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I got one of those Honda Nav units (previous gen unit, I believe, but running mostly the same software). Runs from a DVD. The DVD frequently suffers dirt/dust build up. It requires dismantling to clean - one of them cleaner CD things won't cut it. If it gets dirty, the only thing that it will do is display an error - you can't even turn the screen off. Although there is, as noted, one exception - you can listen to the existing radio stations.
When it works it is indeed slow and outdated and extremely clunky - and yet I have still managed to use it on many occasions to navigate to many places, so it does work ok, and it does not require a widget to be stuck to the windscreen thus getting in the way of your forward vision.
What is particularly telling about that advert is that they are not showing the nav unit working...
We buy new (or nearly new), but after two expensive new Land Rovers my OH had, that progressively cost more to run each year. In the end the 1st lurched it's torque converter at 120k and the 2nd its turbo at 80k. So we bought a Kia Sportage.
Big enough for what she wanted, with enough tow capacity for the horsebox (2.0d) but more importantly a 7 year warranty.
It's now over 3 years old with zero cost except purchase.
For me, nearly new cars (current one was £22k vs £40k new) - bought at 6 months old. and now in it's 4th year. Bottom line though, if a car was expensive new, it'll continue to be expensive - front discs & pads for mine was £650.
I'd look at newly new cars that are basically white goods if you're only interest is transport.
My sister just bought an almost brand new hatchback with a measly spec andthe smallest engine, using an app, and it got delivered to her house, with about the same level of research and thought gone into it than I order a dominoes Pizza.
I asked her how she knew whether or not she would like how it drives, and she looked at me as if I’ve two heads. I guess she doesnt car whether the auto box changes up on the limiter when in manual mode or not, or whether the fact its the smaller engine with the torsion beam and not the IRS of the premium version means it gives up a bit of primary ride and handling balance on the limit….
I think it’s pretty clear who represents the majority of the car owning public, don’t you?
Honestly, hardly anyone I know, apart from people I work with, give a toss about all the things you’ve mentioned, they want something that’s functional and reliable, and possibly in a certain colour.
I have the luxury of driving cars for a living, although now it’s just occasional moving them around, but before that I drove significant distances in a huge variety, which gave me chance to find out what I liked, bearing in mind my age, and increasing issues with mobility due to a damaged knee, and the car I have now I chose because it fulfilled all my requirements and I happen to like how it looks as well. It’s also no slouch despite only having a three cylinder 1.0 engine, and is fun to drive. I do take your point about finding out how a car drives, and that was a factor in my choice, but again most people just don’t really care, they have the car as a utility item, not something to drive just for pleasure.
In case you’re wondering, and I have mentioned it on other threads, mine’s a Ford EcoSport ST-Line, the 125 bhp it has makes it quite quick enough for my needs, although a remap is on the cards, for extra torque.
It’s fun, I enjoy driving it, and I drive it for pleasure as well as utility, but I’m a rarity among all my friends and acquaintances. Work’s different, the place is all about repair and refurbishment of lease cars, and everyone working there appreciates cars as more than just something to get about in.
Oh, one thing I was going to mention, what with all the talk about leasing, subscription deals are starting to take off, where you pay a monthly subscription with everything included, insurance, servicing, etc. I’ve no idea how they stack up against conventional lease deals, but it might be a better option for many people. Cazoo, who I guess might be who your sister got her car from, are starting to go into subscriptions, but they’re early days - we had a Zoom meeting last week, where it was talked about, but I wasn’t paying too much attention.
Cazoo now own the company I work for, for clarity.