Driving other cars

[abl567]

Over the last 3 weeks Six 3 has rarely left the garage because I have had reason to drive a mix of cars back to back.
Time to bore you all with my observations, comparisons and opinion

First up my Hilux 4WD, a 2004 model with only 48K on the odo. It is the basic dual cab, no carpet, hand crank windows and no central locking.
It has plenty of power, 3.4L V6, but lacks torque even with the low gearing that gives 2400 rpm at 110k's.
The ride is fair for a "proper" 4WD and with the LSD the way it handles is best described as between vague and entertaining.
I guess that is why the k's are so low
Problem is it is far to usefull to get rid of.

Then Dad's W202 C240, I posted on another thread the fix I found to bring this car back to life.
Now back in shape it is a lovely car, refined and responsive.
Pity it has no torque

Mum's W202 C180 was next, now this car is fun, you have to wring its neck but it is so agile and tight it makes you smile and mash the foot to keep up it.
The engine has a rorty note ands revs like a bugger, pity it has less than no torque.

Ahh, Karens Kluger...
Probably the most competent vehicle here, true, it simply does everything you ask it to do, put your foot down and it goes fast, no torque of course.
Squeeze the brakes and it stops bloody well, it even goes around corners with no fuss when you overcook it. The interior is comfy and ergomomic and the climate control A/C thingy works, as you ask.
BUT IT IS SO BORING I'm sure the trip computer thing is there to tease you,
Ha Ha you have 6 more hours of this tedium.

Last of course the 6.3
40 years old on the 28th of August. Leaks oil, has plenty of wind noise, poor A/C design, bugger all ventilation, ergonomics if you are kind, huge fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

And a WALL OF TORQUE

 

[Lukas]

BUT IT IS SO BORING I'm sure the trip computer thing is there to tease you, Ha Ha you have 6 more hours of this tedium.

Exactly - car design and engineering seem to be at a point where it isn't that hard to make a highly competent car, but making an interesting car still requires a flash of brilliance somewhere. I suppose the accountants also have things to say when someone tries to get an interesting car approved, so the result is often to just make a competent one instead.

Was out driving around in the scrub in a landcruiser (78 series) a week or so ago, and was reminded how impressive those things are in going up what felt like a 45% slope, or down the same thing. However, for anything else, very ordinary - like driving a waterbed.

 

[oscar]

Agreed about the Kluger. We've had a couple for work cars and I hate that their build quality is better than our family car, a Territory. But that's Toyota for you. Still, I'll never buy one, I'm a brandist.

A new vehicle I tried out last week was my brother in law's Chrysler Grand Voyager. Very comfy, love the view out the front, easy to drive but I loved some well thought out design features. Especially for the rear where all seats, both rows, fold down into the floor to make this people mover into a removalists van. Sort of. It's a brilliant design, so much room, a great family car. However, although I think it was a V6, it still seemed underpowered. Certainly not enough to tow POVO on track days. Oh! And the other bugbear. Why can't the road authorities make it law that the indicator stalk be on the right side of the steering column and the wiper controls to be on the left, for all imported cars with LHD origins. Is it too much to ask?

 

[Martin280s]

While in England, I have been driving around in my brother's 2000 Fiat Brava 1.6. I 've found it surprisingly spritely and quite confortable. I later discovered that it has never let him down or spent more than a quick service in the garage which is a tribute to the car as my brother is lead-footed and quite heavy handed.

Congratulations to a sturdy car!

 

[chrisp]

A new vehicle I tried out last week was my brother in law's Chrysler Grand Voyager.

Some mates and I hired one of these for a skiing trip to South Lake Tahoe in California in 2003. I know the American market prefers their suspension soft, but honestly, this is the only car I have ever felt motion-sick in. And I was driving!

On the same trip we also had a Ford E450 minibus. That was much more satisfying to drive, despite being twice the size, and it handled better on the mountain roads too.

 

[BenzBoy]

Chris, the Voyager could not be as bad as the car I tried today for size. It was a 1948 Ford Anglia. I have NEVER sat in such an uncomfortable ot ergonomically scattered car. It was a total disaster...
My stomach heaved and that was without the motor running; if indeed it could.
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[Michel]

Chris, the Voyager could not be as bad as the car I tried today for size. It was a 1948 Ford Anglia. I have NEVER sat in such an uncomfortable ot ergonomically scattered car. It was a total disaster...
My stomach heaved and that was without the motor running; if indeed it could.
Regards,
Benz-Boy

How about the other cars you sat in today Professor?

 

[BenzBoy]

How about the other cars you sat in today Professor?

Do you mean the Freestone and Webb, the Cloud or the 420C?
Well I could live with either of the first but certainly not the latter. Anyway, I am going back soon with Mr Treasurer. We are doing two auction displays in one weekend.
And you? Or dare I not ask....
Regards,
Benz-Boy
PS; And no way would I even sit in the 350SEL. Just too tacky in the boot to go any further...

 

[Michel]

A new vehicle I tried out last week was my brother in law's Chrysler Grand Voyager. Very comfy, love the view out the front, easy to drive but I loved some well thought out design features. Especially for the rear where all seats, both rows, fold down into the floor to make this people mover into a removalists van. Sort of. It's a brilliant design, so much room, a great family car. However, although I think it was a V6, it still seemed underpowered. Certainly not enough to tow POVO on track days. Oh! And the other bugbear. Why can't the road authorities make it law that the indicator stalk be on the right side of the steering column and the wiper controls to be on the left, for all imported cars with LHD origins. Is it too much to ask?

Funny that!
We're test-driving the same vehicle this week and apart from awful fuel consumption, I kinda like it... more than the Sebring convertible that we had the previous week.

Chrisp
I think the sea-sickness motion problems you had in the US would probably have been caused by worn shock absorbers...

 

[Michel]

Do you mean the Freestone and Webb, the Cloud or the 420C?
And you? Or dare I not ask....

I liked a certain British car with a soft top....

And no way would I even sit in the 350SEL. Just too tacky in the boot to go any further...

That was a very sad 350SEL (albeit a super rare model-not imported by MB in the country)

 

[BenzBoy]

"That was a very sad 350SEL (albeit a super rare model-not imported by MB in the country)"
Maybe for someone very keen - it probably will bring a lower price and it is without a reserve.
Regards,
Benz-Boy