docwra

Well positioned to comment then? Ive owned a 172, a Lancia HF Turbo on Grp N suspension and 3 GTI-6's. Ive also owned 8 (more?) 200SX's from bone stock through to over 400hp and fully track specced, a few BMW's and obviously my 350. On track Ive used everything from Mk1 Escorts through to 500+hp Skylines. This kinds negates your road conditions/power to weight etc arguments as well as Ive probably already experienced the differences on both sides of the coin. And I am the most attractive man in the world, as with all other humanity related facts. That statement is rubbish mate, you cant generalise like that without any eviudence at all. Im talking from personal experience of owning and driving all of these cars in all conditions, I can produce at least 5/6 people with exactly the same story as me - wrote off FWD as being crap, got a very good FWD car, changed mind. FWD is definitely more accessible, but in most situations Ive got just as much control over the back of my 6 as I have my 350Z - see earlier comments regarding trail braking and weight distribution. The 6 is standard BTW, the Zed is modified Back to my original point, all Im saying is dont write FWD off as not being as good as RWD until you have experienced a good one. With respect, you almost certainly havent.

Interesting you say that - when I was trying to get a drive of a Focus RS, the first place I called up told me, point blank that "they dont do test pilots" and that I wouldnt be able to drive one without putting down a deposit. I said that was ridiculous to ask someone to spend £26K on a car without driving it first, he told me to like it or lump it. Called the second garage up and got "We dont do test pilots ........", at that point kinda lost it at them, pointing out that I had a test of a GTR lined up in two days and had been out in a 997C2S and a Lexus IS-F the day before, and a 996 Turbo the day before that. I asked them what the justification for Porsche letting me drive a 75K car but Ford refusing on one thats only worth a third of the money ........ suddenly they did give tests and would this afternoon be OK sir?

I used to preach this on a daily basis (hell, my other car club put FWD in the swear filter and changed it to "scrabble" ), and from 2000 until 2010 everything I owned was RWD. In that time I also became a competent drifter, pi**ed about on snow and ice, did trackdays, road trips and all sorts in a variety of RWD cars. Then I took the Zed off the road and needed a new daily, so bought a 306 GTI-6 Peugeot, and pretty much from day 1 I was converted - its more fun, its faster through bends, its more precise, theres more feedback from it and obviously you can drive it "spiritedly" in the wet, rather than crapping yourself most of the time. ITs taught me to trail brake, to use lift off oversteer to change angle of attack and to use the engine more for weight distribution while driving as well. Ive since driven 205GTi's, 172/182/Cup/Trophy Clios, a Focus RS, and had a quick go in a Lotus Elan and Integra Type R and pretty much all of them are more rewarding than a Z33, with a whole lot less risk attached. Im sure most will disagree and Ill be called a philistine and a retard, but until you have driven a properly sorted FWD car you have no idea of how good they can be. In a straight statement, although my HSD'd Zed is fantastic, the Pug will beat it for speed and enjoyment in pretty much every situation. Im not saying one is better than the other, but dont write cars off because they arent RWD, they can still give an incredible drive.

Id be tempted to try this - "either you give me £1500 or Ill speak to trading standards" might get you as nice bargain. Other than that, run, even if you are holding scissors at the time.

We are down there with the usual SXOC team + support vehicles, highlight last year was the full disco setup and being able to watch the Canadian GP on a 42 inch TV If you see a load of 200SX's (well, BMW's mainly these days) parked on Karting Nord rock over for a drink

Focus RS > 350Z but only if you need rear seats. ST's are great, do what I did though and buy a £1000 GTI-6 and a Zed as well

There are better about for the money IMO. If you arent getting the V8 then dont bother, get a 530d instead :nod:

Sweet Jesus, I got a full Chargespeed kit modified to fit +70mm custom metal arches, all fitted and the whole car painted for less than that. And it doesnt look like an accident either

19's and decent ride height make all the difference on a widearch car, that said Im really not a fan of that kit anyway, the fixings on show just look @*!#. Custom metal arches FTW

It feels very much like a grown up MR2, but it's almost a tad unfair in the comparison. The 987 S I had back in the summer is much closer, and you can really throw it into corners with huge confidence, which was one of the things I loved about my old MR2. It's wonderfully balanced, and is the most complete sports car available today. Well, until the 981 comes out properly, of course. I've not driven a 997C2, was it a gen1 or gen2 car? I've driven a 997.1 T4S which is a fabulous car but I'm not a huge fan of 4WD in the 911. Gen1, felt very skittish on the road and nervous on turn in, interior felt cheap and tacky (still better than a 350 mind you ) ....... the engine was very good but felt quite a lot more toppy than I remember the 996C2 being Really struck me as the best car for the money only if you have to have a 911 TBH, was disappointed as I really liked the 996 Afraid the Boxster still holds a bit of a stigma for me TBH .... although I am still using an MR2 as a daily at the moment

Totally agree. I was conscious of that and tried to ignore the fact I was waiting for my 911 to come back to me, but it does sound very snotty when you write off a £50K coupe as not being feeling special! TBH, when I drove the 997C2 I was saying pretty much the same thing. Really nice and all, but not what I was hoping for in a £75K car Awesome write up though, stupid Q perhaps but how do you feel the handling compares to a lighter MR car, perhaps an MR2? Seems a bit of a strange choice making a 1500KG MR

Bit OT, but do people still really care about 0-60 times? I saw VBH doing a road test of some 350hp Scoob the other day and she uttered the immortal line: "With a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds its faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo" No it isnt you stupid hussy, it means it gets its 200 odd less horsepower down very slightly slower than the Scoob does

Standard 350Z's dont have particularly attractive rear ends, I agree. Widearch ones with Chargespeed bodykits and big fat wheels look a lot better IMO, as in that picture. Thats all.

Errr, I just proved I dont have an ugly arse ........ well, my car doesnt anyway.

In my experience even when it is designed for run flats its still a hideous ride. Hateful things IMO.

Speak for yourself Like I said mate, if your Dad likes it then its good work all round - Id still try it 30mm lower though (even as a photoshop) as I bet he'd like it more

Are the looks because people want it though? Not a big fan of the cars, that one looks like most that have been "modified" as well, overdone IMO - a nice set of rims and some lows are all they really need as they are a pretty car as standard. As others have said though, theres clearly a lot of time and money gone into it and if your old man likes it then Some bigger wheels and a 30mm drop would transform it though, believe me

18's on the front, 19's on the back. Winning combination

Rained all weekend here, so couldnt even get pics, never mind wash the thing

TBH Chris, as a specialist that knows his business inside out, that the biggest problem in recruitment these days - everyone claims to be a specialists in everything, clients believe the spiel then when it comes to the crunch the recruiter fails to deliver the bacon. I then call up with a proven track record, sometimes even a direct recommendation and I get told that "agencies are a waste of time and dont know what they are talking about"

Not through that gearbox. Or the clutch, driveshafts .......

Yeah, I loved it when it first came up but now its like a Failbook clone, where everyone accepts everyone and thats diluted a lot of the attraction. Ironically, the influx of recruiters and agents clogging the whole thing up is one of the things thats put me off it ........ although as a recruiter, weve made some good contacts though it

Yeah Lee, your "mates" girlfriend, whatever

LHD, £1000 coilovers, no adjustable suspension arms, 8.5/9.5 wheels running spacers, standard interior, no additional gauges ......... racecar my wobby arse. Thats overpriced by about 100% IMO. At least.

Theres a 500hp 205 GTI for sale on Pistonheads at the moment .........