The G Man

hi Marty, there were 15 of us, on our way to Loch Doon via some very interesting B roads

It actually got worse, "I love the gearchange in this", "The steering wheel has a lovely feel", "I love the driving position" and other inflamitory comments!! I even found myself commenting "Yes, love, but think of the poor side vision", "Look, you're only getting 10mpg, very thirsty you know". Ended with, "can I drive home from your mums?", too late, she was out her mums in record time and in the drivers seat before I could say "Boo"

Maserati's are beautiful cars, I love the Grand Cabrio Sport My dream site http://www.maserati.co.uk/

Got my Zed brand spanking new last September. Great, well pleased with every aspect (could do with an incab boot release, but hey ho). At the time I was just off of crutches after a bad ankle twist with deltoid liagament damage (still not right), so didn't really get to drive her much in the beginning. As much as I tried, and before the onset of our heaviest winter in years, I couldn't get my good lady to drive the Zed, she had only just got used to the 8 (after 4 1/2 years) and was enjoying that when I traded it in. Gentle cajoling, bribes, smooching (yeuch!!), all failed to get my good lady interested in driving her. Valley trackday I thought, that's just the place to have a go, wide track, huge run offs and a well disciplined attendance of fellow car enthusiasts, nope!!, after ONE, yes ONE of five sighting laps, driven by me, no way was she going to drive! Tried to get her to drive on Mway, A roads, B roads, various times of the day and on different days, nope, wasn't happening!! Today, her cars exhaust bracket for the hanger, split. Can't use that I tell her, needs fixing, could drop off. Use mine I said, I'll go round the block with you and see what you think. Sure enough, she gets in, adjusts the seat, mirrors, steering wheel etc, foot on clutch and presses the start. A stupid grin appeared as she set off, nice and gently round our crescent, ok lets go a little further I said. As she changed down a gear, the rev match kicked in, "What's that?" she asked, told her (I told her about it a couple of dozen times before, without success of brain penetration), "Ooooh, I like that", she chuckled, then we went for a drive and visit to a garden centre, she started to short shift up and down the box, just to hear the throttle blip, and everytime she did it she let out an exited, "Grrrrrrr", this got louder and more manic, until it got to the point where she was shouting to cars in front, "Grrrrrrr, get out my way, Grrrrr" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've created a monster now, who has finally stuck the spare key in her handbag, I fear yesterday at the Springmeet will be the last drive of my beloved Zed

Cheers mate Can't wait to get all on Let me know the final cost and I'll fire off payment

I've not experienced the "clunk" in first, I take it, that it was when the gearbox was cold, I'm assuming a manual here BTW?

It's two years old with no Connect Premium and although it's got the GT spec wheels, there's no mention of the rev match, so probably still a bargain but a premium will still be asked for with the extras I've mentioned. Private seller as well, so who knows their personal circumstances Priced to sell, so money wanted fast I'd say.

Had a few comfort braking wobbles yes First time on track with the Z, it'll be different next time Why don't you come along the next time and show us how it's done Long time since I was called a lad

I'll let you know mate, I went for these rather than a decat, as I would like to have the car slightly noisier than the Akro provides, but also to give her a better map when I get round to that. Had a wee listen on you tube, linked I think from Berks site, sounds awesome

Hope the Mrs isn't in when they're delivered

If going from Chester is Dover definitely the best/easiest place to get the ferry from. I'd say so. If we book tickets for a specific time and miss it can you just hop on the next ferry (people tell me you can but that sound nuts?) Check your terms and conditions, I wouldn't risk it, I know you can get on an earlier ferry if you tip and there's spaces How easy is it getting on the ferry and how do you know where your going when you get to the docks? It's well sign posted and you'll get a post code for the satnav off of the ferry operators site. How easy is it doing the reverse on the way back......is some French type going to launch an onion at my head for being in the wrong lane. Haha, no, it's more evident where to go on the French side. Some have recommended the overnight ferry which is great but it'll mean being awake for about 2 straight days - 1 of which will be driving on the wrong side of the road! They're ok but expect to pay an arm and a leg, I'd go for a quicker crossing then a hotel after a few hours. Whats is like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Really easy, just stay relaxed and generally continentals are more courteous, keep a sharp eye on the M way exits/entries, remember it may seem like you're going the wrong way. Is there any weird driving rules I should be made aware of (like in America your allowed to go through a red light if its safe......and shoot someone if no one sees) In France you have to use dipped headlights in the rain, also the hi viz vests (you need two), must be accessable from the driving cab. In Belgium, I can't remember, in Germany, have good lane discipline, you'll also need a full set of replacement bulbs and for some countries 2 warning triangles. Would you take the Zed (maybe 500 to a £90 tank if motorway driving and the 'driving' experience, Sat Nav I've never used) or the Lancer (600 miles to a £70 tank, more boot space and a Sat Nav I'm already familiar with). Money isn't really an issue but I'm still stinging (or more accurately Carla is!) from cancelling the flights and only getting £50 of £250 back (a special letter has already been submitted to complain!). Take the Zed, you'll regret not having it in Germanywhen you hit a de-restricted Autobhan. Just don't take clothes or throw Mrs Ricey's shoes overboard on the ferry. Do I need to modify the car in anyway to be legal on Euro roads? Strictly speaking the lights need some of the stickers from Halfords for the lights, they're not expensive and they have a catologue to get the right set, 10 or so big Euro trips I've only used them once, you'll not need them if it's only day driving, unless it rains. Would you recommend a night in France on Bruges on the way to Deutschland? Yes, Brugge would be my reccommendation.

Well put Al

On the plus side, the road that Stobo is on has a wicked straight, very, very fast, the grush and moss really makes for interesting grip characteristics. Still giving it to her for the weekend? Keep it off her and join us on our epic spring meet on Sunday

Hmmm, RX8 eh? The Zeds V8 is similar to the Rex's V6, were you in the RX8 club? I'll have a look for you and will ban you if you are When are your parents taking you back to school, does your dad know you've pinched his credit card and works computer to spam forums?

Got the reply today from my PM last night Chris, but no other messages mate I'm only on 71/300 messages so can't be that, anyway got the payment details from your last, so I'll sort that today

He does know how slow I am, doesn't he? Don't worry Chris myself or Mark will keep all posted on future events A few laps with Neil will give Liam a bit of a thrill, that's for sure

Cheers They're looking at doing another similar event late August, early September Now Mark (dino1now) has joined up to say thanks, I'm sure he'll post up on the next event, in any case I will

You could try, have you got a spare wheel though or another car of you boo boo? Might as well be a trip to a tyre fitters. I had a lovely set of 370 logo ones on mine, for about a week before they were nicked and like previous cars I've put fancy caps on, I put a bit of copper grease on the valve threads

Superb video and lovely noise coming from your car On the third vid you can hear when you went slightly off line at the first right hander after the home straight. That gravel makes a scary noise The chicane on the back straight is where I got lost Turned in right, then kept going right to a tyre wall There's very little in it between Neils re-mapped 350 and the 370, and Neils superior driving negated the 370 power advantage

That was me!! I could drive the 8 to it's limit, the 370 is a bit different, either that or I'm getting tooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooold Never managed a lap on my own the whole day!! Good to give cabbies though Nice to have met you, I didn't twig that you were rarerims , discount sorted then

Nice one Mark Hopefully now that some piccies and vids are up, the next one will be packed with Zeds Great day, great weekend and I even had a wee libation or seven on saturday night Watch out for the next one boys and girls

Welcome get the pics up, there are some on here that will come and poke you with a jobby stick if you don't

Here's a wee vid from the Skyline http://www.youtube.com/embed/AsGzl5ZH7I8?

The day was brilliant Neil was one of the lucky ones that attended the visit day on Friday as well Thanks Chris for posting the piccies, great to meet you and Liam and the other guys from here Oh and BTW, the two bears up ^^ there are called Fud and Fannie The owners of them, my wife and my mates wife said they reminded them of us