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

thanks - I've managed to source the L plates and yes quote is cheaper for me than it is for my partner, with 20+ years on her licence and no claims. odd. think we'll go for it - I'm about 25 hours into learning and feel fine cutting about. have been on fast roads with my instructor in his little kia so sure I'll be fine in my brother's GT TDI (!) scirocco.

I'm not so hot on maneuvers (bay parking or whatever) but I'll muddle through by not parking in any narrow spaces.

Running it heavy with building materials from Glasgow out to kintyre to do up a flat. Thought i did a great job on head, compression good, but bit smokey at idle until warm. Now it's spot on though. I like stuff that fixes itself.

Those VW engine do take alot of abuse. Suspect the under stressed engine goes along way.

In Jag poking, after doing the oil stat, the car is still no warming as it should. So the car is still over fueling.

None of my elm readers want to talk to the car. So can not see live data.

Still not traced which bearing is noisy. Nor sourced the cause, if any, on the side to side movement on the wheels.

Tempted just the buy both hubs with new wheel bearings and drive shafts in case the drive shafts have stuck in the wheel bearings. Then any other bits needed so I can get them from UK when a friend drives over in 10 days time.

Part of me thinks that I should just buy the bits from the UK while I can.

Both my kids had learner insurance a couple of years apart. The most recent was with Aviva. I think it lasts three months per policy or until you pass. Trouble free but then there were no collisions so as you'd expect. My daughter had to take out a second 3 month policy due to there being no tests available but was able to get a cancellation after a couple of weeks into the new policy. Surprisingly cheap compared to insuring the car once she'd passed.

This is quite an interesting approach.

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What does that do?

It's a semi-dry sump setup for the Corvette motor, doesn't have multiple scavenge pumps draining oil from the pan, hence "semi", but does have a separate scavenge and pressure pump, and most importantly the oil pickup is at the bottom of the tall reservoir on the left, so if won't be left uncovered during prolonged high-G situations.

It's much less complex than a "full" dry sump system as you would find in a race-car, and does suggest an avenue of exploration for the Porsche M9X engines, replacing the OEM oil pump with a dual stage, and possibly even using the LS7 reservoir.

The infamous moist sump set-up…

What is a moist sump?

Yes, I looked it up after watching that episode

Whoever bought this brand new Lada that I spotted a few days ago may be regretting their purchase somewhat in the light of recent events

I mean, it is cool tho.

My lights dim when I press the window button thing, normal or a possible problem?

battery on the way out?

I had a motorbike once where the choice was headlights or indicators, never both.

Possible problem. Check battery and charging voltage for a start.

The fact the Niva is still being made is brilliant, it is very low tech.

1977-present:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva

Forum ride?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r92int4KKZk

Look at the bikes in the shop. This man loves drillium.

So after several years of thinking about it, I'm actually getting closer to really tossing my GTI in for a new car. There's are basically three choices and they're all different. I have a family so it needs four seats.

2018+ Golf R - boring same thing as a GTI, but lots of practicality and no slouch. I love the car, but it just doesn't feel exciting to me.

2017+ rs3 - less boring than R but less practical and no manual. Seems like a one trick pony: speed.

2017-2018 OG M2 - my favorite choice but I'm scared of crashing it. Literally.

I'm not stupid but I like to drive quickly and I've always been in hot hatches that I can push into oversteer safely. I haven't been in a wreck in 20 years. This is where the Audi is tempting me.

Is this fear ridiculous? Maybe just get some track time so I can actually learn to drive? Get the car I love right?

Get the M2 - it's a classic. It is lairy though although I don't think in a snappy way.

I think you're right....

But....

Basically this is my fear:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1524621

Some Cupra EV with gopping wheels has "just rolled in" at work

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I think you're right....

But....

Basically this is my fear:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showth­read.php?t=1524621

Not wishing to sound unduly flippant - but there's a reason that we all have insurance.

If that happens then it's a huge bummer, but decent cover will replace it with something else fun.