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Post by chipbutty on Mar 15, 2024 17:07:50 GMT
The 992 GT3 is a beautiful car, but fornicate a mallard, it's expensive.
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Post by chipbutty on Feb 6, 2024 9:46:01 GMT
$42k OTR with discount...
Lucky yanks
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Post by chipbutty on Feb 2, 2024 15:05:42 GMT
I do regret not ordering my 2nd car in Bluefire - great colour. The one for sale appears to have a few toys (pano roof, 12 way elec memory seats, climate pack, exterior black pack), but I would be keen to find one with the extended leather and ideally the performance seats. It looked like the market for F-types was really sticky in the 2nd half of last year - lots of forecourt ornaments which I presume the dealers had paid through the nose for. However, now that prices have settled down, if you have a nice one and it's priced correctly - it will shift. Exhibit A - my old car popped up for sale on 24th Jan and now it's sold. Clearly well priced and in a rare colour with a shit load of options.
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 30, 2024 11:36:32 GMT
I’ve said for years that I don’t understand why the Welsh haven’t embraced their surroundings and created their version of the Lakes. They are thumbing their nose at billions of revenue.
The last time we went for pleasure was in 2013 when I took an XFR-S to Snowdon, the scenery was good, but the hotel was a dump and finding anywhere nice to eat was impossible. Went again in September for dog training (the week before the big switch over to 20 mph) and it was clearly going to be chaos. That visit made me realise that, as nice as Wales is, it isn’t as pretty as the Lakes. So I see no reason to darken their door again.
I hope the English tax payer funding is cut off asap.
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 25, 2024 17:24:38 GMT
I like the looks - chunky !
However - I expect like all of the other new German EVs, the real life efficiency (vs WLTP rating) will be extremely disappointing.
Sensible that they are hedging their bets by running it alongside the existing ICE model for another 2 years. It will be interesting to see if this goes the way of the Taycan.
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 23, 2024 9:47:52 GMT
I think list price on EVs is generally not a consideration in these purchases as it seems largely disconnected from the transaction price for the end user (in this country).
- If it's run as a company car, the company will get a deal through a fleet supplier and the user pays a pittance in BIK - If it's put through a business, then there will be the usual allowable tax chicanery (although Harry makes a good point that a tipping point will be reached soon). - If it's available through salary sacrifice, the end user will get the benefit of the tax saving and some discount pass through from the provider. - If it's a standard private purchase - then it will likely be offered on a heavily subsidised lease or PCP deal if customers aren't biting.
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 15, 2024 16:15:46 GMT
Just a small update. Although the car is still in the repair workshop and likely to remain there till well in to February, we were discussing what we were going to do at the end of the lease which is now less than 6 months away. Having gone round in circles a bit and thought about the likes of an X5 50e (too big), a BMW i40 (didn't excite), a Mini (maybe not practical enough) we came to the conclusion that another i-Pace was really what Susan wanted. However when I looked at the configurator, Jaguar appear to have dropped the heated windscreen and the 360 cameras completely. There are a couple of other bits and pieces which have also been downgraded like the sound system which is no longer the Meridian surround sound setup and they have stuck a daft looking plastic blanking plate where the grill used to be! Bottom line is it now looks unlikely that we will order another one because the 306 camera in particular, gets used every day for parking and for Susan's drive through coffee where the kerbs have been designed to cripple alloys. Since has had it she hasn't (touch wood) hit a single kerb. Why do manufacturers make such daft decisions and what exactly are we going to replace it with at reasonable cost? Now in the running is the Q4 e-tron, Lexus hybrid or maybe we just forget the leased company car and buy her something personally like a used Audi A5 cabriolet. I’ve looked on the configurator 360 degree camera is standard on the HSE and an £800 option on the SE
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 11, 2024 18:40:30 GMT
A few years ago I would have said a pre-reg bargin from a car supermarket - like a base Mondeo or something like that.
However that doesn't work these days - so I'll suggest whatever is on special with the lease companies.
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 5, 2024 15:45:34 GMT
www.writetothem.com/I used this to get some engagement on resolving the third world surface on a major roundabout near me. Got a nice note back from the relevant councillor who kept me up to date with how he was progressing with chasing for resurfacing. Not sure if it helped or not.... However - the wider point is that the damage was exacerbated by all of the house building and associated massive trucks. I don't understand why the council don't make it a conditional part of major planning approvals that the successful contractors have to keep the surrounding roads in tip top condition (and chuck in a few local freebies).
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Post by chipbutty on Jan 4, 2024 10:46:35 GMT
Local councils appear to be routinely useless and slopey shouldered, refusing to take responsibility for the things they are paid to take responsibility for.
I think my local council have a chip butty shaped voodoo doll because I’ve gone full Victor Meldrew over the last 12 months and I’ve complained about everything that is shit:
• Public bins not being emptied • Fly tipping not being dealt with • Grass not being cut, or having been cut by a petulant teenager who got bored halfway through. • Stupid road work approvals (the latest one being lane closures on a busy road over Christmas just so National grid can dig a big hole and then fuck off for two weeks). • Temporary road signs left post road works • Road damage not being repaired or being repaired to a standard that says “ fuck you tax paying scum “ better than any poster could. • Grass verges being destroyed by utility companies and not being put back to how they found them.
It’s pointless really because they just lie when they respond:
• Bins will be emptied on xx date • We have weekly litter patrols (must be fucking blind then) • Road repairs are in our schedule and all of our work is to the highest standard.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 26, 2023 20:48:51 GMT
M1 Northbound today, junction 31 to 32 (if memory serves)
Average speed cameras in place but with a sign underneath saying “camera not in use “. I think there was a series of 5 or 6, all with the same not in use sign. There were no reduced speed limit signs anywhere.
These were supplementary to the variable limit cameras on the gantry as usual.
so what gives, have they just finished works, but haven’t taken the cameras down yet, or are they about to start work and the cameras are up in anticipation?
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 17, 2023 11:12:36 GMT
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 17, 2023 11:06:27 GMT
What have you read that presents any of that as fact ?
JLR was one of the first to use UWB frequencies for keyless systems (makes it much harder to isolate and signal boost) and on the latest cars, the keys go dormant after a few minutes of not being moved, so it’s not possible to signal boost.
When Thatcham tested a range of keyless systems in 2020, Land Rover was one of the few manufacturers to have secured a rating of superior.
JLR was also one of the first manufacturers to offer factory fit tracking systems (2015/16) and these have the relevant Thatcham ratings for effectiveness. Additionally you can enable Guardian mode which will notify you if anyone messes with the car (including being opened with your own keys) and at any point you can check to make sure the car is fully locked with the app.
I’ve not seen anything from any official ratings agency that says JLR have been selling cars that have inferior security to any other manufacturer at any given point in recent years and the figures for Defender, RR and RRS support this ( cars that have been on sale for 3 years, 2 years and 18 months respectively).
I’ve also not seen any data that differentiates signal boost thefts from thefts involving burglary of the vehicle keys. I don’t suppose vehicle and parts shortages have helped matters at all, but to say that JLR have had a poor attitude towards vehicle security doesn’t appear to be supported by the above.
They are popular, desirable cars which have offered scrotes and scumbags huge returns as whole vehicles or in bits. It would be good to know what the police are doing about finding the gangs responsible and breaking up their distribution networks.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 15, 2023 15:26:37 GMT
That old chestnut.
I assume they are 100% at fault due to the nature of the accident - but any nonsense and I'd be referring it to the police.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 15, 2023 13:22:38 GMT
Did you read the Autocar review of the 24MY Evoque published last week ?
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VW ID2
Dec 15, 2023 11:05:09 GMT
Post by chipbutty on Dec 15, 2023 11:05:09 GMT
Well this makes a change, this is a pretty little car and the interior is fantastic, love the vintage mode for the display and dials.
Finally the message is getting through regards physical and digital controls balance.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 11, 2023 11:38:15 GMT
When first collected - get a full wash and wax.
I then use snowfoam in a spray canister with hot water and the jet wash every couple of weeks (and wash the wheels).
Unless it's the summer - I only contact wash again when the water beading stops (and the wax/sealant has gone). I then re-wash and use the ceramic wet wax.
Inside - I hoover and wipe down every week. I cannot live with a dirty interior.
Washing cars in autumn/winter is not fun - so I just try and keep them presentable and free from salt and road cack. The truckster is permanently filthy as it spends half it's time at the dog walking field or the stables (girl child into horse riding). The Eff is always grubby as well as it spends most of it's time on A/B roads and they are minging from Sept - March.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 8, 2023 20:02:34 GMT
Holy shit balls These are incredible and the Colin the Caterpillar biscuits are not too far behind.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 6, 2023 9:47:28 GMT
Manufacturing technology and investment has moved on to such an extent that you can get a swiss made automatic watch that is 85% - 90% of the quality of a Rolex for 5% of the cost. Steinhart make the most fantastic submariner homages - I had one in 2014 and it cost me €315 delivered. The quality was amazing for the price www.steinhartwatches.de/en/diver-watch/diver-watch-39mm/ocean-39-green.htmlChina is now knocking out super fakes that are almost impossible to differentiate unless you can open them up to check (some excellent comparison videos on youtube). If I didn't have one now - I think I would baulk at buying one today given the pricing and availability. Although the current bi-metal Explorer is absolutely beautiful...
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 6, 2023 8:47:42 GMT
I’ve got a 16233 that I’ve had since 2008 (which my dad bought new in 1993 and I swapped him my submariner for). Even though I mainly work from home, I wear it all the time because I love looking at it and it’s extremely durable. Rolex built their reputation on robust, reliable and accurate precision automatic watches and I find such things absolutely fascinating - they have become twonk baubles but I won’t let that put me off. If I have a trip to London, I would probably not take it, but I avoid London at all costs anyway. I don’t know what’s more dispiriting about that BBC article, the fact that the tea leaves are so brazen as to talk to a reporter or the fact that they are so unlikely to get caught. The use of violence to steal extremely valuable items is despicable and it should be treated as such by the law.
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 6, 2023 7:52:18 GMT
8.35 to 12.00
Fairly comprehensive summary of the interior quality (in his opinion).
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Post by chipbutty on Dec 5, 2023 16:04:20 GMT
Some good detail on the Hagerty video
Cybertruck looks hideous, but the new tech and advancements are very impressive and promising when introduced back onto the cars
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 30, 2023 9:30:55 GMT
Autocar roadtest of the i5...
3.5 stars.
Crappy looks, crappy interior, crappy ride, crappy range. Not that quick either.
Also - £77k, but £90k as tested - and it's only the 40M drive wank sport edition.
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 24, 2023 9:25:11 GMT
These mongs are everywhere.
I was nearly run over by one undertaking a car via the pavement - given that the car was doing 30, he blasted past that (within 1 foot of me) and must have been doing 40+.
I keep all my fingers crossed that he falls off and breaks everything in the not to distant future.
Charlie, Uniform, November, Tango, etc
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 18, 2023 10:47:44 GMT
This comparison video clearly illustrates what a complete bucket of donkey vomit the new 5 series really is.
New 5 series time used to be exciting, but everything about the way this new one looks is massively disappointing. Firstly, it is ungainly, poorly proportioned and the detailing is clumsy and unrefined (the grille, the wheels, all that black plastic crap on the bottom of the car) - there isn’t a single aspect or view of this car that is in anyway agreeable.
Secondly, even in recent years post initial donkeyfication , BMW were still producing good looking, high quality interiors. However the 5 series interior is now just a style free, techy wank fest with zero class or luxury - direct comparison with that new E class makes the BMW look deeply naff. There is also some significant cost cutting given the use of materials that were absent from all the last generations of 5 series.
All in my opinion of course, but I am rather sad that the latest generation of one of the best (and my favourite) cars in the world has been ruined so comprehensively.
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 17, 2023 4:39:03 GMT
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 14, 2023 20:33:33 GMT
Topical - and I agree with him to a large extent! Sales volumes mean the "special" "limited edition" cars have not been this for some time.... Had I only been born at least 10 years earlier I could have had a lot of tasty metal for so much less, does anyone else thing this sometimes?? Yes (or made a healthy profit) Audi Quattro, E30 M3, a couple of Cossies….would have been a very profitable savings scheme
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 14, 2023 20:29:15 GMT
Didn’t the 993 GT2s hit almost £1 mill a few years ago ?
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Post by chipbutty on Nov 8, 2023 21:28:28 GMT
Just watched the video, assignability aside, this is very similar to the f-type controls but with added complication.
The outer dials set the temp, push once for seat heating, push again for cooling. In the f-type, you push once and turn left for cooling and right for heating.
Works well, looks great….job done.
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Post by chipbutty on Oct 26, 2023 9:44:57 GMT
Purely in the interests of market research, I valued my two cars.....
The derisory numbers quoted when compared with the current advertised prices suggest that retailers are rammed with stock that they have likely paid big numbers for.
It will be interesting to see who blinks first, but I can't tell if this is a slow down (i.e - prices will more or less hold, as long as you accept longer stock days) or pre-emptive of a big correction.
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