My Car/Bike History - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Discussion
I have been on PH for a few years so I thought I should finally share some of my history.
Back in 1996 I finally got my licence (took me 3 tries!) and after a host of crap (Austin Metro, Hyundai Pony, Ford Escort, Rover 100) within 12 months I was in my 1st GTi
Rover Metro GTi 16v MPI
I loved this car, it had a slight Moto-Build tune (gas flowed head, exhaust and filter), I saw 122bhp on a Dyno run and at just over 800kgs it was enough to show it's rear to a Saxo VTS which was the hot hatch king of the era. I gave it death over 40k miles and it never missed a beat, it is still sorely missed. It was followed by an Escort RS Turbo (Mk2), which was a pile of crap, I hated it that much I don't even have photos
Rover 220GSi Coupe
Before this came a Pug 306 D-Turbo but no photos, great car that my Dad sourced to wean me off recks like this! The Rover was supposed to be a cheap car while I was building the Westfield (see below), unfortunately the bottom end went after 1 week of ownership, it cost me as much as the car to have it put right!
Westfield SEIW 2.0 Zetec
During the build I owned a few bangers so I could focus my cash on this, including a Nissan Primera (no 5th gear) and a Saab 900 (worst paint you have ever seen). No photos of these though so I will tell you about the Westy. I built it from the ground up buying the kit in stages, to keep costs down I sourced as much as I could second hand, I spent the most money on DTA ECU and throttle bodies which took the power to 180bhp. After a decent suspension setup it was a fabulous car to drive, my only gripe was the Type MT75 gearing was too tall, if I had kept it that was on my list to sort out with a close ratio box. I sold it for £1500 profit in order to buy my 1st house.
Honda VTR Firestorm
Now I started my love affair with bikes, 1st was a ZZR600 (no photos) which was a great clean bike but I craved the character of a V-Twin. This popped up in my Dad's shop and I just had to have it. Stupidly thirsty (25-30mpg) with a tiny little tank it was not ideal for a 40 mile trip to see the GF every other day, but I loved the power delivery and noise....oh the noise!
Rover 200vi
You will be pleased to know this is the last of the Rovers ;-) I treated myself to this which was 3yrs old at the time, great value at £7k for a 1.8 VVC engined Rover 200 (145bhp). It was a hoot to drive, handled very well and I have very little bad to say about it (maybe the colour)
Kawasaki ZX-6R
This was my 1st new bike, it sounded like a good idea at the time. The reality was I found it great for just a fraction of the time, the weather and roads had to be spot on, the rest of the time I found it a chore winding it up. Compared to the VTR it had very little soul, I only kept it for 12 months.
Fiat Coupe 20VT
This car was epic, totally standard but felt special each time I drove it, truly quick and rather surprisingly quite well built. I was looking at the Alpha GTV at the time but chose this due to practical reasons. Very sorry to see it go but family cars beckoned and my attentions turned back to bikes.
Kawasaki Versys
Again another new Kawasaki, this time this was for commuting only, it served the purpose very well and I clocked up 24k miles in just under 2yrs. It saved me a load of cash as my company actually paid me to use a bike at the time. It was very fun on the twisties even with very little power (approx 60bhp), what let it down was the build quality, I used all the products under the sun to stop the rot but after 12 months I had to get the frame stripped, etch primed and re-painted (under warranty). The bike was a bit Marmite in it's styling, it's the only bike I have owned that the wife would not pillion on.
Volvo S60 2.0T SE
This was my Mum's old car, very underrated these, they have all the toys are supremely comfortable and can be had for very little money. I ran it for 2 years I liked it that much only getting rid as I needed more boot space at the time. I have recommended these time and time again to friends who are looking for a good value motorway cruiser.
Volvo V70 2.4 SE
I picked this up as we needed more boot space (baby planned), it was a little tired compared to the S60 and the engine was really sluggish. Although the interior is top quality and still loads of toys this car had a few issues and I fell out of love very quickly.
Kawasaki ZZR1400
I no longer needed a bike to commute so thought what could be the antithesis of the Versys....well this was about a far away as you can get in performance stakes. Effortless power made this my type of bike, I loved it as it was so tractable (missed that from the VTR), really nicely built and I kept this for some time (actually took the ZZR to the TT last year)
BMW E60 545i SE
Cutting out the commute meant I could convince the wife we needed a V8 super saloon, as this was January 2008 prestige car prices were on their knees. I picked this up from an AUC BMW dealer for £10k, the car was 1 owner with 60k on the clock and immaculate. Things went well for a while, the car was not as raw as I expected and I could not get on with the tiptronic gearbox, what killed it in the end was my wife got stuck in the snow and refused to drive it afterwards! I sold it 6 months later for the same money to a publican who bought it for his 19yr old son! Just a word of warning on these things, they are hideously expensive to run. I spend £2k in 6 months on 2 new tyres, coil packs, front shocks, front discs and a broken bonnet latch. I was prepared to spend the cash but be warned these these cars are costly (yes this was independent prices)
Harley Davidson FXDF - Fat Bob
After renting a Harley for trip down the Florida Keys a few years ago this was an itch that needed to be scratched. I waited 6 months to pick up this bike, it was fitted with a stage 1 and V&H Short Shots, it was a little too loud so I fitted some quiet baffles which took it down a notch. Much to my biking friends annoyance the bike was exceptionally well built, never missed a beat (in all weathers) and was one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever toured on. The picture was taken on the Isle of Mull as part of a 2 week camping trip (2-up). I sold it after 2yrs and 12k miles and only lost £1500 from new, the bike was also corrosion free (and I am not fastidious with cleaning), I hope to buy Harley again one day once the kids are older.
Honda Civic 2.2
Sensible family transport beckoned and after I messed up the last choice my wife selected this. To be honest it was a great car, never put a foot wrong and had excellent space inside for a hatchback (I hate it when she is right ;-))
Range Rover Sport TDV8
So this is the latest family wagon, we needed more space and we don't do the mileage any more. As we have friends at LR my Dad suggested this. Never has a car divided so much opinion on Internet forums, there are some real haters out there! Anyway this was sourced with low mileage and initial impressions are it's a cracking car, glad I want for the TDV8, luggage space it better than an estate (yes I have done the sums), and my wife feels safer in this than anything real wheel drive (and that matters). Built in the UK and coupled with 45k mile CO2 offset program should be enough to silence the tree huggers. Picture taken covered in mud...as it should be
I have missed a few off the list, but hope you enjoyed looking. Next to come in a couple of years is some form of 4 seater sports car, most likely a 911 (993?) that can be cherished for sunny weekends, I have to be quick or I wont get the kids in the back
P.S. I will do a build thread of the Westfield if I ever find the photos!
Back in 1996 I finally got my licence (took me 3 tries!) and after a host of crap (Austin Metro, Hyundai Pony, Ford Escort, Rover 100) within 12 months I was in my 1st GTi
Rover Metro GTi 16v MPI
I loved this car, it had a slight Moto-Build tune (gas flowed head, exhaust and filter), I saw 122bhp on a Dyno run and at just over 800kgs it was enough to show it's rear to a Saxo VTS which was the hot hatch king of the era. I gave it death over 40k miles and it never missed a beat, it is still sorely missed. It was followed by an Escort RS Turbo (Mk2), which was a pile of crap, I hated it that much I don't even have photos
Rover 220GSi Coupe
Before this came a Pug 306 D-Turbo but no photos, great car that my Dad sourced to wean me off recks like this! The Rover was supposed to be a cheap car while I was building the Westfield (see below), unfortunately the bottom end went after 1 week of ownership, it cost me as much as the car to have it put right!
Westfield SEIW 2.0 Zetec
During the build I owned a few bangers so I could focus my cash on this, including a Nissan Primera (no 5th gear) and a Saab 900 (worst paint you have ever seen). No photos of these though so I will tell you about the Westy. I built it from the ground up buying the kit in stages, to keep costs down I sourced as much as I could second hand, I spent the most money on DTA ECU and throttle bodies which took the power to 180bhp. After a decent suspension setup it was a fabulous car to drive, my only gripe was the Type MT75 gearing was too tall, if I had kept it that was on my list to sort out with a close ratio box. I sold it for £1500 profit in order to buy my 1st house.
Honda VTR Firestorm
Now I started my love affair with bikes, 1st was a ZZR600 (no photos) which was a great clean bike but I craved the character of a V-Twin. This popped up in my Dad's shop and I just had to have it. Stupidly thirsty (25-30mpg) with a tiny little tank it was not ideal for a 40 mile trip to see the GF every other day, but I loved the power delivery and noise....oh the noise!
Rover 200vi
You will be pleased to know this is the last of the Rovers ;-) I treated myself to this which was 3yrs old at the time, great value at £7k for a 1.8 VVC engined Rover 200 (145bhp). It was a hoot to drive, handled very well and I have very little bad to say about it (maybe the colour)
Kawasaki ZX-6R
This was my 1st new bike, it sounded like a good idea at the time. The reality was I found it great for just a fraction of the time, the weather and roads had to be spot on, the rest of the time I found it a chore winding it up. Compared to the VTR it had very little soul, I only kept it for 12 months.
Fiat Coupe 20VT
This car was epic, totally standard but felt special each time I drove it, truly quick and rather surprisingly quite well built. I was looking at the Alpha GTV at the time but chose this due to practical reasons. Very sorry to see it go but family cars beckoned and my attentions turned back to bikes.
Kawasaki Versys
Again another new Kawasaki, this time this was for commuting only, it served the purpose very well and I clocked up 24k miles in just under 2yrs. It saved me a load of cash as my company actually paid me to use a bike at the time. It was very fun on the twisties even with very little power (approx 60bhp), what let it down was the build quality, I used all the products under the sun to stop the rot but after 12 months I had to get the frame stripped, etch primed and re-painted (under warranty). The bike was a bit Marmite in it's styling, it's the only bike I have owned that the wife would not pillion on.
Volvo S60 2.0T SE
This was my Mum's old car, very underrated these, they have all the toys are supremely comfortable and can be had for very little money. I ran it for 2 years I liked it that much only getting rid as I needed more boot space at the time. I have recommended these time and time again to friends who are looking for a good value motorway cruiser.
Volvo V70 2.4 SE
I picked this up as we needed more boot space (baby planned), it was a little tired compared to the S60 and the engine was really sluggish. Although the interior is top quality and still loads of toys this car had a few issues and I fell out of love very quickly.
Kawasaki ZZR1400
I no longer needed a bike to commute so thought what could be the antithesis of the Versys....well this was about a far away as you can get in performance stakes. Effortless power made this my type of bike, I loved it as it was so tractable (missed that from the VTR), really nicely built and I kept this for some time (actually took the ZZR to the TT last year)
BMW E60 545i SE
Cutting out the commute meant I could convince the wife we needed a V8 super saloon, as this was January 2008 prestige car prices were on their knees. I picked this up from an AUC BMW dealer for £10k, the car was 1 owner with 60k on the clock and immaculate. Things went well for a while, the car was not as raw as I expected and I could not get on with the tiptronic gearbox, what killed it in the end was my wife got stuck in the snow and refused to drive it afterwards! I sold it 6 months later for the same money to a publican who bought it for his 19yr old son! Just a word of warning on these things, they are hideously expensive to run. I spend £2k in 6 months on 2 new tyres, coil packs, front shocks, front discs and a broken bonnet latch. I was prepared to spend the cash but be warned these these cars are costly (yes this was independent prices)
Harley Davidson FXDF - Fat Bob
After renting a Harley for trip down the Florida Keys a few years ago this was an itch that needed to be scratched. I waited 6 months to pick up this bike, it was fitted with a stage 1 and V&H Short Shots, it was a little too loud so I fitted some quiet baffles which took it down a notch. Much to my biking friends annoyance the bike was exceptionally well built, never missed a beat (in all weathers) and was one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever toured on. The picture was taken on the Isle of Mull as part of a 2 week camping trip (2-up). I sold it after 2yrs and 12k miles and only lost £1500 from new, the bike was also corrosion free (and I am not fastidious with cleaning), I hope to buy Harley again one day once the kids are older.
Honda Civic 2.2
Sensible family transport beckoned and after I messed up the last choice my wife selected this. To be honest it was a great car, never put a foot wrong and had excellent space inside for a hatchback (I hate it when she is right ;-))
Range Rover Sport TDV8
So this is the latest family wagon, we needed more space and we don't do the mileage any more. As we have friends at LR my Dad suggested this. Never has a car divided so much opinion on Internet forums, there are some real haters out there! Anyway this was sourced with low mileage and initial impressions are it's a cracking car, glad I want for the TDV8, luggage space it better than an estate (yes I have done the sums), and my wife feels safer in this than anything real wheel drive (and that matters). Built in the UK and coupled with 45k mile CO2 offset program should be enough to silence the tree huggers. Picture taken covered in mud...as it should be
I have missed a few off the list, but hope you enjoyed looking. Next to come in a couple of years is some form of 4 seater sports car, most likely a 911 (993?) that can be cherished for sunny weekends, I have to be quick or I wont get the kids in the back
P.S. I will do a build thread of the Westfield if I ever find the photos!
Edited by jdwoodbury on Tuesday 3rd January 12:02
I had exactly the same experience with my C1 ZX6R. Thought I wanted a 600 sports bike, but only ever gelled with it when caning round north wales on a sunny summers day. Had a SV650S beforehand which was so much better a bike for me. Always wanted a firestorm or ideally SP2 at some point as well
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff