While we are Eos centric it isn't the only car right? My other car is a Miata and loads of fun but a bit small at times.

I live in California (sunny 9 months out of the year) so having a convertible just makes sense.

Hi Andrew

So you live in California, you lucky sonofa..!

I have a (unique) steel-bodied TVR but living in Yorkshire it doesn't often get out apart from in high summer because it's always throwing it down with rain at the weekend...

Thought this was a UK website (most of contributors seem to be in UK) but suppose the same problems/experiences apply. Can't imagine US dealers are as poor as ours in the UK though...

Andrew,

I also thought this was a UK site, but it's good to be talking to our American Cousins! [you do write without an accent(!)].
Am I detecting some disatisfaction with VW dealers? So far they have been okay with me and 4 years with my Golf GTi. If you pursue them they do deliver, or am I just lucky? However, I have yet to take delivery of my Eos (1st March) so will keep my fingers crossed.

Regards,

Gravey

The EOS is the wife's car so I do not get to drive it much, I just get to wash it!

Mine is a diesel Accord Tourer - just coming up to three years old and 90k miles so doing well. It is actually 110 kg lighter than her 2.0 FSI EOS.

I have a (unique) steel-bodied TVR but living in Yorkshire it doesn't often get out apart from in high summer because it's always throwing it down with rain at the weekend....

Isn’t the factory TVR made of fibreglass? How did you get a (unique) steel-bodied one? Please tell all.

My other car is a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera. I use it for the odd track day and Sunny Sunday drives. Its currently undergoing a glass out bare metal restore / respray. Should be getting it back next month.

And my current daily driver is a Honda CR-V. Soon (March) to be changed into the Eos TDI, can’t wait.:D

All the best
Paul

Isn’t the factory TVR made of fibreglass? How did you get a (unique) steel-bodied one? Please tell all.

My other car is a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera. I use it for the odd track day and Sunny Sunday drives. Its currently undergoing a glass out bare metal restore / respray. Should be getting it back next month.

And my current daily driver is a Honda CR-V. Soon (March) to be changed into the Eos TDI, can’t wait.:D

All the best
Paul

Hi Paul

It's an Italian-bodied prototype TVR hand-built at Carrozzeria Fissore in Turin. There are actually 3 others (including 1 convertible) but only the convertible is on the road (in Belgium - currently For Sale) but they are all aluminium-bodied. Only mine is in the UK.

Pictures of my car can be seen on:

www.gspovey.demon.co.uk/garage/tvr/gallery/tridentc3.htm

if you're interested!

Hi Paul

It's an Italian-bodied prototype TVR hand-built at Carrozzeria Fissore in Turin. There are actually 3 others (including 1 convertible) but only the convertible is on the road (in Belgium - currently For Sale) but they are all aluminium-bodied. Only mine is in the UK.

Pictures of my car can be seen on:

www.gspovey.demon.co.uk/garage/tvr/gallery/tridentc3.htm

if you're interested!

Thats cool. Thanks :D

My wife drives an infiniti G35 coupe with all the extras, bells, etc... Nice car, FAST. But since I got my Eos her car just hasn't been as exciting! I think she is a little upset I don't drive her car anymore. :D

Hi Paul

It's an Italian-bodied prototype TVR hand-built at Carrozzeria Fissore in Turin. There are actually 3 others (including 1 convertible) but only the convertible is on the road (in Belgium - currently For Sale) but they are all aluminium-bodied. Only mine is in the UK.



Am I correct in thinking that TVR had a set of moulds made up for the Trident glass-fibre bodies but never used it? I seem to remember reading something about these being rescued from their yard about 4-5 years ago (or put on the scrap heap).
That is the best looking TVR ever, imho.

I've got a 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint DHC. :cool:

Cheers,
Pete.

Am I correct in thinking that TVR had a set of moulds made up for the Trident glass-fibre bodies but never used it? I seem to remember reading something about these being rescued from their yard about 4-5 years ago (or put on the scrap heap).
That is the best looking TVR ever, imho.

I've got a 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint DHC. :cool:

Cheers,
Pete.

Somehow I guessed you might have a 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint!

No, the moulds were bought ('nicked' according to Martin Lilley) from Italy by TVR dealer Bill Last, who set up his own Trident marque to build TVR Trident lookalikes in glassfibre. The moulds were in fact at Grantura Plastics when Martin Lilley took over TVR as the bodies for Tridents (Clippers and Venturers) were made there initially before being transferred to Woodbridge then Ipswich! The moulds didn't resurface anywhere 4/5 years ago!

The full TVR Trident story can be seen on Pistonheads website; there's also a Trident Car Club website.

Sadly the Tridents weren't half the cars the original TVR Trident was; although they looked broadly similar there isn't actually one single item that's interchangeable and the proportions are all slightly different all round. Enough in fact for the purity of the design to be completely lost!

Gulp, in awe, shyly looking at ground, what a CRACKER!

John

Gulp, in awe, shyly looking at ground, what a CRACKER!

John

Didn't you say you were touring in our area this year? You're welcome to call in and have a look!

Just spotted this. That would be great, if my punishing schedule allows! An old pal is back from abroad, so Lancs now on agenda too, pressure, pressure...

While we are Eos centric it isn't the only car right? My other car is a Miata and loads of fun but a bit small at times.

I live in California (sunny 9 months out of the year) so having a convertible just makes sense.

Andrew - up until this point I really thought you lived somewhere in the centre of the Home Counties in England! Had to look up a Miata and realised to my shame it's an MX5 as far as we in the UK are concerned. Nice car and would be my top choice of my 'other' modern car based on driver appeal. Interesting that this site is expanding my knowledge of non-European models as I also had to look up the Infiniti G35!

I'm nervous in this august company, this is too bland, but my 'other' car is an Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. I commute 40,000 miles each year, and was hooked on VAG when involved in a 'not my fault' near head-on collision a few years ago in my first A4. Other car [a Ford Puma] was nigh on chopped in two and tossed to one side. The A4 just stopped where it was, job done. My wife and I walked away, the other driver rushed [ok] to hospital. When the fire brigade arrived one just looked at the A4 and said 'tough cars these'. Sold. BUTTTTTTTTT not ANYTHING like as sexy as the cars all you other guys have.

Extremely jealous. One day..............................

Paul:cool:

I have a 2007 VW Rabbit (Golf V) and a 2006 Mazda 5. I love them both and the Mazda 5 is necessary due to having two children. I dream of trading one for an Eos as does the wife.

A UK site? I thought it was an Eos site?

A UK site? I thought it was an Eos site?

It definitely is! I was emphasising my own mistake re Andrews nationality - one should never assume etc etc! The 'cosmopolitan' nature of this site greatly adds to its interest and value and makes it one I tend to visit more often, imho!

Paul:cool:

The 'cosmopolitan' nature of this site greatly adds to its interest and value and makes it one I tend to visit more often, imho!

Paul:cool:

I totally agree. It is a great mix and I often like some of the English I read on here. I should plan a trip to that part of the world some day. My father has ventured to Scotland several times to play golf and I had a cousin who lived for some time in London. They both loved their travels there.

To stay somewhat on topic here is my old Miata aka MX-5:
http://www.monracing.com/Miata_race.jpg

Cool, our site is cosmopolitan! Good choice of words and I'm glad to see a general consensus for this.

Does anyone know if the Eos is being offered in Asia?

I totally agree. It is a great mix and I often like some of the English I read on here. I should plan a trip to that part of the world some day. My father has ventured to Scotland several times to play golf and I had a cousin who lived for some time in London. They both loved their travels there.

To stay somewhat on topic here is my old Miata aka MX-5:
http://www.monracing.com/Miata_race.jpg

Great photo - very jealous! If you plan a visit to the UK you have a lot of contacts now through this site who can help with where to go. Scotland is of course stunning, both in terms of the landscape and also the cities. London is a great place too and should not be missed - but outside of that are plenty of other places you should try and visit - this small island of ours has a rich diversity of cultures, traditions and sights, whether it be England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland. Or Yorkshire!!!!

Best wishes

Paul:cool:

Great photo - very jealous! If you plan a visit to the UK you have a lot of contacts now through this site who can help with where to go. Scotland is of course stunning, both in terms of the landscape and also the cities. London is a great place too and should not be missed - but outside of that are plenty of other places you should try and visit - this small island of ours has a rich diversity of cultures, traditions and sights, whether it be England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland. Or Yorkshire!!!!

Best wishes

Paul:cool:


HEY, AND DON'T FORGET BLACKPOOL(!) AND THE NORTH WEST INCLUDING THE LAKES.

GRAVEY

Our first other car is a 2001 Subaru Outback wagon which we were going to sell until I parked the 20 day old Eos against a guard rail in the snow, in the mountains near Telluride, Colo. After that, my wife, insisted we needed an all wheel drive vehicle for winter use. Second other car is a 1990 Vanagon Carat that we bought new and is still beautiful (as beautiful as a Vanagon can be). Is is Tornado Red (US name for the deep red), my wife calls it "whore red". Our third other car is a 1986 Vanagon Syncro, we use to explore the back country of the USA.

Steve

Audi Q7 id love

Laura

my wife calls it "whore red"..

Steve

:D :D :D I'm lovin it :cool:

Hi! We own a VW R32 2004 Mark IV Deep Blue Pearl and a 2005 Porsche Boxster Atlas Grey, Lowered 38mm with 19" Speed Art alloys. :D

I rented a compact car in Utah a couple of weeks ago and was 'upgraded' to a Ford Mustang coupe. What a diabolical heap of obsolete junk! Classic muscle care indeed ... wandered around like a camel and consumed precious fuel with amazing speed. What a relief to get back to my Eos TDi, with its European refinement and frugality!

I rented a compact car in Utah a couple of weeks ago and was 'upgraded' to a Ford Mustang coupe. What a diabolical heap of obsolete junk! Classic muscle care indeed ... wandered around like a camel and consumed precious fuel with amazing speed. What a relief to get back to my Eos TDi, with its European refinement and frugality!

Had exactly the same experience in California 3 years ago!! Thought I was getting one of my wet-dream cars, Mustang, San Francisco to Monterey, sunshine - oohh be still my beating heart [to emphasise my wife WAS with me all this time!]. And the actual experience - what a dog! Asthmatic engine despite 2.2 litres, abysmal handling, terrible plasticky interior, rotten engineering - I was glad to take it back!!! We in the UK lost our motoring industry for making cars that were slightly better than this [alright, that may be arguable. Rover SD1 anyone!].

Cheers

Paul:cool:

A sensible Mazda6 Wagon (boring) but xclnt for muddy soccer players. Not the Eos!!!

Rover SD 1 now there's a diabolical blast from the past

Paul

As for me, my other rides include '07 Saturn Aura (wifes car), 99 Ford Econoline custom van, '02 Vdub Passat (for sale), and '03 BMW R1150RT motorcycle. Sunny days are a tough decision between the Eos and Beemer. Oh, and can't forget the '01 240Hp 18' Marrada open bow boat...thats the reason for the van...can't pull it with the Eos!

2004 Thunderbird...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/507398292_c4f0c9729d_o.jpg

I thought the focus CC had a fat ar*e this one looks bigger. Also can it go round corners???

Actually the arse is tapered, with the reverse wedge design, not round. It can hold its own in cornering, but its not really an issue: Its a good old fashion cruiser that can go on for hundreds of miles per day. Supple suspension really eases the long drives, very stable at high speeds, plush and wide leather seats, surprising amount of storage space, effortless steering, GORGEOUS v8 sound to go with its now timeless good looks.

BTW, speaking of arses, thats where you can shove your euro car smugness: Theres a little more to a ride than just lateral G's.

Archie, I take your point. It's just that here all the car progs on TV indicate that the Americans don't make cars that corner well. (Never had any experience myself though).

How does it compare with your Eos?

Archie - don't get sensitive! Often over here we're caught between smug overpriced German or bland efficient Japanese cars since we don't really bother much about having our own car industry here any more!! We don't have long straight roads for hundreds of miles - we have short, multi-cambered, poorly surfaced twisty ones. And we pay huge amounts more for our petrol - so large cruising V8's that look great and work well in the US simply don't play here in Eurp. And although GM and Ford have built successful mass market machines that fit the Eurp market, that's because they've been designed over here. Sadly the US car companies have no clue how to design and build a car for Europe, and seemingly no interest either. Sure we get Chrysler and now Chevrolet making a comeback, but they're currently focused on large, striking but large, large cars which fit a very niche market here. And this has been going on for years. So unfortunately, due to wrong product, wrong market, we've had no US cars [over here!] to shout about! But the interesting ones - well, they simply don't build 'em with a right hand drive - and what we DO get [er, Hummer anyone!!] simply reinforces a perception that is usually articulated as 'they don't build cars that go around corners' but actually is built on a multi-layered 'factuality' of years of experience. I think many of us would love [and have!!!] driven a 'proper' US car thousands of miles in its native habitat and loved it! And yes, listening to a V8 is tremendous but for many of us only economically viable in the US - doesn't mean we're not jealous mate!! For the record I'd love to drive a T'bird - looks grreat, I'm sure its 'fit for purpose', and sounds great, but most of all because noone ever wrote songs with lines like, "Well she had fun fun fun till her daddy took her Peugeot 206GTi awayayay!"
Rock on

Paul:cool:

Archie, I take your point. It's just that here all the car progs on TV indicate that the Americans don't make cars that corner well. (Never had any experience myself though).

How does it compare with your Eos?

Agreed, and I apologize if it seemed like I took your head off... but this thread was about sharing our other cars, not trashing each other's cars.


Two huge deficits with american cars: Handling and, really, overall technology if you think about it. Handling I'd like to think is cultural as we are more cruisers here with our flat lands instead of canyon twisters, but in truth its detroits inbred designers.

The technology aspect is the real problem: the US goes for large sounding engines: 4.6 Liter in mustangs, I think 5.1 Liters in Dodge... yet they only produce like 300 HP, granted they use 87 octain instead of premium gas. But then again if you are buying "muscle cars", I bet most would trade gas price for more power.

The japanese will create a naturally aspirated near 300 HP v6 engine. why? technology. Our Eos... VW can produce a 2.0 liter 4 banger that produces 200 HP, but actually feels faster thanks to mating it to a dual clutch 6 speed... granted it takes premium fuel, but why again? because of technology.

Their new 7 speed DSG being mated to a 1.6L engine... Thats really going to get alot out of the 1.6 liter engine.. why? because of technology.

Most americans are cruising around on huge boulevards and highways... the most direct correlation of how good a car is for us is mashing on the gas pedal, not twisting canyon roads. Here in LA we do have the canyon roads, hence you tend to see more euro model cars. I mean even looking at suppposedly 'exciting" american cars like GM's Solstice and Sky, they so lack the kind of geometry in the suspension that euro and even some japanese cars have.. I guess its part bean counter problem but also I think the lack of, really, driver enthusiast in the higher part of the these companies.

Look at the Mazda RX-8 coupe ... 230+ hp from a 1.3 engine!!!! Limited slip differential, near 50/50 weight suspension geometry that separates the vertical momvement and lateral loads.. for $31,655 ...a car that was designed while a race car driver ran Mazda... so again, technology. Engine wise, you would compare it to a Mustang v6 that is 9K less!!!! Pricewise, an american will tell you that they can get a V8 mustang with a limited slip differential for, still, about $800 less, and get 70 more HP... to an american.. thats value... and you couple that with the low end torque of the low revcing V8, the growl as opposed to the mazda buzz from the rear, the cheaper 87 octane gas, the looks of the car.... thats just how auto DNA is: prowness, not sophistication.

thats why Mustangs has been selling like crazy here in the states, despite europeans gagging at the handling of the car. Crap even euro friends of mine have found themeselves tempted by the pricetag and v8 growl... I mean its cheap v8 power.. and that sells here in american... and theya re fun to drive.

now which car would you want to take to the track or for that matter, a canyon road? the mazda... It can almost hold its own agains a nissan 350Z in handling. .. and thats probably the best sports car for the pricerange... granted 7K's more money than the mazda....

However, with everyday driving here in the US. people get more bang out of their Mustang for their bucks because in stop and go traffic lights, a mustang will press you against the seat with a rewarding growl from the back that will sound better than any nissan's v6.. and the V8 growl, for better or worse, is part of our DNA here in the states. Not handling.. I wish I could get both at the mustang price!!!

American cars have a history of barnyard engineering... the Mustang's resilient solid rear wheel axle is the perfect example... they kept the older technology to maintain the "barnyard heritage" of the mustang... but also to keep the cost down.. in which case a v6 mustang with IRS would have crept the price closer to the RX-8... but also the handling... but americans don't see that when they cruise down the boulevard.. they just see a cheaper car with the same or more horsepower and better sounding exhaust.. and thats fine.

That being said, there are some that are well aware of the attrocious handlingof the mustang, and the welcome the raw wayward feel of yankee muscle like the mustang, corvette and the viper. The crude and vulgar handling of some american muscle cars has, at first, offending some euros, but then they find themselves smiling as they wrestle with the wheel to maintain control... why.. because they are having the most fun that they have had in their adult life. thats what american muscle cars do: no sophisticated computers, no advanced sports geometry... crude, cheap barnyard engineering, sticking a truck's engine and brakes into a sexy svete body and spending all day trying to tame that beast while not trying to kill yourself. 500hp for $40,000 Us dollars is your ticket to this amusement park. Just try to stop anyone from lining up.

So back to your question regarding the T-bird: comparing it to the Eos... The Eos "feels" more top heavy to me and when I pushed both, while the T-bird may roll more, I didn't get that insecure top heavy feel of the eos. However in everyday handling, as opposed to pushing the car's envelope, the Eos feels more comfortable cornering... the seats offer more lateral support and the shorter wheel base... I don't know... it feels more maneverable, but its probably because the supension is stiffer than the T-bird and its not rolling as much... Push it, though, and the car feels top heavy BECAUSE of the shorter wheel base I think. The T-bird may roll boat like, but I never felt the little panic of topheavyness from the car like I did from the Eos.

The steering is stiffer on the Eos.. I drove along the 1 highway for 2 days in the T-bird .. never screeching the tires, and with traction control, but I did have my fun barreling out of the turns where visibilty allowed. the steering on the T-bird made it effortless, the rear wheel drive broght power to the ground without the skipping that happens on the eos.. and the extra near 100 hP came in handy coming out of those turns. Oh, and the Borla enhanced V8 exhaust sound...lets just say I never turned the radio on... I was making music of my own. Also the soft suspension made the long ride fatigue free, the wide seats, although not too supporting during the twists, are comfortable, and man, when you lock the car and walk away, you just can't help but turn around and look... She's a beauty!!!!

What the Eos did bring to the equation was the sad state of american cars: the 2.0T and the DSG.. there's really nothing like it stateside. The roof of the car, lets not even get started.. the materials and appointments... and even the compromise of design and handleing to, really, get the best of both worlds in a coupe and convertable. Again: technology, engineering... and also vision. I think the Eos, considering the other hardtop convertables out there, had clear vision in what it wanted... it made it practical AND attainable... The Volvo is, really for Volvo customers. The G6 really emphasizes the shortcomings of american cars: Anemic low tech engines, grandpa trannies, commity design of the interior, cheap materials.

I mean looking at my two cars now as that: two cars: the Eos has better mileage, more convenient folding top (no boot to have to get out and place over the stowed top), a hard top instead of a white softtop on the T-bird!! (cleaning is a bitch!!), that amazing sunroof... The Eos has a much much better transmission, sportier (but not more comfortable) seats, a dash that is, aesthetically, more accepting of the aftermarket nav that I got, its more practical as an every day driver, it can seat 4, it has a bigger trunk, and it stands out less in a crowd than the T-bird.. Would I still get the T-bird again?

...in a heart beat!!!

The T-bird is a romantic car.. a friend of mine once said that its like a nice suit... not for everyday, but damn nice for the occasion!!! You pack light with the sweetheart at you side... take the time to lower the roof and neatly tuck the boot cover. slide into the wide tuck and roll seats, and turn the ignition to hear a modest, but lovely V8 growl. Its cruise time!! You stroll out... and er.. where are we going? i don't know.. but I know how were are getting there.... and i gotta tell you.. strolling, not racing, around canyon roads are so much fun in the T-bird.. the low back gives you excellent panomatic view, the top down driving is surprisingly quiet, it feels luxurious... and you are riding a car that just stands out from the crowd... part 1950's part 1960's iconic lines rolled modestly into a nice romatic package with a respectable driveabilty...

So you see, its not all just about the lateral G's.... You gotta crise here in the states to see why. with anemic 65 MPH speed limits, we gotta find our jollies somehow!!!

Archie - don't get sensitive!


yeah but of all the ways to ask about the car's handling, he picked the worse. And lets face it: some cars, like the boxter are designed to be canyon cars while others are not. its not a sin. Just try to cram a weeks worth of clothes in a Boxter to take a road trip. good luck!.


Often over here we're caught between smug overpriced German or bland efficient Japanese cars since we don't really bother much about having our own car industry here any more!! We don't have long straight roads for hundreds of miles - we have short, multi-cambered, poorly surfaced twisty ones. And we pay huge amounts more for our petrol - so large cruising V8's that look great and work well in the US simply don't play here in Eurp. And although GM and Ford have built successful mass market machines that fit the Eurp market, that's because they've been designed over here.


I wish GM and ford would bring their euro cars here to the US. it sould have added some excitment of the product line. The prius, outside of this hybridness, broguht that kinda crossover hatchback practibility to the US which really helped ofset the initial high cost of the hybrid technology. Thats what the US lacked.. it was still making the same sedan, and a petrol one at that!, instead of getting ontop of the crossover market. Now its chasing the trend.. with cars like the dodge calibur and the ford edge... celarly follow the leader cars, not leader of the pack.




Sadly the US car companies have no clue how to design and build a car for Europe, and seemingly no interest either. Sure we get Chrysler and now Chevrolet making a comeback, but they're currently focused on large, striking but large, large cars which fit a very niche market here. And this has been going on for years. So unfortunately, due to wrong product, wrong market, we've had no US cars [over here!] to shout about! But the interesting ones - well, they simply don't build 'em with a right hand drive - and what we DO get [er, Hummer anyone!!] simply reinforces a perception that is usually articulated as 'they don't build cars that go around corners' but actually is built on a multi-layered 'factuality' of years of experience. I think many of us would love [and have!!!] driven a 'proper' US car thousands of miles in its native habitat and loved it! And yes, listening to a V8 is tremendous but for many of us only economically viable in the US - doesn't mean we're not jealous mate!! For the record I'd love to drive a T'bird - looks grreat, I'm sure its 'fit for purpose', and sounds great, but most of all because noone ever wrote songs with lines like, "Well she had fun fun fun till her daddy took her Peugeot 206GTi awayayay!"
Rock on

Paul

well our current gas prices are making the V8 impractical. Living in Los Angeles, I had the opporunity to work up in San francisco where I commuted by car within the city. LA and sanfrancisco provides the broades set of driving consitions there is!!! LA is a wide flat boulevard only interupted by wide and flat freeways and strip mall parking lots, while san francisco is a tight compact city with narrow streets and lanes.. and those damn hills... geez!!! and NO parking whatsoever... Ig uess closer to european street. the T-bird is effortless in LA but in sanfrancisco, it felt big..even out of place!!! My Eos was on a boat somewhere while i was working up in san francisco :D but I wished I had it then!!!

So I have both!!

The Eos is goint ot help me navigate through LA traffic in the daily grind, while the T-bird allows me to cruise on the weekends to santa barbara on wide freeways and boulevards.....

You guys really have to come out here.. hit the desert racetrack with a wreckless musclecar like the Mustang... you will burn a smile into your face... the only thint that is more fun than a front heavy understeer is the sudden oversteer you get when the solid rear axle hits a bump and swings thre rear toward the curve while you wrestle, and I do mean wrestle, with the wheel... While your first thought is how terrible the handling is, if you catch a glimpse of yourself in the rear view mirror, you will find yourself smiling!! they don't call it a pony car for nothing!!!

here's a visual aid that may help:

here's euro car handling... refined.. proper... with dainty little hats and leg warmers ..

http://www.markchurms.com/Merchant2/graphics/polo-l.jpg

here's rodeo-sytle yank handling of muscle cars... Hold the f*ck on while you try not to split your head in two from the ear to ear grin on your face!!

http://www.schriddestudios.com/horse-rider.jpg

Now thats a flippin cowboy... not a gentle-man... check out those marboro man rugged good looks!

http://www.muscularmustangs.com/gallery/albums/uploads018/normal_08Shelby_GT500KR_3024.jpg

You want to "ruin" that with advanced suspension geometry and handling electronics between you and the road!?!?! Are you nuts? You see "quattro technology" having a place here? Its like putting training wheels on a harley!!! BE A MAN!! learn how to drive the thing.. 'cause she's as sure as kill you while you are smiling!!!!

Here's the fun I'm talking about....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_0_6n5uoU4

Thanks for a comprehensive explanation, as you say its horses for courses. With lots of narrow roads, tight corners and hills to cope with on an everyday basis our preoccupation with handling is foremost in our minds.

In the states with your multi-lane highways and wide roads a muscle car like the T-bird must be great. The V8 engines do sound fantastic, as you say, who needs a CD or radio when you can have that sound track!

Your comment about the EOS being top heavy is one I have noticed myself. Top down though the character changes to one of a heavy rear end. Just a pity it doesn't have any rear wheel drive to take advantage of the weight distribution.

Your descriptions regarding cars make me wonder whether or not you write about cars for a living or are a just a petrol head like the rest of us here? If not perhaps a career change is due.

kind regards

I agree with Graham - if you don't write about cars, maybe you should start!! Good chat, the sort that should be accompanied by a few beers and much arm-waving!!!

Paul:cool:

It's time, however, for the American car industry and consumers to face reality ... with the price of gas escalating, but still nowhere near what most Europeans pay, and no self-sufficiency for oil; the days of the 8 cylinder, gas guzzling behemoth are over! Besides, isn't it much more fun and enjoyable to manipulate those "narrow roads and tight courses"? :)

It's time, however, for the American car industry and consumers to face reality ... with the price of gas escalating, but still nowhere near what most Europeans pay, and no self-sufficiency for oil; the days of the 8 cylinder, gas guzzling behemoth are over! Besides, isn't it much more fun and enjoyable to manipulate those "narrow roads and tight courses"? :)


At risk of being labelled a non-caring waster of resources, I have to say there is nothing quite a like an American V8 under your bonnet and it will be a sad day indeed when they aren't there any more.