Ekona

Sorry, you're incorrect about repairing the car at any cost. They will work on the exact same basis as any insurance company, as the law works in the same way and they have to mitigate losses regardless. Remember, ultimately they have to go to the TP insurer claim the money back, and if they were extravagant then the insurer may well turn the claim down and take the process to court, and there's no guarantee the AMC will win. No, if a car is uneconomical to repair then that's it I'm afraid, using an AMC is not a guarantee that everything will be rosy. Worth remembering as well that AMCs are more expensive than insurers, so every time you use one and take a flashy hire car, what you actually do is push insurance costs up for every one. Not saying I wouldn't use ever use one, just throwing the info out there. An insurance company cannot write your car off if you don't want them to: It's YOUR car. You can simply decline the claim, and then attempt to repair the car yourself and no CAT marker will ever be added to the data of the vehicle. Not always financially practical, I agree, but it's the truth.

DPM.

Tyres should be replaced at ten years regardless of tread remaining, but should be inspected annually after five years. Given their importance, if there were any signs of cracking or other structural failure I would replace at the five year interval, but judge each case on its merit. You'd be looking at around £500 - £700 for replacements, depending on what you buy.

Year? I'd guess about £10k.

But it's a totally different scene over there, no need to slag a car off by calling it ridiculous because it's better than yours and then it wins a show n shine, but fair play to you as a hater who doesn't understand it.

Trust me, the other way looked wronger.

It's not on wrong. Wrong would be the other way, which just looked ridiculous when we tried it.

On a 2 mile stretch of runway at Brunters, in a car that weighs less than a 350 with approx 100bhp more, I touched 170mph. That was just, and with a dual clutch box. A 350 isn't a slow car, but you'll need more than 2 miles to get anywhere.

If they're the OEM 18s, bin them. They're awfully heavy, and will kill feel on track. /VOE

Well, that's stuffed that. I'd still try a TB reset.

Hopefully not!

Ooooh you've got a larger TB as well, don't you? Yup, I reckon I'm on the right lines here. Reset first, then swap back to OEM if poss.

More polish. What have you tried?

SMF fitted? I'd suspect a failure of the throttle body, do a reset and try that.

No different than giving it to anyone else mate. Think about it, how else are they supposed to get hold of you? Wouldn't bother me at all

I hope he does. I've got a few quid on him.

Silver for lazy people who can't be bothered to clean their car as it always looks roughly the same anyway

In a few years time, people will view cars like that they way we view cars like this now:

I heartily approve of the purchase of this vehicle

They're not actually that bad, if you buy the right one. The STi has a stronger gearbox (i.e. indestructible) than the WRX, and the 2L engine is far stronger than the 2.5L. Other than that, it's just the standard things that can fail, and unless you start doing silly tuning then they're pretty strong cars. The only thing with an Impreza is that they really encourage you to press on like no other car I've ever driven. The rate you can cover country roads is phenomenal, and the balance is beautiful: With the DCCD (adjustable diff) set full rear giving a 35F/65R torque split, you get a hint of understeer on turn in and then a little squiggle once you get back on the power. Then it's just grip & go. Lovely stuff!

Incestuous car swapping ftw!

Clay only to remove every last trace of protection you have, so yes do that before a polish. After that, just wash and top up the wax as required.

Car stalking? Well, that's not creepy at all.

As cheap as the Rays? I mean, I'm not denying there's lighter wheels out there, but you either have to spend more money or find a four leaf clover in a field nailed to a pot of gold whilst a pig circles above.

Yes, sadly the time came to say goodbye to the trusty Clio 182. It was bought cheap, it was sold cheap, and it was a heck of a lot of fun. But sometimes, you just know what car you need in your life, and god bless my wifey for having good taste in cars... Well, doesn't that look familiar? For those who don't know. that's the same car we sold to a mate 3 years ago because Jo was doing long commutes and the fuel bill was crippling. Thankfully he's looked after her as well as we would've, sorted out all the wonky bits, and now we have Betty Beast back in our possession again. 320-ish bhp, 1300kg, STi PPP, revs to high heaven and has DCCD with the wider track. She's an absolute monster of a car, and I struggle to find anything I'd cover distances with quicker than this. Just enough power to be fun, but with a torque delivery that leaves you breathless on occasion. Suffice to say, we're not planning on getting shot of Betty any time soon.