|
Cars the OP has been trying are variations on the same theme, fashionable modern designs made to beat emissions criteria of one sort or another, and to give good results in the fuel consumption smoke and mirrors exercise.
Cars that make you smile are usually slightly different, one important must is an engine that sounds nice, that can be Diesel BUT it can never be a 4 cylinder Diesel, which belong in tractors and delivery vans.
The engine should have more than enough easy oomph, there is nothing worse than having to constantly stir a gearbox or be in some tiny correct rev band whenever you want to accelerate swiftly, a tractable powerful (quiet unless requested) engine coupled to a silky smooth torque converter auto makes driving a pleasure, simply cruise along without a care in the world, when power required just squirt and the car does it for you, but in a quiet refined dignified way.
What do i drive?, a 16 year old MB E320 coupe which i've owned for about 10 years, silky smooth, quiet, refined and goes like hell when asked, cheap to run on LPG too, yes its still an object lesson in driving pleasure especially with all windows and roof open, no silly toys to go wrong and ploughs through snow without a murmer, motoring bliss.
If i had up to £20k to spend on something to make me smile what would i buy?
Lexus GS450h, because it fulfils all of the criteria (especially effortless rapid acceleration) whilst giving equivalent Diesel economy without the noise and smell, the only downside being boot space, if boot space a must, Lexus RX400h. If i had to have Diesel, then a BMW 530/535 or MB E320.
Edited by gordonbennet on 11/08/2012 at 21:54
|
