Introducing Hermann - no really...

[Arragonis]

M'kay not sure about the previous 2 posts and how they apply, but thanks

EDIT - I see, from earlier pages.

Originally Posted by beluga

...

Personally I would prefer a new Yaris Hybrid or maybe a Polo Bluemotion myself. I would also be quite happy finding a Diesel version of George (my previous 1.0 3cyl hatch - my Peni5 and I are perfectly content, thanks ) and mod that.

As a family we do need a larger car perhaps once a week or so but the need is there.

Now I know in the US the typical solution would be to own something bigger for "as and when" (see comments on people owning trucks to "haul stuff" when needed). Here (UK) ownership of a car is taxed, and there is a requirement for continuous insurance even for cars I own but don't drive.

As Mrs A travels for work (i.e. 10x my miles) it makes sense for me to run the "bigger car" as my daily driver - I run a tank every 4-6 weeks.

As for the emotional part, yeah there was some - like I've tapped earlier the requirement was something bigger, I hate SUVs, I've liked A6s for looks so I got one.

As for low oil prices, I'm currently paying ~$7.50 a US Gallon for Diesel, how does that compare with your experiences ?

For the medium term it looks more likely that Mrs A's range of travel might expand to include England (we are in Scotland) which means we may need to get her a larger car instead of me. Her Prius (a leased company car) is due to be returned in July and we have enquired about buying it. If both of those happen then I will be a Prius Driver and Mrs A will probably either use Hermann or something newer of the same size.

Mrs A is not a happy Prius driver on longer trips and I have to agree - it isn't a great long distance cruiser - noisy, harsh riding, seats are not great.

[Arragonis]

A test video with SG2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzbytdKv1y8

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by UltArc

I would think vehicles with poor fuel economy would be more of a status symbol in a place with high fuel prices.

Actually, even some vehicles with an enhanced fuel economy, either due to a Diesel engine or a gasoline-electric hybrid driveline, can become a status symbol at some extent.

[freebeard]

...noisy, harsh riding, seats are not great.

Sounds like my Beetle.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

A test video with SG2

OK - I was hopeing that YouTube had some encoding issues and it would get clearer - seems not so I'll have to use a higher res on the camera instead.

[gone-ot]

I didn't know the BBC could broadcast through a SGII (wink,wink)!

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

I didn't know the BBC could broadcast through a SGII (wink,wink)!

I think LL are missing a trick here - combine a DAB chip into it = WIN!

[Arragonis]

It's been an eventful few hours here in North Britain.

I was out "on the lash" yesterday evening with a couple of guys from work and after some beer, whisky and casino related relaxation I have elected for no driving today.

However whilst out rehabilitating and walking the family dog I noticed a car driving past and suspected that due to the low sun here (we are as north as Moscow) and cold weather than the driver could not see through the front window.

A few seconds later - bang. Yep he ran right into a parked car.

He was fine, but will no doubt suffering due to the insurance pain about to be inflicted on him especially as he is a young driver - insurance can be £k ($1.6K) a year for a 17-21 year old male here. That is if he claims, he can agree to pay for the repairs himself and avoid that on his record - still a four figure repair bill maybe.

Still its best to learn that lesson of making sure your windows are clear at under 10 MPH with only broken plastic bumpers and not at 70 on the motorway with far worse consequences.

Back to Hermann, decided to do more blockage. Don't have any Correx left and couldn't face firing up power tools (it's cold, and did I mention a late night ?) to cut some clear lexan like material I have in the garage from a cancelled cold frame project. So I used some old and cheap rubber floor mats to create a 3/4 lower grill block :



The rubber mats are quite useful - cost a couple of quid in supermarkets. I got this one (quite soft) to try and poke into various orifices in the Prius to prevent rattles.

Anyway, will test this for a faster warmup over the next week or so and maybe extend it to cover the whole front end. I need to rethink the top grill block as well - I can't find a "winter protection block" like I found for Helga my Skoda.

I have a long weekend coming up so planning to check out the condition of the intake system - as someone found this kind of thing in theirs :



It can cause poor throttle response (check) and MPG issues (yep).

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Actually, even some vehicles with an enhanced fuel economy, either due to a Diesel engine or a gasoline-electric hybrid driveline, can become a status symbol at some extent.

I don't disagree- but a status symbol, in my opinion, is almost flaunting money (or status). True, a Fisker Karma or a Tesla is a sign of money, but thinking about areas with crazy fuel prices compared to the US, seeing an Escalade or a Hummer may cost the same, or even less, but just to run it (fuel, tires, road taxes) costs so much.

[freebeard]

Urban Dictionary: hoodride

It's about stance, not status.