An average PH'ers car history, in Top Bumps style!
Discussion
EDIT: Pack of top bumps to be updated in first post 
My first thread in RC's, be nice!
So, I see my car history as pretty typical for Pistonheads members - sub £10k performance cars of all kinds; roadsters, jap 4x4, lightweight, FWD hatch etc.
Thing is, over the last few years I've gone through quite a few cars, and SWMBO said I could make a pack of Top Bumps with my cars by the time I'm 40. Good idea! Out came a few old pictures and Paint, and here we go
First things first - I haven't included any of my early cars (18-24 years old) as they are boring. The first 'sporty' car I got was a Peugeot 206 GTi:
I've got fond memories of this car, running it through my time at uni as a mature student. Looking back through reviews of the time, the 206 GTi was often criticised for being slow, soft and boring compared to the 205 / 106 GTi. I didn't agree, and found it had enough poke to entertain, and the handling and steering were quite good. Granted, I didn't have any performance cars to compare it with at the time
Gets 0/10 for sex appeal, because no-one was impressed with a 25 year old driving a warm Peugeot hatch.
So I finished studying, got a job that involved a 60 mile daily commute and for some reason decided it would be financially sound to trade my Pug in for a diesel that cost four times what the Pug was worth. Silly.
This was a great 'everyday' car. Smooth, economical, grunty, solid, understated and classy looks (in my opinion). The most impressive stat on this car is the torque, pretty good for a warm hatch! Sex appeal gets another 0, see above for reason. I averaged about 50mpg and found it great 90% of the time. But that 10% when I really wanted to drive, well, it sucked. I ended up losing a fair bit of money on this car. A trend that continues to this day!
More to follow once I finish cutting up more old pics....
P.S. I've called this 'Top Bumps' because I'm not sure I'm allowed to make my own Top Trumps!
My first thread in RC's, be nice!
So, I see my car history as pretty typical for Pistonheads members - sub £10k performance cars of all kinds; roadsters, jap 4x4, lightweight, FWD hatch etc.
Thing is, over the last few years I've gone through quite a few cars, and SWMBO said I could make a pack of Top Bumps with my cars by the time I'm 40. Good idea! Out came a few old pictures and Paint, and here we go
First things first - I haven't included any of my early cars (18-24 years old) as they are boring. The first 'sporty' car I got was a Peugeot 206 GTi:
I've got fond memories of this car, running it through my time at uni as a mature student. Looking back through reviews of the time, the 206 GTi was often criticised for being slow, soft and boring compared to the 205 / 106 GTi. I didn't agree, and found it had enough poke to entertain, and the handling and steering were quite good. Granted, I didn't have any performance cars to compare it with at the time
Gets 0/10 for sex appeal, because no-one was impressed with a 25 year old driving a warm Peugeot hatch.
So I finished studying, got a job that involved a 60 mile daily commute and for some reason decided it would be financially sound to trade my Pug in for a diesel that cost four times what the Pug was worth. Silly.
This was a great 'everyday' car. Smooth, economical, grunty, solid, understated and classy looks (in my opinion). The most impressive stat on this car is the torque, pretty good for a warm hatch! Sex appeal gets another 0, see above for reason. I averaged about 50mpg and found it great 90% of the time. But that 10% when I really wanted to drive, well, it sucked. I ended up losing a fair bit of money on this car. A trend that continues to this day!
More to follow once I finish cutting up more old pics....
P.S. I've called this 'Top Bumps' because I'm not sure I'm allowed to make my own Top Trumps!
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:36
As said above, the vRS was a great 'everyday' car but ultimately, I was seriously missing a petrol engine. So I used some savings to buy another car to run alongside the vRS, a MK1 MX5 - PH'ers favourite!
To be honest, this car was a bit of a dog when I first got it and I paid well over what I should have. I did a fair amount of work to it, refreshing suspension, hood, brakes, exhaust, fitted a rollbar, standard wheels, restored paint work etc etc.
I loved this car, and for me, the hype was 100% justified. I regret selling this more than any other car. Click for thread.
To be honest, this car was a bit of a dog when I first got it and I paid well over what I should have. I did a fair amount of work to it, refreshing suspension, hood, brakes, exhaust, fitted a rollbar, standard wheels, restored paint work etc etc.
I loved this car, and for me, the hype was 100% justified. I regret selling this more than any other car. Click for thread.
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:37
The vRS was sold to fund a house purchase, and I ran the '5 for a short commute. After a while, I kinda got itchy feet (happens a lot!) and wanted something fast. I wasn't earning much at the time, but did some man maths and decided that by cycling to work three times a week I could afford the tasty looking Subaru STi I drove past every day.
This is the fastest car I've owned, both in a straight line and cross country. Ultimately the ownership was marred slightly by the overwhelmingly negative comments I got from non petrol heads. But worse was the lack of involvement at normal speed - you could really drive this car, but only at very silly speeds...
The Scoob was brilliant over the winter, bullet proof and very capable. I miss it a lot, but sold it on as I wanted something that was more involving at lower speeds like my beloved MX5 was.
This is the fastest car I've owned, both in a straight line and cross country. Ultimately the ownership was marred slightly by the overwhelmingly negative comments I got from non petrol heads. But worse was the lack of involvement at normal speed - you could really drive this car, but only at very silly speeds...
The Scoob was brilliant over the winter, bullet proof and very capable. I miss it a lot, but sold it on as I wanted something that was more involving at lower speeds like my beloved MX5 was.
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:37
As mentioned above, the STi was great when driven hard, but this almost made it too fast for the roads I was commuting on.
I traded it in for another roadster that I thought would be more involving and enjoyable at low speeds, but had a real turn of pace when needed. Enter the S2000.
Two things utterly outstanding with this car - gearchange and engine. Steering and chassis feedback not so good. Another that I seriously miss. Click for thread.
I traded it in for another roadster that I thought would be more involving and enjoyable at low speeds, but had a real turn of pace when needed. Enter the S2000.
Two things utterly outstanding with this car - gearchange and engine. Steering and chassis feedback not so good. Another that I seriously miss. Click for thread.
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:39
The S2000 was a great car - a fantastic ownership proposition with good reliability, cheap parts and servicing. Only downside was the high insurance cost.
The chassis and steering feedback were okay, but not great. I never really felt comfortable pushing the S2000 as I couldn't tell what the chassis was doing through the seats and front wheels through the steering wheel. Perhaps a little unfairly, I was comparing it my beloved MX5 and not much short of a VX220 / Elise communicated more. Which brings us onto my next car...
This car was utterly intoxicating and uncompromised. Not a huge amount of straight line grunt compared to the Scoob or even S2000 (once it was wound up), but it was immense in terms of cross country pace. You could feel exactly what the front wheels were doing, and it's limits were documented with a scrub of understeer. Amazing, and along with the MX5 my most missed car.
In the end, circumstances beyond my control meant I had to sell it on...
The chassis and steering feedback were okay, but not great. I never really felt comfortable pushing the S2000 as I couldn't tell what the chassis was doing through the seats and front wheels through the steering wheel. Perhaps a little unfairly, I was comparing it my beloved MX5 and not much short of a VX220 / Elise communicated more. Which brings us onto my next car...
This car was utterly intoxicating and uncompromised. Not a huge amount of straight line grunt compared to the Scoob or even S2000 (once it was wound up), but it was immense in terms of cross country pace. You could feel exactly what the front wheels were doing, and it's limits were documented with a scrub of understeer. Amazing, and along with the MX5 my most missed car.
In the end, circumstances beyond my control meant I had to sell it on...
Edited by JFReturns on Wednesday 29th January 20:20
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:40
The VX220 was bloody brilliant, and I miss it loads. For the money I don't think there is a better handling / looking / performing car, which retains very low running costs (imo, of course!).
Unfortunately for me, the love affair with the VX didn't last very long - the uncompromising ride triggered chronic pain in my neck and back, an old injury that I thought was long gone. We also had an ever growing pup, so something practical was required. Enter a mint hawkeye Impreza WRX Wagon.
I brought the most expensive Wagon on the market (other than GB270 special editions) and was planning on keeping it a long time. This wasn't to be, click for thread.
Unfortunately for me, the love affair with the VX didn't last very long - the uncompromising ride triggered chronic pain in my neck and back, an old injury that I thought was long gone. We also had an ever growing pup, so something practical was required. Enter a mint hawkeye Impreza WRX Wagon.
I brought the most expensive Wagon on the market (other than GB270 special editions) and was planning on keeping it a long time. This wasn't to be, click for thread.
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:41
Onto my current car, which I think most will find the dullest of the lot....
I was planning on keeping the WRX Wagon for a long time (well, at least a year) as it fulfilled all my requirements - fast, comfortable, practical, different, reliable. Except it turned out to not be very reliable at all. This wasn't the cars fault, rather an incompetent main Subaru dealer.
Turns out that 500 miles before I purchased the WRX, the cambelt was changed at a main dealer at the correct interval. However, they incorrectly fitted a tensioner, cross threading it which a month after I got the car sheered off causing the cambelt to lose tension.... and well, you get the idea.
To be fair to him, the independent dealer refunded my money and I was on the hunt for another WRX Wagon. There were none around! As I needed a car urgently, I set about looking for a tidy shed to pootle around in until a decent Wagon came back on the market. One Saturday I looked at 1.0 Corsas, Fiestas, Clios... blurgh. I literally couldn't do it. I needed a car that day and as the afternoon wore on I was getting more and more despondent, until a chance visit to a local dealer revealed a mint looking 2001 Polo GTi (6n2). I checked the paperwork, took a test drive, agreed a few bits that needed replacing then drove it away there and then!
So the plan was to keep this a short while until a decent WRX Wagon turned up... but I don't want to change it. I really enjoy driving it. Yes it is slow, small and I look quite silly driving what is essentially a teenagers car but I don't care! It handles really quite well, has enough poke for the country roads I commute on and the interior quality is the best I've owned, seriously.
SWMBO watched me pull up to the house the other day - I was quite chuffed with how good the xenon lights were - and she burst out laughing! Humpf. What was so funny?! Turns out the Polo reminded her of me 11 years ago when we first met
So this is me, for now. I'm meant to be saving for a wedding, new house, new car for SWMBO and the Polo is helping me (£100 a month on fuel alone). We'll see how long I last; my colleagues give me 4 months! I completely disagree, but damn, Andy665's GTV V6 is stunning and I follow the poverty pork thread with gleeful interest.
Hope you enjoyed my car history so far, and any comments or recommendations on future cars are welcome
I was planning on keeping the WRX Wagon for a long time (well, at least a year) as it fulfilled all my requirements - fast, comfortable, practical, different, reliable. Except it turned out to not be very reliable at all. This wasn't the cars fault, rather an incompetent main Subaru dealer.
Turns out that 500 miles before I purchased the WRX, the cambelt was changed at a main dealer at the correct interval. However, they incorrectly fitted a tensioner, cross threading it which a month after I got the car sheered off causing the cambelt to lose tension.... and well, you get the idea.
To be fair to him, the independent dealer refunded my money and I was on the hunt for another WRX Wagon. There were none around! As I needed a car urgently, I set about looking for a tidy shed to pootle around in until a decent Wagon came back on the market. One Saturday I looked at 1.0 Corsas, Fiestas, Clios... blurgh. I literally couldn't do it. I needed a car that day and as the afternoon wore on I was getting more and more despondent, until a chance visit to a local dealer revealed a mint looking 2001 Polo GTi (6n2). I checked the paperwork, took a test drive, agreed a few bits that needed replacing then drove it away there and then!
So the plan was to keep this a short while until a decent WRX Wagon turned up... but I don't want to change it. I really enjoy driving it. Yes it is slow, small and I look quite silly driving what is essentially a teenagers car but I don't care! It handles really quite well, has enough poke for the country roads I commute on and the interior quality is the best I've owned, seriously.
SWMBO watched me pull up to the house the other day - I was quite chuffed with how good the xenon lights were - and she burst out laughing! Humpf. What was so funny?! Turns out the Polo reminded her of me 11 years ago when we first met
So this is me, for now. I'm meant to be saving for a wedding, new house, new car for SWMBO and the Polo is helping me (£100 a month on fuel alone). We'll see how long I last; my colleagues give me 4 months! I completely disagree, but damn, Andy665's GTV V6 is stunning and I follow the poverty pork thread with gleeful interest.
Hope you enjoyed my car history so far, and any comments or recommendations on future cars are welcome
Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:43
I took the Polo into a local specialist for a service (wasn't due one, the dealer I purchased it from carried out a service but I wanted it done properly) and I asked them to look for and fix any problems. There were none! Pretty pleased as it means I've got a good 'un.
However, the mechanic just so happened to have a Chimaera as a daily driver, and I know I shouldn't have (I knew how good it would sound) but I asked him to fire it up.... GOOD GOD! I've always wanted a TVR, but now I need one, specifically a Chimaera with sleeved exhausts. It's for sale too, and stunning! Insurance is very reasonable at around £420 and I'm going to do whatever it takes to get one. Here is a pic of my latest obsession:
My pack of Top Bumps may well get a seriously quick and sexy car, watch this space...
However, the mechanic just so happened to have a Chimaera as a daily driver, and I know I shouldn't have (I knew how good it would sound) but I asked him to fire it up.... GOOD GOD! I've always wanted a TVR, but now I need one, specifically a Chimaera with sleeved exhausts. It's for sale too, and stunning! Insurance is very reasonable at around £420 and I'm going to do whatever it takes to get one. Here is a pic of my latest obsession:
My pack of Top Bumps may well get a seriously quick and sexy car, watch this space...
Edited by JFReturns on Saturday 27th October 20:11
The recent weather is making me miss the Scoobs like hell. I never got to test the Wagon in the snow but the STi had great traction, and the lack of power off boost made it easy pull away and get up steep inclines.
The TVR on the hand will be complete pap. Coupled with only driving it in the dry means she has to wait for the weather to improve before getting a run out. FRUSTRATING!
The TVR on the hand will be complete pap. Coupled with only driving it in the dry means she has to wait for the weather to improve before getting a run out. FRUSTRATING!
Edited by JFReturns on Wednesday 29th January 20:27
I've still got the Polo. Don't really want to get rid as it's a great little car, but too nice to leave on the road! If anyone wants it, send me a PM (will swap for a little shed hatchback).
I don't have many pics of the Chim, but heres a couple:
I don't have many pics of the Chim, but heres a couple:
Edited by JFReturns on Wednesday 29th January 20:28
And a few more pics - as above, this is the best car I've owned. It's often been said you're only a true petrol head if you've owned an Alfa Romeo. Well I think the same should apply to a Rover V8 engined car - anyone will do - the noise is sensational!
I happen to like how my Rover V8 car looks too
I happen to like how my Rover V8 car looks too
Well it's been ten months I've owned the Chim for. As you can tell from this thread, its around now I get itchy feet and swap for something else. Do I feel the same now? No, hell no. Why? Heres why:
I flipping love this car, more so than any other. This, along with the WRX Wagon has been the highlight of my car history, and I'll only sell when I'm forced to.
I flipping love this car, more so than any other. This, along with the WRX Wagon has been the highlight of my car history, and I'll only sell when I'm forced to.
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