The Dog & Lemon Guide Book

**Mully** · 1st January 2010, 10:07

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Written by a guy who owns a Hindustan Ambassador.

When I last read it, he'd got airbags retrofitted to the 50 year old thing he was driving. That puzzled me.

Originally Posted by MikeL

You have to accept the fact that the authors dislike almost every car on the road for one reason or another, so it comes down to avoiding the worst.

Bingo. I had an older copy and he had major hatred for anything that was exotic - Ferrari ("uses too much gas" - who gives a shit if they've got a Ferrari?)

He's also got a major hard-on for dissing Jap Imports. Across the board.

It echoes my point on here when people post "Which is best, X or Y bike?" - It all comes down to your intended use.

**gammaguy** · 1st January 2010, 10:09

i take pride in the fact that my two cars are rated "dangerous" and "overcomplicated and expensive"respectively.

Makes owning and driving them so much more fun.

**Marmoot** · 1st January 2010, 12:43

I really like it that when there is "no rating" available anywhere for a certain vehicle safety he would choose "dangerous" by default.

Seems like NZTA also takes this approach.
For example, my Toyota Supra safety ratings are classed as bad because there has not been any frontal impact test done on it.

Scientific my arse...

**Motu** · 1st January 2010, 14:13

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Scientific my arse...

No,covering their arse.The Great Wall utes have been slammed for not passing crash tests - because they don't have side airbags and stability control.They would still have better crash results than all of the Hi Lux and L200 utes still on the road.

PS - good to see you finally using NZTA....it's only been a year.

**YellowDog** · 1st January 2010, 14:16

Dog & Lemon = H U G E piss take out of any car you have ever owned!

I loved it myself and whilst I didn't want to be overly influenced by a couple of complete clowns, I actually bought one of the very few cars they rate highly.

It was a coincidence!

**Marmoot** · 1st January 2010, 15:17

Originally Posted by Motu

PS - good to see you finally using NZTA....it's only been a year.

It does take a lot of getting used to.
The only reason I used NZTA was because I typed in "LTSA.govt.nz" in the browser and it came back with server not found.

**EJK** · 1st January 2010, 15:19

I was quite suprised about the review the Author gave for Porsches.

Lots of Recommended and Okays (including 80's 911s but except Cayenne).

**kwaka_crasher** · 2nd January 2010, 22:46

Ah, the "Buy a Toyota Corolla Guide". I wouldn't waste my time with it.

**EJK** · 3rd February 2010, 20:56

I spent almost the whole last night reading this book. It's marvelous!

Unbiased. Unprejudiced. Fair.

The book has everything and more than what new buyers need to know. It's absolutely, a fantastic book. I spent hundreds of dollars on my uni text books but this $25 book is by far the most knowledgable bang for buck book I've ever bought.

**kwaka_crasher** · 3rd February 2010, 21:09

Originally Posted by EJK

Unbiased. Unprejudiced. Fair.

Based on your knowledge. Pray tell, what are your automotive industry qualifications?

**JimO** · 3rd February 2010, 21:14

Originally Posted by Motu

I .Fortunately he lives in the real world and know his cars.

he is still a knob

**EJK** · 3rd February 2010, 21:15

Originally Posted by kwaka_crasher

Based on your knowledge. Pray tell, what are your automotive industry qualifications?

Alright, I've never owned an Eurpean but I like the fact that the author(s) provide facts and realistic examples for cases. And also all statements are explained in front of the book. Opinions are balanced and well stated. I have read many books and mags but most of them just tells the reader what they want to hear. Most of all, it's very humorous.

My automotive industry qualification don't matter. I'm looking from customer's point of view.

**kwaka_crasher** · 3rd February 2010, 21:35

Originally Posted by EJK

My automotive industry qualification don't matter. I'm looking from customer's point of view.

But it does matter since your conclusion that the book is "Unbiased. Unprejudiced. Fair" comes largely from a position of ignorance if you don't have actual experience of the vehicles. The methodology used to collect the 'data' is hugely flawed.

**EJK** · 3rd February 2010, 21:47

In comparison with other reads, it's agreeable (for me) that the book looks both ways and that itself is "Unbiased. unprejudiced. Fair*" for me. It's more through than Jeremy Clarkson's review on a Scuderia. Did I need to own a Ferrari to make this observation too?

Say what you want. My observation is mine and that doesn't mean it should be in agreement to yours too. I may not know more automobile than you however it's my personal opinion (2 cent) that this book is fun and enjoyable to read, and fairly observative compared to some other medias.

*Search the phrase, it's from the film "Batman: Dark Knight".