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

i've been around combe in this:http://www.alfaholics.com/cars-for-sale/alfaholics-cars-for-sale/alfaholics-spider-r-007/ SIDEWAYS around quarry and that was plenty quick enough for me. the guy that owned it was a nutter. did something ridiculous like an 8min lap of the ring on a triumph scrambler

What costs should we expect to take a hand sized dent out of the front passenger door and cover up some scratches on both left hand doors? Mrs CYOA "didn't see" the pillar in the multi story carpark.

Was it wearing a hi-vis?

Body shop or dent master type people?

@NurseHolliday can you hire a car for the day?

Do you want to learn what your car can do with run off or just have a bit of a laugh?

http://www.automotiverepairsystems.co.uk

These guys were very helpful and professional when I dealt with them.

TBH, Brands could be relatively soft on brakes if you're committed in the corners and ease off the accelerator on the straights. Hitting 150 on Brabham straight and then standing it on it's nose to hit that unsighted apex into Paddock won't exactly be easy on the brakes, but easing off and letting the uphill do some of the work into Druids, using all that 4wd grip around Graham Hill and then straight lining Surtees but off the gas will slow you down to give the brakes less of a work out slowing the car into Clearways, and I reckon doing all that, you'd still lap quicker than I can in my 140bhp MX5>

Your description makes me want to go try it now!

Lovely cars. I've got two. Natch.

JFDI. Paddock is awesome. But all them lot ^^^ are right - with an RS4 you are going to shag your tyres and brakes quite quickly.

I'm not surprised brakes and tyres get fucked fairly quickly if you're chucking 1700kg into a corner at 70mph...

Only 70mph? Round Paddock? Pusseh.

I'd be worried about doing any more than that whilst piloting a barge the size of an RS4.

Yeah, me too! Nice car, but not really the right tool for the job.

I actually wouldn't bother taking an RS4 round a track. You can hire a Caterham for not much more than it will cost you in brakes, fuel and tyres and have bundles more fun.

Would anyone have any interest in a 2004 Defender?

I didn't win that gearbox

you could buy a little (past its prime) banger that would be more cost effective to track day.

mx5, new pads and fluid, top the oil up and hammer...

but sometimes, track daying an rs4 is the plums.

i say, circa 1000kg, circa 100bhp and no roof is enough to party

The weapon of choice is clearly an MX5.

Td5? Mileage? 90 or 110, how many seats? Service history? Any mods? Price?

Yes

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1tuFK_EGNGc&feature=youtu.be

The magic smoke appears to be leaving from the bonnet.

Hmm, back in Australia. Sydney is enormous and a car is required. I'll be buying a new one as soon as a job appears. Has to be a smallish and efficient car and have 5 doors - baby seat etc. It's going to be the dullest car buying experience ever.

AAAAND, would I be nuts to buy a 2001 Peugeot 306 in good condition for very cheap? I've had 2 before and know the common issues. The one I have been offered has a hard to engage clutch and dud A/C. I'm pretty sure the clutch is just a cable (common issue, right hand drive routing is complex) and the ac is likely to be a fuse or sensor rather than anything major. $500 wasted and potential money pit? Would just be a car for the interim.

Either that or a Volvo 240/Merc 230 - both of which I have seen for sale on the side of the road...

Probably shouldn't be looking at these then:
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mercedes-Benz-380SEL-1983/SSE-AD-3840293/?Cr=0

or

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mercedes-Benz-380SEL-1985/SSE-AD-4058100/?Cr=0