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

Tovonen, Jesus. Fucking mericans.

Many I suspect- the work on the shell alone would likely take that 35 large.

Am I being picky if I want them to finish this off better?

Why wouldn't you? Sounds like they did a semi-quick'n'dirty. Knock loudly on the counter and demand to see the manager (in a shrill, high pitched voice obvs).

Only a mk2 as a complete new shell at the moment, made in China

The Cosworth crate engine they're putting in it is about 16k on it's own (there or thereabouts - didn't catch which variant is going in).

The bodywork's not too stressful though is it? New panels , arches and paint. Mind you, I guess there'll be fabrication for the rear suspension and whatever it was going on in the boot...

But yeah, 35k seems low - especially given budget is unlikely to be a constraint in this instance.

One day maybe. Unfortunatly the cost of the car is currently incidental to the cost of the house + garage I'd need to store it in :)

Indeed, the stuff dreams are made of, for a pleb like me anyway :)
Excellent place, I'm going to enjoy seeing the finished product. Love that the steels are staying on it.

Love that the steels are staying on it.

It's certainly a lot more restrained than what I've got in mind for when I win the lottery ;)

I now think that the Volvo will be with me into the New Year, and as I am in California for the first half of January it'll likely be heading into Feb before I swap to the M5.

This brings more options into play (as I can save more money).

80,000 miles £22,500
52,000 miles £26,500
32,000 miles £32,000

Essentially the same car in each case- worth more initial outlay to get the lower mileage?

I'll likely add ~5,000 miles per year, so would take 14 years to get the most expensive car to 100,000 miles, 4 years for the cheapest.

This. They will kick off about it, but insurance quotes write off cars with new panels and full resprays bring thrown in - you know they will have charged for the full job.

That makes no sense. Sorry

52k looks like the sweet spot to me. Obviously dependant on service/consumables etc. Seems like it should have had enough use to keep it ticking over and spot any problems but not so much that things will be getting too worn (like seat bolsters etc)

52k is also about the same miles per year you’ll be doing. Paying a premium for a low mileage car then making it a not low mileage car isn’t financially sensible. [insert joke about @Dammit and the phrase financially sensible here]

You don't want to hear about the 911 then.

52,000 is just past the point where you can get the cheap warranty (50,000 miles is the cut-off), so that’s a factor.

Anyway, how in the name of Fuck do you ground a steering column without it being a massive kludge?

Check this:
MGA with an S2000 engine (240 brake ponies), six speed box, independent coilover all round, four wheel disks and lsd.

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This was also in for a new 4.6l rover

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That at Mark's?

The MGA is unbelievable!

The MGA is very cool, unusual to see that engine used which is a shame as it's awesome.

Talking of British beasts thought this was quite striking, make of it what you will.

Edit: also 1st squirrelly moment in the MX-5 today. Car in front turned off and left an open road ahead, in 2nd gear (about 4k) I put my foot down and the rear spins and slightly steps out for a couple of metres. Lil scary but was fun!

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How about one of these for grounding the column?

Ooh, that red MGA. Fantastic.

Chassis on wheels and functional. Body goes on soon after paintwork plus engine and gearbox. Coming together.

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