of a mile up the road.
rac etc usually carry a generator, and think now also a battery pack as well. think it will give equ of about a gallon of fuel to get you to a charge point.(well maybe lol) Apparently breakdowns due to running out of charge are not as common as you'd think tho.
dave2010
10-12-2021, 12:41
All very well, but it won't work when every man and his dog has an ev, unless the powers-that-be pull their finger out re. charging stations. And you know the gov's incentive won't be making evs more affordable, but rather to price petrol car ownership beyond ordinary folks' means.Petrol and diesel cars really ought to be phased out as soon as possible - the environmental factors are considerable.
I do not really miss the smell of petrol or diesel - did I ever sniff it in while down at the pump? [Glue sniffers anonymous watch out!]. Given the rate of progress, I can see a sensible transition to alternative motive power via plug-in hybrids, though that would depend on how they actually work.
One thing I don't know about the plug-in hybrids is whether they work totally on electric power for (say) 30 miles, or whether they work with a power combined from the ICE and the batteries. Also, if working on ICE, do those also generate spare power to charge the battery for (say) 30 miles?
For example: one scenario for a plug-in hybrid.
1. First 30 miles - EV only. 2. Next 50 miles petrol only. 3. Next 150 miles petrol, but also recharge the batteries up to a 30 mile capacity. 4a. Next 50 miles - petrol only but no battery charging OR 4b. Next 30 miles battery only followed by the final 20 miles on petrol only.
A scenario like that would have advantages for long range travel in regions where charging was sparse or unreliable. In the example above, at step 4 - the user might be given a choice depending on whether charging points were available at the destination or not. If they were then, it would be better environmentally to have an almost empty battery at the destination with no ICE use, but that might increase risks depending on whether petrol/diesel or charging points were available at or near the destination.
I am still unsure about the possible role of hydrogen as a fuel for cars. Environmentally it's damaging if it's not produced in a sustainable way, and there are hardly any hydrogen based cars available. However if hydrogen is available, then I believe that recharging might be easier than electric charging. Also note that the more powerful EVs have considerably more power than most other cars, including many petrol cars - though in the limit petrol heads who like power and burning fossil fuel can still produce and use cars with more power than EVs.
I always liked the smell of petrol.
Petrol and diesel cars really ought to be phased out as soon as possible - the environmental factors are considerable.
I do not really miss the smell of petrol or diesel - did I ever sniff it in while down at the pump? [Glue sniffers anonymous watch out!]. Given the rate of progress, I can see a sensible transition to alternative motive power via plug-in hybrids, though that would depend on how they actually work.
One thing I don't know about the plug-in hybrids is whether they work totally on electric power for (say) 30 miles, or whether they work with a power combined from the ICE and the batteries. Also, if working on ICE, do those also generate spare power to charge the battery for (say) 30 miles?
For example: one scenario for a plug-in hybrid.
1. First 30 miles - EV only. 2. Next 50 miles petrol only. 3. Next 150 miles petrol, but also recharge the batteries up to a 30 mile capacity. 4a. Next 50 miles - petrol only but no battery charging OR 4b. Next 30 miles battery only followed by the final 20 miles on petrol only.
A scenario like that would have advantages for long range travel in regions where charging was sparse or unreliable. In the example above, at step 4 - the user might be given a choice depending on whether charging points were available at the destination or not. If they were then, it would be better environmentally to have an almost empty battery at the destination with no ICE use, but that might increase risks depending on whether petrol/diesel or charging points were available at or near the destination.
I am still unsure about the possible role of hydrogen as a fuel for cars. Environmentally it's damaging if it's not produced in a sustainable way, and there are hardly any hydrogen based cars available. However if hydrogen is available, then I believe that recharging might be easier than electric charging. Also note that the more powerful EVs have considerably more power than most other cars, including many petrol cars - though in the limit petrol heads who like power and burning fossil fuel can still produce and use cars with more power than EVs.
What about the environmental issues of battery production?
My PHEV has the ability to charge the battery using the ICE, but it burns more fuel in doing so. Not exactly environmentally friendly.
If going on a long journey, the SatNav can be programmed, and the battery usage is saved for the most appropriate times, like going through towns and villages.
In Europe, Ionity have recently changed their pricing to €0.79/min. This makes charging the average EV more expensive than refilling the tank of an ICE. Not great news for the EV.
walpurgis
10-12-2021, 13:13
I always liked the smell of petrol.
I knew a guy who sniffed Trichlorethylene. It killed him!
I knew a guy who sniffed Trichlorethylene. It killed him!
it would do that in quantity. its a banned substance now. acetone is pretty strong too; a bit like poppers im told although i wouldnt know.
What about the environmental issues of battery production?
My PHEV has the ability to charge the battery using the ICE, but it burns more fuel in doing so. Not exactly environmentally friendly.
If going on a long journey, the SatNav can be programmed, and the battery usage is saved for the most appropriate times, like going through towns and villages.
In Europe, Ionity have recently changed their pricing to €0.79/min. This makes charging the average EV more expensive than refilling the tank of an ICE. Not great news for the EV.
phevs are great if you only do low daily mileages for majority of time. you can rarely ever use the engine. i have heard a couple of folk using them that had to put stuff in tank to rejouvinate their petrol as it wasnt getting used.
im getting a full bev, but judging by way things are going it might be a while in coming. i think the dealer keeps selling mine to retail customers to make more money.
In the colder weather, I start my morning commute on the ICE so that the car is warm, and the windows are clear.
The battery won’t do the full distance now that it is cold and dark.
I have a friend who has an Ampera. It was -22 deg C where he is the other day, and the car would not let him drive electric only, until it was warmer. I am not sure how a BEV will cope with that?
In the colder weather, I start my morning commute on the ICE so that the car is warm, and the windows are clear.
The battery won’t do the full distance now that it is cold and dark.
I have a friend who has an Ampera. It was -22 deg C where he is the other day, and the car would not let him drive electric only, until it was warmer. I am not sure how a BEV will cope with that?It has battery heaters I think. You heat it all up before you unplug and go.
That's my understanding, but you need a home charger I think.
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 07:22
Bought this rather lovely old triumph speed triple last weekend. One owner from new, great condition still standard and not messed about with, 14k, loads of service history.
Should provide plenty of summer smiles next year. 29927https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211211/fe6b6f168f60e245a86a9fb3ccb0a06f.jpg
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
very nice bike... is that the 1200cc
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 07:56
Thanks mate, triumphs very latest speed triple is a 1200 but this is actually a 955cc.
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Thanks mate, triumphs very latest speed triple is a 1200 but this is actually a 955cc.
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
ah, still pretty big engine. must go like a missile lol
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 07:59
Will be plenty fast enough for me [emoji16]
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
heard no more re my new car... think its been sold under me again. just as well ive still got the toyota for now...
dave2010
11-12-2021, 10:56
What about the environmental issues of battery production?
My PHEV has the ability to charge the battery using the ICE, but it burns more fuel in doing so. Not exactly environmentally friendly.
If going on a long journey, the SatNav can be programmed, and the battery usage is saved for the most appropriate times, like going through towns and villages.
In Europe, Ionity have recently changed their pricing to €0.79/min. This makes charging the average EV more expensive than refilling the tank of an ICE. Not great news for the EV.
I agree that the battery production for an EV may also be of environmental concern - but overall it's still probably less of a worry than using petrol.
That feature you mention of using battery to go through towns and villages - that sounds good. Would help in London, though wouldn't give any reduction in charges in going in to the congestion zone.
Of course charging the battery up from the ICE will use fuel - and be polluting - but it's a question of balance. If most of the time you are using a (your) PHEV in EV mode then mostly that would be better than using a fossil fuel car.
What gets really silly is using PHEV cars only in fuel guzzling mode - which is a not completely uncommon mistake apparently - particularly with hired or shared vehicles. That would be more polluting than using an efficient petrol or diesel car.
The prices for public charging are crazy. Sure there are costs, and someone has to pay, but if EVs really are a way forward, then people have to be encouraged to use them, rather than discouraged.
However in the UK domestic heating is probably a greater concern re overall levels of pollution, and - dare I say - as usual, the government hasn't a clue about what's involved. What part of "in many situations you can't just swap out a gas boiler and put in a heat pump" don't they understand? So what will happen is that instead of getting the benefits of starting early on projects - everyone will wait until the last possible minute before making any switches/changes - not a good thing for the environment.
dave2010
11-12-2021, 10:59
heard no more re my new car... think its been sold under me again. just as well ive still got the toyota for now...Sorry to hear about that. I was looking forward to hearing how you'd like it - the new one - that is.
I'm sure the government know exactly what's involved, but by 'the government' I don't mean the politicians.
Politicians are always under pressure to issue 'green initiatives' because they win votes. They don't need to be practical or even real, just needs to give the impression that they are 'doing something.'
A typical method is to come out with something radical, announce it, then gradually over time water it down until it eventually makes no difference to anything.
The initial announcement grabs headlines and votes, the subsequent amendments pass pretty much unnoticed.
heat pumps in general wont work in the housing stock that we have in this country. they need a high level of insulation etc.
Sorry to hear about that. I was looking forward to hearing how you'd like it - the new one - that is.
yeah its a bit disappointing. they just do what they want now, dealers. getting charger fitted next week hopefully
dave2010
11-12-2021, 11:52
I always liked the smell of petrol.
/https://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/effects/petrol-sniffing-gasoline-sniffing/
Pigmy Pony
11-12-2021, 13:50
Bought this rather lovely old triumph speed triple last weekend. One owner from new, great condition still standard and not messed about with, 14k, loads of service history.
Should provide plenty of summer smiles next year. 29927https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211211/fe6b6f168f60e245a86a9fb3ccb0a06f.jpg
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
As seen under Tom Cruise's arse in MI-2. But without the bullets holes, and the magical ability to switch between road tyres and knobblies at will ;) As Macca says, cool bike - and I like that the headlights are fixed to the frame so don't turn with the steering! I nearly bought one a few years ago before a bargain price ZX-9R got in the way.
Didn't you have an R1200GS, or have you still got it? Or was that someone else I'm thinking of?
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 13:57
As seen under Tom Cruise's arse in MI-2. But without the bullets holes, and the magical ability to switch between road tyres and knobblies at will ;) As Macca says, cool bike - and I like that the headlights are fixed to the frame so don't turn with the steering! I nearly bought one a few years ago before a bargain price ZX-9R got in the way.
Didn't you gave an R1200GS, or have you still got it? Or was that someone else I'm thinking of?Ha yeah I remember the magical Tom cruise bike with different tyres!
I used to have an R1200RS BM but sold it just before the pandemic hit, mainly due to not using it much.
I've had a 2 triumphs before of similar age to this but they were daytonas. Same engine on this but slightly better riding position for me now [emoji16].
Also i paid less than £3k for it so its not a lot if money to have sitting unused in the garage and I cant believe il really lose any money on it if time comes to change.
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
11-12-2021, 14:21
I reckon the 955i Speed Triple is a future classic and will only go up in value - good find, especially one that tidy :) Doesn't your brother have a Triumph too, a big trailie?
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 15:21
Yes he does, or he did until very recently have a 1050 tiger sport. After 5 years of it he sold it a few weeks back and is now in the market for the new BMW R1250RS. He does a lot of 2 up riding with his wife and after testing one for an hour he's convinced its his next bike.
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 15:26
I reckon the 955i Speed Triple is a future classic and will only go up in value - good find, especially one that tidy :) Doesn't your brother have a Triumph too, a big trailie?I had a 98 t595 daytona and then an 02 955i daytona, the later was a much better bike, roomier and more comfortable and a lot quicker too. The mrs and I spent 2 weeks riding down to the alps and back in it one year. My dad was on an zrx1200 and my brothers were an a cb1000r and an aprilia torno. That was a great holiday [emoji16].
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
11-12-2021, 15:36
Some great bikes there Ben, I'm pretty envious. Didn't you go up t'far north with your dad on an MZ or something, or is my memory finally letting me down? I seem to remember a report on it with some great pics.
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 15:50
Some great bikes there Ben, I'm pretty envious. Didn't you go up t'far north with your dad on an MZ or something, or is my memory finally letting me down? I seem to remember a report on it with some great pics.Yes that was me again! Me and brother Sam had a few days riding the NW500 and met our dad at lands end on his old MZ250.
After almost 2 years off I'm looking forward to putting a few miles on the speed triple next year.
I rode it home from Whitchurch to Liverpool last weekend (50 miles of mostly A roads) and it felt good, physically a lot smaller than the BM, I could hear the burble from the race can through my earbuds which was nice. I didn't open it up really as conditions were not suitable (cold damp and v windy plus being out of the game for a while) but pulling out of a few roundabouts it wanted to go and that put a smile on my face. 29929
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
11-12-2021, 16:02
Well here's hoping for some better times next year Ben.
After a bikeless 2 years, me and Mrs. P had hoped to get out on them this summer (she has a Hyosung GV650 Aquilla), but unfortunately her "Lockdown Diet" meant she couldn't fit into her gear! I'd even got the bike prepped, cleaned and ticking over on the drive while she was busy shoehorning. She was inconsolable... So some proper dieting in the new year methinks :)
Zoidburg
11-12-2021, 16:04
Well here's hoping for some better times next year Ben.
After a bikeless 2 years, me and Mrs. P had hoped to get out on them this summer (she has a Hyosung GV650 Aquilla), but unfortunately her "Lockdown Diet" meant she couldn't fit into her gear! I'd even got the bike prepped, cleaned and ticking over on the drive while she was busy shoehorning. She was inconsolable... So some proper dieting in the new year methinks :)Ha I'm pretty sure my wife will be moaning that her biking kit has shrunk over the last 18 months too[emoji16]
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
well thats my ev charger fitted... pity ive nowt to charge:doh::D
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/IkoZ52.jpg
took about 5hrs to do in total. guy was a gent (ex marine) and tidied up well too,.
looks like i can pick up new car next week. just needs plates:D
and im trying to get a hoist put in.. late in the day but need it i think as im a weakling nowadays:eyebrows:
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 18:12
well thats my ev charger fitted... pity ive nowt to charge:doh::D
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/IkoZ52.jpg
took about 5hrs to do in total. guy was a gent (ex marine) and tidied up well too,.
Stick a meter on it, and put an "Emergency charge point" sign on your garden gate :)
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 18:14
looks like i can pick up new car next week. just needs plates:D
and im trying to get a hoit put in.. late in the day but need it i think as im a weakling nowadays:eyebrows:
Apologies for not paying attention Grant, but what are you getting?
Apologies for not paying attention Grant, but what are you getting?
hyundai kona ev 64kwh premium. nice car. not a big boot tho hence why i got the folding scooter, only to find im so f**ked i cant lift it :doh:
still hopefully i can get it fixed for monday.. i didnt think i would struggle to lift it tbh, but it shows how far gone i am... sad crash from my glory days:D
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 18:30
hyundai kona ev 64kwh premium. nice car. not a big boot tho hence why i got the folding scooter, only to find im so f**ked i cant lift it :doh:
still hopefully i can get it fixed for monday.. i didnt think i would struggle to lift it tbh, but it shows how far gone i am... sad crash from my glory days:D
Sorry to hear that Grant, getting older is shit, not all it's cracked up to be. Hope the hoist thing comes through for you. Kona ev was voted favourite in Which? driver survey, and looks pretty good too imo :)
Sorry to hear that Grant, getting older is shit, not all it's cracked up to be. Hope the hoist thing comes through for you. Kona ev was voted favourite in Which? driver survey, and looks pretty good too imo :)
your right on both steve. doesnt have to be shit getting older but often for working folk, especially up north its a fact of life. poor housing, bad weather, low wages etc all go against us. and i include n of england. just have to look at folk waiting up to 10 days to get power back and were basically ignored all that time. it wouldnt have happened in the tory heartlands. not that i want to get political.
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 19:21
your right on both steve. doesnt have to be shit getting older but often for working folk, especially up north its a fact of life. poor housing, bad weather, low wages etc all go against us. and i include n of england. just have to look at folk waiting up to 10 days to get power back and were basically ignored all that time. it wouldnt have happened in the tory heartlands. not that i want to get political.
I suppose it is political, though not party political - choosing between Labour and Tories is like deciding whether to eat dog shit or cat shit, and always has been :( I doubt any of the alternatives would be any better once in power.
I know you've been a grafter, and imo that should be recognised and better rewarded. We must be one of the worst so-called civilised countries when it comes to looking after seniors. I'm thankful I'm still able to turn out to work each day, but it feels harder every winter. Probably got another 2 or 3 winters in me.
If it weren't for family ties (and lack of money) we'd move out to a warmer drier climate. Everyone I've spoken to who did that says it's helped their well being no end.
And to illustrate the point, I just got off the sofa to answer my phone, and I bet next door could hear my bones creaking...
Bit of a thread drift from car or bike chat!
I doubt I'd be happy abroad but I would move further south a bit. Just too cold and damp here for my arthritis and asthma.
Plenty of cold and damp here too. I don't think you can get away from it entirely without actually going a lot further south than the UK.
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 20:01
I could easily be tempted - satellite TV, streaming and internet's the same everywhere, cheaper food and next to no heating bills. But to be that far from friends and family is always going to be a sticking point.
Here in Suffolk, part of East Anglia is supposedly the driest part of the country- but not sure I’ve ever noticed!
dave2010
14-12-2021, 20:07
well thats my ev charger fitted... pity ive nowt to charge:doh::D
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/IkoZ52.jpg
took about 5hrs to do in total. guy was a gent (ex marine) and tidied up well too,.Neat - and I see you went for a tethered cable. Well done.
The only downside might be if your supplier doesn't give you another cable for use at some public chargers. Most public chargers will have tethered cables, but some do not. I'm not sure whether also to recommend a "granny" charger - again your supplier may give you one. We recently made a trip to Skye, and we made efforts to fully charge up the car before we left, so that we could do the whole round trip there and back if necessary. As it happened the only option without having to drive a considerable distance to find a public charger was to use a 13 amp plug socket, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was possible to top up the charge back to full using the (very) slow charger overnight.
If you are only ever going to be going short distances, then extra cables and chargers should not be needed.
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 20:08
Plenty of cold and damp here too. I don't think you can get away from it entirely without actually going a lot further south than the UK.
We have a friend in Poole who reckons climate there is pretty good, but it's all relative. And as for the price of properties down there :eek: Compared to say Tenerife or Southern Spain where a decent apartment can be found for £70k or so. Or rent somewhere pretty cheap.
dave2010
14-12-2021, 20:18
Plenty of cold and damp here too. I don't think you can get away from it entirely without actually going a lot further south than the UK.I think you've got to go somewhere like Kenya or Cuba to be sure of warmth all the year round. Cuba might be prone to hurricanes - certainly some of the other islands round there experience them. California is nice - most of the time - though can be too hot, and it has been known to freeze. Spain and the south of France still have cold weather in the winter, as does Italy.
Scotland can be pretty cold, but we have had less snow here in recent years than Surrey, and I think also less rain - even if it doesn't feel like that.
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2021, 20:37
Southern Spain isn't too cold in winter, might get into single figures at night sometimes, but the important thing is that it's not damp. As for Tenerife, I went in December and it was low 20s daytime and mid teens at night. And again pretty dry and sunny. Year-round biking weather!
dave2010
14-12-2021, 23:07
Southern Spain isn't too cold in winter, might get into single figures at night sometimes, but the important thing is that it's not damp. As for Tenerife, I went in December and it was low 20s daytime and mid teens at night. And again pretty dry and sunny. Year-round biking weather!Yes - Tenerife might be good - though I don't know about year round weather there. Went to Madeira a few years ago, and the weather was both wet and windy for days. I only went to Tenerife - and La Gomera - once - lovely - but that was later in the year, though I do still recall one heavy rain shower. Didn't last long and although we got wet (significantly) we dried off quite quickly. Morocco is quite good during the day, but can be cold. Egypt is good a bit later in the year, then gets very hot. Northern India can be cold in January. Australia may be the best option - but it's a long way away!
Weather isn't the only issue in some countries, though.
Pigmy Pony
15-12-2021, 20:03
Yes - Tenerife might be good - though I don't know about year round weather there. Went to Madeira a few years ago, and the weather was both wet and windy for days. I only went to Tenerife - and La Gomera - once - lovely - but that was later in the year, though I do still recall one heavy rain shower. Didn't last long and although we got wet (significantly) we dried off quite quickly. Morocco is quite good during the day, but can be cold. Egypt is good a bit later in the year, then gets very hot. Northern India can be cold in January. Australia may be the best option - but it's a long way away!
Weather isn't the only issue in some countries, though.
Which is why I would favour Southern Spain or the Canaries - not too far away, and the foreigners are less er, foreign :) If you were to look at temperatures through the winter months, Tenerife is always up there at or near the top. And summer months not too hot. Latitude combined with all that sea might be the reason, larger land masses always cop for extremes more I think.
Not that I would ever up sticks and move out there, I'm way too lazy
Portugal you can live cheap and it's pretty warm and dry in from the coast. Doesn't have volcanos going off all over the shop either.
Pigmy Pony
15-12-2021, 20:52
Portugal you can live cheap and it's pretty warm and dry in from the coast. Doesn't have volcanos going off all over the shop either.
I thought you'd like a bit of volcano action :) But yeah Portugal looks pretty good too.
I thought you'd like a bit of volcano action :) But yeah Portugal looks pretty good too.
I been close enough one time, that's enough volcano risk for my lifetime.
You used to see Portugal quite a bit on those 'Piss Off Abroad' shows. Don't know if it is the same nowadays but they were showing people these huge houses and they were only sixty, seventy grand.
Okay you were no-where near the coast and up a dirt track but I could do that.
Pigmy Pony
15-12-2021, 21:15
Just dug out some info on Mount Teide. One question asked was "What happens if Mt. Teide erupts?" the short answer was "People will burn and the north side of the island will fall into the sea". So that's not good. We once hired a car and drove up there - it was all quiet, and just looked like a lunar landscape. Last time it erupted was 1909.
dave2010
15-12-2021, 22:09
I been close enough one time, that's enough volcano risk for my lifetime.
You used to see Portugal quite a bit on those 'Piss Off Abroad' shows. Don't know if it is the same nowadays but they were showing people these huge houses and they were only sixty, seventy grand.
Okay you were no-where near the coast and up a dirt track but I could do that.
I have walked up a part of Mt Etna. As you go up in the bus you can see places where previous chair lifts have been swamped by lava. Seems to happen every few years.
I didn't realise until looking at this list that Etna is significantly higher than Vesuvius. I've also been up Mt Rainier and flown over the top of Mt St Helens.
Portugal is a lovely country to visit. However one does have to be careful about extrapolating from one or two weeks of holiday to year round weather. Some places are really nice in holiday seasons, and not so pleasant for various reasons during the rest of the year.
So new car charged as I wished yesterday to 100% and climate control preheated car before I went out for a test drive.
Popped it into normal and upped the regeneration to two.
Car was warm, heated steering wheel is awesome as are heated cloth seats, which I prefer to leather.
Phone charged wirelessly and connected quickly to my book.
I've not tried Android auto yet.
Stereo is excellent too.
Charge cost roughly for equ distance in my last car was about a third cost
So far so good in the new order.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/83c9f295b0b9cffd22edd629b03414ef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/f9126764e6a7f2fa7ea48427844b8c34.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/aca0b509b7581a01acc7add59e9f5923.jpg
rmcin626
31-12-2021, 12:01
So new car charged as I wished yesterday to 100% and climate control preheated car before I went out for a test drive.
Popped it into normal and upped the regeneration to two.
Car was warm, heated steering wheel is awesome as are heated cloth seats, which I prefer to leather.
Phone charged wirelessly and connected quickly to my book.
I've not tried Android auto yet.
Stereo is excellent too.
Charge cost roughly for equ distance in my last car was about a third cost
So far so good in the new order.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/83c9f295b0b9cffd22edd629b03414ef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/f9126764e6a7f2fa7ea48427844b8c34.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211231/aca0b509b7581a01acc7add59e9f5923.jpg
Hope you enjoy your new car Grant.
Just dug out some info on Mount Teide. One question asked was "What happens if Mt. Teide erupts?" the short answer was "People will burn and the north side of the island will fall into the sea". So that's not good. We once hired a car and drove up there - it was all quiet, and just looked like a lunar landscape. Last time it erupted was 1909.
And the north side of the island falling into the sea is predicted to set up a tidal wave which will travel across the Atlantic and destroy most of the eastern seaboard of the USA. :hmm:
On a less dramatic note, I have climbed Mout Kilimanjaro in Kenya, which is a dormant volcano. Despite the snow at the top, if you dig down with your hand to the soil beneath, it is warm. Picked up a piece of pumice and obsidian whilst there; both are created by volcanic activity
And the north side of the island falling into the sea is predicted to set up a tidal wave which will travel across the Atlantic and destroy most of the eastern seaboard of the USA. :hmm:
On a less dramatic note, I have climbed Mout Kilimanjaro in Kenya, which is a dormant volcano. Despite the snow at the top, if you dig down with your hand to the soil beneath, it is warm. Picked up a piece of pumice and obsidian whilst there; both are created by volcanic activity
new york, new york... The eruption will be singing.. Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York:ner:
sorry, thats perhaps a bit non woke:rolleyes:
Hope you enjoy your new car Grant.
thanks Robin. i think i will. surprisingly it really just feels like a limo quietness wise at slower speeds. you get a bit of road and wind noise as you would with most cars when travelling quicker. seats are very comfortable and my head gets in and out much easier.
Electric “comfort” is great. I like the ACC fitted on my car, and the way it behaves in traffic jams.
You can almost sit back and let the car do the work.
Did you see 5th gear, where they took an Ioniq 5 around the NC500?
They seemed to quite like the car.
Pigmy Pony
31-12-2021, 12:21
new york, new york... The eruption will be singing.. Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York:ner:
sorry, thats perhaps a bit non woke:rolleyes:
:D Nowt wrong with that, we like a bit of non woke here :)
Did you see 5th gear, where they took an Ioniq 5 around the NC500?
They seemed to quite like the car.
I’ll have to find that, thanks for the heads up - Ioniq 5 is currently top of my list for family EV although I really want to see what the finished VW Id.buzz looks like (and more importantly costs!) and when it will be available.
Just had a visitor with the Electric Mustang, that’s quite tempting too...
Pigmy Pony
31-12-2021, 12:36
And the north side of the island falling into the sea is predicted to set up a tidal wave which will travel across the Atlantic and destroy most of the eastern seaboard of the USA. :hmm:
On a less dramatic note, I have climbed Mout Kilimanjaro in Kenya, which is a dormant volcano. Despite the snow at the top, if you dig down with your hand to the soil beneath, it is warm. Picked up a piece of pumice and obsidian whilst there; both are created by volcanic activity
Kilimanjaro? Now that's impressive... on a lot of people's bucket lists I believe. The altitude would be a problem for many too.
the Ioniq is a nice car, although headroom is a little lower at doors. its also quite expensive for decent spec in comparison th the Kona. Kona of course isn't an ev design, but an ICE one originally, so its all the more encouraging that it gets such a good range(especially in warmer weather) where you can if you try get fairly close to 300... some have had over that.
It all depends on your driving style. You can also extend the range by “hyper-miling”.
The next car for the wife is likely to be 100% electric, so I will be following your Journey with the Kona with interest.
Just had a visitor with the Electric Mustang, that’s quite tempting too...
But it doesn't look anything like a Mustang. Although it's not a bad looking car as modern cars go.
But it doesn't look anything like a Mustang. Although it's not a bad looking car as modern cars go.
I agree, I was horrified at the thought when they first announced it, having loved (most) classic Mustangs and the recent revival, but it does look better than I thought it would.
porsche are doing evs too now. its gonna be the future i think whether we should like idea or not, so might as well climb aboard. TBH there isnt much difference when driving, bar engine noise etc.
except a lot of people like changing gear. Automatic transmission never really caught on here no matter how good they eventually became.
I suppose up and coming drivers will learn in evs and go on to drive them and will never encounter a manual.
except a lot of people like changing gear. Automatic transmission never really caught on here no matter how good they eventually became.
I suppose up and coming drivers will learn in evs and go on to drive them and will never encounter a manual.
they are popular now, but we get charged too much extra for them and it puts folk off. yes i think future drivers will probably not sit manual tests, but it will take a while yet for that.
of course technically an ev doesnt have an auto box. doesnt have any gears
Pigmy Pony
31-12-2021, 14:32
A year ago I'd never driven an automatic, now my Vito and our latest car are both auto, Don't want manual any more.
TBH I'd happily have an ev, soon as the purchase costs and infrastructure are sorted. I say never say never, but Mrs. P would never say never say never :) I'll talk her round.
My first auto was in 2005 - Audi A3, DSG box, and similar in my current VW. Different to an old school auto, as they change gear quicker than you can with a manual. I like my Land Rover as a manual, but everyday cars I’ve stuck with auto, although wife’s car is manual. After driving mine for a month when the turbo blew on hers she now wants an auto next too - which we probably won’t have any choice about especially if we end up going full EV.
I learned on an auto rover(think it was a P5 mk3) partially, way back in 70's. Do have had a close affinity with autos. Had a big Granada auto and a volvo which both were lovely motors
I didn't think I would take to automatic transmission, having been used to driving manuals (apart from my late father's Daimler 'Double Six'). But my latest car is an auto as my partner is only licenced to drive autos, and I have to say I wouldn't go back to a manual now.
did a 21 mile run there with speeds varying from 20 to 66mph. average was 4.66 miles per kwh, so atthat rate i'd get 298 miles to charge. not too bad and shows the 300 mile range is achievable if conditions are right. i only had fan running with normal air, and that was a big saving
Zoidburg
01-01-2022, 14:49
I had a nice pootle about on the speed trip yesterday just getting used to it as I've not ridden much in the last 2 years. It really is a lovely bike, the engine being a absolute peach, even with ear plugs the growl it produces really is very enjoyable.
When I stand back and look at it I'm amazed at how good it looks still for a 20 year old bike, it's aged a lot better than a lot of bikes. 29998
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
01-01-2022, 15:30
Triumph's triples have a sound all of their own. And it looks like you've got a good 'un - some bikes just disintegrate before your eyes no matter how well you look after them.
Like Mrs. P's Hyosung. They all start out nice in the showroom, but the good old British weather sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Zoidburg
01-01-2022, 15:47
Triumph's triples have a sound all of their own. And it looks like you've got a good 'un - some bikes just disintegrate before your eyes no matter how well you look after them.
Like Mrs. P's Hyosung. They all start out nice in the showroom, but the good old British weather sorts the wheat from the chaff.Yeah its been very well looked after by its first owner and I plan on continuing that as well.
My wife used to have a little Chinese 125cc years ago when she spent a summer riding solo instead of on the back of my bike. Pretty sure every bolt on it was made of plasticine!
Sent from my Redmi Note 9 Pro using Tapatalk
car fully charged again. it didnt need too much; less than 20% but thought i'd top it off as i had connected it so i could heat it up next time i went out if cold without using battery power. Have to say this remote stuff is the dogs danglies. this morning i heated up car(from battery) before i went out. Seat, wheel and cabin was toasty:D can lock and unlock too; it also gives you a full rundown of your trips and power usage etc. sure as hell beats going out in morning with a scraper and gloves etc:ner:
Notice the orange light on the front logo is on now
Looked it up online and it seems it does this every 24 hrs and the traction battery tops off the 12v battery every 24hrs apparently.
Yes, the pre-heating is awesome when it is cold.
A bit like the pre-cooling when it is hot.
I bought myself a smart plug for my charger, as I only run it at 10A, which is enough to completely charge the small battery overnight.
The scooter in this takes up s lot less space as does the hoist which folds flat to floor.
Much better than last set up where I lost 60% or rear seatinghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220102/32c6f750e4200a76bae89f6b11053d00.jpg
interesting that the scooter matches car. that wasnt meant lol
Pigmy Pony
02-01-2022, 18:10
It all looks very neat and tidy. And you still have the bigger half of your rear seat, handy for passengers and shopping. And a 5 door too. super practical :) We know from our last car what a pain in the arse a 3 door can be
It all looks very neat and tidy. And you still have the bigger half of your rear seat, handy for passengers and shopping. And a 5 door too. super practical :) We know from our last car what a pain in the arse a 3 door can be
ive got the whole back seat steve. the scooter is all in boot; just that its folded:)
Pigmy Pony
02-01-2022, 18:34
ive got the whole back seat steve. the scooter is all in boot; just that its folded:)
Perfect! And that boot looks to be a good size. Looks like you've picked a winner there, I like it a lot.
Perfect! And that boot looks to be a good size. Looks like you've picked a winner there, I like it a lot.
its worked out just about right. the back hatch angles in so although there looks lots of room inbetween the scooter and hatch its pretty tight near the top.
the bungees and the tiedown loops keep it firm enough tho. there is room for a few bags of groceries in there tho:D
dave2010
02-01-2022, 20:28
Kilimanjaro? Now that's impressive... on a lot of people's bucket lists I believe. The altitude would be a problem for many too.I've seen it and flown over it, but not climbed it. Indeed the only mountain I've climbed is Snowdon, which I did when I wasn't very old. I have walked up to the top of one or two mountains from the top cable car station - but that's not the same!
dave2010
02-01-2022, 21:03
A year ago I'd never driven an automatic, now my Vito and our latest car are both auto, Don't want manual any more.
TBH I'd happily have an ev, soon as the purchase costs and infrastructure are sorted. I say never say never, but Mrs. P would never say never say never :) I'll talk her round.We had an automatic first around the mid 1980s IIRC. Can't find the model - who said the internet never loses data? I think it was either a Peugeot 405 or 504 - bought second hand. It lasted about a year or two for us - which was about what we expected in those days. We had a bit of a reversion to geared cars, but then we had a Toyota Camry (US) - automatic of course. Then a further reversion to gears until 2007 when I started to drive a Toyota Prius. We still have one car with gears - a Peugeot 207cc - but the gears are a pain, and my feet tend to jam between the pedals - potentially dangerous.
Re "don't want manual any more" - Absolutely! EVs give the same ease of driving, but they can be much smoother than petrol or diesels which still need a gearbox. Most "ordinary" (or even some better than that) EVs don't have or need gearboxes. However, how smooth they are also depends on the electronic controls - while most EVs drive fairly smoothly, some are smoother than others depending on the controls.
walpurgis
02-01-2022, 21:24
Auto or manual, I'm not fussed which I drive.
My favourite automatic is a 7.65mm PPK, but that's another story! ;)
My favourite automatic is a 7.65mm PPK, but that's another story! ;)
Is that what James Bond drives? ;) :D
dave2010
02-01-2022, 21:52
Is that what James Bond drives? ;) :DSomeone has a killer instinct.
Pigmy Pony
03-01-2022, 09:06
Auto or manual, I'm not fussed which I drive.
My favourite automatic is a 7.65mm PPK, but that's another story! ;)
Well, at 1000 ft/s they were certainly quick :eek:
Pigmy Pony
03-01-2022, 09:17
I've seen it and flown over it, but not climbed it. Indeed the only mountain I've climbed is Snowdon, which I did when I wasn't very old. I have walked up to the top of one or two mountains from the top cable car station - but that's not the same!
I've never climbed any mountains outside of Britain - quite a few in the Lakes, but this was my favourite one. Stac Pollaidh, about 10 miles north of Ullapool. Less than 1500 ft, but seems like more as it goes all the way down to sea level.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/achiltibuie/stacpollaidh/images/stac-450.jpg
highest point around these parts is this. https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/image/32066/38-The-Knock-Bathgate-Hills/jsonld.jpg
and this
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/image/32070/42-Binny-Craig-in-Bathgate-Hills/jsonld.jpg
on a good day you get great views of the forth
dave2010
03-01-2022, 13:29
Notice the orange light on the front logo is on now
Looked it up online and it seems it does this every 24 hrs and the traction battery tops off the 12v battery every 24hrs apparently.Glad you're enjoying your new toy.
We've been unsure about whether EVs do have a 12v battery or not. Not sure that they all do - but we suspect that Zoe does. I don't know about others, such as Teslas.
Re the preheating etc., if it's going to be very cold it is worth leaving the car plugged in, so that it is possible to either pre-condition the car on a schedule, or start the heating remotely. It's not just a matter of comfort, but an additional one of making sure it's possible to actually enter the vehicle. Otherwise you still have to spray deicer on the keys and warm up the locks. Also the windows freeze up and can't be raised or lowered, just like most other cars.
If you don't leave the car plugged in, then it's also possible to do the preheating - though be warned that you may need to check that any app you use to control the car remotely actually works. It's not much good having the feature to warm the car up if when the car freezes the app doesn't work, and the heating can't be turned on. Yes - that can happen! Apps on different remote devices may not all work, or may interfere with each other's operations.
However, if you don't want to use the car until the weather perks up, then it's quite a bit cheaper to just leave it to freeze, and then later thaw naturally, as using the heater - either from battery power or from the grid - is moderately costly. Chances are though that if you keep the battery charged up to (say) 75-80%, that it's actually cheaper to use battery power to provide the pre-conditioning/heating, as the battery can be charged up significantly cheaper in off peak periods.
We try to avoid charging our EVs up to more than 80% generally for two reasons. Firstly, there is some slight evidence that always charging to close to 100% reduces battery life, while secondly, regenerative braking is not effective if the battery is nearly fully charged. If we plan on a long trip then we do go for max.
Have you got a contract with an electricity supplier with a good off peak rate? That can save quite a bit.
Glad you're enjoying your new toy.
We've been unsure about whether EVs do have a 12v battery or not. Not sure that they all do - but we suspect that Zoe does. I don't know about others, such as Teslas.
Re the preheating etc., if it's going to be very cold it is worth leaving the car plugged in, so that it is possible to either pre-condition the car on a schedule, or start the heating remotely. It's not just a matter of comfort, but an additional one of making sure it's possible to actually enter the vehicle. Otherwise you still have to spray deicer on the keys and warm up the locks. Also the windows freeze up and can't be raised or lowered, just like most other cars.
If you don't leave the car plugged in, then it's also possible to do the preheating - though be warned that you may need to check that any app you use to control the car remotely actually works. It's not much good having the feature to warm the car up if when the car freezes the app doesn't work, and the heating can't be turned on. Yes - that can happen! Apps on different remote devices may not all work, or may interfere with each other's operations.
However, if you don't want to use the car until the weather perks up, then it's quite a bit cheaper to just leave it to freeze, and then later thaw naturally, as using the heater - either from battery power or from the grid - is moderately costly. Chances are though that if you keep the battery charged up to (say) 75-80%, that it's actually cheaper to use battery power to provide the pre-conditioning/heating, as the battery can be charged up significantly cheaper in off peak periods.
We try to avoid charging our EVs up to more than 80% generally for two reasons. Firstly, there is some slight evidence that always charging to close to 100% reduces battery life, while secondly, regenerative braking is not effective if the battery is nearly fully charged. If we plan on a long trip then we do go for max.
Have you got a contract with an electricity supplier with a good off peak rate? That can save quite a bit.
yes they all have them to run lights, stereos, and computers etc.. I think its an invertor that reduces the big battery to 12v to top it off. Some of them you can plug into house and some into other cars etc.
The hyundai app seems very good so far.
no, not yet; i might not actually, itll depend on usage tbh. i dont usually do a lot of miles so might not be worth it, but i will see. cheers.
dave2010
03-01-2022, 17:31
no, not yet; i might not actually, itll depend on usage tbh. i dont usually do a lot of miles so might not be worth it, but i will see. cheers.Many of us haven't been doing many miles/year over the last few years. If you do 3000 miles pa, you might save around £70 - depending on tariffs. Would also depend on whether you could make savings with other consumption which might give more substantial benefits. It's not always really worth the bother of switching, though we have found Octopus quite good.
Also you might be lucky enough to be close enough to a part of Scotland which still has free charging with a subscription card. For example I hear that the chargers in Perth and Kinross (near the bus station at Broxbourne in Perth - and also in Dunkeld) don't charge. Sometimes charging can take "forever" though. Take a drive to Haddington - and if you leave your car in the car park behind Tesco all day you might get it topped up. There are a few things to do there, but I'm not sure it's worth leaving your car on charge all day just to save a few pounds.
Some venues for days out have chargers which don't charge a fee - such as the Secret Bunker near St Andrews, and Fountains Abbey - but other places have chargers which don't charge! [ they're a real pain - particularly if they start, and then stop ten minutes after you leave the car - which happened to us in Helmsdale, and that wasn't the only place. ]
currently i only drive locally. not likely to change much afaics. doctors, hospitals, family etc. my lecky bill is quite high anyway as i use it for everything bar heating, so if i increase the cost during day i will likely lose out
Was reading some EVs have the low line battery as a 14v lithium fitted into the traction battery case.
dave2010
03-01-2022, 21:33
....this was my favourite one. Stac Pollaidh, about 10 miles north of Ullapool. Less than 1500 ft, but seems like more as it goes all the way down to sea level.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/achiltibuie/stacpollaidh/images/stac-450.jpgDid you go up it? I'm pretty sure I've been close by - though I've not driven much further north beyond Ullapool. I do plan to go round the west side and north coast of the NC500 sometime - but not got round to it yet.
Some sources put it higher than you claimed - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stac_Pollaidh and apparently it's not an impossible "walk".
Pigmy Pony
04-01-2022, 22:38
Did you go up it? I'm pretty sure I've been close by - though I've not driven much further north beyond Ullapool. I do plan to go round the west side and north coast of the NC500 sometime - but not got round to it yet.
Some sources put it higher than you claimed - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stac_Pollaidh and apparently it's not an impossible "walk".
Yes we went up it, a long time ago. About 1983. Me, wife no.1 and my mate went to the top, his missus gave up halfway. Wasn't difficult, but then I was only 25.
Going north from Ullapool, after about ten miles turn off to go to Achililtibuie/Polbain/Reiff. That's the road you can see in the picture, and Stac Pollaidh is on your right, the loch to your left. Probably about 10 miles before Reiff, where my (now deceased) mate's parents still live. We're planning to pay them a visit this year.
There are some more challenging mountains round there, Like Ben Mor Coigach.
Love it up there, good sea fishing too :)
Got the privilege of being invited to be part of Goodwood and driving around the circuit as part of the Hot rods to celebrate 70 years of the National Hotrod Association in September but managed to blow up my engine on my race car doing a parade lap , https://i.postimg.cc/HLVGTXzn/64088384-6-C7-B-4-B54-A478-595-A6123-D646.jpgif your if if your going to do it do it in style and in front of a crowd …..
Beobloke
07-01-2022, 22:29
Nice! Mrs. B bought a half day track day at Goodwood for me and the Marcos, for Christmas. Any tips appreciated (apart from “don’t blow up your engine”, obviously!).
Talking of cars, Mrs B. Leaves her job of 19 years in March, which means her company Jag XE has to go back. Consequently, she’s been looking out for a new car which she said had to be “cheap to run and reliable, but fast and fun to drive”
A purchase was made last week and, as she’s currently in Ireland, I’m collecting it for her tomorrow.
I think she’s nailed her requirements…
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220107/39992300e03b9a7f4c8a39daac6bbb2a.jpg
dave2010
07-01-2022, 23:09
There are some more challenging mountains round there, Like Ben Mor Coigach.
Love it up there, good sea fishing too :)I'm not planning on going up any of the challenging mountains.
I'm not even sure if I'll be able to do Ben Wyvis, which I'm told is reasonably easy and feasible, though not a lot lower than Snowdon which I did in my youth.
A friend of mine who is slightly younger went up it a few years ago.
I don't do fishing - though sometimes we see people standing in the nearby river presumably trying fly fishing.
Firebottle
08-01-2022, 07:25
Got the privilege of being invited to be part of Goodwood and driving around the circuit as part of the Hot rods to celebrate 70 years of the National Hotrod Association in September but managed to blow up my engine on my race car doing a parade lap , https://i.postimg.cc/HLVGTXzn/64088384-6-C7-B-4-B54-A478-595-A6123-D646.jpgif your if if your going to do it do it in style and in front of a crowd …..
Good shot of it 'letting go' Jon. What actually failed?
Pigmy Pony
08-01-2022, 07:30
I'm not planning on going up any of the challenging mountains.
I'm not even sure if I'll be able to do Ben Wyvis, which I'm told is reasonably easy and feasible, though not a lot lower than Snowdon which I did in my youth.
A friend of mine who is slightly younger went up it a few years ago.
I don't do fishing - though sometimes we see people standing in the nearby river presumably trying fly fishing.
So you no longer do mountains, and you don't do fishing - was it the Scottish weather that persuaded you to move up there? :D
Pigmy Pony
08-01-2022, 07:50
Got the privilege of being invited to be part of Goodwood and driving around the circuit as part of the Hot rods to celebrate 70 years of the National Hotrod Association in September but managed to blow up my engine on my race car doing a parade lap , https://i.postimg.cc/HLVGTXzn/64088384-6-C7-B-4-B54-A478-595-A6123-D646.jpgif your if if your going to do it do it in style and in front of a crowd …..
Oh dear...
Nice car, but this one would go better with your beard:
https://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2018/12/02-for-starters-zz-top-33-eliminator-cpe.jpg
looks lie oil pouring out.... yeah class old motor
https://i.postimg.cc/kGpJ3pj5/4-E23-B9-D3-7584-48-D4-B4-AB-3-DD3-AE257-F64.jpgCon Rod let go and punched it’s way to freedom , block both sides and the sump in 3 places so total right off,
https://i.postimg.cc/X7rNcnJB/003-A544-F-2-C40-4126-B42-E-0-B45-F4795-EF6.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/jSNsmvys/529-A512-A-E076-4-A77-92-FD-831-DBE255-ED7.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/Bt9zK5bg/5-EB8-B474-3-D76-4209-A7-C4-BCCFE10-E1-A4-C.jpg
walpurgis
08-01-2022, 09:29
I don't know what the car is, the engine looks like a four pot OHV. Hope you have a spare lump.
Oh dear...
Nice car, but this one would go better with your beard:
ha ha yes the beard does get mentioned a lot , that 34 is a bit street Rod for me and of it’s time but do like them , I have a 38 coupe which suits me fine for Sunday cruising , I bought it this time last year and came straight out of Kansas , 32000 miles from new and sat in a barn for nearly 60 years https://i.postimg.cc/WzgvC1J5/B6660-B71-6-E34-44-C9-88-A9-9-F04-D7-CAD492.jpg
I don't know what the car is, the engine looks like a four pot OHV. Hope you have a spare lump.
the engine is a modern Zetec / ST 170 that was knocking out 227 hp on carbs so blocks are easy enough to source , just all the machining work and parts that went into it make it an expensive day out , I hold 2 class records at the VHRA Pendine sands races with it and was hoping to up them this year before I change classes and maybe put a v8 in it
ha ha yes the beard does get mentioned a lot , that 34 is a bit street Rod for me and of it’s time but do like them , I have a 38 coupe which suits me fine for Sunday cruising , I bought it this time last year and came straight out of Kansas , 32000 miles from new and sat in a barn for nearly 60 years https://i.postimg.cc/WzgvC1J5/B6660-B71-6-E34-44-C9-88-A9-9-F04-D7-CAD492.jpg
great deco building that...
Pigmy Pony
08-01-2022, 16:58
great deco building that...
I was just thinking that. My favourite kind of buildings - we had a similar art deco cinema in Chorley that got knocked down for no good reason. Councillors responsible for that decision deserve a good slap.
great deco building that...
The building is a old garage that is steeped in local history and is now grade 11 listed , we used to drive past it and look at all the steam engines parked up and around it , all the contents were sold odd by sealed bid and the building has been saved
https://youtu.be/O6WmYSvstys
Pigmy Pony
08-01-2022, 20:44
The building is a old garage that is steeped in local history and is now grade 11 listed , we used to drive past it and look at all the steam engines parked up and around it , all the contents were sold odd by sealed bid and the building has been saved
https://youtu.be/O6WmYSvstys
And it's for sale! I'd live there. Might even be room for the motorbikes :)
Ali Tait
08-01-2022, 21:26
Yes we went up it, a long time ago. About 1983. Me, wife no.1 and my mate went to the top, his missus gave up halfway. Wasn't difficult, but then I was only 25.
Going north from Ullapool, after about ten miles turn off to go to Achililtibuie/Polbain/Reiff. That's the road you can see in the picture, and Stac Pollaidh is on your right, the loch to your left. Probably about 10 miles before Reiff, where my (now deceased) mate's parents still live. We're planning to pay them a visit this year.
There are some more challenging mountains round there, Like Ben Mor Coigach.
Love it up there, good sea fishing too :)
My late uncle lived in Achiltibuie, had a prawn and lobster boat.
Pigmy Pony
08-01-2022, 21:39
My late uncle lived in Achiltibuie, had a prawn and lobster boat.
There was a guy, think his name was McCloud or something, it may not be spelt that way. He ran a boat out of Baden Tarbet (near the Am Fuaran pub, and about three miles from Achiltibuie). Fishing trips and cruises (Summer Isles cruises).
My mate who lived at Reiff (Lance Wilding) used to fish lobsters and prawns in that area too, but he was English, from Preston originally. I have fond memories of going out working with him even though I was meant to be on holiday, and getting jellyfish stings on my hands because we were too stupid to wear gloves :doh:
Just came to me this morning, his name was Ian, and he was known locally as Ian Roll. He passed a few years ago. May not be your uncle, but this bloke was well known round there, so if you still have relatives in Achiltibuie, they'll know of him.
Got this to run my charge cable over slabs at side of house so no one trips, like bin men etc.
It's about a metre long and is very heavy. Not for cars to use, just pedestrians etc.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220110/3dd8688640dabc025fc56489e5a94ada.jpg
Car has been going well and I'm getting used to the regen braking, and now using level 3. It comes close to stopping car by itself if you want it to.
Plugged in today and now charging. Was it at 70% still but thought I'd top it up.
Pic shows cable coming through the channelling I boughthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220114/5de4a9ed0621511e6d15d28e512560ca.jpg
walpurgis
14-01-2022, 15:55
How do you like driving it Grant compared to the Toyota?
How do you like driving it Grant compared to the Toyota?
The seat isnt as comfortable(i think) although with my leg being as it is, its maybe too early to say for sure. Otherwise its a great car to drive i have to say. Very nippy if you wish it, but frugal and sedate too if thats your cuppa. Lots of kit as standard, and the infotainment system is excellent; much improved on the Toyota.
Not having to visit petrol stations is quite fun too. Just plug it in on occasion for a few hrs. The defrost/heating up of cat via your phone is fab as is the heated steering wheel.:D
just got a notification that charging is complete. :D i wonder what my dad and grandad would have thought? . probably satanic, and the only course would be FIRE!, and lots of it...:ner:
The defrost/heating up of cat via your phone is fab
That’s it, I’m calling the RSPCA! :D
https://media0.giphy.com/media/17En5uuEI7j2M/giphy.gif
got over 5 miles to the kwh today by not using the climate control, which shows the potential distance difference you can get. driving sensibly in decent weather and you should get over 300miles. the 5.19 i got at 7c equates to over 330.
walpurgis
17-01-2022, 14:19
got over 5 miles to the kwh today by not using the climate control, which shows the potential distance difference you can get. driving sensibly in decent weather and you should get over 300miles. the 5.19 i got at 7c equates to over 330.
May go up when it gets warmer.
May go up when it gets warmer.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/XV9v9L.png
the figures... only 14 miles but speed varied from 70 down to 20, and very little if any stopped.
driving around town today i only had to touch brakes twice to stop. rest was regen braking, which i have to say is something i really like. you get used to it quickly. i think its done by reversing the electric motors.
walpurgis
26-01-2022, 17:42
I drove into town today too. I'm down to half a tank of juice now and I've only topped it up with a half tank since before the September fuel shortage. I guess another top-up will get me through to Summer :).
I drove into town today too. I'm down to half a tank of juice now and I've only topped it up with a half tank since before the September fuel shortage. I guess another top-up will get me through to Summer :).
im using a fiver a week at most at moment in leckky, and ive not got a plan so thats the usual power rate for house. warning the cabin up before you go out while sitting in house is a great way to go. then you'll get by mostly on the heated seat and steering wheel. found out that the air con heating is powered direct from traction battery, so why its more likely to affect range
walpurgis
02-02-2022, 08:34
Remember when these used to be everywhere?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115230613998?hash=item1ad447a1ee:g:GK4AAOSwba1h-CHE
nice car in its day but looking inside its pretty dated now. that one looks decent
very reliable cars, you'd still see them around years after they stopped making them.
still 270 on the road in the UK.
walpurgis
02-02-2022, 09:26
very reliable cars, you'd still see them around years after they stopped making them.
still 270 on the road in the UK.
The Almera sort of replaced it, slightly smaller though. Another very trusty one.
The Almera sort of replaced it, slightly smaller though. Another very trusty one.
One of the best car adverts ever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwcb_D2Xm-w
'Litter - makes the car look good.'
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9K_EkU9KZE
'Even my hair is tense'
dont remember either tbh. lol what year was that?
Early 2000s I think although hard to say as it all blends into one for me now.
Just looked it up and it was 1996 (Professionals) and 1997 (Sweeney).
i was busy working 14 hrs/7 days around then so probably the reason i missed them.:lol:
I've had enough of your dialogue!
sod it!
another of his.... your nicked! :lol:
Remember when these used to be everywhere?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115230613998?hash=item1ad447a1ee:g:GK4AAOSwba1h-CHE
Yes, my father drove one for a while. I was surprised he chose a Japanese manufacturer. He was in the car business, and had to admit the Japanese had got it right, in providing a reliable and comfortable car at a reasonable price.
Pigmy Pony
02-02-2022, 18:05
The Almera sort of replaced it, slightly smaller though. Another very trusty one.
I think the Almera was more of a Sunny replacement. About time too - my Sunny was so slow it was embarrassing. But then it was only a 1.4. There was a Sunny GTi iirc, that would have been nippy, and probably rare.
I think the Almera was more of a Sunny replacement. About time too - my Sunny was so slow it was embarrassing. But then it was only a 1.4. There was a Sunny GTi iirc, that would have been nippy, and probably rare.
One sold here https://themarket.co.uk/en/listings/nissan/pulsar-gti-r/e3b4eee3-2ef0-48f3-828e-2bf2331b9efc
Tidy with 55K on it, fetched twenty. Not so rare in Japan, allegedly.
Question?
The Company I work for is a big promoter of all things green,
low carbon footprint, sustainability all that good stuff.
Big promoter of electric vehicles too.
(they design and make them)
and they are offering some folks an electric Company Car under the "Salary Sacrifice" scheme.
Basically (I think?) a lease agreement taken from Gross salary, advantages being the Company can offer cars at a discounted rate, and everything paid for - insurance, maintenance.
Like a Cycle to Work scheme, except with an electric car.
So turns out I've been offered the chance to apply for one.
Anybody been down this road?
Advantages/ disadvantages...potential Gotcha's? :scratch:
Will be a chance to get something really rather nice,
so considering it.
thanks for any info.
Question?
The Company I work for is a big promoter of all things green,
low carbon footprint, sustainability all that good stuff.
Big promoter of electric vehicles too.
(they design and make them)
and they are offering some folks an electric Company Car under the "Salary Sacrifice" scheme.
Basically (I think?) a lease agreement taken from Gross salary, advantages being the Company can offer cars at a discounted rate, and everything paid for - insurance, maintenance.
Like a Cycle to Work scheme, except with an electric car.
So turns out I've been offered the chance to apply for one.
Anybody been down this road?
Advantages/ disadvantages...potential Gotcha's? :scratch:
Will be a chance to get something really rather nice,
so considering it.
thanks for any info.
nhs do this, mostly with higher earners. i dont really know the pitfalls or costs tho. charging it may be an issue where you stay of course too. some nice ev's around tho. polestar are apparently good
Thanks Grant.
I did a Googly,
and there's a Tesla supercharger 5 minutes from my work, 20 minutes from the house.
See what happens and how the costs play out,
But got my eye on a Tesla model 3.
tesla have a good charging infrastructure for sure. told build quality is iffy tho. quick 0-60 :D
zapmap is a good thing for chargers
zapmap...whassat?
https://www.zap-map.com/live/
tells you where all the chargers are and what kind. if they are working oand in use or available. you get more out it if you sign up
it doesnt do tesla tho... think eurocentral will be your closest
aye,
work close to Eurocentral, literally 5 mins away.
aye,
work close to Eurocentral, literally 5 mins away.
My company does this also, I’m very interested, one monthly payment includes everything, insurance, road tax, servicing, tyres (but sadly not electricity!) - and because it’s salary sacrifice, comes from your salary before it’s taxed, so depending on your earnings, could be up to 40% saved. Only downside as I see it is that you never own the asset, but then you don’t have the hassle and unexpected bills.
Main reason I haven’t hit the button is that I’m waiting for the new VW i-Buzz - which has been delayed again... we almost went for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 on a short 2 year deal in the interim, but then I saw it was 30 weeks to delivery!
Then I started looking at other options, got bored and opened wine!
But long story short, if it’s available via your company then it’s a bit of a no brainier I think. (I like the Tesla 3 and they’re seemingly unaffected by “Chipageddon” but wouldn’t work for us I don’t think as we need something a bit more versatile.)
My company does this also, I’m very interested, one monthly payment includes everything, insurance, road tax, servicing, tyres (but sadly not electricity!) - and because it’s salary sacrifice, comes from your salary before it’s taxed, so depending on your earnings, could be up to 40% saved. Only downside as I see it is that you never own the asset, but then you don’t have the hassle and unexpected bills.
Main reason I haven’t hit the button is that I’m waiting for the new VW i-Buzz - which has been delayed again... we almost went for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 on a short 2 year deal in the interim, but then I saw it was 30 weeks to delivery!
Then I started looking at other options, got bored and opened wine!
But long story short, if it’s available via your company then it’s a bit of a no brainier I think. (I like the Tesla 3 and they’re seemingly unaffected by “Chipageddon” but wouldn’t work for us I don’t think as we need something a bit more versatile.)
ioniq is a lovely motor..
Thanks Grant.
I did a Googly,
and there's a Tesla supercharger 5 minutes from my work, 20 minutes from the house.
See what happens and how the costs play out,
But got my eye on a Tesla model 3.
I woukd not use a supercharger too often, as it won't be good for the battery.
Ok for an occasional splash and dash when doing an occasional long journey, but every week? I wouldn't.
if its a lease its not his problem i guess. charging to 80% or so is usually the best way. 100 when you really need it. It helps with battery management.
I have only charged mine in slow mode...real slow lol
It is his car at the end of the scheme, if it is like the bike to work scheme.
Beobloke
16-02-2022, 19:09
Well, I knew the day was approaching, but it still hurt!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220216/716286c4e7d6d937c35230fa6b629d6b.jpg
Ouch! Is that the Rangie? Big tank!
Pigmy Pony
16-02-2022, 20:00
If you'd used the arty-farty V Power petrol you'd have got there a bit sooner.
Beobloke
16-02-2022, 22:22
Ouch! Is that the Rangie? Big tank!
Yep, 100 litres and, as you can see, pretty empty!
dave2010
16-02-2022, 23:45
I guess it depends how much the company wants to take off your pay each month for the car. New I think the Model 3 is now about £50k. The cheaper model has been taken out of the range. It can be ludicrously fast 0-60mph, and it’s pretty fast even in Chill mode. I can tell you the not so good things about it, but is there anything better for the price? Perhaps not. The Porsche may be a nicer car - I don’t know - not driven it, but it’s another £30k at least. Charging at home over night - 4 hours - costs about £1.40 with Octopus at 5p per kWh. That should be good for around 100 miles at this time of year. A full charge might take several nights if completely run down. If the deal includes free or cheap charging at work during the day, then do the maths. Free is good. 25p-30p per unit is perhaps not too much cheaper than petrol. The Tesla fast chargers are good for long trips.To my surprise, even the slow supplied charger which runs off a 13 amp socket can be useful, though does require an accessible outside socket. That’s not really recommended though, unless you go somewhere that doesn’t have at least a moderately fast home charger. It’s not recommended to run those chargers off extension cables.
In the summer you can probably get close to 300 miles on a nearly full charge, but in the cold winters you might find even 200 miles a bit of a struggle.
Thanks Dave,
Great info there.
dave2010
18-02-2022, 11:15
Thanks Dave,
Great info there.You should be able to do test drives in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Definitely in Edinburgh.
Like many outfits they are more interested in selling than anything else. I raised the issue of service with them - since I suspected that there wouldn't be much in the way of local service. We're around 170 miles from Edinburgh. "No problem" - they said "won't go wrong, and if there's anything significant we can get a mobile unit out ... or do a fix remotely".
Mmmmm!
Regarding things going wrong - mostly they don't go very seriously wrong - but a lot depends on what you mean by "very serious". Mobile maintenance units? Do they exist? I'm very sceptical.
Remote fixes - well kind of possible. The software updates from time to time - and that can be a source of problems. Just as you've got used to the interface there's an update, and all the controls you wanted to use and had figured out disappear. That's really great if you're in a hurry and don't have hours to fiddle around trying to figure out where they've gone.
As it happened we were passing Edinburgh last year, so we did flag up problems and go by the service depot. They try to persuade you that most problems are not problems, but I had evidence of water in the rear lights, so I used that with pictures to get a service appointment. I also presented them with a list of more than ten problems, almost all of which they didn't really acknowledge.
I have no idea whether Elon Musk has a clue about the service his staff are providing - or not providing - on his behalf. I suspect the guys doing the work operate mushroom management feedback - keep the "superiors" in the dark and feed them sh*t.
Having written that - sadly most other EVs are worse. The Renault Zoe is a nice runabout car - useful for local trips - and would suit many people. Other competitors are the Kia e-Niro - tried one - didn't like it much - nothing like as smooth as the Tesla, and there's another (BMW?) which has death trap doors. If there's an accident the passengers in the rear might not be able to get out because the driver's door and the passenger side door overlap the rear doors - clever that!
I'm guessing that pricier EVs - such as the Jaguar and the Porsche might have better suspension - but they are significantly more costly. Perhaps worth trying to get test drives though.
After all that - do I miss the smell of petrol? Not much - prefer not to have it. Would I rather keep the Tesla and just live with it and its multiple faults? Probably!
Hope that helps.
the hyundai ioniq 5 series are good, and the 6 promises to blow tesla out of water, or so im told. my kona is a nice runabout; good size for me and a height that allows me in and out; it gets decent mileage if you take it canny too. Well enough put together etc but most of the cabin materials are not high class soft etc. still as i say, how often do you stroke your doors or dash:D
dave2010
18-02-2022, 13:32
Good point about height. The Model 3 is really rather low down, so wouldn't suit everyone, and I find it a bit tricky. The Zoe is easier - and much higher up, but would need a fair boost beforehand to get all the way from Inverness to Glasgow. The door width is also an issue with some cars - and it can be tricky with the Model 3 in tight parking spaces. One other issue is the turning and manoeuvring. It's quite easy to crunch into walls or other obstacles because of the front swinging round. It is a surprisingly awkward car for tight positioning - even with the various parking aids. Not as good as the Toyota Prius I'd say.
What kind of driving is Gary doing? Lots of short trips, or several long trips regularly? For long trips it really is important to get a car with a good range - though I have met people who have used Zoes and Leafs for long trips - but they do have to stop quite frequently - which is very probably a pain. OTOH I've also met people who have older short range cars - such as the Leaf - and if they are getting free or cheap top ups - or paid for by work - they are often pretty positive about that. If people have to pay for the electricity themselves then perhaps they would be less keen on a short range car.
I also met someone who regularly drives from round here - north of Inverness to Manchester - and he uses a Model 3 Tesla. I guess that his work either pays for that, or the nature of his work means that he feels that it is worthwhile and his remuneration covers the cost. [I don't know him - but maybe he's a consultant, or self employed.] I still don't like driving so much that I'd want to do that every week.
Beobloke
22-02-2022, 12:53
Sad day yesterday - Mrs B's trusty company Jaguar XE went back after 4 years of faultless service. Not a single problem during that time, it was a superb motorway mile-muncher and far better handling on the twisties than the BMW 3-series that preceded it. In fact, the only bad thing about it was the stereo, which was rubbish. The speakers may have worn "Meridian" badges but I'm not convinced Meridian had anything to do with developing its sound!
Even though it ran on tractor fuel and had a puny 2.0 engine with not enough cylinders, I'm going to miss it.
Diesel Jags are (were?) an abomination. A violation of God's law.
Diesel Jags are (were?) an abomination. A violation of God's law.
As are the estates.
Came close to buying a Jaguar XF, but in the end opted for something less extravagant and more practical.
im still getting good mileage on the ev. its quite a good drive using a single pedal 99% of time. the regen stuff does all but stop you tbh. even at this time of year, on local driving; a mix of motorway, a and b roads and some town work im getting around the 300 mark it would seem, or not far off it. im inclined to charge it even when its charged fairly high.. today when i plugged it in after a run, it decided to charge itself... not sure why yet tho lol.
its costing me even on a fairly high tarrif of 21p leccy, its still well below half a petrol car; just a different way of paying.
As are the estates.
Came close to buying a Jaguar XF, but in the end opted for something less extravagant and more practical.
what one have you again barry? xe?
Beobloke
22-02-2022, 18:40
Diesel Jags are (were?) an abomination. A violation of God's law.
I’ll let you take that up with Mrs. B. ;)
Obviously she’d have preferred the supercharged V6 petrol but company car tax and all that!
As are the estates.
yes although a shooting brake would be acceptable.
Pigmy Pony
22-02-2022, 18:59
There's a Jag XKR round the corner from us, apparently it's 5 litre supercharged. That would do for me :)
yes although a shooting brake would be acceptable.
What is the difference? Jaguar call their estates "sportsbacks", but to me that is just marketing.
There's a Jag XKR round the corner from us, apparently it's 5 litre supercharged. That would do for me :)
Will do for me as well!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Jaguar_XKR_Coup%C3%A9_%28X150%29_Facelift_front_20 100717.jpg
With current petrol prices, that would be an expensive daily driver.
Pigmy Pony
23-02-2022, 07:22
Will do for me as well!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Jaguar_XKR_Coup%C3%A9_%28X150%29_Facelift_front_20 100717.jpg
:drool: Proper car! I wouldn't even care about the fuel costs, I'd just walk to work 5 days and use this at the weekend :) And I would knock a big hole in the side of the house, put a garage door on it, and the the Jag would live in the lounge with us and we would watch telly sat in it like at a drive in cinema... sorry got a bit carried away there.
What is the difference? Jaguar call their estates "sportsbacks", but to me that is just marketing.
An estate but only has two doors (and a tailgate) and looks sporty.
shooting brakes, estates etc are all marketing car wise. station wagons were ok, and had a main purpose associated with its name
I don't agree that it's just marketing.
A Lotus Elan shooting brake yesterday:
https://i.ibb.co/z5hvc5w/lotus.jpg (https://ibb.co/0XjbNX3)
Clearly not a saloon, not an estate car, not a station wagon, not a hatchback etc, it's a specific configuration and look.
Beobloke
23-02-2022, 10:42
I don't agree that it's just marketing.
A Lotus Elan shooting brake yesterday:
https://i.ibb.co/z5hvc5w/lotus.jpg (https://ibb.co/0XjbNX3)
Clearly not a saloon, not an estate car, not a station wagon, not a hatchback etc, it's a specific configuration and look.
I’m sorry, you call a diesel Jag an “abomination” and then you post THAT?!!
walpurgis
23-02-2022, 10:56
Is that better? :)
https://i.ibb.co/WHfsGzN/Screen-Shot-02-23-22-at-10-52-AM.png (https://ibb.co/7SKbjpx)
that is an abomination lol... a brake was a wagon for breaking horses. a shooting break was for transporting folk and gear to hunt... i dont think the wealthy would want to go hunting in that
I’m sorry, you call a diesel Jag an “abomination” and then you post THAT?!!
t's just a Lotus for people who like Lotuses but also need to collect large speakers that they bought on ebay whilst drunk. Best of both worlds.
that is an abomination lol... a brake was a wagon for breaking horses. a shooting break was for transporting folk and gear to hunt... i dont think the wealthy would want to go hunting in that
Yes but the concept pre-dates Range Rovers. Plus it has other practical applications in the modern world.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/FMIB_41900_Going_In--Old_Style.jpeg/220px-FMIB_41900_Going_In--Old_Style.jpeg
https://assets.primecreative.com.au/imagegen/max/cr/625/-/s3/cougar-assets/tradeuniquecars/2020/08/06/Misc/Shooting-brake-etymology-depot-hack.jpg
https://www.coachbuild.com/images/articles/THE_SHOOTING_BRAKES_ARCHIVE/top/Shooting_Brakes_Archive_02.jpg
Then you get monstrocities like this !!
https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/flexslider_full/public/slideshow_image/10-ferrari_daytona_shooting_brake_0.jpg?itok=Cqwr1DJe
Is that better? :)
https://i.ibb.co/WHfsGzN/Screen-Shot-02-23-22-at-10-52-AM.png (https://ibb.co/7SKbjpx)
at least its an aston(i think).... and has a usable roof at back.
Now we are just arguing aesthetics. Surely there is no-one who thinks this is an ugly car?
https://i.ibb.co/q7bP5qP/Reliant-Scimitar-GTE-SE5-A-2994cc-1972.jpg (https://ibb.co/k5YW1bW)
upload (https://imgbb.com/)
no, its more about usability really, as it was used when invented. that isnt especially pretty either but not ugly. alas its not especially usable as a shooting break either of course tho, and it should be, if it pertains to be a SB.
I don't think it was ever marketed as a shooting break but I'd class it as one.
Princess Anne used to have one and I bet she went to some shoots in it.
t's just a Lotus for people who like Lotuses but also need to collect large speakers that they bought on ebay whilst drunk. Best of both worlds.
:lol:
An ex girlfriend’s dad was into the Scimitars in the late 80’s. He had a lovely “hearing aid beige” GTE (The estate version) and also a dark blue GTC - the convertible version with a boot, which never quite looked as nice to my eyes. Plus I smashed my face in getting out of it pissed one night - being fibreglass, there’s so much sill it made it hard to stumble out or should I say crash out! So it lost a few points on that count.
shooting brakes, estates etc are all marketing car wise. station wagons were ok, and had a main purpose associated with its name
always wanted a wagon as a tow car for my Hotrod so bought this 59 Ford a few years ago , I have a love hate thing with it , it takes up 4 spaces in a car park and it’s like driving the QE2 down the road , very rare 2 door out of Vancouver cars Canada.
https://i.postimg.cc/prP7d9Zf/ECE1-C6-C7-6-FCA-4-A32-83-F8-9-DA67-E873-FE3.jpg
its certainly van sized jon.. hitched up to a longish trailer and length wise your getting on for an arctic..:)
its certainly van sized jon.. hitched up to a longish trailer and length wise your getting on for an arctic..:)
You could certainly fit a few polar bears in there.
You could certainly fit a few polar bears in there.
:lol:
You could certainly fit a few polar bears in there.
easily...artic ones
Now that's a proper car.
Paint it black and it would make a good hearse! :D
Or a Ghostbusters car.
I'd take that over any of the plastic-fantastic identikit tat clogging the roads today. And you can fix it yourself when it breaks.
walpurgis
24-02-2022, 11:12
I'd take that over any of the plastic-fantastic identikit tat clogging the roads today. And you can fix it yourself when it breaks.
Not sure I'd be too happy with the 9mpg fuel consumption though.
Not sure I'd be too happy with the 9mpg fuel consumption though.
if towing, you'll be lucky.. the xj6 with a van on back, didnt get 9 lol
Not sure I'd be too happy with the 9mpg fuel consumption though.
well there's always a trade-off...
Pigmy Pony
24-02-2022, 18:54
My mate bought one of these last year, mpg tales the piss but worth it for the noise it makes. And it's a proper get out of the way vehicle :)
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/premier/12/3391/46777/1920x1440/1975-chevrolet-silverado-camper-special-pickup
You could certainly fit a few polar bears in there.
:lol:
Paint it black and it would make a good hearse! :D
it has been called that ha ha
My mate bought one of these last year, mpg tales the piss but worth it for the noise it makes. And it's a proper get out of the way vehicle :)
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/premier/12/3391/46777/1920x1440/1975-chevrolet-silverado-camper-special-pickup
That is tidy. Couple of blokes at work run old Yank tanks, they certainly stand out in the car park.
Used to be a bloke around here with a bright yellow Dodge Ram but not seen him for a while now.
My mate bought one of these last year, mpg tales the piss but worth it for the noise it makes. And it's a proper get out of the way vehicle :)
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/premier/12/3391/46777/1920x1440/1975-chevrolet-silverado-camper-special-pickup
bit modern for me , this is my 1951 old F3 all original 6volt electrics and Flathead v8 , does about 12 mpg but there’s nothing like the sound of a flathead v8 , I was driving it through Shoreham by sea high street a few years back and someone shouted out “hillbilly” made me chuckle
https://i.postimg.cc/FRLVnKDX/92028-E1-A-1-DC4-4676-A7-A4-410-EF2-A7-B04-F.jpg
its certainly van sized jon.. hitched up to a longish trailer and length wise your getting on for an arctic..:)
it’s around 17ft long so yes with my car trailer which has a 16ft bed I’m pushing towards 40ft with draw bar , I tow a digger around on the back of a transit most days so it doesn’t faze me :)
it’s around 17ft long so yes with my car trailer which has a 16ft bed I’m pushing towards 40ft with draw bar , I tow a digger around on the back of a transit most days so it doesn’t faze me :)
used to tow a very long trailer with a big merc panel van. its overall length was similar with pivot close in middle. not as easy to do as an artic but much better than towing a generator or suchlike. you parked it next to an artic and it wasnt much shorter tbh... damn sight lighter mind lol.
Pigmy Pony
25-02-2022, 07:16
I vowed never to tow a trailer after stuffing my Ford Escort van into the central barrier of a dual carriageway and writing it off, when towing a long single axle trailer with a badly-distributed load (according to the police. And I've stuck to that vow for 20 years now.
Mrs. P on the other hand is the Trailer Queen (would probably mean something different in America).
walpurgis
10-03-2022, 08:37
Daft price for a £400 old banger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142527910?sort=distance&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&include-delivery-option=on&make=Daihatsu&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&postcode=ub25qu&model=Sirion&page=1
Daft price for a £400 old banger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142527910?sort=distance&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&include-delivery-option=on&make=Daihatsu&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&postcode=ub25qu&model=Sirion&page=1
i see they are still using the 'last lady keeper' bit.. i shall say no more:D
Pigmy Pony
10-03-2022, 18:44
i see they are still using the 'last lady keeper' bit.. i shall say no more:D
I don't see how anyone can think that's a positive. Unless riding the clutch to within an inch of its life and scratching door handles and various plastics with rings can be seen as a good thing.
I don't see how anyone can think that's a positive. Unless riding the clutch to within an inch of its life and scratching door handles and various plastics with rings can be seen as a good thing.
used to be pushed as a nice old lady who drove conservitavely and low miles etc.. as you say, the reality is often different.
walpurgis
10-03-2022, 19:00
I don't see how anyone can think that's a positive. Unless riding the clutch to within an inch of its life and scratching door handles and various plastics with rings can be seen as a good thing.
A lot of blokes are as bad these days.
Most lads couldn't describe a clutch mechanism or understand its abuse. The days when chaps understood car parts and maintenance are generally long gone.
Pigmy Pony
10-03-2022, 19:16
I have a theory regarding motor manufacturers' quality control:
Every component part of a car is rigorously tested, and any that appear faulty or substandard are weeded out. But instead of going to landfill, they go into making vans. Nothing is wasted. And silly sods like me pay over the odds for these vans because post-Covid alternatives to foreign holidays (ie campervans) has pushed prices up.
I could have bought a similar-age E-class for what my van cost, and here I am, paying through the nose for parts which really should last longer than 5 years. Just shelled out today £430 for a 'knock sensor', and another 140 quid for it to be "coded in" online, whatever that means :(
And it's not just Mercedes, it seems no manufacturer is capable of or willing to make vans which are as reliable as their cars. How hard can it be?:steam:
Ah the knock sensor. Bordering on pointless thing and costs a fortune
Pigmy Pony
10-03-2022, 19:52
Ah the knock sensor. Bordering on pointless thing and costs a fortune
Never heard of them till earlier this week. I could have got a snide one for a tenth of the price but with uncertain reliability, and I just wanted done with it.
And the thing is, there was a countdown on the dash display, starting at 495 miles, and had got to just under 300 miles when it went in for it's repair, and if the countdown had reached zero the van would refuse to start until the sensor was replaced and coded, so they had me over a barrel, the bastids :(
I have a theory regarding motor manufacturers' quality control:
Every component part of a car is rigorously tested, and any that appear faulty or substandard are weeded out. But instead of going to landfill, they go into making vans. Nothing is wasted. And silly sods like me pay over the odds for these vans because post-Covid alternatives to foreign holidays (ie campervans) has pushed prices up.
I could have bought a similar-age E-class for what my van cost, and here I am, paying through the nose for parts which really should last longer than 5 years. Just shelled out today £430 for a 'knock sensor', and another 140 quid for it to be "coded in" online, whatever that means :(
And it's not just Mercedes, it seems no manufacturer is capable of or willing to make vans which are as reliable as their cars. How hard can it be?:steam:
when I was in the trade we never had many issues with the Ford or Vauxhall vans but the Mercs did have a few issues even though we had a lot less of them. Worst by far was LDV, they would fall apart as they were going along. Shocking really. And all the vehicles were less than 2 years old or 40K miles. We sold them when they hit either.
Mind you that was fifteen years ago. I don't know if LDV are even in business anymore.
Pigmy Pony
11-03-2022, 07:22
when I was in the trade we never had many issues with the Ford or Vauxhall vans but the Mercs did have a few issues even though we had a lot less of them. Worst by far was LDV, they would fall apart as they were going along. Shocking really. And all the vehicles were less than 2 years old or 40K miles. We sold them when they hit either.
Mind you that was fifteen years ago. I don't know if LDV are even in business anymore.
Still going, though they did go bust a few years ago when they were Leyland DAF (part of the Rover group, so they were never be going to be great). A quick check reveals them to be among the most reliable these days (with Vauxhall being the worst).
https://parkers-images.bauersecure.com/wp-images/19323/65-ldv-v80-facelift.jpg
An LDV van going round a corner, yesterday
Apparently Russian owned now, so good luck getting spares...
dave2010
14-03-2022, 11:01
Updates in modern cars still an issue. Tesla Model 3 has done a few updates recently. One completely changed the interface - total bummer. Not good if you're in a hurry.
Not sure if there've been a few more since - seemingly minor, but niggling concerns that some things are not as they should be. Screwing up the times for charging and getting them mixed up with "pre-conditioning" is not helpful - and puts up one's electricity bill for no very good reason.
I rather wish that more attention had been paid to more useful things - such as rear windscreen wipers (there aren't any!), heated wing mirrors (not a feature either), anti-dazzle internal mirror dipping (no evidence of that), and other things which can make driving feasible or bearable in British weather.
The graphical interface for charging is "nice" but abysmally useless. What's wrong with numeric inputs?
I still have a love hate relationship with this thing - 50/50. The (few) things it does well are very good - the others - total crap!
There was a TVR Chimera parked in my street the other day. Metallic purple paint, couldn't really miss it. You don't see many of them around, at least not here.
There was a TVR Chimera parked in my street the other day. Metallic purple paint, couldn't really miss it. You don't see many of them around, at least not here.
Lovely car! Was the metallic paint job the one which depending on the angle of view looks either green or purple?
Lovely car! Was the metallic paint job the one which depending on the angle of view looks either green or purple?
Yes it was.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.