Regular servicing for car not intending to sell anytime soon?

eamon

Sack the main dealer and get an independent garage to service your car. The important thing to get done is the fluids such as oil, coolants changed and any filters.

fred246

I've got a friend with an Audi A7. He is very proud of it. I was looking at it the other day. I was very proud of myself that I managed to keep my mouth shut when he showed me the stupidest feature fitted to some cars these days. The automatic tailgate. It's as though a manual tailgate is so much effort to close. It really makes your arms ache closing a tailgate. So someone has invented this device. God knows how much they charge you to fix it when it goes wrong which it probably will. How can such silliness be an improvement in a car? it adds absolutely nothing apart from demonstrating it to somebody who might be impressed by it. The person is not me. I will NEVER buy a car with a stupid automatic tailgate EVER hopefully.

Grumpy_chap

I would like an automatic tailgate on my car.
I guess that is why there are so many different models and trims of car available, so we can all be happy.

For the OP, the A7 will be a nice big car when the family arrives and grows a little - look after them in comfort and safely.

greensalad

I may not be a car person but I never want to drive a "family" Ford Galaxy type car! I'd much rather be a mum in an A7, but of course wouldn't we all.

ontheroad1970

fred246 said:

I've got a friend with an Audi A7. He is very proud of it. I was looking at it the other day. I was very proud of myself that I managed to keep my mouth shut when he showed me the stupidest feature fitted to some cars these days. The automatic tailgate. It's as though a manual tailgate is so much effort to close. It really makes your arms ache closing a tailgate. So someone has invented this device. God knows how much they charge you to fix it when it goes wrong which it probably will. How can such silliness be an improvement in a car? it adds absolutely nothing apart from demonstrating it to somebody who might be impressed by it. The person is not me. I will NEVER buy a car with a stupid automatic tailgate EVER hopefully.

Automatic tailgates are a boon when you are carrying a baby in one arm and a pram in the other.  Or indeed with both arms full of shopping.  Stick your foot under the bumper in most cases of automatic tailgate, and the boot opens.  Is it essential? No.  Useful?  You bet!

However, I wouldn't suggest an A7 as being the best car or a family.  Because of the way the roofline flows at the back, the boot isn't the most spacious.

Grumpy_chap

What Car? review says the A7 can take 8 carry on suitcases, which is quite high number and with good access through its wide opening, a standard powered tailgate, plus a usefully square shape within, it's easier to get bulkier items such as a pram inside 

AdrianC

facade said:

Grumpy_chap said:

The Audi A7 is lovely.
I did not know that Saab made small cars.

The 96, 99, and 900 were all smaller cars by todays standards, the 900 was available as a 3 or 5 door.

They jumped up in size when they started making Cavaliers & vectras

They weren't small by the standard of the day. My mother replaced a 900 with a Rover 800 - not much difference in size. The NG900 wasn't a lot bigger than the c900 was, although it was certainly a much less interesting car.

The 95 and 96 were fairly small, though. And it's entirely possible that the OP grew up fairly recently in the states and his parents drove a 9-2X, or in Scandinavia and they drove a 600.

AdrianC

fred246 said:

I've got a friend with an Audi A7. He is very proud of it. I was looking at it the other day. I was very proud of myself that I managed to keep my mouth shut when he showed me the stupidest feature fitted to some cars these days. The automatic tailgate. It's as though a manual tailgate is so much effort to close. It really makes your arms ache closing a tailgate. So someone has invented this device. God knows how much they charge you to fix it when it goes wrong which it probably will. How can such silliness be an improvement in a car? it adds absolutely nothing apart from demonstrating it to somebody who might be impressed by it. The person is not me. I will NEVER buy a car with a stupid automatic tailgate EVER hopefully.

Not just at that end of the market. They're all over softroaders and sprogbuses right down to Golf-ish sized "mainstream"/"budget" brands.

Of course, on taller stuff, they're a boon for less-tall drivers... And when you're flogging school-run softroaders, that's a big sales tickbox. B'sides, so long as they last the PCP out before sulking...

(Electronic handbrakes are the ultimate pointless brochure-w*nk rubbish. Can't use a handbrake? Shouldn't be driving.)

molerat

AdrianC said:

fred246 said:

I've got a friend with an Audi A7. He is very proud of it. I was looking at it the other day. I was very proud of myself that I managed to keep my mouth shut when he showed me the stupidest feature fitted to some cars these days. The automatic tailgate. It's as though a manual tailgate is so much effort to close. It really makes your arms ache closing a tailgate. So someone has invented this device. God knows how much they charge you to fix it when it goes wrong which it probably will. How can such silliness be an improvement in a car? it adds absolutely nothing apart from demonstrating it to somebody who might be impressed by it. The person is not me. I will NEVER buy a car with a stupid automatic tailgate EVER hopefully.

Not just at that end of the market. They're all over softroaders and sprogbuses right down to Golf-ish sized "mainstream"/"budget" brands.

Of course, on taller stuff, they're a boon for less-tall drivers... And when you're flogging school-run softroaders, that's a big sales tickbox. B'sides, so long as they last the PCP out before sulking...

(Electronic handbrakes are the ultimate pointless brochure-w*nk rubbish. Can't use a handbrake? Shouldn't be driving.)

Same for indicators, what is wrong with sticking your arm out the window, pointless things.  If you can't use a clutch and gearstick you shouldn't be driving.  As for ABS, never needed it so why should I be forced to pay for that extra.  Power steering - I've got big muscles so don't need that.

When sitting at a junction on a steep hill the electronic handbrake makes things so much easier - maybe not so much if you live in Norfolk. Much the same as the wipers clearing when it rains, headlights coming when it is dark, rear view mirror dimming itself when someone is behind.  All pretty pointless as you can do it manually - but why should you when the car can do it automatically.  You probably won't like my car parking itself either then

AdrianC

molerat said:

AdrianC said:

(Electronic handbrakes are the ultimate pointless brochure-w*nk rubbish. Can't use a handbrake? Shouldn't be driving.)

When sitting at a junction on a steep hill the electronic handbrake makes things so much easier - maybe not so much if you live in Norfolk.

Clue: I live on the edge of a mountain range national park, and grew up in a different national park named after somewhat wobbly topography.

Amongst the cars I've owned, there was one with a foot-operated parking brake... and a clutch. Four pedals in the footwell.

I stand by my comment.