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

Is the wear on one inside tyre, both tyres same make model age and wear? Seems odd to have one tyre worn on the inside Is it that worn wheels track rod end?

All that looks to me as they did the tracking.

The camber angle (piccy of a strut) is interesting as all 4 are out, which seems a bit odd so have the right figured been put in or something else, but the caster (top picture with a tyre and strut being out on one side would interest me to looking to see if something is obvious such as if one strut mount or bottom ball joint has been replaced one side and not the other. But would have thought an inspection would look.

Interesting mitsuoka ;)

Rims arrived today, they are FULLY SICK*... Finally decided on a 235/60/16 Yokohama Geolandar on the black Sunraysias... Went in to get them fitted today but no stock in tyres so going back after work tomorrow... Excited as fuck, it's gonna look and feel ace!

* This is like a 2007 Velocity Deep V moment for me...

Tbh that Sonnet was very quirky

That is saab, remember the stories of what happened when GM took over.
As proof of Saab and the sonnet being 'quirky' saab built a number steam powered Sonnets. One prototype was sold a couple of years. Was it mentioned here?

Beat that for quirky.

Rad, pics as soon as they are fitted!

+1

There are surely more RS and STs with mods than not, so I guess loads on YT. Generically speaking reasonable jobs, main issue with manifold and intercooler is usually access not tooling, what other parts require removal? Of course springs require clamps etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziyzsN8-6C4&feature=youtu.be

2007 Velocity Deep V moment for me...

Hehehe

That's a lot of positive camber. Reminds me of one time I was taking part in a Se7ens list driving tour in Europe. I think we were in Andorra, in a collection of Se7ens type vehicles - Caterhams, Westies, Strikers etc. We were going up a series of hairpins in the mountains, and a group of 2CV and 2CV specials (Lots of Lomaxes) were going down it. The amount of body roll was truly Biblical. They were all smiling a lot though, unlike the Caterham drivers in our group, for whom driving was generally srs bizniz, not involving smiles.

Of course springs require clamps etc.

Even then the clamps can slip.

If that place hire by the hour garage has hydraulic ramps and hydraulic press for spring change, do it there if you can. Easier than scrabbling on the floor and bending over a car for hours.

Racing 2cv in car video

https://youtu.be/o3bqqHsz9IU

Nicked from here https://www.2cvracing.org.uk/category/videos/

Here it is, not a crazy difference really, bit quieter and more blacker-er... The car now feels completely different, the alignment must've been totally out because I can turn the wheel with my pinky now... The ride is smoother and quieter and the car feels much, much faster...

Strange that a new set of boots and an alignment have made such a big improvement... But then again, I guess this is how races are won so... 🤷

I wanna buy one of those sticker kits and delete bits of the headlights now...

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Looks rad!
Imo chunky tyres look good on everything

Looks good! New wheels and tyres make all the difference.

Needs murdered out bull bars and a light bar now.....

Needs murdered out bull bars and a light bar now.....

I've already priced up the bull bar, the lights had also crossed my mind... 🤣

It's a bit 'sensible shoes', but I like it... 🤓

Excellent! Simple but effective mod. Hope there's many continued driving smiles now.

Need's roo-bars, enough lights to fractionally slow the car when you turn them all on, CB aerial, roof rack with Jerry cans, and the realisation that you have to tackle steeper hills in reverse.

Happy Friday

https://youtu.be/ptPUcdemlmU

Thanks for the replies @mcmyk @dan @lynx
I (naively) thought that buying a new (to me) car was going to be an enjoyable experience... it appears that buying a used car can be quite a headache!

@lynx
The excessive wear is on the inside of the front offside tyre. All tyres are the same make, model and (I think) age.
I have asked for confirmation that the replaced track rod end, is on the same side as the worn tyre.
With AWD vehicles, can one tyre be replaced? just the fronts? Or do all tyres need to be replaced at the same time?

Thanks, again.

Thanks - I think I'll give it a go. I've done a bit of youtubing and the front bumper has to come off for the intercooler, which looks a bit of a faff, but once off it seems like there's decent access. The manifold seems to be all about hidden / awkward to find bolts, whose location I now know, so maybe that'll be easier also.

Finding a workshop manual seems tricky though - apparently Haynes thought that the ST was sufficiently similar to the other Focuses that they didn't make one for it... I guess the small difference of the big turbocharged engine was deemed irrelevant! Might be a Volvo one available that'll be useful

The place I linked apparently has mechanics available to rescue me when inevitably my car doesn't start at the end!

White paint for the tyre writing surely!

❣

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looks like a volvo 480!