What car will give me credibility?

[the_mikey]

Skoda Octavia.

I would if I could!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Have you considered a Nardi?

View attachment 6927

Now that is cooooooool

 

[Fab Foodie]

I would if I could!

Me too, I had 2, then needed big family space and bought a C8. When I no longer need the seatage I'm going back to Skoda.
C8's pretty good for bike carrying, four of us plus bikes and kit all inside was OK. 40+ to the gallon (I've got 47 on a gentle motorway run) is not so bad for a big lump either and they're cheap as chips second hand.

 

[fossyant]

A white Audi Q7 4.2 DTI Quattro S-Line of course

Ah white to match the fact that these things don't go anywhere near a grass verge, never mind off road !

 

[Arfcollins]

The lease is almost up on my very practical Renault Megane II sports tourer, 1.5l turbo diesel, basic, comfortable, fuel economy that is hard to beat for an estate type vehicle. It's been the best vehicle of this type that I've ever had the pleasure of using.

Can't buy one of those. I was honked by one last week as he didn't like being behind me at traffic lights. Also told me to getorfthefeckingroadyoubastard. So I know what sort of driver that could turn me into.

 

[Cush]

Old Volvo estate fitted with a cycle rack and beat up bike.

 

[fossyant]

Landy 110. Sorted.

 

[30yroldclunker]

- a pedalcar....obviously

 

[Browser]

Awful turning circle though. A London bus can turn better than a Picasso.

I'm not bad mouthing them, my Fiancee's parents have one. They're great but a pain to do a 3 (or 10) point turn in.

I second this, I couldn't believe how awful it was when we bought ours, and it didn't imrpove the older it got! Good car though, never let us down, just don't get a 1.8 petrol, too thirsty!
Your choice depends upon;

1. How much room do you need?
2. How many people do you need room for on a regular/irregular basis?
3. How much space do you like to have around you?
4. Do you need a big boot?
5. Will this be your only car?

We have two cars, a Kia Sedona for hauling the caravan and for owning which we should be roasted by the environmental and cycling gods in hell as it is a thirsty old bus and quite large, but we've only done about 2500 miles in it in a year, and a 9 year old Fiat Punto 1.9 JTD which, according to it's trip computer, will return over 60 mpg three up on a run (to the NEC for the cycle show last September )

 

[VamP]

Can't buy one of those. I was honked by one last week as he didn't like being behind me at traffic lights. Also told me to getorfthefeckingroadyoubastard. So I know what sort of driver that could turn me into.

I've had that treatment from the following, so you better cross those off your list as well:

Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Astra
Land Rover Discovery
Mercedes C type
Mercedes ML
Vauxhall Zafira

 

[Linford]

I second this, I couldn't believe how awful it was when we bought ours, and it didn't imrpove the older it got! Good car though, never let us down, just don't get a 1.8 petrol, too thirsty!
Your choice depends upon;

1. How much room do you need?
2. How many people do you need room for on a regular/irregular basis?
3. How much space do you like to have around you?
4. Do you need a big boot?
5. Will this be your only car?

We have two cars, a Kia Sedona for hauling the caravan and for owning which we should be roasted by the environmental and cycling gods in hell as it is a thirsty old bus and quite large, but we've only done about 2500 miles in it in a year

Realistically speaking though, You have made an investment in this vehicle which is fit for purpose, and has the extra mass to give both you, and those around you a greater margin of safety when towing. I've seen some small cars towing larger caravans and trailers before now, and the consequences of it going wrong because the weight of the towing vehicle is inadeqaute for purpose is quite scary (likewise when they don't bother to set the tow ball height correctly, and this moves the centre of gravity of the tow car when the weight of the hitch is on it). I did it myself when I bought my trailer and towed it witha regular car - scared the crap out of me TBH.
In the 9 years of towing a 2 tonne trailer with my 4x4, I've never had a 'moment' with stability issues, as the homework was done when the tow bar was fitted, and it was set up correctly.
You pay the price for doing the right thing if you are being vilified for running it, but it isn't your fault if the ignorance of others blind them to that point.

 

[fossyant]

Just buy 2 x £5k bikes - that's what I'd do !

 

[400bhp]

Aye-buy a couple of g clamps and scaffolding too, that way you can convert the two bikes into a 4 wheeler if required.

 

[Jezston]

Aye-buy a couple of g clamps and scaffolding too, that way you can convert the two bikes into a 4 wheeler if required.

Can you get carbon fibre scaffolding?

 

[RhythMick]

My old estate car is due an MOT and there are some expensive bits need doing, so I may have to throw it away and buy something else.

Knowing from these pages that I will turn into a road monster if I pick the wrong make, can I please have some recommendations for cars that will reflect my reputation as a safe and caring driver?

Choose the car that meets your needs. I'm a cyclist and have a Subaru Outback AWD - practical, economical at 45mpg and safe and roomy for my family and dog. Our smaller Kia Cee'd serves duty for more local runs.

The car isn't The monster, The driver can turn it into one though.

... every day is a winding road...