Automobiles

[ChristianSLC]

Hmm, Wide Open Wednesdays might get me on the track as well. I knew about that when my Miata was still around, but I didn't bother checking it out because I didn't want to deal with putting a roll bar in it. Having a car with a roof changes everything!

[ned]

Definite maybe. I used to have a dedicated track car (944S2). Will be tough to go back to driving the daily (er, my wife's daily) on the track. But the summer tires are nearly shot so I might just have to finish them off. My dad is the the track coordinator for his PCA region in Tucson and did some racing with NASA. He's itching to get on the track here. He got me on the track as a teenager so it'll probably be his motivation to get me out again.

[roseyscot]

Try waving at real P-car owners and see if you get a response. I'll be waiting ;)
I WAVE like an idiot btw.

Fixed it for ya (from behind the wheel of my 1983 944)

[shirk]

Something about this Mini Countryman with lift and aggressive tires really does it for me.

[rphetteplace]

It must vary by locale. I've had my WRX since August and have yet to see a wave from another WRX/STI and there are plenty around here. Maybe they are waving and I can't see it because of their bro tints, or they're not waving at the older guy in the unmodified car. Whatever. I got my fill of the wave game in the Miata.

isn't Cobb tuning in SLC? That must raise the cool bar for a regular old WRX very f'n high.

[ChristianSLC]

isn't Cobb tuning in SLC? That must raise the cool bar for a regular old WRX very f'n high.

They used to be. They closed down here and moved back to TX a few years ago, not sure of the details.

There's a ridiculous number of modded WRX/STIs 'round here, and just WRX/STIs in general (I can look out my office window and count seven, including mine). Although, cool would be in the eye of the beholder. I see far more slammed/stanced cars than cars I'd consider to be well done, but that's probably the old man in me talking. He talks a lot.

[christian]

The only good STi is one with WRX four-pots, 15" Compomotives, snow tires, and urethane mud flaps.

[Applesauce]

Something about this Mini Countryman with lift and aggressive tires really does it for me.

We have that, except it's a BMW 328 6-speed wagon, and it's not lifted. I like to think we actually have that because we got rid of an R53 a week before the daughter arrived. Still, the wünderauto has more useable ground clearance than most trucks in this part of the world, and a far more sophisticated drivetrain than your average live axle.

[shirk]

We have that, except it's a BMW 328 6-speed wagon, and it's not lifted. I like to think we actually have that because we got rid of an R53 a week before the daughter arrived. Still, the wünderauto has more useable ground clearance than most trucks in this part of the world, and a far more sophisticated drivetrain than your average live axle.

A used 3-series wagon with X-drive is high on my list of wants if I had the disposable income. I could knock some time off my ski commute from North Vancouver to Whistler.

Finally replaced the scary bald tires on my Jeep Patriot so now looking forward to a non white knuckled drive up the Sea To Sky in a storm.

Actually considering dropping it an inch with some adjustable spring perches and quality springs. It desperately needs stiffer springs in the rear for when we have the bike rack loaded and camping gear. We don't need all the ground clearance it has, and for the couple times a year we do need it, then not a big deal to pull it into the garage and adjust the perches.

[roseyscot]

buy a used a4 avant and you might still afford the ski tickets too. and, stay out of the shop enough to have the car available for those weekend trips.

A used 3-series wagon with X-drive is high on my list of wants if I had the disposable income. I could knock some time off my ski commute from North Vancouver to Whistler.

Finally replaced the scary bald tires on my Jeep Patriot so now looking forward to a non white knuckled drive up the Sea To Sky in a storm.

Actually considering dropping it an inch with some adjustable spring perches and quality springs. It desperately needs stiffer springs in the rear for when we have the bike rack loaded and camping gear. We don't need all the ground clearance it has, and for the couple times a year we do need it, then not a big deal to pull it into the garage and adjust the perches.

[MIN]

Recently picked this up - Volvo S60 T5 AWD. It was consolation prize for my wife when we relocated from NYC to Philly after 6 years without a car. In practice, I do all the driving.

The low end torque is addicting.

[davids]

Recently picked this up - Volvo S60 T5 AWD. It was consolation prize for my wife when we relocated from NYC to Philly after 6 years without a car. In practice, I do all the driving.

The low end torque is addicting.

I saw the V60 at the car show last week. Alluring.

[Eddie]

Actually considering dropping it an inch with some adjustable spring perches and quality springs. It desperately needs stiffer springs in the rear for when we have the bike rack loaded and camping gear. We don't need all the ground clearance it has, and for the couple times a year we do need it, then not a big deal to pull it into the garage and adjust the perches.

I guess it all depends on your attachment to the car, what you've got sunk into it, etc., but I'd consider cutting loose and trying something else. Last year I drove a rental late model Patriot down I-5 north of San Diego and the body sway at highway speed was downright frightening - agree that suspension could use some major tweaks.

buy a used a4 avant and you might still afford the ski tickets too. and, stay out of the shop enough to have the car available for those weekend trips.

Spent the weekend out in WV XC/BC skiing. Road maintenance out there is abysmal. On snow pack roads, ice patches, plowing through 8 inches of powder in dirt parking lots, our B7 (same generation as yours) x Continental DWS tires (thank you Delicious) was simply incredible.

[nahtnoj]

Pine Street?

[MIN]

I saw the V60 at the car show last week. Alluring.

The sport wagon profile is great. Though I am a bit skeptical of the new 4-cyl engine because I was attracted to Volvo for the torque in the first place.

Pine Street?

Yes, good eye. 3rd/Pine St in Society Hill, Philly.

[72gmc]

Recently picked this up - Volvo S60 T5 AWD. It was consolation prize for my wife when we relocated from NYC to Philly after 6 years without a car. In practice, I do all the driving.

Fire hydrant, "NO STOPPING ANY TIME"--assuming those are both fake and yours you've nailed the parking solution.

[davids]

The sport wagon profile is great. Though I am a bit skeptical of the new 4-cyl engine because I was attracted to Volvo for the torque in the first place.

Well, then there's this, the V60 T5:

[Too Tall]

Sat in a Volvo lately? They lost me a couple years ago when the cars started getting fancy pants interiors. What I loved about Volvo interiors what that they were pretty austere and everything was where it should be. We quit Volvo after the V70XC which was AMAZING dang what a car....ran the wheels off it. Those cars are fast Davids but I don't have to tell you.

[davids]

Sat in a Volvo lately? They lost me a couple years ago when the cars started getting fancy pants interiors. What I loved about Volvo interiors what that they were pretty austere and everything was where it should be. We quit Volvo after the V70XC which was AMAZING dang what a car....ran the wheels off it. Those cars are fast Davids but I don't have to tell you.

The interior felt pretty simple (though luxurious) to me. Except for that grid of buttons above the climate control guy on the center stack...

Attachment 63284

You can't escape layers of leather and electrons in a car of this class these days. It felt simpler than my TSX which, admittedly, has its own button field:

Attachment 63283

As long as it's a small sports wagon, as long as it's a small sports wagon, as long as it's a small sports wagon...

[MisterDangerPants]

The only good STi is one with WRX four-pots, 15" Compomotives, snow tires, and urethane mud flaps.

Hopefully Compomotive will be back up and running soon after their restructuring (of September 2013). In a momentary lapse of sanity/reason (i.e understeer), I unfortunately destroyed both drive side MO6 wheels a couple months ago. Waiting patiently for Compomotive to come back online in the not-too-distant future as I'd like to replace them before summer.

....16x8 (+20 offset) Compomotive MO wheels....