Average working life of a car?

[marinast]

The government will actually be helping older cars survival rates when the post 2001 tax hikes come into effect next year. Pre 2001 cars will instantly be easier to sell and have more demand due to lower tax between identical models built on different days, similar in a way to how prices of pre 1973 classics have improved while post 1973 classics are slightly less palatable.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The 604 is perhaps the best looking car Peugeot made. Not instant WOW! appeal but very elegant. Also the 304 and 504 Coupes and a gloss black 605 looks great.Am I right in thinking the 309 was the first Pug in house design? As good as they actually were, the styling department should have stopped right there.

[Jazzy Jeff]

The 309 was originally styled by Talbot as the Arizona until PSA pulled the plug and swapped the badges at the last minute. I think the 106/306 generation was the first without any Pininfarina imput, although I could be wrong.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

At least the 106 and 306 look like Peugeots. The later stuff just doesn't.

[Cavcraft]

I'm not going to win many new friends or be taken too seriously by stating that I'm sure, it's just my last Mongdeo was just a horrible car. I've had a few Mk1s that were very capable and easy/pleasant/reliable to drive but the last Mk2 honestly made walking with drawing pins in a pair of hobnailed boots three sizes to small seem like a better option.I'm honestly not trying to slag your car off or start and argument, just proving we are all different I suppose.

There was very little difference between the 'Mk1' 1993-96 and 'Mk2' Mondeos, just a bit of suspension work and new body panels. Do you mean the 2001 -2007 Mondeo? - (most Ford people class this as the MK3) - its the only Mondeo I haven't had experience of.I would say that the 1993-2000 Mondeo is one of the best cars in the banger category, having owned one when they were new and one as a cheap heap now. Just make sure the clutch has been done or dosen't need doing!

Sorry dude, meant the '96 and about 2001 Mondeos. Worse, cheapest, nastiest blandest plastics I've ever seen, horrible trim, joke bumpers and an air of 'look how much money we saved by buying shit parts as cheaply as possible and half-heartedly nailing them together'.I can honestly say I'd struggle to think of a less inspiring car I've ever ownded/driven/been in. I'm not anti-Ford incidentally, had a few Capris/Escorts/Granadas/Cortinas etc in the past and my first true car 'loves' were my Mk1 (pre airflow) 'tina and my Mk5 (Cortina Eighties) 'tina 2.0GL auto.Vectras are fairly widely despised I know and don't exactly set the world on fire but I'd have one over quite a few cars anyday. Previously owned some with over 200k on and they were no bother at all.I couldn't agree more with someone else's sentiments that they were a poor replacement for the Cavalier though.

[vicsmith]

The biggest failing of the Vectra over the Cavalier is that the "20 minute clutch replacement" went out of the window. Other than that, nothing to dislike about them, and if you think about it, Ford went from the Sierra, an easy clutch change due it being RWD, to the Mondeo which was a subframe - off job.The Vectra got it`s partial bad rep from Clarkson, who chose to make completely out of proportion comments about how awful it was, when he could have just said that it wasn`t much of an advance over the last Cavalier, which is hardly the end of the world. Having said that they sell just as well as Mondeos so not that many people paid attention to Clarkson, and most people who would have one would not have the other, even though they both do a very similar job, this has been the way since probably the Victor and Mk3 Cortina so nothing new there.

[CortinaDave]

I've had both, and like some things about the mondeo and other things about the vectra. Depends what deals are on offer when im buying really.I do loathe the vectra's computer thing on the dash constantly whining at you about something "washer fluid low" "replace bulb" etc. Highly irritating.I like the fuel computer element of it but it keeps flicking off that of its own accord every few minutes to whine at you about some trivial fault again, which of course prompts comments from passengers "you need to top up your washer fluid" Reply - (exasperated tone ) I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bloody annoying.

[Cavcraft]

Yeah, never really forgave Clarkson for his comments. He proved he was a twat when he was left a Vectra to drive for the weekend or whatever and refused to even start the engine. His anti-Vauxhall rants used to do my tits in to be honest.However as you said Vic most people didn't pay attention anyhow. I'd get in Mondeo and drive anywhere if I had to incidentally but just find them excrutiatingly dull and cheap looking.

[Volksy]

I've had both, and like some things about the mondeo and other things about the vectra. Depends what deals are on offer when im buying really.I do loathe the vectra's computer thing on the dash constantly whining at you about something "washer fluid low" "replace bulb" etc. Highly irritating.I like the fuel computer element of it but it keeps flicking off that of its own accord every few minutes to whine at you about some trivial fault again, which of course prompts comments from passengers "you need to top up your washer fluid" Reply - (exasperated tone ) I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bloody annoying.

My old Saab 9-3 had the same computer, as essentially its a Cavalier underneath.Highly irritating i do agree, Bing Bong Bing Bong etc etc