Discussion
Been using Pistonheads for ages, even brought and sold a couple of cars through the site, but only recently started using the forums. I'm always interested to see other peoples cars, so thought i'd post up the cars that i've had since I started driving back in 2000.
Started with my polo, loved it to bits, polished it as much as I drove it. Went quite well for a first car, lighter than you would think. Sold this to my best mate and he put it in a wall...gutted
Next was my Pug 309 GTI. Always wanted one of these, 3 door in black, loved it. I had it while I was at uni, and it ate all of my money. Still, it went well, and I thought it looked hard as nails. Had over 160k on the clock when I sold it.
Got annoyed with the Pugs gremlins, so decided to get a Renault 19 16v. This was a great car, one of the later phase 2 ones, and it never really missed a beat in the 2 years I had it. The engine was sweet as a nut, and for it's 137bhp it went well. Started to get into track days at this point, so it took a bit of a battering.
Finished uni, got a job and decided it was time for some more POWER! So picked up my Nissan 200sx. Always liked the look of these, especially the s14a with its angry nose. Searched for a while for a mint example. Over the 2 years I had it power rose to about 270bhp with a few mods. Did a fair bit of track work with it, and also a trip to the nurburgring. I was also doing a 75 mile a day commute in it, so the miles piled on. Absolutely loved this car and learnt a lot about car control.
Decided to leave the jap scene and experience a fine british sports car. The elise was amazing machine, and on the right road/right day it is just the best. Did some more track work in this, and also a 2,700 road trip round europe taking in Monaco! Not the car for you if 1) you like to be be inconspicuous, or 2) you like your creature comforts!
The need to raise a deposit for my flat meant that the elise had to go after 18 months of ownership. I was going to just get some boring grey car, but I picked up a bargain of an MR2 and intend to run it for a year or so until funds allow for something else. I only brought it as a run around, but i've kind off taken to it. There is a lot to be said for a car that owes you nothing, and if it can still make you smile, happy days. Plans for the future?? I'd love a 350z, and I still have a Skyline itch that needs scratching!
Started with my polo, loved it to bits, polished it as much as I drove it. Went quite well for a first car, lighter than you would think. Sold this to my best mate and he put it in a wall...gutted
Next was my Pug 309 GTI. Always wanted one of these, 3 door in black, loved it. I had it while I was at uni, and it ate all of my money. Still, it went well, and I thought it looked hard as nails. Had over 160k on the clock when I sold it.
Got annoyed with the Pugs gremlins, so decided to get a Renault 19 16v. This was a great car, one of the later phase 2 ones, and it never really missed a beat in the 2 years I had it. The engine was sweet as a nut, and for it's 137bhp it went well. Started to get into track days at this point, so it took a bit of a battering.
Finished uni, got a job and decided it was time for some more POWER! So picked up my Nissan 200sx. Always liked the look of these, especially the s14a with its angry nose. Searched for a while for a mint example. Over the 2 years I had it power rose to about 270bhp with a few mods. Did a fair bit of track work with it, and also a trip to the nurburgring. I was also doing a 75 mile a day commute in it, so the miles piled on. Absolutely loved this car and learnt a lot about car control.
Decided to leave the jap scene and experience a fine british sports car. The elise was amazing machine, and on the right road/right day it is just the best. Did some more track work in this, and also a 2,700 road trip round europe taking in Monaco! Not the car for you if 1) you like to be be inconspicuous, or 2) you like your creature comforts!
The need to raise a deposit for my flat meant that the elise had to go after 18 months of ownership. I was going to just get some boring grey car, but I picked up a bargain of an MR2 and intend to run it for a year or so until funds allow for something else. I only brought it as a run around, but i've kind off taken to it. There is a lot to be said for a car that owes you nothing, and if it can still make you smile, happy days. Plans for the future?? I'd love a 350z, and I still have a Skyline itch that needs scratching!
jamiebae said:
Nice selection there, and I totally agree about the Elise, I took mine to Monaco a couple of years ago and was getting photographed more than the people in Ferraris driving round there. One day I will have another one!
Tell me about it! Our road trip trio consisted of 3 Elises, all of which were Silver...created quite a stir on Casino Square!
Thought i'd chuck up a couple of pics of my old mans MGB GT V8. Not to everyones taste I know, but I think it's a sweet looking thing, especially when viewed from the rear, great roof line drop-away…and of course, the added bonus is the sound of that beautiful 3.5l rover v8
It's recently had a nut and bolt rebuild on the original shell, and also a complete engine rebuild. My dads had it since 1979, still used almost daily. I've had a few goes in it over recent years, and it really does provoke a different style of driving - massive steering wheel, slow in, and to be honest, fairly slow out, but when she's straight and true you can surprise a modern hot hatch or two by dropping them. Really though, it my view, it's all about pottering around with the windows down, listening to the burble!
It's recently had a nut and bolt rebuild on the original shell, and also a complete engine rebuild. My dads had it since 1979, still used almost daily. I've had a few goes in it over recent years, and it really does provoke a different style of driving - massive steering wheel, slow in, and to be honest, fairly slow out, but when she's straight and true you can surprise a modern hot hatch or two by dropping them. Really though, it my view, it's all about pottering around with the windows down, listening to the burble!
Edited by rowey200 on Sunday 6th May 22:34
Thought I would chuck up a couple of pics of my new steed. Due to the unfortunate & untimely demise of the MR2, I was left needing some wheels pretty fast. Basic requirements were simple - must be cheap(ish) to buy & run, must be rear wheel drive, and I wanted a change / something that I had not owned before. Those 3 requirements (plus the fact that a good mate lent me his 3 series coupe for a few days) led me quite neatly to the purchase of a BMW E36 318is.
I'm a few weeks and 1k miles into ownership, and I am genuinely impressed with it. There are a few little niggles to iron out, but nothing that a couple of Saturday mornings on the driveway won't sort out. I picked up that the rear trailing arm bushes were shot when I test drove it (a common issue on these so i've been informed), so i've fitted some 'Powerflex' items, a set of stiffer springs and had the tracking done. It's fit as a fiddle now, and it's more fun to drive than I would ever have thought. While it's not going to set the world alight, the engine pulls sweet, and likes a few revs. It also rides really nicely on the chunky (by todays standards) rubber, whilst still giving plenty of grip and feel.
So there you go, it was not a natural progression, but one that i'm very happy with. Comments welcome
I'm a few weeks and 1k miles into ownership, and I am genuinely impressed with it. There are a few little niggles to iron out, but nothing that a couple of Saturday mornings on the driveway won't sort out. I picked up that the rear trailing arm bushes were shot when I test drove it (a common issue on these so i've been informed), so i've fitted some 'Powerflex' items, a set of stiffer springs and had the tracking done. It's fit as a fiddle now, and it's more fun to drive than I would ever have thought. While it's not going to set the world alight, the engine pulls sweet, and likes a few revs. It also rides really nicely on the chunky (by todays standards) rubber, whilst still giving plenty of grip and feel.
So there you go, it was not a natural progression, but one that i'm very happy with. Comments welcome
Edited by rowey200 on Monday 7th May 22:00
Edited by rowey200 on Monday 7th May 22:01
Little update, the E36 has gone and i've picked up another MR2 - a mk2 Rev 5 this time
The E36 was a nice motor to plod about in, but did nothing for me in terms of driving thrills (probs not helped by the fact that it didn't have a straight 6 under the bonnet). The MR2 on the other hand makes me smile every time I drive it with its induction roar in my left ear and it eagerness to rev. I've been busy sorting a few bits out on it, nothing major, just getting it how I want it
The E36 was a nice motor to plod about in, but did nothing for me in terms of driving thrills (probs not helped by the fact that it didn't have a straight 6 under the bonnet). The MR2 on the other hand makes me smile every time I drive it with its induction roar in my left ear and it eagerness to rev. I've been busy sorting a few bits out on it, nothing major, just getting it how I want it
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