The General Car Thread - The Facelift.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1969. You are a 38-year-old journalist from Denver, and you are looking for a practical, reliable and cheap-to-own car. You're thinking about either buying a new subcompact or a slightly nicer used car. The options are:

New cars:
- VW Beetle 1500 fastback,
- Opel Kadett 1.5 2-door wagon,
- Ford Cortina 1.6 2-door sedan,
- Fiat 124 1.6 4-door sedan,
- Renault 12 1.4 sedan,
- Austin America 1.3 2-door fastback,
- Datsun 510 1.8 4-door sedan,
- Toyota Corolla 1.2 2-door wagon.

Used cars:
- 1968 Toyota Corona 1.6 4-door sedan,
- 1967 BMW 1602 2-door sedan,
- 1968 Dodge Dart 225 ci sedan,
- 1966 Peugeot 404 1.9 diesel wagon,
- 1968 Rambler American 199 ci 4-door sedan,
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 230 ci coupe,
- 1966 MG MGB GT 1.8 hatchback,
- 1968 Ford Falcon 170 ci 2-door coupe,
- 1967 Volvo 123 1.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Saab 95 0.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Chevrolet Corvair 2.4 coupe,
- 1967 Plymouth Barracuda 225 ci coupe.

Which one would you buy? I'd get the Rambler.

[Costa Fierro]

So as I learned this week it's not fun driving a car when the exhaust pipe falls off.

Has anyone checked the underside for rust?

[Elwher]

Imagine it's 1969. You are a 38-year-old journalist from Denver, and you are looking for a practical, reliable and cheap-to-own car. You're thinking about either buying a new subcompact or a slightly nicer used car. The options are:

New cars:
- VW Beetle 1500 fastback,
- Opel Kadett 1.5 2-door wagon,
- Ford Cortina 1.6 2-door sedan,
- Fiat 124 1.6 4-door sedan,
- Renault 12 1.4 sedan,
- Austin America 1.3 2-door fastback,
- Datsun 510 1.8 4-door sedan,
- Toyota Corolla 1.2 2-door wagon.

Used cars:
- 1968 Toyota Corona 1.6 4-door sedan,
- 1967 BMW 1602 2-door sedan,
- 1968 Dodge Dart 225 ci sedan,
- 1966 Peugeot 404 1.9 diesel wagon,
- 1968 Rambler American 199 ci 4-door sedan,
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 230 ci coupe,
- 1966 MG MGB GT 1.8 hatchback,
- 1968 Ford Falcon 170 ci 2-door coupe,
- 1967 Volvo 123 1.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Saab 95 0.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Chevrolet Corvair 2.4 coupe,
- 1967 Plymouth Barracuda 225 ci coupe.

Which one would you buy? I'd get the Rambler.

MGB for the win.

[Petrolheadia]

What sort of bumper stickers are on cars in your area?

In Puławy, Poland, we have:

- dealer stickers - European (both Polish and import) dealers put theirs on the rear window, American ones put them on the tailgate,

- adverts for the owners' businesses,

- "Sponsorowane z 500+" ("Sponsored by 500+", referencing the current child bonus program),

- car meet stickers,

- Christian fish (once saw a car parodying it by having the fish being eaten by a shark),

- "Niemiec płakał jak sprzedawał" ("The German was crying as he was selling" - making fun of the outlandish import used car quality claims),

- "Bitte ein Bit" - on cars imported from Germany (Bitburger beer slogan).
Some company makes a joke variation, "Bite nie bite - oto jest pytanie" ("Hit or not hit - that is the question" - pun at the Hamlet quote and dubious collision history of import cars),

- "Wheel Whores",

- country code stickers (either Poland or country of origin),

- conservative organizations' stickers,

- foreign farmer associations' stickers (imports),

[Cannot think of a name]

What sort of bumper stickers are on cars in your area?

In Puławy, Poland, we have:

- dealer stickers - European (both Polish and import) dealers put theirs on the rear window, American ones put them on the tailgate,

- adverts for the owners' businesses,

- "Sponsorowane z 500+" ("Sponsored by 500+", referencing the current child bonus program),

- car meet stickers,

- Christian fish (once saw a car parodying it by having the fish being eaten by a shark),

- "Niemiec płakał jak sprzedawał" ("The German was crying as he was selling" - making fun of the outlandish import used car quality claims),

- "Bitte ein Bit" - on cars imported from Germany (Bitburger beer slogan).
Some company makes a joke variation, "Bite nie bite - oto jest pytanie" ("Hit or not hit - that is the question" - pun at the Hamlet quote and dubious collision history of import cars),

- "Wheel Whores",

- country code stickers (either Poland or country of origin),

- conservative organizations' stickers,

- foreign farmer associations' stickers (imports),

Dated political stickers, various announcements regarding who is an honor roll student. “Keep Tahoe Blue” stickers.

[Vassenor]

And so I find myself looking at the Toyota Aygo, but can't find a straight answer about what the actual dimensions of its boot are beyond the overall capacity.

Brilliant.

[Costa Fierro]

And so I find myself looking at the Toyota Aygo, but can't find a straight answer about what the actual dimensions of its boot are beyond the overall capacity.

Brilliant.

It's an Aygo, don't expect it to be cavernous.

[Vassenor]

And so I find myself looking at the Toyota Aygo, but can't find a straight answer about what the actual dimensions of its boot are beyond the overall capacity.

Brilliant.

It's an Aygo, don't expect it to be cavernous.

I know that, but I just want to know if it'll take what I want to put in it.

[Petrolheadia]

It's an Aygo, don't expect it to be cavernous.

I know that, but I just want to know if it'll take what I want to put in it.

What?

[The Two Jerseys]

I know that, but I just want to know if it'll take what I want to put in it.

What?

Apparently Vass has some sort of cargo with specific dimensions, and wants to know if it's physically capable of fitting in the car.

[Petrolheadia]

What?

Apparently Vass has some sort of cargo with specific dimensions, and wants to know if it's physically capable of fitting in the car.

I still keep wondering what kind.

Although the Aygo ain't a car for people with big stuff. The VW Up, Fiat Panda or Chevy Spark are better.

[Vassenor]

Apparently Vass has some sort of cargo with specific dimensions, and wants to know if it's physically capable of fitting in the car.

I still keep wondering what kind.

Although the Aygo ain't a car for people with big stuff. The VW Up, Fiat Panda or Chevy Spark are better.

Let's start with the 64x31x33cm suitcase that's the largest one I use for cosplay things. I know it will go in an Up because that's what my parents drive.

[Petrolheadia]

I still keep wondering what kind.

Although the Aygo ain't a car for people with big stuff. The VW Up, Fiat Panda or Chevy Spark are better.

Let's start with the 64x31x33cm suitcase that's the largest one I use for cosplay things. I know it will go in an Up because that's what my parents drive.

The Up is generally the best choice for those who can afford one.

[Great Britainnn]

Imagine it's 1969. You are a 38-year-old journalist from Denver, and you are looking for a practical, reliable and cheap-to-own car. You're thinking about either buying a new subcompact or a slightly nicer used car. The options are:

New cars:
- VW Beetle 1500 fastback,
- Opel Kadett 1.5 2-door wagon,
- Ford Cortina 1.6 2-door sedan,
- Fiat 124 1.6 4-door sedan,
- Renault 12 1.4 sedan,
- Austin America 1.3 2-door fastback,
- Datsun 510 1.8 4-door sedan,
- Toyota Corolla 1.2 2-door wagon.

Used cars:
- 1968 Toyota Corona 1.6 4-door sedan,
- 1967 BMW 1602 2-door sedan,
- 1968 Dodge Dart 225 ci sedan,
- 1966 Peugeot 404 1.9 diesel wagon,
- 1968 Rambler American 199 ci 4-door sedan,
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 230 ci coupe,
- 1966 MG MGB GT 1.8 hatchback,
- 1968 Ford Falcon 170 ci 2-door coupe,
- 1967 Volvo 123 1.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Saab 95 0.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Chevrolet Corvair 2.4 coupe,
- 1967 Plymouth Barracuda 225 ci coupe.

Which one would you buy? I'd get the Rambler.

I would also get the Rambler.

[Elwher]

Imagine it's 1969. You are a 38-year-old journalist from Denver, and you are looking for a practical, reliable and cheap-to-own car. You're thinking about either buying a new subcompact or a slightly nicer used car. The options are:

New cars:
- VW Beetle 1500 fastback,
- Opel Kadett 1.5 2-door wagon,
- Ford Cortina 1.6 2-door sedan,
- Fiat 124 1.6 4-door sedan,
- Renault 12 1.4 sedan,
- Austin America 1.3 2-door fastback,
- Datsun 510 1.8 4-door sedan,
- Toyota Corolla 1.2 2-door wagon.

Used cars:
- 1968 Toyota Corona 1.6 4-door sedan,
- 1967 BMW 1602 2-door sedan,
- 1968 Dodge Dart 225 ci sedan,
- 1966 Peugeot 404 1.9 diesel wagon,
- 1968 Rambler American 199 ci 4-door sedan,
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 230 ci coupe,
- 1966 MG MGB GT 1.8 hatchback,
- 1968 Ford Falcon 170 ci 2-door coupe,
- 1967 Volvo 123 1.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Saab 95 0.8 2-door wagon,
- 1968 Chevrolet Corvair 2.4 coupe,
- 1967 Plymouth Barracuda 225 ci coupe.

Which one would you buy? I'd get the Rambler.

I would also get the Rambler.

While the ones I drove were both the wagon versions of the '68 Ramblers, they were underpowered and had among the most mushy and unresponsive steering of any car I ever drove. I owned a 65 VW Bus at the time with a 1200 CC engine and had no trouble keeping up with them. They also spent much too much time on the lifts.

[Petrolheadia]

I would also get the Rambler.

While the ones I drove were both the wagon versions of the '68 Ramblers, they were underpowered and had among the most mushy and unresponsive steering of any car I ever drove. I owned a 65 VW Bus at the time with a 1200 CC engine and had no trouble keeping up with them. They also spent much too much time on the lifts.

So I'd say Volvo. I heard the B18 motor was very reliable.

Dodge Dart as second choice (slant-6).

[Petrolheadia]

Gold-wrapped Maserati on one side, Hummer on the other... is this Flashy Lane?

[Vassenor]

Gold-wrapped Maserati on one side, Hummer on the other... is this Flashy Lane?

...And they only want £35K for it? Shows how much a gold wrap does to the value of your motor.

[Petrolheadia]

Gold-wrapped Maserati on one side, Hummer on the other... is this Flashy Lane?

...And they only want £35K for it? Shows how much a gold wrap does to the value of your motor.

It's more about what being Italian does to your car's value - this is the most expensive 2015 Ghibli on Auto Trader.

[Petrolheadia]

I just felt like linking one of the most influential car reviews ever, Roland Barthes' The New Citroen, about the Citroen DS19.

[Petrolheadia]

Apparently, the average US speeder is an Ohioan 20 year old male going 15 above the limit in a white car.

He's above average likely to be in a Mercedes SL, Toyota Camry Solara or Scion tC, and below average likely to be in a Jaguar XJ, Chevrolet Suburban or Buick Park Avenue..

[The Two Jerseys]

Apparently, the average US speeder is an Ohioan 20 year old male going 15 above the limit in a white car.

He's above average likely to be in a Mercedes SL, Toyota Camry Solara or Scion tC, and below average likely to be in a Jaguar XJ, Chevrolet Suburban or Buick Park Avenue..

Proof that you can get away with anything in a Jaaaaaaaag.

[Petrolheadia]

Apparently, the average US speeder is an Ohioan 20 year old male going 15 above the limit in a white car.

He's above average likely to be in a Mercedes SL, Toyota Camry Solara or Scion tC, and below average likely to be in a Jaguar XJ, Chevrolet Suburban or Buick Park Avenue..

Proof that you can get away with anything in a Jaaaaaaaag.

It takes a specific Jag.

Note it was #1 XJ, #2 Suburban and #3 Park Avenue, not #1 XJ, #2 XK and #3 XF.

[The Two Jerseys]

Proof that you can get away with anything in a Jaaaaaaaag.

It takes a specific Jag.

Note it was #1 XJ, #2 Suburban and #3 Park Avenue, not #1 XJ, #2 XK and #3 XF.

They round out the top 5, duh!

[Auzkhia]

Apparently, the average US speeder is an Ohioan 20 year old male going 15 above the limit in a white car.

He's above average likely to be in a Mercedes SL, Toyota Camry Solara or Scion tC, and below average likely to be in a Jaguar XJ, Chevrolet Suburban or Buick Park Avenue..

Ohio police are absolutely ravenous, and New York was third but I saw police Chargers on I-87 frequently on my way to Quebec. Those states are known for having heavy patrols. However, Virginia is quite strict too going over 80 mph is automatically "reckless" driving, even if everybody drives 80 on the interstate, and one journalist got 3 days in jail for doing 93 MPH in a Dodge Viper, with the maximum limit being 70 mph.