My car history so far...
Discussion
Back when I was 17, I started out with a Citroen C1 with 69bhp, white OZ alloy wheels (which I still own!) windy windows and no central locking. I loved this car but sadly have no photographs of it so here is a stock one off the internet.
(just imagine the white alloys - they really suited it)
After learning to drive in that car and using it for a few years, the need for more power had to be fulfilled. Originally I had a hankering for a Clio 197 in white with the recaro seats but upon looking around at several Renault dealers I found that they were still too expensive. I happened upon a silver Renault Megane 225 Cup (facelifted) with the blue and black recaro seats.
I loved this car but driving it around day to day made it start to feel a bit bland. It was then that I decided I needed a weekend car so I bought this:
A fireblade engined kit car known as the Toniq-R. It's a great toy, sounds fantastic, a side effect of which is all the attention it gets - thank god I wear a helmet to hide my face
With the Toniq now the car used for fun, there was no real need for the Megane despite it being a good, reliable and practical car. So with this in mind, I decided to buy something sensible...
A BMW 650i sport coupé. Picked it up earlier today and it's a lovely car to drive. Keen eyed PHers will notice that it's an automatic, something I've never had before but fancied for a while. It's completely different to the Toniq (which I still have) which is what I was aiming for when I went car shopping.
I'm really chuffed with it, and I'm planning on ignoring the on board computer's MPG display for the sake of my own sanity.
(just imagine the white alloys - they really suited it)
After learning to drive in that car and using it for a few years, the need for more power had to be fulfilled. Originally I had a hankering for a Clio 197 in white with the recaro seats but upon looking around at several Renault dealers I found that they were still too expensive. I happened upon a silver Renault Megane 225 Cup (facelifted) with the blue and black recaro seats.
I loved this car but driving it around day to day made it start to feel a bit bland. It was then that I decided I needed a weekend car so I bought this:
A fireblade engined kit car known as the Toniq-R. It's a great toy, sounds fantastic, a side effect of which is all the attention it gets - thank god I wear a helmet to hide my face
With the Toniq now the car used for fun, there was no real need for the Megane despite it being a good, reliable and practical car. So with this in mind, I decided to buy something sensible...
A BMW 650i sport coupé. Picked it up earlier today and it's a lovely car to drive. Keen eyed PHers will notice that it's an automatic, something I've never had before but fancied for a while. It's completely different to the Toniq (which I still have) which is what I was aiming for when I went car shopping.
I'm really chuffed with it, and I'm planning on ignoring the on board computer's MPG display for the sake of my own sanity.
Phunk said:
Love the 650.
How is it insurance wise?
Surprisingly quite good, I'm paying £1260 with both parents on the policy as second and third driver. I'm also paying £650 for the Toniq. How is it insurance wise?
Dirty Frank said:
Very nice car history Mr Constanza.
Thanks mate, I think most people think my real name is Art Vandelay!had ham said:
Cracking cars, erm, Art 
, love the BMW but the Toniq is an absolute cracker, been looking at these of late, however a Tiger is looking favourite for a number of reasons...
All that travelling is obviously paying off, wonderful fleet at 21!
(FTM)
I got lucky with the Toniq, still chuffed to bits with it but the battery has packed in of late so I need to fit a new one before I can enjoy it - just as I get new bits fitted too. Bought a new helmet for it too, so looking forward to trying that out., love the BMW but the Toniq is an absolute cracker, been looking at these of late, however a Tiger is looking favourite for a number of reasons...All that travelling is obviously paying off, wonderful fleet at 21!
(FTM)
I think I've got all my needs covered now, god forbid I have any kids soon, I'd have to sell
FTM (got a ticket for the derby
)Skylinecrazy said:
You lucky b
d, Sunderland still won't finish inside the top 6 this season though you know..
Good to see you're doing well mate, will drop you a text later!
Hello Dan mate, long time no speak. d, Sunderland still won't finish inside the top 6 this season though you know..Good to see you're doing well mate, will drop you a text later!
Hard work man, treat myself well
Top 6, no chance but I have a good feeling for top 8. Arsenal outside of the top 4 this season is my bet too.
had ham said:
Wish I had a ticket for the derby..... but then I'll be a few thousand miles away sunning myself and hopefully get to watch on it on some foreign channel on the iPad 
beer(s) in hand.
Just out of interest, how 'fast' does the BMW feel - I drove one and it didn't feel fast at all to me, but the speed actually crept up on you - looking down at the speedo was a surprise once or twice - a very refined GT indeed....
I'm sure it'll be a glorious sunny up here anyway....git beer(s) in hand.Just out of interest, how 'fast' does the BMW feel - I drove one and it didn't feel fast at all to me, but the speed actually crept up on you - looking down at the speedo was a surprise once or twice - a very refined GT indeed....
It's all too easy to break the speed limit in it, the v8 is so smooth in its power delivery that you are genuinely shocked to be doing 80 after a few seconds stamped on the throttle. You get pressed into your seat with the kickdown but as you've said, the refinement is exceptional.
I may or may not have opened the windows and pulled off in manual earlier on.... Glorious
Toniq working again, however it's still needing a nut on the exhaust manifold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfeyUGZt8nk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfeyUGZt8nk
Remagel2507 said:
At just 21 that's a very impressive car history, my uncle is looking at buying either a 645i or 650i, is the 650i worth the extra cost over the 645i?
Cheers!The 650i has a slightly improved interior to accompany the larger engine. Performance wise I doubt there's much in it, however I know that the 4.8 V8 is regarded to be a fine engine. I've only ever driven the 650 so I can recommend that, but I'm certain the 645 is almost as good.
Monthly update.
The Toniq still lives, been very careful with the battery as I can't be arsed jump starting it any more. Had it out a couple of days ago, sun was shining and I thought I'd go to the pub to show it to a few of my friends who'd just got back from sea. As soon as I arrived at the pub, heavens opened and I was soaked. I also foolishly floored it and the R888's decided they'd had enough and did their best to throw me out my harness Thankfully, my amazing car control (excrement stained pants and a lot of luck) allowed me to continue on my merry way home. As I pulled the car into the garage, the sun came out for the remainder of the day, bugger!
I'll hopefully have it out again when the weather improves, it was a bit windy today. I'll also get a few videos of it on the move and some photos with a proper camera and not my phone.
As for the BMW, it's great, still loving it and comparing it to my brother's Z4M, performance, at least in a straight line, is remarkably similar (although I think he secretly prefers the noise mine makes)
Just read on a BMW forum how to turn the T/C off properly... may have to give that a try at some point although since I've already had a brown trouser moment this month (Toyo R888's + rain + soaking wet helmet + revving to 11k in 1st + shoddy road surface + stupid driver = tail out)I'll be taking it easy at first.
I love the two characters this car has, you can drive it normally in "normal" mode, put your foot down for an overtake, then return to a cruise. You can also be an animal in sport mode, snap your neck back with a prod of the peddle and cry at the 8mpg showing on the OBC.
No photos this time, the car is filthy anyway. It's also now sporting my private registration from the Megane which does actually complete the car.
The Toniq still lives, been very careful with the battery as I can't be arsed jump starting it any more. Had it out a couple of days ago, sun was shining and I thought I'd go to the pub to show it to a few of my friends who'd just got back from sea. As soon as I arrived at the pub, heavens opened and I was soaked. I also foolishly floored it and the R888's decided they'd had enough and did their best to throw me out my harness
Thankfully, my amazing car control (excrement stained pants and a lot of luck) allowed me to continue on my merry way home. As I pulled the car into the garage, the sun came out for the remainder of the day, bugger!I'll hopefully have it out again when the weather improves, it was a bit windy today. I'll also get a few videos of it on the move and some photos with a proper camera and not my phone.
As for the BMW, it's great, still loving it and comparing it to my brother's Z4M, performance, at least in a straight line, is remarkably similar (although I think he secretly prefers the noise mine makes)
Just read on a BMW forum how to turn the T/C off properly... may have to give that a try at some point although since I've already had a brown trouser moment this month (Toyo R888's + rain + soaking wet helmet + revving to 11k in 1st + shoddy road surface + stupid driver = tail out)I'll be taking it easy at first.
I love the two characters this car has, you can drive it normally in "normal" mode, put your foot down for an overtake, then return to a cruise. You can also be an animal in sport mode, snap your neck back with a prod of the peddle and cry at the 8mpg showing on the OBC.
No photos this time, the car is filthy anyway. It's also now sporting my private registration from the Megane which does actually complete the car.
exigepete said:
Big power wet roads, semi slick tyres, know what you mean! Enjoy the rest of your leave mate, Im home in two weeks, can't wait to fire up the motors. Nothing like turning the key for the first time after months of being away is there!
PS Think we may both be responsible for an influx in Merchant Navy applications!
I'd like to think we are getting more people to join the Merchant Navy PS Think we may both be responsible for an influx in Merchant Navy applications!
I know exactly what you mean about getting home and going for a drive, my last Chief was a petrol head and he'd be showing me all these great local roads he'd been on. Telling me all this when I still had a couple of months to go was not good
2 weeks, it'll go slow now
y2blade said:
That Toniq looks awesome, I can only imagine how much fun that thing is, I'd never even heard of them before what bhp is the Fireblade engine in it?
I like the BMW 650 too, I had a run out in one of those a while back (A Convertible one though).
bloodyhell what a car
good stuff mate
enjoy
Cheers what bhp is the Fireblade engine in it? I like the BMW 650 too, I had a run out in one of those a while back (A Convertible one though).
bloodyhell what a car
good stuff mate
enjoy
Fireblade engine probably has between 130 and 140 bhp, never had it dyno'd, certainly quick enough though!
The BMW is a lovely car too, addictive sound, perfect practical everyday car
I'm going to be screwed in the snow like!
y2blade said:
I ask as there are a few different versions of the fireblade now, it sounds like yours is the same version as the one from my Bike (my bike is 132bhp). 
that engine is a real peach relentless power right upto the redline and onto the limiter, and ultra reliable too. I bet it is a lot of fun in a lightweight car chassis.
lol you are right the snow is going to be interesting
all the best with your lot mate
It's surprisingly easy to drive, sounds great when it's screaming through a narrow street that engine is a real peach relentless power right upto the redline and onto the limiter, and ultra reliable too. I bet it is a lot of fun in a lightweight car chassis.
lol you are right the snow is going to be interesting
all the best with your lot mate
Always have kids pointing and adults taking photos on their phones too
Killer2005 said:
ArtVandelay said:
I was on about the PH smiley actually but good spot for the Z4! That's my parents' and it's the 2.5 straight 6.
I was going to suggest the private plate 
Nice collection you have
Going to look into getting the car machine polished to bring the paintwork back to A1 condition and remove all the annoying surface scratches that it's accumulated over the years.
Cheers for the comments guys.
Here's a short video from the other day. Had the car over a week now, still loving it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2X1zyk_Cs
Here's a short video from the other day. Had the car over a week now, still loving it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2X1zyk_Cs
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