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

Nah, turbos are fine on big boosty barges, but on a little chuck-about hot hatch I'd trade the extra power for the better throttle response from a NA engine. Of course, as a mid-life crisis hot hatch, what you should really be getting is a nice unmolested 205 GTi 1.6, thereby combining middle-aged nostalgia with an inappropriately youthful car.

If

The main aim is to feel more like a 20 year old

then

the 90% of the time that I'm not ragging it.

is doing it wrong, surely?

Quite.

I've got my 90s 911 for nostalgia, but it's overrated.

Nostalgia is, I mean, not the 911.

Old cars are basically just shitter new cars.

I drove a R5 GT Turbo recently. It was too noisy and crashy for serious consideration.

The Clio will, I hope, tread the perfect balance between the gay abandon of youth and the sensibleness of middle age.

Bit of a dredge, but how are you finding the Superb? How does the petrol compare to your previous disesl? Looking at a Superb estate 220 and coming from a VAG 140bhp tdi.

Sweet Jesus.

The thing I like about NA cars is that you can get your driving thrills just by trying to keep up. Mid range torque is great but it's also boring. Makes even mundane drives fun again.
I've been banging on about my gti6 a little lately but it has reminded me how great a high revving 2 litre can be. The thing lights up at 4000 rpm and you do feel like a teenage hoon again. It the perfect antidote to the dull refinement of the auuuuudi.

DeThomaso ?

Old cars are basically just shitter new cars.

I'm trying to persuade myself that they have character that modern cars don't. Ever since it became clear that the cost of restoring the Minor is going to be about the same as the purchase price of the RS6.

I'm assuming the letters 'PANT' on the sills are part of the word Pantera rather than Pants or Pantaloons, so yes.

If you did want to try a new wheelset may I suggest some OZ Futura's? The Ghibli 'Kit Sportivo' edition wore a set and I think they suit the body shape quite nicely.

Ah, the perils of phone screens in the sun.

I'm liking the Superb lots.

It's pleasant to go back to a petrol car after decade(s) of driving deisels. The engine is responsive, pulls nicely from low revs, quiet. The auto box works well and just gets on with things.

It's comfortable. There's lots of tech in it (auto everything, juke box, touch screen etc). There's loads of room. It feels well made. It handles quite well for a big estate.

So far, I've not found anything not to like about it.

Of course, fuel economy is lower than my previous 2.0 deisel Passat, but I was expecting that.

character

I was being silly really. I love old cars. I took the 914 to a Porsche show at the weekend thinking I'd try to sell it. Even got one of the children to make a sign for the windscreen.

But Driving it there made me happy so I folded up the sign and hid it in the glovebox.

Yes. Ford powered doe of course.

Aus racer Rusty French.

Also has a God damn Kremer.

parking at gatwick for 5 days. any pro tips?

Park on a random person's drive, blocking them in.

Depends on how precious you are about the car. Normal longstay is park yourself and get a bus in. Isn't extortionate. Never had a problem.

'Summer Special' parking section, they park for you. Used it twice but always paranoid after @Dammit Porsche escapade (though that was at Heathrow)

There are a few non official parking places near by that are a lot cheaper but expect a 30 minute transfer to / from the terminal.

Get the train?

yeah fuck that handing your keys over noise. I have a wheel and clutch lock i want on before i leave. not fussed about a 10 minute transfer.

last time i got in so late all the trains had dried up, the taxi ride was slightly less than what i could have paid for parking.

50 quid for 5 days. that's a tenner a day. imma pull the trigger

.

Still normally need to hand over your keys even if you park it yourself - as they move cars around...

hrm. one i'm looking at deffo has "Self park, keep your keys" as a usp.

good luck moving a 2 ton truckasaurus with shit all steering and gears.

Normal longstay is keep your keys. Used it in May for a couple of weeks with no issue.

fair enough. it's the dammit scenario i want to avoid.

soz neil.

Currently a bit obsessed with these after randomly spotting one locally: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/mercedes-r63-amg-2006-review/

• 6208cc 32valve naturally aspirated V8
  
• 14mpg
  
• 0-60 = 5.1secs
  
• 185mph
  
  

Not liking the look of it, but that engine in an e-class and Damnit should be happy?