Re: Me, a car snob?

Oh go-on.  In for a penny in for a pound!

Re: Me, a car snob?

Seant..

no problem.  I nearly bought a Multipla 2 years ago, too.  It was black, had darkened rear side glass amd had some fine fat Jerman alloy wheels with some appropriate ulps on it.  Looked great in an I am an engineer and appreciate the thought that has gone into this car sort of a way.  Deal breaker?  Well, that was the interior trim, interesting design but just shabby.  Shame, because I was prepared to put up a fight for it.  What did I end up with?  An old Primera estate.  Odd choice here in Germany I'll admit, but with only 2 kids there was no need to chase the MPV market to its logical conclusion.  Also, seeing the meal the DHL man made of getting in and out of our road this morning, clobbering my mirrors twice in 10 minutes, maybe those extra few inches girth could have been a problem, anyway?  I, too, think the facelift was cowardly if predictable....

Re: Me, a car snob?

I really like the Multipla, but it kind of proves that you are a car snob if you like one.

Reg, the bench front seat can be a very cosy place for the times when all the small ones are inside at home and you have gone out just you and your loved one. When my wife was my girlfriend (with all the frisson and clamour that such a relationship entails), I really enjoyed driving along with her right beside me in my father's ute with its bench seat. I thought it rather romantic with a lonely night road no traffic and no place to get to in a hurry. 

I have since learned that it wasn't romantic at all, as romance seems to involve forthought and or purchases- I am still at a loss as to how these things work.

Just thought I'd pop in on a quiet night to say hello to you chaps- back soon!

Re: Me, a car snob?

 I am a car snob, as it turns out, and it's my Multipla that proved it. It's broken you see, so they came with a low-loader to take it away as it is just about still under warranty. The courtesy 'car' they have brought it a Rover 214. I made them leave it a few doors down.

I'm quite happy to have a Multipla outside my house, but not a Rover.

(the middle seat is perfect for a little person by the way - ours is only 1, and it's much nicer to be able to pick up the dropped toy rather than listen to the crying!)

Re: Me, a car snob?

Wittgenfrog. A car snob you may be, but the reasons that you cite I can’t accept. What you’re saying is that you appreciate certain cars for doing exactly what they are supposed to do, and abhor others for not doing so. Calling this snobbery is the same as being called a snob for disapproving of someone who is a thief and a liar. On a detail, much as I join you in my affection of the Panda, you only have to drive an old Ford Ka to realise that a cheap small car doesn’t need to have a choppy ride. Fiat’s suspension engineers are still working this out. Of course, that makes your comments about BMW / Audi all the more true.

MrToad. I’d question your credentials as a car snob too. As an enthusiast / amateur / petrolhead / whatever, it is reasonably important to retain some integrity, so I fully understand your reasons for wanting to distance yourself several doors down from such mediocrity as the Rover. When I was landed with the Kia Picanto courtesy car I have mentioned elsewhere, I took consolation from the fact that it had a hire car sticker conspicuous in the rear. I was certainly not ashamed that I should be driving a small, cheap car, but I would be ashamed for anyone to think that I would choose to buy such a second-rate vehicle.

On the other hand, I would call my long held antipathy to Japanese cars and motorcycles snobbery. They make so many perfectly decent cars, why do I actually lust after so few, this side of a Nissan GTR or a Honda S800?