Thread: Winston's first Big Car Journey!

I saw this last post and just had to ask: what on earth is an estate car???

Think i'm right in saying that an estate car is a station wagon !

Originally Posted by NCarver

I saw this last post and just had to ask: what on earth is an estate car???

I think they are known as "Station Wagons" in the U.S

This is an Estate Subaru Impreza!

Well that was a new phrase on me! I have to say that I am very disappointed, however. An estate car sounds very grand. I had visions of some "lord of the manor" sort of vehicle. Not a wagon. Station wagons are not considered very stylish here, so most manufacturers want to call them "crossovers" (half car, half SUV) if possible. (I note that one of our cars is actually a wagon too.)

I thought it was a wagon... we just call them wagons here in australia.

I hope the trip goes well.

Originally Posted by NCarver

Well that was a new phrase on me! I have to say that I am very disappointed, however. An estate car sounds very grand. I had visions of some "lord of the manor" sort of vehicle. Not a wagon. Station wagons are not considered very stylish here, so most manufacturers want to call them "crossovers" (half car, half SUV) if possible. (I note that one of our cars is actually a wagon too.)

My husband is big car enthusiast but we only drive a small compact car a VW Polo as we really don't use the car a whole lot.

I know estate cars to be popular with salemen and families with dogs as they can pile everything in the back!

I think cars on this side of the atlantic cars tend to be much smaller then the U.S.
My husband and I rented a car in Boston a few years ago to drive up to my aunt in N.H and my husband was in his element as he got a "dodge" with a huge engine size.

I actually always thought station wagons were what we call "pick up trucks"


Estate Cars - Car Reviews - Motoring news - Latest cars - Telegraph

Ncarver: It really is funny the differences in english/U.S English, and then of course Irish/english can be a whole different ball game altogether!
I've caught myself writing things and then deleting them, because I though perhaps somebody elsewhere. wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about

and then add in the australianisms too...

What the US would call a pick-up truck we in oz call a ute or a trayback.

And I couldn't imagine being without a car, especially in a country town. Everything is just too far away. And we drive big cars... well we have a Toyota Landcruiser but we also have a small run around... Holden Astra.
But then, we also don't have any public transport here either.

Don't think they are particularly attractive cars - we have a Volvo Estate - it's practical though with three children and two dogs! We have a large dog crate in the back. Does drink the petrol though. I'd like to get a Land Rover Diesel - when I can afford it. I'd love an American car as they are so much bigger than British but don't think the roads here are big enough for them

Originally Posted by IrishKitty

I think cars on this side of the atlantic cars tend to be much smaller then the U.S.

Estate Cars - Car Reviews - Motoring news - Latest cars - Telegraph

Ncarver: It really is funny the differences in english/U.S English, and then of course Irish/english can be a whole different ball game altogether!
I've caught myself writing things and then deleting them, because I though perhaps somebody elsewhere. wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about

Yes, our cars are larger because gasoline is cheaper here. There have been some big changes over the last 5 years though due to the bout of $4/gal gas (er petrol?}.

My British English isn't as good as I thought. Reading the car reviews, I kept saying, what? "Instrument binnacle??" "Stainless-steel skid plates???" I can guess what binnacle probably means, but absolutely no idea what a "skid plate" might be. Didn't think cars were supposed to skid.

We of course watch quite a few BBC shows, but "Irish English?" That should be quite amusing and confusing.