What other cars do you have?
Discussion
1946 Hillman Minx:
In bits but hopefully on the road next year. Modern electrics but otherwise pretty standard.
1968 Sunbeam Rapier:
Converted to rack and pinion steering and with a Holbay tuned over-bored, big valve motor and hopefully fuel injected. Next project to get on the road after the Minx.
2008 Vectra C:
VXR alloys, lowered suspension etc.
Hopefully I won't have this for much longer - selling it and spending the money on the Monaro.
2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide:
Nice and loud and bloody good fun to chuck around the back roads.
In bits but hopefully on the road next year. Modern electrics but otherwise pretty standard.
1968 Sunbeam Rapier:
Converted to rack and pinion steering and with a Holbay tuned over-bored, big valve motor and hopefully fuel injected. Next project to get on the road after the Minx.
2008 Vectra C:
VXR alloys, lowered suspension etc.
Hopefully I won't have this for much longer - selling it and spending the money on the Monaro.
2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide:
Nice and loud and bloody good fun to chuck around the back roads.
Edited by rapier1922 on Friday 6th September 12:44
granada203028 said:
Yes the main problem with electric cars like the Leaf is the capital cost, but as prices fall and investment returns fall, and transport energy gets dearer faster than domestic energy, they become increasingly economic. I paid £17K for a 500 mile ex demo car, 8K off the showroom price and 13K off the list price, government chips in 5K.
I use it for my daily commute Bristol to Newport, round trip 45 miles which requires approx. 2/3 of the 24KWh battery. A part from a slightly sluggish initial get away performance is great particularly in the 20 - 50 Mph range. It has no gears, constant torque up to approx. 30 mph then constant power up to a limited top speed of 93 mph. On the motor way it keeps up fine, I cruise 60 - 70mph. Aircon works well and uses bugger all energy, heater uses more though and it hasn't been cold yet since I have bought it.
Work have agreed to put me in a charging point and give me free electricity which is also tax exempt, as part of corporate green policy.
I bought it to preserve the Monaro, which remains the only right hand drive muscle car ever sold in Britain. I don't want to put it through another winter. Small petrol and diesel cars are pants, I could not accept the come down of a mere 4 cylinder engine but a synchronous motor is different
Build costs and CO2 foot print during manufacture is a good question, and some key materials in the battery and motor's construction are finite world resources. It is the future though, just look at the Testla model S http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/tesla/s which is a close competitor to the VXR8 and not much more expensive USD price vs UK price at least.
Thanks for the info Paul, that's a healthy saving over new and having your workplace provide free charging does make it a sensible choice for you, I can understand why you bought it.I use it for my daily commute Bristol to Newport, round trip 45 miles which requires approx. 2/3 of the 24KWh battery. A part from a slightly sluggish initial get away performance is great particularly in the 20 - 50 Mph range. It has no gears, constant torque up to approx. 30 mph then constant power up to a limited top speed of 93 mph. On the motor way it keeps up fine, I cruise 60 - 70mph. Aircon works well and uses bugger all energy, heater uses more though and it hasn't been cold yet since I have bought it.
Work have agreed to put me in a charging point and give me free electricity which is also tax exempt, as part of corporate green policy.
I bought it to preserve the Monaro, which remains the only right hand drive muscle car ever sold in Britain. I don't want to put it through another winter. Small petrol and diesel cars are pants, I could not accept the come down of a mere 4 cylinder engine but a synchronous motor is different
Build costs and CO2 foot print during manufacture is a good question, and some key materials in the battery and motor's construction are finite world resources. It is the future though, just look at the Testla model S http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/tesla/s which is a close competitor to the VXR8 and not much more expensive USD price vs UK price at least.
Edited by granada203028 on Thursday 5th September 22:04
Out of interest, does the Leaf have this leased battery thing?
Stef
GEARJAMMER said:
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/NUg8JWGu[/url]
I know its nothing special, its soon to be sold to finance repairs to the Monaro, i shall be sad to see it go, its been a very good car and never ever let me down but with the Ro now being my daily drive it gets no use and really can't justify keeping it.
|http://thumbsnap.com/NUg8JWGu[/url] I know its nothing special, its soon to be sold to finance repairs to the Monaro, i shall be sad to see it go, its been a very good car and never ever let me down but with the Ro now being my daily drive it gets no use and really can't justify keeping it.
Is that a model railway you have there? Cool!
ARAF said:
preciousmetal said:
Think this one could be a keeper for the fleet as I have never driven one with go kart mode 
Yours now? I know he was wondering about selling, but didn't realise he had done the deed.
guess what I am driving over the weekend that will probably p--s the neighbours off
preciousmetal said:
ARAF said:
preciousmetal said:
Think this one could be a keeper for the fleet as I have never driven one with go kart mode
Yours now? I know he was wondering about selling, but didn't realise he had done the deed.
guess what I am driving over the weekend that will probably p--s the neighbours off
It has been around the forum for a long time, and has been well looked after, from what I gather.StefanVXR8 said:
Thanks for the info Paul, that's a healthy saving over new and having your workplace provide free charging does make it a sensible choice for you, I can understand why you bought it.
Out of interest, does the Leaf have this leased battery thing?
Stef
They have just introduced it with the 2013 revised model. You have the choice to lease or buy. Looks messy to me leasing, must make selling more complicated particularly if finance is involved. I don't think the battery is easy to change and I don't believe a breakthrough in capacity is likely so you are not likely to want to lease a different battery from some one else.Out of interest, does the Leaf have this leased battery thing?
Stef
rapier1922 said:
1946 Hillman Minx:
In bits but hopefully on the road next year. Modern electrics but otherwise pretty standard.
1968 Sunbeam Rapier:
Converted to rack and pinion steering and with a Holbay tuned over-bored, big valve motor and hopefully fuel injected. Next project to get on the road after the Minx.
2008 Vectra C:
VXR alloys, lowered suspension etc.
Hopefully I won't have this for much longer - selling it and spending the money on the Monaro.
2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide:
Nice and loud and bloody good fun to chuck around the back roads.
A friend had a Sunbeam Rapier H120 back in the 1980s. Carbs looked impressive and it went reasonably well though it was a bit raucous. Must be an opportunity to fit a Mopar small block V8 surely.In bits but hopefully on the road next year. Modern electrics but otherwise pretty standard.
1968 Sunbeam Rapier:
Converted to rack and pinion steering and with a Holbay tuned over-bored, big valve motor and hopefully fuel injected. Next project to get on the road after the Minx.
2008 Vectra C:
VXR alloys, lowered suspension etc.
Hopefully I won't have this for much longer - selling it and spending the money on the Monaro.
2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide:
Nice and loud and bloody good fun to chuck around the back roads.
Edited by rapier1922 on Friday 6th September 12:44
HMMM where to start
Fabia sdi
Audi TT 225
Audi 100
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0
Freelander 1.8
Mk4 golf 1.6
CRX Delsol VTi
CRX Delsol SiR
TVR Tasmin caged rolling shell
TVR Tasmin 2.9 cosworth race car
TVR 350SE 4.6v8 race car
Griffith 5.2 v8 race car
Tuscan speed 6
Mk2 Jetta 16v
Fiat Strada cabrio
Civic 2.2 diesel for the mrs
Renault 7.5 tonne camper/race truck
as well as the Ro
My names Pete and i'm an addict.......
Fabia sdi
Audi TT 225
Audi 100
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0
Freelander 1.8
Mk4 golf 1.6
CRX Delsol VTi
CRX Delsol SiR
TVR Tasmin caged rolling shell
TVR Tasmin 2.9 cosworth race car
TVR 350SE 4.6v8 race car
Griffith 5.2 v8 race car
Tuscan speed 6
Mk2 Jetta 16v
Fiat Strada cabrio
Civic 2.2 diesel for the mrs
Renault 7.5 tonne camper/race truck
as well as the Ro
My names Pete and i'm an addict.......
Our latest toy...it's a 1960 Beetle, running a 1641cc with twin carbs with a GT gearbox. Currently sporting the traditional Cal Look, sitting high at the back with big rear tyres, the plan is to drop the back end into the weeds and maybe bring the front end a little lower too. Oh, and it has working semaphores too!
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