Anyone Else Noticed The Lack Of New 11 Reg Cars

[Diver Dan]

My folks are getting a new car later in the month. They tend to buy a brand-new for cash outright and then hold on to it until it becomes uneconomical to fix or is too big / small for their needs. The new medium-sized car replaces a big one and a small one. The two old cars are both in fine fettle mechanically (I've just used the smaller one for a 400 mile round trip) despite both being over a decade old.

I understand the concept of bangernomics but the reality in my experience is a never-ending series of minor repair costs for different parts of the car where no single bill is big enough to warrant replacing the thing but you still can't rely on it starting frst time when you really need to get to work.

Buying a shiny new car every three years is a monumentally stupid thing to do financially. Leasing a car every three years is even worse.

I think my parents' way of car ownership is the best.

[drainman]

usually i spot these things when driving, but have barely seen any at all, which is unusual for spring. it is just me or have others noticed. the new reg 11 cars have been out for nearly two months now.

bugger ! ones just turned up on my drive

[MrPin]

I'm looking forward to getting my "11" reg car, in about 2025!

[Take Me Back To London!]

No wonder the country is skint when things cost like £50 just to change a headlight bulb at a Renault dealer.

[MrPin]

No wonder the country is skint when things cost like £50 just to change a headlight bulb at a Renault dealer.

Worse for the French! They actually buy the things!

[spongeh]

No wonder the country is skint when things cost like £50 just to change a headlight bulb at a Renault dealer.

I had a quote of £50 for a renault scenic to fit one headlight bulb, I gave the job to one of the neighbours who was an apprentice mechanic. After he'd fafed about for 30 mins I had a new bulb fitted, he had slightly less skin on his fingers, but was £20 up and wondering why I was happy to pay him so much

One of the new type HID bulbs went in our new Laguna ... renault changed it under warranty, result. I dread the day that I've got to pay for a new bulb or one of the ballasts

[Frank Hovis]

Worse for the French! They actually buy the things!

The two people I have known with Renault Scenics both said never again, and the second one had already been warned by the first one!

IIRC the Rover 75 requires something major out to change the front bulb. Whereas Fords and Vauxhalls are actually reverse engineered so you can take apart and put back together again easily. My Escort's lights were an absolute breeze to change whether it was the bulb or (after a prang) the front cluster.

[Frank Hovis]

I had a quote of £50 for a renault scenic to fit one headlight bulb, I gave the job to one of the neighbours who was an apprentice mechanic. After he'd fafed about for 30 mins I had a new bulb fitted, he had slightly less skin on his fingers, but was £20 up and wondering why I was happy to pay him so much

One of the new type HID bulbs went in our new Laguna ... renault changed it under warranty, result. I dread the day that I've got to pay for a new bulb or one of the ballasts

Stop buying Renaults! (and don't move onto Citroens, my brother bought one and he has had all the expensive trouble that I expected).

[albimac]

Stop buying Renaults! (and don't move onto Citroens, my brother bought one and he has had all the expensive trouble that I expected).

I bought my Grand Scenic new in 2004. Had no idea about the headlight issue until about 4 years later when I had to change one. My car doesn't even have an access panel in the wheel arch. I've since got quite good at removing the front end of the car. Took me about 3 hours & 2 broken clips the first time. Terrible design. How on earth do they expect to create happy, loyal customers with engineering like this.

Saying that, the 1.9 diesel engine has performed very well so far (80K). However, I have ignored the service schedule & had it done ever 9K instead of 18.

[Diver Dan]

I bought my Grand Scenic new in 2004. Had no idea about the headlight issue until about 4 years later when I had to change one. My car doesn't even have an access panel in the wheel arch. I've since got quite good at removing the front end of the car. Took me about 3 hours & 2 broken clips the first time. Terrible design. How on earth do they expect to create happy, loyal customers with engineering like this.

Saying that, the 1.9 diesel engine has performed very well so far (80K). However, I have ignored the service schedule & had it done ever 9K instead of 18.

The engine is usually the best bit in modern cars. Most car companies design the trim and bodywork to be either flaky and brittle and shockingly expensive to repair / replace. This ensures that the car needs to be scrapped after a decade or so despite mechanicals which could last 20 years easily.

On a recent trip to Lebanon, I was interested to see which cars last after 20 or so years. I saw plenty of Mercedes W115, W123 and W124s, Lots of Peugeot 504 and 505s a few old Yank-tanks like Chevy Caprices, quite a few old Fiats and Alfas. Strangest of all was the number of Volvo 240 / 260s on the roads in Beirut. There's something weird about seeing a Swedish car in a hot country.

There has to be a market for a model like the Peugeot 505, Volvo 240 or Merc W123 ie. a large, rugged saloon / estate with rear wheel drive with trim and mechanicals built to last and available with a spartan "seats and a steering wheel and nothing else" spec for use as a taxi or a police car and with options for leather seats and electric everything for use as a limo and a mid-spec version for family use. Why do no car makers offer a model such as this?

[spongeh]

Stop buying Renaults! (and don't move onto Citroens, my brother bought one and he has had all the expensive trouble that I expected).

lol can't argue with that

To me a cars a car, its just a big lump of metal to get me from one place to another. If the Renault doesnt work I'll use the Suzuki, but TBH my main mode of transport is a motorcycle. Give me a Kawasaki any day of the week, it takes me 1/2 the time, I get 50mpg and the pulse racing everytime I go to work

[Guest eight]

The engine is usually the best bit in modern cars. Most car companies design the trim and bodywork to be either flaky and brittle and shockingly expensive to repair / replace. This ensures that the car needs to be scrapped after a decade or so despite mechanicals which could last 20 years easily.

On a recent trip to Lebanon, I was interested to see which cars last after 20 or so years. I saw plenty of Mercedes W115, W123 and W124s, Lots of Peugeot 504 and 505s a few old Yank-tanks like Chevy Caprices, quite a few old Fiats and Alfas. Strangest of all was the number of Volvo 240 / 260s on the roads in Beirut. There's something weird about seeing a Swedish car in a hot country.

There has to be a market for a model like the Peugeot 505, Volvo 240 or Merc W123 ie. a large, rugged saloon / estate with rear wheel drive with trim and mechanicals built to last and available with a spartan "seats and a steering wheel and nothing else" spec for use as a taxi or a police car and with options for leather seats and electric everything for use as a limo and a mid-spec version for family use. Why do no car makers offer a model such as this?

We had loads of old Fiats over the years. It was always, but always, the bodywork that eventually let them down. Remove to a hot, dry climate and all should be fine.

eight

[DeepLurker]

The engine is usually the best bit in modern cars. Most car companies design the trim and bodywork to be either flaky and brittle and shockingly expensive to repair / replace. This ensures that the car needs to be scrapped after a decade or so despite mechanicals which could last 20 years easily.

On a recent trip to Lebanon, I was interested to see which cars last after 20 or so years. I saw plenty of Mercedes W115, W123 and W124s, Lots of Peugeot 504 and 505s a few old Yank-tanks like Chevy Caprices, quite a few old Fiats and Alfas. Strangest of all was the number of Volvo 240 / 260s on the roads in Beirut. There's something weird about seeing a Swedish car in a hot country.

There has to be a market for a model like the Peugeot 505, Volvo 240 or Merc W123 ie. a large, rugged saloon / estate with rear wheel drive with trim and mechanicals built to last and available with a spartan "seats and a steering wheel and nothing else" spec for use as a taxi or a police car and with options for leather seats and electric everything for use as a limo and a mid-spec version for family use. Why do no car makers offer a model such as this?

'Cos the profit margins are minute? ;-)

Anecdotal: I was working in France when Renault launched the Logan - a very basic car designed for "emerging markets", but not destined for Western Europe. Renault dragged their feet for ages, refusing to sell their new model in their homeland

If I was still in France I'd seriously consider buying one. A square shopping trolley that meets all safety standards, manual everything (windows, rear-view mirrors, etc...) & designed to be easy to maintain. A car that I can park anywhere and not have to worry about Chelsea snails. Bliss!

[Gigantic Purple Slug]

The engine is usually the best bit in modern cars. Most car companies design the trim and bodywork to be either flaky and brittle and shockingly expensive to repair / replace. This ensures that the car needs to be scrapped after a decade or so despite mechanicals which could last 20 years easily.

On a recent trip to Lebanon, I was interested to see which cars last after 20 or so years. I saw plenty of Mercedes W115, W123 and W124s, Lots of Peugeot 504 and 505s a few old Yank-tanks like Chevy Caprices, quite a few old Fiats and Alfas. Strangest of all was the number of Volvo 240 / 260s on the roads in Beirut. There's something weird about seeing a Swedish car in a hot country.

There has to be a market for a model like the Peugeot 505, Volvo 240 or Merc W123 ie. a large, rugged saloon / estate with rear wheel drive with trim and mechanicals built to last and available with a spartan "seats and a steering wheel and nothing else" spec for use as a taxi or a police car and with options for leather seats and electric everything for use as a limo and a mid-spec version for family use. Why do no car makers offer a model such as this?

Actually the bodywork has improved massively over the past couple of decades. When I were a lad you could see quite a few rust buckets on the road. Now practically none. 100% galvanized bodywork has reduced corrosion considerably. The car where you can put your foot through the floor and hit the road like the flintstones is much less common.

Cars in Lebanon are going to last longer because of the hot dry climate and the fact there is no salt on the road in winter. That's why the americans store all those planes out in the mojave desert - less corrosion in the dry air.

If anything I would say the engine technology is now the weak link for some manufacturers. I don't rate the french cars personally. Had a look at a few recently and they looked f*****d at 100,000. My Audi has done 110,000 and I reckon the engine will be good for 200,000.

Cars have got much much better over the past couple of decades. The downsides are parts have got more expensive and technology bloat has made them much more difficult to maintain if you are a none professional.

In addition the extra bits that are added air con etc need extra maintenance.

[Frank Hovis]

'Cos the profit margins are minute? ;-)

Anecdotal: I was working in France when Renault launched the Logan - a very basic car designed for "emerging markets", but not destined for Western Europe. Renault dragged their feet for ages, refusing to sell their new model in their homeland

If I was still in France I'd seriously consider buying one. A square shopping trolley that meets all safety standards, manual everything (windows, rear-view mirrors, etc...) & designed to be easy to maintain. A car that I can park anywhere and not have to worry about Chelsea snails. Bliss!

I remember this one, it was going to be about £4k. I'm guessing they didn't launch it for fear everybody would buy it and it would start a race to the bottom.

[MrPin]

Yeah seen that too, the AA man filling up cars by the side of the road and blokes with green cans walking back towards an abandonedd car.

It's the latest form of Morris Dancing!

[MrPin]

usually i spot these things when driving, but have barely seen any at all, which is unusual for spring. it is just me or have others noticed. the new reg 11 cars have been out for nearly two months now.

Even less last year!

[MattW]

I think Ford could do no wrong during this period, apart from the Ford Classic, Corsair and Zephyr Mk IV

Are you kidding, the Zephyr mk IV was a beautiful car, with it's 'helipad' bonnet. I have a framed advert of a Zodiac/Executive from 1966. Looks better with it's big twin headlamps and 'crosshair' bonnet motif.

Quite like the Corsair in 2000E spec but agree that the Classic was a bit of a turkey. It was quite a heavy, awkward car especially when the mark 1 Cortina came out in 1962.

As for main dealer servicing and parts costs, I just had the antenna on my Nissan replaced for £86, which included parts, half an hours labour and VAT. The girl on the servicing desk was kind enough to offer me a 'free' cup of coffee and the mechanics a 'free' health check. Had to overt my eyes at the sight of a white Nissan Juke whilst waiting in the showroom though.

[Rare Bear]

The EU in a bid to drive innovation and safety have forced car manufacturers to make cars bigger and heavier and thus more consuming of resources including fuel.

Well, it wouldn't do for too many innovative manufacturers to build smaller, lighter more economical cars. Think of the loss in fuel taxes.

[drainman]

My folks are getting a new car later in the month. They tend to buy a brand-new for cash outright and then hold on to it until it becomes uneconomical to fix or is too big / small for their needs. The new medium-sized car replaces a big one and a small one. The two old cars are both in fine fettle mechanically (I've just used the smaller one for a 400 mile round trip) despite both being over a decade old.

I understand the concept of bangernomics but the reality in my experience is a never-ending series of minor repair costs for different parts of the car where no single bill is big enough to warrant replacing the thing but you still can't rely on it starting frst time when you really need to get to work.

Buying a shiny new car every three years is a monumentally stupid thing to do financially. Leasing a car every three years is even worse.

I think my parents' way of car ownership is the best.

dont see a problem in leasing a new car for 3 years no mots,no tyres ,no tax, breakdown cover, no batterries, no exhaust,little servicing, mrs and kids in new car, me no worries ...give it back and get another, all tax deductible ..wheres the problem? the last secondhand one we got was loads of aggro for me !