Great Italian car thread
Discussion
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah the Italian car market is meant to be very much in trouble according to what I've read, I know the s2000 was still used, just noticed the race spec punto in your picture, and there have been rumours about that Abarth might bring the punto back as the spec to WRC current specs isn't to different, fingers crossed.
I didn't realise the Abarth punto supersport was getting 180hp as standard, why don't they use that mapping in the 500? As you've said the Punto never really caught on, so it wouldn't be hurting the puntos sales.
Very good question, ive wondered that myself. The punto has a better gearbox so i assume it could be to do with that. I know the 695 Abarth has 180BHP but they are only available with the flappy paddle. The Punto and 500 stats are identical in terms of speed and acceleration, almost as though they intended it that way. Perhaps they didn't want one model to be faster than the other. You get the impression the 500 could have been so much better, a real rival to the Clio 200 but they decided to spend most of the money on visuals and luxuries and making gimmickey special editions I didn't realise the Abarth punto supersport was getting 180hp as standard, why don't they use that mapping in the 500? As you've said the Punto never really caught on, so it wouldn't be hurting the puntos sales.
The 595 is supposed to be a cracking car but it gets overlooked in a world full of ST2's, pug GTI's and Clios.
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah the Italian car market is meant to be very much in trouble according to what I've read, I know the s2000 was still used, just noticed the race spec punto in your picture, and there have been rumours about that Abarth might bring the punto back as the spec to WRC current specs isn't to different, fingers crossed.
I didn't realise the Abarth punto supersport was getting 180hp as standard, why don't they use that mapping in the 500? As you've said the Punto never really caught on, so it wouldn't be hurting the puntos sales.
Very good question, ive wondered that myself. The punto has a better gearbox so i assume it could be to do with that. I know the 695 Abarth has 180BHP but they are only available with the flappy paddle. The Punto and 500 stats are identical in terms of speed and acceleration, almost as though they intended it that way. Perhaps they didn't want one model to be faster than the other. You get the impression the 500 could have been so much better, a real rival to the Clio 200 but they decided to spend most of the money on visuals and luxuries and making gimmickey special editions I didn't realise the Abarth punto supersport was getting 180hp as standard, why don't they use that mapping in the 500? As you've said the Punto never really caught on, so it wouldn't be hurting the puntos sales.
The 595 is supposed to be a cracking car but it gets overlooked in a world full of ST2's, pug GTI's and Clios.
Id like to see the 500/595 in a group test with the fiesta, clio and Pug, althbough I think it lack of power compared to the 180+ lot might leave it feeling a little underpowered past 80mph.
On a different note, I really hope the 2015 Maserati Gransport will use the current 4.7 v8, not a turbo unit, although I expect it will have a turbo'd v6 that Ferrari are meant to be rumoured.
Would be great to see the engine remain in circulation.
Click here for ear orgasm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPNy28-QXQU
Click here for ear orgasm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPNy28-QXQU
jacklewisno1 said:
Would be great to see the engine remain in circulation.
Click here for ear orgasm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPNy28-QXQU
Wowsers that's a proper sound!Click here for ear orgasm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPNy28-QXQU
Ive never devoted much time to the later 6cs, think I will have to change that.
Never been a big fan of the looks of the colli, but in the right Goodwood Dusky light...
It would make a cool base for a 2dr sports saloon,
Alfa need a 3 series rival, something they can use as a base for lots of models, m3 rivals and well as family saloons and even estates, just like they used to with the older Guilietta and Gulia.
Although I have no idea what Alfa are doing now Maserati is going to be the upmarket brand to rival the new saloon is meant to be rwd which is a good sign they are going for the drivers market more.
Alfa need a 3 series rival, something they can use as a base for lots of models, m3 rivals and well as family saloons and even estates, just like they used to with the older Guilietta and Gulia.
Although I have no idea what Alfa are doing now Maserati is going to be the upmarket brand to rival the new saloon is meant to be rwd which is a good sign they are going for the drivers market more.
jacklewisno1 said:
Ordered my Koni FSD tonight, quite excited. However i may not be able to fit it for a while.
How are you down in Dorset? I heard the floods have been bad down there.
http://www.abarthcars.co.uk/Site/uk/ABARTH_KONI_SUSPENSION_KITHow are you down in Dorset? I heard the floods have been bad down there.
This kit?
Sounds good! Out of interest what tyres are you using, as the Yokohama ad08s are meant to be spectacular - really transform the car, while not being a pure semi slick, so no worries if it rains (they are very similar to the ones specially made for the modern elise). I plan to get some for the MR2.
I suspect you are on P zeros, might be worth trying something more sporty next time you need a tyre change.
Weathers been a bit mad, last year I found that even deep puddles didn't go well with the MR2, so find I just chicken out and stay at home...
Last year I had a rather major aquaplaning and slide moment, but being the love child of Senna and Fangio (don't ask...) I was able to correct the slide and avoid any barrier/car collisions, which was good! The next few miles I decided that I would keep to old lady speeds like the rest of the traffic, leave the fast outerlane actions to the heavy 4wd Audis, young chaps in little sports cars will have to have tea later than usual...
Still need to get the car looked at, went out for a bit of a spin after Christmas, the battery was low after not been driven over Christmas, found out that underwheel spin there is a massive banging/knocking noise, ive had it before but always blamed bad surfaces when it happen once or twice, but tested it and thought the worst.
However I'm now assuming its something to do with the exhaust, which would explain my noise problems.
Before the summer the MR2 never gave me any trouble...
Heres a Maserati to take my mind off of things
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/DwFwV8Yl.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/LqsUzwW2" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/LqsUzwW2.jpg)
Fantuzzi said:
Yes thats the badger, hopefully will arrive this weekend.Fantuzzi said:
Sounds good! Out of interest what tyres are you using, as the Yokohama ad08s are meant to be spectacular - really transform the car, while not being a pure semi slick, so no worries if it rains (they are very similar to the ones specially made for the modern elise). I plan to get some for the MR2.
I suspect you are on P zeros, might be worth trying something more sporty next time you need a tyre change.
Im using Hankooks on the front and Toyos on the back. Thats because when i bought the car its had Toyo's all round, but the fronts were worn. The tyre man recommended Hankooks and they were the same price as the Toyo's at 85 each, so i thought why not.I suspect you are on P zeros, might be worth trying something more sporty next time you need a tyre change.
I expect the tyres your talking about will cost a lot more, P zeros are about 120 each fitted. I have loads of tread all round, so i cant envisage a tyre change soon.
Fantuzzi said:
Weathers been a bit mad, last year I found that even deep puddles didn't go well with the MR2, so find I just chicken out and stay at home...
Last year I had a rather major aquaplaning and slide moment, but being the love child of Senna and Fangio (don't ask...) I was able to correct the slide and avoid any barrier/car collisions, which was good! The next few miles I decided that I would keep to old lady speeds like the rest of the traffic, leave the fast outerlane actions to the heavy 4wd Audis, young chaps in little sports cars will have to have tea later than usual...
Still need to get the car looked at, went out for a bit of a spin after Christmas, the battery was low after not been driven over Christmas, found out that underwheel spin there is a massive banging/knocking noise, ive had it before but always blamed bad surfaces when it happen once or twice, but tested it and thought the worst.
However I'm now assuming its something to do with the exhaust, which would explain my noise problems.
Before the summer the MR2 never gave me any trouble...
Ahh the benefit of front wheel drive, the most trouble i get is wheel spin. I rarely get understeer but if i do its usually at low speed around tight corners/roundabouts. Last year I had a rather major aquaplaning and slide moment, but being the love child of Senna and Fangio (don't ask...) I was able to correct the slide and avoid any barrier/car collisions, which was good! The next few miles I decided that I would keep to old lady speeds like the rest of the traffic, leave the fast outerlane actions to the heavy 4wd Audis, young chaps in little sports cars will have to have tea later than usual...
Still need to get the car looked at, went out for a bit of a spin after Christmas, the battery was low after not been driven over Christmas, found out that underwheel spin there is a massive banging/knocking noise, ive had it before but always blamed bad surfaces when it happen once or twice, but tested it and thought the worst.
However I'm now assuming its something to do with the exhaust, which would explain my noise problems.
Before the summer the MR2 never gave me any trouble...
Your noise doesn't sound good, get it checked out before its too late! My Abarths on a noise free month at the moment.
Fantuzzi said:
Heres a Maserati to take my mind off of things
Which ones that?jacklewisno1 said:
Yes thats the badger, hopefully will arrive this weekend.
Aare you fitting it or are you getting someone proper to do it?jacklewisno1 said:
Im using Hankooks on the front and Toyos on the back. Thats because when i bought the car its had Toyo's all round, but the fronts were worn. The tyre man recommended Hankooks and they were the same price as the Toyo's at 85 each, so i thought why not.
I expect the tyres your talking about will cost a lot more, P zeros are about 120 each fitted. I have loads of tread all round, so i cant envisage a tyre change soon.
Two different makes of tyres, blasphemy!I expect the tyres your talking about will cost a lot more, P zeros are about 120 each fitted. I have loads of tread all round, so i cant envisage a tyre change soon.
Surprisingly, the sportier tyres and semi slick stuff are really cheap.
jacklewisno1 said:
Your noise doesn't sound good, get it checked out before its too late! My Abarths on a noise free month at the moment.
Thanks for the words of comfort...[qoutejacklewisno1]
Fantuzzi said:
Heres a Maserati to take my mind off of things
Which ones that?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_A6
Here's one I made earlier...
http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1060...
Fantuzzi said:
Aare you fitting it or are you getting someone proper to do it?
Ha i like the vote of confidence in my ability to do the work. Of course ill be paying a 'proper' person to do it. I'd probably end up putting the suspension on back to front if i attempted it.Fantuzzi said:
Thanks for the words of comfort...
Sorry, maybe this will sound better...There there 'Tuzzi, it will all be fine, have a hug and a hot mug of coco
Fantuzzi said:
A6GCS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_A6
Here's one I made earlier...
http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1060...
Ahhh very very nice indeed. But i bet it wont be free of banging noises. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_A6
Here's one I made earlier...
http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1060...
I'd have gone to that rally if i'd known, have nothing to do today at all.
Instead ive been looking at Youtube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjdI687yyKQ
Instead ive been looking at Youtube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjdI687yyKQ
jacklewisno1 said:
I'd have gone to that rally if i'd known, have nothing to do today at all.
Instead ive been looking at Youtube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjdI687yyKQ
The rally 308s look insanely good, looking forward to the pics iva, Instead ive been looking at Youtube and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjdI687yyKQ
The delta is rather impressive, mad, mad car.
jacklewisno1 said:
I see those wheels and raise you these..
Bonus point go to those who can guess the brand
God you always pitch the tough questions...Bonus point go to those who can guess the brand
jacklewisno1 said:
Are you opting for an S2 now mate?
No way, the s2 is better looking, but the S1 is far better to drive.The O.Z wheels look great though, not that I'll bother, the only thing I'll be doing is the gear linkage, the shift feel is meant to be a bit woolly, but eliseparts do a must have kit, meant to make the gearchange like a Honda s2000
jacklewisno1 said:
Dropped my car off at the garage for the suspension job, cant wait!...
And where is this 308 Iva??
Ah good stuff, full write up when its done.And where is this 308 Iva??
Hopefully the pics from Iva will be up soon, I wonder if there will be any of his Barchetta
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