Ekona

I have to admit, my favourite cars tend to come from the here and now. I could list you half a dozen dream cars from the last year I want, but only the same number from, say, 1960 to 2000. Old cars don't really float my boat too often, whereas some of the newer stuff excites me very much.

So I finally got a chance to attack Jo's Impreza yesterday, after only having it nearly a year! This was a fairly exhausting job given that the paint on the car is actually tougher than I expected, given the notorious tissue-paper thin quality of most Jap paint, which sadly also meant I didn't actually have anything abrasive enough to really get out 100% of the marks on the paint. Tbh I've cleared 99% of the swirls, it's just the deeper marks which I can't shift. Anyway, onto the pics of before: All taken at about 7:30am, hence the moisture on the car from overnight. It is, to be frank, quite filthy! Irritatingly enough I didn't get any shots of the wheels, but they were cleaned with Espuma Revolution using some Envy brushes, and then I moved onto washing the car via TBM with some Zymol shampoo (not my first choice, but I decided to get a bottle as a tester) and then clayed with a Megs blue clay and their bulk QD: So at 9:30am, much better! Normally I'd be quite happy with that as a clean and leave it, but I really wanted to see how good I could get that paint so carried onwards. The following shots were taken at the end of the day, so 4pm roughly. Products used were Megs UC on a Menzerna polishing pad on a DAS-6, followed by some Menzerna FF3K on an identical pad, and then some Blackfire Wet Diamond on a Menzerna finishing pad. That last stuff really is the absolute nuts, despite it being very expensive (comparatively) it is worth every penny. I topped it all off with a layer of DJ Supernatural, which I'll talk about after this last set of pics: It's the difference between the second and third side shots that gets me, such a difference in tone and reflection. Going back to the DJ wax though, I used that trial pot I sourced from Tim at Envy a few months back, and I was a little bit sceptical of it at first. Yes, everyone raves about it, but then they rave about a lot of cheaper products that I've used and discarded because I found something better by far. My current was of choice for the 911 is the Swissvax Zuffenhousen, which is incredible stuff but costs a bomb. It's too early to say in terms of how long it will last, but so far I have to say I think the DJ SN is actually a superior product. It goes on far easier than anything I've ever used, including liquid waxes, and because of this you can get a really nice thin coat without having to struggle with it. I left it to cure for about an hour whilst doing the interior, glass, tyres etc and then went to remove it with an average microfibre. It came off almost as easily as it went on, and I don't mean that in a bad way. It had cured properly, left a wonderful shine to the already-gleaming paintwork, and didn't leave any dust as some waxes are want to. I'll see how long it lasts, but right now I'm thinking of swapping the Swissvax for this stuff. Tim's right, it's an absolute joy to work with. Thanks for reading, I appreciate this isn't as exhaustive as others on here and the pics are minimal, but I just wanted to give an overview of how good some of this stuff can be if you want to give it a go.

Thought the 12s had flared arches? Some beautiful cars there Neil

Yup, just drive to the conditions If it's that bad (monsoon, ice, hurricane etc) the they can red flag part of (or the entire) day and you'll be lucky to get anything back, but that's incredibly unlikely.

It's very simple to install: Put foot on pedal. Watch lid open. Put chip in bin. Job = carrot.

Lol, if you don't want to deal with idiots then don't sell your car on eBay!

What could possibly go wrong, buy it before someone else does!

I've spoken to the Team about this and they've very kindly let me put this thread in here for maximum exposure on the off-chance someone will be up for it In short, there's a group of us going away for a driving holiday to the Isle Of Man during the school Easter break, and a place has suddenly become available due to one person not being able to come now. Basically I'm looking to sell his spot, cost was £584 but please read on if interested. The Isle Of Man is one of those incredibly rare places that has roads to rival anything in Wales or Scotland, but with the bonus of no speed limit so if the road allows you to do 120mph, then you can do 120mph! A few of us went there a couple of years ago for a couple of days and loved it so decided to go back this year again and do it properly, however one guy broke his leg on Friday (clean break above the ankle, ouch) and won't be able to drive for 6 months so I'm trying to sell his place to get some money back for the poor guy. The accommodation is the 4-star Mount Murray Hotel just outside Douglas, complete with golf courses and gym/pool and a cracking restaurant as well. We're leaving Liverpool on the morning of Sat 31st March and returning Thursday 5th April afternoon, but we've also got a hotel booked on the 30th of March in Liverpool so we don't need to make a long trip first thing on the 31st (most of us are based in the south). The roads there will suit a Zed perfectly, I had immense fun last time there in my roadster, and 130mph was seen on the speedo more than once...! We've got various cars coming including 911, MR2 and VX220, age ranges are between 23 and 50+ with teachers, tradesmen and professionals, so a very broad spectrum and we're all very friendly people if you wanted to hang around with us! If you just wanted to do your own thing then that's perfectly fine as well, genuinely don't mind at all. As I've said above, the original cost (including hotel in Liverpool) was £584 for a car + single room, however if you wanted to come as a couple and bring the other half then it will probably be another £80 I guess. Tbh we're going to lose the place regardless so we are open to offers on this, anything is better than nothing! PM me if you want more details, but suffice to say it's a proper driving Mecca combined with enough stuff to keep the womenfolk happy, perfect Easter break!

It will, but like all glazes there is no replacement for some elbow grease and some fine cutting compounds. I've got a bottle of it I've used a couple of times and it's very good stuff

What did the dealer say when you presented them with these facts?

F40 is ugly. F50 is by far the superior car, proper engine too

Just three little numbers. 917. Not a single bad line on that car.

But he only paid £36, so still better off

Looks like a roller skate on wheels that big. However, aside from that it looks stunning in that colour

No ads during the race at all. I suspect there will be ads during the gaps in qualy, though.

I may have been tonight though!

I'm sure there's ways and means of watching this for free though Stunning stuff. Can't wait for the season now.

You're really missing out. If this taster is indicative of the real thing, then this is p*ssing all over the Beeb from a great height.

What's the single seater at 1:21? Great video btw, once I get my track car sorted this year I'll be on some of those days

Would I ever buy part-worns? Nope. Would I ever sell them? Yup, and have done. Each to their own, no reason not to buy if they're in good nick, just not something I would ever do.

Thanks guys so best route is to pay to get the work done and go through Trading Standards? No, you MUST give the dealer ample opportunity to fix it. Do it in writing, too. Of course, if they don't then yes, go elsewhere and get it done but prepare for the court case.

WINZORZ

Sky F1 is really, really impressive.

Lol, good point

Apart from more engine wear and increased weight, along with (presumably) less storage space you mean?