Cars

[Toffeelover]

Mine was essentially this; very simple

The newer version has these fender flares (dunno what else to call them) that are a rough (gray) plastic material. For some body styles they'll body paint match them, but because of the finish the paint never seems to match. Maybe Toyota has fixed the issue now, but when I was shopping it looked really silly to me, and I wasn't going to spend $30,000 on a truck with mis-matched paint.

Over here we call them wheel arch extensions, they are plastic because in the fullness of time they are likely to be scratched. Much easier to replace than repairing and repainting a whole wing. You call them wagons, to us they are pickups and working vehicles usually owned by Builders, Plumbers, Farmers, Stable owners etc, so they do get a good bit of stick. I think you get the picture now.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Can't fault the Megane 'Wagon' I had and really like the look of the new model, the Gt-Line I really like. Dont suppose fuel economy comes into it over there though.

Cant ever imagine being able to afford a brand new one though.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Over here we call them wheel arch extensions, they are plastic because in the fullness of time they are likely to be scratched. Much easier to replace than repairing and repainting a whole wing. You call them wagons, to us they are pickups and working vehicles usually owned by Builders, Plumbers, Farmers, Stable owners etc, so they do get a good bit of stick. I think you get the picture now.

Trucks are defo trucks, although some here call the smaller variety pickups. My comment on the Tacoma was the paint and materials (they used a rough plastic that didn't paint the same; would be different if they chose a smoother plastic.)

I'm now looking for a wagon though; sorry for the confusion.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Can't fault the Megane 'Wagon' I had and really like the look of the new model, the Gt-Line I really like. Dont suppose fuel economy comes into it over there though.

Cant ever imagine being able to afford a brand new one though.

Fuel is much cheaper and on the whole we drive a lot more, so roominess and quietness are worth consideration.

Also, we're fatter. Did I mention that larger is better?

 

[Garrick]

The Passat wagon won't be a thing here. In fact the Passat's built in the US are quite different than the ones in Europe. They are larger with softer suspension to take care of our plump behinds.

You'll pretty much have to settle for a focus hatchback sized car. The only full size wagon I can think of is a Subaru Outback.

Well, we are fatter, but we're also one of the largest oil producing nations in the world, so our fuel is much cheaper.

And this is just my personal theory, but I actually think the reason Americans have "adopted" to softer suspension is because our roads are utter garbage. European streets are smooth as butter compared to most of the pothole-ridden strips of hell found in 'Murrika, especially up here in the frozen North.

In Milwaukee, driving a tightly sprung car regularly would do a number on your spine. Hell, even my bike has front suspension.

 

[Chewbacca]

Weird market for wagons here in the US. What appears to happen is makers are sharing a small market, releasing models for a limited run and then pulling out so that another maker can release theirs. Probably all a product of weak demand, but whenever I tell someone I'm interested in a wagon I get funny looks (I've got much weirder ideas than wanting a wagon). These are the same people that tell me they can't wait to trade in their van for a Suburban (which means this is most people).

The prices for old wagons are going through the roof though. Try buying a Chevy Nomad or any old Plymouth wagon, Crazy prices.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Saw a rebuilt Volvo Amazon that looked nice, but I've got hands like a brown bear and the mechanical skills of a retriever, so I'll probably stick to newer cars.

I'm pretty good at identifying what I've broken, for what that's worth.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

European manufacturers put Horse and Cart suspensions on the cars that they produce for the US market, as you like a softer ride compared to the British market were we have much tighter handling cars with harsher rides as a result. As we drive quicker and round plenty of corners..........

 

[Chewbacca]

European manufacturers also charge 50% more for their cars in 'Rip Off Britain'

 

[thirdmantackle]

You should come to Ireland
Home of VRT (vehicle registration tax) on all new and imported cars

 

[SerenityNigh]

Well, we are fatter, but we're also one of the largest oil producing nations in the world, so our fuel is much cheaper.

And this is just my personal theory, but I actually think the reason Americans have "adopted" to softer suspension is because our roads are utter garbage. European streets are smooth as butter compared to most of the pothole-ridden strips of hell found in 'Murrika, especially up here in the frozen North.

In Milwaukee, driving a tightly sprung car regularly would do a number on your spine. Hell, even my bike has front suspension.

Texas has nice roads

 

[Garrick]

European manufacturers put Horse and Cart suspensions on the cars that they produce for the US market, as you like a softer ride compared to the British market were we have much tighter handling cars with harsher rides as a result. As we drive quicker and round plenty of corners..........

Observe, an average northern street in the United States of goddamn America:

Texas has nice roads

Yeah, that's true. As our wonderful state government takes us down the path of being more like Texas, I'm so happy that we'll never actually get one of the few perks of living there. I'm sure we'll get all of the negatives, though.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Well, we are fatter, but we're also one of the largest oil producing nations in the world, so our fuel is much cheaper.

And this is just my personal theory, but I actually think the reason Americans have "adopted" to softer suspension is because our roads are utter garbage. European streets are smooth as butter compared to most of the pothole-ridden strips of hell found in 'Murrika, especially up here in the frozen North.

In Milwaukee, driving a tightly sprung car regularly would do a number on your spine. Hell, even my bike has front suspension.

Sounds like Belgium.

here's the border with Holland

 

[Toffeelover]

Sounds like Belgium.

here's the border with Holland

The message is clear, stay out of Belgium!

 

[ijjysmith]

Hello me again with the retard car questions.

I appear to have been offered a rather 'too good to be true' deal from my dealer on a brand new car.

But I'm trying to get all areas covered before committing.

So, is insurance group 11 high? Any ideas on how much a year?