Aston Surprise

Had a call from the owner of a 2008 Aston Martin DB9.  He had a little shock when he removed the leather from the key fob.  I revealed the Volvo logo.  It seems that Aston Volvo & Ford all being owned by the same people meant that they took swopping parts to new lows.  Not quite sure how this Volvo key fits in with the brands emphasis on heritage and prestige.  I am still waiting for Aston Martin (astonmartin.com) to get back to me!

On a better note the saga of the Toyota Celica had a happier ending.  A car bought from Apollo Motors in Bolton (Apollo-Motors.co.uk) had a clutch judder.  Not a problem said they, and put a new clutch, still juddered.  So new flywheel, still juddered, so back it went with the fix it or take it back ultimatum.  And believe it not they did fix it and one customer is very happy with her purchase.

But would this have been the case has she bought at auction.  I know someone who is a big fan of British Car Auctions,(british-car-auctions.co.uk) and is quite willing to take the gamble on a used company car or trade in for reather reasonable money.

The auction houses have come a long way from the old tin shed and dodgy part exchanges that spring to mind when you think of car auctions.  But I think it is necessary to have some basic car knowledge or take someone with you who can spot problems easily.

MG (mg.co.uk) is expanding its line up.  Apart from the venerable MG TF, and the new MG6 hatchback, a saloon version is due to appear called the Magnette.  As someone said you would have to be really old to remember the old MG Magnettes, thanks.  I think this Chinese/British brand is one to keep an eye on, as once they have some diesel engines to help the line up who knows what might happen.

Back To Basics

It seems to me that cars these day are getting more & more technically advanced.  Like computers, phones and TVs the latest technology to make life "easier" is being introduced at a rapid rate of knots.

How many of your cars functions do you use on a regular basis ?  Cruise control on the motorways in the UK is an on off affair most of the time.  ESP ?  When was the last time you turned it off ?  Heated seats, do we really need them?

There used to be a time when a cheap car was seen as just a tool.  Something you bought to get you from A to B or  sometimes get as far as C.  Today the options of basic budget motoring are limited.  Most manafacturers are keen to offer air con & electric windows in even base models.

Now I know the 2CV was a design statement that originated in the 1930s, but it was a vehicle that had everything you needed, but made do without such things as wind up windows, or central locking.  Can we not have a modern equivalent ?

http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/

The Tata Nano is the closest thing around today which has been built to a price.  But its main aim is to get the people of Asia off their Honda motorcycles and into a four wheeled car.  A modern equivalent of the Reliant Regal of the 1950s, which got the British public from motorcycles into a 3 wheeled car ! And then followed by 4 wheeled versions such as the venerable Mini.

What I would like to see is a stripped down basic 4 seater, following the BMW train of thought.  If you want something you pay extra for it.  A bit like Easyjet motoring.  Cheap initial purchase but the more you want the more you will pay.

So ulike in the 1970s where even heaters and seabelts were on the options list.  Things like aircon, radio, electric windows, or even packs of equipment could be supplied.  Do you really want to pay £2000 for a sat nav when all you ever do is drive to the office and back ??

And cheap doesn't have to mean nasty.  There must  be a way of avoiding the horrible tinny metal and shiny scratchy plastics, and switches that feel as if they will come away in you hand .  With fuel costs rising even more can someone produce a car which has more substance that style, yet will still appeal to a broad market of first time and cost concious motorists ?

Chrysler Crisis ?

Was in a Jeep dealership the other day, and this go me wondering what Chrysler had to offer at the moment.  The answer was not a lot.  If you regard Jeep as a separate brand, the only model on offer is the venerable Chrysler Voyager, beloved of taxi firms and parents with lots of children.

But it seems all this is about to change as part of the Chrysler/Fiat merger.  Already we have little Fiat 500s buzzing around the US.  I shudder at the thought of driving a 500 on a US interstate.  You would have to pick out a really bright colour so they could all see you.

But the benefit of this merger for Chrysler UK is the reintroduction of the Lancia brand, which disappeared in 1994.  The new Ypsilon and the Delta will be sold through Chrysler dealers and re badged as Chrysler's.  How this will effect the depreciation remains to be seen.  I wonder how many people will buy them as Chrysler's and put the original Lancia badges back on ?  Which badge would you want on your car Chrysler or Lancia ?

The other little surprise was the fact that the Chrysler Sebring is no more.  Since the late 90s British tourists to the US have hired out these convertibles in there thousands.  It was nice to have a four seater convertible for your holiday but they were quite awful to drive.  Underpowered, wobbly body and nasty plastic trim.  I broke more that one of them.  But don't despair it has been replaced by the Chrysler 200.  Which plans to be better powered, and should have improved handling and a better quality interior.  I will let you know.

So is Chrysler a brand that can be improved upon ?  If Skoda can turn themselves around then why not Chrysler?

Aston Martin Cygnet

I know why Aston have produced the Cygnet, helps with company's overall mpg and co2 figures, but still £35 thousand pounds for a £12500 Toyota IQ ?

Apparently there are Aston owners out there who are willing to fork out this kind of money to have matching Aston's in the garage.  The styling is basically the same, as is the engine.  So what you end up paying for is a leather interior with different dials, a nice paint job, and a few Aston badges.  I'm sorry I just couldn't could you?
 http://www.astonmartin.com/

It seems Rolls Royce may go the same way with the Mini, Fiat have had a go with a Ferrari badged 500.  So what will we have next, a Lamborghini badged Polo ?

And the eternal question, why can you do a 450 mile round trip with no problems yet take the dog to the park and you get a puncture which ruins a fairly new tyre ?

Also the Apollo Motors fiasco continues. The Toyota Celica with the juddery clutch.  It has had a new clutch, a new flywheel, and is now worse than ever.  Toyota say it needs a new clutch and the replacement must be faulty.  Apollo Motors want to fix it.  I think this may be their last chance before the keys get handed back.