19 replies to this topic

[FLD]

I currently have a fiesta.  Perfectly good little car.  However, a small person comes with a lot of associated crap.  Like seriously huge amounts and I'm strating to consider getting something bigger.  A quick look round at the usual focus etc but suddenly in the price range pops up a Bentley Continental GT.  Seriously!  Insurance is less than the fiesta.  I know fuel will be  big bill but I don't do many miles.  I've found sources for brake parts.  Can anyone give me a reason not to?  Surely this is a money pit somewhere?

[Ivor]

Maserati

[oblomov]

Consistent minor electrical gremlins with switches etc at £250 each from Bentley.

[blackoctagon]

If you go to look at one borrow a VAGCOM/VCDS to put on it.
That was you'll see the horrors waiting for you, or better still have ammunition to haggle it down.

Most electric modules are common to other VAG cars, and things like the ABS sensors and suspension height sensors are able to be tracked back to more humdrum models to avoid paying over the odds for bits. Trickier bits can be had at better prices if you get them for a VW Phaeton, or even the Audi A8.

Or consider a Phaeton. I enjoyed mine. Same chassis and 4wd but you can get a diesel V6 to soften the fuel blow and add remap (I can give you a file).
Or go nuts with a W12 petrol or a V10 TDi.

[Strugs]

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

[Ivor]

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

4 door Maserati

[Strugs]

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

4 door Maserati

They should come up with some snazzy, evocative, Italian name for a four door Maserati..

[Ivor]

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

4 door Maserati

They should come up with some snazzy, evocative, Italian name for a four door Maserati..

They should, quattro docke perhaps

[hairy]

 

 

 

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

4 door Maserati

They should come up with some snazzy, evocative, Italian name for a four door Maserati..

They should, quattro docke perhaps

 

 

pedwar drws

 

[FLD]

The age old issue of expensive cars getting cheap to buy, but the running costs don't drop accordingly! And, if you're changing to 'bigger' because of a little person, is two doors the way to go?

 

This is a good point.  It's not the two doors that's the issue, it's the associated crap.  The pram won't fit in the fiesta boot without taking a wheel off and then the associated baggage gets strewn through the car.

 

That said, 4 doors would be easier. 

 

Interestingly, the suspension etc is phaeton.  Brakes are audi but Bentley do their best to nobble it.  Calipers are identical to an A8 I believe but the mounting holes are a couple of mm out, not enough to need a new casting but enough not to fit.

 

So. I've found work rounds for most things.  The problem comes with anything engine related.  New starter or alternator (not expensive parts) BUT engine out jobs.  3 days labour to get the beast out!  So not likely but a risk.  The next bit will sound oh so familiar.....loads of vag crossover making things cheap(er).  Anything specific and you get reamed.  Trim is especially expensive.
 

[hairy]

Trim is especially expensive.

 

 

... but a man of your talents can make that!

[coldel]

We got by with an old mk1 focus with our little lad, absolutely fine, and didn’t care a jot when he vomited in it, snapped bits in it, scratched the paint etc. If I were to do it again would probably get something like an SUV shape car just for ease on the old back!


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[C8RKH]

Maserati

 

The most unreliable brand on sale in the UK today, even behind Tesla.

[Ivor]

Maserati

The most unreliable brand on sale in the UK today, even behind Tesla.

I'm used to that, have a garage full of live, semi live , semi dead and dead Ducatis

[FLD]

We got by with an old mk1 focus with our little lad, absolutely fine, and didn’t care a jot when he vomited in it, snapped bits in it, scratched the paint etc. If I were to do it again would probably get something like an SUV shape car just for ease on the old back!


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Yeah, I'm also tempted to the other extreme and go bangernomics
 

[coldel]

Paid £1600 for the Focus, spent nearly 3 years with it being abused by a hyper little boy, it got hit whilst parked by an Asda lorry, their insurance company valued it at £1750 and paid out 

 

But yes throwing buggies, various bags, dirty wellies, and loads of other crap that comes with a kid into a cavernous boot and not care one jot what the car looked like. As grandparents lived 60-80 miles away going for visits meant piling on the miles as well so didnt care for depreciation lol 

[Ivor]

Maserati

The most unreliable brand on sale in the UK today, even behind Tesla.

£30k: reasonably new Skoda Octavia VRS estate or Maserati quattroporte...V12...
I know where my money is heading

Edited by Ivor, 10 March 2021 - 01:57 PM.

[C8RKH]

 

 

Maserati

The most unreliable brand on sale in the UK today, even behind Tesla.

£30k: reasonably new Skoda Octavia VRS estate or Maserati quattroporte...V12...
I know where my money is heading

 

 

Oh, do not get me wrong. I fully understand your man logic and would be right behind you in the queue for the Maserati.  They look great (outside) and sound wonderful.

 

But, if you are going down this route. I would also share my thinking, which would add an Aston Martin Rapide and a Bentley Flying Spur to the game!    Go seek, there are some great bargains to be had out there!

[Foxy]

 Trim is especially expensive.

If only we knew someone who trims Bentlys...

[FLD]

 

 Trim is especially expensive.

If only we knew someone who trims Bentlys…