OK OK let's not fight
The Boxster does have far better handling than the 996's (according to the yearly surveys in auto express its been the best handling car for the last 7 years or so)
But I bow to you with the quicker car

I haven't switched the traction control off just yet- I wanted to get used to the car a little bit first- but to be honest I've rarely had it intervening anyway ( about 3 times in the 5 months I've had it). I don't think its tail happy at all, though it does get a bit twitchy if the fuel tank is <1/4 full.


What is a 'Scooby' by the way ?

I've invested in some Zymol- I'm just waiting for the weather to be warm enough to apply it- It will be interesting to compare it with the Meguiars

Scooby doo = Subaru impretza (sp) nice cars but prefer the old shape that Richard Burns (rip) used to drive!

Quite fancy a Caterham 7!

My hubby was in to G Wagens (4x4) so i have done some off roading too.

I've heard the Boxsters' are a great handling car, or from what i've read about it in Evo!

As you've said quicker on paper isn't always quicker on the roads, there no way a TVR Chimaera (quicker on paper than the Boxster) would be anywhere near the Boxster on the twisties.

Is yours a Boxster S?

Haven't switched the traction off? Your driving it too carefully if it's only come in about 3 time in 5 months! Though how many RWD's have you driven? If your not used to them traction really is a good feature, we often get people wanting to buy TVR's as their first RWD car (no joke) normally they go on the test drive and thats enough to scare them!!! Though MR2's (the Mk. 2) are very, very tail happy - i know someone put off RWD for life after buying one!

Scooby - Subaru Imprezza, as Trumpeter said! Tuned they are very capable cars though the Evo boys and girls will have none of that!

Zymol should be good stuff but personally i think Meguiars is great, you must compare them and do a write up on them!

Trumpeter: Have you drove a 7? They really are fantastic little cars, great for tracking! Really, really good fun! I'd recommend a factory build! I might be entering the Caterham Challenge next year (see Caterham website - under the Academy Car - i think it is)

I've just got a 2.7- the S is only half a second quicker to 60 or so and 5 MPH quicker at the top, would cost 9 grand more, double insurance, double car tax- the 2.7 is enough for me.

Its my first rear wheel drive car, so I've been careful at first and building up the speed- I don't want to have to explain to my wife why its backwards in a hedgerow. Though as I've said its not really tail happy and pretty much neutral through the curves- and the brakes are really awesome.

My only clain to fame is that i have sat in a rally prepped Escort Cossie!
hubby has had a track day at donington i think.... (b'stard!) it was a works day and i asked if i could sneak along... but wasnt allowed xcos it was a 'work' thing! creating contacts day...

I've never been in a sports car... just drooled at them on the street..!
one day may be! hubby quite like sthe crystler 300c at the moment.

i'd be quite happy with a fabria vrs... apparently they are only doing them as special editions as of this year i think

Oh i really should get to know more about Porsche's (they aren't my strong point!) i thought the S was meant to be a much better car all round! Seems i'm wrong!

Good on you for being careful with it! I know so many people who have put their first RWD cars - "backwards in a hedgerow!" I shouldn't imagine your wife would be too impressed either!!

I do like tail happy cars - makes certain tricks easier...........i'm not into drifting or anything! Though for general driving your better off with a more stable car (and faster!) Thats when the four comes into it's own (being a 4WD rally special!)

I wish i had a car with decent breaks - the Alfa's aren't good at all (i want to keep it as standard as possible) and my Brembo's on the four aren't as great as i imagined though i have been tracking it and it's getting ready for some new pads - the garage just hasn't had the time, i'm not very mechanical (well i know whats wrong just can't fix it ) - leave it to the boys in our garage haha.

You got any meets this weekend? I'm doing a run from Alderley Edge - Buxton - Leek - Buxton - Alderley Edge around all the decent roads.

Escort Cossie puts my four to shame!!!!

Donnington is a great track (the best IMHO) I'm down there most race days and everyone is most welcoming.

Chrysler 300C - no thankyou! You only need to go along to some car meets or down the track on a track day to get to be in some of the most amazing cars! Enthusiasts are very welcoming it's the other that drive sports cars just because they've got a lot of money that aren't! You'll probably notice as well that in general enthusiasts aren't rich just spend everything on cars!

The Fabia VRs is a great little car, i've heard about them doing just the special editions from now on too - your can't believe what they said until they announce it offically though.

Had a nice day running around Salisbury plain area on Sunday- a little windy though.
When it gets a bit warmer I'm going to have to start going out a bit earlier and get a few roads to myself- a little too many OAP's around for my taste.

You'll have to do a dawn raid, 4am to watch the sun come up as your driving a really good route, it's excellent

That was the plan when it gets a bit warmer in a month or so.
My favourite roads are all really twisty- great to drive on but impossible to pass the little old ladies in their Fiestas.
I've Zymolled one door on the Boxster so far- and it looks great- I'm planning to do the rest on good friday.

Excellent thats what i like to see a commited petrolhead!

My favourtie roads are the twisities too, where abouts are you based? I know some really excellent routes round Derbyshire, Cheshire and Nottinghamshire

Well please report back what you thought of the Zymol in comparison to Megs, what do you think so far? I always think it's best to do in one go, with 2 people but it can't harm it doing one door then doing the rest on friday, just remember which door it is you've done!!!

I'm based in Oxfordshire so I tend to run about Wiltshire, the Cotswalds, the Chilterns, the new forest etc. It does mean that I can get on country roads quite quickly. I used to live in Nottingham- but I couldn't drive then so I only know the roads there by bicycle.

The area where I've used Zymol does have a deeper shine and looks 'wetter', and the water beading is far better than the Meguiars tech wax, I'll post some pictures when I've done the rest. Not as much of a pain to apply as I thought either.

Oh what a lovely playground you have there!!! Do you know Southwell in Nottingham?

Do post some pictures please! When i want my car looking really tip top i take it to a detailer, now they really can work wonders but i think it's more something for older cars, you can do nearly just as good yourself on a new car

No sorry I don't know Southwell.

I know its really sad but I do quite enjoy cleaning and waxing my car myself- and its a lot cheaper !

Oh Southwell is the "nice" bit of Nottingham, not too far from Newark, theres a garage there that restores lots of classics, at the moment they've got a beautiful Cobra, an old Porsche 1600 super, 4 E-types, a Testarossa and lots of others too!

It is a lot, lot cheaper. I sometimes do mines myself, sometimes get the valeter that comes to garage to do it, i don't have them detailed often just if they look a bit faded or if i'm doing a show, not very often - i don't like all that putting your car on show when you should be driving it!

I zymolled the Boxster on good Friday, took me 5 hours altogrether (wash car, polish with HD cleanse, apply Zymol carbon) I've still a few bits and bobs to do like the door sills and the door edges- but it looks fabulous. Of course as soon as I spent this much time on the car the spoiler decided to malfunction and stay up in the deployed position.... time to call the Porsche centre.

Thats just typical! Hope your OPC are helpful, i've heard some of them are terrible, at least they can't say you haven't been looking after the car!

Did you do any meets of anything? I did the Donny Show, it was funny but not my scene!

I'd say 5 hours is about right, when i have mine detailed it's about 7 or 8 and what you've done sounds like it's getting on for a detail so it will look fantastic !

I've changed my profile picture to my boxster after Zymol

Looks really good! You've done a really good job, i'm liking that colour even more !

I'm buying a Chimaera next week, after trying just about every model there is i decided to go for the 4.3, non power steering, sports exhaust with no pre-cats, in BRG with magnolia and green combination interior, now i can't wait!

Whats your insurance bill like on a TVR ?
A bit more than I'm paying I'd guess- but then I'm nearly hitting 40.

£1500 limited to 5,000 on a modern classic policy would have been cheaper if i had got rid of the Celica (transfered no claims over) but i'm keeping that for track days though thats gone down because i've limited it to 1,000 miles.

If i had gone for the 5.0Ltr it would have been £1600 but IMHO i found the 4.3 the sweetest engine of the lot but there all great and it's totally down to personal preference. When i think about i've just about got my dream fleet that being the classic tick, the race car ish and a big V8 oooh yes!

I guess it is a bit more than your paying !

Did you get your Boxster sorted? Talking of Boxsters i saw one which was a crime to all Boxsters, black with silver decals down the side saying BOXSTAAAA hope your not planning on doing anything like that?!

I'm paying £400 ish, must check to see if I'm covered for the Cotswald rally next weekend.

The Boxster you saw sounds horrible- I got the carmon red because its not too much in your face and its not silver.

I may invest in some coloured wheel centres some day but that'll be about it.

I'm taking the Boxster to Reading OPC on Saturday.

Well done by the way for not going for the BMW.

Not a bad price! You should be covered for the rally (so long as it is just basically a convoy run out), normally the only things you aren't covered for is track days and off roading (i doubt you'll need that!). If you ever do a track day you don't have to be insured but i would, get cover from a specialist insurer because it will be quite a lot cheaper.

That Boxster was disgusting. Generally i like "in your face" colours (Alfa is alfa red and Celica is an aquamarine blue) i also like White, Yellows and Reds on the right car but BRG IMHO only looks good on Chimaera, older MX-5's and classic British sports cars. Silver is a bit dull, not as bad as these nasty "primer" greys that seem to be very popular at the moment. I haven't seen many Boxters in Carmon Red and i must congratulate you - again - on you excellent choice of colour!

Coloured wheel centres? Don't you get those as standard?

Don't know about OPC in Reading but i take it you brought it from there, you shouldn't have much trouble, i've heard some of them just aren't that great.

I didn't go for the BMW in the end, it was a nice drive but a bit too refined for me. A lovely car in it's own right but it's a very heavy car, safety obssessed (i can just about stand a drivers airbag but thats my lot!!!) with a load of pointless electrical gadgets, just not my thing hence the opposite in buying a TVR no ABS, no traction, no power steering, no airbags just you and the car. You're driving it instead of it driving you!!

No the wheel centres are an option at around £100, I didn't want to push my wife too far at the time !

I quite like cars without all the gimmicry, I thought TVR's were quite difficult to get started (and get out of) though.

The most annoying thing I find about my Boxster are the remote controls- its really easy to accidentally open the boots (which unlocks the car too).

What options did you have? or is it a totally standard car? I hope you didn't have none of this stupid sat-nav!

TVR's are only difficult to get started if stood (like most cars) though if you use them everyday, reliability really won't be an issue, they have got a bit of a bad name from all the weekend drivers that get them out every so often and realise it doesn't want to start, what do they expect? TVR's have little issues but sometimes quite often and ones that reoccur, they are a hand made car and is to be expected. Getting out of a TVR - no problem! Elise, Caterhams etc., now they're a different matter entirely.

I do like remote central locking better than having to use a key, though some are very easy to catch the wrong thing - my Celica has an unlock/lock button and the one next to it sets the alarm off, very embarrassing! I'm also not a big fan of door handles now thats where other manufacturers should take a leaf out of TVR's book!

The getting started/getting out of I was refferring to was with people who don't know them and then can't find starter buttons and door releases.


The only options I have are full leather interior, metallic paint , wind deflector and VTS.

Ah, well being brought up with TVR's i haven't had a problem but it's really funny when you get people who don't know the cars coming to look round them "but how do you get in?!!" the million dollar question, if i had a £1 for every time someone said that.......

VTS??

Any meets this weekend? I'm just going over to Donington tomorrow to see the Historical Sports Car Club, usually a good day out

vehicle tracking system.

Ah now i see! Good idea.

Did it all go well at OPC? Hope so!

I've been down to Donington today for the Historic Sports Car Club, was really good, the weather has been perfect!

Managed to pick Chimaera up this morning - i thought i wouldn't have it until next week so i'm happy, especially with how the weathers been! Went down with the Porsche lot (5 Porsches and me!!) though so had to endure the usual reliability jokes haha very funny!

Yes the spoiler got fixed.
They took it to bits- couldn't find a problem- but it didn't work.
They fitted some new parts- it didn't work.
Then they told me they were going to put it back together and I'd have to bring it in again.
They put it back together and then it worked.

So overall they never knew what was wrong- so fingers crossed its ok now.

A tempremental Porsche, no surely not!

More likely C*** mechanics !
Just glad I wasn't paying the £100 per hour !

What did i say about OPC's?! Far better off with an independent that knows what they're talking about

As soon as the warranty expires I'll be using Autofarm in Oxfordshire, they are well known for mechanical stuff on Porsches and restorations etc. Autofarm have lots of experience at rebuilding engines too and doing stuff like relining cylinder bores- for the modern engines the OPC's never rebuild engines they just replace them at huge cost.

Good, good!

No really i've heard no end of bad things about OPC's and we don't really deal with Porsche's.

I've just seen from another thread that you're going over to the dark side- working in a BMW delearship- I hope you're going to point out to new customers what that stalk on the steering column is for (you know the one that makes those funny orange lights flash sometimes).

It was the Cotswold rally on Sunday, quite fun but some of the driving was a little sedate for me. On the return journey I got stuck behind a 944 that wouldn't go faster than 50 for about 10 miles.

It was really quite surreal- in front of you would be 6 or 7 Porsches, and in your mirrors would be another 6 or 7 Porsches.

Yep i'm going to go and work for a BMW dealership. The only reason being, there is a lot more money to be made and hopefully (if i don't start my own garage) i would like to get to Dealer Principal (which you can't do with only experience in a small independent with a very niche market). I'll get a 07 plate 320D for my company car, good in winter but diesel hmm though in summer i'll be turning up in my TVR or the Alfa (the 'four will have to go )

Will be pointing out about indicators and also pointing out a 3 series is not the fastest car in the world (no need to tailgate) learning them to indicate could be hard though a spin in the TVR will soon have them under the impression a BMW is no where near the fastest car ever (TVR's feel they're going faster than they are most of the time!)

I can understand about the driving being a bit sedate, i hope you don't take offence to this but what with the age of the average Porsche driver and all that (TVR is the same!) Postonheads runs are great, really good fun and certainly are not sedate, could be worth seeing what your area does. My area is fantastic theres always something yet i think some area aren't so good!

I know what you mean about the surreal thing, i went to a TVR cars in the park day at Chatsworth and the convoy up was a bit strange we had be organised into Chimaera, S, Griff, Tuscan etc. i think in our convoy there were about 20 Chimaera's all following each other!

No offence taken, at 39 I was one of the youngest there- I even got called a young man by someone !
I think the owners of most expensive cars tend to be at the older age ranges (with beards- I don't have a beard by the way), or young blonde women (you're not blonde are you ? as you said - no offence intended). I do prefer the older drivers to the young city types though.

I think you have to take into the account the age of the cars too-they were mainly 911 SC's (mid 80's) 911 Carrera 3.2's (late eighties) 993's, early 911's and a smattering of 356's, 924's, 944's, one 914 and a few modern cars.

We got a lot of comments about the colour of our car- everybody seemed to like it. One person had tried to order a car in our colour and the OPC put them off saying they'd never be able to resell it- funny that when everyone liked the colour !

It's very true about expensive cars and older age ranges! TVR's seem to attract people who are not too old but not young either, a very niche market though. No, i'm not blonde at all, i've got dark hair. "city types" are the worse kind of driver especially round the country beacuse they just don't seem to have a clue!

I do like the old 911's not into 996 though but the 997 looks better still not as good as the old "whale tail" Porsches!

What is there not to like about the colour of your car, it's very nice! Why people listen so much to OPC's i haven't a clue, the people i know with Porsche's haven't been happy with them at all!

Hi guys I have recently become an unwilling petrol head - working in the family business selling - Landrovers and things of that nature.

Tell me guys when you first started working in the motorfield - did you think it was boring too?

Will it get better?

Is the fact I got a little excited about my landrover spares order coming in a sign that its too late for am I really on the slippery slope to becoming a petrol head - or should I say TDI head??

Welcome! Being a petrolhead is great!

What are you doing in the motor trade? I'm a Sales Exec at the moment. Sometimes it can be a little boring until you get a few sales and build a customer base then you'll be fine. I did work for my mum's garage (Specialising in British Sports Cars), tomorrow i'm going off to work for BMW because it is progressing and i'll get some experience working for a main dealer.

Your on the slippery slope though that slope is much more exciting if it's high octane, fast sports cars you're into!!!! Or TVR's, yes! Not Porsche's they're boring

You'll soon be going to car meets and "needing" your car remapping or craving a big V8 with decatted exhausts. Enjoy it!

Isn't that trolling ?
Porsches boring eh, says the BMW salesman !
You'll have to let me know what the Z4 is like to drive when you've had a go.
I don't like 996's much either, or the previous model boxster (986) at least they've gone a bit Retro with the 987 and 997. 993's are a different matter-beautiful cars.

Welcome good intentions- at least Land Rover's are interesting- I saw the one made for Lara Croft (the film) yesterday.

Says the 60's Alfa and TVR driver actually who happens to sell BMW's!!!

I'll probably have a go in the Z4 tomorrow. I've heard the Z4M is extremely capable and a fantastic car, much better then a Boxster hahaha! Only joking, Boxsters are meant to be good fun for a modern car too!

993 oh yes please, even i've got admit they are beautiful cars! 997 GT3RS is very, very nice too, especially in orange with black decals (yes i love cars in outrageous colours like most TVR fanatics!!)

Lara Crofts' landrover? How do you know it was made for the film? Is that the industry you work in? Though what with you being a Porsche man chances are you were more interested in Lara Croft !!

The Tomb raider car was in the Gaydon heritage collection that was the stop at the mid point of the rally.
The collection is a museum of British cars - unfortunately most of it was shut because of refurbishment- and is owned by the Land Rover group.

I do like cars other than Porsches you know (except BMW's !)

No I don't work in the film industry- I'm a development chemist (yawn).

How's the Chimera by the way ? How old is it ? and what colour is it ?

Sorry, most Porsche driver's i know like Porsches and nothing else!

What is it you don't like about BMW's? They are good, capable cars and drive the right wheels, unusual for today sadly!

My Chimaera is a '94, 4.3 "big valve", in British Racing Green with Magnolia and Green combination interior (looks so much better than it sounds!). Will post a pic, just not at the computer with all my pics on at the moment!! One dream forfilled anyway, i think i'll probably keep it forever, it's fantastic

With BMW's its not the cars, its the drivers I don't like.


With limitless money here are a few cars that I would get.

A Fiat 500
A Fiat 124 spider
A Fiat Panda 100HP
A Dino 246 (often incorrectly badged as a Ferrarri)
Porsche 916
Porsche 904 carrera GTS
Porsche 993 Carrerra 2S
Porsche 356B cabriolet
Maserati Spyder
Maserati Quatroporte (if only they fitted a manual gearbox!)
Ferrarri 208 GTS
Citroen SM (the one with the V6 Maserati engine)
AC Cobra
Ferrarri GTO
Volvo P whatnot (the one the saint drove)
Triumph Stag (But with a decent engine put in it)
Mercedes 300 SL (gullwing)

I forgot the 1973 2.7 carrerra RS in my list !

You list actually looks very interesting and full of classic cars.

Isn't the Fiat Panda 100BHP the one Evo keeps raving about?

Not an E-type fan?!

My list is (in no order whatsoever!):
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Toyota Supra Twin Turbo Manual
TVR Sagaris (drove one)
Ferrari 360 (drove one)
Jaguar E type
Audi Ur Quattro
Mercedes SL 500
Porsche 911 (993 - turbo s) (drove a C2)
Honda Integra Type-R
BMW M3 CSL (E46) (passenger ride in one)
TVR Tuscan S (drove one)

As in my profile!

Others:
Ferrari 355
TVR Chimaera (own one)
Alfa Romeo Spider (Boat tail model) (own one)
Noble M400 (however i missed that out of my original list i don't know!)
BMW e30 M3 Evo3 (drove one)
BMW 850CSi (drove one)
Honda NSX-R
Lamborghini Countach
AC Cobra (drove one)
Radical - Trackday car.

I'm sure theres some i've missed off!

Saab Cabriolet convertible. Gosh, you could even buy a violin for that much money!

(You should only buy cars from people who make airplanes - Saab, Honda... . Just a little work-related prejudice here.)