Automotive enthusiasts?

Dangerous of course but forgive me if I find it hilarious.
Are the hinges replaceable as well? It sounds like an expensive repair. And did it hit the windscreen or roof?

Not sure about America but in Europe or Asia if I want a sheet of plywood or or large building material, I’d rather have it ordered online and delivered. Those supply shops have big vans for delivery. I did once when I needed a flat surface for robot experiments.
European wagons (estate cars) are merely designed as family cars with more luggage space. Too big and it won’t fit on their roads. Also panel vans are too popular there, so they don’t really need to load with wagons.
They’re still quite practical though. Police and paramedics like to use estate cars. Traffic officers, firearm officers, counter-terrorist, dog units can all use standard issue cop cars. And paramedic wagons can carry many equipments and respond faster than normal ambulances.

looks savvy innit

And here’s a rapid response paramedics.

@kleptomage
Oh damn, a small block in a wagon sounds wicked.

Agreed. I’ll see if I can find a decent Mini.

@RD4590
It did hit the windshield, but it left a crack in the corner about 5 or 6 inches long.

I have no idea if the hinges can be easily replaced. I’ll have to take it up with the body shop when I see them.

@RD4590
I love my estate/wagon, I’d never go back to a sedan/saloon. I usually use a roofrack to collect building materials, I’ve got a 330d; 320HP, RWD, manual transmission, 44MPG(UK) no car beats it for practicality and fun.

Used Hondas and Toyotas are strangely hard to find in my area. Within a 100 mile radius, there’s only like six CPO Hondas and most are white. I don’t want a white Passport or Pilot. They already look enough like vans.

I traveled about an hour and a half to an auto mall to check out an ‘18 Acura MDX. It looked like a pretty nice SUV. I got there and the salesman told me they couldn’t sell it because there was a recall they had no fix for. Everything else they had was unaffordable so I left.

I went to a Hyundai dealership to check out a Santa Fe. I talked to the clerk at the front desk, waited about 15 minutes, and nobody came to help me.

I left and went to a Nissan dealership to check out a Hyundai Palisade. I waited 20 minutes and got no help there either.

Finally, I went to a Mazda dealership. Mazda had the best organized sales staff and the best showroom. It felt like a tier above Hyundai and Nissan. A pleasant salesman quickly showed me to a good deal on a CPO CX-5, explained the functions of the car, and gave me the keys for a test drive. The CX-5 was nice enough on a short ride, but there were two things about it I didn’t like. First, the interior was white leather that would be a pain in the ass to keep clean. Second, the steering was wrong. The steering felt heavy and turned heavier off center, but all I felt was the weight of the steering. It was an odd combination of heavy and numb.

@midob
I used to want to buy a diesel BMW or Audi before, but ULEZ y’know. :/
They sure have got monster torque for a 5 seater. And I remember the insurance is cheaper than petrol and saloon?
44mpg(UK) doesn’t sound very attractive for a diesel. Is it urban consumption?

@kleptomage
Mazda is oddly pretty too. About the CX5, if it’s second hand then is there some problem with the power steering? Maybe low on fluid n stuff.
And I’d like to try a car with white interior. It shouldn’t be too hot to sit on during summer. XP

@RD4590
I think most modern power steering systems are electric, not fluid-based.

@RD4590
Combined consumption (worked out by me, not BS manufacturer stated MPG) with a heavy right foot, not bad for a 6 cylinder. I had a 2L diesel Mondeo before and that averaged 45MPG.

@ᎶㄖҜㄩ 乃ㄥ卂匚Ҝ
Yup majority of cars and some vans are electric PS now. My Mondeo was odd though, it used a hydraulic PS system with an electric pump.

@RD4590
It was a ’23 CX-5 with only 700 miles for $30,000. It was a good deal. Maybe too good.

That was the second time I’ve test driven a CX-5 and walked away disappointed, which is too bad because the CX-5 is one of the few affordable crossovers that looks nice and tries not to be a bore to drive.

I like a tan or black interior, personally.

@midob
My Alfa has a 1.4T petrol. It does 30mpg in urban and 44 on motorways (42 with the air con on), 40 combined.

@kleptomage
How about Honda HR-V? Is it available in America?

I don’t undersdand but the Honda HR-V sold in China and America is actually called ZR-V in the rest of the world.

@RD4590
Yes, the HR-V is sold in America but I have no interest in a subcompact crossover with 158 HP and a CVT.

A Honda dealership is going to get in touch with me once they finish work on a nice top trim Passport. Otherwise, I’m going to check out a loaded Kia Sorento or just get a truck with remote start and deal with slightly worse MPG.

I found an interesting car. Buick Venaro.
The Chinese version is actually the Opel/Vauxhall Astra sold in Europe.
On paper it’s very similar to my Alfa back in the UK. 170hp, 250Nm of torque, gross weight 1.3t, rigid rear axle, on a 5-door big hatchback. And it’s got double clutch gearbox.
It looks ideal but I’m worried about build quality and its actual handling. It should be okay as an Astra but I don’t know what it’s actually like when it’s made by the Shanghai GM.

EDIT: I can’t even find a proper review online because there’s a new saloon Venaro now and nobody cares about that old Astra anymore.

$1600 for a new hood plus a new hood latch and possibly a new hood cable.

Since I no longer have full coverage insurance (just basic liability for me,) I’m going out of pocket, and I had to put half down just to authorize it all.

I test drove three cars today and had a nice time.

The first was a Hyundai Palisade. It was the base model, so it didn’t have many niceties. It’s all right, but the Palisade is designed to be a comfortable faux-luxury cruiser and I didn’t think it quite lived up to that. The seat wasn’t particularly comfortable and the suspension let in some harsh bumps. I’m not a fan of the push button shifter either.

Next I drove a ‘21 F-150 crew cab short bed with the Powerboost hybrid powertrain. This truck was a treat! It’s very comfortable with huge seats. You sit up high with excellent visibility from the tall windows. It was only an XLT, but the interior was nicely appointed. I expected the ride to be bouncy but it wasn’t. The suspension just absorbs the road. The engine and battery deliver gobs of power while still getting 19 MPG under my heavy foot. The brakes are strong. I genuinely enjoyed driving the F-150 and it made me smile.

There is just one problem and I can’t fault the truck for it because that would be asking Ford to defy physics. The F-150 is enormous and you always feel its size and mass. The steering could charitably be described as relaxed. If you care at all about handling, this is not your ride.

So, as much I liked the F-150, I’m planning to get a Kia Sorento just like the one I drove next. Maybe my perception was skewed after driving a truck for a half hour, but the Sorento felt far more direct, more like a sedan than a three row crossover. It’s comfortable while still feeling connected to the road. The 2.5 Turbo does not lack for power. It’s got plenty of space in the back and is loaded with features for about $5,000 less than the F-150.

@ᎶㄖҜㄩ 乃ㄥ卂匚Ҝ
This kind of thing is why I have full coverage insurance.

@kleptomage
Out of those I’d probably go with the Sorento (if it’s the 2020> model), we don’t have the 2.5T option here in the UK only a 1.6T, 2.2 diesel and a PHEV.

I never understood the American obsession with pickup trucks, vans are way more practical. In a pickup truck all your cargo is exposed to the elements, if it’s lightweight cargo it needs strapping down or will be blown away, bad weight distribution when driven unloaded. I don’t get it, sure they have decent engine options, better customisation and interiors than vans but really they’re only good for hauling soil, logs ect IMO.

On an unrelated note I’ve been driving a 2015 Mercedes A220 diesel automatic recently, it’s such a disappointing drive, over assisted PS with little feedback, a lethargic 7 speed gearbox that is only bearable in sport mode, spine shattering suspension. I expected better from Mercedes.

@midob
You can put a camper shell over the cargo bed (my dad has done this with almost every pickup truck he’s ever owned.)

@ᎶㄖҜㄩ 乃ㄥ卂匚Ҝ
I ended up buying a ‘21 Sorento, fully loaded. It seems nice so far. I mean, it’s no sports car, but it’s pleasant to drive. I haven’t had time to really explore the vehicle yet.

I have to go back to the dealership tomorrow to return some paperwork because the idiots took the wrong folder.

The F-150 was the first pickup I’ve driven that wasn’t a rental work truck and I walked away impressed, so don’t knock it ‘til you try it. There is a lot to like about pickup trucks, even if they aren’t the most practical.

There is an aftermarket for tonneau covers and shells to protect the contents of the bed.

@kleptomage
Actually, I have driven some pickup trucks before. Notably a 2004 Chevy Silverado and my dad’s 2008 Toyota Tundra.

@ᎶㄖҜㄩ 乃ㄥ卂匚Ҝ
Oops. I meant to reply to midob. It’s been a long day.

@midob
I don’t understand either but in their defense, pickup trucks have better off-road capability.

Defender pickup. I’ve seen one in Bristol.