Is this a good car to get?
(2011-10-05 14:25:10) 1. Says: I am 17 and I am doing driving lessons and soon as I pass I want to get a Reliant Rialto or Robin. I just love the look of them, They are cheap to tax and very good on fuel. Is it a good car to get?They look like this- http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenjonbro/3272547699/2. Says: OK, let's clear up a few myths, shall we?
The Reliant Robin is perfectly capable of being used as everyday transport, including driving at 70mph on a motorway. The people who say they're dangerous and fall over have never driven one and are getting all their vast knowledge from that episode of Top Gear when Clarkson drove one like an idiot.
Yes, they're easier to topple over than a standard car, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to get your average 4x4 on its roof if you yank the wheel hard at speed.
They cannot be driven on a motorbike licence. The DVLA changed the licensing groups a while back and you now need a full car licence to drive one.
They do rust though. Not the bodywork, but the chassis is made from steel and can suffer from tinworm just like any other car, although it's simple construction means it's easy to fix.
They are very cheap to run, although you'll pay well over a grand for a good one, and very easy to mend. They also hold their value better than most other cars.
If you want one, why not? I've driven them and even had a shot at racing one once. Make up your own mind and don't listen to the haters.3. Says: FFS, Don't even think about one of these piles of cr4p. I have seen 5 of these, yes, FIVE, on fire, and burning with awful thick noxious fumes pouring from them. They don't go around corners. They are short a wheel. Four wheels = Stable, three wheels = Unstable in many circumstances. I have known of three owners who have admitted to turning their car on it's side, accidentally. One broke his shoulder doing so.
You can get a Volkswagen Polo, with a 1 litre engine, which will serve you very well, for just a few hundred pounds. These cars are built to last, cheap to service, and simple to work on.
Many girls won't entertain the idea of getting into a Reliant Robin. They are only for individuals of limited outlook, who can't obtain a full driving licence.4. Says: Boy Boy beleive me the Reliants are almost the worst cars ever made, the only one i can think of being worse is the old Eastern Bloc Trabant.
The reliant is crude in the extreme, flimsy and breaks up in even minor accidents, the handling is absolutely awful, it is uncomfortable, the braking is crap and at 17 you would be a laughing stock with all your mates. I will concede that they are fairly good on fuel which is hardly surprising as they are very light and and the engine is only about the size of a couple of shoe boxes.
The ONLY people who still drive these are 70 year old anoraks stuck in a time warp.
I briefly owned one about 40 years back, very briefly - took it back to the dealer after 4 hours and told him it was not a car but a bad joke. Got my money back luckily as he had not processed the paperwork.
Evelyns answer surprises' me - now he is a guy who has forgotten more about motoring than most people will ever know. I really enjoy his answers and look out for them. I have always thought that he only had one weak point, he is stuck in a time warp regarding diesel engines in cars, thinks they are only suitable for Tractors and Trucks [i have a BMW530D so naturally strongly disagree]. But hey, it seems he has a second weak point, Reliants. Come on Evelyn, tell the boy the truth, you would rather ride a push bike than be seen dead in a Reliant Robin or Rialto.5. Says: You will struggle to get one in good condition - these are collectors vehicles now. They are not safe - you cannot drive then at the same speed as a modern car otherwise its trouble. They have no crash protection whatever - even worse than an orginal mini. Don't think that getting one will lower your insurance - it won't - and for anyone out there who thinks they can drive one of these things on a motor bike licence - you can't. The law was changed and you need a car licence. You have seen one go round a roundabout.... at what speed? I was there in the era and I have to tell you there things did not handle, they were sold as cheap runarounds for people who only had a motorcycle licence. Ultimateley the small mass produced cars undercut them on almost all costs. The only advantage is that the body does not rust (but the chassis ultimately does).6. Says: No, As a new inexperienced driver, the handling and non-existant safety features of this vehicle make it totally unsuitable.
I once had a Regal 'Supervan' (just like the Trotters) when I was a skint student back in the days you could drive it on a bike licence. Just to add to the instability - they were suprisingly fast due to the power to weight ratio.
Having said that I have seen them 'Banger racing' - That is scary ! Also i remember a local mobile disco used one - with a trailer !
If you really want one, Just remember it's limitations. Dont try to drive it like a Mini.7. Says: It is a deathtrap.
The single wheel in the front makes it so unstable you tip over so easily, it's dangerous.
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X88. Says: sure looks like the car for you9. Says: Good fun cars and can be well customised lol10. Says: I believe with one of these, if you stripped out all the seats (except the drivers) you can legally drive it on your own on just a provisional license (like a moped) as long as you stay off the motorways Tag: Is this a good car to get?