New (Hire) car reinforces love of classics
Discussion
I went to Malaga with the missus last week and rented a 'mini hatch economy with AC' for £64. You have to love Spain for the ludicrously cheap hire cars.
When I got there I was given a massive Focus estate, which I managed to barter DOWN to a normal Focus, as the upgraded me from a Fiesta I assume. The family behind me were loving that move so all was well! I got in the focus and the first thing I noticed is that it is f
king massive! I mean I used to drive a Vectra until recently and moved the weekend car up to London ( E36 M3 Cab ). I just couldn't get over how needlessly big it felt!
After a few days of driving I really didn't think much of it. Ok its a 1.6 ( even the Vectra was a 2.5 V6 ) but it was just SO boring and squishy. It only had 22k on the clock too. Horrible plastics, bad blindspots over each shoulder and really quite noisy for a 1.6. It sounded a little like a diesel, maybe something wrong with the exhaust perhaps!
The point I was getting at is that I really don't see the point in 30-40% depreciation so never really think about new cars, but its nice to drive one occasionally and be vindicated that I can own an M3 for 2-3 years for the same as the 2-3 year depreciation would be on the crapbox Focus? I.e. about 6-7k? There is an awesome couple of roads to and from Rhonda that I would have been wetting myself with glee in the M3 that I was just getting annoyed at in the Focus as it was rolling so much in the switchbacks. I did have a little rag and I must say the brakes didn't fade with a little bit of spirited driving so its not a terrible car, just.... 'meh'. I mean I reckon I could like a little MINI or Fiat 500 Abarth that you could rev the nuts off if it was rewarding, this Focus just felt so disconnected from the road!
I know the E36 isn't really 'classic' but I can include a 944, Mk2 Golf, XJ8, Rover 75, even an old Volvo and a Renault 11 I did a banger rally with in the list of cars I would rather drive long distances in.
Anyone else had something similar? I'm happy as if you don't experience them you can't be sure if you are missing out I guess. I really fancy when I next take the M3 in for its service getting a loan car for the afternoon from BMW and see what a more refined new car would be like.
I got back to the Airport car park and I felt very cocooned in the beemer and it was odd for the first 20 mins, everything was so solid and hefty to operate!
When I got there I was given a massive Focus estate, which I managed to barter DOWN to a normal Focus, as the upgraded me from a Fiesta I assume. The family behind me were loving that move so all was well! I got in the focus and the first thing I noticed is that it is f
king massive! I mean I used to drive a Vectra until recently and moved the weekend car up to London ( E36 M3 Cab ). I just couldn't get over how needlessly big it felt!After a few days of driving I really didn't think much of it. Ok its a 1.6 ( even the Vectra was a 2.5 V6 ) but it was just SO boring and squishy. It only had 22k on the clock too. Horrible plastics, bad blindspots over each shoulder and really quite noisy for a 1.6. It sounded a little like a diesel, maybe something wrong with the exhaust perhaps!
The point I was getting at is that I really don't see the point in 30-40% depreciation so never really think about new cars, but its nice to drive one occasionally and be vindicated that I can own an M3 for 2-3 years for the same as the 2-3 year depreciation would be on the crapbox Focus? I.e. about 6-7k? There is an awesome couple of roads to and from Rhonda that I would have been wetting myself with glee in the M3 that I was just getting annoyed at in the Focus as it was rolling so much in the switchbacks. I did have a little rag and I must say the brakes didn't fade with a little bit of spirited driving so its not a terrible car, just.... 'meh'. I mean I reckon I could like a little MINI or Fiat 500 Abarth that you could rev the nuts off if it was rewarding, this Focus just felt so disconnected from the road!
I know the E36 isn't really 'classic' but I can include a 944, Mk2 Golf, XJ8, Rover 75, even an old Volvo and a Renault 11 I did a banger rally with in the list of cars I would rather drive long distances in.
Anyone else had something similar? I'm happy as if you don't experience them you can't be sure if you are missing out I guess. I really fancy when I next take the M3 in for its service getting a loan car for the afternoon from BMW and see what a more refined new car would be like.
I got back to the Airport car park and I felt very cocooned in the beemer and it was odd for the first 20 mins, everything was so solid and hefty to operate!
It's when you pick up a Eurobox from the airport and get 5 minutes down the road and realise that it is noisier, rides worse, handles worse and is more uncomfortable than my 1958 XK150 that you realise things don't always improve. There are a couple of boxes on wheels that are that bad. Most are just un-inspiring. Most of the Focus' I've driven haven't been too bad and handle OK, far better than the Golf's I've had as hire cars.
No modern I've driven is an involving to drive as my classic. Few are a patch on my X300, hence I still have it.
No modern I've driven is an involving to drive as my classic. Few are a patch on my X300, hence I still have it.
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