Stutopia

I joined the AA not long ago when I started doing more Trackdays, as they were the only one who didn't exclude non-competitive track events from cover. Frustratingly, they've decided not to keep themselves as the easy choice for us track addicts, and now exclude it. The wording I found on my policy documents and their site were contradictory in places, a T&Cs document from as recent as Nov 2022 said track days were covered, so I emailed them to get the definitive position.

 

 

Nice of them to make this change without notifying me, it was just by chance I saw it on the web. I have no idea if they are bound by the T&Cs of what they actually sold me last year, or if they can simply unilaterally change my cover, without refunding me at least some of the premium, but there's little point in obsessing over it.

 

Accordingly, I've been searching for other providers, but can't find anything for recovery, without purchasing trackway insurance as well, which is not what I am after.

 

Anyone got any other companies they use or can recommend?

Good to see it wasn't just me tiptoeing around Cadwell in mixed conditions this March   It's a handful of a track when you know what you're getting in grip, but standing water makes it that bit more exciting! So jealous of your power up the hill on park straight.

Gorgeous car GLWTS

You’ve won Davey, no need to keep posting, Docwra left, he’s obviously a man with no experience, Ekona has no idea having owned them both, neither do I, having first hand experience, but you do, you’ve done your research. None of it first hand, but who cares about real experience when you can recycle someone else’s instead:

 

One is terrible and one is perfect, keep replying until no one else does, that’s the way to drive discussion into the ground. No need to drive them, just screenshot stuff FTW. How is it that every vaguely discursive post on this place ends up grounded into a tedious back and forth on the back of your endless uniformed experience?
 

Is there any subject you don’t have the definitive view upon, based on nothing more than googling? 
 

How do you manage to make a reasonable discussion about anything into an endless completion to see who had the last word?

It's been a bit quiet on Mazda life over winter, but 2023 track season kicked off this month for me at Cadwell. Not got many photos, but have a few vids and the pro shots. Setting the early morning scene here https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMY9FPt4T/ - yeah that's right, I'm down with the yoof on the Bebo and the Myspace and even the Tiktok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, it was a wet and wild day, full of red flags and ginetta juniors mowing grass, a nice Zed out, Mini Marcos and a few 2CV endurance machines. I didn't get much opportunity to compare my times last year with this, unless you count this side by side of summer time in the sun and the bleak winter ice cold track and rain. I love the wet days though for the slip n slide action, less fun in the paddock though.

 

 

 

Since then I took her to Yorkshire Car Restoration, who started off as Mazda specialists, to take first strike action against then enemy of MX-5s, the dreaded rust. Despite mine being a very clean example, it still came with some rusty bits, most of which are in the bin and replace with suspension and brace upgrades, but you can't be too careful with Mk3s. The rear subframe and cills and rear arches love to rust, so before that set in, I had the lot wire brushed, converted and protected. 

 

They have both an interesting Youtube channel https://youtube.com/@yorkshirecarrestoration and a very friendly owner, who was nice enough to let me take a few snaps when I was nosing around the workshop.

 

Mazda RX variants all over the place.

 

 

 

Cheeky DB6

 

 

 

A fairly gorgeous looking Jaaaaaaag

 

 

 

A bit of Pork that was having serious work done (check the youtube)

 

 

 

Look at this rare little number.

 

 

There was loads more, assorted MX-5s, a Datsun, BMWs, you name it.

 

Not many photos of my car, I didn't ask, but the guys did take some photos, after I requested that my new bits and pieces were set to one side and kept free of rust treatment. The braces are not a problem but I did not want my lovely Ohlins all coated in schmutz.

 

 

 

I had my cavity inspected and pumped (oooo errr) and blocked off to deal with one of Mazda's more curious choices (no it's not a drain hole).

 

 

 

Although I didn't request photos, they were good enough to send me a few to show they'd respected my wishes.

 

 

 

 

All in all, money well spent, which I am hoping will save me ££££££ in the long run. I can't speak highly enough of the company, easy to book and discuss work, all sorted on time and within a sensible budget. If you need rot sorting on anything and you're within a couple of hours of Doncaster/S****horpe, I'd highly recommend. As you can see, my little Mazda was the poor relation to some of the other stock, which made me feel a bit special lined up with all the prestige stuff.

 

Now I', ready for the weather and more trackdays.

2 hours ago, Yorkshire_Zed said:

It also begs the question - is it worth 10 grand going from a 350z to a 370z hehe?

 

I tried to go 350z to 370z, it was better (and I'm in the minority that prefers the look of 370) but not different enough for me personally to warrant the spend. Having been to other cars in the interim, I can see a 370 on the horizon.

 

Regarding the personal question of looks, I adore red 370z Nismos and its the only one for me, it certainly looks more special than a Cayman on the outside. If that revs your engine, it's an easy choice, but drive them both and the worst case scenario is you've had a go in two great cars.

3 hours ago, docwra said:

No, fair play to Davey - hes right. 

A simple error on a post that made in a rush means that all of the knowledge Ive ever gathered about cars, motorbikes and anything else with an engine is immediately invalid. 

Furthermore the experience of driving every car mentioned in this thread (apart from a Pinto), and most of them on track is rendered incorrect, Z33/Z34s now have a better chassis than they did before I made the post and Cayman laptimes have gone up by at least 15%. 
Peugeot RC-Zs have 100hp more than claimed, all of the TOTB winners were standard cars, German cars dont ever do trackdays and the Nurburgring is a made up story that German mums tell their kids to make them go to sleep.
Oh Autotrader is a work of fiction with prices generated by throwing darts at a phonebook. 

I trust the mods will do the right thing and delete all of the posts Ive made - as they are all lies of course! - I honestly dont know what Im thinking, why the hell would anyone be interested in actual experience and knowledge when you can just spout bullshit and be done with it? 



 
 

So you got the hands on experience, but how many YouTubes you watched?

1 hour ago, davey_83 said:

 

I paused there after reading his comment and didn't want to risk another dishonest discussion

 

That's a bit rich given endless threads about conspiracies based on little more than fantasy. Careful who you accuse of being dishonest.

Wow, this thread has got some gold in it.

 

FWIW, MX-5 is better than both.

 

Cheaper to buy + slower + worse interior + cheaper parts + less pretty = BETTER

Awesome work bringing this back 

Important get fuel in your tank!

4 hours ago, Neilp said:

Doing great mate thanks! Is that the current wheels in the signature? Very nice! 

I bought the G30 5 series when it came out and kept a hold of it when car prices rocketed. Trying to talk myself into buying something silly again. I did see my old car up for sale a year or so ago but it had been ruined with v2 front bumper. 

 

 

It is the current ride but she's up for sale if you're into that sort of thing...

Wow, who's this fella?  

 

Welcome back, hope you're well.

3 hours ago, GranTurismoEra said:

Ive seen a GT4 in real life whilst at a hospital parked up. While it looks small and low its still iconic. Not concerned about whats manly or whats not. We drive Fairladys lol....Id still take it as the handling, the drive and experience matters a lot.

 

Would warranty cover exhaust valves, engine mounts or air con. I have a feeling theres some wriggling out of these with manufacturer. Engine mounts seem wear and tear. £2400 apparently 

 

Aircon unit one youtuber paid £1300 to get sorted. There was an aftermarket option for slightly less.

 

Warranty and paid repairs come with 2 years cover.  

 

If the risk of the bills is a worry, Porsche Used Approved is the way to go for warranty life. What you pay extra is not dissimilar to what you pay to get a quality warrantee onto an unwarranted car. There are a few Porsche specialists that have good reputations and offer cover, I think RSJ is one, IIRC.

You need to calm down @Laurence C 

 

No one here is obliged to help you and anyone who does, doesn't deserve a full tears temper tantrum over their simply reply, regardless of where your Dad worked or how many global companies adopt your modifying techniques. If you can't read a VIN plate or get a sensible answer from Nissan, that's not anyone's fault on here.

Make sure your car is covered by a security camera. I’ve had neighbour wars because he objects to my rear garden (all within permitted development) because I didn’t consult him on my plans first and “he’s been living here for 30 years”. No one wins, all you can do is always be the polite one, never rise to anything and hope he’s not so much of a jerk that he’ll actually key it or slash your tyres. A camera helps deter someone who’s not a hardened idiot.

 

When I have to get away early, the last thing I do is start the engine. Get my coffee in its holder, set the sat nav, tunes on, belt up, get set and then start her and move off slowly but promptly. Owning a porsche alone is enough to trigger some people. It’ll be the leaving it idling that’s got his goat - just sitting there making a noise, for no good reason (in his mind). I don’t subscribe to the “moving you car when it’s cold means the engine falls out” way of thinking, there’s loads of places with considerably colder climates than England and you will be using the right oil for our climate and just taking it easy until the oil is up to temp, or idle around the corner. It’s not going to be the difference between an engine failing at 175k miles and 50k.

6 hours ago, GranTurismoEra said:

 

Electronic adaptive dampers sound like trouble if they fail

 

https://www.design911.co.uk/porsche/cayman-s-34l-981-2013/bilstein-cars-with-pasm/

1 hour ago, davey_83 said:

 

Definitely sounds like a car whereby an aftermarket warranty is needed, however I doubt they'd cover those particular items being classed as wear & tear. @GranTurismoEra want the badge (synonymous with poise & refinement) need to spend the £££

 

Followed a Cayman the other day and while lovely, below a GT4 I wouldn't say they're a manly looking car in my honest opinion.

 

 

 

I think a solid warranty is good idea, but I agree, most would wriggle out of these items as W&T. The only one I'd go for is the Porsche one and they expect remedial work to be carried out, via them, to the tune of many pennies before they will then warranty it and the annual fees are not exactly cheap. The big risk is the PDK, as I think it's considered a sealed unit, but there are Indies out there who are starting to work on them (if the internet is to be believed). After two years, I am up on the deal by having not bought a Porsche warranty and paid Porsche to do the work they believed to be needed (a tiny weep on AC pipes is a an example of how picky they can be), doubly so if you the exhaust/dampers were chalked up as W&T.

2 hours ago, ShortPaul said:

Road tax on my nismo is £155

 

Wow, that's a bargain.

Serving costs are broadly comparable. You can elect to do extra things like PDK fluid that are “lifetime”, if you wish. Attached a copy of my latest one, there’s nothing secret here, the menu prices are on this specialist's website.

 

 

As for other bits and pieces, I replaced the exhaust due to the valves seizing. That was £1500, which is for a genuine Porsche part, not dissimilar to prices for an aftermarket option on a Z, but I imagine it’s more than a genuine Nissan unit would be. Also, I recently had a rear damper fail, that was £600 per axle to fix, so not exactly cheap (for Bilstein OEM replacement). Some places wanted £800 an axle. These are parts prices, not including labour.  

Tyres are tyres, on any sports coupe with a decent sized set of wheels.

 

Mine returns 40mpg+ on long runs, but even when I drive enthusiastically or around town it doesn’t drop below 20.

 

VED was £330 last year, not sure what it is on a 370.

 

I did test drive a 370 a few years ago, enjoyed it, but didn’t buy it. It felt heavier and less nimble in every way, more GT than out and out sports car. The engine is different, more keen to be rev’d in the Cayman, rather less agricultural than the Z. Actually “agricultural” is unfair on the Z, but you get the idea of smoothness and quicker to spin up.

 

The Cayman with the sport chassis option or PASM rides very nicely indeed, it never crashes or feels unsettled. Inside the Z doesn’t really compare to the Cayman GTS interior quality of materials, but it’s not in the same price bracket, so that is to be expected and I’ve not been inside a 981 S without all the alcantara etc. Simple things like the switches and buttons and door handles are just finer.

 

The PDK is a subjective thing, I can’t imagine any auto box that is better than it, but for someone who wants manual involvement, I totally understand how that transcends all of the technical superiority of the PDK versus rowing the gears yourself. The way you can shift up and down, particularly mid corner or heavy braking, without any jolts in the drivetrain is astonishing. People will say you can do that with heel and toe, but not with such precision and on every single shift.

 

I think a test drive in both will tell you very quickly which you prefer, they are quite different and each have appealing qualities - what you want out of a journey should easily determine which way you go.

8 hours ago, ShortPaul said:

Do you like that Stu?

 

The body work and stance aren’t for me, but saw the red wheels and white paint and well, just thought I’d mention it.

 

👀

Been a while since I got to play with Nissan bits, good fun, lets do it summer time next though yeah 🥶

 

and for god's sake get a stubby aerial on!

 

I test drove a 370 before selling my 350, I did enjoy it and I’ll probably end up in a 370 at some point, but it was too similar for me to warrant splashing the extra money at the time for not much change. I was ready for a different experience and ended up with the BRZ, for more lightweight fun. Test drive away and you’ll soon know.

Gonna need this tomorrow @PlanGT