GTAm

19-6332 you wanna pic too ? Oh so now the sweetest box was a curse on weekdays ?? Soul - It's hard to describe it even in a Human being , but I'll try...... It's the connection that you the driver, feel with that car. The noise.....like no other.....you know has been tuned and fine tuned by a master with passion to perfection to give you the maximum aural pleasure.....Like the way your favourite songs makes you feel when you listen to it. It's the painstaking human effort that goes into designing and engineering the car and which is shown in the car's perfornmance. It's not simply what it does, but "HOW" it does it........ It's how much "passion went in" to this effort not a thougt like "how can we make a bigger profit?" Or "let's copy that car and make it sound louder than that"..................Before you say "opinions"; I would like to remind you that there are educated critics and uneducated critics. For someone who does not understand art a Piccaso will look like some wierd drawing. He or she will not know the difference between a fine wine and jungle hooch !! Now I'm not saying I am one who knows about wine....to be honest I know very little. But I know there are various differences. While taste will differ. The most informed will know which are the best! And I am humble enough to seek their adicve. It's all the mechanicals working in harmony with each other. It is only an artist who can achieve this harmony. It's how a car is designed to look good even after many many years. Not look like something the cat brought in after its replacement came. "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" yeah right! But would prefer dating Whoopi Goldberg over Natalie Portman? It's the intangible, immeasurable thrill the machine gives you when you drive it. And makes you drive it just for the heck of it. It's the ability of that machine to take you on the longer road which has is full of character with many twists and turns and refuse the long straight featureless highway! It's the ability of the machine to change your character and teaches you that there is more than what meets the eye, makes you stretch your mind into understanding deeper things. Lesson's over for today ! GTAm has spoken!!!

Quite likely and the Exi is just that.....but without the noise

Exactly. It's very hard to criticize your own choice. But I like to look at things as objectively as possible. It is hard for sure. I'm not saying that Italains make the best cars in the world. For example there are many areas on my 156 that could be improved when I compare it with say a BMW. It's Just the most soulful and so enjoyable to drive. Most other manufacturers find that impossible achieve. By the way I love the Mini !! It's a fantastic car and one of the best drives I've ever had was in a Mini 1000. I got down witha grin on my face. It's one of the all time greatest. However I can tell you that the ancient A series engine sounds and feels crap compared with say an Alfa flat four. Mostly because of the difference in age and sophistication in engineering. I don't know about the Beetle as I have not driven one in a long long time. But I actually don't have much interest in them for some reason. Maybe I don't like the shape and the noise. It is a matter of perspective, but there is a good better and best. As well as a average, poor and bad. If not premium cars could never charge a premium price. A good example is Lexus. People don't just pay extra for the badge. There is a lot of sophisticated engineering that goes into them over a Toyota. In less developed markets you can trick the folk for a while but they do get smart eventually.

The new 500 is smaller than the Punto. It's based on the Panda platform. Yeah it seems like a rel winner with rave reviews and it has just won the European Car of the Year award among many others. There's said to be a UK company that transplants a Ducati 999 engine into the rear of the old 500 with suitable upgrades of course! It's not impossible to find one though. But good ones are rare. I have been 'offered' 500s and 600s occassionally. If you are interested let me know and I could inquire and get some leads.

Oh interesting. Any hints ??

Hmmm in that case I must check and see who it belongs to. Yes TopGear did name the 500 as the sexiest car. I have never had the pleasure of driving one but all those who have rave about it, including Michael Schumacher who learned to drive in one!!

Sweetest gearbox on a 146 !!!! No way mate. I drove one for hours two weeks ago, probably the best 146 in the country. No way is it the sweetest gearbox. The throws are too long and not the smoothest. For me the best ever gear change is in the Mazda MX5 ser 1. Second is the Mazda Interplay that I had with a v short throw that just snicked cogs. My 156 should be somewhere in the top 5 of all the cars that I've driven, which includes a new Boxter in May 07 . Anyway there are two models the 1.6 and the 1.7 16V 4 Cam which is the one to go for - 103bhp vs 129bhp. It had many many electrical issues. Thankfully now they are sorted out on most cars. What exactly do you mean by 'feel'? Can you pls describe?

Oops sorry mate

I believe all WRXs are 2.0 and blown. I think depending on the condition (there are a lot of raced and abused ones out there) 1.5 - 2.0m!!??

Well 'worthless' is a harsh word especially when comparing it with Corollas, Sunnys and 323s. I really can't agree about the EK3 EXi though. I drove one quite a few times and was astonished how very ordinary it was. It was .................urghhh I don't want to use the word . The VTEC engine goes some way to make the car more special. At least in terms of noise and they do feel revvier IMO. The dual carbies sounded a bit better than EXi s IMHO. And we owned a dual carb Grand Civic 35X long years ago - 1994 I think The number was 18-8292 or 8797 or something like that. Yes it was quite quick (again in a straight line mostly) in the day but I would not call it a rocket. And there was the small matter that everytime you went over a few ruts you hit the under carriage and that did not give me the best feeling . While my father used the Grand Civic I bought a car for a fraction of that price which which was a world apart from the Civic in terms of performance, grip, noise and comfort. It was a 1985 Fiat Regata 100S (The only 100S in SL) - 1.6 twin cam 100bhp lots of torque, 5 speed, fully specced and 970kilos. 14 sri 1045 (tell me if you find it). I tell you it could run rings round that Civic. In corners you could simply floor the throttle and you know it will not loose grip. On a rough road whoever was driving the Civic had to slow right down while the Fiat just flew over it. Above all it had soul (I still miss it and regret selling it) while the Honda felt like a robot. However the build quality was terrible on the Fiat compared with the Civic. But a short blast in it and you'll forgive all that . We spent 750k for the unreg Civic and just 150k for the one owner (first owner was Harry Jayawardene - yes the famous rich dude) Fiat. This is one of the cars that made me take notice of Italian machines. When I learned that, that Fiat twin cam was designed by Ferrari engine guru Aurelio Lampredi...........well you just have to take note haven't you? And suddenly you know where the magic came from. The impression of the drives I had in it are etched in my memory forever. I can't say this most of the other cars I've owned. And I've had many and driven even more. I don't expect many to understand what I'm talking about since most would not have had the opportunity to own such a rare car in SL. And very few would take such a crazy risk. But I am so happy that I did and experienced so many different cars and learned about those intagible things some cars have. Like I said its easy to make a car go fast in a straight line. What's hard is getting a better average speed on real roads with varying surfaces. And then there's the pleasure/soul factor...................... I really think that the Subaru flat four has a bit more soul than a SOHC Honda straight 4!

About 5 years ago I had a ser 1 CRX for about a month. It was a great car and joy to drive. Very throaty induction from the carb and the handling was sweet. Reminds me of my Alfa Sudsprint a bit. But there was a lot of scary corrosion in difficult to reach places though and I sold it when I got an offer I could not refuse. But I must say it was a real fun car. A true sports car. No PAS but that made the steering feel great. I regularly drive a twin carb ser 2 CRX that belongs to my cousin. The handling is very good but the feel has been diluted a lot. The steering is too light and the engine noise it crap. The ride is no where near as good as the ser 1! But can you find a good ser 1 these days?

I only hope it won't be the reverse where Toyota DNA sneaks into Subaru

Wurth does not have the length I require so I will have to go for Bosche I guess. Any other good brands on the market? I remember having Valeo on my Peugeots.

Hey cool pics Lalithster. Lucky you, you got to see the legendary 917 in the metal or should I say in the plastic !! That guy looks like Walter Rohl. Another Legend. Won the WR Championship a few times. In a Fiat 131 Abarth and in a Audi Quattro. Now he's chief tester for Porsche and helped develop all the new high end Porsches including the Carrera GT. Keep constantly bettering his own Nurburgring records as he tests Porsches. (But recently it was broken by a Pagani Zonda. - 7m 21secs I think)

The guy is not decided. Or he wants a crazy price. Hard to read him. Keeps changing his talk. Anyway I'm not interested as I have a lot on my plate. But one of my pals is, at a right price. If he pulls out I'll inform you. Well about the job on your Bug, I'm not sure how big the damage on it was. This car...........You more or less need an entire body (this is a monocoque) so you need the whole damn thing!!! Are you refering to the 'Stang? If so please check the paper work on that car. I heard a rumour that it may not be all upto scratch.

Considering that it was built in the 70's and in Italy I'm sure you can exceed the factory quality !! There are lots of classic cars in SL that have been restored to better than factory standards. But as I said it not easy finding the right guys and they'll be very expensive.

Hey are you sure it's a 500 and not a 600?? If it is the 600 I know the car as the owner is a friend of mine. And I can tell you, that 600 IS in better shape than this Alfa. Hard to believe but true. The 600 is a lot less complex than this car as well, both in terms of body and mechanicals. That little car had a very famous previous owner who is one of the best racing drivers of our country. That car also has massive racing history beating lots of bigger cars on our tracks. That's why my friend bought it even in that shape.

Hey Ripper I see your point. But my point is not about high spec etc etc. But what is more satisfying for the budget. What do you mean by 'edge'? I get the impression that when you're talking about 100-140 km/h etc you're refering to straight line speed. My point is that you really don't need to get upto those speeds to enjoy your car. Getting up to those speeds last only for a few seconds on our congested roads anyway. And why should your everyday car not be a good driver's car? I can't see why not. As I have owned good driver's cars that make driving a pleasure even with limited budgets . Yes when I refer to the whole driving experience I know it's relative to ones experiences and knowledge. I made that comment based on my (possibly limited) experiences and knowledge. Also you miss my point about the reference to driving on up country roads. More than wining a "race" or saving time, I'm more concerned about the pleasure you'll get from the drive. What a differece it is to drive a car which flows into corners, up and down the roads, as oppsoed to a car that goes in small straight lines when you turn in. I can assure you there is a huge difference. Add to that a nice sounding engine and the whole journey is very enjoyable. Also I like an engine to have noise. For a sporting car it's a must. But there are noises and noises. And I don't think many will disagree that a flat four sounds a lot better than SOHC Honda engine. As for a smooth ride on bumpy roads, Just FYI a more absorbent ride will always be quicker on poorly surfaced roads which are almost every road in SL. The other thing is that the best engineered cars have an ideal compromise between ride and handling. For example BMWs. Anyway getting back to the topic at hand. considering my driving experiences in non turbo's Subarus and various Civics. I found the Subaru to be more enjoyable than the non VTEC Civics I have driven. So IMHO its non VTEC I'll choose the Subaru. If it's a VTEC it will come down to condition and price!

Good question. There is no definite answer. If it's a 70's Italian car, the chances are that its totally corroded. Which means every panel will have to be turned out. Not just the outer ones but the inner ones too. For example on this car the firewall was visibly rusted. This can't be good for the structure at all. I dread to think about what is not visible. As I mentioned the roof and the C-pillars are rusted too. It will take a very talented and patient tinker (Very rare breed) to turn out the body. Secondly the cost. Considering the amounts I've spent on my cars. I think the tikering only on this will cost 200k-250k. Then a good paint job will cost a minimum of 100k. Then there's the small matter of replacing parts. This car has very similar mechanicals to my Giulia and so here are my estimates. Engine rebuild - 150k inclusive of labour, suspension - 100k, gearbox - I have no idea, Electricals - 25k Interior - 50k Then there'll many unforseen expenses (there'll be lots of liitle rubber bits here and there) and factor in your running up and down to the garages etc. Add it all up and it isn't a small figure. This is without the price of the car mind you. So unless you are totally crazy about this car it just ain't worth it. Being a 4 door boxy sedan it's hardly a sexy shape despite the sexy underpinings. i.e. 2.0 all alu twin weber 45 fed twin cam with 132bhp and lots of torque, 5 speed and discs all round. Even in the UK this is not the most sort after unless it's going to be race prepared. Even then this car is too corroded. The more sort after models will have remanufacturerd panels, so that your work is much simpler and you save many man hours which are v v expensive overseas. All cars in this condition will be scrapped for parts in the UK unless its ultra rare and highly exotic. In SL the case is different as you have hardly any choice like you say. So I'd say the body condition is what's most important. Mechanicals can always be sorted, but finding a good body shop is getting harder and harder each day. In the UK many folk carry out the resto themselves and even then they burn more money than the market price of the car. They do it just coz they're passionate about it. I met a guy outside an Italian Car show in the UK who had come in a pristine '73 911 RS replica(he took an ordinary 911 and made it look like that - quite tastefully done). He did his own restoration and it took him six years and 60,000 pounds. The market value for that car is probably a little more than half that!!

Well in his mind its going to be restored ! But in reality it could be junked.

Heh heh yeah. He's crazy. That whitish stuff is cement believe it or not. Every panel, including the roof is coroded. He's left it out in the open for years. Even now the front end sticks out. Its one of the scariest and saddest scenes I've seen in a long time. Some people are so dumb!!!

Nice to see Toyota bring out a car that harks back to its limited heritage.

Wow nice replicas. The Jap boys are on the case too!!! How nice. I'm not sure there was a Mk 1 GTAm though. I think it was only Mk2 and based on the 1750 and 2000 GTVs. Found a rotting 2000 Berlina in Colombo. It was pathetic looking at how badly it's been neglected, especially as it has a successful competition history in SL . As usual the owner is under the impression that it needs just a bit of attention only!!!

Again you are talking about straight line speed (typical non imaginative US ) and souped up engines. Not original engineering. I'm talking about noise and feel things that you can't measure with a stopwatch but have to live with everyday. Things that will determine how happy or not you'll feel using it with each drive. The VTEC twin cams sounds a LOT (when it hits the sweetspot) better than the other engines. I'm not as familiar as you with various series etc. But all I can say is some of those engines sound sh*t. It opposite of sporting and anything to do with motor sports! I'm sorry if I offend anyone who owns these cars, but this is my honest opinion after driving them.

Well that argument can only be settled on a race track. However I don't think that a car with poor handling can keep up with a car with very good handling even with a small power advantage. Especially say on our upcountry roads, given both drivers are equally competent. With mods to the suspension you can improve things to a certain extent. However the basic design should be sound in the first place if you want to really achieve a big difference. Or you have to modify it so much that it ceases to be that car at all. But we're talking about standard spec cars here, right? As for FormulaD....well its a completely different ball game altogether. And don't forget the AE86 is tricked up as you say and we don't know how much. Anyway the Viper is not one of the best handling sports cars around. It's a straight line car like most American machines, save the new Corvette Z06. Besides that the AE86 should be tons lighter and so quicker in corners.