*********Motors Chat - Round 9 *********

CIP4

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Anyone see that ad about building a model old school mustang? You get a magazine and a part each week. The first issue costs 2.50. Think you get a bit of a chrome strip for the bumper. Seems to be a small enough model.

Just read the small print though. Every issue after the first costs 10.90. The model will be complete after 100 issues. So essentially this model will cost you well over 1000 euro :eek:

This an expensive hobby alright. I built the Subaru Impreza radio control one from the magazines must be 10 years at this stage and I think it ended up costing 400-500 euro. It was great fun building it but I got little use out of it after. I could certainly think of better things to spend 1k euro on.

I had a Kyosho Subaru Impreza rc car for years too you know the ones with the proper real engines 4wd unbelievably quick it took that special model jet fuel you could buy. I never used that enough either to justify keeping it. Some people get big into them and they are class but expensive.

Noccy_Mondy

colm_mcm wrote: »

They're supposed to be a bit troublesome. stupid niggley things like the doors coming off,

The vans don't seem to be as popular as the previous model.

Skylinehead

YbFocus wrote: »

It's funny when you are at home figuring how to make an undertray for your car

Make me one too! Mines a bit mangled from when I went over a kerb a bit too far, then ripped it off entirely.

YbFocus

Skylinehead wrote: »

Make me one too! Mines a bit mangled from when I went over a kerb a bit too far, then ripped it off entirely.

Let me try mine first

Noccy_Mondy

What are these astras supposed to be like?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317770?transmission=manual&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=19%22&make=vauxhall&sort=default&model=astra&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=LN1%202NA&search-target=usedcars&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

166man

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What are these astras supposed to be like?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317770?transmission=manual&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=19%22&make=vauxhall&sort=default&model=astra&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=LN1%202NA&search-target=usedcars&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

You getting the itch to change car Noccy?

CIP4

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What are these astras supposed to be like?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317770?transmission=manual&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=19%22&make=vauxhall&sort=default&model=astra&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=LN1%202NA&search-target=usedcars&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

I think tfb would be the man to question about them but overall they seem like a nice car and from what I hear are quite reliable.

166man

CIP4 wrote: »

I think tfb would be the man to question about them but overall they seem like a nice car and from what I hear are quite reliable.

Ain't no Golf Tdi though amirite hah? :pac:

Noccy_Mondy

166man wrote: »

You getting the itch to change car Noccy?

Dunno if I'd call it an itch, still happy with what I have, just sussing out potential replacements. The only real driving factor is to freshen things up a few years.

I'm still on the shape stage yet, what designs I like. Then I move onto the engines/specs.

colm_mcm

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

The vans don't seem to be as popular as the previous model.

I think availability is the issue. The transit custom suits a lot of buyers too rather than the massive regular transit.

CIP4

166man wrote: »

Ain't no Golf Tdi though amirite hah? :pac:

Ah golfs are so last year :pac:

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Dunno if I'd call it an itch, still happy with what I have, just sussing out potential replacements. The only real driving factor is to freshen things up a few years.

I'm still on the shape stage yet, what designs I like. Then I move onto the engines/specs.

Get a Renault Megane they are the sh!t what other car has storage in the floor and a button which electronically turns on and off the child locks and electric Windows in the back which is honestly the best craic to wind up passengers in the rear. And no I'm not struggling to think of other features it has :pac:

Supergurrier

Found this uploaded on souhans website

Sounded great on video but impossible to live with

Foxhole Norman

This is literally why we can't have nice things

Noccy_Mondy

Gwan, off with ya!!

Foxhole Norman

LIGHTNING wrote: »

^ Report it to the Gardai? That type of **** grinds my gears

Not advertising anything illegal is the problem, just... implied.

Cookie_Monster

random thought that appeared last night. Since EVs have a engine capacity less than 50cc (ie 0) are they allowed on motorways :pac:

Noccy_Mondy

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

random thought that appeared last night. Since EVs have a engine capacity less than 50cc (ie 0) are they allowed on motorways :pac:

No they aren't. You not know that?

It's all part of the reason why they are so slow to take off here!

Toyotafanboi

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What are these astras supposed to be like?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317770?transmission=manual&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=19%22&make=vauxhall&sort=default&model=astra&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=LN1%202NA&search-target=usedcars&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

Iirc, MuopetCheck had a diesel, so worth asking him also.

Mine is 2012 1.4 turbo petrol and 3dr. As a car it's been good, we've put 30k on it over 2 years and in that time it's needed a c.v. joint and a coolant hose split. I'd probably be much more damning of those things if I had to pay for them but the 4 year warranty covered both.

The real proof of the pudding will be at it's first NCT in a fortnight. The biggest issue (doesn't bother me as i'm keeping it until it dies) but that may bother others is depreciation, it's falling like a stone. It was iirc €19500 for it in 2013 and you'd be lucky to see €10k for it now i'd say, a Scirocco would have been more depreciation resistant.

Great spec though compared to rivals and it's as solid as a brick ****house, looks quite good too. It's "German" without the pricetag. If I could turn back time i'd probably go diesel. The petrol is reasonably fuel efficient but aside from good low down torque, it's a fairly underwhelming drive in terms of power. Mine is wearing 235/50/18 tyres which are fairly sticky and the car is always very comfortable and very planted on the road.

The spec choices, even down to suspention choices are pretty broad on the 3dr but I don't know how much of that continues into the 5dr. The cabin is well thought out and generally a nice place to be.

Overall, i'm happy with it and i'd recommend but if something expensive goes now that the warranty is up, I will be cross :pac:

Noccy_Mondy

I thought yours was an opc.

Mycroft H

Toyotafanboi

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I thought yours was an opc.

Nah, just SRi spec in a 3dr.

I think there's a lot of difference between the 3 and 5 door. I read in the sales brochure that the only exterior components that the 3 and 5 door share are the door handles and roof antenna :pac:

Noccy_Mondy

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Nah, just SRi spec in a 3dr.

I think there's a lot of difference between the 3 and 5 door. I read in the sales brochure that the only exterior components that the 3 and 5 door share are the door handles and roof antenna :pac:

Ya that's why I thought it was an opc. Only seen it once or twice. That's mad altogether.

166man

Just thinking there, the Alfa 159 the folks have is turning 6 years old this year. It's been my car of choice since I have been home and the miles are climbing again! Currently she sits with 168k km. By year end probably closer to 200k km.

For any of you out there thinking of buying one, let me address some of your inevitable concerns...


Reliability - Always the key glitch with an Alfa. In it's time with us, the car has had the oil changed every 10k km and a full service every 30k. Never once failed to start, never left us stranded etc. Had a timing belt at 120k km @ €4-500 or thereabouts. Also had two wishbones replaced at 162k km. Not bad going given they're consumables. Had an issue last year with a blocked EGR valve but cleared it out and its been perfect since.


Practicality - lets the side down a little here due to the considerable boot lip on the estate, but the boot is standard enough and the seats fold easily. Excellent room up front with an entire one cupholder(a novelty on an Alfa ) and reasonable rear legroom. Not a Skoda Superb but par for the course for the small saloon class.


Build Quality - This is where the car impresses alot actually. Everything in the car feels solid, both inside and out. Dashboard is laid out well, no squeaks or rattles and the leather has wore the miles very well. Complaints? Interior mats aren't fitted which is a bit annoying and the radio isn't the best of systems but its fine for most. Paint work isn't metallic and does feel a bit thin but the factory finish is quite good. It has the standard stone chips at the front now, however.


Costs - It's running 215/55/16 Michelins at the moment and they're pricey enough, but they last long and give excellent grip. An oil change and general service doesn't mean taking half the car apart and parts are reasonable. Fuel economy averages about 43mpg which given it spends 50:50 of its time around town etc isn't too bad. Tax is the heftier band though @ €570 a year. Bought as a demo in 2010 with 52km on the plate, its depreciation levels have been impressive. I'd estimate a value of about €10kish today, maybe slightly less.


Driveability - Does it drive like an Alfa though? It does and it doesn't is the answer there. It's not as nimble as it's predecessor, but that's its strong point, its quiet and refined and is still capable in the bends. Engine is good but the power delivery is a little lumpy, keeping it in the turbo band is definitely important. I like it though, maybe I'm just used to it. Gearbox is a peach, its a heavy but short throw yet very precise and the car has Brembo brakes so they are unsurprisingly, excellent.



Overall, and I know it's a long post, but it's been one of the best cars to date. Looks good, drives with a solidarity that the 156 was lacking, has been perfectly reliable and as a general package it's been brilliant. Few niggles here and there but

Toyotafanboi

Generally speaking spec for spec versus rivals the Astra J range are very impressive, well worth a second glance anyway.

Not to bore you but the SRi is a popular spec and you got auto headlights, auto wipers, auto dimming mirrors, half pleather, a/c, elec handbrake, hill start assist, heating elements in the side windows, tinted glass, cornering headlights, usb, ipod aux in, bluetooth, motion and tilt alarm, fancy ambient lighting in the doors and footwells and ****, lots of chrome and aluminium stuff.

I think at the same time VW were offering the Scirocco with power steering and central locking, electric windows were an extra.

Noccy_Mondy

Toyotafanboi wrote:

Not to bore you but the SRi is a popular spec and you got auto headlights, auto wipers, auto dimming mirrors, half pleather, a/c, elec handbrake, hill start assist, heating elements in the side windows, tinted glass, cornering headlights, usb, ipod aux in, bluetooth, motion and tilt alarm, fancy ambient lighting in the doors and footwells and ****, lots of chrome and aluminium stuff.

What has the elite over that? I prefer the look of the sri over the elite, with the upgraded alloys.

MuppetCheck

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What are these astras supposed to be like?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510318317770?transmission=manual&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=19%22&make=vauxhall&sort=default&model=astra&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&page=1&postcode=LN1%202NA&search-target=usedcars&quantity-of-doors=5&logcode=p

To he honest they're thirsty for what they are, and the big wheels certainly don't help. I had 19s and then 20s on mine and the long term average for the 2 litre 165 was 44 to the gallon over 9 months and 30k. It's also like going back in time a decade in terms of refinement compared to the latest VAG stuff for example. It's a fettled version of the old Fiat 1.9 so should last forever if looked after.

They're a nice car, solid but very heavy. Rides well even on bigger wheels. If you were importing one an elite spec is the one to go for. I had an SRI but added a lot of extras as I thought it was missing a few bits - Bluetooth wasn't standard, climate control wasn't either and neither were even rear parking sensors. For a higher spec model in the range I thought that was a bit mean. If you can get one with the adaptive forward lighting they were the best headlights I've had on any car - bi-xenons, cornering, adaptive beam.

Electronic handbrakes cause rear brake wear close on what the fronts are and anything with the M35 gearbox is going to need a rebuild at some stage but otherwise they're not bad.

CIP4

Even though I was never a ford fan a mk3 focus in titanium spec 2.0tdci would be a lot serious car I'd imagine. But then as tfb said above the Sri spec Astra has a lot of spec and I would imagine the Astra would be the cheaper car to buy in the uk.

Toyotafanboi

Didn't know bluetooth wasn't standard, just assumed it was!

Biggest irritation actually could be that the driver can't permanently switch off stop-start, it resets every time you turn the car off. A bit of a first world problem and you do get used to hitting the button after you start the car, but still.

MuppetCheck

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Didn't know bluetooth wasn't standard, just assumed it was!

Biggest irritation actually could be that the driver can't permanently switch off stop-start, it resets every time you turn the car off. A bit of a first world problem and you do get used to hitting the button after you start the car, but still.

Bluetooth buttons are there but not standard - seems a bit mad these days. Agree on the stop start and unlike a lot of other cars no one seems to have been able to successfully get a workaround for it either.

dastardly00

How long does delivery from Powerbulbs normally take?
I got an email on Monday Jan 4th (around midday) to say that my order had been dispatched. No sign of it yet.