An Auto Holiday

Sections: MF Feature Apr 28th, 2004 16 Comments

Spending ten days in England for an auto enthusiast from the US is like spending ten days in Disney World as a kid. Not only are the roads more enjoyable, the speed limits higher, and the drivers more courteous, but the cars are also much more interesting. Here are some random thoughts and some photos from my recent trip:

2005

MINIs and Minis are everywhere – they seem to be about 50-50 in terms of what's currently on the roads.
BMW & Audi wagons seem hugely popular. And not just with what we in the US would call “soccer moms.” They seem popular with both young professionals and young families alike.
It seems like half of all newer 3 series had OEM 18″ wheels. From what I can gather they come with the sport package where the US gets 17″ wheels. Then it occurred to me (as it probably just did to you) – English roads are much better than those in the US making 18″ wheels less of a chore to deal with. No wonder it seems some Americans are the ones who seem to complain loudest about the jarring ride of the MINI.
Very little snow = very little salt on the roads = much less rust = tons of cool old cars.
What the heck is this?
The Audi A3 and the BMW 3 series compact seem to be quite popular.
Honda and Toyota generally don't bring their American made cars over here. The UK (and the whole of Europe) gets much more interesting cars. For instance, the current Acura TSX is the plain old Accord over here. Even Toyota's mid-sized 4 door sedan, the Avensis, is rather good looking. (When was the last time you could say that about a Toyota?) There's not a Camry or Civic in sight.
The Jetta (the most popular VW in the US) seems to barely sell in the UK. From what I can gather, people don't quite understand why you'd want a 4 door when you could have a 5 door hatch like the Golf. It's also not called the Jetta but the Bora.
Speaking of the Golf, as many of you know VW released the next generation last fall pretty much everywhere in the world but the US. We'll get it sometime in early 2005, I believe. Interestingly, I saw only three of them the entire time I was over there. And one had just been involved in a pretty bad accident (no joke!). Not the prettiest car in the world (less so when smashed). From what I can gather from the automototive press the new Golf so far as been a bit of a sales dissapointment. It seems very apparent considering the number I saw.
Among newer cars there seemed to be more of the Peuguot 206 and the BMW 3 series than anything.
The Smart Roadster is cool to look at. But after sitting down in one and flipping the switches it makes the MINI feels like an S-Class. Still, for the money it's a very cool car. It's just that once you're inside it feels very cheap and disposable.
BMW 1 Series brochures were out at just one dealership out of three that I visited. The one I did get took some bargaining! I can't believe this car isn't coming to the US!
The BMW M3CSL has the most incredible carbon fiber work I've ever seen from an OEM. The door panels themselves are just brilliant. Let's hope that BMW's investment into this material shows up someday in the MINI.
Wow, MINI has nothing to fear with the Mercedes A-Class coming to the US. How MB sees a market for that yet BMW doesn't see one for the 1 series I'll never understand.
The MINI One seems to sell fairly well in England. I learned during the plant tour that the engines used by the One and Cooper are literally identical when they first come to the plant.
Going 90 and getting passed by an Audi RS4 doing 120 is humbling.
The MINI could be considered a large small car in the UK.
It seems the most popular shape is the 5-door hatch.
The smaller cars from Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, and Fiat are very impressive. They would trounce anything in that category in the US in terms of design and quality – except maybe the MINI. I'm really not sure why they aren't sold here. I think Americans are getting more used to upscale 5-door hatches and I can't help but feel they would do well if given the right kind of marketing.
The largest SUV you'll see in the UK is the X5 or something similar. Even those are very rare compared to the US. It was a nice change of pace from SUV-clogged US roads.
TVR Tuscan is the closest thing you'll see to the batmobile on the streets.
Almost $60…how much is cost to fill up my rented Cooper.
97mph…the fastest I got up to on the M25 – and I was still getting passed!

Written By: MF Staff

16 Comments

Rocketboy Apr 29th, 2004 Link

“What the heck is this?” – Nice…

And I'm jealous over your TVR Tuscan spotting.

Philip Apr 29th, 2004 Link

Well, well, I live in Germany and had to drive from Frankfurt to DÃ¼sseldorf and back again on Monday. That's about 200 mile one way.

We have a bad ass company car and on the way back I was driving behind a silver MSC. We were both doing around 130 mph – nearly all the way down to Frankfurt. I was a pleasure to drive behind the Mini and see it performe!! All that speed is happening without agressive driving. Of course there are also speed limits on the German Autobahn and slower cars so you have to slow down sometimes. But the road quality and space is there for fast driving….

Maybe you want to spend your next vacation here?

Lee Apr 29th, 2004 Link

“That” is a Nissan Figaro, a retro-styled car from the early 1990s (http://www.iobjects.co.uk/figaro/figaro.html). Cute, eh?

Just imagine being a Brit whoâ€™s really into SUVs and 4×4 pickups (Iâ€™m sure they exist); coming to the US would be heaven, just as Europe is fascinating for people interested in small, sporty cars. The differences between US and British/European roads and cars are the products of different places and cultures, for better or for worse.

Iâ€™ve no idea why Americans reject hatchbacks and wagons; they make a lot of sense to me (Iâ€™ve owned â€“ and still own â€“ some of each). I suppose that SUVs fill the hatchback/wagon role in the U.S.

Humourless Apr 29th, 2004 Link

I really love these sorts of topics, especially since I'll be off to Scotland in three weeks for a week-long visit. I have no idea what my rental will be (Fiat Punto? Vauxhall Corsa? The mind boggles), but at least the roads won't disappoint.

Gabriel Bridger Apr 29th, 2004 Link

Philip – That's the plan!

Chris Apr 29th, 2004 Link

Definately agree w/ you on the Peugot & Vauxhall cars — they're very nice. The Peugot 406(?) is a nice mid-size. I wonder if there's any thought of returning to the US marketing.

You also see little cars like Seat (Spain) that are good little econoboxes as well.

Rodney Apr 29th, 2004 Link

Ever since I went to Norway in the late 80's, I have been obsessed with wagons and hatchbacks. I own both! I personally think all highschool or college age kids should be required to spend a summer in another country. It really shaped my life for the better.

Matt Dolch Apr 29th, 2004 Link

The other thing I noticed that seems popular (tho most aren't loaded) are speed cameras…

James Apr 29th, 2004 Link

I agree with Lee – as a Brit coming to the US, I thought you had all the cool cars in the US. I've now been living here 7 years, and am bored of most of the new US cars. How I wish I saw more cars from the 70's and older – that's when US cars were exciting. Or were they?!

Another point – compared to how cars rust in the UK, there is NO rust at all down here in the south of the US.

Best thing about UK roads – round-a-bouts! I hate stop signs!

-James.

Tom Sizemore Apr 29th, 2004 Link

The car you are trying to identify I believe is a Nissan Figaro, one of the boutique cars Nissan came out with in Japan in the mid-1990's. I know some were imported into England.

Vanwall Apr 29th, 2004 Link

Interesting to hear your approval of English roads. When I was there in the early '80's, they were very good, but locals would often tell me they had been better a few years before! HeHe! I came out of the lower left corner of the USA, where the roads were often brand new, and rust, salt and snow were only strange rumours to me. It wasn't until I bought a NY Mini that I found out about serious tin worm. When I was in England, I thought all roads were like theirs and mine – until I was older and had traveled more. ;-)

     BCNU,
    Rob in Dago

Tim Apr 18th, 2005 Link

It’s amazing how a 10 day trip will leave you very shortsighted relative to the UK’s road system. Considering what they pay in road and petrol tax they should be paved in gold and be the best in the world. Unfortunately, the taxes pay for everything but the roads. Tony Blair said if he reduced the gas tax, he’d have to cut back on Health Care. It can’t get worse as there’s already a 6 month wait for most surgeries

As a US citizen living in the London area for 7 years and having traveled to all corners of the UK and Europe I have a much different perspective on the roads. The UK roads are second rate as compared to either European and/or US roads. Though the opportunity to drive fast may be there on some stretches, in most areas it is virtually impossible due to road congestion (especially in the south and middle of the country during daylight hours). The maximum speed limit in the UK is 70mph, but since there is no real police presence on the roads, people drive faster. We could drive just as fast in the US if there was no Trooper lurking around (go to Texas). To counter this, speed cameras are being installed throughout the country to raise revenues and try and reduce speeding.

There is no shortage of large SUV’s in the UK for those who can afford to fill them up. Land Rovers, Land Cruisers and BMW’s are everywhere. The need for smaller vehicles in the UK is predicated by two things, lack of space (parking and road) and the cost of petrol.

A couple of examples. The M-40, a major artery which goes directly into central London from the west narrows from a 8 lane highway into a 2 lane road with lights, etc. It then widens into 6 lanes. This would be unheard of in the states. In the early 90’s the road was to be properly widened and all the property purchased. The government canceled the project because it ran out of money.

Drivers here can be more curteous, but generally it’s because of poor road design and driving that it’s required. Since there are very few center turn lanes, drivers routinely just pull out and block traffic until someone lets them in. This causes more back ups.

On the good side, driving in the rural areas can be very thrilling. Winding, hedged roads, which are motorcyclist dream. Cheers

Ian Apr 18th, 2005 Link

Tim, You should try driving around north east Mass to see what some US roads are like – regular potholes 2″ to as much as 6″ deep; on 93S yesterday (major highway) great sections of hardtop were missing over a two mile stretch, forcing all cars (not just MINIs) to reduce from 70 to 30 (dangerous) and swerve about.

And as for congestion – have you ever driven near Los Angeles?!

Lyn Sep 22nd, 2005 Link

Can anyone give me any advice about importing a Nissan Figaro to the US? I am currently living in London and have an opportunity to take one back with me. However, I’m afraid I don’t know much about the regulations and/or standards about importing to the US (Calf to be specific). No one seems to know much here either…nor does Calf’s DMV. Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Daphne Nov 11th, 2005 Link

I am also currently living in the UK and would like to import a Figaro to the Pacific Northwest (US or Canada). The Canadian import laws seem VERY complex. Any ideas?

Andra Jul 9th, 2007 Link

Hi I am finding it difficult to import my Figaro to the USA. There are so many rules. I have been working on this for months and making very little progress. Has anyone done so successfully? I am running out of time. Thanks

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