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Post by John Parry on Oct 22, 2008 15:15:03 GMT -5
Well, I've put my deposit on it anyway.
As a family man I have always been envious of the people who could drive the mad performance cars of the motoring world. So when I decided to go for what's possibly (probably!) going to be my last good effort I was determined to go for something that could move a little.
But, also as a family man, I am very aware that the latest 'hot hatch' or sports car wouldn't be 'me'. As my son commented as I cast sidelong glances at the Mazda RX-8 - "It would do your back in Dad..." Probably right, but hurtful nevertheless!
So, I've gone for a Q-car. A gentle looking family saloon with all the internal features (including, for my son's benefit, sideways seat support). A Mazda 6 MPS. Ford engine and a massive turbo (256 bhp), and turns itself into a 4WD as soon as it feels the demand.
Probably won't change my driving habits of the last 40 years, but hey, am I looking forward to meeting those boy racers!
Regards - John
ps I probably will let it change my driving habits!
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Reiska
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Post by Reiska on Oct 22, 2008 15:55:57 GMT -5
Congratulations John! It is a racer in a camouflage. I am sure, that you will feel young in that car. I envy you, but take care, 250 hp and a DSC makes you easily feel, that you are Lewis Hamilton, though I know that you are better.
Reijo
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 22, 2008 16:50:06 GMT -5
Good for you, John. I'm envious.
Back in the days when I was road testing (it feels like centuries ago) I had the chance to try a few high-powered 'projectiles' like works rally cars - though even they they weren't nearly so high powered or advanced as they are now.
But I tried them on a test track or at places like Silverstone and Donnington where there's plenty of grass to drift off onto if you overcook things - and scared myself silly a few times.
I sometimes watch Top Gear and still feel the old urge but, alas, I know I'm past it now. I'd probably overdo it, lose it completely and do myself a real nasty.
Enjoy your new car and have lots of fun with it. Having a lot of power under your foot is quite a feeling. But do please keep in mind that public roads are not a test circuit or race circuit. Overcooking things can have much more dire results. Bending a car is one thing. Bending yourself isn't recommended in the best books.
Have fun and stay safe.
PeterW
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Post by Randy on Oct 22, 2008 19:00:09 GMT -5
John, sounds good to me. I haven't had a new car since 1980.
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Post by herron on Oct 22, 2008 19:43:16 GMT -5
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Post by nikonbob on Oct 22, 2008 21:06:35 GMT -5
John
I had to look up what the MPS part was, thought it was a Mazda 6 with the newest MP3 player installed. After seeing a few Utube videos I was going to suggest you hang onto your hair when you are at the wheel but then realized that you had that angle covered or uncovered as the case my be. Looks to be a real Q-ship alright and I hope you thoroughly enjoy it.
Bob
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Post by John Parry on Oct 23, 2008 18:52:05 GMT -5
Ha! Ron how did you manage that? lol
My wife always loved Toyotas, but I was never allowed to even look at the Celicas or MR2s. Even the Lexus' were out of bounds!
Even so, it wouldn't be 'me'. My kids think of me as a family car man, and so do I. The only possible exception to that would be for my first, and only, sports car love. A Morgan V8. And even with the credit crunch, that's never going to be attainable...
This deal has ground to a halt (third time now). But I'll keep trying. Eventually the owners of these lovely cars will realise that they really aren't worth what they were 3 months ago.
Regards - John
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Post by renaldo on Oct 24, 2008 11:18:57 GMT -5
Mr. John...
Hang in there! I have had 4 convertibles in my life and 2 of them were considered true sports cars...2 seaters. Am 66 and would love another...kind of gravitate toward a Ford Mustang.
Our son tells me I would look rediculous in such and at my age I am "supposed to drive an older persons 4 door sedan".
Hmmpff!!
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Post by Randy on Oct 24, 2008 11:40:29 GMT -5
John, you should get one of these! www.moyermade.com/chevyV8.html And people say us camera people are crazy! I could just see Dr. Wallage working on one of these in his flat. Vrrrrrrrrrooooooooooommmmmmmm!!! |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 24, 2008 15:21:51 GMT -5
Randy: John, you should get one of these! Never worked on a 1/16 scale model, Randy, but quite a few years ago I rebuilt and tuned a full size big-block Chevy engine for a friend who was building a Cobra replica. Tripple Hollies, tuned exhaust etc. Quite an awesome machine when he finished it, though I had to lay out the stering geometry again for him. After that it went more or less where it was pointed. Far too much power for the chassis though. In a bend you steered more with the accelerator than with the steering wheel. Ah, happy days!  . PeterW |
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Post by Randy on Oct 24, 2008 18:00:58 GMT -5
Over here the old big block Chevy was called a "Rat motor" Peter. I'll give you 3 guesses what the small block was called and the first 2 don't count. lol
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Post by herron on Oct 24, 2008 19:55:58 GMT -5
Hang in there! I have had 4 convertibles in my life and 2 of them were considered true sports cars...2 seaters. Am 66 and would love another...kind of gravitate toward a Ford Mustang. Our son tells me I would look rediculous in such and at my age I am "supposed to drive an older persons 4 door sedan". Hmmpff!! renaldo - Since when are we supposed to listen to our children's advice? After all, did they often listen to ours?  You would only look ridiculous if you felt ridiculous ... and I have a sense you would feel like I do in my 'Vette ... just great!  ;D |
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Post by Randy on Oct 24, 2008 21:55:28 GMT -5
Hey, who's that young good lookin guy in that avitar?
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 25, 2008 5:57:50 GMT -5
Randy, LOL! To work on the Rat Motor I used a ratchet wrench. You know what a ratchet is, don't you? No? Well it's something a bit bigger than a mouse s*** OK, I'll shut up. PeterW |
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Post by John Parry on Oct 25, 2008 10:09:08 GMT -5
Randy - Looks like Eddie Cochrane to me!! BTW, I've never had a new new car in my life.
Ron - My kids generally talk more sense than I do, but I'm with them on this, so there's no conflict!
Renaldo - I don't want a sports car (apart from that long obsolete Morgan !). When I was a young chap I actually had enough money to buy something decent on the second hand market, and looked at several, including E-types and the Lotus kit car that was going the rounds at the time. And concluded that I didn't want a 'comfortable drive'. I wanted something scary (hence the Morgan!). Oh yes, I would have gone for a D-type or a DB6, but there were never any of those around (different planet!). And then I got married...
Strange set-up really, it's a bit like eBay. All the main dealers are taking cars as part-exchange for their own new models, and put them on a dealer network site. The main dealers of the Part-ex cars get priority over all other dealers, but if someone decides to buy the car from the original dealer, that trumps everyone else. So it can appear like last minute 'sniping'. Happened to me 3 times so far, as I'm refusing to pay any more than the post-credit crunch value. The outfit I'm dealing with agree with my valuation, and are hangin' in there.
Just living with Peter's philosophy that there'll be another one along in a minute. Bought a lovely Praktica VLC at a very reasonable price on the same basis, so I'm quietly confident...!
Regards - John
ps I've got to the stage now where I want a comfortable drive - but I want the Dark Side as well !!
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;D 
