Downgrading - and I can't wait
Discussion
Welshbeef said:
Crumple zones are less
Braking distance is more
Safety generally is a generation behind the E46. The E36 came in at what Jreg so your talking about 1980's design whereas the E46 is mid 90's.
I'm struggling to understand why so many are discarding safety? Do you carry loved ones in your car ?? Surely the safety of your child and partner wife is the most important thing - if not is selfish the nicest description that could be used for you?
Jesus. Yes safety is a good thing but it's not the be all and end all. I wouldn't worry about safety too much unless the car in question is renowned for being unsafe or if I was considering something like a 2CV.Braking distance is more
Safety generally is a generation behind the E46. The E36 came in at what Jreg so your talking about 1980's design whereas the E46 is mid 90's.
I'm struggling to understand why so many are discarding safety? Do you carry loved ones in your car ?? Surely the safety of your child and partner wife is the most important thing - if not is selfish the nicest description that could be used for you?
People did drive those cars and lived to tell the tale you know.
I had a go in a Civic Type R today, nowhere near as quick as my Cupra R but fun in a totally different way. Where the Cupra R just blows you down the road on a wave of turbo boost, the CTR has to be worked much harder and is still slower, but the motorbike style exhaust note and watching that needle swing towards the red line is just sublime fun. A downgrade in terms of overall performance and ability, but a whole new kind of fun. I will own one some day, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I have an 88 mk2 GTi with the mk 4 1.8 20v turbo engine. No power steering, No ABS, No Traction Control, lightweight, and extreemly powerfull! It's a joy to drive because you have to consentrate so much unlike all the modern, hi-tec computerised c
p! which wraps you in cotton wool, and flashes lights at you the second a wheel slightly looses grip 
Ok, I agree it's not as 'safe' as a modern car, which is why it now has a full Roll cage!
Enjoy your new (old) car, it will be like a breath of fresh air (maybe a bit too fresh though come deep winter)!!
p! which wraps you in cotton wool, and flashes lights at you the second a wheel slightly looses grip Ok, I agree it's not as 'safe' as a modern car, which is why it now has a full Roll cage!
Enjoy your new (old) car, it will be like a breath of fresh air (maybe a bit too fresh though come deep winter)!!
As for safety equipment, I had the VDC kick in in my Alfa 147 when cornering too ambitiously on my parent's road. Been in similar situation in old fiesta without VDC and stuffed it in the hedge but the electronic nanny saved me brilliantly that time. Have all electronic aids/safety equiptment disabled now including airbags abs etc (it is now a race-car tho)
I downgraded my car in january when my 2.2 vx220 was hit on a mini roundabout and I got a celica gen7 140, similar weight/power on paper but nothing like it on the road! I have got used to it now and I do like the fact I can pick up car park dings and not give a toss, fit all my shopping in, plus washing it in local car wash is so much easier than 2 buckets on a saturday
I downgraded my car in january when my 2.2 vx220 was hit on a mini roundabout and I got a celica gen7 140, similar weight/power on paper but nothing like it on the road! I have got used to it now and I do like the fact I can pick up car park dings and not give a toss, fit all my shopping in, plus washing it in local car wash is so much easier than 2 buckets on a saturday
Welshbeef said:
paps said:
Seriously considering chopping in my A3 for an original mini.
In a crash you'd stand no chance 
The first one he rolled on a country lane the second he stuffed in a ditch, both write offs.
Never got so much as a scratch.
3rd one he managed not to crash for 3 yrs and sold it on.
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