Dynamic Turtle

Almost all new cars depreciate and I'm sure the MkI buyers purchased knowing they'd lose a packet of the subsequent years. Who cares? It's an awesome looking car compared to all the homogenous eurobox stuff out there. The MkII looks great to some people, who may or may not buy them, Nissan keeps bringing them out here despite it being financially questionable to do so....which is great for us. Really, what is the big deal?

Looks like you're going to have to start saving for that 911 GT3 after all...

I'm perfectly capable of handling the immense power. What I'm trying to say is when you put your foot down in a Zed, you're going to pick up speed very quickly. As you know, when the roads are cold and wet, this can be dangerous. Therefore, I think I'll get frustrated pootling from A to B every day not using the car for what it was made for. In a GT86, you put your foot down and it takes longer to pick up speed. Similar to hire car syndrome, you can be thrashing it and having the time of your life, but not actually going that fast... It's not dangerous, the zed has loads of traction / grip. Very much unlike the GT86 with its shopping trolley wheels (which is the whole point). Modulate your right foot a bit!

Im at Spa tomorrow with a mate who drives a 182 Cup and other than long straights theres nothing between my coilovered, wide tyred, uprated brakes 350Z and his pretty much stock car. Youd be surprised .......... I've just booked Spa for mid November, and am praying it won't be a total blizzard on the day. First time there and very much looking forward to it.

Taken from my earlier..."review" of the 86 at Bedford last week. I also did seven laps in a GT86 and I have to say that is one brilliant chassis - really smooth, progressive oversteer and the engine (despite reports to the contrary) seemed great to me - revvy, eager and sonorous for a 4-pot boxer. I really like this car and while it lacks the mechanical grip of something like an Exige it was a hell of a lot of fun to chuck around and not as slow as you'd think. The brakes also held up surprisingly well, although it's only dealing with 1180kg kerb weight. I do think you're a bit mad to go through all the hassle of selling the 70, and getting an 86 just for the sake of the 300 odd miles a year you might do on track. And if you are going to spend a lot of time racing then you'd probably want something you can bin and not cry about, so a £3k MkI / MkII MX5 is ideal for that as ekona said. It'll have broadly similar power / weight and chassis dynamics. And as for wanting to sell the 370 because you can't handle its immense rwd power in winter; stop being ghey.

Thanks for the explanation.

Sorry does that mean you need an uprev to see any power gains? Mine is already uprevved, so would I need to remap the car again? Are these best done in conjunction with airbox upgrades? Are they worth the hassle expense (always struck me as a bit pointless but there you go) How much power would this add to a DE? +5bhp / +5lbft ?

Keep it - the Escort will go up in value while the Zed will keep falling. Leave it long enough and the sale proceeds could put you in a GTR and a less well-maintained Cosworth to actually get some use out of!

Without having an uprev done after fitting it?!

I like what Mazda have done by bucking the forced induction trend with these very impressive Skyactive engines, and by sending the MX5 to fat camp was a good idea. I still think it's too "effete" for a bloke's car - GT86 anyone?

Steve, it was about Ekona and SMD saying they wish they had a 370ZN ... honestly Nooooooooooooo My £35k will be going on a 3/4 year old XKR next year, 5.0l V8 Supercharged 510bhp is pretty apt having witnessed a 2010 XKR SC spinning out of control at Bedford yesterday. The owner said he switched the TCS off despite the monsoon (what a tool). You have been warned!

Wow that TTRS is fast but....it starts at £48k without any options so not really a fair comparison to the £30k RWD NA zed. I'm guessing Audi RS servicing is up there with the GTR in terms of running costs too i.e. eyewatering? Seems like 4wd, launch control and FI is the way forward for big performance! WRT comparisons to larger machinery would it keep up with higher displacement 911 turbos and GTRs over 120mph where the fun really starts?? And is that "golf chassis" really up to track duties lol??

Do they have different insurance laws in Scotland?! Seems bizarre and monumentally stupid regardless - the vehicle insurance market is so very broken and this is yet more proof of it.

Turned out to be a very enjoyable track despite the lack of elevation changes. Much longer than I had anticipated (full GT course), with some pretty difficult corners and a "wipeout section" right in front of the paddock for everyone to see you spin into oblivion! Everything from 4WD scoobies to Exiges did pirouettes and it also gave me a serious wobble, despite pussyfooting around after seeing previous errors. Highlights included a £90k GT40 replica from Scuderia Autosport with an absolute amazing Ford 5.4l V8. As usual the GT3 RS and GTRs thought they owned the track... I was the only Zed out of 60 cars there. Moderate to heavy rain all day made for an interesting drive - I'm liking these stiff Whiteline ARBs although they're definitely for sideways show rather than go. The MPSS felt better in the wet than RE050 and gave more progressive oversteer feedback with the Whitelines (running 31/30PSI F/R). It's also the first track that has really made me think what a good differential would do for the Zed's handling - something to investigate. I was previously a bit disappointed with the DS2500 pads but they held up to repeated abuse very well so all is now forgiven. Initial bite is so-so on the road but they never once faded on track. Worth the money despite the incessant squeal the generate in town braking conditions. I also did seven laps in a GT86 and I have to say that is one brilliant chassis - really smooth, progressive oversteer and the engine (despite reports to the contrary) seemed great to me - revvy, eager and sonorous for a 4-pot boxer. I really like this car and while it lacks the mechanical grip of something like an Exige it was a hell of a lot of fun to chuck around and not as slow as you'd think. The brakes also held up surprisingly well, although it's only dealing with 1180kg kerb weight. Other than that Bedford was the usual Palmersport operation - very slick, well maintained facilities and great customer service. Would definitely head back there. Thoroughly recommended and don't listen to the "elevation nazis", it's a fun track! DT

Just did a very unscientific test on the slow lane of the M25. These are trip computer cruising figures @ 55mph avg. The 101 was probably 30% tesco99 left in the tank. I filled up with v-power with about 10% 101 octane in the tank: 101 octane racing fuel @ 153p/l - 39mpg 97 octane V-power @ 144p/l - 33mpg 99 octane Tesco @ 131p/l - 36mpg So in the case of 101 vs V-power I'm paying 6% more for 4% more fuel that translated in a faintly believable 18% increase in fuel economy. The value proposition falls against Momentum99 - only 2% more economical given how cheap it is (and not including clubcard vouchers, which might render it equal). Anyway I found it surprising despite how unscientific this all is. Why is 95 octane so popular? Is the market structured like this to get punters in the petrol stations more often for overpriced red bull?

Hmm. Can you guarantee that I'll leave with a Dompers-induced headache and a Russian girlfriend I can't afford?

Anyone been to this? Worth the outlay for a ticket (£200)? Certainly looks pretty swish...

A subtle improvement - hopefully door handles being next on the agenda? They look totally gash on a black car.

Think we just found ourselves a new forum mechanic...

Looking forward to not hitting a barrier this time :-)

I'd have to agree re Switzerland, it is absolutely stunning. We went there while the mountains were still snow-capped (early June) and it was even more fun charging the Caterham through meltwater on cut slicks! If you're looking for a similar experience on a tighter budget then I can strongly recommend SW Slovenia / NW Croatia. The roads aren't quite as enthralling but this kind of road trip is usually undertaken with a passenger (no?) who might appreciate the lack of hairpins. Beautiful countryside...

In that context she doesn't look too bad at all. Nice place to work / live btw, certainly prettier than Lewisham...

Well it looks like he's been clucking another chicken...

Fujitsubo like a bit of exhaust girth don't they?

Lol let's just say it was covered in a thick patina of "meh".