I make no apologies for disagreeing with you both, Frank & Lynda. The carnage caused on the M5 needs to be discussed in every household, every office, every pub and every forum possible.
Do you think drivers driving at the 'correct' speed should hold up drivers that want to go faster, would you not think that may cause bigger problems such as tailgating, frustration and road rage leading to more motorway incidents (maybe that was a contributing factor in the M5 crash). I don't notice many deliberate acts of drivers holding up faster drivers because they think they should be doing the 'correct' speed and when I do see it, it's usually an accident waiting to happen, so who is in the wrong there? (Both, to my mind).
I'm not saying that any speed is the correct speed, because any speed could be the appropriate speed for the road, driving conditions, weather, tiredness level of driver, experience of driver etc etc. So my answer is that appropriate speed is the correct speed, not an arbitrary speed limit. Ask yourself why the government, presumably advised by scientific experts, road users, police and so on, are considering raising the limit, as a layman driver, I can only conclude that it must be a good thing!
Flecc - I'm glad you are around to provide much needed historical context. It amazes me that the gems that you produce continue to change my perspective about items that I have grown up believing and how that perspective has been incorrect because no historical information has been available to provide context!
Because I like it and normal Ford are boring?
I was more concerned about the cost of running such cars i.e.fuel insurance spare parts thats all ' as the above vehicle is way out of my league hence my interest in this forum as i can manage to run an e-bike .! ..oh by the by could you please define boring regarding cars ? cheers n beers T.J.Because I like it and normal Ford are boring?
The 2.9 v6 Cosworth engine is one of the truly great engines to be produced in the 90's imo. I like the comfort the Scorpio gives but imo the 2ltr and 2.3ltr variants are underpowered for the size of the car.
If you're inferring that I shouldn't like fast/big engined cars then I'd best not tell about my other three cars!
Remember, whilst there is a speed limit there is no law stopping you getting to that speed limit as quickly as possible (as long as you do it in a controlled manner ofc)
Well i think that is all the more reason to keep the limit at 70mph in view of the current economical crisis that we find ourselves today oh yes the oil crisis do you know i still have my petrol coupons for tho's dark days .!
My conscience back then is clear since I didn't use my full ration, giving away some coupons. My cars mileages are still very low, but many of them are at very high speeds. I don't like speed limits, driver performances are far too variable for them ever to be "correct", so only the lowest common denominator is really safe. And that correct lowest common denominator speed is so low that the roads would be paralysed if it was in force.
It's not too bad actually - I'll have had it three years this coming April and I think I've only spent about £400 on maintanence. insurance is £350 a year. Ok, so it only gets 20mpg around town but as I only drive it a few times a week I only spend about £25 a week in fuel (my Lexus LS400 with a 4ltr V8 is only slightly worse on fuel). Also, as it's a pre-2001 car it's just flat rate road tax of £205 a year.I was more concerned about the cost of running such cars i.e.fuel insurance spare parts thats all ' as the above vehicle is way out of my league hence my interest in this forum as i can manage to run an e-bike .! ..oh by the by could you please define boring regarding cars ? cheers n beers T.J.
Ahh so it's a love affair in truth might i assume you are an avid Top Gear fan ?myold mate has just sold his lexus yes that was 4ltr 1990 ish reg. huge thing .You might laugh at this but the best car i ever owned well regarding reliability was my old Skoda Favorit six years i had that car passed every mot all i had was a set of tyres and a exhaust downpipe i can hear you laughing from hear anyhow thans for the info T.J.It's not too bad actually - I'll have had it three years this coming April and I think I've only spent about £400 on maintanence. insurance is £350 a year. Ok, so it only gets 20mpg around town but as I only drive it a few times a week I only spend about £25 a week in fuel (my Lexus LS400 with a 4ltr V8 is only slightly worse on fuel). Also, as it's a pre-2001 car it's just flat rate road tax of £205 a year.
To me, a boring car is one that can ONLY be viewed as an efficient means of transport - one that doesn't give you goosebumps, one that doesn't have any nice toys, one that isn't exciting to drive, one that is "too common", one that you could never think about "lets go for a drive" in.
Take my Westfield as an example - as a means of 4 wheel vehicular transport it's almost entirely and utterly inappropriate - it has no boot, no windscreen, no roof, no heaters - however it's undoubtedly the best car I've ever driven - you don't go anywhere in it - you just go out in it for the sheer enjoyment of "driving".
My attitude towards cars are actually very similar to why I'm now into ebikes - I like the technology, I like building stuff, I like tinkering. Saving money/the planet is of no concern to be as far as my ebike goes. Just as I like driving fast cars, I also like being on a bike - an ebike means I'll be on a bike more often as fitness is now an issue that I'm getting older. My ebike balances my car fleet perfectly - it means I can keep the mileage and maintenance down on them whilst getting some exercise
In terms of every ownership factor taken into account, the best car I've ever owned was a Skoda Fabia 1.2 which I had for five and a half years. I sold it exactly as I received it, every part original without exception, and still looking as good as when it rolled out of the showroom. It's only fault was that it didn't evolve into something different, which is why I sold it, just for the change.
Yes understood Scottyf like you say ya aint as old as us i'msure Flecc will agree that many moons ago cars were not nearly as reliable as they are today yep had many a motor in bits plus cars were easier to work on back in the day yes we had our day us old un's plust heavy goods licence too i also remember the first part of the M1 being opened 1959 methink's feeling old now (groan)I always buy stupid unreliable things. But I buy them because I like to learn about them and half my enjoyment comes from that education into how something works.
My first motorbike was two stroke that I spent more time rebuilding it than riding it. But loved it all the more when it worked. Numerous amounts of Italian cars and my first car was an alfa 145. Please bear in mind I'm not as old as some of you
Head gaskets, gearboxes, clutches learnt alot about tuning in both 2 stroke and 4'stroke. All from things failing and taking them apart.
I was the same when I was 5, I'd spend more time taking a toy apart to see how it would work instead of actually using it. Nothings changed I guess.
Ebike so far has been super reliable.
Indeed, my first car was a 1936 Vauxhall DX, 6 cylinders and having the infamous "curtsey", the front dipping deeply and gracefully on braking, causing much amusement to any pedestrian stopped for. It was the leading link independent front suspension pistons that were responsible for that, also for the way taking a corner threatened to grind down the door handles.
They were the days methinks we have turned this thread into a nostalgia trip while we are on the subject of old motors were you ever into the motor bikes i only had a couple Triumph speed twin (bath tub type) ab my old bsa c15 just as unreliable as the cars hee hee yes i was a greaser back in the days of mods n rockers happy days . T.J.
