Brazil

[BigSilverEstate]

Currently in Brazil with work, and while they have a lot going for them here that we would envy, the car situation is just terrible and makes you realise how lucky we are with the selection and prices of vehicles in the UK. Cars which in the UK are bargain basement (certain Chevrolet models, Dacias - Branded Renault here - kias etc) are prestige brands here, while the German manufacturers other than VW which are produced locally, are the preserve of the ultra-rich, even modest w204 C classes are sufficiently rare to turn heads. All down to import taxes. You also don't see interesting old cars apart from very battered VW campers, as imports were heavily restricted until the 90s.

Only novelty I have seen that looked potentially fun was a rather aggressively styled recent honda accord with twin pipes and a V6 engine which I suspect is not available on the UK market.

 

[grober]

There's an USA built HONDA ACCORD with a v6 petrol-- different animal[ bigger body] from our Japan built Euro ACCORD which is also sold in the states as a sporty Accura model.

 

[BigSilverEstate]

That would be it then!

 

[grober]

like this ??

or the coupe

 

[swannymere]

I remember when i was in Brasilia a nearly six years ago and they had a Mercedes stand in the middle of a Mall, saw a GLK for the first time, still think it was a missed opportunity by Mercedes UK.
My brother's in laws are quite well off but even they only drive rebadged Vectra's and a VW Polo's and Golf's. The brother in law recently bought a Renault 4x4 which i think maybe badged a Dacia in the UK, they all love it because of the driving position.
You're so right about the old cars, even the VW buses are disappearing and being scrapped. The Brazilians like shiny and new and you'll almost never see an antiques shop and my brother's in laws were shocked by our interest in old VW buses.
How are you getting on with the SKOL?

 

[BigSilverEstate]

like this ?? or the coupe

it was the saloon - quite like the look of the coupe though!

 

[BigSilverEstate]

How are you getting on with the SKOL?

They do beer very well here - keeping it cold is treated with religious seriousness. Quite like the caipirinhas too - cut through the feijoada bean and pork fest I had for my Sunday lunch today a treat!