Hello to all you back home!
I've been living in Scotland for the past 9 months and have survived a winter.
I thought I post some information about the car world over here.
All of which will make you glad that you're in Aus.
The current price for petrol (unleaded - 95) here is 80p a litre.
Once converted equals $1.92/l, compared with about $0.50/l in the USA.
Car models vary greatly over here, you still get your astra's, Focus', Fiestas, Monaro's and some other delights, but they all a bit (window-licking) different.
Ford Fiesta
In my opinion a pretty good car, you can get the standard 3 and 5 door combo but you can also get a 3 door "van" with the back windows being metal panels.
Instead of getting the nice 1.6 as a base, the UK is stuck with a 1.25. Only the S get's the 1.6
Ford Focus
We already have the new focus! Powered by a massive 1.6L as standard.
It's a neat car, the diesel model is better than any of the petrol's though.
Vaux Astra
3door, 5 door, station wagon, panel van, coupe and convertible.
They all start with a 1.4l or a 1.6l
Vaux Corsa
Aka Barina is available in a 2.0, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2 and a 3-cyl 1.0
I recently drove one through the mountains in thick snow (and ice). It was the only car to make it through. I initially thought it was because the other cars were full of shite, But I had three passengers and an entire full boot+parcel shelf.
They're mountain goats! It was then designated the ferry to move bags and people up the hill from strandard cars.
Vaux Tigra
Hope we don't get these at home. It's basically a corsa chassis with a folding roof. Very hairdresser chic.
Vaux Agila
1.0 and 1.2l versions available of a car smaller than charade!
Vaux Meriva
Small Zafira with naff body kit to match.
Vaux Monaro VXR
They absolutely love it over here!
Top Gear recently tested it against the Jag XKR and the Chrysler 300C and though it poo'ed on both of them! They especially loved the Traction control settings... on, and off. The new 6.0 has just been launched and people don't like it because of the new fuel tank regs (do you have the same at home) where it needs to be in the boot, not under it... killing boot space back to Corsa size!
Cars on road
The oldest car I've seen whilst I've been over here is an old Combi.
They don't look after cards over here, once they passed 100,000 miles (160,000km), they basically give them away. They laugh at my EF that's done 230,000km which I paid money for!
Don't get me started on their performance car's either. The Type-R honda, is not the Integra, it's a civic! The 2.4l Toyota celica is considered a sports car as is the Hyundai coupe (avail in 4 and 6cyl models). The most potent Modeo (ST) still only has a 2.2l 4 in it.
After being over here for so long, I do miss my cars.
We deffinately have the better roads and far more polite drivers.
i'll be back in a few years to join some cruises and meet you all.
Until then keep restoring the old girls and don't be afraid to drive them.
Case, the man without a car.
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