I can't actually believe it's been over a year since the Eunos last graced these pages. Indeed, I was shamed when in an unrelated post fellow Mazda fan HorneyMX5 said he'd assumed I'd sold it given it hadn't been written about in so long.
Don't worry Nick - I've still got it! Well, the Mazda at least.
Parking space not ideal as it turns out
Excuses? Some fairly major life events going on, up to and including additional children and a major relocation. I was hoping the latter would score me a dry garage in which to store the Mazda while the former took up my time but it didn't work out that way. I was chuffed to be offered one at a bargain rate from a neighbour though, and there the Eunos hibernated over the winter. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best of homes and when I came to get it out in the spring there was an inch of water on the floor and a layer of mould inside the car - probably worse conditions than leaving it outside as it turns out. Then I negotiated another space around the back of the house, but the reason for its availability quickly became clear when half a tonne of sap fell on the car as spring sprung. Damn.
Final indignity occurred when my teacher brother turned up the other week in his Mariner Blue UK 1.6, fresh from having a lot spent on it ahead of a big European road trip he's currently enjoying on his extended break. He's done a lot; JTech in Berkshire removing, stripping and powder coating the suspension arms and rebuilding the lot with new bushes and anti-roll bars. His Gaz dampers have been refurbed and the whole car looks gorgeous, a world away from the rather forlorn condition of mine. It also drives rather nicely. This and the road trip have got me rather envious but no point moping; after an intensive clean the sap is off and the car looking more like its old self.
Out and about and proving rather good
Performance5 dampers
don't seem to be doing a whole lot of damping any more, the front ones now very bouncy. The website has disappeared too and I'm rather fearful they've shut up shop - Phil, if you're reading this give me a call!
Then there's the patchwork quilt paintwork which, while rust free and good from across the road, really needs a good going over. Yup, there's some investment required. Still, goes as well as it always has and I've enjoyed a few jaunty scenic routes round and about now the rain has finally stopped.
And the Forester? To be honest it's cracking on with the job it was actually bought for - namely family transport with the occasional shred by yours truly when nobody else is aboard. I love this car, both for its stubbornly fugly looks and its surprisingly poised performance. The B1257 to my dad's I recently used to put the 718 Cayman S through its paces is especially well-suited to the Forester, trips out biking putting the new Thule racks to the test over the yumps and bumps. I haven't lost one yet.
The infotainment upgrade is working brilliantly and, as hoped, really does make a 10-year-old car feel like an up-to-date model. And my wife actually likes the car too, which is a bonus given she's the one driving it most of the time. This does make the case for a louder exhaust something of a harder sell though. I'm working on that. I like the fact the car is totally standard. But I also love that flat-four throb. Any tips on a backbox able to keep both parties happy appreciated...
FACT SHEET
Car: 2005 Subaru Forester STI (JDM import model)
Run by: Dan Trent
Bought: December 2015
Mileage: 122,843km (at purchase)
Purchase price: £9,500
Last month at a glance: Needs more noise
FACT SHEET
Car: 1993 Eunos Roadster (JDM import model)
Run by: Dan Trent
Bought: January 2011
Mileage: Not a lot more than last year!
Purchase price: £1,250
Last month at a glance: Expenditure looms...