I am pretty sure people have read my rantings before about the car, but I want to set it straight now.
When I bought the car (October 2022) I had a test drive and thought it was OK; I also drove the car back home (M6 and A14) without major issues. But, a few weeks later I drove to Norfolk via mainly A and B roads, and I thought I had made a big mistake: the handling was atrocious, so much so that I started to look at another car to buy.
Now, I am sure there will be all the jokes about adding extra ponies under the bonnet with bling, thank straps, etc., but the car now feels completely different. Firstly I tackled the binding front calliper; then a visited to the Midlands ZedShed to sort the front suspension. The car was handling much better after that, but still on a par with my 50 years old Spitfire.
This weekend I replaced the wheels with a staggered set sporting pretty reasonable Continental tyres (as opposed to the Chinese ones on the old wheels), and yesterday took the car for a front alignment. What a difference.
Yesterday, after the front wheels' alignment, as the sun was shining, I took the car for a spin around the local fen. Most roads around here are crap: sinking, potholes, adverse camber, which until now scared the hell out of me. No more! The car just feels planted and a pleasure to drive, so the 1.9 is definitely staying. I've even asked Gaz to add me to the "M44 Massive".
I've spent more money than I wanted on a second toy, but it looks like a good investment. Next doing the rear bushes...
When I bought the car (October 2022) I had a test drive and thought it was OK; I also drove the car back home (M6 and A14) without major issues. But, a few weeks later I drove to Norfolk via mainly A and B roads, and I thought I had made a big mistake: the handling was atrocious, so much so that I started to look at another car to buy.
Now, I am sure there will be all the jokes about adding extra ponies under the bonnet with bling, thank straps, etc., but the car now feels completely different. Firstly I tackled the binding front calliper; then a visited to the Midlands ZedShed to sort the front suspension. The car was handling much better after that, but still on a par with my 50 years old Spitfire.
This weekend I replaced the wheels with a staggered set sporting pretty reasonable Continental tyres (as opposed to the Chinese ones on the old wheels), and yesterday took the car for a front alignment. What a difference.
Yesterday, after the front wheels' alignment, as the sun was shining, I took the car for a spin around the local fen. Most roads around here are crap: sinking, potholes, adverse camber, which until now scared the hell out of me. No more! The car just feels planted and a pleasure to drive, so the 1.9 is definitely staying. I've even asked Gaz to add me to the "M44 Massive".
I've spent more money than I wanted on a second toy, but it looks like a good investment. Next doing the rear bushes...
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