New to Porsche, the forum so hi

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: overlord

The porker failed its MOT today in spectacular style, 3 pages of little silly things,

Silly little things are annoying [] but at least they are not insurmountable if you have the time to get under the car and address them all. Were there any major items that you need any advice about?

 

[Guest]

None Paul, biggest job is the brake line overhaul. Then non MOT belts, tensioners and chains.

I am looking into costings for the work to see what i am doing with the car.

 

[wizard]

ORIGINAL: overlord

850 93-97 and S/V/C70 series cars can hike from 225/240 to 304/310bhp respectively for £400 in the shape of a 20 minute ecu remap off the shelf. 400ft lbs of torque too so mid range they are devastatingly quick. Off the mark they are terrible due to the front wheel drive. Wizard you are not alone, i have shamed many proper cars whilst driving a T5, and like the 944, alot of go for the money

Wahey! my next project - now the 951 has gone, and SWMBO now wants a C70 convertible to keep our current C70 coupe company. All I have to do is convince her the Turbo version (high powered version) is the way to go.
I find the C70 GS (2.4 non turbo) is quicker than it feels but one aspect that gets me ,at first I thought it was a bit of a boat and wallowed, but now haivng given it some stink through some twisties it handles OK its just you get chucked around inside and even at low speeds. I suspect a sport pack would help a little.

However, I find the need for an estate car to be more beneficial in the current circumstance, I have had in the back of my mind the idea of getting a R70 or RS6. Maybe next year ....

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: overlord

None Paul, biggest job is the brake line overhaul. Then non MOT belts, tensioners and chains.

I am looking into costings for the work to see what i am doing with the car.

If they really are silly small things then it would be a shame not to go ahead and do them. Sounds like it would make a good project for someone with moderate technical ability and a bit of time, who doesn't need to drive it everyday. (Alternatively, I do know a nice place which does MOT's by post. You send them a photo of your car and the old certificate, and they'll send you a nice shiny new certificate. I can send you the address, if you like ... )

However, the belts and chain will cost a fair bit. Looks like a good car tho'.


Oli.

 

[Neil Haughey]

RE: The Mondeo

Strange how some cheapo interior parts and a Ford badge makes what is/was in reality a great drive into a shed in most peoples eyes.

RE: Octavia

Yes its hard to see how you can go wrong with a decent spec diesel Ocatavia estate for about 16K. Loads of space, better interior IMHO then the similar golf interior, loads of toys/gadgets for little money, totally reliable etc. etc. The Octavia won car of the year in the 2006 Auto Express readers survey with one of my currents favs high up the list as below...

RE: 4 pot Diesels

Only one I have driven that I was remotely impressed by was the 2.2 in the new civic. Amazingly good engine, no turbo lag at all instant power of off idle and keeps going all the way past 5K. Also very smooth and quiet for a diesel. First time I have driven a car with a diesel that wasn't 6 cylinders and in the front of a BMW/Merc and didn't hate it.

I agree completely about the alfa/fiat/Saab 1.9 mjet diesel. It feels totally gutless of off idle and then the 150 horse are unleashed in tiny bursts. Just as well that the gearchange is really slick because you need everyone of the 6 speeds. Its easy to see why ppl that have known Saab's for a long time tend to stick to cars like the 9-5 aero.

The older VAG diesels have an OK power band but they are so unrefined they really shouldn't be anywhere else then in tractors.

My current thinking is to drive the 9-5 into the ground and then get a Honda Accord diesel in metalic blue with tan leather interior

 

[Fen]

My older unrefined VAG diesel does sound like a tractor, but it runs for nothing and it's never going to break.

I think your positives re: the Skoda pretty much sum up why I wouldn't recommend a Mundano - beaten soundly by a VAG product for similar money and let's face it the Skoda badge has far more cachet in 2007 than a Ford one.

 

[Hilux]

Mini One diesel

Rare, not quick but not slow either, fanatastic handling, superb brakes, looks the DB`s and no matter what you do it returns at least 47 mpg

Wifey`s had one from new and I love it. Got the sports/chrome pack, looks like a cooper and bomb proof residuals.

 

[zcacogp]

Paul,

I bow to your experience of the Mini One Diesel, but isn't this the one with the diesel engine from the Toyota Yaris, and boasts a 0-60 time of 20-something seconds? I have never driven one, but I thought they were dangerously slow ...

I must be wrong!


Oli.

 

[Hilux]

They might be slow 0-60 but through the gears on the twisty bits or once wound up at speed on dual carriageways they are superb (for a small engined car)

An anallergy would be a well driven S2 against a Turbo. You really need to try one, highly recommended.

It`ll do 100 all day on a motorway and still do 47 mpg. I`m sure there are other super diesels out there but none would put a smile on your face IMO

 

[Fen]

I like the new Mini, though the only variants I have driven are the old new Cooper S with Works pack and the new new Cooper S turbo. Both were dismissed as too slow, though the new new Cooper S with Works might be a cracking car.

Residuals are only bomb-proof if you don't spec loads of options (and if you do spec some essential ones) and it won't last forever is my prediction. There was a time when both the Boxster and the Impreza has solid residuals and now the hind quarters has fallen out of both models values.

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

I really hate the new mini I think it looks horrible, sounds horrible (the new Cooper S turbo sounds alright still not great though) and there is something else about I don't like but I can't quite think what it is, but the really sad thing is that working for BMW I have to drive them everyday.
I can think of one really great diesel the 335D is a brilliant car great handling, really fast and looks great as a coupe with the M Sport package.
I think that with the new fiat 500 coming out and everyone moving on from one I suppose the only thing you can call them is fashion products to the other the mini values will drop as I have noticed that there is a lot of interest in the new 500 and not so much of the mini.

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: Fen

My older unrefined VAG diesel does sound like a tractor, but it runs for nothing and it's never going to break.

I think your positives re: the Skoda pretty much sum up why I wouldn't recommend a Mundano - beaten soundly by a VAG product for similar money and let's face it the Skoda badge has far more cachet in 2007 than a Ford one.

All to true. The GF has a mk5 golf with the SDI engine. It sounds even more like a tractor then the latter turbo diesels but it never misses a beat and always seems to return amazing fuel economy. When it goes back in the spring somebody is going to get a very sound appliance.

I think many ppl have missed just how credible Skoda has become. Look at how strong the residuals are on the cars thesedays. Compared to how much a 3 yr old mundano is likely to be worth its a no brainer. Even the new one will plummet because Ford always follow the stack'em high philosophy and they will likely offer huge discounts to fleet buyers meaning that in 3 years time there will be a flood of cheap ex-rep mondeo's knocking about. Saab did the same thing with the 9-3, to much insane GM influence.

IMHO the new headlight design on the "new" mini is what makes it look very odd. Still a desirable car though but I am too practically minded to ever buy one as a run around.

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

My experience of Saabs was in the driving of a hard-topped 9-3, with a view to a purchase for my parents. That struck me as not quite borderline dangerous, but it really inspired absolutely no confidence whatsoever on anything other than a completely straight, flat, dry road. Introduce a corner, camber or water and you suddenly had to slow everything right down to stay shiny side up. I was shocked that it was so bad (and made my feelings quite well known to the dealer who loaned it to us.) If that was a saloon, I dread to think what the ones without a roof are like ... shame, 'cos they are (as has already been said) very very pretty cars. (With lovely interiors too!)
Oli.

Who said Saab's don't handle? OK I might have said it a few times myself and I drive one. This new 4wd drive 9-3 they are bringing out looks interesting, :

http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/08/saab-turbo-x-why-those-20hp-dont-matter-so-much.html

If this is even a remotely true picture of the cars capability then I am stunned.

 

[sawood12]

Saabs are very capable cars, I can vouch for that. In a straight line they will keep up with a 944T no problems and handling is good enough to keep up with a 944 on normal roads. In fact the other day I had a bit of fun with one and he was stuck to my bumper like glue. He was definately wanting it worse than me though as when I hung back behind a string of traffic he went to overtake a line of 5 cars with oncoming traffic bearing down meaning they had to move over to give him space. It obviously wasn't as quick for him on that particular occasion!

I'm also a fan of the new mini. I would never own one myself, they are too girly, but I drove my wifes more than she did in the 4 short months of ownership. Handling is terrific and they've done a good job of capturing the essence of the original Mini, although the original is still alot more fun to drive. Not sure I agree with the bomb proof residuals though. That has been true in the past when they were fairly new but I know of a few people at work who are struggling to sell theirs at book price, and they are good models with all the right options. In fact we nearly took the plunge with a Cooper S as it was such a bargain (£2k below book price) with all the gadgets (Xenon lights, climate control - not A/C, half leather, Chilli pack) but we really need a larger 5-door car so didn't take the plunge. It is still for sale after 4 months on the market.

Diesels - i've driven alot now through work and I think they are deceiving. They are cleverly geared to give you loads of punch from low speeds but at motorway speeds I find they are not that impressive - unless it is an Audi A6 3.0 TDi Quattro - that is a car. I think we'll probably get one for the wife though as they are cheaper on fuel, but only for that reason though.

Skoda - why not? they are a VW rebadged (just like Seats) but cheaper. Can't understand why anyone would pay the premium and go for a VW when the equivalent Seat and Skoda is better prices and usually specc'd and in the case of the Seat Leon, by far the best looking. I think the wife will probably end up with a Leon 2.0 TDi DSG.

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

Saabs are very capable cars, I can vouch for that.  In a straight line they will keep up with a 944T no problems and handling is good enough to keep up with a 944 on normal roads.  In fact the other day I had a bit of fun with one and he was stuck to my bumper like glue.  He was definately wanting it worse than me though as when I hung back behind a string of traffic he went to overtake a line of 5 cars with oncoming traffic bearing down meaning they had to move over to give him space.  It obviously wasn't as quick for him on that particular occasion!

In a straight line they have always been much faster then the raw figures suggest, its the broad power curve and torque just like 951 owners take for granted and those that don't understand boost just don't get.

However a 4wd 9-3 outgunning the 977tt in a slalom test !!!

I had to read that several times over and OK I might be a Saab fan but I still find it difficult to believe. I wish I hadn't chucked my preview launch test drive invite into the bin last month now.

 

[Guest]

Sadly due to my own business commitments i wont be keeping this car and its for sale, please see the auction on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130154263750&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=003

£1000 buys the car

 

[zcacogp]

Overlord,

That's a shame. From your description she sounds like a pretty good example, in need of some TLC. The fail sheet you posted on eBay isn't that hairy ... a reasonable amateur mechanic could do most of that at home in a good weekend, at a guess.

If I was looking for a cheap S2 and had a grand spare, I'd be seriously thinking about buying it. All the best with selling it.


Oli.

 

[Guest]

Yeah i agree Oli, however i have just taken on a huge contract that i wasnt expecting to get, this will take a year to complete and will eat all of my spare time Someone i hope will restore her.