The Car Shopping Round (Round 64): Tears in Heaven

[Rk38]

The clouds showed now signs of clearing and Eun-ji awoke to another It was another wet dreary day. The rain was coming down heavy today. Thankfully the power was at this time. She grabbed a quick meal, her flask of tea and the all important cigarettes before setting off. As she made it down the last steps to the car park she realised she forgot her umbrella and had to dash for the car. The Maesima NV-993 squeaked into life with horrible noise. Ah, the belt is slipping again. The radio rattled off some dispiriting news about the country so she switched it to the minyo station. The classic folk ballads helped the commute fly by.

The NV-993 bounced and rocked made its way into the compound.The weather had not improved at all as she pulled in and had to rush through the muddy yard. Stepping inside she was glad to be rid of her muddy shoes and step into a building with heating. She checked in and got her schedule from the secretary then Eun-ji made for her office. Settling in to finish off the last of the brochures.

@Dorifto_Dorito Nohda Assent 'Taxi’

The Nohda Assent offers an extremely rugged design that even runs on our lowest quality fuels making it great for the more rural jobs. It’s a clean and modern design. Although I don’t really care the spacing on the plastic strips along the side. Under the hood is a very sensible cast 1.3L SOHC Inline 4. Oddly it has a rather modern 5-speed automatic transmission. The likes of which are only seen on those fancy decadent European vehicles or luxury machines. It also has semi clad undertray which is odd but not a deal breaker. Inside it pretty standard but the lack of entertainment makes our current fleet seem generous. Now while it doesn’t quite match up to the rest of the competitors in most regards. Some might even say it’s barely an upgrade compared to some of our newer fleet vehicles. It’s flexible with low-quality fuel and extremely low cost makes it worth a further inspection.

@oppositelock GSI MegaMover IX

While the GSI MegaMover IX isn’t much to look at with a fairly minimalist styling this monster of van fits nine people! To move this great beast requires a large and mostly sensible AlSi 3.6L DOHC V6 despite the poor choice of a high flow cat. The engine is paired with the new 5-speed automatic and very oddly a Viscous LSD which offers very little to the design. Inside it offers outstanding levels of passenger and cargo space all while providing and very manageable. It’s reported being easy to drive while comfort is only acceptable. Unfortunately the addition of LSD, high flow cat is strange additions that add nothing to the driving dynamics. Besides extra costs in purchase and maintenance.So the MegaMover brochure is moved into the shredder.

@thecarlover Megacorp TV1 SF-8

The Megacorp offers a really striking and modern looking design. It came in one of the flashier brochures with design always shown in the Anikatian taxi scheme. Those folks at megacorp do their homework! It looks like a concept vehicle promised by the old government…but never delivered. Powering this modern machine is a modern AlSi 3.2L DOHC V6 with direct injection and a cutting edge twin intake configuration. Which really adds nothing to the design. But everything else looks good and it’s mated with a 5-speed auto with overdrive. Megacorp has continued the modern theme with a fully clad undertray which does make it harder for our mechanics to do servicing. The specs sheet is impressive and the TV1 is easy to drive while very comfortable and low emissions. The only reservations I have are the use of cutting edge direction injection twin intake setup and the fully clad undertray. But the Megacorp entry is very impressive and deserves a full review to be sure.

@Oskiinus Sincker Anna AT

The Sincker Anna AT I’m told the AT stands for something. I thought meant it was the automatic trim which it is but rather suppose to stand for Anikatian Taxi. Well, that’s nice and thoughtful of Sincker who are in no way related to the capitalist candy bar of the same sound. Lee Eun-ji stopped put her hand to her head and let out a sign. Damn it was nearly lunch time and looking at this brand made her think of that candy bar. Ugh, she shook her head and grabbed a cigarette. I’m going to lunch…

Ms Lee stepped out of the office and headed out the nearest bar. Getting some noodles for lunch sitting in some tiny shop with minyo music playing in the background against the smoky atmosphere. Eun-ji had taken the folder with the Anna with her. Looking it over a few stains from here noodles and some ash from the cigarettes dirty the otherwise glossy brochure.

Alright so I’m looking at the Sincker Anna AT brochure and it looks like a perfectly modern and normal minivan. This one is powered by a cast 2.2L DOHC Inline Six. All good design although it does have a fancy direct injection fuel system. Paired with the surprisingly common advanced 5-speed automatic gearbox. Brakes are 3 piston vented discs up front and solid discs at the rear although fade is expected the level is getting a little high here. It’s a pretty standard inside but again people keep using plenty of safety when it’s not really necessary. I’m also surprised to find semi active sway bars which add considerable cost, engineering and production costs to design. While overall the design is quite impressive with very good drivability and comfort and plenty of space. Rather good fuel economy and great reliability.The added complexity of the suspension rules this design out.

@LilRedRhyder Omega Galaxy Fleet

So this entry came with a detailed history of the company’s fleet credentials which made for an interesting read. Although it seems to contains similar levels of truth to that of our previous government’s statements. The vehicle they sent was the Omega Galaxy Fleet and very purposeful looking large van. I’m not sold on the low front and rounded headlight design but it is acceptable for a taxi. Powering the van is an AlSi 2.5L DOHC Inline Six which has the cutting edge direct injection and a performance intake for some reason. It then also has long tubular headers and a high flow cat. It’s almost like someone wanted to build a performance car instead of a fleet machine. Following the trend of the high tech, a modern 5-speed automatic has been used paired with a Viscous LSD. Maybe the engineers got mixed up with a team designing a performance machine? But things only get worse looking to see it has a fully clad undertray and cooling flaps on a fleet vehicle! sigh Eun-ji could barely contain her rage, she had to stop and have a cigarette to calm her nerves before returning to look at the brochure from Omega. Okay, inside things are looking better standard stuff eight seats but then advanced safety. Which again given our requirements not worth the cost. Now while looking at reviews she found that despite the full set of driver assists. If any of these systems failed the van displayed extremely dangerous handling characteristics. Even at regular speed limits. So despite the company’s claim that “Omega believes in passenger safety above all else,” doesn’t seem to hold up. It is also strange how it displays such dangerous handling while using an inherently safe and stable FWD setup. It even has rather sophisticated suspension with double wishbones at the front and multi-link setup at the rear. So, in the end, the long list of issues with the Omega Galaxy Fleet rule it out of use for our company.

@TheElt BM TV05-S

The BM TV05-S is actually a really nice looking car from the brochure. The design is purposeful and the rubber strips are a clever idea. Under the hood is a cast 2.6L MOHV Inline Six which has an advanced direction injection. Plus the needless high flow cat again matched with a 5-speed auto with overdrive. It’s AWD setup is nearly 54/43 split and brakes and wheels are all well set up. But then it’s got a full clad undertray and cooling flaps which are very complex and hinder maintenance. It’s got a proper premium interior but only very basic entertainment along with a full sweep of driver assists. Advanced safety and suspension are fairly standard but there is a fair bit of body roll. Overall it is amazingly easy to drive from what the reviews say and comfort isn’t bad either. Fuel economy and running costs are fairly acceptable. Reliability is impressive from international reviews. Although space isn’t quite as good as competitors. In the end despite liking the design quite a lot and the AWD would be a bonus in winter. The addition of cooling flaps has no place on a fleet machine.

@koolkei Komodo Sliva New

Ah, the Komodo we have heard of them they are one of few outside companies to begin the approach with the Anikatia in the 1990s. Here they have sent the Sliva a simple but effective sedan. Under the hood is the cast 2.4L DOHC Inline Six. Which is what we’d expect from Komodo but moving with the time they have added a cutting edge direct injection fuel system. Everything else looks on par with what our mechanics familiar with and it’s sensibly put together as you’d expect from a brand like Komodo. This engine is paired with a nice 5-speed manual box with overdrive. The rest of the car is as you would expect from sensible and wise choices standard sort of interior with only basic entertainment. All together from the specs and what the reviews say it’s easy to drive and our drivers are familiar with manuals. While comfort isn’t much of an improvement over our current fleet the reliability and cost of running are very impressive. I think we need to take it for proper inspection.

@Leonardo9613 Bonham Curtis 2.0 Elegance

The Bonham Curtis was a surprising entry it offered a great package. Seven seats and premium interior matched to a well sorted smooth AlSi DOHC 2.0L Inline six. It was very comfortable and yet also very practical and running costs and fuel economy all impressed. While the styling isn’t stand out it certainly very nice and modern with a few touches of chrome for a decadent and western look. The only issues where I’m still not sold on the 5-speed while I guess it is to be accepted from a European auto manufacturer. The other issue was reviewed mention a bit more brake fade than expect. Which could be an issue long term. While a little brake fade is to be expected the Curtis had one of higher levels. It also had a semi clad undertray which isn’t terrible but makes it a little hard for maintenance but no means a deal breaker. Still, those are only small issues and overall the Bonham is an impressive entry and will be fully inspected.

In the next few weeks, we should get the real thing from those that passed the first round to get some proper testing…

[strop]

@Rk38

In the few weeks

This may be too long to wait

[abg7]

I don’t care how long it takes to deliver a verdict, but at any rate, it will be tough to pick a winner among the remaining entries!

But having to wait for at least a week to see the results is too much for most of us; they ought to be revealed within a few days!

Or I could take it to mean that in the time-frame in which the round is set, it actually would take a few weeks to review all those entries.

[Rk38]

Several weeks later. The shipments had arrived. Big container lorries dropping off all these taxis. So we got the staff together to inspect and compare the final entries together.

@HighOctaneLove Bogliq Bastion Taxi

First to go was the Bogliq Bastion Taxi. Once we noticed that they could not replace all the entries within the costings. Sure they claimed to be able to replace all our existing fleets. While that may be true. It’s not the whole story since the Bastion has fewer seats than our jumbo taxis. So it cannot within our budget replace all the lost seats. So it has to go and has was removed from the final group. To replace all seats we would need 3,139 vehicles which would cost $41.75 million.

@conan Plainoi TU

Next up was the Plainoi. Sure it was good to drive as the reviews suggest. Plenty of comfort and space. But their plan to only partially replacing the fleet just isn’t cost effective enough. When you look at the cost of replacing the total fleet. They cannot compare against some of the other rivals offers here. The Plainoi plan is to buy 1,408 vehicles. Which would only cost $16.9 million with a 20-year total servicing cost expected to be around $32.9 million. But our existing fleet is even more expensive to run so this plan isn’t very persuasive. To replace all vehicles with the TU would cost $31.39 million and $61.1 million in servicing. So we sent the TU back on the next ship to Thailand.

@Strop Delta Adept

We were pleased to find the real Delta Adept was equipped with door handles. It performed as well as the reviews suggested. Super easy to drive. While comfort isn’t that great to replace just the general cabs it should be fine. But once again we found that replacing partial fleet didn’t turn out to be isn’t cost effective enough for us. Unfortunately, the Adept isn’t comfortable enough either to replace the whole fleet. Plus it is a wagon which doesn’t factor against it but still, it didn’t help its popularity among the drivers. Delta suggests we buy 1,800 at a cost of $18.18 million which over 20 years would cost around $35.36 million in servicing. To replace the whole fleet it would cost $31.7 million and $61.64 million in servicing. So, in the end, this taxi didn’t live up to its name.

@Dorifto_Dorito Nohda Assent 'Taxi’

Next up was the Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ and unfortunately it was bad as we feared. The Comfort too low to replace the whole fleet. While initially, fleet sale price seems cheap, the running costs over 20 years aren’t that good. Still, Nohda can be proud of their taxi is by far the cheapest outright and to run. To replace the whole fleet we would have to buy 3,139 for $22.17 million. But over 20 years it would cost $59.46 million in servicing and running costs. So we salute the Nohda for running its bold low-cost strategy but it didn’t pay off in the end.

@koolkei Komodo Sliva New

The Komodo Sliva New was just as nice to drive and cheap run as we expected from the reviews. Although its comfort was too low to replace the whole fleet, prices aren’t as good as its rivals here. While it is probably the best all general sedan taxi here. To replace our fleet we’d need to buy 3139 vehicles at a cost of $36.41 million. The 20-year servicing and running costs would be $60.34 million. So had to say goodbye to the Komodo.

@TR8R First Order Automotive Cruze SW

The First Order Automotive Cruze SW is a little car with a big…name. Unfortunately, it’s the worse to drive and while comfort. Fuel economy and even surprisingly passenger space is pretty good. Even it’s initial price is good, but running costs aren’t competitive. It falls behind the key rivals in a number of areas. While it is a wagon it’s small enough not to look out of place on our streets. To replace our fleet we would need 3,139 vehicles at a cost of $34.53 million. Running cost of $65.74 million over the expected 20-year service life period.

@titleguy1 Kimura Auriga SXi

Now the Kimura Auriga SXi looks just as flashy as its brochure suggests. The drive is excellent, probably the best here. Comfort is good too. But some areas like space, fuel economy fall behind key rivals. In the end, running costs are just far too expensive for the whole fleet. To replace our whole fleet we would need 3,139 vehicles at a cost of $34.53 million. Running cost of $71.2 million over the expected 20-year service life period.

@DoctorNarfy Nickel N4W

The Nickel N4W looks even bigger in person. It looks very out of place here with that massive fat American body. Despite those faults, it’s actually very compliant to drive. Offers good comfort and impressive space. But long term running costs fall behind other entries. While it had little bearing on the final decision it was a wagon. Not just any wagon but a big lumbering yank tank style one. That said it is still probably the best general taxi wagon in this group. To replace our whole fleet we would only need 2,242 vehicles at a cost of $34.98 million. Running cost of $52.92 million over the expected 20-year service life period.

@thecarlover Megacorp TV1 SF-8

The Megacorp entry is extremely modern looking and very impressive. It drives very well and is full of clever if sometimes too clever ideas. Comfort is good and space, running costs are all impressive. Although it is bettered by another. But primarily Megacorp was a bit too forward thinking. The fully clad undertray and direct injection didn’t help. But the fact that it just couldn’t match the rivals which managed to undercut it in value was a critical factor. To replace our whole fleet we would only need 1,962 vehicles at a cost of $31.41 million. Running cost of $49.24 million over the expected 20-year service life period.

@Leonardo9613 Bonham Curtis 2.0 Elegance

The Bonham Curtis 2.0 Elegance is even better looking in person. It drives great and has outstanding comfort. Really it’s a very impressive deal. It only just falls behind the cheaper offer and more all around option. Considered that Bonham was attempting to make a premium taxi fulfil all our seats. It was the best deluxe taxi option here. To replace our whole fleet we would only need 2,242 vehicles at a cost of $34.41 million. The running cost of $52.64 million over the expected 20-year service life period. It was sad to see the Bonham go but second place is still pretty good. I had to make the call personally to the company. Wow, they did not like coming second. I could almost sense the animosity in their voice. But at least the worse of it was over. Actually went better than my call to Sincker company.

@NormanVauxhall ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7

The ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7 looks as purposeful as it’s brochures suggested. It drives fine, still plenty of comfort and mountains of space. Sure it’s not the fastest but really taxis are the sort of thing you get into races or chase with after all. It’s fleet machine. Now despite the missteps with odd naming and the useless high flow cat. The Quarzazate still offers the best value for money. Such good value that it even allows us to replace and increase our total seats. While retaining a small number of deluxe taxis since it so cost effective. Only $65.81 million all up. To replace our whole fleet we would only need 1,962 vehicles at a cost of $22.17 million. The running cost of $43.64 million over the expected 20-year service life period. This makes the ZM an outstanding replacement. Plus with its fancy new 5-speed automatic it’s taking our city into the future. Not only is it the best jumbo cab. But it manages to combine the elements of all three taxis into a very impressive minivan.

Epilogue

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Things seemed to going well for the company. The old fleet was now fully nearly fully replaced and new Ouarzazate’s were taking to the streets in their new taxi liveries.

To celebrate most of the office staff had gone out to a dive bar in the red light district of the town. As the men had gone back to a private karaoke room with their hostesses. Ms Lee being one of few female members of the higher ups she soon found herself alone at the bar.

Eun-ji sat there in the smoky bar with the uplifting sounding but desperately crestfallen ballads playing. She held her drink in one hand and then let out final puff from her cigarette then took a sip. Damn, it was getting late, these stupid social obligations.

That’s it.

She got up to leave.

But then noticed something was off. The bar was unusually empty.

Eun-ji made for the exit she saw a glimmer.

That familiar collection of vans pulling up.

An Omega Fleet, Sincker and Bonham.

“Oh shit!” she whispered to herself.

She knew these companies weren’t happy about the results. Bonhams hate coming second to another and I don’t think the Sincker like all the snickering from our staff. When the British and French get together you know no good can come from it.

Eun-ji made a break for it towards the parked cars.

But the Omega Fleet was already approaching at full speed.
Blasting up towards the parked cars at speed. But its traction control seemed to stop working for a moment. The whole great van lost all control and plunged over into the row of parked cars. Exploding in a massive fireball that knocked Eun-ji down.

As she regained her senses she could see the array of thugs brandishing illegal weapons appearing from the remaining vans.

Wide eyed she made a dash for the bar

Pushing her way through the smoke and sound.

She rushed for the fire exit.

Her heart was pounding.

Survival came first.

Diving through the backdoor into the quiet of the back alley.

Taking a breath she remembered they had a taxi rank only around the corner.

Just as the Sincker came barreling down the alley.

Lights ablaze.

She ran for her life diving down to the right.

The Anna went careening past and into the main street.

Without a second to spare Eun-ji ran to the taxi rank.

Wildly waving her company badge to the taxi driver who was outside on break.

“Company business, company business!”

Eun-ji screamed at the bewildered driver as she leapt into the cabin.

Firing it up and slamming it into drive.

Just as the thugs chasing her got to the van.

The Ouarzazate squirrelled into life.

As a hail of bullets shattered the left side windows.

The Taxi flew past the Sincker and then Bonham.

The quickly gave chase.

They all sped into a big four-way junction.

Eun-ji swung the wheel wildly swerving the big ZM to the right.

Sideswiping several cars, but avoiding a major crash. While the Sincker and Bonham follow along but one of the cars that Eun-ji hit careens wildly into the Bonham.

But it pushes through.

As they flew down the busy main street.

The two European vans start their attack.

Gaining on the slower Ouarzazate.

Eun-ji knows she has to get off this straight.

They start beginning flanking the taxi.

Boxing it in.

Sparks fly and the ZM is hit from both sides.

But just then two Anikatian police cars pull U-turns from the junction and whip around to give chase.

The vans switch their attention to the police firing at the cars.

Sensing a chance Eun-ji pulls the handbrake. The taxi veered down off the main street into a pedestrian alley filled with people and food vendors.

Frantically Eun-ji flashed her lights and blew its horn.

As the Ouarzazate barrels down the alley destroying a gratuitous fruit stand and many Anikatian street food stalls.

People were leaping for their lives out of the way.

Pulling out of the alley and back onto a proper street.

Lots of traffic.

The ZM rockets into the flow.

Behind her, the Bonham and Sincker are still too close.

Bullets are flying.

Eun-ji swings the wheel screaming the taxi through the slower traffic.

Up ahead, a choice.

Left into the transit tunnel or right into the city.

Eun-ji noticing the police still following starts moving right.

At the last second, she veers left.

The trick works the remaining police cars keep right. Noticing their mistake too late pile into the traffic ahead.

The Bonham and Sincker weren’t fooled and they dart past the carnage into the tunnel. Eun-ji checks her mirrors.

They are closer.

“Who the hell are these guys?”

They are gaining now.

Letting off a new wave of gun fire.

Eun-ji ducked for cover as the bullets flew through the taxi.

She tried to grab some cover squibbing past the slower cars.The vans thugs are merciless opening fire on poor civilians caught in the crossfire.

They are right on her tail now just as they emerge from the tunnel.

Eun-ji veered left jumping the medium strip flying into the oncoming traffic and down the old narrow streets.

The Sincker ploughed right through the traffic taking out a bike and causing an another massive pile up. Yet somehow the Bonham emerges from the pile up unscathed.

Up ahead, Eun-ji saw her chance to escape.

Flying down a tiny pedestrian alley.

But wait! It’s a staircase.

“OHH fuckk!”

Eun-ji clutches the wheel tight as the Ouarzazate nearly flips but somehow bounce down the stairs. Smashing down to the street below. The Sincker follows with even more speed. Too much, it flies headfirst into the stairs. The Bonham follow and slams into the Sincker. Flipping it right over. The two vans come rolling and crashing down the steps. Exploding into a twisted wreckage. Eun-ji watching just meters away. Heart still pounding. Lets out a sigh of relief. It’s over.

---

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Bonus Stats!

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Best General Taxi Sedan

Komodo Sliva New

Best General Taxi Wagon

Nickel N4W

Best Jumbo Taxi

ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7

Best Deluxe Taxi

Bonham Curtis 2.0 Elegance

Best Allround Taxi

ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7

Cheapest

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - $8,500

Most Expensive

Dynamite L5 - $18,900

Highest Drivability

BM TV05-S - 77.1

Lowest Drivability

First Order Automotive Cruze SW - 57.7

Highest Comfort

Bonham Curtis 2.0 Elegance - 51.7

Lowest Comfort

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 27.0

Highest Prestige

Cresge Halberd - 34.0

Lowest Prestige

JHW Xceed 200L - 11.6

Highest Safety

Omega Galaxy Fleet - 68.0

Lowest Safety

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 38.7

Best Fuel Economy

Delta Adept - 6.02 Litres per 100km

Worse Fuel Economy

GSI MegaMover IX - 11.18 Litres per 100km

Cheapest Running Costs

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - $947

Highest Running Costs

Gamma Roy GLX - $2093

Highest Environmental Resistance

Plainoi TU - 94.25

Lowest Environmental Resistance

Nickel N4W - 77.21

Most Passenger Space

ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7 - 6167 Litres

Least Passenger Space

Delta Adept - 2471 Litres

Most Cargo Space

ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7 - 2202 Litres

Least Cargo Space

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 445 Litres

Highest Top Speed

Cresge Halberd - 242.7 km/h

Lowest Top Speed

BM TV05-S - 147.9 km/h

Fastest 0-100 km/h

Nickel N4W - 8.9 seconds

Slowest 0-100 km/h

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 16.4 seconds

Highest Emissions

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 291.1

Lowest Emissions

Accursio Tartaruga - 46.4

Highest Practicality

ZM Ouarzazate Taxi 1.7 - 95.2

Lowest Practicality

Type 266 - 60.4

Highest Utility

GSI MegaMover IX - 56.6

Lowest Utility

Nohda Assent ‘Taxi’ - 7.9

Best Offroad

GSI MegaMover IX - 31.4

Worse Offroad

Dynamite L5 - 13.1

Highest Average Reliability

Plainoi TU - 75.0

Lowest Average Reliability

Gamma Roy GLX - 64.7

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Congrats to @NormanVauxhall for the win! Big thanks to all who entered I hope it was an enjoyable round. Thank you for your patience!

[Oskiinus]

Rk38, thanks for giving me solid reason for lore how the company could change it’s name

Eun-ji had received an email informing her that Sincker Automotive wasn’t planning the attack - it was just the people that were chosen to go to Anikatia - company lost connection with them and after Eun-ji did not decide on the car of Sincker they just went a bit nuts and decided to teach the taxi company a lesson. Sincker, as a brand wasn’t responsible for this and after the fact they fired the bastards and put them to French government where they got jailed for lifetime.

[phale]

That last picture is gold

[BobLoblaw]

Highest prestige and fastest top speed. The CEO of Cresge Automotive has removed the gun from his mouth and went on with his day.

[NormanVauxhall]

I can’t believe it. \o/
The Ouarzazate has the perfect look and the right physique du role for the job
ZM put a foot in the door into the Anikatian market… good to know

Thank you @Rk38 for the round and for the “usual” extra action scene at the end, this time starring a ZM car (the Dolphine didn’t had this luck the last time you hosted, right?)

Unfortunately, I can’t host the next round. So… I guess the second arrived must host.

Thanks again.

Cheers!

[DeusExMackia]

Fab round, great artwork there @Rk38, see why we were kept waiting for so long!

[abg7]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most cost-effective car (or van, in this case) won; hardly anything else offered so much space and comfort for so little! And yes, the epilogue was a time-consuming endeavor, but it was worth it.

Anyway, considering that I will be away from home for at least two more days, I will end up submitting an entry for the next round later than usual - if I submit it at all. At least I will have more competing entries to use as reference points…

[Leonardo9613]

@Rk38

Wow, they did not like coming second. I could almost sense the animosity in their voice.

Yep. Again. When will it end?

As for the end, Bonham does not encourage their vehicles to be used in car chases. Unless they win, much like all instances of the Flemming’s starring role on the famous License to Kill movie franchise.

Since Norman can’t host the next round, I will do it. Already have something in mind, I just need to do a few test runs.

[strop]

Lolol wtf does all of rk’s rounds end in carnage is this a thing?

I totally forgot to factor in the servicing costs over number of units… I just thought it’d be cheap enough! Didn’t realise it would add up so much. Then again, I’m not surprised that Norman and Leo we’re right up there since they are very strong at this kind of focus… even if Leo came 2nd for like the 8th time hahahaha

[Leonardo9613]

CSR49: California Dreamin’

1974, California. The sun shines, the weather is good, open your lungs and breathe in some of that lovely smog. Smoke fog, LA is covered on masses of that. So much so that you ain’t see nothing yet, because you can’t see through the thick pollution. In this context, someone realised that having heavy metals on the air might not be such a great thing and that perhaps having cars burn and spit it out was an even worse one.

Amidst all that chaos, the young couple Steve and Debbie were just leaving college and needed to purchase a car. Obviously, the car they wanted was stylish, fun to drive, comfortable, classless and desirable. And since they had just come out of college, Berkeley no less, they had a lot of debt. Therefore they also need something economical, cheap to run, cheap to buy and reliable.

They are both willing to search for the perfect car, the one that tells the best story and is the most coherent package. Unique and creative engineering is a big selling point.

Rules

• Year: 1974
• Fuel: 91 RON
• Engine emissions under 3900
• Engine PU and ET under 37
• Car PU under 80, ET under 35

Besides those rules, keep it coherent. Any approach is allowed here, there is no right or wrong. They want to be surprised, but they also don’t want to see mismatching choices (no 4 seat budget economy hatchback or hydropneumatic suspension with basic seats, please).

At the same time, they are not necessarily looking for min-maxxing cars, that extract the last bit of the budget. A well-rounded package, with coherent choices and good looks is what they are after,

Naming: Car Model and Engine Family must be named CSR49 - username. Trim and variant are free.

Deadline is August 23rd, 23:59 UTC.

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Here’s some more music to get you into the 70s vibe.

[abg7]

This is giving me real Gone in 60 Seconds vibes (the original, not the remake)… But how safe does the couple want their new car to be? And how much should it cost with a markup added? Also, is there an explicit minimum fuel economy requirement?

[Rk38]

Lol, next time I might as well just host a car chase round But I can say that carnage was back by popular demand. Oh, and the two chase cars were selected completely at random.

[Leedar]

@Leonardo9613

classless

Perhaps you mean ‘classy’?

Hmm, there is a certain class of car that screams ‘California’ to me, but it gets murdered in Automation scores unless it gets special treatment.

[Leonardo9613]

It is all up to you to decide. Safety is important, but isn’t at the top of their priorities. Also, there is no budget and, as I said, no correct approach. Give me a car that is relevant, balanced and coherent, and if it can be wrapped under some kind of company lore, bonus points.

Low price and fuel Eco are two important points, as to how much you want to compromise to get them, again, up to you.

[Ornate]

I thought college debt was much more manageable in the 70s? But I’ll get you your knock off Omni/Chevette, don’t worry.

[conan]

I guess we could go for something miserable like a Pinto, Chevette or Omnirizon. But we also could go for Datsun 510, BMW 2002 Tii or Alfa Romeo Sports Sedan.

Or we could go for something else entirely!

[LilRedRhyder]

Entry ready, just waiting on the rules to finalize. Sadly I’m leaving for a two week vacation on friday so I won’t know how I even did till I get back.