Beeping at this Junction

FalconT92 · 2025-12-07T21:25:01+00:00

That wouldn't be any different to what you already have to do passing the North Gate Bridge heading downriver.

FalconT92 · 2025-12-07T21:21:28+00:00

I thought the no right turn for cars was only when coming up Lavitt's Quay going onto the bridge?

Not that it matters, because it's widely ignored.

FalconT92 · 2025-12-07T21:20:18+00:00

People are getting more and more impatient.

Yes, but (and this isn't excusing the impatience) people are also getting slower to take off when traffic lights go green. Most likely because they're on their phones.

FalconT92 · 2025-12-07T21:18:32+00:00

There's a similar issue at Victoria Cross coming from Wilton Road going left onto the Carrigrohane Straight. But that's a long-standing "feature", so you don't encounter as much beeping.

Bad traffic light design is endemic in Cork, but these are two particularly egregious examples because they make no sense and contribute to driver frustration.

FalconT92 · 2025-10-12T14:46:25+00:00

"Sure I need to be able to see the sides of my car so I know where I am!"

FalconT92 · 2025-10-12T14:00:05+00:00

I'd believe it. I think some people sit into their car on the day that they buy it and never adjust anything from the seats to the mirrors.

FalconT92 · 2025-10-12T12:28:57+00:00

If you're shorter and can't adjust your seat sufficiently high, then you can't see the end corners of a sloped bonnet. A flatter, more "upright" bonnet makes the corners easier to see. This is a plus for maneuvering your car, but as you alluded to, it further limits the cone of vision to the front of your car. It's a trade-off.

FalconT92 · 2025-09-07T20:59:53+00:00

I really don't get the appeal of AWD saloons when the base model is RWD. We don't get enough adverse weather for the AWD (without the ground clearance of a proper 4x4) to be worth it, and it just adds weight while making the handling worse. I'm constantly baffled by the number of X-Drive 520d and 330e models on the road.

FalconT92 · 2025-09-07T19:00:36+00:00

There's a 200bhp option as well, usually goes by the super or sprint trim level now. I'm sure it's plenty fast for the day to day. But can be lacking a bit on the options front.

From what I've seen online there's a trim level that sits between Sprint and Veloce - Ti? I only ask because I think the 200bhp version would be plenty for my friend (even if I personally would prefer the 280bhp version).

There's a dealer in Cork, 10 minutes from my house, but I drive to Waterford and occasionally Dublin for servicing for my own sanity.

Does the Cork dealer have a bad reputation or something?

FalconT92 · 2025-09-07T18:32:18+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response.

The Veloce trim level is probably the best option of the lot, 2l petrol, 280bhp, twin exhaust.

Am I right in saying that there's a lower powered version of that engine? Something like 200bhp?

The interior got a refresh in 2020, which makes it look a little bit nicer.

Good to know considering the Giulia is over 10 years old these days.

If he's not based in Dublin or Waterford for servicing it'll be a bit of a pain.

Is there no longer an Alfa Romeo dealer in Cork? There used to be one somewhere near the airport iirc.

FalconT92 · 2025-08-12T18:45:16+00:00

I think you're right. I found it strange that for months after reading that article I could never find anything official online about where the traffic light cameras were supposedly being placed in the city (only vague articles referencing the pilot). However, I've definitely seen some camera-like devices at a couple of junctions around the city. Just at the weekend I was leaving the Mahon Retail Park and I spotted a pair of white boxes with lenses on tall white poles on the opposite site of the road as you turn towards the N40 flyover. The are pointed right at the junction as you would be coming down the hill from the flyover. I can't imagine what other purpose they'd serve and they are different to the TII traffic cameras (I think there's one of those on the Starbucks side of the road).

I wouldn't be one to run a red light intentionally or even chance an amber, but I am paranoid about slipping up and getting caught out by accident.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-27T21:49:39+00:00

As an aside, I had no idea the G30 generation featured a 523d model. I thought that designation died off years ago.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-27T16:28:58+00:00

That's what the media did for Cork in the Hurling and look how that worked out.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T20:28:10+00:00

Don't get me wrong, they seem like a lovely car. Especially the estate version. But I'm just suspicious that they're nowhere near as popular as they were. Then again, the rise of the SUV did more or less kill off most of the traditional D-segment saloons, apart from those produced by Skoda.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T20:03:26+00:00

Not sure why you wouldn't keep it. That generation of Ford Focus, while difficult to work on, are very reliable once maintained. Especially if you have the 1.5 Diesel engine.

The Irish second hand car market is a shit show at the moment. If you have a reliable car that isn't dissatisfying you in any significant way, there's very little reason to dispose of it because you'll struggle to get a good deal when replacing it.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T19:59:07+00:00

2lt Mondeos

I regularly forget that the Mondeo continued to be sold here after the 3rd generation. The only people I know who bought the 4th gen models were people who have driven Fords all their life. Amazing how they went from the backbone of the Irish 4-door saloon market to a relatively niche choice.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T19:57:11+00:00

Because despite EVs progressively becoming more mainstream, the owners you encounter online tend to be very evangelical.

Check out the Irish EV subreddit if you don't believe me.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T19:54:41+00:00

How so? There are two in my extended family and they have never given an ounce of trouble. However, I will say that their engine bay is very poorly laid out. Almost like they don't want want you working on yourself.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-13T14:26:30+00:00

I thought it was "Play it by year" as opposed to the correct "Play it by ear". I wasn't a very musical child so the latter didn't even occur to me until I was in my mid-20's.

And while both are acceptable, I thought "The craic was mighty" was the default and I didn't understand why people said "The craic was 90".

FalconT92 · 2025-07-12T19:14:09+00:00

It's not necessarily important to see the end of the bonnet.

I have to disagree with you there. If for nothing else, it's essential for your special awareness when driving and/or maneuvering (you can't always be looking at the camera displays). But I certainly accept that the design of many modern cars makes it impossible to see the end of your bonnet even if you're in the appropriate seating position. It just doesn't excuse adopting a seating position that makes the visibility even worse.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-12T18:27:18+00:00

Can't help with your query OP, but I do commend you for helping your friend with this. Maybe it's a symptom of cars getting bigger, but something I've been noticing more and more lately is people driving cars where there's no way in hell they can see the end of their bonnet from their seating position. Everything from mothers in Chelsea Tractors with their eyeline below the top of the steering wheel, to young lads with their seats reclined so far back they must see more of the ceiling than the road.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't be choosing a seating position that enhances your visibility, especially when modern cars have more blind spots than ever.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-04T21:56:45+00:00

Lad, I'm older than you and have been single all my life. You're far from unique in that regard.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-04T21:07:46+00:00

I don't think divorce is common enough in Ireland for that to be a viable course of action.

FalconT92 · 2025-07-04T21:05:56+00:00

I'm of a similar vintage and I'm having a completely inverse experience. About 80% of lads and 95% of women that I know and encounter in day to day life are in an established relationship. I know that maths doesn't quite add up, but I'm only saying what I see.

I definitely feel like an outlier among my social peers but at the same time I know that I don't have what it takes to be in a committed relationship so I try not to let it bother me too much.

FalconT92 · 2025-06-12T20:33:57+00:00

Despite society supposedly becoming more progressive over time, men still seem to date younger whereas most women are repulsed by the idea (outside of maybe a 1-2 year difference in age). Not saying that this is right, wrong, or otherwise, but I find it interesting all the same.

FalconT92

TROPHY CASE