Today’s want

[integrale_evo]

Young people also have no idea how monumentally shite the vast majority of autos were until well into the 2000s

[Mito Man]

It's hard to get accurate numbers but it seems like 70% of Corvette sales were automatic on average. Look at Autotrader and it's more like over 95% automatics so there's definitely an automatic preference when importing in the UK. My dad says it's probably because people here are uncomfortable driving a LHD car and changing gear with their right hand, which to be fair is probably the reason as he say's it's the first comment almost everyone makes when he gives them a lift.
But I have absolutely no want for a pre-millennium slush box.

[IanF]

[nuttinnew]

Nice reg
I wonder what trans (assuming awd)? ZF 8sp?

[Beany]

Feels like longer ratios than a ZF8, because I'm assuming that's gotta be well north of 500bhp, and my M135i goes through the gears quicker than that with it's paltry 320-odd!

[nuttinnew]

Maybe taller tyres doing some work.
Here's somewhere to start;

[Jimexpl]

It's hard to get accurate numbers but it seems like 70% of Corvette sales were automatic on average. Look at Autotrader and it's more like over 95% automatics so there's definitely an automatic preference when importing in the UK. My dad says it's probably because people here are uncomfortable driving a LHD car and changing gear with their right hand, which to be fair is probably the reason as he say's it's the first comment almost everyone makes when he gives them a lift.
But I have absolutely no want for a pre-millennium slush box.

What age of car? The 4 speed in the C5 and C6 keeps things interesting by kicking down to 2nd instead of 3rd when you don't expect it, giving unpredictable sideways moments in the wet! Aside from that it spoils the car.
When I was selling them, it was 70% manual 30% auto until they brought out the 6 speed with paddleshift, which changed it to 60/40, partially led by demand, partially because that's what I decided to order for the UK. Most of the manuals have disappeared to Europe over the years, so the UK is left with mainly autos.

[Mito Man]

What age of car? The 4 speed in the C5 and C6 keeps things interesting by kicking down to 2nd instead of 3rd when you don't expect it, giving unpredictable sideways moments in the wet! Aside from that it spoils the car.
When I was selling them, it was 70% manual 30% auto until they brought out the 6 speed with paddleshift, which changed it to 60/40, partially led by demand, partially because that's what I decided to order for the UK. Most of the manuals have disappeared to Europe over the years, so the UK is left with mainly autos.

C4/5. But leaning towards the C5, seem to be a far better engineered car. Rear mounted gearbox, 6 speed manual, 50/50 weight distribution, decent suspension set up.

[ZedLeg]

The auto thing isn't as surprising as you might think tbh. The 350 that was in the C4 wasn't particularly sporty and the original 4 speed was a bit shit, the best way to drive was the same either way. Stick it in third and use the torque.

There's a thriving cottage industry in swapping in LS1 and T56 packages.

[integrale_evo]

Just stick a lotus Carlton gearbox in.

That’s the main thing I seem to remember people talking about at the time - the corvette gearbox

[ZedLeg]

Aye, that was the gearbox from the ZR-1 though. Otherwise known as "The Good One"

[Jimexpl]

What age of car? The 4 speed in the C5 and C6 keeps things interesting by kicking down to 2nd instead of 3rd when you don't expect it, giving unpredictable sideways moments in the wet! Aside from that it spoils the car.
When I was selling them, it was 70% manual 30% auto until they brought out the 6 speed with paddleshift, which changed it to 60/40, partially led by demand, partially because that's what I decided to order for the UK. Most of the manuals have disappeared to Europe over the years, so the UK is left with mainly autos.

C4/5. But leaning towards the C5, seem to be a far better engineered car. Rear mounted gearbox, 6 speed manual, 50/50 weight distribution, decent suspension set up.

C4s are fun to drive, but definitely built to a price and once you start looking at the later models without niggles they are well into C5 pricing.

A C5 with aftermarket seats, and a decent induction kit and exhaust, is a good car. Have a look on CCCUK for one, as it will generally be well maintained and probably not advertised elsewhere.

[MikeHunt]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

[ZedLeg]

The Volvo bug has been biting again.

Seeing a C30 the other day has led me to the cheapest manual T5 on ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266828727472 ... media=COPY

What could go wrong

[Carlos]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

https://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/20122/ ... zdas-small

There's a couple of cracking ewetube videos of them.

Not on my radar as i don't fit lol

[Rich B]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

https://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/20122/ ... zdas-small

There's a couple of cracking ewetube videos of them.

Not on my radar as i don't fit lol

would have been good to include a proper picture of the engine and the engine bay - those heavily cropped photos don't exactly illustrate the whole point of the article.

[Carlos]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

https://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/20122/ ... zdas-small

There's a couple of cracking ewetube videos of them.

Not on my radar as i don't fit lol

would have been good to include a proper picture of the engine and the engine bay - those heavily cropped photos don't exactly illustrate the whole point of the article.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/services

They look really well engineered

[mik]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

https://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/20122/ ... zdas-small

There's a couple of cracking ewetube videos of them.

Not on my radar as i don't fit lol

would have been good to include a proper picture of the engine and the engine bay - those heavily cropped photos don't exactly illustrate the whole point of the article.

I do very much approve of the concept, but.... if you are going to the bother of completely swapping out the engine - I am aware there are LS-powered MX5/Miata out there. I mention that with zero idea of the comparative cost/difficulty/negatives associated with throwing a large capacity LS-V8 in there, but a gloriously gargling V8 soundtrack plus oodles of power would appear rather obvious positives.

[Jobbo]

The Volvo bug has been biting again.

Seeing a C30 the other day has led me to the cheapest manual T5 on ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266828727472 ... media=COPY

What could go wrong

Very dull to drive though - they look nice and are very easy to live with but poor economy, don't make a lot of noise to show off the 5-cyl engine either.

[Jobbo]

Received an email from rocketeer, maybe I should make it as spam so that I don't receive any more temptation.

This is cool af.

https://www.rocketeercars.com/build-options/restomod

In principle I like it, but as a simple engine swap of the Jag V6 (same weight as the original 4-cyl engine I believe) is plenty. Who needs alcantara on every surface in an MX5? And who needs a restomod of a car which would still be perfectly usable and reliable at 30 years old anyway?