Me? Absolutely nothing.

Meanwhile, in 2021, in other markets

Because it matches the target demographic?

That’s the uncompetitive Honda. A Renault Zoe is slightly larger than the Honda, is marginally cheaper than the Honda and offers 200+ miles in real world range. And is accordingly actually selling, unlike the Honda. With roughly 100k units in 2020 it was the best selling BEV in Europe in that year.

Living in Europe, I noticed I’m blinded by cars more often than for a few years. And almost only by cars that are no older than a few years old. Especially in my side mirrors when they drive behind me in a different lane. From the front as well.

Also, it wasn’t terribly sporty, either, at least not in the way most people think of that word, which clearly didn’t stop the ad agency’s copywriters.

She claims the Jetta has half a million miles, and the bus has more. So those two combined is over a million already.

Your first visit has been a few years ago then. These used to be the best selling car in the Netherlands, so they were everywhere. Used to be. They are all but extinct now, 30+ years later.

To be fair, in Western Europe there tend to be wagon versions of hatchbacks. Sedans have all but died out in the 80s and 90s, except for Mercedes/Audi/BMW. And even there there seem to be more wagons than sedans.

First picture: It seems like there are only generic gray scale crossovers in this picture. How am I supposed to pick something here? The Saab? The convertible on the left side maybe, that one stands out. Most of the rest I don’t even recognize, probably because they are so generic I’m not too familiar with US market…

Interesting. I keep forgetting how incredibly different the Irish market is compared to the continental European market.

Didn't the much more common French and Italian vans of the late 80s and early 90s also have a 5 on the tree? Like the Fiat Ducato?

From the same stable:

I understand, but it’s why I mentioned it being a combination of factors. Inspections and climate. I’d also add the ‘space’ factor; do you have space to store multiple vintage machines? In more rural areas this is easier/cheaper than in cities.

Here in Munich there is an environmental zone as well. It basically bans gasoline cars without catalysts (1980s and before...) and diesels with the Euro 4 norm and older (~2006 and older). However, there is an exception for cars with historic plates. 1987 is 34 years ago. And, it has a catalyst.

I got that motor swap approved by having Dutch plates on that car ;)

Tourists and people who have a tank pass from their employer do. No one else does.

I would argue that the inspection climate and, well, weather climate is preventing Germans to daily-drive old machines. Not the price of gas.

On the German Autobahn, you will have signs called ‘Autohof’. These are large gas stations with restaurants and whatnot just a minute or so away from the highway. And they tend to be much cheaper.

In the Netherlands in 2019 the average new car was €37k. With the Tesla Model 3 being the best selling vehicle. Yes, including ICE vehicles. Average prices were much, much lower only a few years ago though. The market has been reshaped due to heavy CO2-based taxation.