A brief look at my car history so far
Discussion
Hello everyone!
I adore this forum, but perhaps a little too much as about a year ago my work blocked the URL so I can't access it! b
ds. I don't really go on the computer other than when at work so I haven't posted that much recently. I thought I'd update you all on where I'm at with cars, if anyone remembers the username!
To this date I've owned 13 cars, a few months ago I decided to sell my BMW 3 series which I adored, and bought a 240bhp Seat Ibiza Cupra. The Ibiza was the quickest car I've ever owned without a doubt, 0-60mph was around the 5 second mark, it was quite ridiculous and I certainly surprised a few people off the line. Unfortunately, the car never made me feel that great, unless it was in a straight line. My mate summed it up beautiful, it's a Polo with an Audi TT engine, what do you expect it to be like? Electronic Steering, Electronic Throttle and the worlds lightest clutch made for a bit of a boring experience. Sure it was fun being able to do daft speeds in a straight line, but I knew I had to go back to my roots.
When I was 18 I had a very similar experience to what I just mentioned, this time it was with a Corsa C SRi 1.8, a car I had wanted for a long time. I changed cars within 2 months, just like the Ibiza. I ended up with a Saxo VTS which I adored, but it was far too unreliable. I kept that car for around 6 months and ended up eating 2 gearboxes. I sold that, with some regret, and bought my first Japanese car, a Nissan Primera GT (LE).
My Saxo
The Primera.
Now this car taught me a hell of a lot about cars, and gave me endless respect for Japanese cars. If you don't know the GT, it is powered by the legendary SR20, but the chassis is simply amazing. It is such a underrated car. I simply could not believe how well it handled and how easily I could throw it about (at 1440kg). Mine was the LE, with full leather seats, momo gearnob, Enkei alloys
It was only a run about though, I owned it for a couple of months, and soon become tired of putting £70 a week in its tank. My mate needed a cheap car, and I wanted him to experience the Primera, so I found another car I've always wanted, and let him take the Primera for what I paid (around £500 - uber bargain)
The next car I had was a Renault Sport Clio 172. To put it short, I wanted a good handling hatch, with good MPG that was fun to drive. I made a mistake buying this car, because I bought an already modified one. I just couldn't bond with it, and for some reason, coming from the Primera to the Clio, I couldn't get used to the handle. If you'd have asked me at the time, I would have told you the Primera was a better handling car. Infact I would still say that today, it may not be quicker around the corners, but in my definition of better, it is better. Okay that was slightly confusing, but if you've driven both I hope you'll understand.
I then bought arguably my best car. If you ask my grandad anyway, that's what he'd say. The BMW! Say what you want about BMWs but they are a single mans best pulling tool :lol: I searched endlessly for an Imola Red facelift 320d, but ended up buying this Estoril Blue one from a Cliosport forum member. Looking back, I know I made the right choice (If it was a coupe, perhaps the red would have been favored)
This car set off quite a few "firsts" for me. It was my first turbocharged car, my first oil burner, my first car with a 6spd box! My first RWD car, my first BMW... I ended up keeping this car for 10 months (a record) - I adored it. Unfortunately after a bit of personal business, I decided I needed a fast petrol car I could just take out and razz the arse off. Which was when I bought the seat, but first a few pics of the BMW, it was beautiful, I spent endless hours cleaning/maintaining it.
BMW E46 Sport Saloon by DanielJames., on Flickr
Quick Pic by DanielJames., on Flickr
BMW E46 Saloon by DanielJames., on Flickr
I loved that car, believe it or not there were 130,000 miles sitting on its odometer.
Now, onto the mistake. I'm sure some of you can relate to me here. If you've ever done something, knowing it was not the right thing to do, hold up your hand. Okay so we've all done little stuff, but what about buying a car? I rushed into buying this car, as my BMW was sold and I needed a car to get to work. This was previously my friends car, I had wanted to buy another RS Clio 1*2, believing that I should give them another chance. Pub figures and the need for speed got the better of me though, and I bought this little Seat. (I did actually go test drive a Milano EP3, but was left cold by the steering feel and lack of low down performance - it felt so slow - but that's another story for another day)
Seat Ibiza Cupra by DanielJames., on Flickr
Seat Ibiza Cupra by DanielJames., on Flickr
240bhp/280ftlbs. It was fast! That was about it, not much more I can say about the car. After this I told myself to never buy another extensively modified car. I couldn't bond with it, and it's still for sale now after 3 weeks. That's the longest its ever taken me to sell a car, it's going on eBay tomorrow.
I also bought a Peugeot 106 GTi at this time, with a broken gearbox/clutch. Replaced both and intended to use that on the road. I had all these fond memories of my Saxo and the way it drove, the way it made me feel. I was meant to have this car after the BMW, the Seat should have never been an option, but when putting the gearbox back on, after doing the clutch, I forgot to connect an earth and destroyed the fuel relay. It took me a while to source another part, and in this time the BMW sold, so like I said before, my inner child got the better of me.
Peugeot 106 GTi by DanielJames., on Flickr
So now, we're up to about present. I've skipped a few cars from my history, I could talk about my experiences all night. Lets talk about Hondas!
I've never owned a Honda before, but I've always adored them. I have many memories of them throughout my life, mostly thanks to video games. Like the Blista Compact was my favourite car on GTA Vice City because it was based on the CRX, I remember seeing the NSX on Gran Turismo and just being in love. There was also a very fit blonde lass that lived near me when I was about 14, and she had a CW DC5. I've thought for years though that a DC5 is going to be my "it" car. The one that I will finally settle on and adore. Insurance companies do not want me to go anywhere near one though. I thought any Type R was going to be way out of budget on insurance, you can't even get a quote on EP3/Dc5's with my company Admiral. At work around a month ago however, I decided for the hell of it I would try and get a quote on a DC2. I was expecting a big fat rejection, "Sorry Mr Silvester, we cannot insure you on this vehicle until you are 43 with 20 years NCB", I actually got a very competitive price back. I phoned up the company to check if it was legit, it was legit! I was over the moon. I went to see 2 DC2s that weekend, one from a dealer which I was expecting to be tatty, and another from a forum member on here. I ended up buying the former, there was nothing in the two cars other than that the dealer car had Rota Slipstreams on, and was around £500 cheaper once we had agreed on a price.
Being back in a car with hydraulic steering assist, cable throttle and cable clutch, is quite simply amazing. The throttle response is instant, the steering is the perfect weight and the LSD is something I certainly do not take for granted. I went out for some pictures, I would like to be a professional photographer one day. Let me know what you think to the pics
015.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
016.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
011.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
031.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
I have done a bit of work on the DC2 so far, and have documented it. Unfortunately I can't post it up yet due to bandwith limits on Photobucket, I'll hopefully get it up next week
Dan
I adore this forum, but perhaps a little too much as about a year ago my work blocked the URL so I can't access it! b
ds. I don't really go on the computer other than when at work so I haven't posted that much recently. I thought I'd update you all on where I'm at with cars, if anyone remembers the username!To this date I've owned 13 cars, a few months ago I decided to sell my BMW 3 series which I adored, and bought a 240bhp Seat Ibiza Cupra. The Ibiza was the quickest car I've ever owned without a doubt, 0-60mph was around the 5 second mark, it was quite ridiculous and I certainly surprised a few people off the line. Unfortunately, the car never made me feel that great, unless it was in a straight line. My mate summed it up beautiful, it's a Polo with an Audi TT engine, what do you expect it to be like? Electronic Steering, Electronic Throttle and the worlds lightest clutch made for a bit of a boring experience. Sure it was fun being able to do daft speeds in a straight line, but I knew I had to go back to my roots.
When I was 18 I had a very similar experience to what I just mentioned, this time it was with a Corsa C SRi 1.8, a car I had wanted for a long time. I changed cars within 2 months, just like the Ibiza. I ended up with a Saxo VTS which I adored, but it was far too unreliable. I kept that car for around 6 months and ended up eating 2 gearboxes. I sold that, with some regret, and bought my first Japanese car, a Nissan Primera GT (LE).
My Saxo
The Primera.
Now this car taught me a hell of a lot about cars, and gave me endless respect for Japanese cars. If you don't know the GT, it is powered by the legendary SR20, but the chassis is simply amazing. It is such a underrated car. I simply could not believe how well it handled and how easily I could throw it about (at 1440kg). Mine was the LE, with full leather seats, momo gearnob, Enkei alloys
It was only a run about though, I owned it for a couple of months, and soon become tired of putting £70 a week in its tank. My mate needed a cheap car, and I wanted him to experience the Primera, so I found another car I've always wanted, and let him take the Primera for what I paid (around £500 - uber bargain)The next car I had was a Renault Sport Clio 172. To put it short, I wanted a good handling hatch, with good MPG that was fun to drive. I made a mistake buying this car, because I bought an already modified one. I just couldn't bond with it, and for some reason, coming from the Primera to the Clio, I couldn't get used to the handle. If you'd have asked me at the time, I would have told you the Primera was a better handling car. Infact I would still say that today, it may not be quicker around the corners, but in my definition of better, it is better. Okay that was slightly confusing, but if you've driven both I hope you'll understand.
I then bought arguably my best car. If you ask my grandad anyway, that's what he'd say. The BMW! Say what you want about BMWs but they are a single mans best pulling tool :lol: I searched endlessly for an Imola Red facelift 320d, but ended up buying this Estoril Blue one from a Cliosport forum member. Looking back, I know I made the right choice
(If it was a coupe, perhaps the red would have been favored) This car set off quite a few "firsts" for me. It was my first turbocharged car, my first oil burner, my first car with a 6spd box! My first RWD car, my first BMW... I ended up keeping this car for 10 months (a record) - I adored it. Unfortunately after a bit of personal business, I decided I needed a fast petrol car I could just take out and razz the arse off. Which was when I bought the seat, but first a few pics of the BMW, it was beautiful, I spent endless hours cleaning/maintaining it.
BMW E46 Sport Saloon by DanielJames., on Flickr
Quick Pic by DanielJames., on Flickr
BMW E46 Saloon by DanielJames., on Flickr
I loved that car, believe it or not there were 130,000 miles sitting on its odometer.
Now, onto the mistake. I'm sure some of you can relate to me here. If you've ever done something, knowing it was not the right thing to do, hold up your hand. Okay so we've all done little stuff, but what about buying a car? I rushed into buying this car, as my BMW was sold and I needed a car to get to work. This was previously my friends car, I had wanted to buy another RS Clio 1*2, believing that I should give them another chance. Pub figures and the need for speed got the better of me though, and I bought this little Seat. (I did actually go test drive a Milano EP3, but was left cold by the steering feel and lack of low down performance - it felt so slow - but that's another story for another day)
Seat Ibiza Cupra by DanielJames., on Flickr
Seat Ibiza Cupra by DanielJames., on Flickr
240bhp/280ftlbs. It was fast! That was about it, not much more I can say about the car. After this I told myself to never buy another extensively modified car. I couldn't bond with it, and it's still for sale now after 3 weeks. That's the longest its ever taken me to sell a car, it's going on eBay tomorrow.
I also bought a Peugeot 106 GTi at this time, with a broken gearbox/clutch. Replaced both and intended to use that on the road. I had all these fond memories of my Saxo and the way it drove, the way it made me feel. I was meant to have this car after the BMW, the Seat should have never been an option, but when putting the gearbox back on, after doing the clutch, I forgot to connect an earth and destroyed the fuel relay. It took me a while to source another part, and in this time the BMW sold, so like I said before, my inner child got the better of me.
Peugeot 106 GTi by DanielJames., on Flickr
So now, we're up to about present. I've skipped a few cars from my history, I could talk about my experiences all night. Lets talk about Hondas!
I've never owned a Honda before, but I've always adored them. I have many memories of them throughout my life, mostly thanks to video games. Like the Blista Compact was my favourite car on GTA Vice City because it was based on the CRX, I remember seeing the NSX on Gran Turismo and just being in love. There was also a very fit blonde lass that lived near me when I was about 14, and she had a CW DC5. I've thought for years though that a DC5 is going to be my "it" car. The one that I will finally settle on and adore. Insurance companies do not want me to go anywhere near one though. I thought any Type R was going to be way out of budget on insurance, you can't even get a quote on EP3/Dc5's with my company Admiral. At work around a month ago however, I decided for the hell of it I would try and get a quote on a DC2. I was expecting a big fat rejection, "Sorry Mr Silvester, we cannot insure you on this vehicle until you are 43 with 20 years NCB", I actually got a very competitive price back. I phoned up the company to check if it was legit, it was legit! I was over the moon. I went to see 2 DC2s that weekend, one from a dealer which I was expecting to be tatty, and another from a forum member on here. I ended up buying the former, there was nothing in the two cars other than that the dealer car had Rota Slipstreams on, and was around £500 cheaper once we had agreed on a price.
Being back in a car with hydraulic steering assist, cable throttle and cable clutch, is quite simply amazing. The throttle response is instant, the steering is the perfect weight and the LSD is something I certainly do not take for granted. I went out for some pictures, I would like to be a professional photographer one day. Let me know what you think to the pics
015.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
016.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
011.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
031.jpg by DanielJames., on Flickr
I have done a bit of work on the DC2 so far, and have documented it. Unfortunately I can't post it up yet due to bandwith limits on Photobucket, I'll hopefully get it up next week
Dan
tommy vercetti said:
Great history, the Clio is a beauty.
Jw Vw said:
Great write up Danny, really loved the look of your 3-Series. The Integra's are seriously quick cars.
Thanks civic44 said:
Good writeup!
The DC2 has a hydraulic clutch, by the way (at least it does in Japan and in North America). I have a B18 Spec R engine and transmission in my Civic.
Oh really? That's not good, because the pedal is a bit creaky and I was hoping it was just the cable needing lubricatedThe DC2 has a hydraulic clutch, by the way (at least it does in Japan and in North America). I have a B18 Spec R engine and transmission in my Civic.
DanielJames said:
Release bearing is silent, I dont think its a clutch issue its just the pedal I think.
Just done a bit of googling and found a few things to try tomorrow
Hmm, I've done some googling too. Most stuff seems to be pointing to either the pressure plate or the slave cylinder moving the fork. I've always decides to leave it as it needs a new release bearing....Just done a bit of googling and found a few things to try tomorrow
May try the fork idea tomorrow though.
Thanks everyone!
N Dentressangle said:
and a special thanks to you! Wahey!! N Dentressangle said:
Absolute legend. It's been a year since I've been on PH at work, woohoo!Richair said:
Good write-up and you've had some nice cars there! Your current car is my fave though; I owned a dc2 for a while and I loved it. Awesome cars, stick with it 
Thanks mate! I did sort of the same as you, I had a 270bhp Leon Cupra R, had it lowered on coilovers and it was supremely quick for a FWD car, but it just didn't feel that "alive" and was no challenge to drive silly fast. I ended up trading it for a considerably slower but much more involving EP3 Type R, and I've never looked back!
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