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maybe its about this: What I like in a car: * power. Power from a v8 engine. * RWD * build quality. no creaks, no rattles, no wind noise or draughts. * features - Climate, PAS, tilt, EW, heated seats, leather, wood trim, tints, memory adjust, etc. give me an electrically opening glove box and I'm there. * handling. Or something close to good handling. * kick ass audio system * chrome. You need chrome. * sports mode auto trans. Some kind of paddle shift might be a chuckle although I never got on with the "slap stick" you get in Cadillacs [and others] with sports boxes. * reverse sensors. I had them on our Mazda and they really are useful. * touch screen menu system. I like that way of setting the vehicle options. * integrated blue tooth. I think thats something missing from my life right now. That and adaptive cruise control. * more power. * sufficiently large that parking it in an NCP becomes an antisocial activity. thats about it. Sounds like your "suffering" from Lexus. Good innit! Some have an LCD rear view mirror. Not sure what it is or why it's useful. But that's not the point of excess. Give me ultrasonic wingmirrors, heated seatbelts and steering wheels that move out the way when you get in the car. Give me seatbelts that put themselves on for you and cars that park themselves. Give me a reason to say to my mates in decidedly newer cars "Oh, so yours doesn't do that?" GIVE ME EXCESS!!! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!
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Last Edit: Nov 3, 2009 17:35:32 GMT by Soopahfly
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No, thats pretty much it. Especially as its winter. I lose all mojo for anything at all in winter. I need to move to a sunnier climate really. Horrid, isn't it. Have you tried a light box? I have found that they really help, and they don't need to take up extra time in the day; you can use them while eating breakfast or whatever. Maybe I just have the wrong old cars. No offence intended, but I think you could be right there. You seem to like a Luxo-barge as your main car, and the more 'luxo-' the better. IIRC, you've had big Vauxhalls, then Yank Tanks, and now the Lexus; each time getting more luxurious, and thus closer to your ideal car. Maybe you got into retros as they were an easier way of getting some luxury, when luxury cars didn't really have many toys, and were just more refined, but now a 10-year-old Lexus is in a completely different league to the older stuff in terms of luxury. Maybe you should look for a retro to have just as a toy. Something completely and utterly impractical, from a T-bucket rod through an MGB (maybe a v8) and on to a Lotus 7 type thing. Something that you want to drive just for the sake of driving it.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,537
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Alistiair. The trouble is you committed the cardinal sin. I shall whisper it in case anyone else sees this and feels that way inclined. You bought a modern carIts obviously difficult to come back from something like that.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Remember LEXUS is Luxury Export for United States. They just made a better Yank car than the Yanks. Remember you Lex might be a modern, but it is a 10 year old modern, practically Banger territory. My old Celsior was a 1991, bordering on a classic. Think about getting one of the very first ones with the new box and the VVTi as a project and keeping the modern one as your daily. Lextreme will sort your tuning needs should you wish to get the good horses going along with the VIP looks. Once I get somewhere with a drive, I'm still torn between a hearse, a Yank, and an LS400 to go alongside the IS200 (again close to 10 years old but still like new) as the weekender.
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I believe you would feel a great deal different if you had an old American car that worked as it was supposed to, without breaking. Reliability in an older car is an expensive pursuit, but it can be achieved. I too understand the need for electronic toys and comfort, but equally I have a well sorted out retro car that gets much more use as it has remained my preference, because when i go to it, it works. If I wasn't sure about it, I'd never buy it.
Perhaps you need to own my Estelle for six months. It has none of the things listed above, yet I have a 5 series and Shogun and newer Skodas to choose from and I still drive the Estelle...
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maybe its about this: What I like in a car: * power. Power from a v8 engine. * RWD * build quality. no creaks, no rattles, no wind noise or draughts. * features - Climate, PAS, tilt, EW, heated seats, leather, wood trim, tints, memory adjust, etc. give me an electrically opening glove box and I'm there. * handling. Or something close to good handling. * kick ass audio system * chrome. You need chrome. * sports mode auto trans. Some kind of paddle shift might be a chuckle although I never got on with the "slap stick" you get in Cadillacs [and others] with sports boxes. * reverse sensors. I had them on our Mazda and they really are useful. * touch screen menu system. I like that way of setting the vehicle options. * integrated blue tooth. I think thats something missing from my life right now. That and adaptive cruise control. * more power. * sufficiently large that parking it in an NCP becomes an antisocial activity. thats about it. I'm slightly confused as to why is it "acceptable" to install these things in an old car, but not to want them in a new car? As the MO says: Or is it just because Akku would be buying a car rather than building it? Surely the answer would be to put your stamp on it in another way? Or do some people just dislike the VIP style? Or... I don't know where this thread is heading either.
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Last Edit: Nov 3, 2009 20:18:44 GMT by Rich606
1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary.
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Shush, I'm trying to convince him he isn't losing his mojo. Might need to locate a copy of that book though.
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Raoul Duke
Part of things
Posts: 990
Club RR Member Number: 117
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Losing my religion...Raoul Duke
@raoulduke
Club Retro Rides Member 117
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I like heated seats.... ....What I like in a car: * power. Power from a v8 engine. think small-block Chevy install, no other mods required (stay with me)* RWD Check* build quality. no creaks, no rattles, no wind noise or draughts. Check* features - Climate, PAS, tilt, EW, heated seats, leather, wood trim, tints, memory adjust, etc. give me a n electrically opening glove box and I'm there. Check* handling. Or something close to good handling. Check* kick ass audio system err.. check? There's plenty cash left over for it, anyway* chrome. You need chrome. CHECK!* sports mode auto trans. Some kind of paddle shift might be a chuckle although I never got on with the "slap stick" you get in Cadillacs [and others] with sports boxes. Actually, best forget this one* reverse sensors. I had them on our Mazda and they really are useful. Maplins. Get inventive with Dremel and pog and no-one will know.* touch screen menu system. I like that way of setting the vehicle options. Bo****ks to that.* integrated blue tooth. I think thats something missing from my life right now. That and adaptive cruise control. And that. Why not just remove half your frontal lobe while you're at it?* more power. See point 1* sufficiently large that parking it in an NCP becomes an antisocial activity. Almostthats about it. I give you: People will laugh at you as well, which is always a bonus IMO.
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...a redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash...
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an old American car that worked as it was supposed to, without breaking. Hahahahahahahhahahahahhaahaaaahahhhaahaahahaha.......
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Your car is not 'epic', this thread is not 'epic'....the OCEAN is epic, the UNIVERSE is epic.... please stop misusing this word!! It would appear Hotrods are the new VWs - aint fashion funny! '69 BUICK LESABRE 350
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They just made a better Yank car than the Yanks. Lexus wasn't pursuing American brand buyers. That's what Toyota was busy doing (with its partner at NUMMI, GM, along for the ride). No, sir. What Lexus was doing was making better cars (supposedly) than the GERMANS. Lexus copied Mercedes so closely, including styling, that from 100 feet with the logos taped off, you couldn't tell one from the other. It was grand theft auto intellectually. Period. No question mark. MB got tooled hard!
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Team Blitz Ford Capri parts worldwide: Restoration, Road, or Race. Used, Repro, and NOS, ranging from scabby to perfect. Itching your Capri jones since 1979! Buy, sell, trade. www.teamblitz.com blitz@teamblitz.com
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They just made a better Yank car than the Yanks. Lexus wasn't pursuing American brand buyers. That's what Toyota was busy doing (with its partner at NUMMI, GM, along for the ride). No, sir. What Lexus was doing was making better cars (supposedly) than the GERMANS. Lexus copied Mercedes so closely, including styling, that from 100 feet with the logos taped off, you couldn't tell one from the other. It was grand theft auto intellectually. Period. No question mark. MB got tooled hard! Yep. and as MB slipped further and further in their build quality & reputation, Lexus got better & better
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Your car is not 'epic', this thread is not 'epic'....the OCEAN is epic, the UNIVERSE is epic.... please stop misusing this word!! It would appear Hotrods are the new VWs - aint fashion funny! '69 BUICK LESABRE 350
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MWF
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,945
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They just made a better Yank car than the Yanks. Lexus copied Mercedes so closely, including styling, that from 100 feet with the logos taped off, you couldn't tell one from the other. It was grand theft auto intellectually. Period. No question mark. MB got tooled hard! Totally, in fact I personally believe this is one of the reasons for the IS200 clear rear 'Lexus Lights' I've never liked them and Photoshopped them red in a picture, then realised I was looking at the back of a Merc!
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Mike D
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,197
Club RR Member Number: 57
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Losing my religion...Mike D
@v8mike
Club Retro Rides Member 57
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The whole modern v old debate is subjective. I've got a W210 E320 Merc as my daily. it's big, it's got the AMG suspension package, so it handles well, it's reasonably fast, it's quiet, it's comfortable, its an auto, so i can drive around lazily on the way to work, its got climate control so i can stay cool and my wife can keep warm, I can fit lots in it, it has an awesome stereo, and yesterday i hooked up the car trailer and drove 350 miles picking up an old Beetle with it. I've also got lots of old cars. And not one can compete with the Merc in all round useability. But, I like old cars. I tried getting rid and having 1 modern car a few years ago, and within a month i'd bought a manky old Beetle roadster. Then a couple of mini's, then some old Japanese cars. Having one car just doesn't agree with me, i get bored too easily, but, I also get frustrated quickly if the car i have to drive 30 miles to work every day goes wrong or bits stop working. I drove a heaterless Beetle to work one winter, and scraping ice off the inside of the screen at 6am is no fun! Wait til summer Akku, you'll find your god
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Okay, I'll put on my Dr. Phil hat and solve all your problems easily! First problem: cold saps mojo. Solution: move to Australia, preferably South Australia. Cars rust much slower, no roadworthy inspections/MOT and petrol is much cheaper than the UK. Sorted! Next problem, which car to buy: Now, it's obvious that you may have to think hard to get here, but bear with me. Let's say that you start with something old which already has the V8, RWD, vast size, climate, steer, fast glass, leather and suchlike basics. Plenty of big Yank tanks have it, but we'll choose Cadillac for the sake of argument. So, start with this: or even this (rwd conversion may be required) Build quality will be a tricky one, but with a combination of Dynamat-style resonance damper and huge quantities of foam and sound barrier, any car can be made whisper-quiet. Think of the full strip-down required for installation as a bonding session to get to know the ins and outs of your car! Whack in a big sound system, integrated Car-PC and reversing sensors and we've pretty much got everything covered. More power is always available from plenty of avenues, and we'll dismiss handling as a ridiculous request from an old Cadillac, unless you want to start going the aftermarket suspension route with a Mustang II front end and all that. Job done! Now doesn't that feel better?! ;D
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and there is always the option to junk the emissions gear and convert to a megasquirt/petrol/E85 + sequential LPG if you want to improve the MPG and enjoy getting your hands dirty doing it.
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and there is always the option to junk the emissions gear and convert to a megasquirt/petrol/E85 + sequential LPG if you want to improve the MPG and enjoy getting your hands dirty doing it. Dude, I'm having difficulty getting a car with a single carb and conventional distributor to run and drive acceptably... As for weather, my bro is trying to get me to move out to Hong Kong with him, keeps sending me details of jobs paying 2x what I earn and couple of nice penthouse appartments I could afford on the sale of my house. I think I'd like that but MrsKu won't move more than like 20 minutes from her parents. I wouldn't need a car at all in HK so I could probably have some really daft toy there. Or an ex-Taxi Nissan Cedric. Or not bother at all. I think my problem is all my cars (except Lexus) are projects needing more work than I can afford to do to them, even if I had the time, which I don't.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Alistiair. The trouble is you committed the cardinal sin. I shall whisper it in case anyone else sees this and feels that way inclined. You bought a modern carIts obviously difficult to come back from something like that. We use a modern car as daily , G plate Sierra Ghia ..well it's modern as far as I'm concerned When it falls over I will put the engine in something older ;D I used to rep for a living and have had many brand new cars and I must say they hold no real appeal for me. They are without doubt comfortable and efficient but , in the main , totally souless and certainly not 'involving ' in the drive. I drive retro cars because they are NOT what everyone else has , especially after I play with them.
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,558
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and there is always the option to junk the emissions gear and convert to a megasquirt/petrol/E85 + sequential LPG if you want to improve the MPG and enjoy getting your hands dirty doing it. Dude, I'm having difficulty getting a car with a single carb and conventional distributor to run and drive acceptably... As for weather, my bro is trying to get me to move out to Hong Kong with him, keeps sending me details of jobs paying 2x what I earn and couple of nice penthouse apartments I could afford on the sale of my house. I think I'd like that but MrsKu won't move more than like 20 minutes from her parents. If you can persuade Mrs. Ku, then do it - my sis spent 3 and a half years out there and had an amazing time - would be a fantastic experience for the Ku-Let as well! I have a similar problem with a position in the Netherlands and the Mrs. I do understand the feeling though - now I have my E46 that does everything I need and want for it to do, it is a struggle to get the enthusiasm going. Perhaps selling all of the projects, taking the hit and then getting something that fires the mojo and is a bit less hassle to get going? Rysz.
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Losing my religion...10mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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OR....
Sell all your projects bar your favourite one, and book that into a reputable mechanic/body guy and get it how you want it!
then wait for the sun (should be just peeking out by the time the cars finished) and then roll around in your fully sorted/shiny/noisy/retro/classic...
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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