I used to own a 2CV. It was blue, had orange boxes for seats, and was absolutely wonderful.
I remember once heading off for England in it. My very good friend, Lucienne, kept saying "You'll never make it". However, I did, and without a hitch. I really don't know why I sold it.
I've also owned a Renault 4L, which in many ways was Renault's version of the 2CV. I also went up to England and back with it several times, and just once had alternator trouble; which was quickly fixed.
So, my question is this. Why do manufacturers not make simple cars any more? Both the 2CV and the 4L had very simple engines, they had spark plugs that one could easily clean, and they had distributors that one could open up and make sure the 'points' were all working. After that it was petrol, oil, and water, and a decent battery. OK, they didn't go very fast or have heated seats and Sat Nav, but they were fun to drive and were reliable.
My current car, Debi the Compact Royce, is about as 'sophisticated' as I want. She has electric windows and a few other bits of advanced technology, but she certainly isn't like a 'plane's cockpit. When I turn the key I go; unlike those (in more complex cars) who sit for five minutes setting all the gadgets, Sat Nav destination, seat temperature, etc.
Why doesn't some manufacturer make a simple chassis with engine, steering wheel, brakes, etc, onto which one could fix any type of fiberglass bodywork. It could have a sports body, an all-terrain body, and mini-moke body, or just an OAP's shopping body. You'd make your choice according to your personality. What could be easier (and more popular) than that!
Oh; and it would have to sell for around £4,000.
Cars like the 2CV or the R4 are no longer allowed today. Even the smallest cars need to have more assistant systems than a car for handicapped persons had 20 years ago. I drive a very small and relatively basic car, a Skoda citygo, which is ten years old, and I hope I will drive it another ten years. My Skoda dealer told me they could sell it for almost the price I paid when it was new. It would be so expensive to put all the required systems in a small car like this that nobody would buy it. Or so the car makers say. I am not so sure, and neither are the dealers.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
I think that's a shame. There's still a huge market for simple cars. Here in France the Renault Express sells for big money as they're used by hunters to drive around the countryside; no modern car can do that.
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