Page 128 of 162
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 9:21 pm
by integrale_evo
Young people also have no idea how monumentally shite the vast majority of autos were until well into the 2000s
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Sun May 26, 2024 9:32 pm
by 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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 5:19 pm
by IanF
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 6:04 pm
by nuttinnew
Nice reg
I wonder what trans (assuming awd)? ZF 8sp?
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 6:11 pm
by 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!
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 7:05 pm
by nuttinnew
Maybe taller tyres doing some work.
Here's somewhere to start;
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 10:50 pm
by Jimexpl
Mito Man wrote: Sun May 26, 2024 9:32 pm
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Mon May 27, 2024 11:38 pm
by Mito Man
Jimexpl wrote: Mon May 27, 2024 10:50 pm
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 9:01 am
by 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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 9:03 am
by 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
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 9:07 am
by ZedLeg
Aye, that was the gearbox from the ZR-1 though. Otherwise known as "The Good One"
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Tue May 28, 2024 9:41 am
by Jimexpl
Mito Man wrote: Mon May 27, 2024 11:38 pm
Jimexpl wrote: Mon May 27, 2024 10:50 pm
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 10:10 am
by 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
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 12:13 pm
by 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
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 12:24 pm
by Carlos
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
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 1:01 pm
by Rich B
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 1:33 pm
by Carlos
Rich B wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 1:01 pm
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
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 1:35 pm
by mik
Rich B wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 1:01 pm
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 2:28 pm
by Jobbo
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.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 2:30 pm
by Jobbo
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?
