Clarkson sends his GT40 back for a refund

[fillip]

Yes, after a month off absolute hell with this car Jeremy Clarkson (presenter of the UK show Top Gear for those who don't yet know the name) sent the car back to Ford and requested a full refund for his troubles. Very funny read. http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1677058_1,00.html

[furious trout]

highly amusing, but at the same time ridiculous to see a £126k car ruined like that :sigh:

[Starbuck3733T]

So the dingbat installed an aftermarket alarm in a GT40!? Dumbass?!

[fillip]

So the dingbat installed an aftermarket alarm in a GT40!? Dumbass?!
No Clarkson didn't, f***in' dumbass Ford installed a cheap, aftermarket alarm aswell as a crappy Ford manufactured immobiliser http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Darv]

If I'd bought a car for that amount and was getting those kind of problems I would want my money back. What's the point in making a 200mph+ car if you don't bother putting a decent alarm in it.


So the dingbat installed an aftermarket alarm in a GT40!? Dumbass?!

It was the standard Ford one wasn't it.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Ah ha ha ha ha!

Its very funny but i do feel for him. Theres nothing worse than waiting with anticiaption for something then finding out its rubbish. The stories a bit confusing as Clarkson says 'a crummy aftermarket alarm system. ' but it must have been fitted by Ford

[Starbuck3733T]

No Clarkson didn't, f***in' dumbass Ford installed a cheap, aftermarket alarm aswell as a crappy Ford manufactured immobiliser http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I'd ask for the damn thing to be removed and be done with it. Then get a lowjack or something high-end.

[fillip]

I'd ask for the damn thing to be removed and be done with it. Then get a lowjack or something high-end.

Quite. According to the article he can buy it back any time he wants and in the mean time they've lent him a DB9 until he decides.

[Leeum]

...in the mean time they've lent him a DB9 until he decides.

My kind of courtesy car :cool: It's a real shame, I think he should buy it back but only when they've ironed the fault out.

[Starbuck3733T]

Without the craptastic extra systems.

[dutchcedar]

What a whoosy-phuck.

I've never seen one in person, but thought from photographs that it wasn't all that wide. That's ashame. Fat sports cars aren't fun to drive on public roads. How can ya hit an apex when ya barely fit in a lane? :shock:

[mnpctech]

What a lame excuse... I'd sniped the wire....

Mrs was pissed he spent all that money and it irked her, he sprouted wood for the car and not her.

...He folded :ignore:

[zer0]

man that sucks i would have just asked that they remove the alarm system and the immobiliser and had a nice after market one installed.

honestly being a ford is a US company and most US roads are prety wide its easy to understand that such a car is wide.

atleast he didnt get the car an find out it was too small for him to drive...

[BigBen2k]

Alarm issue aside, it really sounds like he's better off without it: if I got a car (any car) and it had these issues, it'd go back.

[mrplow]

such a sexy beast tho.
i'd just sit and look at it all day.


They put £126,000 in my account and sent a man to pick up the car. “Is it the alarm system?” he said. “They all do that.”

<_<


i'm pretty sure i'd just rip out the crappy alarm and put a new one in.

[jaguarking11]

Me personaly cant imagine a supercar with any comodities in it. Anyone who buys a supercar and uses an alarm system and even air conditioning or even leather is a dumb ass. If it was me I would strip all that crap out including every pice of electronics that dosent have to do with the actual car handling engine or signaling. In true supercar fashion the car should be all about performance. But thats just my opinion.

[Pug]

Silly.
Why didn't he just get a Toad system or something? :huh:
That said - the response suggesting he get a supercharged AtomII was prolly my favourite recourse. :wub:

[Duffman]

What a whiner, I mean, I know it must become the norm driving supercars all day but suck it up man. Its a GT40. I would like for the alarm to go off just so I could be reminded I have such a freakin awsome car.
Then he throws in the america bash, ya know what? F them, I think the GT40's should stay in the states so we can drive them on our big roads and freeways. Then he can just keep living the dream and crying like a.....ARRRGGG

[fillip]

Me personaly cant imagine a supercar with any comodities in it. Anyone who buys a supercar and uses an alarm system and even air conditioning or even leather is a dumb ass.

A dumbass hey? I'm sorry, but anyone who spends over a £100,000 on a car and doesn't fit some sort of securitty device is the dumb ass!! You wanna invite people to steal you're pride and joy. Personally, if i'd spent that much on a car I would expect to have to pay shit loads more for a good alaram and one that works. It should be a given after paying so damn much.

[Pug]

Heh, I think if I spent that much on a car, I'd be sleeping in it.
No alarm necessary ('cept mebbe the clock type). :-p

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

For a start our roads aren't as wide as yours so get over it. As fillip said at that price the car should be perfect and relaible. I dont think 100k is a huge amount for mister clarkson and Ford will be pooping themelves as he has a lot of influence and if they cant get their flagship car right then it doesn't bode well for the rest of their products.

[mnpctech]

It was derived from a LeMans car :rant:

Dear Mr Shelby,

I'll be ordering your new Shelby Cobra next year.

Do you think they'll install a heated steering wheel so my hands don't get cold for those early morning drives to the club. Will the trunk be large enuf to accomondate my Ping clubs?

I noticed there wasn't a cup holder shown in the brochure. Is this hidden perhaps? Or something I can have installed by the dealer?

I was a bit dissappointed that a Navigation system isn't offered as well. I get a bit confused while driving in the city at night. I've learned to rely on this in my CL600.

Is there a way to cut back the Horsepower? Like a limitor switch or something? I can't see myself driving over 70 mph.

[Jewels]

Geeez, I love GT40s!! :shock:<3

The first time I ever saw one was years ago when Noel Edmunds was sporting around in his, hehe! :D

[Starbuck3733T]

bill - where'd you get that quote?

[mnpctech]

I wrote it to illustrate my point. Are you buying a sportscar upon it's legacy and performance/handling/engineering or status/luxury/image? Thats not directed at Clarkson's experience. Just a characterization of people I've met while instructing the annual autocross beginner school. His story just reminded me of those people.

[Knipex]

What a lame excuse... I'd sniped the wire....

Mrs was pissed he spent all that money and it irked her, he sprouted wood for the car and not her.

...He folded :ignore:

First off.

This guy willingly admits he has no idea how to change a spark plug let alone disconect a high end alarm system.

Secondly this si the guy who bought a decomisoned jet fighter to use as a lawn ornament.... Folded I think not.....

Personaly I think anyone who spent over 100K sterling on a FORD needs help.. (before the flaming starts, you are not going to win this argument ... it had a blue oval.......:-p)



Dear Mr Shelby,

I'll be ordering your new Shelby Cobra next year.

Do you think they'll install a heated steering wheel so my hands don't get cold for those early morning drives to the club. Will the trunk be large enuf to accomondate my Ping clubs?

I noticed there wasn't a cup holder shown in the brochure. Is this hidden perhaps? Or something I can have installed by the dealer?

I was a bit dissappointed that a Navigation system isn't offered as well. I get a bit confused while driving in the city at night. I've learned to rely on this in my CL600.

Is there a way to cut back the Horsepower? Like a limitor switch or something? I can't see myself driving over 70 mph. __________________

Not even in jest man.. Not even in jest...

My first son will be called Carroll Shelby Griffin (or knipex junior)

[mnpctech]

Its a joke mate... At least one of those thoughts will go through some rich wanker's head.

[Risky]

At >100k if there's a factory fitted alarm, it should work....

For that matter you'd say the same at <10k.

[BigBen2k]

I wrote it to illustrate my point. Are you buying a sportscar upon it's legacy and performance/handling/engineering or status/luxury/image? Thats not directed at Clarkson's experience. Just a characterization of people I've met while instructing the annual autocross beginner school. His story just reminded me of those people.
Yes, thank you! My first criteria for selecting a sports car would be the suspension / handling, yes even before the engine!
...

Personaly I think anyone who spent over 100K sterling on a FORD needs help.. (before the flaming starts, you are not going to win this argument ... it had a blue oval.......:-p)
I'm with you 110%. I sometimes get frustrated by st*pid people on the road, but I take comfort when the idi*t is driving a Ford; not smart enough to know better, any which way.http://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/cool2.gif

[mnpctech]

Agree, but if youre rich...whats 100K for a sportscar?

5 years ago I popped down $20K for the first Golf 4dr Turbo in the US. For my annual income, that felt like a $100K. It had three recalls in the first year.. Airflow sensor, window regulator, and child restraint.. and the factory battery went bad after 1 year, left us stranded. The dealer was a complete prick. In any case, w/ all its flaws and inconviences, I hung with it for 4 years and still loved that car. That to me, is what being an auto enthusiast is about.. You take all the bugs from the factory, cause the driving experience is what its all about... I owned a Thriumph GT6 for 2 years that had the dual solex carbs that constantly needed tuning... Thats just the baggage you accepted with owning that car.. I did'nt whine about it.... Owned umpteen different Beetle w/o heaters in Minnesota winters.... 83-84 Rabbit GTIs, always need the C/V joints replaced within 1 -2 years if you drove them too hard..

Suck it up, or drive a boring Aries K car :D

[jaguarking11]

A dumbass hey? I'm sorry, but anyone who spends over a £100,000 on a car and doesn't fit some sort of securitty device is the dumb ass!! You wanna invite people to steal you're pride and joy. Personally, if i'd spent that much on a car I would expect to have to pay shit loads more for a good alaram and one that works. It should be a given after paying so damn much.

Dude anyone who is going to steal a ford gt from anywere is probably a profesional and wether its alarmed or not wont matter. Alarms are for cheep cars, expensive ones get stolen in quite a diferent way. The best security system he can put in his car is to disconect one or two spark plugs.

[Risky]

Dude anyone who is going to steal a ford gt from anywere is probably a profesional and wether its alarmed or not wont matter. Alarms are for cheep cars, expensive ones get stolen in quite a diferent way. The best security system he can put in his car is to disconect one or two spark plugs.

But if you have no alarm system any idiot might have a bash at stealing it...

[jaguarking11]

Thank you so mutch for ilustrating that. Hes just beiong whiney. Allot of cars are imperfect when relesed, especialy first gen and year versions. Need I mention electrical probles in jaguars that plagued them eversince the 60's? Jag as far as the last 45 years go they have rarely made a reliable electrical system. and they are not the only ones. Most car companies have truble with first gen cars.


Quote:
Dear Mr Shelby,

I'll be ordering your new Shelby Cobra next year.

Do you think they'll install a heated steering wheel so my hands don't get cold for those early morning drives to the club. Will the trunk be large enuf to accomondate my Ping clubs?

I noticed there wasn't a cup holder shown in the brochure. Is this hidden perhaps? Or something I can have installed by the dealer?

I was a bit dissappointed that a Navigation system isn't offered as well. I get a bit confused while driving in the city at night. I've learned to rely on this in my CL600.

Is there a way to cut back the Horsepower? Like a limitor switch or something? I can't see myself driving over 70 mph.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Looking at this from a different perspective...

Clarkson is at the very least as much of a car enthusiast as anyone here, probably more so infact. He has driven nearly every supercar made in the last 20 years and hes a pretty good driver and can throw a car around a track. The alarm problems might be a minor issue but if hes willing to get rid of the car over it then obvisouly the car does not trigger an emotional response in him.

Bill has illustrated what a car enthusiast will put up with the if the car engages him on an emotional level. The GT40 obvisouly didn't do that to Clarkson which is (maybe) a sad reflection of the car.

lets not forget he has driven the new GT40, we have not.

[fillip]

Basically, Clarkson should've bought European and he wouldn't have had half the trouble :-p




*cue flaming* :finger:

[jaguarking11]

Basically, Clarkson should've bought European and he wouldn't have had half the trouble :-p




*cue flaming* :finger:

yup he should have bought european. VW polo disel non turbo is what he should have bought. Or maybe a nice classic polish fiat? OR how about a weelchair? Oh wait I got it. A fiat 131? Or how about a nova(the british kind not the american muscle car)?

I think hes just a spoiled brat when it comes to it. He expects a perfect supercar and belive me he wont find one. All supercars are prone to defects. More than production cars are.

[fillip]

I think hes just a spoiled brat when it comes to it. He expects a perfect supercar and belive me he wont find one. All supercars are prone to defects. More than production cars are.

I think he probably just wanted one that worked tbh.

whats with the dig @ European sports cars anyway, at least they fit on the roads. ;-)

[Duffman]

So basicly his penis wanted this...
http://www.rs-ford.co.uk/2004/gt40.jpg

But his wife wanted this...
http://www.fantasyjackpalance.com/fjp/photos/city/002/car-volvo-old.jpg

[Knipex]

Its a joke mate... At least one of those thoughts will go through some rich wanker's head.

I know mate I know.

.

Actually Clarksons wife drives one of these.

http://www.phyrric.com/pics/Lotus%20Elise.jpg

[jaguarking11]

I think he probably just wanted one that worked tbh.

whats with the dig @ European sports cars anyway, at least they fit on the roads. ;-)

Worked?

He did not have any mechanical faliures with his car. So the car worked. The alarm was crap but that dosent say mutch. I hate alarm systems anyway. At the end of the day to disable a car from being stolen is as simple as unlatching a distributor cap or installing a fuel line valve in your engine bay. Chances are thats safer than a high tech alarm. I have seen high tech alarms fail no matter how mutch they cost.

I read a story not too long ago about a guy who stoped his porche from geting stolen. It was his pride and joy and everynite b4 bed he would unscrew 5 out of 6 lug nuts and loosen the last one. One nite a rober stole his car out of his own garage and was cougt a block after the owners house when his weels fell off. The rober was caught and sentenced. The owners car sufered mild damage and he got it back rite away.
Point being alarms are useless agains high class robbers. Good old fashoned ingenuity almost always workes aginst theifs.


Now he should suck it up and have the alrms completly replaced by a company that he would make him happy.

[Pug]

If I was going to nick something as rare and noticeable as Clarkeson's GT40, I think I'd at least have the sense to have it away in a covered trailer or something, not drive the bugger off. :blink:

I remember when my bro's modded 3.1 Capri got nicked, he sat in the yard and heard it being taken round town.
Police were useless but we found it & got it back. :bat: ;-)

[jaguarking11]

If I was going to nick something as rare and noticeable as Clarkeson's GT40, I think I'd at least have the sense to have it away in a covered trailer or something, not drive the bugger off. :blink:

I remember when my bro's modded 3.1 Capri got nicked, he sat in the yard and heard it being taken round town.
Police were useless but we found it & got it back. :bat: ;-)

I agree. If I were to take something like that it would be towed out of town in a container and then have the alarm securly removed.

Now about catching your own theves, I would of done the same. THe good old 2x4 pice of wood in hand and a fist full of anger is all i need. I dont think they would even think the theves would even think about coming within a 5mile radious of my house after that.

[fillip]

It wasn't just the alarm though, the immobiliser; which btw was Ford made and fitted, didn't work either. How can you say the car works if the immobiliser stops you from using the piece of s**t. :duh:

[Risky]

I think the heart of this is that Ford sold him a car with an alarm and imobiliser. As a package it doesn't work. The crappy security system is effectively stoppinghim using the car. Don't get how this isn't Ford's fault or responsibility.

[jaguarking11]

It wasn't just the alarm though, the immobiliser; which btw was Ford made and fitted, didn't work either. How can you say the car works if the immobiliser stops you from using the piece of s**t. :duh:

I think the imobiliser refers to the alarm as well. Some alarms actualy lock the parking bracke on when the alarm thinks its going to be stolen.


Point being hes being whiney, if he wanted a comfort car he should have looked elsewere.

[Highperf15]

Damn.....crime that bad in England????...........Hell, I could park that in the worse part of Detroit and not have to worry about it (of course my trusty .45 would be at the ready.....heh)

[fivecheebs]

Point being hes being whiney, if he wanted a comfort car he should have looked elsewere.

jeeeze!

To my simple mind the point is that he bought a car that he wanted. It happened to be provided with extra equipment in the way of an alarm, imobilaser, and tracker (very cool things the trackers btw) none of us know if he wanted those things or not. The package didnt work as it was supposed to, so much so that he didnt use the car. He paid for something that he didnt get. Its not whiney, its consumer rights.

[Psykotik]

Let's do the PC analagy:

You buy a water kit that is supposed to be a plug n play job, no faff just cooling. It comes with an additive recommended by the manufacturer.
You use the aditive as suggested by the manufacturer but still you get galvanic corrosion/gunk/algae/ insert crap here, build up.
You'd be pissed right?

If the company failed to sort you out after the first attempt, I know I'd be bloody annoyed.

[jaguarking11]

Let's do the PC analagy:

You buy a water kit that is supposed to be a plug n play job, no faff just cooling. It comes with an additive recommended by the manufacturer.
You use the aditive as suggested by the manufacturer but still you get galvanic corrosion/gunk/algae/ insert crap here, build up.
You'd be pissed right?

If the company failed to sort you out after the first attempt, I know I'd be bloody annoyed.


You cant compare a malfunctioning watercooling kit for an exotic car. AN dthe defects you are pointing aout are plainly ireversable like as if he had complete engine sezure or trany brocke.

He payed the money for the car and he got a car, if he wanted a good level of security he should have had a custom unit installed. If he can aford the car he can aford the alarm. He just throwing a hissy fit and expecting people to sympathise with him. you may take it as me being a muscle car head as the reason im arguing with you but, All that asside I still think he got a good car and should have delt with it in a different way. I would be pissed if I bought a new car and it turned out to have loads of mechanical problems or high range electrical problems, but a security system is a silly thing to spoil your ride. As a matter of fact, My father bought a brand new car 3 years ago. The thing had a stock factory alarm and nothing more. He upgraded the alarm and also bought a lojack system for it. Cost him a decent amount but he never had problems with it. Our previous car had a very crappy alarm system and that thing kept going off for no reason and locking doors when the car was unlocked etc. We got pissed nad removed it, spend 100bux and bought a new one. Worked like a charm.

So your telling me he returned a 120k car for a max of 500-600dollars? Hes just being whiney. He should have gotten a ferrari so he has to fly the crap back to italy for an oil change. Hes being whiney. If you look at exotics around you find they breack down allot, its part of their prestige I supose. I know that astons have windsheild wiper motors that burn and you have to remove the engine and trany to get to it and ferraris need so mucth maintenance that that everyone who owns them says they are money pits.

If you wnat an exotic thats ther price you pay, not to mention the 5k pricetag for an oilchange on a enzo ferrari in the us.

[Knipex]

The car wass bough from Ford (delivered 18 months late and 20% more expencive than origionally quoted.

Ford sell the car as standard with that alarm fitted. It was chosen by Ford and fitted on behalf of Ford. Car was delivered.

Within 3 weeks the car (taken to include the entire package sold by ford) broke down 6 times and resulted in him not having the use of it for 2 weeks. (where he was given a ford focus Diesel estate as a replacment car) He complained to Ford and asked them to remove \ change the alarm system and was told no.

I thaught he was pretty restrained. If it was me that had to wait 18 months longer than promised and then fork out 20% extra for a car that I then could not drive I would have ripped out the alarm system, gone to Ford HQ, found the manager and rammed the said alarm where the sun dont shine.

But thats just me.:D

[fillip]

The car wass bough from Ford (delivered 18 months late and 20% more expencive than origionally quoted.

Ford sell the car as standard with that alarm fitted. It was chosen by Ford and fitted on behalf of Ford. Car was delivered.

Within 3 weeks the car (taken to include the entire package sold by ford) broke down 6 times and resulted in him not having the use of it for 2 weeks. (where he was given a ford focus Diesel estate as a replacment car) He complained to Ford and asked them to remove \ change the alarm system and was told no.

I thaught he was pretty restrained. If it was me that had to wait 18 months longer than promised and then fork out 20% extra for a car that I then could not drive I would have ripped out the alarm system, gone to Ford HQ, found the manager and rammed the said alarm where the sun dont shine.

But thats just me.:D

That's an echo of my thoughts exactly. I couldn't care less if the car was mechanically sound, for a 120k car I'd want close to perfection, let alone a car that bloody well worked.

[jaguarking11]

like I said this is not a regular production car. Its an exotic. Read around and find what kind of problems other exotics have. Its part of owning one. The alrm was a dud, so what? I would have riped it off myself and called it a day.

Also I am guessing that wasent his only car in his garage so a replacement car is nedless.

Maybe he should have bought a enzo ferrari and called it a day, but that would have cost him almost 4x the price and those cars are far from perfect too. ERxotics tend to be hand built so chances are there is more of it to go wrong.

But to each his own. I do see your point but you guys neglect to take into concideration that this is not a run of the mill car. this is not a grocery getter or family car. This is an expensive toy.

regardless, its a diferent point of view between us. No use in arguing.

[Pug]

Remind me to look up jk11, next time I have a car to sell... ;-)

:wiz:

[fillip]

Remind me to look up jk11, next time I have a car to sell... ;-)

:wiz:

Lol. :D

[jaguarking11]

Remind me to look up jk11, next time I have a car to sell... ;-)

:wiz:

Frankly if it is mechanicaly sound I could care less whats wrong with it electronicaly.

Im a minimalist when it comes to cars. Less i better. Thats why I prefer old muscle cars with old technology over a plastic and wire new car. I like a car that only has sparkplug wires in it and no sensors or leeds in it. I hate oxygen sensors and computer controled engines. A nice mechanical fuel injection kit can be had from a respectable company for very little money and will be more reliable than a moderns ignision system.

Just my kind of thing I supose.

[Sinner]

OUCH! That would make me absoluetly livid if I had just blown about $250k-$300k(rough estimate so sue me) on a hot rod like that. He really should have just told the impudent bastards to remove the alarm and immobilsers and go get a good high end top notch custom system installed.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

As i said previously if the car was worth it then he would keep it even with the troubles. Seems to me the GT40 isn't all it cracked up to be.

JK11 if you actually knew who Clarkson was and seen his programmes then you would know the 'hissy fit' argument is unlikely.

[Darv]

Even without all those alarm and immobiliser troubles ther car still has problems.

It's too wide for roads here, the fuel economy is awful, it's impossible to get in and out of in a tight space.

I don't care what you say about it being an exotic car, there's a limit to what you can put up with.

[fillip]

the fuel economy is awful,

Now that is one thing I'll say you take as a given with a high performance sports car.

[fivecheebs]

I agree with you darv, however those are all points he knew would be hard to live with when he ordered it. It does however confirm the point that he knew there were going to be some foibles with the car and he ordered it none the less. I dont think the usual idiosyncrasies you get with exotic cars is what changed his mind.

:tempt:
he was probably much like this smiley when he returned the car.

[Psykotik]

Exotics tend to be hand built so chances are there is more of it to go wrong.

They are a limited edition, meaning Ford have more than ample time to build them PROPERLY.

If something is handbuilt, you would expect better workmanship than a run of the mill car as that is half the point, you own an exclusive rather than a generic.

Ford included the alarm system as part of the (hideously expensive) package, it should work. Period.

It didn't, they didn't fix it (which isn't surprising considering Ford's reputation) so he rightly sent it back.

There are no should haves and what ifs, he could have done anything he wanted to too it, he has the money, but he shouldn't have to.

Agree about all the electrical jiggery buggery in cars to a point tho :thumb: (the newest BMW's are a joke, electronical everything!)

Andy

[fillip]

(the newest BMW's are a joke, electronical everything!)



For a saloon that can do 205mph who gives a crap. :bounce:

...at least being a BMW you know it'll work.

[jaguarking11]

They are a limited edition, meaning Ford have more than ample time to build them PROPERLY.

If something is handbuilt, you would expect better workmanship than a run of the mill car as that is half the point, you own an exclusive rather than a generic.

Ford included the alarm system as part of the (hideously expensive) package, it should work. Period.

It didn't, they didn't fix it (which isn't surprising considering Ford's reputation) so he rightly sent it back.

There are no should haves and what ifs, he could have done anything he wanted to too it, he has the money, but he shouldn't have to.

Agree about all the electrical jiggery buggery in cars to a point tho :thumb: (the newest BMW's are a joke, electronical everything!)

Andy

Now lets point it this way. Hand built huh? Well explain to me why every owner of an austin martin has more problems with their car than a regular car would. Hand built also means higher chance for flaws and human error.

Secondly the GT40 as you guys call it is actualy a ford gt withought the 40. And the car was under extreme time crunch. It takes in ecess of 5 years to design and build a car with average time being over 8 years, and they are still not perfect. This is a car that was dreamt and built in less than 2 years. You should look at recalls for first gen production cars let alone a first gen exotic. Family member of myne had a mercedes benz ml320 and that was the worst car he ever owned for the simple fact that it was a first gen car. He ended up switching back to his 10 year old grancherokee jeep.

Now for the expensive part. Yes its expensive when it comes to regular guys that buy regular cars. But for an exotic at 120k its a steal. Check ferrari of the same range, check other brands of the same range.

Fords rep in europe is bad, I hate euro fords period. But come and try some of the fords sold in the US and I will gurantee you it will change your mind. (cue in mustangs with over 300k miles, cue in crown victoria's with well over 1/2 million with heavy NY trafic and cue in lincoln towncars with over 1 million)

Again with the should have iffs and what not, if he expected a daily driver exotic he should have looked elsewere. No such thing. The only daily driven exotic I have seen was a vector with over 250k miles on it. Most exotics get driven rarly.

Now bmw's. I too dislike modern bmw's for the simple reality that they are computers with weels. If I wanted a computer with weels I would strap some to my pc and do a hell of a better job than bmw building a pc. Older bmw's tho have my respect.

This whole thing was a publicity stunt for him as he knew it would make it around, yay for ratings.

Now if you guys want to see a real car enthusiast show you should check in with the speed chanel in the us and spike tv in the weekends, they actualy build cars on the air and test and race them. If I wanted to watch someone drive around in cars and tell me what they experience, car and driver tv does that for me. But im more into the technical prespective I supose.

[jaguarking11]

For a saloon that can do 205mph who gives a crap. :bounce:

...at least being a BMW you know it'll work.

Work huh? GF (friend) of myne had a 98bmw m3/manual. She has been driving for about 10 years now. She always drove stick and does it very well. Now tell me how can her bmw striped the frist two gears within the 3 years she owned it? Not only that but her valve train started making noise. Now her old 1985 camaro is still on its original motor and trany and has well over 300k miles and still works nicely. She owned the m3 from 1998- 2001 and sold it off.

All manufacturers have problems. Personaly I have seen my share of problems form a whole variety of manufacturers. The most solid car we ever owned is our old 1993 plymouth voyager, that thing was a tank.

[Pug]

^^ Did she know what the 'spare' pedal was for? :huh:





:-p :D

[Darv]

rofl :lol:

Secondly the GT40 as you guys call it is actualy a ford gt withought the 40. And the car was under extreme time crunch. It takes in ecess of 5 years to design and build a car with average time being over 8 years, and they are still not perfect. This is a car that was dreamt and built in less than 2 years..

Well if it was built in two years how come it was nearly two years late.

And besides all they did was tart up the old version.

[fivecheebs]

LOL pug :lol:


Again with the should have iffs and what not, if he expected a daily driver exotic he should have looked elsewere. No such thing. The only daily driven exotic I have seen was a vector with over 250k miles on it. Most exotics get driven rarly.

Ya see .... who said he was going to use it as a daily driver? I doubt you would fit many shopping bags in it either. IF he could get it to the shops that is without the faulty immobiliser stopping him dead in his tracks.

[fillip]

^^ Did she know what the 'spare' pedal was for? :huh:





:-p :D

LMFAO!!! :lol:
It most definately wasn't intended for a daily drier either, from the simple fact that he couldn't fit it down half the London streets, yet despite that he was still willing to keep it. I don't think it was the fact that it had a fault/s when he got it but rather that Ford didn't fix it in 3 attempts.

As for Aston Martins being unreliable, the only complaint I've heard of the modern incarnations are that the auto box is a piece of crap.

[jaguarking11]

rofl :lol:



Well if it was built in two years how come it was nearly two years late.

And besides all they did was tart up the old version.

What old version bud? The original gt40 was naturaly aspirated.

New one is totaly diferent motor and chasy is completly diferent. Steering is diferent and suspension setup.

It also took long because they are hand built and demand was high. Not to mention europens dont get first pic at a US produced part just like the US dosent get first pick at euro spec cars.

Anyways futile argument.

[jaguarking11]

^^ Did she know what the 'spare' pedal was for? :huh:





:-p :D

Still think it was a publicity stunt. And how freaking small are your streets? I have seen the ford gt and its not a big car. On the contrary its pretty dam small. I could imagine a chevy suburban around town.

OK I shut up now.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

In the older cities very narrow. Unlike America most European towns and cities pre-date the invention of the motor car so they built around people and horse and carts.

Is the GT40 aproximatly the same width as a hummer? I saw an original hummer, the military derived one not the H2 (i think thats right) and it took up 1 1/2 lanes of the road here. Theres also a black H2 in Aberdeen which i pass parked quite regulary and that damn thing sticks out right into the road too.

[fivecheebs]

OK, I have only ever seen one suburban here. They look sooo much bigger here than in thier native habitat. Driving one here would be a complete nightmare since they are about 1 1/2 times bigger than a normal car in every direction. They are even about the same size, if not a tiny bit bigger than our most popular delivery van.

Not only are city roads smaller than yours, the roads between the cities can be tiny. Only space for one vehicle at a time and the occasional pull in so cars can pass.

I tell you what JK .... if that didnt give you an idea of our road sizes, tell me and ill take some pictures. I live in quite a rural area, i can take a pic of one of the narrowest roads i know.

[jaguarking11]

Thats fine I dont need any pictures.

I can imagine. I can sympathise with you guys. But honestly you make it sound like your roads are smaller than sidewalks around town here.

[Duffman]

Driving around in london I found the highways around the airport large and the main streets large, Its Paris where it killed me, even rome had its spots but the heart of paris was a complete nightmare, it took 4 hours to get around the block.

[fillip]

Driving around in london I found the highways around the airport large and the main streets large, Its Paris where it killed me, even rome had its spots but the heart of paris was a complete nightmare, it took 4 hours to get around the block.

Yeah, the UK deifnately isn't as bad as parts of Paris and to a lesser extent Rome, but the same will prob. apply to any classical city.
But some of the streets in Paris are just ridiculous, though as we said with London, it's because the only traffic on those streets when they were firts built would'e been people and horses.