My new car

[ceptimus]

After doing without a car for the last five-and-a-half months, I gave in and bought one today.

It's a sort of big (for the UK anyway) hatchback, diesel powered. It's about 9 months old and has done about 8,000 miles. I have to wait a few days before I can collect it so I've been getting some insurance quotes. :(

[viscousmemories]

Huh, that's interesting. I didn't realize you could still get diesel-powered cars in Europe.

Nice lookin' car, there. :1thumbup:

[Dingfod]

What brand and model?

[ceptimus]

Vauxhall Signum.

Vauxhall is the UK brand for GM. The same cars are Opels in much of continental Europe. I don't know if this model is on sale in the USA, or what it's called if it is.

[Dingfod]

It is not and will not be sold in the US. The closest we came to a European GM car was the Opel Omega MV6 sold here as the Cadillac Catera. Vauxhalls have never been sold in the US that I know of. There were some Opels imported to the US back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Opel GT, the Opel Manta, and the Opel Kadette.

[Dingfod]

It does bear some resemblance to the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx (http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/maxx/).

[Godwhacker]

I essentially have a european Honda Accord....

After total transmission failure after just 38,000 miles in my old (or not so old...it was only three years old at the time) Pontiac, I vowed never in my life to own another vehicle built by Generous Motors. :fuming:

[Dingfod]

I essentially have a european Honda Accord....A Sterling?

After total transmission failure after just 38,000 miles in my old (or not so old...it was only three years old at the time) Pontiac, I vowed never in my life to own another vehicle built by Generous Motors. :fuming:Pretty unusual even for a GM, unless it was one of those POS Daewoo built Pontiac LeMans models.

[livius drusus]

I don't know a thing about how it runs, but it sure looks great. It seem more like a station wagon than a hatchback to me, though. It's just so long.




(Go on... Say that's what she said last night and let's get it over with.)

[ceptimus]

It's fifteen feet, two-and-a-half inches long. This is big (in the UK) for a hatchback. I suppose it would still be called "compact" in the USA though?

[Dingfod]

No, it would be midsized. The Malibu Maxx is only 5-1/2" longer and it is long for a mid-size car. It has rear seats that can slide forward and back and recline just like the front seats.

[ceptimus]

Yeah. My Signum can do that rear seat recline thing. Also they will fold flat to give lots of load area.

It has lots of toys as standard - satnav, automatic wipers, CD changer, etc., even a fridge in the back.

The performance is pretty sluggish :( but I shall go out on my motorbike when I want performance. :)

[Godwhacker]

I essentially have a european Honda Accord....A Sterling?

After total transmission failure after just 38,000 miles in my old (or not so old...it was only three years old at the time) Pontiac, I vowed never in my life to own another vehicle built by Generous Motors. :fuming:Pretty unusual even for a GM, unless it was one of those POS Daewoo built Pontiac LeMans models.

In the US, the Euro/Japanese Accord is an Acura TSX.

My Pontiac was a Grand (or not so Grand) Prix. I have found via the net that they tended to be lemons. In fact, when I first moved to this part of town, there was a guy who had a white Grand Prix who wrote in grease paint on his back window "This Car is a Lemon".

Logically, I realize that probably every car company and every make must have some lemons. Its the nature of assembly line work and chaos theory, I would guess, that you can't have every one turn out "good". I think what ticked me off in my case was the way the dealership dealt with me (in a rude manner) about it, suggesting that I was doing "neutral drops" or otherwise manually shifting the gears racing the car (hello! Im a thirtysomething, NOT a teenager!).

I think the names GM has for its European cars are "cooler" than the ones for the US. Then again, I always liked the name "Ford Prefect"!!!

[Dingfod]

In the US, the Euro/Japanese Accord is an Acura TSX.An Acura TSX is pretty much an Accord in the US as well, just different badges and trim level and a higher performance 4-banger, they're virtually the same body on the same platform.

My Pontiac was a Grand (or not so Grand) Prix. I have found via the net that they tended to be lemons.Of course, you only hear about the lemons not the 55 million satisfied customers who put 150,000 miles on theirs with nary a problem. Our 1999 Buick Regal (really the same car as a GP) never saw the inside of a shop in the four years we owned it, over 70,000 miles trouble-free. My Chevrolet Silverado truck was just as good with almost 100,000 miles before I traded it off.

In fact, when I first moved to this part of town, there was a guy who had a white Grand Prix who wrote in grease paint on his back window "This Car is a Lemon". You don't know lemon unless you owned one of the crappy diesels GM made in the late 70s and on into the 80s, or the 4-6-8 Cadillacs.

Logically, I realize that probably every car company and every make must have some lemons. Its the nature of assembly line work and chaos theory, I would guess, that you can't have every one turn out "good".Probably true. I always though some of the more perfect cars I've owned must have been built on Wednesdays. Wednesday would have to be best, it's hump day, things are just beginning to click, the weekend is in sight but far enough away to keep the workers minds on what they're doing, Friday afternoons are shot, Monday mornings, they're nursing hangovers. You know what I mean.

I think what ticked me off in my case was the way the dealership dealt with me (in a rude manner) about it, suggesting that I was doing "neutral drops" or otherwise manually shifting the gears racing the car (hello! Im a thirtysomething, NOT a teenager!).They do have a regional customer service manager you can go to.

I think the names GM has for its European cars are "cooler" than the ones for the US. Then again, I always liked the name "Ford Prefect"!!!What could be cooler than a Skorpio or Merkur? Oh, wait, those were European cars.

[ceptimus]

The current Vauxhall range consists of these car names:

Corsa
Agila
Tigra
Astra
Meriva
Vectra
Zafira

Signum
VXR and VX220
Monaro

I separated out the ones that don't end in an A. Seems like someone in the marketing department wasn't "on-message" when those names slipped through.

[JoeP]

I owned a Vauxhall Astra in the UK. My wife had an Opel Kadett here. Same car pretty much, but "Kadett"?

[Godwhacker]

In the US, the Euro/Japanese Accord is an Acura TSX.An Acura TSX is pretty much an Accord in the US as well, just different badges and trim level and a higher performance 4-banger, they're virtually the same body on the same platform.

My Pontiac was a Grand (or not so Grand) Prix. I have found via the net that they tended to be lemons.Of course, you only hear about the lemons not the 55 million satisfied customers who put 150,000 miles on theirs with nary a problem. Our 1999 Buick Regal (really the same car as a GP) never saw the inside of a shop in the four years we owned it, over 70,000 miles trouble-free. My Chevrolet Silverado truck was just as good with almost 100,000 miles before I traded it off.

In fact, when I first moved to this part of town, there was a guy who had a white Grand Prix who wrote in grease paint on his back window "This Car is a Lemon". You don't know lemon unless you owned one of the crappy diesels GM made in the late 70s and on into the 80s, or the 4-6-8 Cadillacs.

Logically, I realize that probably every car company and every make must have some lemons. Its the nature of assembly line work and chaos theory, I would guess, that you can't have every one turn out "good".Probably true. I always though some of the more perfect cars I've owned must have been built on Wednesdays. Wednesday would have to be best, it's hump day, things are just beginning to click, the weekend is in sight but far enough away to keep the workers minds on what they're doing, Friday afternoons are shot, Monday mornings, they're nursing hangovers. You know what I mean.

I think what ticked me off in my case was the way the dealership dealt with me (in a rude manner) about it, suggesting that I was doing "neutral drops" or otherwise manually shifting the gears racing the car (hello! Im a thirtysomething, NOT a teenager!).They do have a regional customer service manager you can go to.

I think the names GM has for its European cars are "cooler" than the ones for the US. Then again, I always liked the name "Ford Prefect"!!!What could be cooler than a Skorpio or Merkur? Oh, wait, those were European cars.

Actually, the TSX has a totally different platform/chassis than the American Accord, and the body is different, too, especially the rear end. The American Accord is wider and larger. The engines are different, too. The TSX has a 200-210 HP V-4, whereas the Accord has two options (a different V-4 or V-6). The Accord V-6 I think is rated at around 230-240HP, but since it has to haul more mass, its nearly a wash with the TSX's 4 in terms of the cars performance. The TSX is made in Japan, whereas the American Accord is (usually) made in the USA. I don't disagree the they look somewhat similar (certainly has the same bloodlines), but I can't stand the back end of the American Accord (I call it "the car with no ass"), whereas I love the TSX's butt...

However, I do believe that the Acura TL does use the Accord platform....will have to check on the Acurazine forum to make sure. I can also get more specific details as to engine and chassis specs on the TSX and American Accord.

Ironically, my very first car was a 1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass Diesel. I bought it off my grandfather. It leaked so much oil my mother made me park in the empty lot next to our house, so that people walking on our driveway would not track in all the oil onto the carpet. It eventually developed a crack in the block (which, I hear, was very very common). Another quality Generous Motors product!!! Actually, even with all the problems, I loved that car...everyone remembers their first...

Although I will say that my second car, a Pontiac Firebird, lasted me 12 years with very little problems. This is ironic, since the F series cars were notorious for problems. I got a good one.

As for the Grand Prix, I went to the regional mgr. He didn't do a thing.

They used to sell Merkur's here in the states. Back when I was a teenager, it was on my list of "cars I would buy if I had more money". The XR4TI, I believe...

[Dingfod]

Family resemblence?
Acura TSX:
http://images.safeform.com/stock/300/acura/tsx/2005/4sa.jpg
Honda Accord
http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/05.under.25k/05.honda.accord.500.jpg

Yes, the Accord is longer, slightly wider and taller, but the V-6 Accord only weighs 40 pounds more and has 40 more horsepower and 46 lbs-ft more torque. I'd strongly advise not betting the pink slip that the 4-cylinder TSX could outperform the Accord V6.

According to Car & Driver magazine testing:
0-60 mph acceleration: TSX = 7.2 sec., Accord = 5.9 sec.
1/4 mile time/speed: TSX = 15.6@91 mph, Accord = 14.5@98 mph.
Roadholding (skidpad g): TSX = .85, Accord = .82.
Top Speed as tested = TSX = 133 mph, Accord = 135 mph.

Interesting side note: TSX performance numbers are almost identical to our Ford Focus ZX-3 (0-60 = 7.4 sec, 1/4 mi. = 15.7@90 mph, skidpad = .81g).

[Godwhacker]

I never claimed it could totally outperform the V-6 Accord (which is a great car, don't get me wrong, I just don't like the back end..I pretty much love all Hondas), but its performance is very close, especially with the TSX's manual gearbox. On a dragstrip, the V-6 Accord will win, but the TSX corners better, and would likely win on a rally type course. Most people who own both state that the TSX is nimbler and handles much better than the Accord (at least those who own both who post on online forums!).

I don't argue that the two cars are close brothers, but they are not the same car, not even chassis or engine wise (which, if you are into modifying cars, I hear, is a pain, because you can't use US Accord parts for the TSX -most modders on the Acurazine site get their parts via ebay, sometimes from Accord Euro R owners overseas)

Yes, you can also certainly find other cars that will outperform the TSX, even at less of a price, but the combination of performance, features, quality build, and, IMHO, gorgeous interior, is hard to beat, at least here in the US. The automotive press has been absolutely gaga over it:

C&D 10 Best two years running (04 and 05)

"Most appealing entry luxary car"
"Highest Ranked Entry Luxury Car for Initial Quality"
by JD Power and Associates

Would add that a V-6 Accord with the standard TSX features (leather interior, etc.) would cost more than the TSX (which comes loaded and has no options, except for a Navi system). Also, Acura has better warranty.

[Dingfod]

Or... one could save $6000 and get a 4-cylinder Accord, it only gives up 30 horsepower, which most people would never notice in everyday driving.

[ceptimus]

I picked up my car about 3 hours ago. :)

The dealer told me on Tuesday that it would be ready for Thursday. My insurance company sent a cover note to the dealer (they said) on Tuesday, but by Thursday the dealer claimed they still hadn't received it, with both parties blaming the crappy antiquated system that passes for mail in these islands. :(

In the UK you are required to have a tax disc shown in the vehicle, and the Post Office, which issues these things, won't do it without proof of insurance. They need the original piece of paper, damn their eyes! :fuming: Faxes, emails, policy numbers and the like are not good enough for them.

Anyway, the damn cover note turned up today, so I picked up the car once I'd finished work.

That's the most money I've ever spent in one hit on a debit card.

[livius drusus]

Great news, cep. :thumbup: Um... The picked up the car bit, that is, not the crippling balloon payment bit.

:miniglomp:

[ceptimus]

I've had it about six weeks now. After the first couple of tanks of fuel I reset the trip computer, and since then (two more tanks 1150 miles) the computer claims I averaged 55.5 mpg. :)

But based on the two fuel receipts, and the miles covered, it's only really doing 51mpg. :(

I won't keep any more receipts now that I've established the computer is about 8% optimistic.

These are imperial gallons (1 imperial gallon equals 1.201 U.S. Gallons) so the milage isn't quite as good as it sounds to Americans. It's doing about 42.5 miles per U.S. Gallon.

Sorry to be so anal about this, but fuel costs about $6 per U.S. Gallon here, so you can see why milage is important.

[livius drusus]

That's excellent, cep. What kind of driving do you do mainly, may I ask?

[ceptimus]

I do the usual local journeys to work and back etc., but the bulk of the mileage has been accrued on a few long (for the UK) business trips, trundling along the motorway at 70mph when possible, and sitting in queues when not.

I think that I've been deliberately driving more economically because I've been watching the trip computer. Now the novelty has worn off a bit, I'll probably revert to my usual more manic (and less economical) driving style.

I don't drive nearly as fast as I used to. This is no doubt partly due to getting old, but also due to the huge number of speed cameras everywhere in the UK now.

Yesterday, I drove 285 miles and I went past over 30 speed cameras. That doesn't even include all the speed cameras on the M42 - there is one every half a mile on that road though allegedly they're not issuing tickets from them yet.

In the UK, if you are caught speeding 4 times in a 3 year period, it's an automatic driving ban. A few people plead a special case and have the ban lifted, but these are usually politicians. [/cynicism]

[Shake]

I've had it about six weeks now. After the first couple of tanks of fuel I reset the trip computer, and since then (two more tanks 1150 miles) the computer claims I averaged 55.5 mpg. :)

But based on the two fuel receipts, and the miles covered, it's only really doing 51mpg. :(

I won't keep any more receipts now that I've established the computer is about 8% optimistic.

These are imperial gallons (1 imperial gallon equals 1.201 U.S. Gallons) so the milage isn't quite as good as it sounds to Americans. It's doing about 42.5 miles per U.S. Gallon.

Sorry to be so anal about this, but fuel costs about $6 per U.S. Gallon here, so you can see why milage is important.
But still, even 42+ is better than most vehicles here in the States. We got around 40mpg (highway) in our Saturn SL1 when we had that. Being in SC at that time, we could often fill the tank for less that $10! The least I've ever paid for gas was $0.73/gal. Right now -- OK, I'm in pricey NY now -- I'm lucky if I can find anything much below $2.30!