Ekona

How many of those men who posted rape threats actually meant them? Like seriously, would actually do it, and how many used the term simply because it's about the most offensive thing you can say to a woman?

You're kidding, it was bloody awful. Granted, I did enjoy the piece on the Brits at the end (who wouldn't?), but the bus thing was a complete was of time and effort and is a prime example of why I stopped watching TG. RRS review was acceptable, although the track piece was pointless as anyone who's driven Donington will know that the editing was a little more than creative. The Jag review again stunk of "Well, we couldn't actually get Jag to loan us a V8 like every other magazine, so we'll just pretend that the V6 S is the best anyway". I'm sure the V8 is a bit unnecessary and over the top, but I would still have like to have seen them drive it. But yeah, Mark is a man's man. I love how he no longer gives a remote flying f*ck and will say anything about Seb as he won't be there next year. Proper geezer, I'd let him shag my missus any day.

You have learnt well, young padawan Cops would probably hand you the baton themselves, seeing as how it's Mike Brewer I'm as big a keyboard warrior as you're likely to find, but I wouldn't say anything on-line I wouldn't say to someone's face. That generally means that I'll never seriously threaten to injure someone, although context is everything of course. As yet, and I do find this miraculous given my *ahem* outspoken nature at times, I've yet to have been given a threat of violence across the interweb. I have no idea how I'd react, although I suspect I'd laugh it off as often as I do when I get sent insulting PMs.

We do have the best rust in the world!

Almost exactly the same as me mate. I used to despise the brand for being dull and boring, and then I drove a 987.2 Boxster S and fell in love. Then I drove a 997.2 S and decided that, one day, I simply had to have one. I'm fortunate to have driven plenty of decent metal since, but there is something very special about the Porsche brand and their cars that's got me hooked. I hate myself for saying that as it makes me sound like a prize tosser, but it's true. I get very nearly the same thrill from Masers too, and if I didn't have a 911 I'd probably have a GranTurismo.

Of course the XKR you're driving is British Rich, I never meant to imply otherwise. It was fairly obvious from all the rust on it it was made over here.

I couldn't care less either way. Sticks and stones and all that. If someone really intended you harm, they wouldn't put it on Twitter. GQ had the right idea with the Twitter reaction to their 1D covers: Pop them up on the internet and have a laugh at them.

Yes, but there's a few different types and you need to make sure you get the right one.

Yup, you have got to be quite committed to get it to do the fun stuff, but when you do it's just sooooo rewarding. I'm happy now switching all the aids off and letting the back end play as much or as little as my right foot asks for, the chassis really is is something else. It did take me a good few months to get used to the RR setup of a 911, but when you do there is nothing that compares.

Depends on what you want from a car. I like my performance cars to feel alive, to give me as much feedback as possible. The Zed does that very well, as does the 911. The 4WD is just not quite as feelsome as the 2WD, but both are better than the Nissan IYSWIM. 4WD has bigger brakes too to account for the greater mass it's trying to stop, so they're more expensive to replace when the time comes. If all you want is a car that's easy to drive and not a handful, then there's cheaper options. With regards to snow driving, remember the 911 has all the weight over the driven wheels, and so grip isn't really a problem (witness me driving around the Pyranees in the snow in late May as proof that even the 2WD cars are fine!), but you'd still want a good set of winter tyres on there. I wouldn't drive a sports car in the snow unless I had no choice, a cheap FWD hatch on winters is a much better option.

Never driven a 996, but driven most variants of the 997. For your money it would be an incredibly leggy and sheddy non-S 997, I can only find one such vehicle on PH that's even close to that at £18K. I'd stick with a good 996 if it was me. Before thinking about 2WD over 4WD, go in eyes open with regards to cost. Both cars can suffer from RMS (negligable, can be sorted when you do the clutch) and IMS (critical, can lunch your engine) and if the latter fails you're looking at a bill of between £5K to £10K, depending on how much damage was done. A slush fund just in case is a must-have on these cars, unless you fancy the OPC warranty at £1K a year, but that's only available on vehicles up to 10 years old and they must remain standard. Personally I wouldn't bother on a car of that age & value. For me, I only ever wanted a 2WD as that's how I feel a 911 should be. Upon reflection, and driving a few more including 4WD, I'm glad I made that decision. The steering is not as pure on the 4WD variants, and feels heavy and stodgy at times in comparison. Still fantastic, but there's a noticeable difference. The car obviously weighs more too, due to the extra driveshafts. The 4WD has the wider body and wheels so tyres are a smidge pricier, but nothing I'd worry about and if you prefer the wider hips then that's cool. There's less room in the frunk in the 4WD. 2WD is quicker than 4WD like for like on driver and track, but I wouldn't worry about it either way. Still quick cars regardless. The way the 911 needs to be driven i.e. very slow in, then very fast out means that the 2WD is naturally bettter balanced, but the 4WD is a bit more forgiving if you get it wrong. I don't find it as enjoyable, but that's horses for courses. If going 996, get one without the sat nav or Bose. Both are terrible, and if you have them then it's a pain to upgrade as you have to fight the MOST system. Sports seats are a must on either car, the shoulder support is so worth it. A pre-inspection report is absolutely vital if not buying from OPC, but even then it should be done really. Mike at Sports and Classic, or the guys at JZM are the people to see for this. Hartech are the people to go to if you have any IMS questions.

We love doing the same thing at Costco, it's hysterical to watch the brainless zombies queue up instead of sitting in their cars. The best bit is that they then take 2 hours to do their shopping, by which time the checkout is solid anyway so they gain nothing. Me and Jo have taken to the habit of walking past them now moaning like zombies, which amuses us no end

Remember the scene in Beverly Hills Cop, with the bananas in the exhaust pipe? Veeeeeeery bad.

My thinking exactly. Worse possible thing you can do is drive it!

Fixed.

Sorry, the cats are blocked and you're still driving it? Please tell me I've read that wrong.

It was worth sitting through the dross for Mark Webber. That man is an absolute legend, and I can't wait to see him in sportscars next year

You can, but you'll need to adjust the wiring as the switches are in different places.

I'm guessing you hate your drivetrain more than your mate then

ROFL

I'm lost on that one mate, are you saying he should've got more than the 18mths originally? Or that the 3 years was not enough?

There's a reason the ITR in cheap and unloved. Still, as long as you're happy, then go for it. Deciding on a car without ever having driven it is a very brave move though.

MX5, Elise/Exige, Boxster, Cayman, Jag F type (Im guessing anyway), you could probably shoehorn the Caterfields into that category as well. Agree the Zed isnt one though, its too heavy for a start and probably a bit too soft with it Goddammit you copied exactly what I was going to say!

Sadly, yes. See Stuart Hall for proof.

Of course it's a BMW. It'll be a Z4M which somehow he'll convince us all was an absolute bargain but when you do the maths it will still have cost him more by swapping cars every 5 mins