What Car?

[mercrocker]

My only input here on the basis of having two alfas, a fiat and two VWs over the last few years would be to avoid fiat/Alfa and VW.

Yeah, I kind of mentally registered that reading your threads! You seem to get on top of them, though.

[SiC]

Toyota Auris

Really, really boring and dull but also boringly reliable.

[SiC]

I am happy(ish) to keep the Focus but not if it is going to throw up a handful of error codes every few months.

If its running ok, you probably could ignore the warning light...

Half the motoring population seems to.

[mercrocker]

Yeah its a very difficult algorithm.....Focus was bought as a boring reliable and economical domestic appliance for the Missus after the 190E became a little unpredictable. It obviously isn't boringly dull enough to be boringly reliable, although maybe I am over-reacting. Whatever, it has highlighted that I have a potentially needy car that I don''t really enjoy very much and which potentially has similar problems to the dearly departed Merc.

I'd take boringly reliable if it was a given and it does seem that fodder such as Honda, Toyota and co. might well do the job and conserve funds for decrepit BMC propping-uppage.

[mercrocker]

I am happy(ish) to keep the Focus but not if it is going to throw up a handful of error codes every few months.

If its running ok, you probably could ignore the warning light...

Half the motoring population seems to.

Daughter being one....Ran a Mk5 Golf on the yellow as she reminded me yesterday. "Oh, really? You mean the Golf you had to throw away on a scrappage deal....?" Now she's tucked up with a gopping Mokka as penance.

I'm glad I got it investigated though - mechanic texted me earlier to say it was running lean due to a split inlet tube and a swirl flap problem. Both now sorted but the point is it would only have gone one way had I ignored it. In common with most moderns, the Duratec eats itself on lean running. I suppose I should grudgingly admit the warning light did its job....

[fried onions]

That's good indeed, although quite funny to think the check engine light is held in such contempt these days it's genuine purpose is forgotten. I suppose it's just alerting you to the fault instead of say an old Marina where you could run around with a broken carb distance piece for ages without necessarily knowing.

[mercrocker]

Yeah, exactly....although a burnt-out valve on a B Series is considerably less of a problem for me than irreparable engine damage on a modern. If this episode is a case of fair warning then I'll be happier. What I fear is the unending loop of warning lights, codes and limp-homes that some folk seem to get from their modern stuff. Still don't like the bugger, either.....

[Broccoli]

How about on of those Toyota / Lexus LS400s?

A friend in Wales inherited one and did all he could to kill it, so his Mrs would let him buy a different car. Despite his best efforts, the damn thing was nearly indestructible (nearly).

[AMCrebel]

As your old 190e did do well, what about a C Class ? There’s one on Retrorides at the moment that I tried to buy a couple of months ago off Tetleysmooth on the Beige. Although it was £550 then not the £750 it is now.
To rollout the cliche’s , they’re almost built of granite substitute, last of the almost proper Mercs, etc.

He's smartened it up but there's rust a-plenty on that one.

[AMCrebel]

I am happy(ish) to keep the Focus but not if it is going to throw up a handful of error codes every few months.

If its running ok, you probably could ignore the warning light...

Half the motoring population seems to.

Every Taxi I've ever been in.