Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Year before...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URs9Z1DgWC4

Always bumper delete.

Clamshell is the bumper.

Overkill, the original is still an amazing car. Small light and amazing handling. Even with 15 year old 130k suspension. Replacing the engines was expensive hence fitting the standard Reanult engines

Anyone here owned an RX7? What are they like to insure?

It's another car I've always wanted to have and I'm trying to figure out if it's possible.

Anyone here owned an RX7? What are they like to insure?

It's another car I've always wanted to have and I'm trying to figure out if it's possible.

How many cars would that mean you owned - the Beetle, the Defender, the Mini and an RX7?

rotaries sound ace. I used to live with a girl in aus that had an early rx7. it was great fun to kick its arse late at night.

After much deliberation I've decided to keep my RS4 which means I'm going to look into two things that have been bugging me:

1. Music/phone integration... at the moment its got bluetooth phone functionality but no bluetooth music functionality. Retrofitting a newer audi system will cost 1200+ so I'm looking at aftermarket. A carplay system appeals - does anyone have any experience?

2. I've always thought the exhaust note was a bit subdued - especially when inside the car. I'm investigating options and currently thinking about getting the centre silencer removed and replaced with a x/h pipe. I think I'd need to get this fabricated somewhere - can anyone recommend somewhere in surrey/SW London?

Yeah I've got a proper hankering for a first gen RX7. Rotaries are aces.

Not a car, but have a listen to this and tell me you wouldn't want a go....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeQv60OZuP8

@diable
.

Spendy. They're imports, high risk, and you're young.

oi, knobhead - call me before Friday next week, as the mansion I am staying in for the mm has dick-all reception.

Quite expensive even to just buy no?

I would love one tbh but that.

RX8's are super affordable tho, very tempted by one.

I didn't get a ticket because I was slow :-(

RX8 looks like a hairdressers runabout doe.

you buttnut! I've got us passes to the bonhams tent, too.

I've got a 2010 1.4 mini and really rate it. Quality feel, handles well, and fun. On the boring side they depreciate well, have a good encap, are fairly efficient / comply with parking permits, tax, etc.

I can't really give any advice on what to look for / avoid, but the honest John reviews are always quite good.

I tried a diesel clubman and Cooper. The gear change on the diesel was really hard - but not on any others, so its probably random and would show on a test drive.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/

I'd say the negatives (of mine) are;

• 4 seats
  
• stock hi-fi (the oem upgraded one is good)
  
• must have high revs going into 2nd to accelerate (Cooper is great)
  
• doesn't de-mist well unless using air-conditioning.
  
• the method of turning on the heated mirrors.
  
• firm ride (I like it and it handles well, but some passengers are less keen say compared with other cars)
  
  

Interestingly (well probably not really) the third door on the clubman is designed for the continent where a passenger would use it. Whereas in the UK it's a bit obsolete as it's on the drivers side. It wasn't moved because of the extra cost of relocating the fuel tank.

FFS. Don't torture me...

Also worth having a look at finance stuff. A breakdown repair guy the other day said you could get a smart car for £100p/m.... at that sort of price it's hard to think of a reason not to just lease new for 3yrs.

RX8 are cheap as the road tax is high and insurance is high.

But the rotaries are fun. Had an RX7 bought with a fucked engine. Replaced engine with a second hand unit and then got sold.

It is rotor tip wear, dodgy fuel here.

I can't offer any advice on what to look for but from an ownership experience we have had ours for 2 1/2 years now.

2011 Clubman SD - Its been brilliant, goes well, cheap to insure / tax

Fairly spacious, we have managed many a long weekend with My Wife, 2 kids and I + luggage

I have one. 2011 Clubman SD. I like it. Girlfriend drives it most of the time. She likes it. Fun to drive. Is what it is, no more, no less.

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13376101/

Sort of, I have to sell the mini due to garage situation changing and the beetle will probably gone soon again as going to live in LA is now less viable due to Trump.

I'm now in a position where I can afford to maintain two old cars - this would have been impossible for me last year, or at any rate very difficult.

My advice would be to focus on one vehicle and get that to operate exactly as you want it to - it takes time and a lot of cash and energy to make an old car into a good car, you've got a much better chance of achieving your goals if you don't try to accomplish it on multiple vehicles at once.