Audi TT and Nissan 350Z

I@ve got a new article over at Gadzooki about the two cars. I wonder which I'll end up buying...

Halfords - Why Do You Do It?

I go to Halfords every so often. I like to see what is new in, talk to staff who are knowledgeable about cars and see the stupid motors that people have parked outside. But, referring to the eponymous question, why do you do it? Do what I hear you shout from the back! Very simple, have the most annoying, self serving, unhelpful till staff I have come across?

Most of the people working in the Halfords branch I visit are guys. That is not a sexist statement, it's simply fact. Every time I have walked to the till however, I've seen the face of a rather pretty girl. A girl though who has seemingly no idea of customer service. I've originally started this blog with the intention of covering marketing and cars... so let me have more of that here.

Good marketing is a combination of things, but it can be described as thus:

"it consists of the social and managerial processes by which products (goods or services) and value are exchanged in order to fulfill the needs and wants of individuals or groups"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing)

Now bear that in mind. Processes by which goods are valued. I'm quite interested in this process, and I'll soon have chartered status I hope. That's by the by. What is very relevant however is the fact that if at any stage in this two way process of valuation of goods, you're going to automatically devalue your own product if you do not serve me well.

Every other part in the process of marketing was quite well done. From the reasonably well put together website (you don't get a free link because of the service) to the other staff - it was all great. So why did you cock it up at the end of the process? I would quite happily make an official complaint, but much like most consumers I am not willing to put in the effort for the negligible return. So what I'll do instead is go to a specialist or shop using your online store.

Maybe I'll make a complaint in the future if I have to go back. In the meantime, get it sorted out. Consumers will react very quickly to bad service, which in turn tells us something indirectly about the company, if not the product. So Halfords, please get it right next time. Once a mistake can happen, twice - everyone has an off day. Three times though? Well I start shouting about it elsewhere...

Nissan 350Z Cabriolet

Well, I've made it pretty obvious that I am lusting after a Nissan 350Z. In fact, I saw the Cabriolet version, top down of course at a new car showroom. Man, I almost dropped to the floor. Huge wheels, fantastic arches, great rear - oh yes.

So, going back on topic, I saw the most amazing car today on an 05' plate, price tag to match. Why oh why is it so expensive? It certainly looks the part though. I was almost offered a test drive, even when I'd pointed out that I was not buying (or should that be biting) today as I was waiting for some money to come through.

With regard to the actual paint job, that crazy burnt orange that the Nissan 350Z has as a 'flagship' is a bit special but even more so when teamed with the leather interior - of the same colour. It really does look fantastic.

One concern did have for the 350Z in a Cabriolet form was that it might have looked a bit odd - a bit too kei car for my liking. However, I really did think that the body shape was top class. It is true though that the 23k is maybe a bit steep. However, the coupe version should be able to be had for about 16k, though that's an older plate. So there we are anyway, I'd better get saving. Only about 10k to go for the coupe...

Mazda MX-5 Intro Video

Here's a video of the MX-5 - it has a lot of soul as you can see...

Mazda MX-5 - The Drive

Isn't that just as pretty as a picture? Yes, that's an MX-5. Or Mazda Miata if you're American. Anyway, the point is, even with the smallest engine, this car is a great drive. It is a hoot. Front engined, rear wheel drive. Let it slide out baby!

The car pictured is of course a newer edition, what with it lacking the raising headlights and the new alloys. Regardless, even the oldest MX-5's are worth doing up. This is a car that, even with the oldest of models, retains a value above £1,000. This however might change next year. Which is exactly the reason I would buy one.

I could afford a really old MX-5 now on the £1k mark. However, I'd rather wait just a little bit longer. Then I'll get something, hopefully with not INSANE miles, but we'll soon see. I intend to fit new alloy wheels (white ones), salvaged seats, new bits and pieces and of course a fully serviced and uprated engine. I'm hoping to use this as a full mod project but I need the car first. I'm going to take a look soon so I'll give an update with more news when I have something to say on it.

For reference, the MX-5 is a great roadster of classic proportions with a reasonably sized boot for a very small car. Go drive one. You won't look back.

100,000 Miles

We have, bizzarely, been led to believe that when a car reaches this magic number that it is a) worthless and b) will go severely wrong. For the record, that's simply not the case anymore. Engines are fine tuned things and have an excellent lifespan. Equally, bodywork is extremely robust. As long as you look after your car, with some models you'll see 300,000 or more miles. Look out for tips soon on how to do this.

Lotus Elise or Nissan 350Z?

Well, I think both are great. Frankly, I can't decide between either. Neither purchase will be happening tomorrow you understand, but I'm saving my money up, starting in a few weeks time. It has to be then cos I'm spending a few grand moving out and sorting my new place out. So if you have thoughts either way, let me know.

Audi S5

The Audi S5 is a great car. Why is it so good? Apart from being the sports version of the new and cool A5, there are a few other reasons:

• It's fairly exclusive and will go up against cars like the BMW 3 series and the coupe Mercs in the same price band.
• It is a rather tasty coupe.
• You can have a 3.2L V6 engine giving out 265BHP.
• Interior quality is meant to be very tasty indeed.
• Price of around 40k.
  

BMW M3 GTR Warmup

Now to illustrate my last post, let's see how the pros do it. I'm not suggesting you do it like this, after all this is a race car. But it does serve as a wonderful illustration to the point.

Nissan 350Z vs Audi TT Quattro

Here's Tiff Needell using both cars. Frankly, I'd like either but I'd still prefer the 350Z. For one simple reason, and that is it looks far more exciting!

Driving My Not Hot Hatch As If It Was

Yes, my car is a hatchback. It's not a hot hatch though. It still has a good amount of power, but not the upwards-of-160bhp that they seem to be all going towards. Or the scary 6 second 0-60 dash for the Mazda 3 series for instance.

Anyway, there's a few ways in which I try to maximise the fun I have in my car:

• There's a corner I can take to deliberately get a bit of wheelspin. I have used the car in a few different ways so I'm pretty good at controlling it now.
• I know the power ratios so I can get maximum torque or power.

One thing I noticed about my Vauxhall Astra SXI 1.8 today was how well balanced it is. I came out of a corner and pressed on the loud pedal. rather than giving me grief for making the turn-in it was reasonably responsive and held the line. Quite good for such a big car. I was impressed.

I am still quite looking forward to getting my car onto the track and testing the absolute limits of it. I feel that only here can you know your motor completely. Well, it's either that or driving it through some muddy valleys. As it's not an SUV then I think the former is the most appropriate!

Automated Parking Systems

I came across this concept quite recently and I was pretty stunned. I love the idea of just driving onto a metal ramp, getting out and watching the car being whisked to an allocated bay. Very impressive. It means all spaces get properly filled, no-one is parked badly and your car is unlikely to be vandalised given that the criminal would have to be like spiderman to reach it.

Two problems though. First, what if it goes wrong? What is my car is on the way down and it falls, or is squashed by another car? These things can and do go wrong, at least theoretically. As it's the first time I've heard of them though I dunno if they have. Second, what if I don't engage the handbreak well/correctly/if it fails? I've seen some pics of this and some of the cars look pretty high up. Maybe my car would actually squash me!

Anyway, if it means more/cheaper parking in the city centre, then I'm all for it. £1.10 p/h is a complete rip off. Christ, it'll get to the stage where parking meters in town make more per hour than the average person. Well okay, maybe not the average person... But still!

Fiats and First Gear

I've had a Fiat Punto, my folks have had one. Or is that two? Anyway, point is both of them suffered from a very serious problem. Sometimes it just wouldn't shift into first gear. This meant that you'd think it was and it would just do nothing. Other times it would be pretty obvious that it wasn't in fact in gear. Anyway, just a little annoyance that could have been potentially serious!

Driving Fast Through Villages

No - I didn't. So, why did you? You tailgated me dangerously for quite a distance, giving out rude gestures when I slowed down. You sped past me on a corner. You were going about 45 mph as you rounded the bend into the village. You would have killed a child outright.

This is something that really happened to me. I'd been out hiking for a bit, and was on my way home. I was followed dangerously closely by someone driving an older MR2. He's out there now, no doubt speeding again.

I'm still really surprised that, given how much knowledge that people have of how easily cars can kill, that they still go far too fast. Frankly I was saddened by this experience and it took some of the pleasure away from driving, so I may not have too many positive articles for a while.

Top Gear 100

The Top Gear 100 Fastest Cars is a great breakdown. It is not rated strictly on BHP but rather on how fast a car has felt to drive. An interesting one that. Do take a look, see whether you agree. Personally I'm not happy about what's at number one... But then if it is not a Koenigsegg then I wasn't about to be...

Cinquecento Wants You!

Mad mad mad. But absolutely brilliant. This is a picture of the new Fiat 500. I think it's brilliantly cute and I can genuinely see Fiat dealers selling them by the bucketload. Even better than this is the mad Fiat 500 website with various songs, including the bizzare "SEXYYYYY" and others. Go here to see what all the fuss is about.

Pushing Too Hard

Well, I did a run to the countryside recently only to reach a very steep incline. I was in third and I thought the engine power would be enough. Apparently though, I didn't have enough NM of torque. Naturally I switched down a gear, and blam before I knew it to get up the hill I'd redlined it, with a nasty smell of burning reaching the interior.

Quickly I switched down again, let the revs go low and then gradually put on the power. The ozone-y/burnt quality of the smell was disconcerting so immediately when we came to a stop I checked the running temperature, the oil, water and everything else was checked later.

Apparently, I'd just hit the redline and perhaps gone beyond it. Remember, doing this for extended periods in your car can damage it. In my case, it was a split second and then a changedown, after which I let the engine fully cool before giving it a full inspection including valves, belt and cylinders, all of which were fine.

My advice therefore in the future is, if in doubt at the gradient and with little traffic around, stop then head up in first. Unless of course you're driving a big diesel or a supercar, both of which just might have enough torque to carry you up just about anything.

Don't Drive a G Wiz

Why I hear you say? This, a very simple answer. The car will almost certainly severely injure you in a crash, look at how the front compartment invades the driver space. Due to it not being classed as a car (due to some stupid government regulation) it doesn't have to pass N-Cap tests. Oh well. If you buy one, pray you're never in more than a very mild bumper-to-bumper.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Oh. My. Word. Have you ever seen anything that oozes more class, sophistication and power? I can't see much not to like on that picture, and the Lamborghini Gallardo (Gai-ar-do) Spyder has the performance to match.

• 5L V10 engine
• Mid-engine 4WD
• 0-60 in 4 seconds
• Massive sounding engine
• Looks that make every woman (and man's) head turn in the area

The car costs about £130,000. Yes, that's a lot of money. On the other hand, as usual, if you have to ask it's probably too expensive. Personally, if I had that amount of money for a car I'd pick this over an Aston Martin DB9 - the other favourite. On the other hand, maybe I'd pick a Ferrari F430 before this...

Industrial Estates

A friend of a friend drove to an industrial estate the other night. It was huge and completely empty. It was the ideal thrashing space for his new car, a 2.0 litre sports version. This estate had no people around (so no-one was in danger) and a good few windy routes to hit. He said it was a lot of fun and he'd have to take me there sometime.

Before you get the wrong idea, I'd never endorse dangerous driving. However, people drive on motorways well above the speed limit all the time. So, doing 40 in an industrial estate is very much less likely to injure anyone, and preferable to the enthusiasts who meet at an 'unknown location' to roar their engines.

Either way, this style of driving (urban exploration if you will) makes me think that I need to get a Subaru Impreza or something. I'd imagine that the new WRX would be a lot of fun to take on some country roads. Now, I just need to drive a bit further out of the suburbs...

Morning Drives

Ah, there's nothing better worse than the humdrum driving experience of the morning. I'm talking about the 'still-half-asleep' mode that we're all in. You see people jump into their cars and drive off, neither fast nor slow, but certainly not giving the engine oil a chance to warm (thus giving it just a little bit more wear). More importantly, they all look thoroughly miserable.

I guess that is down to the fact that few of us have a delightful passable experience on the roads. I'm a little lucky with my current assignment - I head away from the busy roads. This means I have the relative luxury of rarely being stuck in a traffic jam, barring on one occasion that I can recall. How about you though? I know I'm in the minority here with my morning drive. It's still hardly stress free but I know it could be a lot worse.

I did read about one guy in Evo Magazine who had a pretty good car and very quiet backroads in which to give it a sound thrashing in the morning. Now to me, that sounds ideal. Get the adrenaline pumping, no-one to hit and a little excitement to start the day. Now, to just get everyone else off the road, or move to the country...

Oi, Sort Your Lights!

No, not a complaint about being blinded by Xenons or foglights (though aren't those piercing rear ones annoying when used unnecessarily?) but rather normal headlights. Why, oh why, Mr Driver, can't you get them adjusted? I am driving along. For your sake, I have a direct control in the car. So I can lower or raise them.

Granted, you might not have such a feature. Fair enough. However, continue shining them into my eyes and I'll have to report you. Your vehicle, as currently set up, WILL cause a crash for someone else. It'll probably be a tenner at a garage to fix, or you could do it yourself. Either way, you need to have them set so that your lights are actually shining where you're going, rather than up into the darkened sky. That is all.

Fast? Why?

I'm quite often annoyed by specs that I see for cars, or indeed cars that I see when I am out and about. If something booms past me, inevitably it'll be going in excess of the speed limit. Now emergency aside, why?

Let's look at this from another angle. Plenty of cars that go quite fast have a limiter set at 155mph. Why? That is more than double the legal speed on any UK road. Frankly, you'll probably never even use that speed on a track (they tend to have corners too y'see). You could go to an aerodrome and fly away. Would you though?

That leaves fast acceleration. Now, that can and is used by lots of people. Races at the lights for instance. I don't go in for that anymore and a lot of people don't once they've been driving a while. If you're in that much of a hurry, then be my guest.

This brings us to why people REALLY buy fast cars. Status. Plain and simple. It's the 'mine's faster than yours' that does it. More to the point, it's a truism. It probably is faster. But you know what, it's only you that's bothered, because on a track I could probably beat you anyway.

You know how to press the 'loud' pedal hard but you DON'T know where an apex of a turn is, what your max torque and power outputs or or probably even how to change your oil and check your pressures without using your in-car gauge. So, sod off. Whilst you're at it, go get caught doing 110mph down the A1.

Morgan Motors

Morgan Motors has been making cars since 1910. By anyone's imagination this is a long, long time. They're based in Worcestershire and they make cars that really hark back to better days. They look classy, sleek and above all stylish in a way that no other cars do any more. The car in the picture is a Morgan Aero 8. Stats include:

4.4L engine
0-60 in less than 5 seconds
Top speed in excess of 160mph

To be fair though, a car like the Morgan Aero 8 is not about stats, it's about style. And I for one would love to be seen driving one.

Five Annoying Things (on the way to work)

A quick one this, but a good one. A few things have annoyed me this week, so let's have them, but in no particular order:

1. If you are driving on a dual carriageway, please do not drive at 40mph when there's nothing wrong with your car and there is no traffic in front of you. I don't care if you're only 17 or 75 - do that every day and I'll report you!
2. There's a sliproad coming on to the carriageway that I drive along most mornings. Please don't just try to smash into other cars to get on there. It's far safer waiting for a gap.
3. If you're in a fast car and your turn-off is coming up, please don't speed up to 100mph and then cross all lanes. This will, in turn, make everyone else cross.
4. People, in general, seem to be safer drivers than the stuff I see on the way home. However, there is still the odd guy who will drive and block the shaded box-junction. Don't do this - you will cause an accident.
5. The box junction as previously mentioned sometimes gets pretty hectic - with traffic really wanting to be all over the place. Please, please, be considerate. If waiting a few more seconds means the car in front gets safely clear, then do so.