Do we really have to get so close to our cars?

[Globalti]

I don't know if its an urban myth, but I heard that in France, (Paris specifically I think), they leave there handbrakes off on flat roads so cars can be nudged while parking. Can't imagine that in any UK city centre

You beat me to it! I was about to post that I lived in Paris for two years and parking is so tight that you leave your handbrake off because you know somebody is going to shunt your car to make space. When I touch other cars with a bumper here in Britain or even back up and tap a wall my family go mad!

It's what bumpers are for FFS!

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Why do people get attached to their cars? We need to look towards France for advice. When I went on holiday there, I saw a lot of scrap cars on the side of the road, gathering dust and weeds.

But they pay insurance and tax on their vehicles as well, so why do we have to be different?

The reason I am bringing this up is because irate people get worked up over any tiny prang and touch. If you accidently bump into someones car, they get out and start shouting at you.

Yes, vehicles cost a lot to have, but if you are that paranoid about damage to it, use public transport instead. In the end, cars are only objects, they are not necessities.

1. the French don,t give a monkeys arse for anything, cars , houses , etc, just as long as they have food and a sleep and get to burn a few sheep when they have a grumble with the government,

2. "If you accidently bump into someones car, they get out and start shouting at you" you say that as if they are stupid ,, what would you do if a car door opened with you along side and scratched your frame, smile and say Good day sir ,, dont think so, you would do just as much shouting and moaning.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Love my car

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Queen - "I'm in love with my car"The machine of a dream, such a clean machine,
With the pistons a pumpin', and the hubcaps all gleam.
When I'm holding your wheel,
All I hear is your gear,
When my hand's on your grease gun,
Oh it's like a disease son,
I'm in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile,
Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar,
Such a thrill when your radials squeal.
Told my girl I just had to forget her,

Rather buy me a new cartburettor,
So she made tracks sayin' ths is the end now,
Cars don't talk back they're just four wheeled friends now,
When I'm holding your wheel,
All I hear is your gear,
When I'm cruisin' in overdrive,
Don't have to listen to no run of the mill talk jive,
I'm in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile,
I'm in love with my car, string back gloves in my automolove!

 

[BluesDave]

I don't drive and I don't like the idea of it in my case for personal reasons. However I have now reached that time in my life where life is becoming increasingly more difficult without driving.
Kids, tools, ladders, fishing, woman etc.
So although I don't want to I am going to have to make the sacrifice of learning.

That said if a cyclist crashed into or hit my car or van I really wouldn't give a shoot about the car. I would be more concerned about the person. Life is precious and cars can be replaced people can't.

If I was more concerned about a scratch or a dent than a person I would have a very good reason to be thouroughly ashamed of myself. Resale value pah!

The same goes for if I was hit by another car as long as I was ok and my passengers my immediate concern would be for the other people.

Perhaps I am unique in this but if that is the case I consider myself the sensible majority of one.

 

[twobiker]

If someone hit my car I would be hacked off ,not because its a car but because its my property, anyone who damages someones property should pay to fix it, it cost me money to buy it, and is the second biggest outlay of cash for me after my house.

 

[Ellis456]

I agree OP, as someone who used to spend loads on a car mod's, cleaning it etc not worth it, I came to the conclusion it's a a bit of metal and now car's dont have the same meaning anymore to me. It's a mode of transport, sod worrying constantly over every ding and scratch will make you ill. I now treat cars as as said a mode of transport.

 

[twobiker]

It is a tool like any other, be it shears,lawnmower, chisel,etc, but as it is needed for 25000mls a year it gets whatever it needs, and I don't want to drive round in something that looks like shoot.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

You beat me to it! I was about to post that I lived in Paris for two years and parking is so tight that you leave your handbrake off because you know somebody is going to shunt your car to make space. When I touch other cars with a bumper here in Britain or even back up and tap a wall my family go mad!

It's what bumpers are for FFS!

Maybe you wear a helmet. Do you walk around whacking your helmet into walls?

 

[Rebel Ian]

If you don't want people to shout at you for bumping into their car.......don't bump into their car.

 

[oldfatfool]

I used to own fast and expensive cars, they cost a lot of money, you loose a lot of money when you sell them, you loose a lot of money running them. It is true the odd dent and scratch won't effect their ability to function, but they belong to me and if I wanted to dent or scratch them that would be my perogative no one elses.

Don't start saying it is insured either, the cost of car insurance for anything worth having is horrendous, and if you have any sort of incident, fault, no fault, claim on your policy or someone elses you can guarantee it will go up.

Even if the denter or scratcher offers to pay for repair the car is still effected, it will never be 100%, in fact the last sports car I had needed a new wing after just 1 week after gales sent roofing slates onto it. It was OEM dealer repaired but it was still devalued at resale .

 

[Hip Priest]

I used to own fast and expensive cars, they cost a lot of money, you loose a lot of money when you sell them, you loose a lot of money running them. It is true the odd dent and scratch won't effect their ability to function, but they belong to me and if I wanted to dent or scratch them that would be my perogative no one elses.

Don't start saying it is insured either, the cost of car insurance for anything worth having is horrendous, and if you have any sort of incident, fault, no fault, claim on your policy or someone elses you can guarantee it will go up.

This is all quite correct, which is why it is good to be zen and lose your attachment to material goods. Mind, if anyone touches my road bike I'll 'ave 'em.

 

[Hilldodger]

I have several classic cars, motorbikes and an old Citroen van. They cost a furtune but are my hobby outside cycling (which is also my job) but I don't care.

I know people who spend a fortune on mobile phones, TV's, computers etc and I think they're stupid to do so. I also know people who smoke or spend a fortune down the pub each week. I don't do either.

It's my choice at the end of the day.

 

[element]

I have an old car I am pretty enamoured of and if somone decided to crash into it on a bicycle I would probably go postal. On the other hand I don't really care about my other cars as they are just cheap mass produced pieces of metal. However It is not my place to judge what another person feels passionate about. If you love your ten year old ford mondeo then its up to you as I have no idea what personally it means to you.
Its strange to me that people always want their own view of life and way of living to apply to others. If you don't care about cars then fine but what kind of arrogance and superiority complex does someone have to have to assume their own morals and values in life are so much better than someone elses. For some a car might represent alot more than it just being a car.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I don't know if its an urban myth, but I heard that in France, (Paris specifically I think), they leave there handbrakes off on flat roads so cars can be nudged while parking. Can't imagine that in any UK city centre

Surely that's what bumpers are for. I hope it isn't a myth.