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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2000.0. "Help wanted!" by UTROP1::BOSMAN_P () Wed Jan 20 1993 18:21

    As my undercarriage is deteriorating I need to swith to an automatic.
    This is a must. However, I am not brain dead and would like to keep 
    the fun in driving. This is a want.
    
    What I need is:
    1. Automatic
    2. Diesel engine(for economic reasons)
    3. Enough space to house five LARGE dogs, about 200 kg of dog in total.
       (a back seat is not needed so a commercial vehicle or 4wd would do)
    
    What I'd like is:
    4. Some power
    5. Reasonable handling
    
    Apart from the too expensive Mercedes T series I have not been able to 
    find any car that fits even the needs! Anybody any suggestions? I'd
    seriously consider importing!
    
    Peter
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
2000.1PEKING::SMITHRWErr.....Wed Jan 20 1993 19:235
    Peugeot did a diesel auto 505, but I don't know if it was available on
    the big estates.
    
    Richard
2000.2Not counting HGVs and PSVsESBS01::RUTTERRut The NutWed Jan 20 1993 19:263
    From what I've read in the past, auto-box diesels are *extremely* rare.
    
    J.R.
2000.3Try the standard default dieselROCKS::RDAVIESAn expert AmateurWed Jan 20 1993 19:304
    Citroen have a BX Auto diesel, but I'm not sure if it's available in an
    estate.
    
    Richard
2000.4How about the Citroen XM?CMBOOT::DELANYSYour pessimism is my realismWed Jan 20 1993 19:368
    Citroen also do an auto option on the XM turbo diesel estate, and you
    can't get much bigger than that! I think What Car? tested it a few
    months ago, if I remember correctly...
    
    
    
    Cheers,
    Stephen
2000.5PLAYER::BROWNLFree the Morris 8Thu Jan 21 1993 11:385
    The Pug 505 estate is no more. The 605 estate is due out "real soon
    now", I understand. Whether there was or will be an automatic, I can't
    tell you.
    
    Laurie.
2000.6WIZZER::WEGGSome hard boiled eggs and some nuts.Thu Jan 21 1993 12:0110
        Just out of interest, why are diesel automatics so rare? I was
        considering one  a couple of years ago, but about the only one 
        I found then was the FX4 taxi!.
        
        As earlier replies have said, very few manufacturers allow the
        automatic option with a diesel power plant. I guess there must
        be a reason.
        
        Ian.
2000.7Thanks sofar.UTROP1::BOSMAN_PThu Jan 21 1993 12:0527
2000.8It is very understandeble!UTROP1::BOSMAN_PThu Jan 21 1993 12:1814
    re .6
    
    Reasons: 
    1. Diesel engines are sometimes larger so the space needed can be a problem.
    2. The torque/rev band is specific and the autotrannies available
    rarely match up as they were develloped for use on petrol engines. 
    3. Diesel is more expensive, autotran is too so a diesel/auto is far
    more expensive.
    4. It's a niche market only.
    Conclusion: too much hassle and investment for only a small number sold with
    a minimum margin. This is a big risc, small return combination so they
    back off.
    
    Peter
2000.9UPROAR::EVANSGGwyn Evans @ IME - Open DECtrade -> DTN 769-8108Thu Jan 21 1993 12:242
    Re the base requirements, have you looked at either LandRover or
    imported Jeep-type vehicles?
2000.10UFHIS::GVIPONDFree Winnie Mandela with every 2 gallonsThu Jan 21 1993 12:493
    
    Dont Range Rover and/or Discovery do an italian diesel ?
2000.11SUBURB::TAYLORGRIP: Freddie Mercury 24-Nov-1991Thu Jan 21 1993 15:139
    If you are looking for a second hand car then Volvo have the 760 GLE TD
    wich costs around 14k for a '90 (G).
    
    It has everything as standard and has a 2.4 Litre straight six motor
    that churns out 129BHP.
    
    Fuel consumption is around 35MPG+.
    
    Grant
2000.12Diesel Espace ?on Auto?CHEFS::NEWTONSThu Jan 21 1993 15:374
    I Know that Renault are bringing out the Espace Diesel for the UK
    market in Feb. Not sure about auto box tho' - that could be a problem.
    I don't know if the diesel Espace (already available in France) is
    available over there with auto option.
2000.13Sorry, not even Land RoverLARVAE::SMART_AResists anything except temptation!Thu Jan 21 1993 16:0610
    Re .10
    
    Land Rovers (Defenders), Range Rover and Discovery models are not
    available as diesel autos although petrol autos are available.
    
    The manual diesel versions do have quite heavy clutches so that rules
    them out.
    
    ...and just to put the record straight the Italian VM engine was binned
    in favour of the home grown 200Tdi
2000.14Dog HaulerPEKING::SMITHRWErr.....Thu Jan 21 1993 16:1712
2000.15NoNo'sUTROP1::BOSMAN_PThu Jan 21 1993 16:2224
2000.16UPROAR::EVANSGGwyn Evans @ IME - Open DECtrade -> DTN 769-8108Thu Jan 21 1993 16:2522
2000.17I can ring.UTROP1::BOSMAN_PThu Jan 21 1993 16:4211
    re .13:
    I definitely want the dogs in the same space as us.
    
    re .14: 
    Please remember that the UK has about 20 times as many cars as us so the
    chances are about 5% of those in the UK.
    Could you e-mail me the details of the Peugeot? If the guy's still got
    it... As I stated I will import it myself if I cannot find one over
    here.
    
    Peter
2000.18All I have on this....PEKING::SMITHRWErr.....Thu Jan 21 1993 18:3911
    It was A & J French, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon.
    
    Phone 0865 841184.
    
    I don't know anything about this outfit, just saw the ad...
    
    Good Luck
    
    Richard
2000.19UFHIS::GVIPONDFree Winnie Mandela with every 2 gallonsThu Jan 21 1993 19:329
2000.20SAC::LETCHER_PBargain basement BritainFri Jan 22 1993 10:588
2000.21Don't like the idea of an auto though ...BRUMMY::MARTIN::BELLMartin Bell, TCC, Birmingham UKFri Jan 22 1993 11:048
I think that there is an article in February's Car magazine talking
about this one. It is a joint venture between Nissan and Ford, with
the radiator grill being just about the only visible difference between
the models from each manufacturer.

Looks like Ford have been hit badly be the Vauxhall Frontera!

mb
2000.22There's a light shimmering...UTROP1::BOSMAN_PFri Jan 22 1993 11:3217
    re .21  Yes, the joint venture Explorer is a "mini". About the size of 
    the Chevy S10 and the frontera. 
    There is, as yet, no talk of a Diesel.
    
    All US manufacturers have  Full size truck/4x4 models with a HUGE, say
    6 litres, diesel engine and auto. These are however NOT imported into
    Europe. Only one, the Chevy pickup is. Not being imported before means
    no type approval which means a private person can't afford to bring one
    in. I tried this option already.
    
    Am currently chasing the auto-clutch option. Seems there is a gear
    lever operated servo clutch available somewhere. If this is a practicle
    dirveble option this would make all diesels available to me. The Dodge
    Mini Ramvan with the VM diesel would be ideal! The cost of the conversion 
    will be covered by my insurance so...
    
    Peter
2000.23No go!UTROP1::BOSMAN_PMon Jan 25 1993 14:1811
    Result:
    1. Diesel/automatic = too rare/expensive
    2. Auto clutch not practical enough
    
    Conclusion:
    Choose LPG which makes all Petrol/automatic estates a possibility.
    
    Thanks for all the inputs.
    
    Peter