Vehicle culture shock.!

[robbo/region15]

So,i recently returned to the UK.
Im absolutely gobsmacked with the variance of models on the road here!!!

Ford are well catered for with mondeo,focus,kuga,fiesta.Not a falcon or larger car to be seen [as in Aus size].Although i did see a Statesman near Heathrow.

Most drive these small cars, especialy the Ford KA...........single egg carton,very hard to get in/out off....lol.

Fuel here is 1.45 pound/litre ..which is very pricey./[$3.48 p/litre]

Roads are busy ,even here in the West Country.

The smaller the car ,the cheaper the road tax[rego],plus these mot[roadworthys]yearly keep the crap cars off the road.... .

Like i said "Culture Shock!"

[Wretched]

It's been like that for many years, just about forever.
Not only is fuel expensive, roads are smaller too and obviously there is a fair amount of congestion hence the lack of larger cars.
They also have the advantage of better PT.
No real need for a large sedan.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by robbo/region15

],plus these mot[roadworthys]yearly keep the crap cars off the road.... "

i guess you're not from NSW, who have a yearly safety inspection...

[gcg2503]

Your exchange rate conversion is out!

1.48GBP = 2.30AUD

[saam]

You will find that most countries in europe are like this.....

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by saam

You will find that most countries in europe are like this.....

But not all - indeed I wonder if even most. In Czech Republic I'm paying $1.50 a litre for diesel. It's not that much more in Germany. The only two car brands in Europe still experiencing considerable growth, Skoda and Hyundai/Kia are made in Czech Republic so manufacturing export earnings from about 1 million cars a year are going very nicely.

Plenty of large cars and SUVs on the road here (and Austria and Germany) too, though I'm surprised to see Volvo almost vanished.

I suspect UK's in an economic drain-hole of its own!

[falconnut]

sounds like hell if you like driving then.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by falconnut

sounds like hell if you like driving then.

Driving in Europe (well certainly Central Europe and UK) is an absolute pleasure compared to driving in Australia because of:

. driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression.
. lack of official nannying so you can drive on motorways at speeds appropriate to the conditions and concentrate on driving without worrying about you know what.
. good transport planning with proper roads and traffic controls provided where needed and excellent public transport to ease the peak loads.
. because of all the above, being able to get where you want in a reasonable time and reasonably relaxed - and therefore having a chance to actually enjoy driving.

All that, in spite of many times more people living on that continent.

[wrongwaynorris]

" . driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression. "

Absolutely 100% true . Generally speaking , as a race Australians still have not and probably never will come to terms with the motor car . Also walk down any street in the UK and look into the cars , you will be absolutely flat out finding an automatic , they are drivers not vehicle steerers .

[new2ford]

Thanks, but I gotta say having a manual is generally a pain in the butt lol!

I think there are actually many very capable drivers in Australia but a minority spoil it all bigtime - and even worse bring the official nannies out of their closets. Which sends it all into a self-perpetuating downward spiral.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Your exchange rate conversion is out!

1.48GBP = 2.30AUD

Never let accuracy get in the way of a good yarn...

[Bucknaked]

People's circumstances dictate their lifestyle. Cars are money pits. Cheaper car has cheaper costs. Lets face it, why do people need a car that does 13litres per 100 when cars out their do it for 6 litre's less. Transport. A to B.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

" . driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression. "

Absolutely 100% true . Generally speaking , as a race Australians still have not and probably never will come to terms with the motor car . Also walk down any street in the UK and look into the cars , you will be absolutely flat out finding an automatic , they are drivers not vehicle steerers .

try driving a truck all day long in the city!!! you'll learn too love automatic cars pretty quick

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Driving in Europe (well certainly Central Europe and UK) is an absolute pleasure compared to driving in Australia because of:

. driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression.
. lack of official nannying so you can drive on motorways at speeds appropriate to the conditions and concentrate on driving without worrying about you know what.
. good transport planning with proper roads and traffic controls provided where needed and excellent public transport to ease the peak loads.
. because of all the above, being able to get where you want in a reasonable time and reasonably relaxed - and therefore having a chance to actually enjoy driving.

All that, in spite of many times more people living on that continent.

And don't forget signs that tell you where the road goes to rather than the name of the road!!

[Ben73]

Plus insurance is UK is through the roof.
Especially for young drivers. They pay almost as much as the car is worth. Sometimes more.
So that would make people want to buy a small cheap car.

[Luke Plaizier]

The West Country?

Are we talking Welsh-West or Bristol-West?


Lukeyson

[robbo/region15]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

" . driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression. "

Absolutely 100% true . Generally speaking , as a race Australians still have not and probably never will come to terms with the motor car . Also walk down any street in the UK and look into the cars , you will be absolutely flat out finding an automatic , they are drivers not vehicle steerers .

Very true,not many autos to be seen!Quite the opposite to what i posted about FOA /Do they build Manuals anymore thread.......

[robbo/region15]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

The West Country?

Are we talking Welsh-West or Bristol-West?


Lukeyson

Lukeyson,im talking West Country;South West-Devon & Cornwall..

[2011G6E]

That's why all sizes of car from large to small have a diesel as one of the most popular...if not the most popular...engine choice. Cars that we've had here for years have only had petrol engines surprise Australians when we find out they have an option of an amazingly frugal and powerful turbo diesel in Europe...which usually never see the light of day here even on fairly common models that are imported here in big numbers.

Fuel has always been expensive in England...a friend of mine lived in London for four years, and said he never owned a car. An amazing public transport system meant you didn't actually have to, and if you were going on a trip, just rent one.
He also said that part of owning something like a Jag or a Rolls was not only "look at me, I can afford a big car", it was "Look at me, I can afford t put fuel in it"...

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

That's why all sizes of car from large to small have a diesel as one of the most popular...if not the most popular...engine choice. Cars that we've had here for years have only had petrol engines surprise Australians when we find out they have an option of an amazingly frugal and powerful turbo diesel in Europe...which usually never see the light of day here even on fairly common models that are imported here in big numbers.

Fuel has always been expensive in England...a friend of mine lived in London for four years, and said he never owned a car. An amazing public transport system meant you didn't actually have to, and if you were going on a trip, just rent one.
He also said that part of owning something like a Jag or a Rolls was not only "look at me, I can afford a big car", it was "Look at me, I can afford t put fuel in it"...

hahaha!!! hope we dont get like that here with our big cars!!! gee I'm gunna cop it for owning two falcons!!!

[steve.zissou]

yeah, but check out how much a 5 - 10 year s classs or 7 series costs to buy - super cheap

[Vesper Martini]

my experience.. the public transport system is very good, and there is no "im too good for public transport attitude"
Many top end workers commute into london by Train live close to the countryside where they have thier weekender cars.
After living there for a couple of years I found I became a better driver, oddly form not driving so often.

[jpd80]

With such good public transport why would you ever take a car into central London and try to find a park every day.
Save fuel, parking costs, traffic hassles by catching the train or bus and have a great weekend car - that sounds great.

And that the point, in countries where people don't need to buy cars, manufacturers have to try harder
with prices, not like Australia where everyone just accepts the 50% higher prices for whatever reason is offered.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by jpd80

With such good public transport why would you ever take a car into central London and try to find a park every day.
Save fuel, parking costs, traffic hassles by catching the train or bus and have a great weekend car - that sounds great.

Parking in central London was never a problem for me

I live there for 6 years and nearly 4 of those I had a car

Do not get me started on the UK - a tremendous place to live and definitely not as expensive as many Australians believe

Transport is A1...5 stars...top class! Can you imagine getting onto a train platform and being disappointed at having to wait 6 minutes? The norm was 2-3. Outstanding.

English drivers are light years ahead of us.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Parking in central London was never a problem for me

I live there for 6 years and nearly 4 of those I had a car

Do not get me started on the UK - a tremendous place to live and definitely not as expensive as many Australians believe

Transport is A1...5 stars...top class! Can you imagine getting onto a train platform and being disappointed at having to wait 6 minutes? The norm was 2-3. Outstanding.

English drivers are light years ahead of us.

Most of that is true , however the problems are pomms and their odd work ethics being in my experience dead set clock watcher

[EDManual]

Funny how fuel prices in europe in their currency (pound or euro) have pretty much stayed the same for 10+ years, and here it has gone from 70c to 1.50 even though our dollar has doubled its value in those years!!!

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Parking in central London was never a problem for me

I live there for 6 years and nearly 4 of those I had a car

Do not get me started on the UK - a tremendous place to live and definitely not as expensive as many Australians believe

Transport is A1...5 stars...top class! Can you imagine getting onto a train platform and being disappointed at having to wait 6 minutes? The norm was 2-3. Outstanding.

English drivers are light years ahead of us.

Hmmm....how much do they pay train drivers over there I wonder...

[creative]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Driving in Europe (well certainly Central Europe and UK) is an absolute pleasure compared to driving in Australia because of:

. driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression.
. lack of official nannying so you can drive on motorways at speeds appropriate to the conditions and concentrate on driving without worrying about you know what.
. good transport planning with proper roads and traffic controls provided where needed and excellent public transport to ease the peak loads.
. because of all the above, being able to get where you want in a reasonable time and reasonably relaxed - and therefore having a chance to actually enjoy driving.

All that, in spite of many times more people living on that continent.

Non of that applies to the uk!

Australia is the same as the uk, just 10years behind. Roads are just as terrible, congestion is just as bad, M25 carpark anyone? And cars are woefully small! Anything over a 2lt is a big engine! I think lawn mowers over here have bigger engines than some of the cars there!

[UKXR8]

Originally Posted by EDManual

Funny how fuel prices in europe in their currency (pound or euro) have pretty much stayed the same for 10+ years, and here it has gone from 70c to 1.50 even though our dollar has doubled its value in those years!!!

I think you need to check your figures!!
Back in 1999 I was paying around 60p per litre (which I thought was extortionate back then), its now around £1.45 today..

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Driving in Europe (well certainly Central Europe and UK) is an absolute pleasure compared to driving in Australia because of:

. driver attitudes, courtesy, awareness, intelligence, alertness and lack of aggression.

Agreed, except I did come across a couple of nutcases during my stints over there, one was a Transit van that surprised me when it started overtaking me toward the top of a hill on a two way country road. As expected, a vehicle then appeared coming the other way, so this van which was beside me simply moved into where I was. I had to hit the brakes to avoid him running me off the road.

But on the whole they are very disciplined, motorcyclists queuing up at traffic lights in line with the cars in front and behind them, with no attempt to get to the front or lane split. Also at roundabouts, if the general Victorian driver tried their bad habits in the UK, they would get blasted with loud horns each time. UK drivers stay in their roundabout lane, not cut across lanes unless deliberately changing lanes to go where they have to go, giving way as appropriate to other traffic on the roundabout.

I do like the way UK have their motorway lanes organised, where it is the righthandmost lanes that discontinue, not the left lanes as it is here. Motorway entry lanes continue on forming new lanes on the motorway, so cars entering dont need to merge with the traffic already on the motorway. This encourages traffic to stay in the left lanes, despite drivers tending to stay in the left lanes regardless, unless overtaking.

And if you have a car the size of the Falcon, it wont fit in the Micra sized carspaces in supermarket carparks. The Honda Civic I was driving was almost too big for them.