Car history by displacement (ending with 6.2L)
Discussion
TL; DR: Started with an old Mazda and now own a C63 AMG
Although my parents did not own many petrolheadish cars over the years (1st gen MX5 stands out), my mother told me that I always had a keen interest in cars. She told me I once approved of a car they had due to the number of exhaust tailpipes it had (2 tailpipes!)
To satisfy my urge for cars I now even work in the automotive industry which also enable me to buy some fun cars. However before we get there here's a brief history of cars owned to date:
1. Mazda 626 GC GLX 2.0L
Example picture (Copyright with Wikipedia); although mine had optional rubber front lip and rear spoiler, which actually fell off while going through a car wash.
My first car was a beauty in red with a lovely 2.0L NA engine with 100PS. Amazing as a first car with fully eletric windows (all 4!) and sunroof and also power steering. I mean that stuff was luxury back then. Took it over from my parents with 170k km and then basically to the scrap yard with 190k km and a leaking fuel tank and destroyed clutch.
2. Mazda 323 P 1.3L
Example picture (Copyright with Wikipedia)
they very low point of car ownership. After the 626 left, this was the replacement. low mileage (6k Km in 6 year by previous owner) it took about 10k KM to loosen up on that engine but it was still very slow. Turning on the AC (it had AC!) reduced the existing 75PS to approx. 5PS. So choice between cool or fast(ish) to your destination.
3.)MG ZR160 1.8L
back in the game! the lovely/famed K-engine that loved the revs and above 4k sounded amazing thanks to the optional Xpower exhaust. I will admit it was actually so loud that driving at around 100km/h I needed to shout to my passengers to make any conversation. After 2h hours of driving I had a headache and i was looking forward to getting out of the car
However it was great fun on B-roads and before the engine lunched itself it was amazing.
4.)Audi A3 Sportback quattro 2.0L TDI
so another sensible car and a boring diesel as well but owned from 11km onwards. All-wheel drive was especially fun in the snow and I even did a few laps of the Formula 1 track in Austria. ok well 3 laps before brakes gave up and 1 additional lap where I could smell the clutch. New tyres that were on lasted for a total of 5k KM after that stint. Uneventful ownership but sold 2 months ago with around 135k KM.
5.) Jaguar X308 XJR 4.0L SC
While owning the Audi I thought i wanted a more fun 2nd car for summar and was looking for a Triumph TR6. So I ended up with a big barge as you do. Bought the first one I saw of course in true pistonhead fashion.
MY1998 in BRG with black leather. a real 10ft car but mechanically sound with the timing chains guides updated previously.
Just did all bushes/suspension (also slightly lowered) last year and now the headlining started sagging
It does receive very positive attention since it's a Jaaaaaag and it is still very quick despite it's weight and age. That SC whine is very additive.
Currently thinking of selling it as I do not need over 10L of displacement in my garage
]
6.) Mercedes C63 AMG W204 6.2L
The Jaaaaag was nice but I was lusting for something a bit more sporty and something "useless" as my gf calls it. I was always a fan of fast sedans so I was looking at the usual supsects of E90 M3, B7 RS4, Lexus IS-F and the C63. However finding these kind of cars in Austria is quite rare so by chance a C63 (MY2009, 70k KM, P30 package, LSD) came up nearby last Christmas.
Went to view it around Christmas, sales guy (also the owner of the Mercedes dealership) was a bit akward and I asked for a test drive and due to snow was postponed.
Wasn't really happy about the sales process and the attitude so I just waited. Car was still here in March so I went again to view it. Well what can I say; after THAT engine was started I was sold. Test-drove it and signed the paperwork.
Buying from the dealership has it's benefits, got a free first service (oil, spark plugs) and they replace a front wheel which was acutally the wrong size (back wheel on front tyre);
It has had a tune so probably around 500ponies lurking under the hood somewhere and my god it is blisteringly quick. Took me around 1000km to somehow get used to the rapid acceleration.
It actually handles very well although the ride through the P30 suspension is quite harsh. Thinking of going KW V3 or similar.
I have put around 5k KM on it during the last 2 months and so far I'm really enjoying it. Apart from the small fuel tank I enjoy it massively. Not sure what could top the experience currently.
As many owners know, leaving the door open on a cold start is just
Hope you enjoyed my small history of cars
BTW high performance car ownership is crazy expensive in Austria: annual "engine tax" as we call it here is around € 2.7k.
Although my parents did not own many petrolheadish cars over the years (1st gen MX5 stands out), my mother told me that I always had a keen interest in cars. She told me I once approved of a car they had due to the number of exhaust tailpipes it had (2 tailpipes!)
To satisfy my urge for cars I now even work in the automotive industry which also enable me to buy some fun cars. However before we get there here's a brief history of cars owned to date:
1. Mazda 626 GC GLX 2.0L
Example picture (Copyright with Wikipedia); although mine had optional rubber front lip and rear spoiler, which actually fell off while going through a car wash.
My first car was a beauty in red with a lovely 2.0L NA engine with 100PS. Amazing as a first car with fully eletric windows (all 4!) and sunroof and also power steering. I mean that stuff was luxury back then. Took it over from my parents with 170k km and then basically to the scrap yard with 190k km and a leaking fuel tank and destroyed clutch.
2. Mazda 323 P 1.3L
Example picture (Copyright with Wikipedia)
they very low point of car ownership. After the 626 left, this was the replacement. low mileage (6k Km in 6 year by previous owner) it took about 10k KM to loosen up on that engine but it was still very slow. Turning on the AC (it had AC!) reduced the existing 75PS to approx. 5PS. So choice between cool or fast(ish) to your destination.
3.)MG ZR160 1.8L
back in the game! the lovely/famed K-engine that loved the revs and above 4k sounded amazing thanks to the optional Xpower exhaust. I will admit it was actually so loud that driving at around 100km/h I needed to shout to my passengers to make any conversation. After 2h hours of driving I had a headache and i was looking forward to getting out of the car
However it was great fun on B-roads and before the engine lunched itself it was amazing.4.)Audi A3 Sportback quattro 2.0L TDI
so another sensible car and a boring diesel as well but owned from 11km onwards. All-wheel drive was especially fun in the snow and I even did a few laps of the Formula 1 track in Austria. ok well 3 laps before brakes gave up and 1 additional lap where I could smell the clutch. New tyres that were on lasted for a total of 5k KM after that stint. Uneventful ownership but sold 2 months ago with around 135k KM.
5.) Jaguar X308 XJR 4.0L SC
While owning the Audi I thought i wanted a more fun 2nd car for summar and was looking for a Triumph TR6. So I ended up with a big barge as you do. Bought the first one I saw of course in true pistonhead fashion.
MY1998 in BRG with black leather. a real 10ft car but mechanically sound with the timing chains guides updated previously.
Just did all bushes/suspension (also slightly lowered) last year and now the headlining started sagging
It does receive very positive attention since it's a Jaaaaaag and it is still very quick despite it's weight and age. That SC whine is very additive.
Currently thinking of selling it as I do not need over 10L of displacement in my garage
]
6.) Mercedes C63 AMG W204 6.2L
The Jaaaaag was nice but I was lusting for something a bit more sporty and something "useless" as my gf calls it. I was always a fan of fast sedans so I was looking at the usual supsects of E90 M3, B7 RS4, Lexus IS-F and the C63. However finding these kind of cars in Austria is quite rare so by chance a C63 (MY2009, 70k KM, P30 package, LSD) came up nearby last Christmas.
Went to view it around Christmas, sales guy (also the owner of the Mercedes dealership) was a bit akward and I asked for a test drive and due to snow was postponed.
Wasn't really happy about the sales process and the attitude so I just waited. Car was still here in March so I went again to view it. Well what can I say; after THAT engine was started I was sold. Test-drove it and signed the paperwork.
Buying from the dealership has it's benefits, got a free first service (oil, spark plugs) and they replace a front wheel which was acutally the wrong size (back wheel on front tyre);
It has had a tune so probably around 500ponies lurking under the hood somewhere and my god it is blisteringly quick. Took me around 1000km to somehow get used to the rapid acceleration.
It actually handles very well although the ride through the P30 suspension is quite harsh. Thinking of going KW V3 or similar.
I have put around 5k KM on it during the last 2 months and so far I'm really enjoying it. Apart from the small fuel tank I enjoy it massively. Not sure what could top the experience currently.
As many owners know, leaving the door open on a cold start is just
Hope you enjoyed my small history of cars
BTW high performance car ownership is crazy expensive in Austria: annual "engine tax" as we call it here is around € 2.7k.
Edited by Belowzero on Monday 8th July 09:54
Edited by Belowzero on Monday 8th July 10:53
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