Thursday, September 21, 2006

Das Wälzen Darüber

Today was the first day my money scheme has come into action, I drove the Audi to college. I will now be doing this every day for the next 9 months because it does 50mpg (46 when I'm driving) where as the Land Rover does 25mpg (20 when im driving).

I love the chance to drive new and different cars (the reason why I went on those test drives, I will blog the next one for you) and this was no exception. I love the hard and bumpy ride you get in the Defender so a wallowing, rolling ride you imagine would be my worst nightmare, well you'd be right and the Audi did live up to its reputation. It also rattles more than the Land Rover does, which I thought was impossible and the fan on the climate control has broken.
So it made me feel sea sick, it was noisy and bloody hot. Other than that though I quite enjoyed it. It wasn't the hideous interior that matches the Ming blue exterior and it definatly wasn't the complete lack of front end grip (wheel spin in your Audi A4 avant is massively embarrassing) I just don't know what it was but i can't wait to use it everyday. The key was pretty fun!
P.S.
Saw this in Brinklow today, check the tyres!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Riva Aquarama

Saw this shit when in Falmouth.
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Yes Falmouth not Monaco like where you'd expect to see a Riva Aquarama though I think the weather gives it away a bit.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

New Entry

My new entry is second from the bottom, I wrote it on holiday but was waiting for some pictures so never posted it that's why its down there but now its up.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

INTERSECTION

New Intersection..

...buy it now enrich your life!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Today was a good day!

On my way back from dropping my little brother at Broughton Astley skate park I was accosted by this.

At first I thought it might be a kit car or something of that kind of breed so ignored it. I then heard the noise it was making. It was loud and rough not in cheap kit car way but in a 60's race car way. This was something good! The drivers had pulled over and where reading a map so I got all excited when I realized there must be a road rally on. Despite my excitement I continued home only to go past a Ferrari Dino and a Porsche 911. I then decided home was no where near as exciting as this and followed where I thought they were coming form only to go past an Alfa Romeo GTA and from the quick glimpse I got a racing Alfa very similar to one I believe I saw at GoodWood. All of these cars were extremely tidy and the rarity of some made me think that this was a pretty high class event (thought it would be in octane but when I got home and checked, nothing!). So I continued passing classic cars every 2 minutes with drivers clad in race wear and co drivers clutching maps it was excellent.


I got a bit bored so I pulled over, turned round and waited for one to come past so that I could follow it. To my luck it was a Aston martin DB5. I pulled out and followed him.


I think he got a bit pissed off with me and tried to loose me but because I new the roads I stuck to him like glue, the land rover was rolling and squealing round every corner to keep up. Unfortunately the Aston took a wrong turn and had to turn around. I couldn't turn round quick enough to find him again.
I enjoyed then driving round the county following other classic cars (lots of early 911's it was good!) and loosing them because of peoples incompetence and not being aggressive enough at junctions. I had to go home because I was running low on diesel(not so economical when trying to keep up with sports cars even ones of the 60's) but still had a thoroughly good time.
If anyone does know what was going on and where they ended up please do tell me.
Email: broccoli_05@hotmail.co.uk

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Roof Rack Laws

Before me and the elite embarked on our trip to Falmouth we (dad) had to buy a roof rack to fit all of our luggage on and still have space for passengers. He did a good job and bought a flipping good 'un which looks bad ass!

But if you don't own a Defender or a Land Rover (in the original sense of the term) what do you do for more space. You may be thinking "well I could just buy a roof rack like you." Well you can't. Most cars and roof racks just don't go. Roof boxes don't count you wouldn't really have one by choice but may do because.... OK I'm not qualified to answer that (if you do find a reason why buy Thule's Ranger, it looks like a bag style so you don't look too sad). Roof racks can be acceptable on some 4x4s, most modern ones no. Roof racks on small hatchbacks make you look like a failed handy man. They can look good on some classic cars especially if they have a bit of a rally look but the Mazda MX5 has ruined (like many other things, including my life) the little boot racks for convertibles. Obviously if you actually need a roof rack and use it, no matter what vehicle you have, it is reasonably acceptable.
But there is hope if you own any of these cars you can have a roof rack to your hearts content and I actively encourage you to get one.
Alfa Romeo 159, GT and Brera
Audi A4, RS4, A6, All-road, RS6 and TT
BMW 3 series, 5 series and Z4 (M) coupe
Jaguar X-type
Lexus IS
Porsche 911 and Cayman
Saab 9-3 and 9-5
Volvo S40, V50, S60 and V70
Now these cars have to be the newest models or maybe previous one (previous 2 in RS4's case) some cars on the list you shouldn't have at all unless you have a roof rack on it, BMW's and Porsches. If you have an estate/sportwagon/avant/touring/v then you are going to have to admit that your roof rack wont look quite as good and different because more people will have them. Also once you have fitted your roof rack or roof bars adding a ski holder doubles whatever credibility you may have just achieved. Its hard to determine what it is that makes them look good on these cars, it makes them look more like you might go touring round the alps even without the ski bits, they look more purposeful. Even if you never use your roof rack and it just adds 5 or even 10mpg or more on your fuel consumption keep it on*,it probably is no more than your next doors 4X4's economy especially if they've not taken my advice and got a roof rack.
So get down to your local dealer and ask for the accessories catalogue but remember limit your self to the roof rack, black plastic add ons aren't always cool.
*I am taking mine off because it is impractical to make the height of one of the tallest standard cars any higher, I'm a student and cant afford to run a Land Rover let alone one with a roof rack and I'd have to slow down too because it doesn't corner as well as it did.
P.S. I'm very sorry for the lack of pictures to support my point but I've not seen one of the cars listed with roof bars on let alone ski holders. I'm still on the look out though.