So what car do you drive?

[Tom R]

BMW 5 series automatic. I'm never driving a manual again.

 

Ditto.

I feared "old man syndrome" so compromised and went for a tiptronic jobbie paddle on the wheel things, which I think I've used about 4 times in a year and only for about 20 seconds a time!

 

Never gets out of full auto. 

It's not 1990 anymore. Autos are amazing these days. 8 speed and smooth as silk. Don't even notice it changing unless you floor it and kick-down.

[George Costanza]

Audi RS5.  Its decent but i still prefer the older RS4.  much better balance  even if the 5 looks sportier. 

 

as for auto's only think i don't like is in mid range performance cars they change gear too early.  Mine's a manual but they do say the auto is a better gear box

[Carvalho Diablo]

For the last 10 years I haven't had a car. I'm 44 now and got my first car when I was 18, so when I got rid of my most recent motor, the first three months felt like I'd had my legs cut off !

 

I live close to the centre of town and only 10 - 15 minutes from work, so I walk everywhere and paradoxically, I love the freedom of that.

Not having a car has also saved me a serious fortune over the past decade.

 

Our kid lives only a 2 minute walk up the road too, so if I'm totally snookered then he usually sorts me out for a lift. Don't find I need it that often at all really.

 

I love walking to work in the spring and summer mornings, I feel healthier and happier and more free for not being a slave to the automobile.

[G Richards]

I drive a Nissan Pathfinder. It's like a tank. Tough as old boots. Four wheel drive, automatic, and with the weather we have over here in winter I really like it. The mileage is terrible, but I don't do all that many miles per annum. If we are going away, or going anywhere a bit further as a family, we drive Mrs G's car, which is a Honda Element (they don't have them in the UK but they are sort of like a boxy Honda CRV, maybe a bit bigger). 

[Alan Sex]

I drive a Nissan Pathfinder. It's like a tank. Tough as old boots. Four wheel drive, automatic, and with the weather we have over here in winter I really like it. The mileage is terrible, but I don't do all that many miles per annum. If we are going away, or going anywhere a bit further as a family, we drive Mrs G's car, which is a Honda Element (they don't have them in the UK but they are sort of like a boxy Honda CRV, maybe a bit bigger).

Is that the old style Pathfinder? Always liked the look of those. Rugged. I have to say they didn't do the Pathfinder any favours when they changed it.

 

The Element is a good one. Not too pretty, but does the job well.

[Rico1304]

Ditto.

I feared "old man syndrome" so compromised and went for a tiptronic jobbie paddle on the wheel things, which I think I've used about 4 times in a year and only for about 20 seconds a time!

 

Never gets out of full auto. 

It's not 1990 anymore. Autos are amazing these days. 8 speed and smooth as silk. Don't even notice it changing unless you floor it and kick-down.

 

Ha same here, I've used it twice, both on the same section of road and only for about 300 yards. It's a pain getting in the wife's car though as I stall at the first set of lights every time.

[Liverpool lad]

Our kid is rocking the 1.5 diesel engine in his Clio. 153k not out.

 

As you know I had to retire the LL mobile this summer *wipes away tear*

 

I am currently driving a Focus, luxury compared to the Fiesta. Starts first time, heaters work and it doesn't have to be left running for 2 minutes before setting off to avoid random stalls

[Champ]

Our kid is rocking the 1.5 diesel engine in his Clio. 153k not out.As you know I had to retire the LL mobile this summer *wipes away tear*I am currently driving a Focus, luxury compared to the Fiesta. Starts first time, heaters work and it doesn't have to be left running for 2 minutes before setting off to avoid random stalls

And, I assume, you've not had the experience of the heated windscreen for defrosting the ice from it in the winter yet? I'd get another Focus just for that alone

[Liverpool lad]

Look forward to it

[G Richards]

Is that the old style Pathfinder? Always liked the look of those. Rugged. I have to say they didn't do the Pathfinder any favours when they changed it.

 

The Element is a good one. Not too pretty, but does the job well.

 

Yep, the old style. I like the rugged looks of it, and because it is older I'm not overly bothered by what the Indiana winter throws at it. I'm not especially mechanically minded, but I'm told that so long as I change the oil regularly and keep on top of basic maintenance, it will run forever.  

[Tossed and blown]

Currently a beaten up old manual 528 that just keeps on going. Bought it two years ago for 1700 as a quick stop-gap and got paid out 1600 on insurance after my missus wiped hers along the side of it.  I only kept it because she said 'You can't drive the kids around in that now, it looks awful'

 

Mint M3 convertible for the summer

 

Old Toyota Hilux with 'interesting signage'* for carting shit about in.

 

Series 2A Landie with a rover V8 in it

 

Mazda RX-7 (one of the few original UK cars as an appreciating investment)

 

Currently looking at something else for TSOP so we can spread happiness to locations where there are no trains / buses

 

 

*according to West Midlands counter-terrorism unit

[stringvest]

Was drooling outside my local showroom earlier...

 

 

[Mook]

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Is that an RS 2000, Stringers? My mate's Dad had one similar to that. Fucking loved that thing, he did.

[stringvest]

It's an Escort Mexico - they're pretty rare, certainly in that condition, but very desirable.  Hopefully Chevettehs will be along to give us the rundown - he knows far more about this stuff than I.  

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

It's an Escort Mexico - they're pretty rare, certainly in that condition, but very desirable. Hopefully Chevettehs will be along to give us the rundown - he knows far more about this stuff than I.

Remarkably similar from what I can tell from Google. I think the only difference between the RS 2000 flat front and the Mexico was engine CC.

[stringvest]

I thought the RS cars started with the Mk 2 bodyshell, but I'm no ford geek

[Champ]

I am currently driving a Renault automatic, with some fancy starting operation, while my car is in for repair. Its my first time driving an automatic.  I think I'm hard-wired to drive manuals

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I thought the RS cars started with the Mk 2 bodyshell, but I'm no ford geek

The man from Google says no.

[Ian Sea]

I had a Ford Focus, 1.8 TDI, which was sound but some lorry driver drove into me on the motorway earlier this year and wrote it off. I'm moving abroad in April so I used the insurance money to buy a Hyundai I30 to last me the 10 months until I have to get rid. It's shit but I wasn't putting any money towards a car I'd have for less than a year.

[Chairman Meow]

In answer to the actual thread, I'm alternating between a Pink (yes Pink!) BMW Compact and an A6 at the moment.

 

It's an Escort Mexico - they're pretty rare, certainly in that condition, but very desirable.  Hopefully Chevettehs will be along to give us the rundown - he knows far more about this stuff than I.  

 

 

Remarkably similar from what I can tell from Google. I think the only difference between the RS 2000 flat front and the Mexico was engine CC.

 

 

I thought the RS cars started with the Mk 2 bodyshell, but I'm no ford geek

 

Is everyone sitting comfortably? If so I shall begin, make sure you are in a position which means you won't fall asleep and hurt yourself. I do competitive rates for insomnia cures if anyone is interested. 

 

The first RS cars were the RS1600 Escort Mk1 and RS2600 Capri Mk1 in 1970.

 

Mexico was the old pushrod Crossflow engine which essentially stemmed from the old Anglia 105E and Cortina engines and actually forms the basis of the current Ford Endura engine as used in the likes of the Ka until about 10 year ago. This engine also formed the basis of the early Lotus Twin Cam engine (as used in Lotus Cortina etc.) and the Cosworth BD series engines which used in the RS1600, RS1800 and even the RS200 Group B cars in the 80s.

 

RS2000 was the overhead cam Pinto engine which was then used in most of the 1.6 and 2.0 rear wheel drive stuff through the 80s and early 90s like the Cortina, Sierra, Granada etc. and also in the 2.0 Petrol Transits. The Pinto was also the basis of the Cosworth Turbo engine used in the Sierra and Escort Cosworths. 

 

The Mk1 Mexico, RS1600 and RS2000 shells are all the same. RS2000 ran a different gearbox and some slight trim changes. Other than that they are more or less the same car with different power outputs, although the RS200 had different engine mounts and such like so the engine sat a little lower and a little further back.

 

There are probably more "Mexico" and "RS2000" Mk1 Escorts around now than Ford built as people rebuild and paint them then chuck the stripes on and decide it is one. You can tell if you're a serious anorak from things like the exhaust hangers.

 

My brain is a bit faulty, at my last work they used to actually ask me to do my "rainman shit" because my memory retains this useless shite. 

 

Thee one stringy posted looks like it maybe has a turbo engine of some sort, as the inlet is not RS2000 or Mexico, realistically it probably wasn't a real Mexico to start with.

 

Heres one that I will be building soon (hopefully) once I get my BMW rally cars finished and my Mk2 Escort is painted.

 

 

 

And more interestingly Roger Clark driving an RS1600 like a boss.

 

[Archimede]

Volvo S80. Very underrated car. Big, safe and very comfortable. 110km, average 47mpg, plenty of torque and power despite being a 1.6 diesel and a big car.

 

Plus its not German ..which are de rigeur almost amongst other middle aged farts like me.

 

At weekend i drive wifes hyundai santa fe. 7 seater, powerful with 186hp, nice to drive for big jeep. Get consistent 40mpg. In short a brilliant family car.

[evv]

Vectra GSi 2.6 V6

Its only a 2002 but in mighty fine condition and in a rare Moonland Grey colour.

[VladimirIlyich]

In answer to the actual thread, I'm alternating between a Pink (yes Pink!) BMW Compact and an A6 at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is everyone sitting comfortably? If so I shall begin, make sure you are in a position which means you won't fall asleep and hurt yourself. I do competitive rates for insomnia cures if anyone is interested.

 

The first RS cars were the RS1600 Escort Mk1 and RS2600 Capri Mk1 in 1970.

 

Mexico was the old pushrod Crossflow engine which essentially stemmed from the old Anglia 105E and Cortina engines and actually forms the basis of the current Ford Endura engine as used in the likes of the Ka until about 10 year ago. This engine also formed the basis of the early Lotus Twin Cam engine (as used in Lotus Cortina etc.) and the Cosworth BD series engines which used in the RS1600, RS1800 and even the RS200 Group B cars in the 80s.

 

RS2000 was the overhead cam Pinto engine which was then used in most of the 1.6 and 2.0 rear wheel drive stuff through the 80s and early 90s like the Cortina, Sierra, Granada etc. and also in the 2.0 Petrol Transits. The Pinto was also the basis of the Cosworth Turbo engine used in the Sierra and Escort Cosworths.

 

The Mk1 Mexico, RS1600 and RS2000 shells are all the same. RS2000 ran a different gearbox and some slight trim changes. Other than that they are more or less the same car with different power outputs, although the RS200 had different engine mounts and such like so the engine sat a little lower and a little further back.

 

There are probably more "Mexico" and "RS2000" Mk1 Escorts around now than Ford built as people rebuild and paint them then chuck the stripes on and decide it is one. You can tell if you're a serious anorak from things like the exhaust hangers.

 

My brain is a bit faulty, at my last work they used to actually ask me to do my "rainman shit" because my memory retains this useless shite.

 

Thee one stringy posted looks like it maybe has a turbo engine of some sort, as the inlet is not RS2000 or Mexico, realistically it probably wasn't a real Mexico to start with.

 

Heres one that I will be building soon (hopefully) once I get my BMW rally cars finished and my Mk2 Escort is painted.

 

 

 

And more interestingly Roger Clark driving an RS1600 like a boss.

 

https-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=SblDEa_tOls

Actually,quite interesting.

 

Used to love the Ford Granadas of the 70s and particularly the GXL or GLX.

I believe they were 3.5 or 3.6 litre engines but not really sure as not a car buff.

[stringvest]

Actually,quite interesting.

 

Used to love the Ford Granadas of the 70s and particularly the GXL or GLX.

I believe they were 3.5 or 3.6 litre engines but not really sure as not a car buff.

 

3 litre I think.