Day: Oct 14, 2015

World Of Interiors: 2015 Toyota S-FR concept

The blogosphere has been excited about this “concept” car which is scheduled for production. Most people like the sportscar format and funky exterior design. We like it because….

2015 Toyotao F-SR interior: jalopnik.com
2015 Toyotao F-SR interior: jalopnik.com

…it has felt door cards. This material has been hanging around waiting to be used in this way for a long time. As well as being recyclable and very light compared to plastic, it improves the cabin acoustics and feels nicer to the touch. The minimum radius attainable by felt is quite large so it yields nice round forms and smooth sweeps when folded across the door structure. Handling this must have provided some challenges to the manufacturer and I am in doubt as to whether it will see the light of day.

I hope it does and also that once Toyota realise what felt can do they can Continue reading “World Of Interiors: 2015 Toyota S-FR concept”

Theme: Economy – Bangernomics

For a few years I was bangernomist. I had a car I bought for £700. A £900 car replaced it. What went wrong then?

1993 Toyota Carina, a first for this website: www.cardomain.com
1993 Toyota Carina, a first for this website. This is not my car. It’s for illustrative purposes only: http://www.cardomain.com

The key to bangernomics is in finding a car with a lot of remaining value in it and then depleting that value mercilessly. That means you buy an unloved car that someone has foolishly cared for long after the repair costs exceeded the market value. The classic bangernomic car is a 17 year old Vectra which is worth about €500 but is still as shiny and nice as the day it left the showroom.

It might have about €2000 of value locked inside it. It was the last car of one of those sensible, cautious old guys who understood deferred gratification and respect for resources (or just their own money). I don’t think these chaps will Continue reading “Theme: Economy – Bangernomics”