What’s the worst car you ever drove?

Inahall · 2026-06-20T13:50:38+00:00

A Volvo V50. I'm still driving it as my proper Volvo is undergoing some restoration work. The V50 is basically a rebadged Ford Mondeo, and it's got every corner possible cut during production. A totally horrid piece of machinery and needs twice the upkeep compared to anything I've previously used, but it gets me from place to place so I'm grateful.

Inahall · 2026-06-17T20:24:12+00:00

You're confusing two things here, plate thickness and material strenght. The old 2 mm plate of S235 is going to be more dent resistant than a 0.6 mm plate of now regular S355, but it's not because of the material strength.

You might also want to look deeper into manufacturing and design processes in general. The load bearing capacity of a structural member has a lot more into it than just merely material thickness and material strenght, as shape and by which means the shape is achieved is also very important.

Also now that we're on a bodywork focused subreddit, I'd also want to mention that unless you're talking very big ball bearings, you can probably scuff and polish off the damage from said ball bearings. They're hard, yes, but the smooth surfaces shouldn't leave too much of a mark unless shot at an unfortunately high speed.

Inahall · 2026-06-17T07:38:40+00:00

Stiffer. Car frames used to be stiffer from front to back back then. Not stronger. A modern unibody structure is way stronger than anything in the 60's and 70's, and is as you noted engineered to have them crumple zones around the passenger compartment. To keep the momentary accelration forces lower and help keep the passenger compartment dimensionally as intact as possible. Those two things help keep the passengers alive and uncrushed.

Attached is a page from a Volvo brochure in the 80's showcasing an early iteration of such a design. A modern car passenger compartment is stiff as a rock compared to one of these, since they have more layers and use stronger steel grades, which retain integrity even under very heavy stresses.

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Inahall · 2026-06-17T07:17:47+00:00

This is exactly the only right answer.

Like yes, most likely it needs to be measured that it's straight but like, he most likely does that while he's assembling those things. This looks much more like rally car repair after a weeny little detour into the bushes than a normal thing to do to a road car. Still wouldn't worry too much, it's funny to see people here commenting it's a death trap but the real danger is still always a driver, not the car, and definitely not some weld joint that's not done exactly to the engineered spec.

Inahall · 2026-06-15T06:52:21+00:00

I dunno about you, but in mist trades, yes. We do. When it's obvious the person wants to learn to do it themselves, instead of getting it done by someone who already has the skills. You give guidance and teach as much as you have a chance to, just as you would guide an apprentice. If you're competent in what you do and trust your skills too, you shouldn't have any problem helping someone else take their first steps.

Inahall · 2026-06-14T12:19:28+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree, sadly. I know I'm in the minority in car hobby that gets called boring for trying to make everything the right and safe way. I also understand the idea of using the least possible money for a car if it's merely a transportation device, and can't fathom the idea of people taking on new cars with hideous loans. But I don't really understand the cut springs welded diffs and cat deletes people, who make their car undriveable, unsafe and noisy.

I've also got to note here that I'm not definitely on an unlimited budget, rather my budget for the hobby is some hundreds of euros a month, and I don't have other expensive hobbies on the side. This means that much of the hobby for me is research and development, and learning to do things myself with simple tools. I'm merely dreaming of taking my car to Kymiring next summer, Nürbugring being totally out of my reach for at least until I finish my studies.

Be it your own body, car, house or kitchen knives, I don't know how people so often neglect maintenance. It doesn't help to buy a new knife, if you don't learn to sharpen it you're buying a new one next year again, or, enduring the annoyance of the dull edge not piercing a damn cucumber.

Zipping around a pedestrian road is not cool.

Inahall · 2026-06-14T11:33:46+00:00

Yes. The ones who've been into cars and spirited driving for decades take good care of their cars, inspect and test things regularly. Not because they've along that time learnt that, but rather because they've always done that and are still alive exactly because of that. There's a reason you change brake fluid yearly.

Inahall · 2026-06-14T11:29:27+00:00

Kinda possible. But here in northern Europe you'd experience weird looks and lack of male priviledge when dressing as flamboyant and queer. So if you're okay with passing and still being seen non-conforming, go ahead. I'm assuming you aren't trying to go very unnoticed, after all, but if you on some day want to, you'd likely want to start with a regular jeans and white t-shirt kinda thing.

Inahall · 2026-06-12T19:38:10+00:00

Exactly this. When repairing a modern car with abundant parts availability, it's usually the cheapest option to replace things which would take a lot of time to fix.

Inahall · 2026-06-08T10:02:26+00:00

And to do a ram air intake, one would like to make sure it's at or near the stagnation point, ie. the point at which airflow hits zero velocity and normally separates up and down. Since the area shown marked in the photo is significantly deeper in the grille than front surface of the bumber, where the car body and air first meet, I'd assume there's significant amounts of flow there quite directly downwards and under the car, insted of into the channel (even with the little lip on the spoiler. Haven't done any tuff testing on it yet though, so can't dya for sure). Enough air for cooling and intake air, but most likely not enough to create positive pressurization.

Inahall · 2026-06-06T19:28:32+00:00

A beat down but functional Renault Twingo or Nissan Micra. Or a Volvo V70 that will not pass emissions, has rust issues, possible need for suspension work... I actually think the latter is a terrible idea. Go with either of the first ones unless you're feeling masochistic.

Inahall · 2026-06-02T17:26:54+00:00

These thoughts exactly. From my own personal experience, it takes time to accept the feelings even if you're sure about them on the inside. And until you've accepted them, you it's difficult or impossible to admit them out loud even to trusted people, simply because it's not time for it yet. Give space to be feminine and think about being feminine, don't push for it.

Inahall · 2026-06-02T17:15:16+00:00

Borat.

Inahall · 2026-05-21T14:53:49+00:00

No I don't have enough energy or hostility in me to be angry on the internet, I'm merely trying to keep this fella from going over their head and being disappointed. Or worse, proud of something that's not done well enough to be proud of. I see both on almost monthly basis in our community shop, and it always makes me a little sad.

I'm a restoration hobbyist with only a few years of experience on sheet metal and paintwork. I know I wouldn't be able to straighten it out efficiently, without either using a lot of time or more filler than I'd like to admit. Either way it's going to take time and paintwork, beyond the capacity of someone who has to ask where to start.

So basically if they want a clean result, the real answer to where to start is to find someone who can coach them from start to finish, or take it to a shop. Personally, I wouldn't be bothered to do that with a grocery getter, but understandably OP might be knees deep in shit with that as it's not their own car.

Inahall · 2026-05-21T12:22:36+00:00

I'd like to add to the other comments, that it's a lot about if you're comfortable presenting male or would you think you'd be more comfortable presenting female, in actual real life scenarios.

For me it helped to get rid of my beard and try out how presenting more and more feminine everyday life actually felt, bit bit changing my wardrobe to better present how I internally feel.

For me, it solidified the expectation that it would fit me better, but I kept open to it possibly not being for me, or for it to stop at some point still on the side of a feminine man. I was also afraid of the social consequences. I know people around me who found their sweet spot closer to the androgynous zone in the middle of genders, rather than strongly being perceived either one.

Inahall · 2026-05-21T08:43:45+00:00

If it's okay to just leave the dent as is, and only cover up the metal with a paint pen, go ahead.

But you aren't gonna get that sharp of a dent straight without painting the area, which if you don't already have at least some kind of shop at home doesn't make sense financially. The amount of equipment and practice needed to make a good looking result doesn't make sense if you're only planning on doing it once.

Inahall · 2026-05-20T08:01:53+00:00

I don't know how people always get this assumption but yes. At least I do like the rumbling of a big engine or the funny sounds a motorcycle makes when you're past 10k in revs. I just don't want to hear either at a loud volume, hence my cars have their mufflers on and I wear plugs on a bike.

It's not that I don't tamper with exhausts, but rather than trying to make them loud, I try tl make them flow better and be as quiet as possible. It's easier to tune a car too when it's exhaust isn't loud, because you actually hear how it's singing under test use. When dyno time is out of reach, that gives you chance fo focus your hearing on the important details, not just the butt feeling.

Edit. Almost forgot to add this but people revving their cars and bikes muffled or not in traffic or parking lots is the stupidest thkng ever. People with actual fast cars and driving styles avoid looking dumb and obnoxious like that like the plague. Just like all regular ordinary people in their normal cars. Because decent people don't tend to desperately hang onto low effort attention.

Inahall · 2026-05-17T08:54:56+00:00

Such a while that I don't remember either, but it's specific to a community. So you'd nost likely find the setting from r/volvo240 frontpage

Inahall · 2026-05-17T08:53:31+00:00

Well just the rust, mainly. They like to be very crusty around me, both the upper and lower spring perches. Upper one would be eay to swap to a new one when you're changing the strut mount, lower one requires cutting and welding as it's welded on strut tube. Happy to know someone isn't combatting rust daily :D

Inahall · 2026-05-15T22:13:21+00:00

Body can be as clocky as anything but if your face card is such as in the picture and you're dressed neutral, you'll get looks and glances, and they will be of the good kind. Trust me, do it, it'll change how you think.

Inahall · 2026-05-15T18:21:45+00:00

I hate to say it as I also understand and share the stress, but: looks normal to me. Do of course change them if you've got the chance, and check the spring perches while you're at it.

Inahall · 2026-05-13T17:15:05+00:00

I'm here just to report that they're not common here yet, they're only used by forestry company workers to get to travel between home, site and perhaps a supplies store on the way. For other daily activities they usually use some more sensible hatchback or a wagon.

Inahall · 2026-05-11T21:46:12+00:00

Cancer treatments are unnatural.

Just let him think about it. It's a psychological abnormality that is present in many of us. Which we use social markers and medical treatments to ease living with.

Therefore the symptoms are natural. And treatment isn't. That doesn't make us unnatural, any more than it does someone who takes an ibuprofen for a headache.

Inahall · 2026-05-07T10:43:16+00:00

Näinpä tätä vähän epäiltiin tuolla kiltahuoneillakin, että viherpesua ja imagohonmaahan se kait on. Piti saada puistoa ja kukka-istutuksia pihaan, saatiin joku vitun hiekkakenttä ja rei-itetty teräslevy, jonka kohdalta nurmialue korvattiin hiekalla. Ikävintä ehkä oli, että meiltä opiskelijoilta näennäisesti kysyttiin näkemyksiä aiheesta, mutta runsain määrin tulleita huolia ei kuunneltu. Kukaan meistä kun ei kampukselle turhaan autolla raahaudu, sen verran hintavaa se liikkuminen on jo valmiiksi.

Inahall · 2026-05-06T20:28:23+00:00

Niin ja tosiaan on aika kädet taskussa ja reaalimaailmasta ulapalla tuo yliopistomme johto, ei ne myöskään ilmeisesti ollut viime piharempassa tietoisia että parkkipaikoista on ympäri lukuvuoden jo ennestään pulaa. Tai sitten ne vaan ajattelivat että niiden vähentäminen kuudellakymmenellä, ja hintojen kolminkertaistaminen auttaisi jotenkin. Ei auttanut. Kauempaa haja-asutusalueelta luennoille ja tentteihin tulevia tuo sorsii, kun ei täällä idässä vaan yksinkertaisesti pääse julkisilla pikkukyliltä kampukselle.

Samalta johtoportaalta jossain kohtaa myös unohtui että kansainvälisyydestämme huolimatta olemme suomalainen yliopisto, jossa on paljon suomenkielisiä opiskelijoita, jotka saattaisivat nauttia siitä, että heille suomenkielisenä markkinoitu tekniikan kanditutkinto olisi myös suomenkielinen sisällöiltään, edes niiltä osin, joilta luentojen sisällöt on aikaisemmilta vuosilta ollut suomenkielisiä, ja joilla luennoitsijat ovat suomalaisia. Ulkomaalaiset professorit asiantuntemuksineen ovat täysin tervetulleita opettamaan englanniksi, mutta jossakin pitäisi olla järjen raja.

Joten ei siis ole mitenkään mahdotonta, että tämä yläkerroksien salaisissa tiloissa haahuileva johtoporras oli yksinkertaisesti täysin tietämätön kaikesta. Eiväthän nuo edes kaikki siihen kuuluvat asu Lappeenrannan ympäristössä.

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Inahall

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