Opel/Vauxhall

[David Kilpatrick]

I just replaced my small Mercedes with an even smaller (but bigger inside, for various reasons) Honda with a 1.4 VTEC engine. It suits our winding roads perfectly. It does lack power in some situations, if I lived in the Highlands and not the Borders of Scotland I would want more power for gradients. But otherwise, and with 55MPG, it's a good solution to everyday travel needs.

David

[Javelin]

Guess we won't come to an agreement here Don't forget I am European!

Thats ok. We don't have to agree. As long as you know France and anyplace in North america (save Montreal and quebec City) are very diferent places.

The biggest gas engine they have for F150 is a 5.4l ...

Geee that's unbelievable for Europe. Most cars are <= 2l and a 3l V6 would be for luxury cars. We'd use 5.4l engines probably in buses or small air-planes A new trend is towards turbo charged 1.2 and 1.4 l engines which are even more efficient than a 1.8 or 2l atmospheric engine.

This morning I loaded a 2500lb chopsaw on a 4000lb trailer and I have to drive it 5 hours to where it's going and it looks like the receiving party may be burried in snow from an Alberta clipper when I arrive.. On paper there is no reason why a 2L equipped truck couldn't do this too. the problem is it'll do it for a year and be dead and i'm liable to get creamed by a logging truck on a hill to boot.

Those little cars are made for a pupose they serve well. People buy them run them untill the lease is over then trade them in with less than 80k on the odometer. They are popular here. but dont forget that as many people live in the back country as they are in the cities here. Canada is a big place. in fact Ontario (my province alone) is bigger than France by 100% at least and is 10% lakes and rivers that have to be driven around often in horrible weather on Ice covered roads that makes distances long. there are 2 extremes here. Wide fast highway and 2 lane back roads. I work next to a 16 lane highway where the average speed is either stopped or 120km/hr and every day I drive 100kms home on sometimes even paved roads outside the city. These conditions eat cars as fast as the road salt does.

[KevinBarrett]

Here in Texas it's the land of cowboys and deer leases (approximately 1% of the population and land area, respectively). Accordingly, every male is expected to drive a pick-up or truck-based SUV. If you drive a compact pick-up, it is because you are poor, or a teenager. What does this mean to me, owner of two sub 2.0L Mazdas? I drive to work on eight-lane roads in big, homophobic, 11-foot wide lanes, surrounded by 340hp cell-phones. Some folks have the sense to take their phone away from their face while they drive, but only when I'm in the Miata, and usually to yell "bundle of sticks."

[Javelin]

what a fun little car those miatas are. a friend has one. reminds me on my 240Z. I had a girlfriend who had a sunbeam tiger.. wat a great car... when it was running that is.

[KevinBarrett]

I just replaced my small Mercedes with an even smaller (but bigger inside, for various reasons) Honda with a 1.4 VTEC engine. It suits our winding roads perfectly. It does lack power in some situations, if I lived in the Highlands and not the Borders of Scotland I would want more power for gradients. But otherwise, and with 55MPG, it's a good solution to everyday travel needs.

David

What kind of Honda did you get? Jazz?

[David Kilpatrick]

Jazz 1.4EX - glass roof all the way was the bit which really attracted me. We live in half darkness all the time here in winter and just the extra light through the top makes the whole car feel different.

Also, I have my in-car camera kit stowed in the string bag which hangs suspended from the rear floor lid. It is concealed, and it is also completely insulated from all vibrations.

Final bit I liked was the CD/MP3 player which talks to iPod, but even better, I was able to get a cheap 16GB memory stick, put all our music on it, and it can use that just like an iPod. So the mem stick is in the car permanently and it is not a security risk.

David