The Devil's Alternative

[Sloth in a bowl]

Sometimes there is no right answer, but there is much joy in which of the wrong answers is least wrong.

 

So folks, which is really the car that autoshitters wouldn't touch with a 10 foot breaker bar?

And which car do we all call too shite for Autoshite, yet still have closet urges for?

 

Whatever the answer, this poll won't find it, but it may be a bit of giggle to see what comes out anyway.

 

Also, if there is a car that is so bad that you would own all of these in preference to it, then please tell.

 

 

 

 

[oldcars]

Done, always fancied something BL.

[scaryoldcortina]

From that list? The Laguna, but only because all the others would cost money to buy and still be horrid and unreliable.

[Asimo]

PT Cruiser.

 

I would unplug an injector to simulate* the V8 throb expected from a Chrysler.

[danthecapriman]

Very easy choice for me, Maxi all the way.

All the other stuff on the list is just modern tat to me and of absolutely no interest. No offence if you own one btw!

[Sloth in a bowl]

I couldn't vote for the Maxi as I couldn't stand the frustration of getting the bugger to start at 7am on a winters morning.

As for driving it up and down the M40 in the rush hour, no thanks.

 

If I didn't need a car for commuting then it may have got a look in.

[gm]

hmm, tough choice there but I went for the merc, I would remove the rear seats and use it as a sort of van

[dave21478]

Picasso.

They dont need servicing, they just need a constant supply of Happy Meals stomped into the rear seat fabrics and the occasional splash of dog vomit, which somehow keeps them chugging along despite abuse and neglect that would kill off almost anything else.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

For my job I have to have something under 7 years old. The A Class and Picasso are still available, but I'm assuming you mean in original desirable classic form. Therefore a 1750 HL in brown please and I'll retire.

[Angry Sheep]

I picked Maxi because it's got the most character and I quite like BL tat. But in reality, the Merc would probably tempt me as a more sensible proposition as a daily drive.

[320touring]

First car I ever drove was a Maxi- aged 3 steering it whilst my da did the gears and brakes.

 

Woop!

[Eddie Honda]

I couldn't vote for the Maxi as I couldn't stand the frustration of getting the bugger to start at 7am on a winters morning.

As for driving it up and down the M40 in the rush hour, no thanks.

Having had no frustration in starting my old one at 6.30am on a winter's morning and have on occasion, driven it up and down the M40 (but not necessarily in the rush hour), yes please.

 

I also had it over a year and drove the M3,M4,M5,M6,A74(M),M74,M73,M8,M898,M9,M25,M26,M20,M2 as well as the A26 in France, I'd do it all over again.

 

(4sp Bader-matic-tastic too.)

 

DSCI0002 by E Honda, on Flickr

[MarvinsMom]

yeay!!

 

BL Maxi FTW!!!!

 

any maxi that has survived this far is going to be a good one.

[chaseracer]

Nearly went for the Maxi, but childhood memories intruded of my mate Rupert*'s dad losing in combat with the gearbox.  So, Laguna it is, as long as it's a V6 auto...

 

 

 

 

 

* Yes really, but he wore it well.  He once went to a 6th form fancy-dress disco as... 

[oldcars]

Having had no frustration in starting my old one at 6.30am on a winter's morning and have on occasion, driven it up and down the M40 (but not necessarily in the rush hour), yes please.

 

I also had it over a year and drove the M3,M4,M5,M6,A74(M),M74,M73,M8,M898,M9,M25,M26,M20,M2 as well as the A26 in France, I'd do it all over again.

 

(4sp Bader-matic-tastic too.)

 

DSCI0002 by E Honda, on Flickr

I can here the poor thing disolving in the snow from here.

[eddyramrod]

I've owned a PT and a Maxi (not at the same time), driven a Picasso and never so much as sat in the other two.  So: one car is automatically top of the list, and one bottom.  Both are cars I've owned.  Picasso was a close second and the other two fall a long way down towards the Maxi.  Oops, gave it away there!

[sporty-shite]

I went for Laguna, simply because a Picasso would crush my soul, A-Classes make me feel travelsick, even when driving, I don't have a cowboy hat and boots to go with a PT and I don't like Maxis*.

 

*flame me now!!

[eddyramrod]

 I don't like Maxis*.

 

*flame me now!!

Not me mate, I'm right with you.  Mine was 29 years ago and I still have no desire to repeat the experience.  Almost anything else of the same age would have got my vote.  Almost!

[Angrydicky]

Very easy choice for me, Maxi all the way.

All the other stuff on the list is just modern tat to me and of absolutely no interest. No offence if you own one btw!

This, I'm afraid!

[Felly Magic]

Maxi all the way, because when it FTP, the seats fold down into a bed

[fordperv]

For me it's the maxi, i quite fancy the roulette of will it start and I reckon I'd be a master welder by the end of ownership

[steved40]

I think I'd rather walk.  None of these do anything for me I'm afraid.  At a push I'll take the Maxi, but it is just aboul my least favourite BL (or BMC or whatever) design.  And I reckon I'd be walking anyway by the end of the first month as it would either have keeled over and died or I'd have lost the battle with the gearbox and be unable to reverse it off the drive.

[Richard]

I can't see the list because Tapatalk sux, but I'd have a Maxi no problem. I'd have complete faith in it starting too. My 1500 Allegros used to start instantly.

[Sloth in a bowl]

I can't see the list because Tapatalk sux, but I'd have a Maxi no problem. I'd have complete faith in it starting too. My 1500 Allegros used to start instantly.

 

Question: You have to purchase and run one of these cars as your only transport for a year. Which do you pick?

 

Current state of play:

1. Renault Laguna II (8 votes [16.33%] - View)  
2. Citroen Picasso (8 votes [16.33%] - View)  
3. Mercedes A Class (4 votes [8.16%] - View) 
4. Chrysler PT Cruiser (4 votes [8.16%] - View) 
5. BL Maxi (25 votes [51.02%] - View)

Which means that 6 times as many shitters would rather drive one of BL's most infamous creations for a year than an A class Merc

[Richard]

Definitely a Maxi out of that lot.

[spike60]

There is nothing on the list I would exchange £'s for but the Maxi I feel should be mendable with WD40, hammer, MIG welder etc so it wins.

[Taff]

No question, it’s the Maxi. But I would make a few tasteful modifications.

Jack it up and cut out the floor. Run a full cds tube space-frame through it, with mounts for a 350ci Small block chevy & 350 autobox. Narrowed 8†axle on coilovers and ladder bars out back and Mustang II front IFS. Paint it in standard Maxi beige and smoke about like there is no tomorrow

[John F]

That was quite an easy poll.

 

1. Renault Laguna II - wouldn't last the year, so is disqualified
2. Citroen Picasso - I would die of shame, or possibly malnutrition after becoming stuck to the driver's seat. So also disqualified
3. Mercedes A Class - no. Just no.
4. Chrysler PT Cruiser - "It's Hard Being a Cowboy in Rochdale"...
5. BL Maxi - yes, but only if it had Maxi written in large letters on the boot.

[billyboy406v6]

PT Cruiser cos I aint heard of them other ones !

[Junkman]

Why do I think that BL Maxi prices will go up soon?