Dinostar77 wrote:

I dont see the hybrid/electric revolution gaining any traction in less devrloped comuntries. Infrastructure and cost of ownership being two massive hurdles.

Hmmmm. Exactly how much solar power can I harness in those countries tho?

I think once solar power and localised battery storage are up to scratch and affordable that you'd be mad not to go electric even in developing countries.

I know Porsche are nearly there. Which means the rest of VAG will be too. So I can’t imagine competitors being far behind.

From a Porsche press release mid-December:

Charging electric vehicles may soon be as quickly completed as filling up with fuel is today, thanks to an interim result from the “FastCharge” research project. The research consortium presented a prototype for a charging station with an output of up to 450 kW yesterday in Jettingen-Scheppach, located near the A8 motorway between Ulm and Augsburg. The new charging station is suitable for electric models of all brands with the European standard Type 2 variant of the widely used Combined Charging System (CCS), and is now available for use free of charge. A Porsche research vehicle with a net battery capacity of approximately 90 kWh achieved a charging capacity of over 400 kW on the new charging station, allowing for charging times of less than 3 minutes for the first 100 km range.

Three minutes to charge for 100km of range. That’s a pretty good start.

Question - 

I'm going to be getting a new car at the start of February. When I say new, I mean used. I'm looking for a Vauxhall Astra-ish (which I currently drive) and it has to be automatic. I'm looking to do 5 years payment, roughly around £130-170 per month, and can do about £500 deposit. What should I be looking for? Am I way off topic? Or what can / should I be looking for?

Many thanks - A car idiot.

What's PCP apart from a Manics Song?

Pop's pretty much bang on the money there reg.

Lets assume you're looking at a 10k car over 4 years. They'll give a value of what the car will be worth in 4 years, you're basically financing the difference. So, they say it'll be worth 3k in 4 years, you're paying for the 7k. At the rnd, you either pay the 3k and keep it, or trade it in against a new car. If in 4 years, the market value of the car is actually 3.5k, you've got £500 as a deposit on your next car. If it's only 2.5k, you still get the 3k, as it's a 'guaranteed future value'.

I've massively oversimplified it there, but that's the gist of it. You'll need to make sure the vehicle's maintained as per manufacturers schedule. You'll also agree how many miles a year you'll do in the car, if you've went over it, they charge you per mile. Or, do what i did and trade it in early, you're almost always going to have negative equity to settle if you do (i managed to get my negative equity to £400, but if I'd accepted their initial offer it would've been £1200).

I'd love a new car. My 04 golf diesel 120,000 miles on the clock is getting on abit. Rusting above both wheel arches(£500 if i got it fixed) , needs a new muffler. I have a feeling the mot in march will say i need new bushes on the offside of the car.

Tighter emissions tests for mot has me dreading the bill. If i had the money available for a contract hire id go for a S3 or Golf R or a A35 AMG. After all of im gonna shellout monthly for the car might as well be something i enjoy. Sadly, its a pipedream. I do less than 8,000 a year. The golf, touch wood will keep me going for a few more years hopefully.

I had a good look around a US spec Tesla Model 3 at the store in Edinburgh yesterday. Lovely looking vehicle, but I remain concerned about carrying two bicycles in or on it with any real convenience. Also, whilst not being tall (5' 8"), the leg room in the rear felt quite limited unless the font seat was set high. I'll hold onto my reservation for now, but I suspect that the pricing is going to be more than I will like when it comes to the UK pricing announcement...

My day today: playing with a GT40. It’s a hard life.

Repro, pulled from original moulds. 5.0 LS, gulf livery. Am happy. Pics will follow.

Oof, today sounds like a good day.

Very nice indeed.

Not to take away from your much better morning than mine, but also have a look at this rare beastie.

I do love a Marcos, and although I’m not a fan of the flip paint this is one hell of an eBay find for someone.

Can’t quite get my head around it being at a small dealership in Dunfermline, though.

Less mad than a TVR, but only slightly.

Got the GT40 finished late yesterday. Full decontamination, machine polish and 2-stage ceramic coating means it now looks superb. Paint's come up really well. We also gave the plastics (lights / side windows etc.) and the stainless steel bits (wheels, fuel fillers etc.) a good polishing. Looks like a new motor now.

Cold weather means the ceramic is curing slower than usual, so we won't be able to go out for a play until the weekend. Which is annoying. She sounds lovely though. Very jealous. Taken my mate 10 years and goodness knows how much cash (I'm guessing about £40k, but he won't say) to build her.

It's an abolute monster. When it fires up you can feel your kidneys shaking.

I thought he has an LS in it (cheap option), but apparently he actually went for the full-fat traditional small-block V8 with Holley carbs. Apparently a pig to set-up, but crikey they sound sweet. Last month he had new custom headers and a faster flowing ceramic-coated exhaust fitted – he reckons it's pulling about 400-410bhp at the wheels now. It only weighs a raction over a tonne... Yikes.

Massively customised Ford underpinnings, as I understand it. Probably a Fiesta, judging from the footprint. I'll have to ask him. He got the chassis and panels from a company that specialises in just GT40 reps and sourced everything else himself. He's a hell of a mechanic.

Has no idea how to keep his motor clean, mind...