What (If any) moderns float your boat?

[trigger]

  Hirst said:

You'll notice a fairly consistent theme. I'm sure there's a load more US-market stuff I'd like if I investigated further, they're never afraid to make a nice big 4-door.

Funny enough i saw a 'N' plate Nissan Laruel today drive past me at a show and i thought that it looks a bit off you, I didn't even know they made Laruels in 1996.

[Guest]

They only stopped making Laurels in the early 2000s (not sure why).

[Tayne]

.

[RedSparrow]

I don't care, I'd still love one.

So their website is as reliable as their cars then?!

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The Brera is okay, but you need the latest one with the 1750 Fiat/Alfa lump and not the old 2.2 Vectra based unit. Who the fuck thought an Alfa with a GM engine was a good idea?

 

Failing that a GT as they're much better looking, but are based on old 156 technology which can be traced back to the 155 and Tipo.

 

I like Fiat 500's, one of the cleverest new car buys around. My mate bought one for his Mrs, had it 18 months and the p/x price was something like 600 quid less than they paid for it. Impressive.

[Drive-By]

New Prius (waits for flaming)

 

New Seat Leon

 

not really much that floats my boat, new stuff especially the high end tat just seems vulgar

[face]

  Quote

Or a Smart ForTwo. Always liked these, even after I'd driven one. Are they still churning them out? I'd be seen in one of those. Not a great deal of reluctance involved.

I've got one

[garethj]

I like the look of the newish Mercedes coupe, where the C pillar sweeps down and gets really thin, I think there’s a Passat that does a similar styling trick. Not really enough reason to buy one though.

 

It would have to be a gun-to-my-head situation to buy a new car, I’d always be thinking about what a better deal an old car would be. But as the hammer is pulled back I’d probably choose from:

 

Land Rover 110 Defender. Before they change it in the next couple of years.

Ginetta G50 for dodgy fibreglass thrills

Are Tommy Kaira still in business? Could I buy a ZZ coupe?

And after seeing one on a thread here, I’d probably give garage space to a Ford Crown Victoria as long as I could do Hollywood style burnouts everywhere

[mnde]

Citroen C1/C3/C4/C5/C6/C-Crosser

Skoda Octavia, Fabia, Superb. I like these the more I see them about, especially the Octavia - more of which in another thread.

Smart ForTwo

Fiat 500

Honda Insight

 

If I had a lottery win:

 

Aston Martin DB9/Vantage

Audi R8

amongst others

 

Mark.

[dollywobbler]

Citroen C1 (or brethren). It's the only modern Citroen I'm even slightly interested. Everything else seems like a slab of boredom with some iffy link to Retroness. The C6 is close to being interesting.

[trigger]

Every C1 I've ever seen is normally being towed behind a large camper van of some kind.

[dollywobbler]

That does happen a lot, but I've noticed more Suzuki Wagon R's being dragged around by those things.

 

The C1/Aygo/107 has a funky 3-cyl engine and looks quite smart I think. I like the simple touches - like an entirely glazed rear window. They're nice to drive too.

[mnde]

I'd love to try a C1, but, like the Smart, Lucy says it's too small so not practical, so she won't have one... I had a ride in an Aygo a while back. I agree about the smart styling. I was promised a 107 courtesy car a few months ago, which I was looking forward to, but ended up with a shite purple Suzuki Wagon-R instead cos the 107 had no petrol in it .

 

EDIT: If we're talking nearly new moderns, I'm a big fan of the first incarnation of the C3 Pluriel, preferably in orange or something... and I um think the Xsara Picasso is a smart looking motor if I ever wanted an MPV... especially the ones with the chrome strips on the front bumper.

 

Mark.

[eddyramrod]

I've driven the Pluresy, also the "normal" C3 and the first-gen Picasso. As moderns go they're not bad at all. Bland, of course, but that's normal. Perfectly suitable for daily use, as long as you buy them cheap and treat them as disposable. MGF was good too, but that's almost a Classic these days so probably falls outside the realm of this thread.

[AnthonyG]

I think Skoda's range is pretty good at the moment, I went to have a look at a 'Yeti' for the parents at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised, seemed a well built and designed beast.

 

Also any firm that makes a proper small 5 door estate must be applauded.

 

The Octavia VRs looks an interesting beast as well!

[reallyloud]

Fiat Panda especially the multijet engined ones, I bought one over a 500. The 500 is a neat looking machine but I suspect that I'll have more cred in Autoshite 2025 - besides I expect the 500 model being more popular as a future classic and the Panda will fall on the wayside. Also there's something about these retro styled cars which appeal to a section of the public I don't really care for - clueless rich daddies girls/boys, estate agents, heads of new media companies, part time television call girls etc.

 

I do like the look of the current Rolls Royce and Lamborghini ranges, quite handsome looking cars. In the real world maybe a Hyundai Sonata as a motorway car and the new Honda CR-Z for driving to work - some styling on it looks a bit gash, but its going to be a worthwhile investment. I quite like the Volvo C30 or maybe S40/V50 - which I would consider buying an eco version when the prices come down a bit more.

[Formula Autos]

New Mondeo. A really good, big car. Plus the value of them drops faster than a prawn vindaloo the following morning.

 

When the time comes I'll be replacing my Mk3 TDCi with the new model. I know these cars have 'issues' mechanically, but it's averaging 50mpg, hasn't let me down yet, it's got a full Ford service history, and I got it in January for 2K, with 60K on the clock (and I know it's genuine - the previous owners was me Dad). If I can get two or three years out of it, a DMF failure (or other assorted expensive catstrophe) won't bother me too much - I'll probably even get it fixed, rather than bin the car.

[Gompo]

I wanted to like the Fiat 500 - and while I still like it in a way, it'd have to be the wife's car (not that I have a wife..) or my city/town car, if I could afford the luxury. I'd prefer a Mk1 Jazz though..

 

Very few cars still for sale 'new' I like more-so than their previous generation.

 

Honda Civic Type R FD2

Lotus Elise

Lotus Evora

Maserati Grantourismo MC

Porsche 911 GT3

Renault Clio 200RS, possibly.

[Ben_Mk3]

Quite a lot but mainly my Astra Sport

 

Built in 1995, I don't think it's quite retro yet but it's definitely shite!

[fotorabia]

me likes the Astra vans since being here in Blighty...id ship one back to NZ if i could cos not on the market there..

[Volksy]

I'd quite happily keep on the Golf Bluemotion I've got at the moment. Compared to the Astra I had before it absolutly flies, and returns an average of over 50mpg.

 

It feels like a proper hatchback too, in the old sense of the word, the Astra was the new blobby one, and felt like kind of a coupe crossed with an MPV, acres of dashboard etc.. At least in the Golf I can mount my phone holder on the screen and still reach it!

 

Shame they are so bloody expensive!

[gtd2000]

Not that I'd ever buy one of the following:

 

Alfa Mito

Fiat Punto Grande

 

Cars I'd actually pay money for:

 

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Grandeur

Kia Soul

Nissan GTR

Lexus IS

Audi A5

[carlo]

  reallyloud said:

Fiat Panda especially the multijet engined ones, I bought one over a 500. The 500 is a neat looking machine but I suspect that I'll have more cred in Autoshite 2025 - besides I expect the 500 model being more popular as a future classic and the Panda will fall on the wayside. Also there's something about these retro styled cars which appeal to a section of the public I don't really care for - clueless rich daddies girls/boys, estate agents, heads of new media companies, part time television call girls etc.

I was going to nominate the Panda, Mrs Carlo has a 6 month old multijet and it's a lovely machine, great engine, fun to drive, everything you need (a/c) and nothing you don't, 60mpg and probably fairly timeless. Only £9k new as well. Reminds me of a latterday Renault 4. Only other things which I like the idea of are:

 

VW Scirocco (through gritted teeth - it's a VW but the old mans's got one & it looks and drives great)

Citroen C6 (surely destined for the worst depreciation in history though)

Volvo C30

Chrysler 300C (do they still make them?)

Skoda Octavia (don't know why, just seems so 'anti-modern' & sensible, and I love the steering wheel.)