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

You could try these -

https://www.kindigitapparel.com/products/exhaust-cutouts

Watch the tv programme to see them in operation.

Not huge. Will have to get it done before Sept, going on a "ring tour" with some mates. They're taking a stripped out s2000/welded shut evo and a diahatsu Copenhagen/turbo shoe. So it's upto the v70 to lug all the gear.
Also totally want to dominate that 600cc turbo shoe. Current suspension think my windreseen will crack on that track, if not my spine.

In Halkidiki area of Greece on holiday. First time properly driving a wrong way round car on the stupid side of the road. Have yet to stuff it into an olive grove. Some outstanding scenery around here too.

Not that it really needs saying, but Nissan Micras are utter dog shit. Feels like everything is made from yoghurt pots and there is zero pick up. Impossible to get above 2nd on any sort of incline. I'd rather be driving my 14yo Panda.

Lost my mind and bought this . And it’s fucking amazing!!

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Have you been before? The surface there is pretty decent, not bone jarring on hard suspension.

I don’t know about Volvo specific stuff but I’ve got a mate who works at AST in Holland and I’m more and more impressed with their work. It’s not cheap though, talking nearly Ohlins prices but I’m thinking that’s a future goal for the 850 for me.

I thought I used to know some stuff about suspension but then it’s that classic thing where a little knowledge is worse than none, so I won’t even try and offer any advice. I don’t know who’s good for Volvo specific applications but all the stuff I read from people who do actually know what they’re talking about says it’s all about compliance, decent travel with appropriate damping and springs allowing the wheel to keep in contact with the ground. Roll is still out, you don’t want body roll but you don’t want to remove roll by reducing travel.

Anyway, after all that, I can say the Koni adjustables I’ve got fitted are really good so if you’re looking for a change, get the same as what I’ve got because they’re not crash, not noisy, and they’re comfy and compliant, but they do still have a bit of body roll, not a crazy amount though.

Nice! I love the sound of these, pretty pokey in a straight line too.

Some nice vehicles in Japan. Every car out there was immaculate - even the building lorries and rubbish trucks.

Yes it is louder than I expected. I had a Giulietta multi air before this and the Abarth is sooo much louder.
And yes she does pick her skirts up when she wants, being remapped once she's run in, so should have north of 185hp .

Gravel? Will no one think of the paint chips?

It’ll need a full respray come a Monday.

I stuck it all down before I parked on it

Cheers will have a read up!
I think the way 850/x70 fwd rear suspension works in such a way it needs a bit of bodywork in order to make the passive rear steer work properly. In stock form (but decent sized wheels) thought they did ok for the category of car they are, especially loaded.

Mine is just very crashy, too much low speed compression and very little in the way of rebound damping, esp once warm (shocks warm)

Another thing that needs sorted out is front wishbone/ lower arm mounts. Tdi are same as t5 and r, have the slightly less shit 4 bolt arms. Current ones have volvo bush's in them, no play, but they are soft and allow front wheels to move a lot under braking, find yourself fighting it quite a lot. Not sure if poly bush are enough of an improvement / too resistive to movement (could make it ride even worse), or go straight to rose bush/spherical joints. There's a sweedish company who does a set for £200. Very good at keeping wheels pointed the right way, very little resistance, but very exposed to the elements, so don't last long (like coilovers).

Japanese seem to respect each others vehicles more than anywhere (apart from maybe Iceland). Might be the cost of having one in a city enforces folk to be nice!

Thinking of importing a Honda acty pickup. all the UK ones are so rotten.

How many times did you lay it out before deciding on the pattern?

was in Guernsey last weekend and coincidentally the annual hill climb comp was on. came away with some perverse ideas for my little fiat that I would never follow through on. but loved seeing this hitting those corners out of St Peter Port at speed

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and never seen a 2cv quite like this before

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Couple photos I've taken recently

Assuming if you hate modified cars you will dislike these ha

Is that wheel outside the arch but tyre inside! WTF! Nice shots but barmy cars.

Spent an hour or so in the backseat of a Mini Cooper S cab yesterday, legroom is fine but the backrest is inexplicably upright, almost forcing you to lean forwards. It’s as if no-one actually sat in the back before signing off on it.

You’ve not tried to sit in the back of my car...

Yeah, I hear that those Merc's are a bit cramped.

Can only fit half a Porker wheel in the back or something.

Golfs are quite roomy...

That is what you will call stretched tyres to achieve fitment.

All comes down to tyre size and wheel size, particularly width and ET.

Quite a bit of maths goes in to it to nail it

It must be on air bags? I can't imagine driving it like that.

Finally bought a car that might be worthy of mention ....3l Scooby Outback....seemed pretty cheap, but there are so many of them here in NZ I guess it's not surprising! It's a fresh Japanese import, 2004 136k km and seems pretty good. Only issue so far is the tailgate lock doesn't work...Google suggests they're prone to cable breaks where they go from the body to tailgate. I'll have look once the bloody rain stops!
Any thoughts on what else is likely to go wrong?!