I have been known to deliver letters in it Drac, I haven't got a cat though, they play havoc with my lass' asthma
Poor Jess.
I "really used" my car for a few seconds last week 😯
Arguably, some of us exceed our cars design parameters and purpose...
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8060587555_47461ef713_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8060587555_47461ef713_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dhhBRv ]Canoe in a Yaris....[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/88555557@N00/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
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it gets used alright!
Yup my car works for a living, towing fully loaded trailers driving across fields and generally getting used and abused, I don't change them until they are totally unrepairable, I like to get my monies worth from them.
This morning I am mostly getting 2 tonnes of wood out of my local forest for me to split ready for next season.
and my bus:
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Yes. If anything, I would have a bigger (van) thing should I suddenly find £10k.
Workday:
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/16482737708_bf7d70bb46_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/16482737708_bf7d70bb46_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r7wkEU ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/88555557@N00/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
Weekend, five of us plus some kit (there is a fifth bike in the last picture, in the boot):
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15556514535_4456c3d5a4_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15556514535_4456c3d5a4_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/pGFcMR ]IMAG1395[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/88555557@N00/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4119/4888499961_64532516bc_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4119/4888499961_64532516bc_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/8rYQJ6 ]Etive[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/88555557@N00/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/16669286492_bfe0d215fb_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/16669286492_bfe0d215fb_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rp1s8f ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/88555557@N00/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
If it wasn't for having no riding from the door trails I could probably get by with hiring a car for the small amount of time I need it for work or weekends.
I commute by car so yes I do really use it. I could bike but 38 miles each way and early starts would get old very quick especially in the winter. And biking that distance is boring. I could avoid using the car as much by living near work, but really who in their right mind wants to live in/around Milton Keynes?! I use the car to get to fun places to ride as well since there are no good local trails from my door.
I only drive if there's no alternative. It's a waste of good cycling time.
[quote=matt_outandabout ]Arguably, some of us exceed our cars design parameters and purpose...
Canoe in a Yaris.... by matt_outandabout, on Flickr
Amateur
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Can't find a pic of my car loaded up, but I often carry around a >6m long kayak which would be tricky without a car.
My little Fiat Qubo was my works 'van' for the first six months after I started working for myself. It was amazing just what I could fit in it but the fuel economy was awful. Now I've bought a cheap van at auction the Fiat can enjoy a quieter life as a runabout and occasional long distance bike carrier. Running two vehicles can be expensive but its nice not having to fit the weekly shopping in around buckets of rat bait and a ladder.
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XL Fargo in an MX5?
Ah, but I found this pic of a mates car. We now own one of these each - this was the delivery trip, he did ~60 miles driving very slowly before transfer to my rather larger estate car with roofrails (and now owns a bigger car himself)
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To answer the OP (which not many have):
do you actually use your motor for anything other than a convenient mode of transport
I have used mine as a mounting for a poncho that was used to make a porch on the front of the tent when camping.
Other than that I can't think of many times I've used it other than as a convenient mode of transport.
If by the question you men do we go in adventures in it, then yes we do.
I just slid my 29er into the boot with the luggage cover still on in a vehicle with an alledgely awkward opening, with ease. I'm very happy I used it today.
Weird question.
On a Sunday morning I stick a load of rugby balls, bibs and cones in the boot. Couple of kids in the passenger seats... I can't imagine getting them to training any other way, so yes, of course I use my bloody car!
Yep. We've got a 1993 Toyota Lucida that we've taken the rear seats out of so we can get a motorcycle and track day stuff in there, then sleep in it once we're at at the circuit if it's a distance away. We can easily sling two MTBs in, wheels on, and get changed in the back as well. The stove and gas bottle live in it too. It only cost us £800 a few years ago but costs about £500 per year to tax/insure 😕 We try to do most day-to-day stuff on foot or bicycle though, the car only gets wheeled out for longer/heavier journeys.
We also use it as a mini-camper for weekends away without bikes, it's surprisingly cosy! 😀
Popped out to get milk in mine
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8603/16671684161_1c4f2f4db1_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8603/16671684161_1c4f2f4db1_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rpdJSn ] [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/7899143@N03/ ]ianpindir[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16053118633_2c9e7ec480_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16053118633_2c9e7ec480_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qsyqTt ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/7899143@N03/ ]ianpindir[/url], on Flickr
Going for bike rides
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/16673122535_9fc7cf7c27_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/16673122535_9fc7cf7c27_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rpm7rV ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/7899143@N03/ ]ianpindir[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/16486958379_f243beba46_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/16486958379_f243beba46_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r7TYk6 ] [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/7899143@N03/ ]ianpindir[/url], on Flickr
And general commuting
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/16327013188_b766943d0b_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/16327013188_b766943d0b_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qSLdco ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/7899143@N03/ ]ianpindir[/url], on Flickr
The 'vanilla' family cars do get used as just that, cars, white goods if you like, to get from A to B.
Anything bought for a more specific requirement does tend to get used, at least occasionally, to it's fullest potential. Be that a 4x4 play thing, camper van, something with a 'bit of go'.
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[b]DezB - Member[/b]
Weird question.
On a Sunday morning I stick a load of rugby balls, bibs and cones in the boot. Couple of kids in the passenger seats... I can't imagine getting them to training any other way, so yes, of course I use my bloody car!
Not that weird is it really?
My 'car' is also a tool for my job. I don't view it merely as a tool though and bought a nice motor (yeah, my onions) for family use that also doubles as a work vehicle.
The question was quite simple. Is your car simply a mode of transport, or does it serve another purpose and get some real use other than driving from a-b? I didn't ask if you 'use your bloody car' did I?
Is that right, only 12.3 mpg in that Caumen???
Otherwise, on a public road, what sort of person would deliberately drive so fast that the car loses grip, and then turn off the mechanism designed to cope with it?
Do you call 30mph fast? People can and do enjoy driving cars, and have the skills to drive them properly. And do you think that people who can make a car slide do it in situations when they could endanger other road users?
Honesty, mine is generally used as a convenient mode of transport. Yes I could ride the 25 miles to work on the road bike or struggle the 15 miles to Cannock Chase on my mtb. But its just not practical, my rides at Cannock would turn into a 4+ hour affair and I would always be late to work and late to pick the kids up after work. Day trips to CyB or any other riding venue couldn't happen without it.
It is however quite fun to drive and a bit powerful for what it is. I try to make most journeys enjoyable while keeping relatively sensible.
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Blimey I Ache that's nice what is it - focus estate ST?
I_Ache's motor would be a lot more suitable to me than that Porsche. Don't think I could get all my fishing gear in the Porsche & it would be shit for going to the tip.
Also It looks daft with a bike on the roof, can't you afford something else to haul the bike? 😆
I_AcheIt is however quite fun to drive and a bit powerful for what it is.[img]
Very nice. I'd love one. Nothing beats a fast wagon.
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Race ya!
Do like that. Quick, practical, looks ace and I assume is powered by krill
[quote=FunkyDunc ]And do you think that people who can make a car slide do it in situations when they could endanger other road users?
Yep.
Are we arguing about people messing about in cars?
Biggest risk would seem to be that the driver THINKS it's clear to play games, but there's something he hasn't seen or thought of. I think that's generally how it plays out.
molgrips - MemberAre we arguing about people messing about in cars?
No. Never again.
I think that means I win 🙂
Oh I'll gladly let you win if we never have to debate overtaking again [img] 
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Oh I'll gladly let you win if we never have to debate [i]making progress[/i] again
FTFY
Not a pickup fan particularly, I've found many more negatives than positives, but they are very good for towing and launching boats, until a wheel nearly falls off the trailer.
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Also good for getting wood (this load went to Mr Trout of this Shire)
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One thing that really annoys me is that it seems to be impossible to tell anyone else these days that you are actually a good driver. There aren't many things in life I consider myself quite good at but driving is one of them. Everybody just laughs though as, obviously, there is nobody on the planet that could ever be considered a good driver.
Fair enough, I'll leave you to enjoy your 20mph drive along the A68 last weekend and wear your brakes out every time there is a crest or bend, Ill be home and asleep waaaaaaaaaaaay before you.
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My previous car, it wasn't a 4x4 but a little technique goes a long way. Oh and winter tyres, they help too.
So what is I_ache's motor?
I hardly use my car not that I live with trails on the doorstep or on the way for someone else to pick me up to Tweed. That bit wasn't intentional but would be madness not to.
We only drive to the park and ride most mornings. Saves 20 mins on the journey to work over a ten minute stroll to catch a later bus. Annoyed I do this, but MsJimmy would most likely do it even if I walked so... A kid due In June might change things.
Ford Focus ST Estate.
I_aches ford is awesome. They are brining out a diesel version this year. I think I'm probably going to get one.
But yes u have a few other cars a beat up 12 yo focus estate and a couple of works vans. The problem with the Porsche is it does the normal driving mode so well I find it hard to drive anything else. But I've put 3000 miles on it in February so I need to start driving something else.
It averages 30mpg usually but that was just on that one run across dartmoor
In the berlingo club. It sits on the drive all week as we both cycle to work, but when it gets used it swallows stuff in the way a berlingo does, we sleep in it and all sorts.
Crikey I didn't expect such a response about my car. Yes it is a Focus ST Estate. I think it's great but the traction from standing isn't great and I would like something rwd next. I have put about 9000 miles on it since i got it in July and that's with a couple of months not driving it thanks to an operation on my left ankle.
In my eyes the running costs are reasonable, my insurance is only £300, tax is £18 a month and it returns around 28mpg when having fun where you can but not hammering it all the time.
FWIW it is the ST-3 so has the full leather interior including a Recaro rear bench, xenon's, auto lights and wipers, climate control, premium sony stereo and a couple of other options. Not bad for a Ford.
Yep of course I do, until the point someone brings out a bike capable of carrying 4 blokes and kit,to London and back to Leeds, dry and warm,ready to work and then drive home again, in a day.
Sorry no pictures of a mud splattered 4X4. Can't see the point of taking pics of my dirty Volvo estate, but it's no less of a work horse for that.
Bus, office, bedroom, skip, van, taxi, workshop,disco, occasional nice car.
Mine gets used generally only at weekends, to pick up a mate to go to the pub, or other leisure activity. Today I went to visit a friend to drop off a birthday card and pressy, and I'll be picking her up to go for a drink and bite to eat on Tuesday.
She lives around ten miles away in a village with no public transport at weekends, and two buses on weekdays.
I walk or ride to work.
Could I do without the car? No, there's no practical way to get anywhere other than cities by public transport in North Wilts; there's little public transport other than to major towns at weekends.
Or any other time, for that matter...
I use my zafira
Yesterday it drove me, wife n kids to my parents for a day
Today it drove me and my bike to a dh race in Hampshire
No pictures I'm afraid but its a very useful tool indeed
