Ok, favorite/most despised cars thread. I'm a mechanic (undercar) in the States, and American mechanics for the most part really don't like most European cars. The words Saab, Renault, and Peugot will send most mechanics on an early lunch break that may last into next week or until the car leaves the shop. A Swedish person once joked about Skoda cars to me in a chat room. What do you call a Skoda with twin pipes (dual exhaust)? A wheelbarrow! So I'd like to know what are the worst cars in Europe? The ones that seem to keep selling in spite of bad reputations for quality. The ones that are a nightmare to work on. That reminds me, I just did a wheel alignment on a Volvo S-70 today, and the way you have to adjust the direction of the rear wheels is quite possibly the stupidest thing I have ever seen. So please tell me your horror stories. I bet I see the name Saab quite a bit. mike.
"Well done, Blind Squirrel! You've found an impressive nut!
THe Chevy Nova had a very bad run in south america and spanish-speaking countries, because NOVA means 'Dosent Go' in spanish. Someone lost their job over that one hehehe.
The new Skodas are supposed to by OK, now that they are made by Germans (VW). But they are having a tough time getting over a huge image problem.
I'm not a Rover fan either. Not many people are, judging by their current financial status. The new Minis look fantastic, though, but of course they are now made by Germans (BMW). Hmmm, I think I cand spot a trend ...
I've got a Peugot 205 turbo diesel that's done 180,000 miles - the engines are bullet proof and typically do 55 to the gallon (has Bush banned them yet?). You're right though Bendrr ... it is a bastard to work on - nowadays I'd rather just pay someone else to suffer.
Top selling car in the UK is still the Ford Focus.(Different from the US Focus)
Most European cars are built in several countries and then brought to gether for assembling.
Personally I dont like Rovers, Seats or Nissans. I find that run-of the-mill Fords or Vauxhalls are the best value for money. Also many of the parts are interchangeable so its easy to drop in an engine from another model, even some cars with transverse engines can be upgraded by using a bigger front to back engine turned through 90 degrees.
My kid brother builds kit cars, usually with Ford Cortina or Sierra donor vehicles. He has built an AC Cobra replica but now runs around in a Pilgrim Bulldog with a stage 2 engine (Big valves, high lift camshaft etc.)
Englishman.
..... fanaticism masquerading beneath a cloak of reasoned logic.
There's a car we can't get here but it would have to be the world's best. Can't remember the name but it's got dimensions of length = width and so it can park anywhere and in Europe it does! It's made by Merc I think but smaller than the A-class. We can't get it in Oz 'cos I guess it wouldn't suit our conditions, but she's a beauty, mate!
Cheers, Ozzie
"There are two ways of moving men, interest and fear" Napoleon
