Off Topic Bye bye 500!

[306maxi]

Which brings me back to another pretty good small rally car the Talbot Samba.

Yes you can still to this day buy genuine Abarth sequential gearboxes for integrales at some 12K, Abarth gauges, carbon drive shafts first place used outside F1 iirc the first ever place tyre earners were used was by Abarth engineers on the Lancia rally cars, F1 followed.

Considering the integrale evolved to meet the rules regulating rallying you could say that as the cars had to homologated & sold to the public the integrale was the last true Abarth as form followed function hence why it won 6 manufacturer championships 4 drivers & 46 wrc events in only 6 years. Took Subaru 14 years with 5 different models of Impreza to match the number if victories.

When Abarth was disbanded most of the engineers went to Astra Racing who bought most/all of the stock as Fiat\Lancia couldn't be interested.

To be fair though, for a good deal of time it was only Lancia and Toyota (the glory days to me!!!!!) and when Subaru were competing they were up against some pretty stiff competition in the form of Toyota, Mitsubishi, Peugeot rocked up in '99 and Citroen in 2002. It's always difficult to compare these sort of things as some manufacturers have a tougher fight than others I'm not a Subaru fan btw, I only like the wifes one because it's the wifes car! Plus I like most 2l fwd turbo cars

If there's one thing I'm sure we can agree on it's that Ford are **** when it comes to rallying Look at the amount of wins for the C4 and Xsara compared to the Focus.....

http://rallycars.com/Cars/wrc_statistics.html

 

[306maxi]

Going EVEN further off topic J333EVO, You going to rally GB this year? They're running some decent stages up here in North Wales this year

 

[dave]

vespa abath exhaust

lambretta abarth exhaust

[ame="http://www.flickr.com/photos/culturesponge/399151080/"]lambretta ld abarth exhaust #2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!@@AMEPARAM@@http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/399151080_f4202192d5_m.jpg@@AMEPARAM@@399151080@@AMEPARAM@@f4202192d5[/ame]

they was crap

 

[J333EVO]

When the integrale won it's titles it was up against the Ford Sierra & Escort Cosworths, Nissan Sunny GTiR, Subaru Legacy & Impreza in 1992?, Mitsubishi Galant & EVO again in 1992? Toyota Celica GT4's, Mazda 323 Turbo, Golf Rallye, Audi 200 Quattro it really was the peak of Group A rallying as I may even have missed stuff out.

Probably no motorsport for me this year as my first child, daughter Isla is 1 week old today, hence lots of Internet time between nappies & feeds lol

 

[306maxi]

When the integrale won it's titles it was up against the Ford Sierra & Escort Cosworths, Nissan Sunny GTiR, Subaru Legacy & Impreza in 1992?, Mitsubishi Galant & EVO again in 1992? Toyota Celica GT4's, Mazda 323 Turbo, Golf Rallye, Audi 200 Quattro it really was the peak of Group A rallying as I may even have missed stuff out.

Probably no motorsport for me this year as my first child, daughter Isla is 1 week old today, hence lots of Internet time between nappies & feeds lol

Ah come on

Other than the GT4 and later on the Impreza, I don't think any of those other cars were ever really exceptional cars. If we're going to talk about cars like the Sunny GTiR lets not forget the wonderfully craptastic Calibra Group A I think Lancia's achievements speak for themselves as do Citroen's, Peugeot's, Toyota's and Subaru's records.

Lets also not forget that during that era, Lancia and Toyota had more or less a monopoly over all the good drivers with Sainz, Auriol, Kankkunen and Alen spending more or less all their time in that era in Toyota's or Lancia's

Congrats on the daughter

 

[loveshandbags]

Congrats on the daughter

Ditto. Congratulations to yourself J333EVO and your partner on your daughter.

 

[grimwau]

Going EVEN further off topic

How do you do that in an "Off Topic" thread?

 

[Melanabb]

Lloyd, sad to see your 500 go, but little Peugeot looks like a fast runner and no more worrying about the dents! Wishing you all the luck with it! The best must be the funds saved for all that travelling - think of that every time you sit in the car!

 

[RobinPJ]

What about "loveshandbags" Lancia Falvia?

Michael, that sounds really dirty.

My wife is taking in her ***** estate for a cervix later this week...

 

[lilrachiebaby89]

Well, that's it, my little 500 has gone. It was driven off today with the remark that "It's been looked after too well!" by the inspector! But what's it being replace with? Well, it's this:

1996 Peugeot 106 1.4XR
It's done 84,000 miles, is in perfect condition inside and out except for one dent, and cost (my girlfriend) £650! But how does it compare to the 500? Let's see.

Looks: The 500 wins this. It's still a looker, even today. Although I do love the Pug's front end....

Interior: The 500 wins this too, it's just a nice place to be. The 106 is very old now, but the build quality of the inside surprised me. It's actually pretty solid, and everything works perfectly. Plus the indicators actually bloody work. Take note, Fiat. The French were doing it just fine 15 years ago so why can't you do it today?

Performance: The 106 beats the 500 hands down. It's faster and corners better despite the age. It's brilliant fun when people assume it's a 1.1, too. :devil:

Comfort: The 106 clinches this one. Even though it's lacking in air con (Not missed it even in this hot weather!) the suspension is excellent and the seats are mega comfy.

Costs: The 106 cost £650. The insurance is cheaper, too. The only thing more expensive is the tax but given that the car will have paid for itself in 3 1/2 months I'm not complaining.

Overall I'm pretty happy. The £200 in my pocket each month is a nice thing to have but the Pug has really surprised me too. Everyone I know has scoffed at me for driving it over the 500. Until they've been in it and then they've changed their minds. It's not exactly a fast car but it's quick and nimble enough to put a smile on my face along with my passenger. It's still got electric windows and central locking which are the only mod cons I need and the keypad immobiliser never fails to entertain either. The Transporter has one.

I've just done this switch almost the other way around. I've had a Y reg 106 since I past my test almost 3 years ago, only a 1.1 though, no power steering and no electric windows... it was a tank! But it did me proud and I loved it, passed its MOT first time for 2 out of the 3 MOT's I had on it. I do miss 'Penelope' as I called her, but Phoebe my new 500 is so much better looking.

I do have to park a mile from the supermarket doors now because I'm frightened someone will whack my door! Which I didn't have to do before on a 10 year old car that someone had keyed all down the passenger side before I bought it anyway.

The main thing I have noticed is in my old peugeot I could fly uphill in 4th gear (1.1 engine!) but with the 500 it's back to 2nd gear for a hill and foot fully to the floor for a while which I never had to do in the old one. Not sure whether the 500 must be heavier?? As he engine is that tiny bit bigger (1.2). But I still love it. Don't have a bad word to say about Peugeot 106's though, there is a reason why you see so many 10+ year old ones still on the roads today.

 

[loveshandbags]

I've just done this switch almost the other way around. I've had a Y reg 106 since I past my test almost 3 years ago, only a 1.1 though, no power steering and no electric windows... it was a tank! But it did me proud and I loved it, passed its MOT first time for 2 out of the 3 MOT's I had on it. I do miss 'Penelope' as I called her, but Phoebe my new 500 is so much better looking.

I do have to park a mile from the supermarket doors now because I'm frightened someone will whack my door! Which I didn't have to do before on a 10 year old car that someone had keyed all down the passenger side before I bought it anyway.

The main thing I have noticed is in my old peugeot I could fly uphill in 4th gear (1.1 engine!) but with the 500 it's back to 2nd gear for a hill and foot fully to the floor for a while which I never had to do in the old one. Not sure whether the 500 must be heavier?? As he engine is that tiny bit bigger (1.2). But I still love it. Don't have a bad word to say about Peugeot 106's though, there is a reason why you see so many 10+ year old ones still on the roads today.

I had a look at this - mate of mine used to polish up his 1.1 106 with its squeeky front suspension until he finally got rid of it and bought a proper car. - only kidding.
http://www.carinf.com/en/f37098270.html
Looking at Parkers there was a hugh number of models so I picked the one up there to simplify it.
I've no torque figures but it's 1122cc 61 bhp and weights 790kg
as against 1242cc 69bhp and weights 865bhp

I remember the Ka with no power steering was more spiritly than the Ka 2 with power steering but the 500 is loaded up with things like Power steering , air bags, extra steel for safety, etc.

You touched on weight - difference is 75kg - the weight of an 'average' adult. Weight makes a difference in cars of this 'power' range. I reckon as you break the car in the engine will loosen and you'll be able to climb that hill in 3rd . But someone else that drives a 1.2 would be better able to advice on this.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article504779.ece
Surprised at emissions from this 1.1 engine at 145grs/km.

 

[Super Uwe]

I've just done this switch almost the other way around. I've had a Y reg 106 since I past my test almost 3 years ago, only a 1.1 though, no power steering and no electric windows... it was a tank! But it did me proud and I loved it, passed its MOT first time for 2 out of the 3 MOT's I had on it. I do miss 'Penelope' as I called her, but Phoebe my new 500 is so much better looking.

I do have to park a mile from the supermarket doors now because I'm frightened someone will whack my door! Which I didn't have to do before on a 10 year old car that someone had keyed all down the passenger side before I bought it anyway.

The main thing I have noticed is in my old peugeot I could fly uphill in 4th gear (1.1 engine!) but with the 500 it's back to 2nd gear for a hill and foot fully to the floor for a while which I never had to do in the old one. Not sure whether the 500 must be heavier?? As he engine is that tiny bit bigger (1.2). But I still love it. Don't have a bad word to say about Peugeot 106's though, there is a reason why you see so many 10+ year old ones still on the roads today.

Yeah the acceleration in the 1.2 for the first couple of thousand miles is not brilliant!

However the good news is that it will loosen up nicely as you go. Our car has 17k on the clock now and what I have noticed is that it will go up certain hills in 4th where previously you would have to drop down to 3rd or 2nd.

Also you will find that 2nd and 3rd gears are actually surprisingly responsive once the engine has run-in. It's not supercar performance by any means, but if you give it some beans up to 3/4/5k revs it isn't bad at all. And is quite a lot of fun!

Back to the topic - Lloyd, I hope you enjoy your new car as well. I cannot blame you at all for switching over, at the end of the day a car is a car, and if there's other things you are now able to afford which you want to do then all well and good

 

[RobW]

I would say enjoy your ****box but you seem to be!

 

[Lloyd71]

I would say enjoy your ****box but you seem to be!

Having more money in my pocket and no longer worrying about the car getting damaged is awesome! If some dick in an Audi tries to barge through my right of way now I just carry on. If he hits my wing mirror it's a tenner on eBay. His electric heated unit will cost a lot more. Their call if they move over.

 

[jrkitching]

If some dick in an Audi tries to barge through my right of way now I just carry on. If he hits my wing mirror it's a tenner on eBay. His electric heated unit will cost a lot more. Their call if they move over.

Remember the owner of that flash Audi might not be paying his own repair bills. When it comes to 'right of way', a company car trumps your Peugeot 106!

 

[OrangeSport]

Good luck with the new car - I can see your reasoning, but one word of advice; if it looks like you are about to crash, get out!

 

[loveshandbags]

Remember the owner of that flash Audi might not be paying his own repair bills. When it comes to 'right of way', a company car trumps your Peugeot 106!

The owner of the flash Audi probably has a 500 for the missus.

 

[Lloyd71]

Remember the owner of that flash Audi might not be paying his own repair bills. When it comes to 'right of way', a company car trumps your Peugeot 106!

It's still worth it for the look on their face

 

[RobW]

Having more money in my pocket and no longer worrying about the car getting damaged is awesome! If some dick in an Audi tries to barge through my right of way now I just carry on. If he hits my wing mirror it's a tenner on eBay. His electric heated unit will cost a lot more. Their call if they move over.

3 months until you are looking at the classifieds...

 

[RUI]

The owner of the flash Audi probably has a 500 for the missus.

GET OUT OF MY WAY