Are the car mags going soft?

I'm an avid reader of car magazines, particularly the weeklies, but something has started to niggle away at me lately.  I particularly like reading the latest on the long term test cars, but I reckon they should be a whole lot more critical when the cars in question let them down.

I'm sure its not my imagination but in the 1980s they seemed far more vocal when confronted with a dodgy product (though there was perhaps more to complain about back then!).  Nowadays it seems, little short of the cars self-combusting would tempt them into any sort of criticism.  Failing electrics on brand new Jags, broken down BMWs, and exorbitant service and repair charges are all accepted with equanimity and I think its time that changed.

Now I understand that their job is to report objectively, and that a good relationship with manufacturers is needed, but a bit of support for the public wouldn't go amiss.  I don't know about you, but if my new 45 grand BMW stranded me twice in a few months, I'd be almost incandescent with rage and hammering on the dealers door for a refund.  Before you think I'm being unreasonable, I understand that modern cars are complex things and will go wrong occasionally but given the huge sums taken off us by car makers I'd expect a bit better wouldn't you?

Come on chaps, lets see you standing up for us motorists and give the makers a harder time.  You know you want to.....

A Risky Rangie? Maybe not.

A long conversation this week with an acquaintance who is toying with the idea of buying a Range Rover.  Not a classic or indeed 80 grands worth of current model, but the inbetween P38a.  I've mentioned before how some weeks you just a lot of one particular car, and funnily enough recent days have been littered with examples of this Rangie. 

I've previously been a bit ambivalent about these, preferring the more classic look, but this week's sightings have forced me to re-consider.  Having seen a particularly lovely dark green example in absolutely superb condition made me realise that these are indeed pretty good looking motors.  A bit troublesome, but good looking nonetheless.

So should he buy one though?  Well they certainly have a reputation for unreliability, and while tales of problems often get exaggerated over time, I certainly suggested a bit of homework before taking the plunge.  The two biggest problems facing the used buyer are electrical niggles and issues with the air suspension, both of which can empty a bank account at a frightening rate.  So if there are any areas that need careful checking it's these.

Having spend hours poring over various buyers guides, said aquaintance has decided to go for it and has already identified a few tasty-looking possibilities in the classifieds.  I can see a weekend of crawling beneath cars coming up soon, but I reckon it's a good decision.  In fact, I'm more than a little jealous...

Motoring Stuff on My Mind This Week

1.  Lets see a bit more fun from car makers.  Saw a Polo Harlequin today (remember those) which really made me smile.  Still looks pretty wacky now.

2.  Don't make the Porsche 911 any bigger.  Happened to see the latest model next to a 930 series, and the difference was staggering.  Like the new style but enough now Porsche.

3.  VW Scirocco - see above.  Great drive yes, but still looks comically wide to me.

4.  Make the forthcoming new Range Rover a touch cheaper, or better still introduce a more accessible entry-level model.  It would be a great shame if so few of us could experience such an icon.

5.  Lets see a return to sleeker styling for new models (having a bit of a style moan this week).  We seem to be in an era of dumpy styling to my eyes, with the current Ford C-Max and Mercedes B-Class among the offenders.

6.  More cars like the new Ferrari F12 please.  What a gorgeous-looking car and a real return to form for the boys from Maranello.  Is 730bhp all a bit unnecessary?  Almost certainly.  Impressive?  Most certainly.

Feel much better now.

A spot-on private number plate

Couldn't resist sharing this one.  Wandering through a local car park this morning I came across a new model Dodge Challenger SRT8, which in itself was enough to brighten my day.  But what really caught my eye was the number plate - V8 8MPG.  Almost certainly right I'd say........

Mini by Goodwood

Had a good chance for a closer look at the special-edition Mini by Goodwood, and whether or not you approve of such models, there is absolutely no doubting the quality of the execution.  The car looked gorgeous in deep metallic green, and the interior was simply wonderful.  I've always thought the Mini has a bit of a comedy-cabin, what with its overly large dials and fussy design details, but the wood 'n' leather look was nothing short of a transformation.  And there was certainly no arguing with the quality of the materials used - from the cashmere headlining to the lambswool carpets that you could lose your shoes in, it really did have all the feel of a mini (excuse the pun) Rolls Royce.  I could probably live without the sparkly metallic roof, but otherwise it was a real slice of luxury.  41k is a lot to spend on a Mini, but it's a heck of away to spend time in urban traffic.

Up at last

Just seen my first VW Up on the road, and I think VW have done it again.  It might not be the most exciting looking of superminis, but it is certainly neat with excellent proportions.  The company have an uncanny knack of producing cars that the market really wants, and that fit almost perfectly into the lives of buyers, and I can't see the Up being any different.  I reckon it could prove quite colour-sensitive - the solid red of the example I saw didn't really show it off to its best advantage - but I'm convinced that VW has another hit on its hands.  Can't wait to drive one now.

Lotus Rumours

For any fans of the Hethel marque (and I count myself firmly in that camp), the latest news surrounding the takeover of parent-company Proton is a worrying time.  Despite firm denials from Malaysia, Lotus's £200 million debts are clearly a source of concern and the rumours of a sale won't seem to go away.

I admit to being sceptical when plans for a whole new range of cars were first announced by Dany Bahar, not least because I wasn't entirely convinced by the direction it was taking Lotus (namely, upwards) but my fingers remained crossed all the same.  It is now starting to look like those ambitious plans could be faltering, and with uncertainty over ownership, things are looking shaky.  I'll be keeping a close eye on this story, but I really hope my pessimism is misplaced and that Lotus can deliver on its plans.  Now if they could just tone things down a bit and remember the Lotus philosophy...................