"Insight - A Prius-facsimile, deliberately manufactured to be cheaper and scarcely more economical than it's petrol and diesel-powered rivals. Hardly 'The Power of Dreams'."
The one I drove managed 53mpg on an urban test route of about 10 miles.
This is far better than any petrol or diesel powered family sized car, unfortunately the excellent fuel economy comes at a price and the rest of the car is seriously compromised as a result.
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The CRV is my first (non motorcycle) in 10 years. It was bought for its part time 4wd/economy/and emissions criteria rather than its looks. I can live with it. It is a good car, I care little for brand image but couldn't imagine myself in an X5 or a Land Cruiser or any Land Rover product, good solid car at a very good price.
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I think all (normal) cars are dull now - the focus on safety and economy is never going to be exciting, is it?
For quite a few years I had company cars, and for some time they were changed every 2 years. Each time you changed your car, you got a significant upgrade. Cassette player, then sunroof, then a/c, then CD etc etc.
There seems to be none of that now - perhaps cars have reached their pinnacle?
Edited by Bill Payer on 21/05/2009 at 09:49
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I think all (normal) cars are dull now - the focus on safety and economy is never going to be exciting is it?
You beat me to it, BP. Can anyone think of a car under £20k that they really want? I can't. Apart from possibly a Fiat 500 Abarth ;-)
I've never desired a Honda. I've respected the engineering and the undoubted quality that's generally gone right through to the smallest component, but they've never been exciting cars IMHO. We had a late 90's Accord on a company fleet once which had done 180k and still drove and sounded like new. It was a nice car, but completely and utterly soulless, and devoid of anything that would make you strive to own one. My uncle once owned a Civic 1.6i-16 which was fast and handled well, but just oozed blandness.
I don't even like the VTEC engine as a road tool. I respect the engineering involved, and I like the noise it makes, but I wouldn't want one.
Edited by DP on 21/05/2009 at 10:32
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You beat me to it BP. Can anyone think of a car under £20k that they really want? I can't. Apart from possibly a Fiat 500 Abarth ;-)
Mazda MX5 is one. Decent 2.0i available for £17k.
If you're talking proper 4 seaters, then no, there's nothing in that price range that I'd lust after at all.
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>Can anyone think of a car under £20k that they really want?
Because cars in the sub £20k category are practical purchases. Cars above that are aspirational purchases.
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it's not Honda UK's fault - it's Honda in Japan, but I agree that they appear to have lost the plot with some of the cars.
Civic - the styling was a brave move - nothing else comes close, but then ruin it by putting a massive spolier in the middle of the rear window and ditching the independant rear suspension.
Accord - now I'd had a Type-S for the past five years, and it's been a real hoot to drive. The chassis is superb, the suspension supple yet controlled and the engine is brilliant. Then what do they do? Come up with another bland design and hike the price up into territory where they don't belong. In my experience, the biggest problem is depreciation - no matter what people say, they still don't hold their value well.
So now my eight-year period of Honda ownership is at an end (at least for the time being). I seriously considered a nearly-new Accord diesel automatic, but the prices are silly. So what's appearing tomorrow? A 2-year old BMW 335d SE coupe (insert big grin here).
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Funnily enough I feel that way about Nissan.
Nothing to replace the S200SX ever (350/370z is only a 2 seater, so useless if you want something sporty but need to carry the occasional passengers).
Nothing in the Golf/A3/Focus class of interest, Qashqai is successful but when I sat in one I felt surrounded by cheap plastic, whereas the personally I want a bit of luxury around me at this time of life.
Primera,... oh dear, that sector is diminishing anyway, and citroen C5, Mondeo, and Insignia have all upped the ante by miles
No 7 seater MPV (Quashquai doesnn't cut it) meaning something in the Voyager / Grandis / Galaxy area
Local dealer has resorted to double franchise and now sells Fiats as well!
Sister company Renault on other hand is really quite funky these days, with exception of Laguna.
Personally I still love the new Civic looks, but agree engine range is weak. I nearly bought an new Accord recently, think they are lovely. My sister has an FR-V and raves over it, point of middle seat is for very occasional use. She has 2 kids, so she, hubby and 2 kids are fine, then each kid can bring a friend, its perfect for such occasions.
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I like my CRV - ugly at the front alright but otherwise pretty nice looking. I hated the Civic when I first saw it but it has grown on me and its a lovely looking car, with far more of the spirit of the original Focus than the lumpen current version.
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I liked the quirky Honda Insight. Looked a bit like something from UFO. A little Citroenesque at the rear end, especially the seventies style rear arches. Never owned a Honda but if I were to buy a Japanese car I would definitely consider one. They just have that quality look to them IMHO
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Sister company Renault on other hand is really quite funky these days with exception of Laguna.
What we need are Renault designs, engineered, wired up and assembled by Honda. I'd be at the head of the queue.
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Or better still, Alfa Romeo designs, engineered, wired up and assembled by Honda.
God would drive one
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Or better still:
Alfa Romeo Designs, engineered by Alfa / Fiat (engines are pretty good thinking of the old Arese 3.0 / 3.2 v6), with help from Honda (consultancy) on Ancillaries.
Then: wired up, electrics etc, and assembly by Honda.
Oh, and of course RWD, with decent suspension.
Wow.
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Alfa Romeo Designs engineered by Alfa / Fiat (engines are pretty good thinking of the old Arese 3.0 / 3.2 v6)
I had this, a photo of an engine, as my desktop wallpaper for a while. Doesn't it just make your tongue hang out?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GTAengine32.jpg
My first experience of the Arese lump was in a friend's 156 Veloce (2.5). I remember the noise being to die for, and that lovely surge and howl from 5500 RPM to the limiter.
Being brutally honest, the car was complete rubbish. Engine aside, what didn't fall off fell to bits or stopped working in some way, but that engine....My goodness !
Cheers
DP
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/05/2009 at 11:30
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