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

Also say keep calm, relaxed and breathe, being stiff makes the driving more work.

Try no to get red mist it is not a race and far to many times people see a track day as a race. It is not. It is a chance to get to know your cars limits in a safe environment.

Look up nurseh guide to re bed in discs as a track day is perfect for this imo

Thanks @lynx all good stuff 🙏

Little question for the turbo heads. I'm getting the occasional splutter and mule kick between 60-80kph (40-50mph in old money), it feels like the engine is occasionally struggling to make power going up through the gears. Seems to do it when I'm not 100% concentrating on the throttle, if the power comes on smoothly everything is fine but if I give it a little extra squirt or I'm a bit hesitant it'll do the thing. Does that make sense?

Otto transmission, I'm not cool enough for a Manuel. Just poor driving technique or dirty injectors? This is the Subaru BTW. EJ205 turbo, bone stock, no funny business. Yet.

Sounds more like worn autobox valve body solenoids to me.

Pretty simple and cheap fix if so.

I hope not, I had them go on my XV and it cost A$3k to overhaul them and replace all the seals. 😳

A total noob question, I have a Volvo hybrid. It’s 5 years old, Volvo charge £480 for a service. Can I look elsewhere, is it worth it and if so where (SE London)?

If still under Volvo warranty then maybe stick with official dealer. If not then look for a volvo (or hybrid) specialist

Kinda bored of driving our Berlingo down the M1 for 5 hours, it's just a bit too agricultural sometimes.

Am I asking for trouble buying a 2013 XC70 which has 165k miles? Private seller has owned it for 10 years and says its full (non dealer) service history.

Still in love with this boxy little shitbox, I'm trying not to spend any money on it but I really wanna grab the blow off valve for it. Of course the only one that'll fit has to come all the way from Japan, that figures.

Drove into Brisbane for a gig last night, was ace driving home with the highway all to myself, felt like I was in a video game. Simple(ton) pleasures.

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buying a 2013 XC70 which has 165k miles?

probably trouble.

you could get lucky and get a few years out of it without any big bills, but odds are likely to be against this outcome.

Get something Japanese, hice little honda accord or Mazda.

I fancy another one of these.

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Misfire, smell of petrol and Check Engine light on the Alfa this morning. Misfire and smell went away very quickly, CEL after 20 miles or so and parking it for a while. Any thoughts? Coil pack on the fritz maybe?

Great Cars. Expensive for what they are now though.

Keep looking at Berlingo but they are road van.

As for trouble, is it a front wheel or 4wheel drive - have the fluids been changed regularly. If any one say sealed for life - tell them politely to go fuck themselves. They are wrong and nothing they say can be trusted.

Is it a belt or a chain cam drive. Belt changes done on time mileage?
Look on MOT see if has been work and then the work done

Read the seller, if it is cheap enough why not.

Check the wiring.

I loved our old one. Prices seem to be rocketing at the moment, so I may have missed the curve.

I’ve got a 2004 v50 2.4 auto with 150 ish on the clock.
It will shit the bed at some point I’m sure.

Edit : 118 not 150

https://youtu.be/54oqYyy_r_Q?si=2fIbsWcgzh8VO2Q4

I had a misfire on my Audi 80 recently, changed the spark plugs and leads. Nothing

Then took a blowtorch to the plugs and it would seem the engine was flooded. This worked, it started up fine. Then we heard the water pump grinding

Do you think?

I've always been supprised how little these cost given the ludicrous prices of other old cars.

Or is this one of those cars where I'm now about to find out they're all £20k or something.

They are still over £5k for one worth having at the minute, but they are going up. Considering they were under £15,000 new they are quite expensive for a small 125hp 5 speed not so super mini. I loved my old one though, I think I paid £1k had it a year and sold it for £1k.

As much as I rate them a Honda Accord tourer is not a AWD XC70. It is cheap: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411136263319 but kinda need this car to be reliable. I think I'll look into the 90k used approved option.

Oh bugger, I’ve just seen this. Thankfully I haven’t got the money.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375751504903

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My mum had. D3 Volvo on big miles. They can be very reliable if looked after. Just do some reading on engines and issues.