Ekona

Proper depressing day mate, I tell you. Haven't had such a bad day on cars for a long time, guess I've been quite lucky really! Pics as of this AM: I've left the centre console in for now as I'll need to relocate the window switches first, but eventually that can come out too along with the underside of the dash.

But correct.

Well, what was supposed to be a big day in getting the car sorted turned into one massive failure Big plan was to get the humps of metal removed and the seats in, but that first of all means you have to remove the carpet. Simple job thinks I, until I discover that the carpet is in one piece and you need to remove the entire dash to get it out! I don't see the point of getting every last bit out really, so decide to sacrifice the carpet by making a couple of cuts and just leaving the remaining 4" square section under the centre console in place. With that done, I start to get the seats ready. Pop the new rails on them, get them in the car to make sure they'll fit where I expect them to, and then when I try to relocate the seatbelt clip (as it is mounted to the stock seat normally) I discover that it interferes with the seat itself and I can't get it to mount safely. New seats go back in the shed, and OEM seats go back in. In short, I need to get the roll protection and harnesses in at the same time as the seats, and with only two weeks to go before my one and only likely trackday in it this year as I'm due to be laid up for the entire summer after a back operation, then it's £500 I can do without shelling out right now. They will have to wait until September at the earliest, which is a bit of a bugger. Still, at least it weighs a bit less now, and after running a can of 10K Boost through it (amazing stuff, you really must give it a go) it's idling a lot smoother and quieter now. Almost as much of a pain as trying to fit a set of front discs and pads to the Impreza this morning. Old pads out, one caliper bolt free, go for the second one... Snap. Shears off and I've no helicoil to remove it with, so I have to put the thing back together again and take it to the local Subaru specialist first thing on Monday whilst giving Jo my truck to use for the week until they can get it fixed. It's a common thing apparently, as the bolt is steel but the bracket is aluminium, so they corrode together nicely. All in all, a very unsuccessful day spent on cars.

First make it stop Then make it handle Then make it GO!

Heh, I don't think they get quite that hot but top marks for a quick picture

It won't take that long.

Two octanes will be plenty.

Exactly. I couldn't care less if the GT-R had 800bhp and the Vette was a stock C6 with just 400bhp, I'd still have the Yank. Better noise, more character, and styled on the thighs of a virgin rather than carved from a solid lump of brick.

Everyone always thinks I'm older than I am when it comes to forums, but that's probably because I'm a miserable ol' bastard!

Genius idea! Completely unsafe and a mental thing to do, but I love it when the little guy comes up with these ideas to beat the tax system.

I hate Mercs. Well, I did until I had a C-class as a courtesy car a few months back, and it was such a comfortable ride that I realised that I can now see why people buy them. As a relaxing cruiser, you've done well there Hugh.

I looked at C6 Z06s before the 911, and whilst parts aren't that expensive importing them from the US can be. Stunning cars though, absolutely stunning.

That all looks seriously, seriously impressive mate. Can't wait to hear it in the flesh

Absolutely, that sounds means hell!

V6 CLK isn't full fat. I am disappoint. You'll be telling us it's in Resale Silver next.

It certainly wouldn't bother me owning a demo car. My Zed was a Nissan dealer manager's car so I can only imagine the abuse that probably had, but the condition was immaculate and with a warranty behind it, I had no issues with buying it.

The Nismo Titanium one is my personal favourite. It's weighs more then the OEM knob so gives a more positive shift, and as it sits lower down it also lowers the shift length albeit in a cheaty kind of way.

BWAHAHAHA no. You'll never get 15K miles out of a set of tyres on a GTR, hell I don't get that on the 911 and it's much lighter on the tyres. To be fair though, you'd be mad to buy the OEM tyres again as they're silly money, a set of R888s is cheaper I believe. Even better would be the MPSS if they come in the correct size. Brakes aren't cheap either, and being a heavy car it will eat those up too. A GTR is a fantastic car, and the running costs aren't any worse than something like a 997 Turbo S, but it's all about the unknown costs as has been said. If you can extend the Nissan warranty that gives you bumper to bumper cover, then it's not something to worry about as you'll be covered. If you can't though, then that's when you're looking at the big bucks for carbon bits and expensive oily bits, which is why I have a warranty on the 911 because I can't afford to drop £15K if the gearbox blows up. Paying £1K pa for that peace of mind is worth it to me. At £35K there's a whole heap of other cars I'd rather buy that would be as much if not more fun to drive, as you won't be worried about the servicing costs. Absolute performance isn't everything, not any more with The Man and his net closing in all the time.

I'd be more worried about a demonstrator being ragged from cold than I would about the use of 95. That said, I'd point out that the fuel filler cap states 98+ and then I'd use that as a haggling tool to get some more money off.

If your car is a DE-engined car, then any DE flywheel will fit, regardless of year.

Ironically the 370Z has a much better chance of being worth anything, as it's one of the last big-engined affordable sports cars made that wasn't produced in huge quantities. The 350Z is far too common to ever be worth anything.

If it's a HR Zed (which it is) then a massive amount of gearbox whine is perfectly normal, don't worry about that. As far as the juddering goes, it could be a flywheel problem or maybe the clutch not engaging properly. Take it to a specialist for a second opinion, even if it costs you £30-40 for a quick diagnosis or just to set your mind at ease then it'll be money well spent.

MPS3s aren't really that great, try the VUS if you want a tyre that gives you a ton of feedback but sacrifices outright grip to do so.

Bloody good engine it is too. Un1eash, get the Elise. Even if you hate it (which you won't), if you buy correctly you'll sell it on for what you paid for it and can then buy something bigger. Every petrol head should own one once in their life