The General Car Thread.

[North Isseggggnignigsegigisegggg Islands]

I don't see people rice Mondeos, but it's always the convertible E36s that get riced round here.

Oh, and Vectras. There are some really ricer Vectras in my town.

Why would you waste your money on modifying a Vectra, one of the most boring saloons in the world? At least Civics are reasonably fun cars to start with.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 2014. You are an university graduate from Blackpool, UK. You want a newer car to replace your 2006 Toyota Yaris. You still want a cheap manual supermini, although now, it has to be a 5-door diesel hatchback. The options are:
- 2012 Toyota Yaris 1.4,
- 2012 Mazda 2 1.4,
- 2012 Suzuki Swift 1.3,
- 2012 VW Polo 1.2,
- 2013 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 (90 HP),
- 2013 Peugeot 207 1.4,
- 2013 Citroen C3 1.4,
- 2013 Fiat Punto (85 HP),
- 2013 Seat Ibiza 1.2,
- 2013 Skoda Fabia 1.2,
- 2013 Kia Rio 1.4,
- 2013 Hyundai i20 1.4,
- 2013 Chevrolet Aveo 1.3 (95 HP).

Which one would you buy?
I think the Yaris would be the best.

[Elwher]

Oh, and Vectras. There are some really ricer Vectras in my town.

Why would you waste your money on modifying a Vectra, one of the most boring saloons in the world? At least Civics are reasonably fun cars to start with.

It's low hanging fruit, because anything you do to it would be a major improvement.

[Auzkhia]

Around here, Audis might get aftermarket wheels and maybe blacked logos and windows, but that's it really.

Civics are still the darling of ricers, pretty much any cheap coupé is popular among modders, whether the coupé is FWD or RWD.

I don't see riced Civics. Modded Civics around me seem to be done around a plan.

The rice car is mostly the VW Golf Mk3, maybe some E36s and Mondeos.

Extremely modding Japanese brand cars led to term to "Ricer" because rice is a common staple in East Asian cuisines. I do see some modded Golfs, but they are more tasteful. Japanese cars are the most common imports, so you would get the LCD driving them more than VW or BMW, but German cars are probably more common where you are.

Why would you waste your money on modifying a Vectra, one of the most boring saloons in the world? At least Civics are reasonably fun cars to start with.

It's low hanging fruit, because anything you do to it would be a major improvement.

It has something to do commonality, Hondas are probably more common in North America than Europe, the Vauxhall/Opel Vectra is probably more common than a Honda Accord. The U.S did get the Vectra but as the Saturn Aura, by 2008, Saturn was just rebadged Opels.

[Gun Manufacturers]

So, I finally found something to replace my 1999 GMC Sonoma. After going back and forth on what I wanted, I ended up with a 2000 Chevy S10 for $1800. Like the Sonoma, it has a 2.2l I4 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. Unlike the Sonoma, the S10's frame isn't a rusty pile of garbage. Here are a couple of pics pulled off the craigslist page.

[Khalisako]

luv these

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Oh, and Vectras. There are some really ricer Vectras in my town.

Why would you waste your money on modifying a Vectra, one of the most boring saloons in the world? At least Civics are reasonably fun cars to start with.

Opels I think are generally quite reliable cars to start with and they can with the right choice of engines be 'fun'. I don't think there's anything inherently 'boring' about them.

The Vectra C was a rather lousy design IMO but the Vectra B I'd say has a pretty classic appearance. Kind of like a Peugeout 406 - there's nothing really outlandish or exciting even at first glance but in my opinion there is plenty of potential for modding exterior-wise.



Pretty cool tbh. Ricer with no spoiler = good ricer

I would even venture to say that these and some other Euro cars like them perhaps are not too dissimilar, at least frontally, to some of the more "conservative" (now older) Japanese designs.

Here is a Nissan Silvia for example:



We're comparing apples to oranges here obviously but I hope you can see what I mean.

Edit: unfortunately, "tastefully" modded examples are very few and far between, but I digress.

[Petrolheadia]

Why would you waste your money on modifying a Vectra, one of the most boring saloons in the world? At least Civics are reasonably fun cars to start with.

Opels I think are generally quite reliable cars to start with and they can with the right choice of engines be 'fun'. I don't think there's anything inherently 'boring' about them.

The Vectra C was a rather lousy design IMO but the Vectra B I'd say has a pretty classic appearance. Kind of like a Peugeout 406 - there's nothing really outlandish or exciting even at first glance but in my opinion there is plenty of potential for modding exterior-wise.



Pretty cool tbh. Ricer with no spoiler = good ricer

I would even venture to say that these and some other Euro cars like them perhaps are not too dissimilar, at least frontally, to some of the more "conservative" (now older) Japanese designs.

Here is a Nissan Silvia for example:



We're comparing apples to oranges here obviously but I hope you can see what I mean.

Edit: unfortunately, "tastefully" modded examples are very few and far between, but I digress.

The Peugeot is quite a good example of how the most modded Civics of my area look.

So, I finally found something to replace my 1999 GMC Sonoma. After going back and forth on what I wanted, I ended up with a 2000 Chevy S10 for $1800. Like the Sonoma, it has a 2.2l I4 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. Unlike the Sonoma, the S10's frame isn't a rusty pile of garbage. Here are a couple of pics pulled off the craigslist page.

(Image)

(Image)

(Image)

I mean, Toyotas of your area would probably also rust quickly (the 90s Truck is nasty for that). The Nissan Hardbody also might develop this problem.

I'd also buy the S10, seems a bit sturdier than the Dakota or Ranger.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 2013. You are the father of a 17-year-old from Blackpool, UK. You're buying her a cheap-to-own 3-door petrol manual subcompact. The options are:
- 2010 Toyota Yaris 1.0,
- 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 1.1,
- 2010 Suzuki Swift 1.2,
- 2010 VW Polo 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Ford Fiesta 1.25 (82 HP),
- 2011 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3,
- 2011 Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Renault Clio 1.2,
- 2011 Kia Rio 1.2,
- 2011 Proton Satria Neo.
Which one would you buy?
I think the Rio is the best. One of the most powerful engines and the longest warranty here.

[North Isseggggnignigsegigisegggg Islands]

Imagine it's 2013. You are the father of a 17-year-old from Blackpool, UK. You're buying her a cheap-to-own 3-door petrol manual subcompact. The options are:
- 2010 Toyota Yaris 1.0,
- 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 1.1,
- 2010 Suzuki Swift 1.2,
- 2010 VW Polo 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Ford Fiesta 1.25 (82 HP),
- 2011 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3,
- 2011 Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Renault Clio 1.2,
- 2011 Kia Rio 1.2,
- 2011 Proton Satria Neo.
Which one would you buy?
I think the Rio is the best. One of the most powerful engines and the longest warranty here.

I disagree. I'd buy the Yaris because it's safe and (as long as you don't buy the crappy MMT automated manual) quite reliable.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 2013. You are the father of a 17-year-old from Blackpool, UK. You're buying her a cheap-to-own 3-door petrol manual subcompact. The options are:
- 2010 Toyota Yaris 1.0,
- 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 1.1,
- 2010 Suzuki Swift 1.2,
- 2010 VW Polo 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Ford Fiesta 1.25 (82 HP),
- 2011 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3,
- 2011 Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI (90 HP),
- 2011 Renault Clio 1.2,
- 2011 Kia Rio 1.2,
- 2011 Proton Satria Neo.
Which one would you buy?
I think the Rio is the best. One of the most powerful engines and the longest warranty here.

I disagree. I'd buy the Yaris because it's safe and (as long as you don't buy the crappy MMT automated manual) quite reliable.

The Rio is only a bit less safe, and while the Yaris will soon run out of warranty, the Rio has 5 years before it.

[North Isseggggnignigsegigisegggg Islands]

I disagree. I'd buy the Yaris because it's safe and (as long as you don't buy the crappy MMT automated manual) quite reliable.

The Rio is only a bit less safe, and while the Yaris will soon run out of warranty, the Rio has 5 years before it.

You have a point, as a teenager is likely to make a few component-damaging mistakes while learning to drive, so a long warranty is useful. I still think that the Yaris is better because a safer car means cheaper car insurance, which is important when car insurance is so ridiculously overpriced for 17 year olds.

[Novalando]

Which is better: Nissan Qashqai or Nissan X-Trail? Trading up from Ford Fiesta. (All UK models; gotta be one of those because special plan.)

[Petrolheadia]

Which is better: Nissan Qashqai or Nissan X-Trail? Trading up from Ford Fiesta. (All UK models; gotta be one of those because special plan.)

I guess the X-Trail. Never know when the 3rd row might be useful.

The Rio is only a bit less safe, and while the Yaris will soon run out of warranty, the Rio has 5 years before it.

You have a point, as a teenager is likely to make a few component-damaging mistakes while learning to drive, so a long warranty is useful. I still think that the Yaris is better because a safer car means cheaper car insurance, which is important when car insurance is so ridiculously overpriced for 17 year olds.

The Rio has 5 stars, the Yaris has 5. And Kia uses sturdier safety cells than Toyota.

[Novalando]

I disagree. I'd buy the Yaris because it's safe and (as long as you don't buy the crappy MMT automated manual) quite reliable.

The Rio is only a bit less safe, and while the Yaris will soon run out of warranty, the Rio has 5 years before it.

She's not keeping her Kia for 5 years though.

I'd go with the Yaris (I nearly did before I got my Fiesta).

[Petrolheadia]

The Rio is only a bit less safe, and while the Yaris will soon run out of warranty, the Rio has 5 years before it.

She's not keeping her Kia for 5 years though.

I'd go with the Yaris (I nearly did before I got my Fiesta).

On the other hand, she is not keeping the Yaris for a few months.

It's better to have the warranty until reselling the car than have it run out during ownership.

[North Isseggggnignigsegigisegggg Islands]

You have a point, as a teenager is likely to make a few component-damaging mistakes while learning to drive, so a long warranty is useful. I still think that the Yaris is better because a safer car means cheaper car insurance, which is important when car insurance is so ridiculously overpriced for 17 year olds.

The Rio has 5 stars, the Yaris has 5. And Kia uses sturdier safety cells than Toyota.

Oh, good. I'd have the Kia, then. It has more power, longer warranty and it's slightly safer.

[Novalando]

Which is better: Nissan Qashqai or Nissan X-Trail? Trading up from Ford Fiesta. (All UK models; gotta be one of those because special plan.)

I guess the X-Trail. Never know when the 3rd row might be useful.

Just me and the partner. Kids aren't likely (yet, I hope) but we're moving to a far more rural area next year. Still normal roads but far hillier and longer commutes than a fiesta can handle. I know neither are serious off-roaders or anything but discount makes them pretty much the only choice. Well, there's a Ford Kuga but no. Just no.

[Petrolheadia]

9
I guess the X-Trail. Never know when the 3rd row might be useful.[/quote
Just me and the partner. Kids aren't likely (yet, I hope) but we're moving to a far more rural area next year. Still normal roads but far hillier and longer commutes than a fiesta can handle. I know neither are serious off-roaders or anything but discount makes them pretty much the only choice. Well, there's a Ford Kuga but no. Just no.

If there is only 2 of you, get the Qashqai and spend the extra cash optioning it up.

I think the petrol one is the best. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, with current petrol and diesel prices and car pricing differences, diesel only loses you cash.

[Gun Manufacturers]

Opels I think are generally quite reliable cars to start with and they can with the right choice of engines be 'fun'. I don't think there's anything inherently 'boring' about them.

The Vectra C was a rather lousy design IMO but the Vectra B I'd say has a pretty classic appearance. Kind of like a Peugeout 406 - there's nothing really outlandish or exciting even at first glance but in my opinion there is plenty of potential for modding exterior-wise.



Pretty cool tbh. Ricer with no spoiler = good ricer

I would even venture to say that these and some other Euro cars like them perhaps are not too dissimilar, at least frontally, to some of the more "conservative" (now older) Japanese designs.

Here is a Nissan Silvia for example:



We're comparing apples to oranges here obviously but I hope you can see what I mean.

Edit: unfortunately, "tastefully" modded examples are very few and far between, but I digress.

The Peugeot is quite a good example of how the most modded Civics of my area look.

So, I finally found something to replace my 1999 GMC Sonoma. After going back and forth on what I wanted, I ended up with a 2000 Chevy S10 for $1800. Like the Sonoma, it has a 2.2l I4 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. Unlike the Sonoma, the S10's frame isn't a rusty pile of garbage. Here are a couple of pics pulled off the craigslist page.

(Image)

(Image)

(Image)

I mean, Toyotas of your area would probably also rust quickly (the 90s Truck is nasty for that). The Nissan Hardbody also might develop this problem.

I'd also buy the S10, seems a bit sturdier than the Dakota or Ranger.

On the rust front, it doesn't help that Connecticut sprays what, when mixed with water and road salt, is effectively liquid rust on the roads in the winter time. Fortunately, my plan for the S10 is to keep it as a 3 season vehicle, hopefully preventing a lot of rusting.

[Auzkhia]

Breaking: Mercedes sales overtake BMW, BMW panics and announces "40 new models". The German luxury car war rages on.

[Gim]

Imagine it's 2014. You are an university graduate from Blackpool, UK. You want a newer car to replace your 2006 Toyota Yaris. You still want a cheap manual supermini, although now, it has to be a 5-door diesel hatchback. The options are:
- 2012 Toyota Yaris 1.4,
- 2012 Mazda 2 1.4,
- 2012 Suzuki Swift 1.3,
- 2012 VW Polo 1.2,
- 2013 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 (90 HP),
- 2013 Peugeot 207 1.4,
- 2013 Citroen C3 1.4,
- 2013 Fiat Punto (85 HP),
- 2013 Seat Ibiza 1.2,
- 2013 Skoda Fabia 1.2,
- 2013 Kia Rio 1.4,
- 2013 Hyundai i20 1.4,
- 2013 Chevrolet Aveo 1.3 (95 HP).

Which one would you buy?
I think the Yaris would be the best.

I agree. Yaris, for sure. I feel comfortable driving Toyota cars.

[Novalando]

If there is only 2 of you, get the Qashqai and spend the extra cash optioning it up.

I think the petrol one is the best. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, with current petrol and diesel prices and car pricing differences, diesel only loses you cash.

The only thing that puts me off the petrol is that my commute from new living place will be 40 minutes one way. Makes me think it'll take a killing. Guess I need to work out fuel usage vs. initial price, etc.

(It's meant to be simple buying a car, right?)

[Gim]

Breaking: Mercedes sales overtake BMW, BMW panics and announces "40 new models". The German luxury car war rages on.

Well, we know Volkswagen is out of the question now.

[Petrolheadia]

If there is only 2 of you, get the Qashqai and spend the extra cash optioning it up.

I think the petrol one is the best. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, with current petrol and diesel prices and car pricing differences, diesel only loses you cash.

The only thing that puts me off the petrol is that my commute from new living place will be 40 minutes one way. Makes me think it'll take a killing. Guess I need to work out fuel usage vs. initial price, etc.

(It's meant to be simple buying a car, right?)

How many miles each year?