The new news 24 thread

[IronStar]

18 minutes ago, artdjones said:

Everyone thinks that "we do things better here", but the French seriously believe it about every possible detail of the French way of life. Even though they seem to be the most discontented people in Western Europe.

 

On my European travels, almost every single time I run into someone obnoxiously rude and snobby (obviously ignoring football fans), they are speaking French. I'm sure there's a sample bias to this, and that France has plenty of lovely people I'd have drinks with, but these guys are not helping France's global image. 

Oh and actively pretending not to understand English, and trying to speak their language to everyone everywhere despite being in a foreign country is only observed in - French. I really don't know what gives. 🤷‍♂️

[catsinthewelder]

9 minutes ago, IronStar said:

 Oh and actively pretending not to understand English, and trying to speak their language to everyone everywhere despite being in a foreign country is only observed in - Scouse. I really don't know what gives. 

 

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, brownnova said:

So I thought today was going to be a collection thread day… 

I’d bided my time following selling the Saab ‘vert wanted to try and find the right car. When a really good example of a car that I’d always promised myself I would own one day came up, 4 miles from home, and for a very reasonable price. I was excited to go and view after work. 

 

Impressions were good, it was in very good condition bar one or two disclosed faults.  

Such as that exhaust!

But… I drove it and have to say I felt entirely underwhelmed. It drove very nicely, but I just didn’t particularly like it to drive. I then remembered a previous one I drove a couple of years back, and recall feeling the same about that one, but concluded about that one that it was a bit tired.  But this one was less than 60k and well cared for. So I can only conclude that despite wanting to love the 75 that maybe they’re not for me! I’m quite disappointed about this… 

Is it up to speed? As my van is awaiting my socket set am using the ZTT dizzle daily. Maybe not as exciting as SAABs, but a steady plodder 

[Split_Pin]

3 hours ago, brownnova said:

So I thought today was going to be a collection thread day… 

I’d bided my time following selling the Saab ‘vert wanted to try and find the right car. When a really good example of a car that I’d always promised myself I would own one day came up, 4 miles from home, and for a very reasonable price. I was excited to go and view after work. 

 

Impressions were good, it was in very good condition bar one or two disclosed faults.  

Such as that exhaust!

But… I drove it and have to say I felt entirely underwhelmed. It drove very nicely, but I just didn’t particularly like it to drive. I then remembered a previous one I drove a couple of years back, and recall feeling the same about that one, but concluded about that one that it was a bit tired.  But this one was less than 60k and well cared for. So I can only conclude that despite wanting to love the 75 that maybe they’re not for me! I’m quite disappointed about this… 

You've only tried two though and this ones a mid-range club with the lower powered 115 bhp cdt engine. What was the other one? 

I also refuse to believe it was well cared for. Who sells a car with the exhaust strap broken? A tired or neglected one is indeed very underwhelming. They need to be used so the low mileage isn't necessarily a good thing. EGRs can coke up and MAFs can die, giving very sluggish performance.

I'd really recommend a much higher spec example with either the later 131 bhp cdti or a V6. Also make sure it rides well, if not the owners either fitted cheap dampers or there's a broken spring somewhere.

[lesapandre]

1 hour ago, artdjones said:

Everyone thinks that "we do things better here", but the French seriously believe it about every possible detail of the French way of life. Even though they seem to be the most discontented people in Western Europe.

 

Think less of France as a  European country and more like an oriental society governed by complex rules of propriety and orderliness.

Everything, and I mean everything, is governed by some social norm or rule - either implicit or explicit. 

It can be maddening but also lovable. I think it either suits outsiders or not - once you get the hang of it - it is quite fun. 

Are the French unhappy - not really - they like to think they are sometimes.

[brownnova]

8 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

You've only tried two though and this ones a mid-range club with the lower powered 115 bhp cdt engine. What was the other one? 

I also refuse to believe it was well cared for. Who sells a car with the exhaust strap broken? A tired or neglected one is indeed very underwhelming. They need to be used so the low mileage isn't necessarily a good thing. EGRs can coke up and MAFs can die, giving very sluggish performance.

I'd really recommend a much higher spec example with either the later 131 bhp cdti or a V6. Also make sure it rides well, if not the owners either fitted cheap dampers or there's a broken spring somewhere.

I’ve tried three, two cdti (Conny manual with 120k and this Club auto with 60k) and a facelift V6 contemporary … all left me with the same meh feeling. 

You’re right of course. Maybe I need to keep trying and find a decent petrol one in traditional spec. Could be the diesel engine putting me off. 

This one had been stood for a few months after the previous owner passed away, which might account for the strap having rotted. It fell off on the way back from the MoT on Friday (wouldn’t have passed like that!). It did ride very well, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but just underwhelmed me. Which when I had built up so much excitement at the prospect of getting a 75 was rather gutting!

Simply a preference thing… maybe I’m learning that i definitely prefer Swedish? 

[lesapandre]

1 hour ago, IronStar said:

On my European travels, almost every single time I run into someone obnoxiously rude and snobby (obviously ignoring football fans), they are speaking French. I'm sure there's a sample bias to this, and that France has plenty of lovely people I'd have drinks with, but these guys are not helping France's global image. 

Oh and actively pretending not to understand English, and trying to speak their language to everyone everywhere despite being in a foreign country is only observed in - French. I really don't know what gives. 🤷‍♂️

The French learn English at school - it's on the syllabus - but most French people don't get to use it after that and get very rusty.

Non- use of English is somewhat down to a cultural gap - in that French people are reluctant to do something if they can't do it properly - and are embarrassed by that fact that they can't. Hence the non-use.

Goes back to the comment I made about about an oriental society.

The French-English culture gap is vast - it's like being on another planet - things kind of look the same but everything is different.

French rudeness - I have not encountered it - thought there is hauter just part of way French society works - thought it is easy-ish to break through it.

I could write a book...😂🇫🇷 

[lesapandre]

2 hours ago, wuvvum said:

It depends how they're enforced.  If it's entirely by camera, as in the UK (and Brussels), then you have nowt to worry about.  However in France, plod can pull you over if he spots that you don't have a Crit'Air sticker in your windscreen, and can then issue a hefty on-the-spot fine if you car is non-compliant.

The zones remain largely confined to city centres and are relatively easy to avoid - ring roads especially are usually outside. Look online for the most up-to-date.

[lesapandre]

4 hours ago, N19 said:

Do the LEZ/ULEZ zones work on foreign plated vehicles? I had assumed that they didn't, or weren't enforced. There are quite a number of foreign plated, clearly non ULEZ compliant, vehicles knocking around this corner of north London.

TFL has farmed out it's operation on foreign registered cars to European Parking Collections who chase the fines in Europe. So they will get a bill dropping in their letterbox and the fine chased up. 

[wuvvum]

14 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

The zones remain largely confined to city centres and are relatively easy to avoid - ring roads especially are usually outside. Look online for the most up-to-date.

The Strasbourg zone is massive - the motorways running through the city are indeed exempt so it's OK to transit in a non-compliant car, but you can't stop or park anywhere.  Grenoble zone is less extensive but both my brothers live within it.  The Rouen zone isn't huge but is hard to avoid if you want to get across the Seine while staying off the motorway - I had to make a detour to the next bridge to the west.

[hairnet]

On 30/09/2024 at 18:32, chadders said:

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2012/ferrari-f40-vs-porsche-959-car-magazine-july-1988-another-world/

first car mag i bought - still have it

[lesapandre]

21 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

The Strasbourg zone is massive - the motorways running through the city are indeed exempt so it's OK to transit in a non-compliant car, but you can't stop or park anywhere.  Grenoble zone is less extensive but both my brothers live within it.  The Rouen zone isn't huge but is hard to avoid if you want to get across the Seine while staying off the motorway - I had to make a detour to the next bridge to the west.

Yes I invariably use the transit routes so I am OK in my non-compliant UK van. If I go into a French city I park out at a suburban station or park-and-ride and train or tram it in. OK if you don't need the car. 

The Rouen transit motorway and tunnel is exempt but everything further in along the Seine is indeed not. 

[Lord Sterling]

32 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

Yes I invariably use the transit routes so I am OK in my non-compliant UK van. If I go into a French city I park out at a suburban station or park-and-ride and train or tram it in. OK if you don't need the car. 

The Rouen transit motorway and tunnel is exempt but everything further in along the Seine is indeed not. 

Alors, vous êtes français Monsieur Lesapandre? Votre nom sur ce site suggère que vous-avez des connexions françaises 🤷‍♂️

[lesapandre]

6 minutes ago, Lord Sterling said:

Alors, vous êtes français Monsieur Lesapandre? Votre nom sur ce site suggère que vous-avez des connexions françaises 🤷‍♂️

No I'm a Brit'. 

[Lord Sterling]

Anyone near Pilning train station? Glovestrains video was suggested to me and I do like occasionally like watching her vids...

I noticed there appears to be a white saloon car, possibly a Ford or Vauxhall, I wonder what it is?

EDIT*

From this angle, it looks like a.Mk2 Cortina:

I did notice that there appears to be a scrapyard or vehicle storage right next to the station. 

[Lord Sterling]

Just now, lesapandre said:

No I'm a Brit'.

Oh right, alors, es que vous avez lived there before? You seem to connaître un peu of la France.

[lesapandre]

6 minutes ago, Lord Sterling said:

Oh right, alors, es que vous avez lived there before? You seem to connaître un peu of la France.

I holiday there a lot and know French culture very well. Fascinating place. Immense classic car scene. 

I also did some D-Day 80'th stuff this year. 

[Lord Sterling]

Ah cool. Obviously I spent a lot of time in Belgium but I also lived in the south for several months about 10 years ago. I lived near Beziers and travelled to Carcassonne a lot.

My uncle's wife's family although are originally Belgian do spend a lot of time and some actually live down in Toulouse.

[lesapandre]

12 minutes ago, Lord Sterling said:

Ah cool. Obviously I spent a lot of time in Belgium but I also lived in the south for several months about 10 years ago. I lived near Beziers and travelled to Carcassonne a lot.

My uncle's wife's family although are originally Belgian do spend a lot of time and some actually live down in Toulouse.

I think @wuvvumwas in Carcassonne - very nice indeed. So many great places.

[comfortablynumb]

5 hours ago, Lord Sterling said:

Anyone near Pilning train station? Glovestrains video was suggested to me and I do like occasionally like watching her vids...

I noticed there appears to be a white saloon car, possibly a Ford or Vauxhall, I wonder what it is?

EDIT*

From this angle, it looks like a.Mk2 Cortina:

I did notice that there appears to be a scrapyard or vehicle storage right next to the station. 

MK1 cortina, usual lotus rep, but 4 door? 😁

Edited October 2, 2024 by comfortablynumb
Spelllllling

[Split_Pin]

7 hours ago, brownnova said:

I’ve tried three, two cdti (Conny manual with 120k and this Club auto with 60k) and a facelift V6 contemporary … all left me with the same meh feeling. 

You’re right of course. Maybe I need to keep trying and find a decent petrol one in traditional spec. Could be the diesel engine putting me off. 

This one had been stood for a few months after the previous owner passed away, which might account for the strap having rotted. It fell off on the way back from the MoT on Friday (wouldn’t have passed like that!). It did ride very well, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but just underwhelmed me. Which when I had built up so much excitement at the prospect of getting a 75 was rather gutting!

Simply a preference thing… maybe I’m learning that i definitely prefer Swedish? 

Sounds like they're not for you then.

I've had 3 75s and 2 93 Cabriolets, definitely a completely different driving experience. I loved both of my Saabs and would 100% have another. The only reason I sold my red one was that I was getting fed up with the tax.

I think with 75s you need to remember they were aimed at the higher end Mondeo and Vectra class and drive accordingly. My 2004 BMW e60, same year as my 75, knocked spots off it in terms of ride and handling even although the 75 has many BMW parts (albeit from E46 and e39s). I test drove a Jaguar S Type as well and again, miles ahead but in a different class.

For me the Saab 93 is at the same upper-middle market point and although it's got a lot of  Vectra bits, I felt Saab had tried really hard to put their soul into the car. They didn't ride all that well IMO but the 2.0 petrol has Lexus levels of refinement (mine did anyway) and with the Noobtune map, went like stink.

Sounds like a nice Saab might be an option.

[Royale80]

Always wanted a 75. Bought one March time-2.0CDT Connoisseur auto estate. 155,000 but drives like 75,000 miles. £400 .Mine has a Ron Box fitted so pops along very well. Good thing with mine was that the previous owner Allan, had every advisory done for the MOT-even though in the last 5 years it's done very little mileage. The only thing not changed was the water pump -good fun was that!! Paint on bonnet and roof is blooming though.

[Split_Pin]

I remember your pictures of that job 😬

[cort1977]

11 hours ago, IronStar said:

On my European travels, almost every single time I run into someone obnoxiously rude and snobby (obviously ignoring football fans), they are speaking French. I'm sure there's a sample bias to this, and that France has plenty of lovely people I'd have drinks with, but these guys are not helping France's global image. 

Oh and actively pretending not to understand English, and trying to speak their language to everyone everywhere despite being in a foreign country is only observed in - French. I really don't know what gives. 🤷‍♂️

I agree with all your points whilst at the same time finding it ironic that the things we complain about the French doing are exactly the same things we do ourselves as a nation.

Snobby or yobbish behaviour abroad? The Brits are world champions at that.

Trying to speak their langauge everywhere they go whilst refusing to speak any other language? That's exactly what we do.

Of course the French are much, much better than us at going on strike and rioting.

[artdjones]

I must correct something, I did drive one 75 I liked, a Connoisseur 2.0 V6 with manual box in immaculate condition. Not very fast, but incredibly smooth.

[barefoot]

They're much nicer to drive with a wooden steering wheel. 

[IronStar]

25 minutes ago, cort1977 said:

I agree with all your points whilst at the same time finding it ironic that the things we complain about the French doing are exactly the same things we do ourselves as a nation.

Snobby or yobbish behaviour abroad? The Brits are world champions at that.

Trying to speak their langauge everywhere they go whilst refusing to speak any other language? That's exactly what we do.

Of course the French are much, much better than us at going on strike and rioting.

I found Brits to be usually quite okay on my travels if you avoid destinations like Ibiza, Zakintos, or wherever the young and rowdy British pissheads looking to pick a fight (and usually get beaten to a pulp because they're too drunk to stand) go. Footie fans can get in the sea, and the amount of ruckus they're causing is absolutely amazing, but I'm not counting those.

English is generally accepted as a "common ground" language, so you get away with that too.

[Metal Guru]

18 minutes ago, IronStar said:

I found Brits to be usually quite okay on my travels if you avoid destinations like Ibiza, Zakintos, or wherever the young and rowdy British pissheads looking to pick a fight (and usually get beaten to a pulp because they're too drunk to stand) go. Footie fans can get in the sea, and the amount of ruckus they're causing is absolutely amazing, but I'm not counting those.

English is generally accepted as a "common ground" language, so you get away with that too.

Guarantee if you come across whining spoilt brats , they are British. Every sentence begins with “I want..”

[brownnova]

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Sounds like they're not for you then.

Which I am genuinely gutted about!! 

[Royale80]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

I remember your pictures of that job 😬

Was a bit restricted for room!!!