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Post by Eff One on Dec 17, 2022 9:13:40 GMT
I don’t really understand why your not in a type R already. You appear to be doing some serious tyre kicking. If you love it get it bought. What’s the point in messing around with a Fiesta if the civic ticks all the boxes? Money.
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Post by Eff One on Dec 15, 2022 13:31:23 GMT
Buoyed by the news about our ailing Focus (see End of the Road thread) I've been considering Fiesta STs again. A bit more research suggests that the Mk8 has its niggles but is more robust than I had thought. And prices have dropped dramatically in recent months, making it a hell of a lot cheaper than a Type R. The Civic is still top of the list though, I can't get that test drive out of my head. It's too soon for shortlists really but I've been keeping an eye on the market. I think it's a similar situation to Porsche, with a lot of overpriced cars taking root on forecourts. These three are all at main dealers (I wouldn't buy a CTR without a Honda warranty) and all have been on sale for a while - over two months in the case of the grey one. I suspect any of these dealers would be open to an offer. This is the one I drove: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211151697760?atmobcid=soc3One of the cheapest available at a main dealer: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021317803?atmobcid=soc3Preferred colour: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210120643576?atmobcid=soc3
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Post by Eff One on Dec 15, 2022 13:04:17 GMT
After a protracted wait, the Focus went into Hendy in Fareham yesterday - where it took the techs all of an hour to determine that the engine is indeed terminal.
But Ford have agreed, with remarkably little fuss, to replace it at their expense. I'd heard that they were having to replace a fair few early 1 litre Ecoboosts, but wasn't hugely optimistic that our 9 year-old, 95k mile car would be covered.
It's going in next week and will probably be out of action until January. As soon as it's fixed, Mrs Eff wants it gone.
Am really rather relieved, that has saved us at least £2.5k.
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Post by Eff One on Dec 12, 2022 16:22:34 GMT
Bullet bitten. Should arrive in December. Gentian Blue Full black leather 18 way seats Anthracite Chestnut wood trim GT Design alloys in Satin Platinum Panoramic roof Roof rails Standard air suspension Surround view camera Bose Wireless charging Heated steering wheel Heated windscreen Privacy Glass PDLS+ Sport Chrono in Bordeaux Red Collapsible spare wheel Power steering plus Porsche logo in black Are you still expecting it this month?
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Cardle
Dec 12, 2022 16:13:47 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Dec 12, 2022 16:13:47 GMT
In two, the wheels gave it away.
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Post by Eff One on Dec 2, 2022 10:35:11 GMT
In one, obviously.
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Post by Eff One on Dec 1, 2022 16:53:56 GMT
Test drive day yesterday.
Hyundai called to cancel - logistical snafu - so the i30N will have to wait for another day.
At the Honda dealer, there was a refreshing lack of faff. The salesman gave me a form to sign, took a picture of my driver's licence, handed me the keys and left me to it.
Outside, the Rallye red Type R looked, if anything, even more deranged in the metal than in photographs. And more than a touch intimidating.
But I found it easy to get comfortable, all the controls falling neatly to hand. And - some cheap-feeling minor controls aside - it feels special. The build number plaque, the (freezing cold) metal-topped gearknob, those red seats - which grip me in all the right places.
It fired to a smooth idle with just the merest hint of intent... and with little drama, off we went. It took me half a mile to realise that I wasn't having to think about driving it at all.
Despite being longer, wider and three times more powerful than the Focus I'd turned up in, it was incredibly easy to place, riding firmly but not uncomfortably on scarred country roads, the controls already displaying that lovely machined feel.
I've read a hefty percentage of the words ever written about this car, so none of that came as a complete surprise. But it was great to finally be experiencing it first hand.
I gave it 10 miles to warm up on the A3, discovering in the process that the gearing is quite short, even in sixth (2700 rpm at 70mph) yet noise levels are acceptable. Louder than a Golf R, no doubt, but quieter than my old Focus.
I don't know the area particularly well, and what I'd seen of the side roads - narrow, occasionally single track, often 30/40 limits - didn't inspire me to take any liberties with nearly £30k of somebody else's car. So I did a couple of 'laps' between junctions on the A3, using roundabouts and sliproads to get a feel for the balance. And the performance.
The engine is magnificent. I chickened out at 5500rpm in third gear on a sliproad, at which point it was still building to a crescendo and emitting a very purposeful metallic yowl. It's docile when you need it to be, savage when you want it to be, unburstable, free-spinning… pick your journo cliché, they're all true. Certainly the best four cylinder engine I’ve ever experienced.
I had heard great things about the steering, often described as ‘meaty’. In the two sportier drive modes it did initially feel quite heavy, certainly compared to the (overlight) helm in my wife’s MK3 Focus. But like everything else, you acclimatise in moments. It’s fantastically precise and confidence-inspiring, with weight in perfect proportion to cornering load, giving me plenty to lean against. I didn’t push hard enough for a full impression of the feel on offer, but even at modest speeds it was there - better and more consistent than I remember my Fiesta ST being. If I were to nitpick, I’d want the leather on the steering wheel to feel a little more leathery, but it’s perfectly sized and shaped.
I didn’t trouble the brakes very much, but like all the controls there is absolutely no slack in the pedal. It needed a firmer push than I’m used to, but the response, again, was directly in proportion to the effort I put in.
The chassis has many more talents than I was able to uncover, but regardless of speed, load or surface the tyres felt keyed into the tarmac (admittedly on a perfectly dry day). It turned with absolute poise, with virtually no roll, all of a piece, and always felt smaller and lighter than its 4.5m/1400kg.
The overriding impression is of a very fine piece of precision engineering, built to last under sustained hard use. This particular car showed some cosmetic signs of having been enthusiastically enjoyed, but there were no signs of wear either in the interior or mechanicals - it felt factory-fresh. Of course it was loaded with FG that I completely ignored, aside from the reversing camera which is very useful.
I clicked with it so quickly and easily that it wasn’t until several hours later that I was able to assimilate how brilliant it was. I had very high expectations, and they were more than met. Sometimes it is okay to meet your heroes.
Now there’s a bit of thinking and negotiation to do. I will try an i30N in the next week or so and then make a decision. Prices have been slowly dropping, but are still sky-high - the four year-old car I drove is stickered at £28,425 against a list price when new of £33k. Even in full Man Maths mode that is a reach, and with everything else going on it doesn’t feel like the best time to be dropping £25k+.
But I’m not getting any younger, and I’ve already waited nearly three years to get back in a ‘proper’ car.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 30, 2022 9:07:45 GMT
£46,995. Bloody hell.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 25, 2022 18:23:53 GMT
I've grown to sort of love the Type R's looks. Clearly there's something wrong with me.
Anyway, back to back test drives are booked for next week - Civic and i30N.
I should probably try a Golf GTI as well.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 25, 2022 11:30:43 GMT
I'll find out soon enough, but my understanding is that it's the i30N that has the uncompromising ride, while the Civic, with its adaptive damping, is something of a Jekyll and Hyde Car.
Never had a car with infotainment so have nothing to compare it to, but it would hardly be used. I use Google for navigation and never listen to music in the car.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 23, 2022 22:44:52 GMT
No idea why but I can't get excited about BMWs. In any case the budget would only stretch to the earliest, leggiest examples and over 90% are autos. I really want a manual while I can still get one.
We're not having another Ford. Our MK3 Focus has let us down badly (suspected warped head or cracked block) and there are too many reports of Focus RS's suffering the same fate. The Fiesta isn't quite big enough in any case.
The i30N is worth a look. The Fastback would seem to tick most of the boxes and prices are a little lower than the Type R. There's a dealer across the road from work, I'll have a look.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 23, 2022 22:29:15 GMT
Not workijng for me, could be the connection at my end. What is it? Civic Type R.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 23, 2022 21:14:47 GMT
Its supposed to be pretty special to drive and ticks all your boxes, so if you can live with the looks, then get one bought while you still have permission! It won’t do the motorway / holiday miles as well as a number of other hot hatches, but I don’t think you do a lot of that, so won’t be an issue. Are you going to look for one with the toned down styling, or go full on ASBO?! Word is that they're a lot better on long trips than you might think but it's something to tick off on the test drive. The Sport Line (toned down version) is probably still a bit too expensive so it'll have to be the full Asbo. Ideally in grey, which tones it down a bit.
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Post by Eff One on Nov 23, 2022 21:04:08 GMT
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Post by Eff One on Nov 23, 2022 19:54:43 GMT
For something interesting. Her pre-requisite is that it must be reliable and able to comfortably carry all three of us and a holiday's worth of gear (not unreasonable) which means that the GT86 is out, sadly. And of course it must be quick and involving, easy to live with, have a manual gearbox and work on the motorway as well as a B road. And it needs to be a bit special. The list - for me at least - is surprisingly short. There are some boxes to tick and details to iron out, but the most likely candidate is one of these - possibly even this one. I'll be going to look at it as soon as time permits: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211151697760?atmobcid=soc3(awaiting chorus of derision)
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Post by Eff One on Oct 28, 2022 9:09:30 GMT
A few weeks back, the newer of our Focii (2013 1.0 ecoboost) was reluctant to start one morning, the starter motor spinning for ten seconds before the engine caught, followed by 30 seconds of rough idling before it settled. This continued intermittently until it went in for its scheduled service, when the garage - naturally - couldn't replicate the problem.
It was fine for a week or so before failing to start for my wife. We left it a day and tried again. This time it started, but felt like it was shaking itself to pieces for about a minute before settling. As before, once the idle had settled it drove fine. But I'd spent some time on various forums by this point and, with a sinking feeling, took it back to the garage.
Sniff test confirmed exhaust gas in the coolant (they'd already found a coolant leak) which means either head gasket, warped head or cracked block - or possibly all three.
Either way, it needs a new engine. Waiting for a quote and deliberating how to proceed.
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Post by Eff One on Oct 28, 2022 8:33:03 GMT
It's on sale in the US now for $42,895 which suggests a similar price in sterling when it arrives here.
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Post by Eff One on Oct 27, 2022 9:38:41 GMT
The contrast stitching might be nice but the pricing is a joke! Porsche option prices as a whole are pure comedy. £200 for different coloured seatbelts made me giggle, as did charging £400 to have Boxster 18 inch wheels on a Cayman or vice versa. £1k or so for an LSD actually sounds like reasonable value until you remember that it should be standard on a £50k sports car with 300bhp.
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Post by Eff One on Oct 17, 2022 16:40:04 GMT
I can't see how Truss can take PMQs on Wednesday. Her whole grand plan is in tatters, she has destroyed the reputation of her party and country and lost all credibility. +1. Gone within the week, I reckon.
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Post by Eff One on Oct 7, 2022 11:00:14 GMT
I seem to be in the minority having enjoyed it. The delay was annoying as was the wait for a confirmed result.
But I love an underdog victory and thought Perez drove the race of his life in challenging conditions and under constant pressure.
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Cardle
Oct 4, 2022 18:23:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Oct 4, 2022 18:23:20 GMT
In 3. Manufacturer was easy, got lucky with a guess on model.
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Cardle
Sept 30, 2022 14:42:13 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Sept 30, 2022 14:42:13 GMT
Manufacturer was easy but all the models look the same to me and I never got the right numbers +1. I saw one, all in black, in Marlow a couple of weeks ago. Very impressive but looked a bugger to park.
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Cardle
Sept 29, 2022 10:47:54 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Sept 29, 2022 10:47:54 GMT
This is the first time I got it in one. Always loved these.
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Post by Eff One on Sept 28, 2022 17:38:23 GMT
Ok this isn't funny any more. The hedge fund Tory donors who've been shorting the pound will have topped up their billions by now, are there any donors who AREN'T these types that might get a say now? That's the first explanation I've come across that makes any sense. The notion of borrowing extra billions and then handing it to those that need it least in the hope that they'll spend it is just about the most indefensible crock of shit that I've ever heard.
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Post by Eff One on Sept 15, 2022 15:24:21 GMT
As a card-carrying SUV loather I fully expected to hate it, but don't. Probably because it's visibly lower than the norm and just about avoids the inherent wrongness of SUV proportions. And the jacked-up Roma look, weirdly, isn't a complete disaster.
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Post by Eff One on Jul 22, 2022 9:03:06 GMT
I like that they've gone down an inch on wheel size (20 to 19) to reduce unsprung weight.
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Post by Eff One on Jul 21, 2022 18:12:45 GMT
I'm not sure about the front, there's something a bit bulbous about it and the overhang looks too long. But it's a lot less shouty than the FK8 certainly.
Of course it will blow everything else in that segment out of the water.
According to the article it goes on sale in Japan in early 2023 which means we're unlikely to see it before this time next year.
The previous model went on sale for a fiver under £31k in 2017; this one will be the wrong side of £40k I expect.
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Cardle
Jul 21, 2022 10:45:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Jul 21, 2022 10:45:33 GMT
Failed miserably. Got the right make in one and then completely forgot there was an earlier model in this class! Same here. Right make, wrong model although I guessed too early.
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Heatwave…
Jul 18, 2022 21:57:16 GMT
via mobile
Post by Eff One on Jul 18, 2022 21:57:16 GMT
We're close enough to the coast here to take the edge off, but both the local independent weather station and my makeshift thermometer under a tree peaked at 35.4C - an all time record for the weather station, which has been broadcasting since 2006.
When the current UK record was set on 25 July 2019, the temperature here was in the high 33s.
By shutting all the windows - curtains as well upstairs - and opening the loft hatch and velux skylight, I managed to keep the inside temperature to 28C upstairs. Not too uncomfortable, and it's coming down nicely now.
It's going to rise incredibly quickly in the morning though - 22C here by 6am and 30C by 10am. Never seen anything like it in the UK.
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Post by Eff One on Jul 2, 2022 10:32:47 GMT
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