Neutral: What Would It Take to Get You to Drive Less?

Doesn’t Renault have controlling stake in Nissan? What stops them from getting rid of the whiners at Nissan?

Well, mine is massaged. It’s a 1987 Peugeot 205 CTi. It could easily hit 88 mph with the stock (1.6L NA) drive train as it weighs well below a ton. Top speed, 200 kmh or so? That’s 120-130 in legacy units? But currently there’s a 2.0L turbo engine in there from a mid 90s Lancia. The numbers aren’t overly impressive…

I could tow a classic Fiat 500 behind my subcompact 1987 convertible and still hit 88 mph with ease.

Because they have been for ages? They tend to be the most entertaining M cars too. You even got them in the US, in their coupe forms.

The E34 was introduced in the 1980s, over 30 years ago. In Western Germany, as the wall still stood during its introduction.

It's most certainly overpriced. The comparison to newer cars is irrelevant though. You buy this as a classic car. Because you are actively looking for an older car. Rational reasons don't apply.

I would simply get a tow hook for your car. Or rent a truck when you really need one. It makes no sense to me to drive a truck year round for rare occasions that you might need a bed. Besides, a trailer has a bed too.

Renaults of the last decade+ tend to have above average reliability. Certainly better than Chrysler.

Wagons tend to be longer than crossovers though, caused by more rear overhang. With a lower but longer cargo area. In most cases that extra length is more usable than extra height.

I know we weren’t talking about 4-door vehicles, but just looking at 2-door vehicles the sample size would be too small. I do believe the Mustangs that have become available here a year or two ago hold their value properly, as they are in demand.

Whenever I hear a loud vehicle it’s almost always a fancy <5 years old German vehicle in some kind of sport trim. Even crossovers, I recently even heard a new-ish SQ5 or SQ7 TDI loudly rumbling through the street.

Why? When they depreciate faster than the competition it’s a valid concern for potential buyers. Every 4-door American car sold in Europe in the last few decades that I can think of has plummeted in value at an insane rate.

The Corvette has a bit of a kitschy look to it. Rather flashy too, which is absolutely fine but something the target demographic is not always looking for. A regular Porsche 911 looks more sophisticated. Given the price of these vehicles the first owner is likely to have a higher tier job and be a bit older, so flashy…

“I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more”

GM sales in Europe:

ALL cars need to get certified. Not just sports cars. They are not singled out. It’s not overly expensive either, like in the US. GM only chose not to certify these two cars because they are about to be discontinued any way AND they sell in numbers so unimaginably small any investment in them seems like a waste of…

You are free to buy all those cars you mentioned in Europe. Buy one in the US, import it to (for example) Germany and register it there. Not that big an issue at all. My German father in law has been driving a Dodge Magnum RT for ages now, in Germany. And no, the Magnum was never officially offered in Europe. And no,…

I just swapped a Lancia engine in a 1980s Peugeot convertible. An engine making 3 times as much power as the base engine and a lot more than 3x the torque. It’s entirely street legal and it’s fun to shame Audis with on the German Autobahn.

Well, first of all, good luck finding a dealership offering GM vehicles. GM retreated from Europe for 99.99% when they sold Opel/Vauxhall.