Are there any simpler cars around now?

[gbb]

Don't underestimate how infuriating an underpowered car can be.
I'm certainly not a petrol head, I can't remember the last time I went over 70, rarely ever drive at 70 anyway...but my Astra J 1.6, a comfortable but heavy car, (250kg heavier than the Astra H) combined with the same engine but heavier restricted for emissions was at times incredibly frustrating...you'd feel like your foot was to the floor and nothing happening. In the wrong circumstances, it drove me nuts . So much so I used to find myself swearing at the bl00dy thing...

 

[gbb]

Couple things..instead of looking at simple, look for reliable (apologies if it's already suggested)
Example...
Mazda 3 2018, 2.0 naturally aspirated. Economical, certainly more than pokey enough for me, mines at 78k and the only work It's ever had since 28k is new rear springs, brake pads and service items, all done daily by me.
Battery, discs, exhaust...they're all still original.

Beware the idea that timing chains last the life of the engine. IME they are often the item that dictates the lifespan. Earlier Mazdas have chains and there are lots out there where the chain either goes and finishes the engine, or wears enough to make the car unviable economically, cars that were still usable and roadworthy

The 2.2 diesel Mazda is the pole opposite of the petrol, huge problems.

Turbos reliable generally ? Not necessarily, quite a few cars suffer oil degradation problems through blowby etc...causing turbo failure.

The point...some newer cars while 'complex' are really quite reliable. No turbo on mine, no issues, perfectly reliable and low maintenance, best car I ever owned.

 

[dicko]

Our 1.2 2012 Ford Ka is simplicity itself, ok it’s got electric windows and air con otherwise it’s just a simple car. It can be parked in the tightest of places, does 70 mph all day if you want it to and costs pennies to service and reliable.

 

[Jameshow]

No it isn't.


Well don't drive at 70 on those hills then.

Though if you think you need to be able to accelerate in "tricky situations" when driving at the speed limit, you really need some driving lessons.

There are very few situations where accelerating will get you out of a dangerous situation, and I can't think of any on a motorway.

We then your driving at 50mph and cars are doing 70 coming up behind you. One momentary loss of concentration and your toast, one overtaking manoeuvre goes wrong and you have a pile up.

Having a car with more than adequate power isn't immoral. Going over the speed limit is. Those are two different things which you don't seem to grasp...

 

[dicko]

Don't underestimate how infuriating an underpowered car can be.
I'm certainly not a petrol head, I can't remember the last time I went over 70, rarely ever drive at 70 anyway...but my Astra J 1.6, a comfortable but heavy car, (250kg heavier than the Astra H) combined with the same engine but heavier restricted for emissions was at times incredibly frustrating...you'd feel like your foot was to the floor and nothing happening. In the wrong circumstances, it drove me nuts . So much so I used to find myself swearing at the bl00dy thing...

I fitted the Webber carburettor to my Astra, best £100 spent and it had a choke cable too.

 

[cyberknight]

I had the same issue with the meriva , 1.6 but gutless.

 

[fossyant]

We've had a few Nissans and Toyotas and they have lasted a long time before we passed on. Yaris was 17 then MrsF got a petrol Qashqai that's now 12 years old, both utterly reliable. I've just changed from a 23 year old Nissan Primera (had it 22 years) which was quite techy for it's time (all controls through a screen with buttons) but it was very reliable.

I've just switched to a van, but OMG is it a complex beast. More sensors, wires, computers than I've ever seen. I have bought a 2 year extended warranty and service pack just to ensure there are no niggles as the van is just over 3 years old.

So far, touch wood, not an ounce of trouble. The ad-blue fills me with dread as it's a possible problem on any diesel and can be expensive to fix. I've added Wynns anti crystallisation product to the tank to keep the injector and tank clear.

Most cars now are complex. My folks have a Dacia Sandero Stepway and it's been utterly reliable. My dad is a retired mechanic.

 

[cyberknight]

We've had a few Nissans and Toyotas and they have lasted a long time before we passed on. Yaris was 17 then MrsF got a petrol Qashqai that's now 12 years old, both utterly reliable. I've just changed from a 23 year old Nissan Primera (had it 22 years) which was quite techy for it's time (all controls through a screen with buttons) but it was very reliable.

I've just switched to a van, but OMG is it a complex beast. More sensors, wires, computers than I've ever seen. I have bought a 2 year extended warranty and service pack just to ensure there are no niggles as the van is just over 3 years old.

So far, touch wood, not an ounce of trouble. The ad-blue fills me with dread as it's a possible problem on any diesel and can be expensive to fix. I've added Wynns anti crystallisation product to the tank to keep the injector and tank clear.

Most cars now are complex. My folks have a Dacia Sandero Stepway and it's been utterly reliable. My dad is a retired mechanic.

our old dacia was brilliant , we would have had another one if work hadnt offered such a good deal on work branded car.

 

[Time Waster]

You asked for something. You got a serious suggestion to fit the requirements that you articulated. Dacia owners love their cars, interestingly, and the brand consistently comes out rated very highly in satisfaction and reliability surveys.

What are the requirements now - do you have a shortlist?

ETA

NCAP
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/opinion/tom-wiltshire/dacia-jogger-euro-ncap/

I guess the review that said it was struggling to keep up with traffic on the motorway is something I left behind with my H reg 1 litre fiesta from the 90s just before I decided it was time to get rid of it. The potential new car will be the 5th car after that and I don't want to risk going back.

Put it this way, my old camper struggled at times to keep the speed up on a couple of long and steep hills I often drive on. Our car has no issues doing it and the two cars before those also had no issues. Some of those were simple cars. I would have hoped that even with the few simple cars around they would not have gone backwards in performance.

The other thing is even compared to other Dacias the 1 star NCAP is not good. I know the arguments over drivers aids but Dacia duster is a simple car too and it has 3 stars. Cars can get 3 stars in NCAP without a lot of drivers aids. Not long after the change to the newer testing system I went to a showroom and the saleswoman was talking about a certain model that I think was one of the first new models to be tested. It dropped from 4 to 3 due to no or few drivers aids. It did not drop to 1 star. The Jogger does have a few aids too but I guess they were poor to earn the 1 star rating for them.

I do not have a problem with the Jogger being a simple car I just think it is a not very good car. Is there not a better simple car out there? Reading reviews the Duster seems a decent car, is that not a simple car?

 

[Time Waster]

Why do you think that?

Casa Reynard has had five Skodas, and all have been petrol. My bestie inherited a diesel Octavia from her partner, but since then, she's had a string of petrol Fabia estates. Another cat show friend has had several petrol Octavias.

They do petrols, but that is not what they are particularly known for with the Octavia sized cars that we would need to look at. Certainly I have not seen any Octavias in petrol sold anywhere in my neck of the woods. You can only buy what is there and we really do not want to go right down the country to get a car.

 

[Time Waster]

our old dacia was brilliant , we would have had another one if work hadnt offered such a good deal on work branded car.

Which Dacia? The Duster reviews well but from what I read about the Jogger (a stretch sandero stepway or is it partly a Logan too) is not promising for a car IMHO.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

If a car can barely do 70 then there are plenty of hills in Yorkshire where it's patently dangerous. The M62 from Manchester is one.

You have no reserve in tricky situations.

I have 2.0 diesel octy - great car, but mine a coastal car and a bit rusty.

Cars that can't beat the speed limit uphill are "patently dangerous"?

Lol.

 

[fossyant]

Dusters are fine as is the Jogger. If you want a big cheapish estate then the Jogger is fine. Maybe if lugging alot of weight options for the bigger engines. 110bhp isn't bad, especially with the torque you get from modern turbos. I've driven my son's fabia loaded up with four and luggage when it was in its 1.2 110bhp mode and it was good for overtaking on the motorway from 50 plus. Nippy enough. It's now a track car though with a new engine and over 180bhp.

 

[icowden]

Cars that can't beat the speed limit uphill are "patently dangerous"?

Wait til he finds out about heavy goods vehicles...

 

[Jameshow]

Cars that can't beat the speed limit uphill are "patently dangerous"?

Lol.

I never said that but 50mph in a little car is dangerous!

You need to be comfortable at 70mph to get up up larger hills.