Pops has got a Mk6 Golf auto. It's a Dieselgate problem child. No sleep has been lost over this.
Mum's got an Up that will be two years old in May. I'd be astonished if there will be more than 1,500 miles on the clock by then. In that timeframe, I think their dog has been for longer walks
My mum has a SEAT Altea XL, which was previously my wife's car. My dad has a fleet of various older cars, his newest being a 1994 Mercedes c280, then he has a 1983 Citroen Acadiane, 2 or 3 2CV's in various states of repair, or disrepair depending how you look at it. Then he also has a 1936 Austin 12, and a 1937 Rover 14, which are an interesting drive!
Mum went through some... shall we say characterful cars... In her defence she never crashed one, they were just older than a tortoises dad's favourite oak tree. I thought after Grandad's Austin Maestro and Citroen AX things would get better... they didn't... (massive sigh)
So... Mum has been through...
Austin Metro (Manual - With the optional failed synchro-mesh on 2nd gear)
MG Metro (Auto - With optional leaky exhaust manifold - I have the distinct memory of the smell of fuel and being light-headed in the cabin - Auto box unusable in 'Drive' so had shift through 1, 2 & 3 manually)
Peugeot 309 (E reg - Bergundy with brown interior, leaky rad - awful)
Skoda Favorit Estate (Snot Green but terribly reliable)
Ford Escort (1998 I think - Ex boy racer car with massive exhaust and body kit - again awful)
Honda Accord (This didn't go wrong! Was just a bit too thirsty)
Ford Fiesta MkII (Yellow - died spectacularly)
VW Golf mk4 (Slammed into the tarmac - Went through three driveshafts in as many months - drug dealer wheels - bad!)
Another Accord (Failed an MOT for corrosion but otherwise tidy)
A series of Astras of differing generations which is where she is now, MkIV I think...
How do I remember these? Believe me you just remember... The therapy I received has not worked.
Sadly dad isn't driving on earth but I'm sure he's driving in heaven His cars were of the cheapest variety, he liked a good deal. In later years they settled on a new Maxima diesel for many years and then a Ford van type (shudder).
Mom has a 2013 Mercedes B250. She likes it because it has all the bells and whistles, keeps her safe.
Mum doesn't drive & dad is strictly an A-to-B, preferably in safety sort of guy. So, his chariot of choice... Volvo. Has been for the last 50+ years. He also keeps each one for as long as It'll keep going so in the last 50 years he's had just five cars...
1) Amazon estate
2) 164 3.0 straight six
3) 340 with the terrible 1.4 Renault engine
4) 440 1.8
5) S40 1.8
My father in law on the other hand... Well, he's the chalk to my dad's cheese. These are the ones I can remember since meeting him back in 1986...
1) Jaguar XJS 5.3 V12
2) Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI
3) Range Rover 3.5 V8
4) Rover 820 auto (company car, awful, didn't keep it long)
5) Ex-police Vauxhall Senator B 3.0
6) Range Rover 3.9 V8
7) Jaguar XJ (XJ40)
8) Jaguar XJR (X300) 4.0 supercharged
9) Jaguar XJS 6.0 V12 convertible
10) Volvo 850 T5 estate
11) Ford Ranger pickup (we needed it for work)
12) Land Rover Freelander (another work tool)
13) Nothing memorable for the next few years, then back on track with...
14) 1st generation Range Rover Sport HSE
15) Lotus Elise series 2
16) Mini John Cooper Works
17) 2nd generation Range Rover Sport 3.0 twin turbo diesel
Both my parents were totally uninterested in cars other than a basic means of conveyance. Dad's idea of washing a car was to fill a bucket of water, add some kitchen floor cleaner and just chuck it over the vehicle.
He had, (in succession), an Austin 1100, Austin 1300, a Chrysler 180, various nondescript Fords, usually estate versions. He did once come with me to a National Alfa day, (in the days when they were always Stanford Hall), but was far more impressed by the building and the grounds than any of the cars.
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