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Happyoldgit

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Posts posted by Happyoldgit

  1. 32 minutes ago, Retroanaconda said:

    Ineos Automotive are a subsidiary of one of the largest chemical companies in the world, so they don’t have to worry about little things like turning a profit. It’s a very handy tax write off for the  billions in profit they make every year. 


    On a corporate level I would agree with this. However I Huw Williams makes a valid point and potential commercial N1 purchasers in the UK will be pondering what advantages the Grenadier can bring to their business mindful of the lack of tax advantages. Perhaps, in the UK at least, the vehicle will come to be perceived as more of a lifestyle rather than utility brand.

  2. I liked my Defender USW's as it kept whatever was in the back away from prying eyes. I wouldn't have a Raptor mainly because of the limited tow rating but they are just a bit too lifestyle over work for my liking. The 3.2 Ranger auto that I bought new [when my last 110 CSW and the dealership brassed me off so much I got rid after a couple of years] was a good truck and surprisingly refined. My current Isuzu D-Max V Cross does 30+mpg is equally civilised and also capable of towing 3.5 - and has the benefit of a separate loadspace and canopy. That will do me until I am convinced that the Grenadier, and back-up, is actually worth the outlay.

    • Like 1
  3. 18 hours ago, jeremy996 said:

    The USA launch is now in full swing, so the US YouTubers are busy. I was quite taken by this and the comments below the video seem very much like the whinging on the European videos.

    A few sharp observations about the alphabet soup of posh components - this has been built to a performance standard, not a price. The price sounds cheap to me, but US cars are quoted before dealer extorted markups and local sales taxes, so what do I know?

     


     I think it is inevitable that there will be both pro and con [whinging?] comments below most of these videos, such is the nature of the Youtube beast. Much comment is made of "solid sounding doors" but of course a lot of research and work has gone into making car doors sound more substantial by the use of sound deadening material within the door and door trim cards, same applies to internal trim. Out of pure curiosity I would be interested to know the thickness of the door skin and frame material used on the Grenadier.

    The jury is still out on whether I will bother trying to convince SWMBO that we should buy one. My initial enthusiasm about the project of some years ago has been tempered quite substantially in the interim.

  4. Kudos to him / them for being honest but cannot help but feel their purchase was somewhat naive and not well researched. Being first to own a brand new model, speccing big tyres, driving it in such a manner to appear "cool" are perhaps indicators of the some of the reasoning behind their purchase.
    An "adventurer" where image is an important factor. 
    The trim finish highlighted is poor and while it may be a fairly easy DIY fix that is not what ought to be required on a vehicle in this price bracket - even one with a commercial bias.

    • Like 1
  5. 2 hours ago, Chicken Drumstick said:

    Are they really issues?

    It's not as if you could fold the middle row seats flat in a traditional Defender 110. And logically the only way to achieve it in the Grenadier would be to raise the boot floor, which isn't all that desirable either. Lowering the seats would probably make for very poor ergonomics.

     

    MPG wise, they didn't say how many miles they had done, but clearly they did put their foot down a bit and said it was all short town work. A Td5 Disco 2 or p38 diesel Range Rover won't be doing any better with an automatic, but they would be 100 Horse Power down. The new Defender 240 Edition One 110 was only doing 23'ish mpg when I had one on demo.

    The ability to increase rear loadspace by being able to fold rear seats is sometimes handy. I'm pretty sure that in at least my last few 110's the middle row seat backs unlocked and hinged forward then maybe the whole lot tipped up and folded forward vastly increasing the rear loadspace which was often useful for loading up with stuff like animal feedstuff or longer items. Having that ability in a unitary cabin utility vehicle IS useful.

    A Td5 Disco 2 or diesel P38 RR auto are from a different era. 
     

  6. 2 hours ago, Snagger said:

    It might work if you get good presenters, like Richard and Nick - because they are long term friends, their relationship and banter is clearly genuine and so doesn’t grate against the dryer subject matter, and I think a lot of people, especially men, are getting fed up of the fake fly on the wall emotionally manipulating scripted carp.  Look at the figures for those shows and it’s declining (though fast enough) while a lot of streaming is increasing.

    I enjoy car SOS, but agree the whole emotional reveal and sob story bits are a turn off.  Just find a deserving candidate, tell them you are going to do a good job on their beloved car and get it done without a stupid fake deadline so you can do a better job without the amateur dramatics of the deceptions and stress.

    Agree with all that, the format is well past its sell by date. I hardly watch any mainstream broadcast stuff now barring the occasional old film or programme from back in the day on the Talking Pictures old f@rts channel. The missus and I will admit to being regular viewers of Forged In Fire despite it being based on artificial deadlines. 

    • Like 1
  7. My commercial inspection lamp is years old and getting a bit past it. It's a 240v mains but with a 12v transformer built into the plug, the lamp itself takes heavy duty bulbs that seem to last forever. That said the transformer occasionally buzzes  and despite various repairs in the past the ball and socket joint in the clamp is loose again so the lamp itself doesn't stay in position for very long which was a chore when working on the MB transfer box last week. 

    I quite fancy updating to a cordless rechargeable LED job so would be interested in what others are using. 

     

    IMG_20230428_105646_HDR2.thumb.jpg.fac07148605e950a8bde491ebb2ae0c8.jpg

  8. 17 minutes ago, deep said:

    Not very nice.  This site tends to be a bit more respectful?  

    (Though I agree that isn't great economy for a diesel.  I'd have to drive like a hoon to get my Freelander 2 - with it's bigger petrol engine -that low.)

     

    Is your petrol Freelander comparable to a new Grenadier?

    (Thanks for the unnecessary advice regarding the etiquette of this forum - speaking as one of the team who wrote the rules and assisted in managing the place before you joined.

    Please feel free to message me personally if you wish to discuss further).

     

  9. 15 minutes ago, ThreePointFive said:

    I don't know why but I really want this one:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155519645760

    I don't think we'll see many HiCaps in this condition and as standard as this. They're not making any more of them and most have been run into the ground as working vehicles. 
     
    If it had stayed under 5k (if no one had seen it!) I'd have bought it and worried about where to keep it/what I'd use it for later.


    That is nice, I likes that I does.

  10. I understand what is being said but there are ways and means of cutting through snotty sales staff who's allegiance to one brand is fickle to non existent. Most I have encountered dance from dealership to dealership, BMW one / month year, Volvo the next. Hanging around a showroom showing obvious interest in this or that is time consuming, a direct approach is better. Ignore the receptionist but approach a salesperson, make eye contact, introduce yourself, offer to shake hands or whatever the post pandemic norm is, tell them exactly what you are considering, make it clear you have considered funding, know what you are talking about and cut short any attempts to sidetrack. 

    It works.

    • Like 1
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