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[chrisgixer]

Here is your challenge.

You like some go, ALL front wheel drive cars with 'go' have stiff chassis's, its the only way the torque can be put on the road (the rules of physics are difficult to beat) be it Audi, Gm, Ford the lot.

So your either looking at AWD or RWD or having to compromise on a stiffer setup in FWD format.

Thinking similar sizes, the A4 you will hate, the handling is naff and there dead small inside, the Passat is the same car. The Mondeo is a good car but, they dont age well, the Insignia is an aquired taste, good all round and nicely screwed together but the looks for some are questionable (although there are MUCH worse cars out there!). French stuff as we know is hit and miss.

The Chrysler you will wrap round a tree within a month, they really dont do corners and are akin to a whale with an outboard motor.

On Mr Clarksons understeer in the Vec C,u if you drive and steer like they did in that clip, you could make anything ndersteer, the Vec C is actualy not nearly as bad a chassis as many make out, if they had done the sama in an Alfa (one of the best FWD setups out there) the result would have been the same (they applied fast excessive steering input to unstick the front wheel before straightening the steering up)

Then you get into your favourites such as Merc and BMW.

I agree,they set out to knock that car from the start

Hence my comments on Mr Ford.

[chrisgixer]

What does Mrs TB think?

[Marks DTM Calib]

I do warm to Mercedes with their tyre testing and numerous Mo approved tyres.

But their front steering geometry is woefull on some models, so another nine field there. None adjustable camber and huge castor angles. Although I gather there are aftermarket solutions for camber.

Oh, and I find the seat bases very unsupportive on the Mercs I've been in. Nothing to hold your legs up at seems.

If it had to be German, its the least irritating badge too.

The major issue with Mercs in the last 10-15 years is build quality and reliability, the have been truely woeful and although the last few years of manufacture appear to be an improvement, the cost of those will be prohibitive.

[chrisgixer]

I do warm to Mercedes with their tyre testing and numerous Mo approved tyres.

But their front steering geometry is woefull on some models, so another nine field there. None adjustable camber and huge castor angles. Although I gather there are aftermarket solutions for camber.

Oh, and I find the seat bases very unsupportive on the Mercs I've been in. Nothing to hold your legs up at seems.

If it had to be German, its the least irritating badge too.

The major issue with Mercs in the last 10-15 years is build quality and reliability, the have been truely woeful and although the last few years of manufacture appear to be an improvement, the cost of those will be prohibitive.

Yes that's what I was afraid of, esp re c63 and the like

Wonder what Mr B thinks, being a Merc owner...?

[05omegav6]

The fact that Mr B still has his Omega inspite of owning 1.5 Mercs speaks volumes...

If you don't need four dours the LPG Monaro or Camaro, if you do need four dours, then obviously the VXR8 is the only choice left

[Andy B]

....
Yes that's what I was afraid of, esp re c63 and the like

Wonder what Mr B thinks, being a Merc owner...?

While I've had my Merc, the only thing that's failed was the pump for the Airmatic suspension (airbag 'springs' all round) but MB replaced that under warranty.

[Andy B]

The fact that Mr B still has his Omega inspite of owning 1.5 Mercs speaks volumes...

 ......

I had to think about 1.5 Mercs for a minute       

I just couldn't bear the thought of giving away a good car for a pittance ..... so I've kept it     

It's the half Merc that can be trying! I spent a shed load  on it a couple of years back when the timing chain tried to escape through its cover and trying to keep water out of it has been a tale & a half ..... it seems to be dry now though. 

[TheBoy]

Here is your challenge.

You like some go, ALL front wheel drive cars with 'go' have stiff chassis's, its the only way the torque can be put on the road (the rules of physics are difficult to beat) be it Audi, Gm, Ford the lot.

So your either looking at AWD or RWD or having to compromise on a stiffer setup in FWD format.

Thinking similar sizes, the A4 you will hate, the handling is naff and there dead small inside, the Passat is the same car. The Mondeo is a good car but, they dont age well, the Insignia is an aquired taste, good all round and nicely screwed together but the looks for some are questionable (although there are MUCH worse cars out there!). French stuff as we know is hit and miss.

The Chrysler you will wrap round a tree within a month, they really dont do corners and are akin to a whale with an outboard motor.

<snip>

Then you get into your favourites such as Merc and BMW.

Bloody hell Mr Fuse18, I think you've known me too long 

That non-back-breaking suspension v FWD has to have a compromise found somewhere, as RWD choices are a bit desperate. I guess thats why I have a pair of Omegas

On Mr Clarksons understeer in the Vec C, if you drive and steer like they did in that clip, you could make anything understeer, the Vec C is actualy not nearly as bad a chassis as many make out, if they had done the sama in an Alfa (one of the best FWD setups out there) the result would have been the same (they applied fast excessive steering input to unstick the front wheel before straightening the steering up)

Nobody takes notice of TG (I hope), we know its for effect and entertainment.  However, I'd still have to say, having driven a reasonable selection of Vectra-Cs (they were what our hire company used to supply my grade from days out), from small petrols, to 3.2 GSi's (not from Enterprise, they're not that mad ), and diesels, that chassis is abysmal. I found the Vectra-B a much better handling car, though cramped.  But for outright hooliganism, the big petrol Vectra-Cs are great fun. Until your spine snaps.

[TheBoy]

What does Mrs TB think?

Rover 25.

No matter how much I try to convince her that she won't get one as good as her old one.  I looked around a few after I smashed hers up, they were all shagged.

[chrisgixer]

What does Mrs TB think?

Rover 25.

No matter how much I try to convince her that she won't get one as good as her old one.  I looked around a few after I smashed hers up, they were all shagged.

I keep seeing them, same colour, all mint.

But not for sale.

[RossPhim]

Rover 25.
No matter how much I try to convince her that she won't get one as good as her old one.  I looked around a few after I smashed hers up, they were all shagged.

With the number of accidents you've maybe you should get...................a bus pass FFS!

[TheBoy]

What does Mrs TB think?

Rover 25.

No matter how much I try to convince her that she won't get one as good as her old one.  I looked around a few after I smashed hers up, they were all shagged.

I keep seeing them, same colour, all mint.

But not for sale.

We're used to Vauxhalls, so assume all cars rust

The Rovers have decent bodywork, so look generally look good, even when piled up in the scrapyard. But you can tell a car thats been ragged everywhere, poorly serviced, and pissed around with. Look at the Rover forums for the mentality of the majority of 25 owners. Big stereos with flashing LEDs, and small fans in the inlet as 10,000BHP guaranteed superchargers...

[TheBoy]

Rover 25.
No matter how much I try to convince her that she won't get one as good as her old one.  I looked around a few after I smashed hers up, they were all shagged.

With the number of accidents you've maybe you should get...................a bus pass FFS!

Oi! In the last 15yrs, I've only smashed on car, and that wasn't my fault

[Lazydocker]

How about this? http://expolicecar.co.uk/stockdetail.asp?id=279

[TheBoy]

How about this? http://expolicecar.co.uk/stockdetail.asp?id=279

My foreskin will have to stretch an awful lot before I own a Vectra-C