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.
I knew they weren’t the last word dynamically but what Volvo is.
My thinking is that the platform is the same as the mk2 Focus so there must be some cross compatibility with ST/RS stuff.
Which would lead to the question, why not just get a Focus ST?
The answer is that they’re all rusty, expensive or rusty and expensive.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Thu May 30, 2024 5:56 pm
by IanF
Always worth a perusal: compressor or chainsaw anyone? 20T towing strop.. razor wire? No?.. try looking again after some Buckfast
mik wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 1:35 pm
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.
A many-part series here:
Needs cutting/welding on the mk1/2, wheras I think the Jag v6 can fit straight in.
Plus there are plenty of engines in unloved old Jaguars here, while a LS is a lot more expensive to get your hands on.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2024 4:02 pm
by mik
simon_g wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2024 3:06 pm
A many-part series here:
I had no idea you could lift the body off the not-ladder-frame-chassis of an MX5 like that
I scanned E1 and then jumped immediately to E12.
I fully accept everything you said about the Jag engines, but then I listen to that LS3 and.....
Other than the horrible split rims - that is fabulous!
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2024 4:16 pm
by integrale_evo
I assume it’s subframes and a torque tube.
You can do similar to most cars, but the two ends will probably roll away from each other making it look a bit less car like
Mito Man wrote: Sat Apr 15, 2023 10:11 pm
Looking at these again
Real world care free Nomad. I don't like that they all have CVT gearboxes though with pretty low top speeds so your banging off the limiter at 60-70 mph and I'm too old for that. However you can get them all sorts of sideways whilst doing your best Richard Burns impression, look down and see that you're only doing 35 mph.
FFS, I managed to forget about this until I saw one at Goodwood and I’ve been thinking about it ever since
I’m an idiot and a Neanderthal, this was my favourite car of the show
Base price is £18,000 but the one pictured above had all the options ticked and was £24,000. They’re just too much money for a stupid thing. I’m really hoping a few people buy them so I can pick one up used for mid-low teens.
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.
I knew they weren’t the last word dynamically but what Volvo is.
My thinking is that the platform is the same as the mk2 Focus so there must be some cross compatibility with ST/RS stuff.
Which would lead to the question, why not just get a Focus ST?
The answer is that they’re all rusty, expensive or rusty and expensive.
We briefly had an S40 of similar vintage, it did not feel very Volvoish at all, the cascade dash was nice enough, but everything felt cheap and lacked the quality solidity of all my previous Volvos. It was replaced by a D5 S60 which was a different league, comfy seats, amazing hifi, engine was a gem, 60 mpg on a run, averaged around 50, so although heavier than the 1.6D S40, it was far more economical.
Get a nice T5 V70 or S60, or even a manul S60R if you can find one.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 12:37 pm
by IanF
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 12:50 pm
by Rich B
4.6l
High efficiency
270bhp.
Re: Today’s want
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 12:51 pm
by DeskJockey
They haven't specified which component is "high efficiency". I'll bet the fuel pump is highly efficient at draining the tank!
Mito Man wrote: Sat Apr 15, 2023 10:11 pm
Looking at these again
Real world care free Nomad. I don't like that they all have CVT gearboxes though with pretty low top speeds so your banging off the limiter at 60-70 mph and I'm too old for that. However you can get them all sorts of sideways whilst doing your best Richard Burns impression, look down and see that you're only doing 35 mph.
FFS, I managed to forget about this until I saw one at Goodwood and I’ve been thinking about it ever since
I’m an idiot and a Neanderthal, this was my favourite car of the show
Base price is £18,000 but the one pictured above had all the options ticked and was £24,000. They’re just too much money for a stupid thing. I’m really hoping a few people buy them so I can pick one up used for mid-low teens.
I mention that with 
at the price but I guess it's "find another one" territory.