Addressing Foreign Type People

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:05 am

(I forgot a d in the title...d's are so bland its easy to forget them)

Curious...

Here in America Im not sure what the ratio of foreign car owners to domestic car owners is but Im guessing the Japanese have the market.

Im wondering about overseas, are you guys driving Japanese cars or home grown ?

Do you see many American made cars on the street and if so which models ?

Thank you

Nomad

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:30 am

Nomad;1117982 wrote: (I forgot a d in the title...d's are so bland its easy to forget them)

Curious...

Here in America Im not sure what the ratio of foreign car owners to domestic car owners is but Im guessing the Japanese have the market.

Im wondering about overseas, are you guys driving Japanese cars or home grown ?

Do you see many American made cars on the street and if so which models ?

Thank you

Nomad

Good question----------here in New Zealand Toyota's, both sedans and SUV's are popular as are Izuzu's, BMW's, Fords. The majority are Japanese cars. I have a 1999 Ford Telstar, four door sedan with only 70k on it. I bought it from my FIL in 2001.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:35 am

In Ireland we have a mix of cars. Most of our cars are either European Manufacturers VW, Skoda, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Seat, Rover, Volvo etc, the European Divisions of American companies (Ford Europe being very popular, but we also have GM though its called Opel in Europe and Vauxhall in Britain, because the Brits are eccentric), and of course we have the big Japanese ones Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubshi.

The market is very competitive so its hard to say who is on top at any one time, but VW, Skoda, Ford, and Toyota/Nissan all seem to be up there or there abouts.

To be fair, all the non-European companies design cars that are specifically for the European market, and most do a very good job of it, Ford Cars in particulcar are generally very good, and sell very well, and are nothing like the versions you get over there, as we have different tastes. The Focus has been one of the top selling European cars for a long time, though the VW Golf is probably still the leader in that segment. Nissan just released a car called the Quasgui and its been a huge hit over here.

In terms of Luxury cars, we only really bother with European Cars, basically German cars BMWs, Mercs, Audis, etc; though also Saabs, Jaguars, Bentleys, Rollers, the only non European luxury cars we have are Lexus models, and they are not that popular.

Same for proper sports cars, we have Porsches, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lambos, Bugattis, Lotus, Jags, all of them sort, we only bother with European sports cars, because they are the best by a country mile.

The SUV thing, again we tend to stick to the luxury European ones, like Range Rovers, Merc types, BMW X5s, the cross over ones from European car makers, or the cheaper reliable Japanese and Korean ones, American SUVs are just completely impractical as they are so big, heavy and inefficient no one can afford to run them, and they are not designed for European drivers.

suzy_creamcheese · Post by **suzy_creamcheese** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:52 am

mostly european, renault, peugeot, citroen, fiat, VW but ford is very popular and theres a fair few japanese cars.

Dont see many british cars. I dont think there is that many anymore apart from old classic cars

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:19 am

I like Vauxhall's cars as they have lots of useful and useless gadgets.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:43 am

I on't rive. I fin the roa is safer that way.

As a single man living in Lonon I think the money I could spen on a vehicle is better spent on beer.

Hmm. You're right abou the blandness of the letter d.

car = ton of high velocity metal semicontrolled by a maniac.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:52 am

I drive a Toyota that was made in the UK.

Looking outside in the street where neighbours cars are parked I can see....Toyotas, Renault, Vauxhall, Ford, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai....quite a selection in fact. :driving:

In my family....Audi, Ford, Mercedes, Toyota.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:53 am

A couple of quick attempts :-

The table, drawn from statistics issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for the first nine months of 2008, indicates just how close Porsche/VW, Ford and Vauxhall now are. Their market shares range from 15.47 per cent to 16.36 per cent, or a difference of around 20,000 vehicles. No other group is close. PSA Peugeot-Citroen ended September with 9.4 per cent and the Renault-Nissan alliance had 7.6 per cent.

and :-

The top five manufacturers in terms of UK registrations of new cars in 2008 were:

1. Ford 322,514

2. Vauxhall 298,912

3. Volkswagen 179,189

4. Peugeot 118,701

5. BMW 113,132

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:47 am

I drive a nissan made in the UK, my wife has a GM car-a chevrol;et would you believe made in Korea-basically it's a vauxhall underneath. Toyota and peugeot also make cars in the UK. We don't have a british owned mainstream car manufacturer any more. Our car manufacturers took their customers for granted and paid the price.

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:01 am

I drive a French car ... Puegeot 307. I love it. I'm due to change it this December. VW next time around

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:26 am

pinkchick;1118589 wrote: I drive a French car ... Puegeot 307. I love it. I'm due to change it this December. VW next time around

Funnily enough we have a Peugeot 307 diesel in Work, its a fantastic car, so economical and brilliant to drive, I'd choose one of them if I was picking again, though the VWs are also good. But the newer VWs are not as good as the old ones if you ask me.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:40 am

I have no idea what car we have other than it's a white one, it goes and when it doesn't, i call Mr oscar who sorts it!:-6

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:06 am

oscar;1118749 wrote: I have no idea what car we have other than it's a white one, it goes and when it doesn't, i call Mr oscar who sorts it!:-6

Yours could be a Rolls Canardley.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:21 am

Along with the others talked about, Kia is also making a strong impact on the market, I think that they are Korean and in my opinion are kind of like a discount version of a good car. Like a Jeep at 1/3 of the price.

Welcome to Kia Motors

I currently drive a Ford, not because I am loyal to Ford, I hust happened to like the car.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:33 am

I have a Vauxhall, bought purely because the price was right and I had brilliant memories of driving a Vectra TDi that went like stink.....not that I'm a speed freak or anything.....

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:55 am

mikeinie;1118884 wrote: Along with the others talked about, Kia is also making a strong impact on the market, I think that they are Korean and in my opinion are kind of like a discount version of a good car. Like a Jeep at 1/3 of the price.

Welcome to Kia Motors

I currently drive a Ford, not because I am loyal to Ford, I hust happened to like the car.

We also have an 08 Diesel Ford Mondeo in work, its a nice car, drives well, great engine, economical, but I wouldn't buy one new, not economical from a financing sense, and I don't think it will age well. The Focus is a better buy, the common rail diesel Ford Focus is a really good car, really good.

I wouldn't mind one of the Quasqai's, but they don't have a good enough CO2 rating, nice though. I have an Almera, its a boring car, but its very, very reliable, I won't be buying a new car for a while though I can tell, mine is perfectly adequate for the time being.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:13 pm

Betty Boop;1118895 wrote: I have a Vauxhall, bought purely because the price was right and I had brilliant memories of driving a Vectra TDi that went like stink.....not that I'm a speed freak or anything.....

Speed freak...Ive no idea.

Freak...no question.

What the hell is a Vauxhall ?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:29 pm

Galbally;1117989 wrote: they are not designed for European drivers.

Is there a difference ?

What do European drivers require that others dont ?

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:42 pm

Nomad;1118945 wrote: Is there a difference ?

What do European drivers require that others dont ?

A steering wheel on the correct side:wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:44 pm

qsducks;1118955 wrote: A steering wheel on the correct side:wah:

Ive driven vehicles with the wheel on the wrong side. Its not really very different. Driving on the wrong side of the road and in the wrong side of the car might be weird though.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:47 pm

Nomad;1118935 wrote: Speed freak...Ive no idea.

Freak...no question.

What the hell is a Vauxhall ?

The British name for GM's Opal brand that's sold in Europe.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:48 pm

Nomad;1118945 wrote: Is there a difference ?

What do European drivers require that others dont ?

Cars that go round corners, fit onto narrow roads and return at least 40 MPG.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:54 pm

Bryn Mawr;1118963 wrote: Cars that go round corners, fit onto narrow roads and return at least 40 MPG.

Has nothing to do with the Autoban ? Autobhan Autobahn

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:02 pm

Nomad;1118968 wrote: Has nothing to do with the Autoban ? Autobhan Autobahn

Nah - they're so crowded you can't get any speed up nowadays.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:06 pm

Bryn Mawr;1118961 wrote: The British name for GM's Opal brand that's sold in Europe.

Its actually Opel my British chum!

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:12 pm

Galbally;1118915 wrote:

I wouldn't mind one of the Quasqai's, but they don't have a good enough CO2 rating, nice though. I have an Almera, its a boring car, but its very, very reliable, I won't be buying a new car for a while though I can tell, mine is perfectly adequate for the time being.

Hey so do I. Mine has 124,000 on it-just cost me an arm and a leg for a new wheel bearing and wheel assembly to get it past it's MOT. still cheaper than buying a new car which I don't want to at the moment, original clutch (which is good going since it has also been used for towing a caravan), engine still not using oil

posted by nomad

Is there a difference ?

What do European drivers require that others dont ?

Having seen the likes of chrysler 300c's and sebring, neon I would also add cars that fit in our parking spaces, well the neon does actually- build quality seems to be pretty poor. chrysler are currently offering buy one get one free on some of their cars.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:15 pm

Nomad;1118945 wrote: Is there a difference ?

What do European drivers require that others dont ?

Proper cars nomie, with proper gears you work yourself, proper engines, good chassis, and mostly just cars that you can actually drive at speed on narrow bendy roads.

Cornering, road-feedback, and properly geared power, is a must have accessory for us, as opposed to pushy button automatic transmission, popcorn bucket holders, and air-con for you.

Must have an engine size no greater than a 2 litre displacement, possibly, perhaps a 1.6 fuel injected, 16 valve DOHC would be a common petrol engine, or a 1.9 common rail turbo diesel its equivalent, it must do at least 40 mpg, (55 mpg if its a diesel), and must not weigh 2.5 tonnes.

Also not falling apart after 3 years is a must. :yh_rotfl

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:17 pm

Galbally;1118980 wrote: Its actually Opel my British chum!

Oops - spelling was never my best point

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:56 pm

I always liked the strawberry opals.

(Are they what your subconscious was reaching for, Bryn?:))

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:04 pm

Clodhopper;1119076 wrote: I always liked the strawberry opals.

(Are they what your subconscious was reaching for, Bryn?:))

Nah - just brain dead :wah:

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:18 pm

I drive a dog sled.

:yh_rotfl

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:21 am

minks;1119180 wrote: I drive a dog sled.

:yh_rotfl

How many trees to the mile do the dogs manage?