Have You Seen Any Interesting Cars On The Road Lately?

[StMarks]

Had one of those about 35 years ago, same model and colour , very nice for the decade

There was also exactly the same model & colour of Rover V8 3500 that was a pivotal feature in the first ever Series & episodes of Prime Suspect, that was also about 35 years ago wasn't it ?

 

[del320]

Had one of those about 35 years ago, same model and colour , very nice for the decade

Yeah - I had one over 45 years ago (between the Renault 5TS and the SAAB 99 Turbo) I still get misty-eyed thinking about it...

It was only five years old and immaculate but, at 27, I was fighting well above my weight vis-a-vis its prestige and my impecunious status as a lowly bank clerk! It would not be the only time my manager's eyes narrowed as he wondered why I drove a car considerably better than his...
Sadly, 5* at 17mpg became too rich for my wallet.



Mine was an auto, so was really quite sluggish compared to a manual - even if 143bhp sounded a lot back in the day. Soon got that out of my system when I got the SAAB. The red label on the rear screen is the instruction to only use five-star.

 

[Williamwoo]

Well, just so you could confirm that, I took a picture of the interior at the same time.

FYI.:

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That pic also shows off the 'shin bin(s)'. I think the 2000/3500 was the first car to have them. Can't remember though if there was one on the driver's side or whether that's just a panel.

 

[23 Romeo Tango]

Pulled up behind one of these (Ioniq 6) at the traffic lights on Junction road yesterday evening. Some interesting lines on it.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Looks like some AI got hold of a CLS design......and then ruined it!!

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Not really interesting but i had a ride in my old Boss's 2023 911 Turbo yesterday. Im not really a Porsche fan but i have to say the performance was mind blowing. Apart from the ex works Metro 6R4 the quickest thing ive ever been in. And with absolutely no drama. But i think there in lies the rub. And this was also the thought of my old Boss. It didn't really feel special in any way. Inside, outside, the sound of it. Everything is very subtle and dare i say it a bit soulless. The jury is out whether he'll keep it or move to something more dramatic. But i can see the appeal as a supercar you can drive every day. I think it would be great as a second supercar if you already had something with a bit more drama.

 

[Williamwoo]

Looks like some AI got hold of a CLS design......and then ruined it!!

I kind of respect the fact that they've tried to be a bit different, and at least it's not yet another bulbous SUV thing, but it doesn't quite work does it?

 

[SpikyMikey]

I kind of respect the fact that they've tried to be a bit different, and at least it's not yet another bulbous SUV thing, but it doesn't quite work does it?

I got to say, it appeals to more more than Tesla's best efforts, especially the front. The whole thing has almost a Porsche feel to the look.
Or maybe I need a trip to that well-known high street optician.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not really interesting but i had a ride in my old Boss's 2023 911 Turbo yesterday. Im not really a Porsche fan but i have to say the performance was mind blowing. Apart from the ex works Metro 6R4 the quickest thing ive ever been in. And with absolutely no drama. But i think there in lies the rub. And this was also the thought of my old Boss. It didn't really feel special in any way. Inside, outside, the sound of it. Everything is very subtle and dare i say it a bit soulless. The jury is out whether he'll keep it or move to something more dramatic. But i can see the appeal as a supercar you can drive every day. I think it would be great as a second supercar if you already had something with a bit more drama.

Nice. I do like the 911 Turbo S.

Sensationally fast, but surprisingly ordinary is the best way to describe a 911 Turbo S, and each generation stretch both things even further. They’re a car which you immediately really respect for its extreme competence, but can’t fall in love with. For that reason, I’d say that they’re almost certainly the fastest point to point car in the real world for everyday driving in the UK.

There are faster cars, but only in their ideal environment. The 911 Turbo S is as easy to drive fast as any car, the performance is effortless; the handling is safe, and although it’s getting portly in it’s old age it’s much easier to place on the road than any car which is “faster”. It’s psychologically easier too as incredibly expensive but much less expensive than “faster” cars.

It’s in a league of its own really. The faster AMG GT C/R were close to the 991 on paper (and I’d argue much more enjoyable to drive) but the 991 would drive away from them relatively easily on a British road. That said they 720s is faster in it’s ideal environment but again the 911 would ease away on a British road.

Most people buy a 911 Turbo S (brand new) for one of three reasons:

1. It’s “specified” as one of a basket of cars they buy - along with Macans, Cayennes Panameras and Taycans to secure a GT allocation.

2. They can’t afford to buy a basket of cars they don’t really want to secure a GT allocation, and so buy a Turbo S as the best available to order.

3. They genuinely want to cover ground insanely quickly, with minimal fanfare, hassle, and cost, whilst flying under the radar (relatively).

There aren’t too many 3s.

 

[Darrell]

Nice. I do like the 911 Turbo S.

Sensationally fast, but surprisingly ordinary is the best way to describe a 911 Turbo S, and each generation stretch both things even further. They’re a car which you immediately really respect for its extreme competence, but can’t fall in love with. For that reason, I’d say that they’re almost certainly the fastest point to point car in the real world for everyday driving in the UK.

There are faster cars, but only in their ideal environment. The 911 Turbo S is as easy to drive fast as any car, the performance is effortless; the handling is safe, and although it’s getting portly in it’s old age it’s much easier to place on the road than any car which is “faster”. It’s psychologically easier too as incredibly expensive but much less expensive than “faster” cars.

It’s in a league of its own really. The faster AMG GT C/R were close to the 991 on paper (and I’d argue much more enjoyable to drive) but the 991 would drive away from them relatively easily on a British road. That said they 720s is faster in it’s ideal environment but again the 911 would ease away on a British road.

Most people buy a 911 Turbo S (brand new) for one of three reasons:

1. It’s “specified” as one of a basket of cars they buy - along with Macans, Cayennes Panameras and Taycans to secure a GT allocation.

2. They can’t afford to buy a basket of cars they don’t really want to secure a GT allocation, and so buy a Turbo S as the best available to order.

3. They genuinely want to cover ground insanely quickly, with minimal fanfare, hassle, and cost, whilst flying under the radar (relatively).

There aren’t too many 3s.

Phenomenal cars.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Phenomenal cars.

Agreed, it was phenomenal, but I think BD summed it up nicely as well. I have to admit I got out of it quite bemused! When it was going at pace it was exhilarating but at all other times I actually found the experience a bit boring. Just so quiet as well even with the exhaust valves open and in Sport plus. Very nice and comfy even but if the experience were a colour it would be beige. But I think if you view that as a strength rather than a weakness I think the car actually makes more sense. It’s really not appropriate to compare it with any other supercar, as BD says it kind of exists in its own niche, and for sure is a technological tour de force.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Agreed, it was phenomenal, but I think BD summed it up nicely as well. I have to admit I got out of it quite bemused! When it was going at pace it was exhilarating but at all other times I actually found the experience a bit boring. Just so quiet as well even with the exhaust valves open and in Sport plus. Very nice and comfy even but if the experience were a colour it would be beige. But I think if you view that as a strength rather than a weakness I think the car actually makes more sense. It’s really not appropriate to compare it with any other supercar, as BD says it kind of exists in its own niche, and for sure is a technological tour de force.

I should have mentioned as well, he also just bought a Citroen Ami so you probably couldn’t get much further apart in design brief!

 

[Swotty]

I kind of respect the fact that they've tried to be a bit different, and at least it's not yet another bulbous SUV thing, but it doesn't quite work does it?

Went in to the Merc dealer in Bergerac to arrange for the new tyres to be aligned and sort out the new noise at low revs (pulsation damper, perhaps?). The dealership shares premises with Hyundai and there were several brand new Ioniqs lined up ... all the same grey colour!

Having said that, I didn't find them as mainstream as most other modern stuff and quite avant-garde in a weird kind of way.

Still don't want one.

 

[MeQ]

Pretty sure I saw a gold w202 c36 or c43 earlier, can anybody confirm if either were available in gold?

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Technically not on the road but worth a mention. Today I visited the private collection of Rob and Tanya Lewis. A stunning collection of cars and auto memorabilia. So many highlights but the 300SL was insane. Subject of a 3 year restoration by Mercedes. It’s done something like 2000 miles from new. Amelia Concours winner. Also a Koenigsegg One, a Regera, a weird Aston Zagato shooting brake thing. Countach, Lamborghini 400 GT, 488 Pista, the list goes on. A real eclectic mix. A couple of F1 cars and an Oakley Twizy F1. Too much to list really. Robert was on hand to answer any questions -amazingly generous to allow access to his collection.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Technically not on the road but worth a mention. Today I visited the private collection of Rob and Tanya Lewis. A stunning collection of cars and auto memorabilia. So many highlights but the 300SL was insane. Subject of a 3 year restoration by Mercedes. It’s done something like 2000 miles from new. Amelia Concours winner. Also a Koenigsegg One, a Regera, a weird Aston Zagato shooting brake thing. Countach, Lamborghini 400 GT, 488 Pista, the list goes on. A real eclectic mix. A couple of F1 cars and an Oakley Twizy F1. Too much to list really. Robert was on hand to answer any questions -amazingly generous to allow access to his collection.View attachment 154454
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But are the owners really happy?

I’ll bet

 

[ChrisHGTV]

But are the owners really happy?

I’ll bet

Ha ha - well for sure I would say he’s really driven! And obviously really successful!

The Aston was a Vanquish Zagato shooting brake - I just googled it. He also had a Dalek in the collection!

 

[Darrell]

Ha ha - well for sure I would say he’s really driven! And obviously really successful!

The Aston was a Vanquish Zagato shooting brake - I just googled it. He also had a Dalek in the collection!

My brother has built a few life size Daleks.

 

[SpikyMikey]

My brother has built a few life size Daleks.

Gotta ask (but a bit scared to)
Why?

 

[ToeKnee]

A mate of mine from Coventry (I know him cos he owns a cobra) has operated a dalek on doctor who. Doesn't add to the thread but I thought it was interesting