Another One Bites the Dust!

[airboatr]

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[speedbird591]

We could turn this into a "my dream car is" thread (make mine an early Porsche 911 )which would be interesting but not much use to Ian.

Thanks for that, Jon. I was hoping somebody might mention that I didn't want to appear ungrateful to anybody as I'd asked for help and advice.

I've deliberately refrained from replying or commenting on a lot of interesting subjects that this long thread has brought up, though I've longed to get further into what could be some interesting discussions. I would have liked to gone more into Richard Dawkins during last week's subject and a classic car thread is always a favourite of mine.

But I'd rather keep this thread fairly close to the subject of living with (or more specifically, dying from ) cancer and dealing with the issues that arise. I know some of you are also finding it interesting and some are also dealing with similar life-style changes. So please keep contributing to the thread with a little bit of overlap (can't be avoided) but don't think I'm being rude if I discourage too much 'thread creep'. We can always open other threads to continue interesting subjects that arise from it.

So back to cars! Specifically a replacement for the Yaris when it gets handed over to cyberbrat. One choice is a cheap runabout that will last me the last 'however long' that I am able to drive. That's sensible. Or, the question I've asked here, should I use some of my savings to indulge myself in a last non-sensible blast of luxury?

Sports cars are not practical. In case you've forgotten, we've got a nearly new Mazda MX-5 with full leather on the drive! The suspension is too harsh for my tumours and I have to brace myself when I see a pothole coming. I need soft suspension, deep leather and automatic. As Jon says, I probably need an SUV/4x4 body style for access to be honest. In fact my original searches were for a Honda CRV with leather and auto. Practical but I wanted to explore alternatives which is why I asked for your opinions on something a bit more exotic.

I won't have a Range Rover, though. The Which? Reliability guide has consistently shown them at the bottom of the reliability tables for many years. I won't even look at them

Cheers, guys. Please keep contributing, I don't want to discourage any posts at all in this thread but those that are more specific to the problem will be most appreciated!

Ian

[Airspeed]

One type fits many of your needs, Ian; how about a collectible "Yank tank" ? 1960-ish Chev Bel Air and similar spring to mind...ostentatious, petrol guzzling, automatic, soft suspension, and possibly appreciating price tag to boot. An d there was I thinking I couldn't contribute!

[dfarrow]

Ian , my vote is for a comfortable Jag XJ , if economy a prob , do they do diesel ?
............... or you could splash out on a Yaris AND ............ employ a chaffeur !

Rgds dave f . second hand Ford driver ..

[TSR2]

I think you might need to strike a balance with height, i know a chap who bought a Merc SUV (cant recall the model) but he found it more awkward to climb into than a standard car.The Honda might be a good choice and they are very nice to drive.

[speedbird591]

An d there was I thinking I couldn't contribute!

Mike - you not contribute? That would be a sad day! I like American cars, having rented a few over the years. I love the lazy power of a V8 but the idea of getting into a classic car scene at this stage is too intimidating. Moving it on when I can no longer drive would be too much for me - especially as I'll be looking at buggies or wheelchairs to replace it

Dave Farrow, sir. Are you looking for a job as my chauffeur? Do you have any experience of carrying people from A to B? It's a very responsible job, you know. I'd need to see your CV!

Ben - I keep looking at this one ... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... 8018105646

Ian

[ChrisHunt]

Hi Ian, I have the CRV - good to drive but not as compliant in the ride as you might need. It has firm suspension to dampen body role. You might want to look at the Mazda equivalent (CX5) or even a Skoda Yeti .

Regards,
Chris

[Nigel H-J]

Ian, hope this site might help you, full of interesting articles and nothing biasedly written unlike one magazine which always appears to put VW and Audi + BMW high on their list regardless!!

Fuel consumption for the jags

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/jaguar

Honest John Home Page, well worth a read through.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/

If you have trouble getting in and out of a car or even driving one in the future Ian then may I suggest this one, so very easy to get in and out and driving it should be sooooo easy!!

http://www.whatgrabsyou.co.uk/wordpress ... e-Car1.jpg

Nigel.

[TSR2]

Hi Ian,

the only one ive drive is the newer shape which is quite a different beast. What does Which? Say about the bmw x3? I'm not a huge beemer fan, to two of the fellas in work have them and rave about them, might be pricy but they look very comfortable.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... 000/page/1

[speedbird591]

I agree with you, Ben. Having owned a couple I feel BMWs are overpriced due to their unwarranted popularity.

Nigel - iirc the Henkel didn't have reverse gear so if you parked too close to something getting out wasn't quite so easy

This has been a useful exercise, chaps, and has helped me focus on what's important in my situation. There are a lot of low-priced Jaguars in this niche and the internal shots show a lot of plush leather which would give the tumours a nice gentle ride. There are some nice looking cheap ones about but maybe for a reason other than running costs. Running costs aren't a problem for me as I would budget for a one year, one-off cost. Then maybe I'd raffle it for charity for the local Hospice!

I don't know anything about Jags but I've got 6 weeks to do some research and keep an eye on the market.

Ian