Cars without a roof.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik H:
I replaced it with a 100% reliable and perfectly servicable Meastro, which in five years cost less than half what the VW cost in its first year. Only when I got a really strong car did I really how flimsy were Meastros, and yes, older Golfs!

As a former owner (when I was young and poor) I can confirm that Maestros were indeed shit.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik H:
Many years ago I spent Christmas and New Year near Edinbourgh with friends (pre-Meastro days, you see!), and we went to Crief Hydro, which is one of those teatotal place

You'll be glad to hear that Crieff Hydro is no-longer teatotal and hasn't been for quite a few years now.

quote:

Perhaps the newer Golfs are more reliable than of yore, but the servicing costs and general medium term repairs are no doubt, more expensive than ever...

The newer VW are a totally different breed of car than the older ones. The Mrs runs a Golf III (without a roof, so I'm on topic...) and I really love how low-tech it is. It feels very solid, the roof mechanism is wonderful and it's all a great bit of reliable German engineering.

The newer ones are made to look and function high-tech. This also means there's a lot more that can break and since the purchasing has really become something accounting-driven, it will all break some day. Also here, I'm talking from experience.

Cheers,

Edo

Is this the VW bashing forum? My mother still drives my old 1998 Golf IV. No troubles at all and feels as solid as on its first day on the road.

How about one of these?

Nope, not enough bling.

quote:

Originally posted by Markus Sauer:
Is this the VW bashing forum? My mother still drives my old 1998 Golf IV. No troubles at all and feels as solid as on its first day on the road.

1998 was probably pre-crap for VW, in much the same way as it was for Mercedes. Both seem to have let their build quality slide in recent years, and in particular Mercedes poor build has become a running joke in motoring magazines and tv programs (such as Top Gear).

New "Golf" coupe/cabrio looks pertty good especially with the 247 BHP V6.
BTW there's more metal in my Golf GTI MK2's bonnet then in a whole Maestro.

Howard

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

BTW there's more metal in my Golf GTI MK2's bonnet then in a whole Maestro.

Well there goes the power-to-weight ratio then!

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik H:

I replaced it with a 100% reliable and perfectly servicable Meastro, which in five years cost less than half what the VW cost in its first year. Only when I got a really strong car did I really how flimsy were Meastros, and yes, older Golfs!

Fredrik - I remember when we hired a Maestro in 1984 to go to my mum's parents for christmas (first time I'd ever seen a "digital" radio, in that car - blinkin' Wham!'s "Last christmas" was doing our heads in!).

Anyway, some tool came round the corner too fast on Boxing Day (I expect they were pissed) and DEMOLISHED the rear of the Maestro, even though it was a low-speed shunt. D'oh!

Back on topic - Mick, the Peugot 307CC is actually a fairly nice car, but probably too "cheap"? Either way, my cousin has one as a company car and it goes like stink, is reliable, comfortable, and the roof works really well. Definitely a lot of fun...

Dom, perhaps Mrs Mick has reached a stage in life where style, comfort and reliability come higher on her list of priorities than a car that "goes like stink" as for reliability, well engine aside, that has never been a peugeot strong point

On a practical note, you might find that a car with the folding metal roof (rather than a soft top) will be easier (and cheaper) to insure.

Ring a broker for advise. Regards P