| Archive for The Motor Forum talking cars since 2006 |
| Apex clipper |
Having a quiet word.Time to address the RS issue...Not the fastestesst car on the Forum, but one that can lulls you into a false sense of being invincible. The car goads you into speeds that quite frankly should only be posted on u-tubie.The births of my two daughters has affected my state of mind, no longer do I find it fit to open the taps... What am I trying too say..Fvck knows!!....I've loved my car more than that can be considered appropriate...It's just that the RS badge holds a certain something to drivers to either admire or take on... the latter I'm becoming more and more bored of. The reasons... 
A four door would suit. Maybe a scooby running 450hp? 
This question has haunted me.... with the obvious.."Don't put yer foot down"..too all manner of shyte. 
I need a 1 LITRE car that I have to bury the throttle just to make headway! |
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| "him" |
Blarno has just the car for you...
...just make sure you get hold it BEFORE the engine swap! |
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| Apex clipper |
You really don't appreciate where this leaves me...Do you Mark?! Pssht! Here you go fella...MY RS a little insight into what I feel about my car as...your posts have demonstrated exactly your exact feelings about yours...I'm tired of hearing...Chris... "Grow up!...it's just a car"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ It becomes a living thing..or am I a little leftfield. |
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| Frank Bullitt |
What, the RS makes you want to slit your wrists as that's the only emotion Mouldplay inspires in me. Love fast Fords but need something a little less...ahem...spectacular? Mondeo ST220 |
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| TimR |
My suggestion would be to keep the RS and move house.
Every time I read the TLGP thread it makes me aware that I pretty much never have any hassle from anybody - doesn't matter if I'm in the Fiat or the BM. Yesterday I was cruising along the motorway at 90kmh and caught a lowered/big exhaust Impreza and what happened? Exactly nothing, except he pulled over to let me past
Not that I was looking for anything you understand. So there you have it. Come to Scotland, the home of the mature (mentally) car enthusiast 
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| "him" |
I was trying to lighten the mood a little... My thoughts:- (Please forgive my wild assumptions) You are incredibly "patriotic" about Fords and RS's in particular. You clearly love your car, and extol its virtues to whoever you can, and are keen for people to drive it to show them how good it is. You seem 'conflicted' about owning such a car with a young family You are getting tired of other road users "goading" you. --------------- My situation was similar, (apart from the bit about loving Citroens  ) but my car was almost to the stage where I could "write it off" financially, (and it was damaged anyway!) I don't know about your financial situation but I (doubt?) you could afford to keep the car as a 'selfish toy' for your own use. (as I do with mine!)
We own a boring car too, and believe me I am like a different person driving that (even without my family aboard), in fact after refitting the exhaust yesterday I took my son and daughter (separately) out for a brief drive in the Saxo to check for leaks in the system and was overtaken by a 1.2 litre Corsa under power on a dual carriageway. The desire to put my foot down simply wasn't there... Now while my car attracts idiots who want to race, it doesn't have the same "heritage" that yours does, so it is just a car in my mind. (Clearly I feel a lot for it, which no-one seems to understand!!!) But I get the feeling with you Chris, that you feel you are upholding more than that, and Fords Motorsport heritage is balanced precariously on your shoulders sometimes... I don't think a Subaru would suit at all, as they are even more of a "target" for idiots I would imagine. You would get approached at filling stations by teenagers who would all know what you are driving, whereas people below a certain age don't even know what an S1 RS Focus is... Your love of your car is beyond question, as is the love for your children. I would suggest a 2 Car approach, one for yourself (a cheap "toy"), and another for safely transporting the family away from the "temptations" of getting embroiled in any road races. If I am way off Chris I apologise, this is after all based on my interpretation of your forum posts and nothing else... A psychologist I certainly am not...
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| Skyhook |
Beautiful photo Apex.
Hmmm, how about a five door Focus ST in a subtle colour? Not quite a hallowed RS but still rorty and less of a red flag to the racers? Or how about a Panda 100HP?
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| simonp |
When did you lot go metric then?
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| SpecB |
As you love the car so much I would keep it and say F*ck anyone who tries to goad you into anything daft. You know what it's capable of and so you don't need to prove it.
If you do want to change then how about a Legacy saloon rather than an Impreza. Big, safe comfortable car and it's still capable of most of what the RS is (apart from not being a Ford, of course ).
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| Apex clipper |
You shouldn't be the one apologizing Mark. It most certainly is my place to apologise too you. I've had a crap week (The family are away) and I got into a tussle with another car, that quite frankly had me regressing into a yoof with a baseball cap that drives around with 'tunes'..on? I should hazard a guess that all the guys here love and cherish their cars in equal measure to me if not more, the RS badge does like you say, hold a certain something and I suppose I've fallen into the trap for the addage that the RS is a working class hero... Maybe that and the fact I won't be bullied by ANYONE...irrespective of what car they drive.
Mark. I've never raced anyone..racing implies taking risks and fvck the other driver, I'm certainly not that way inclined. It might be age? And the fact that I even get up early ..just to drive, but the snag being that this car goads you..seriously! It's so surefooted that you try and push the envelope that little bit farther, you all must be bored rigid into why I love this car afterall it was slated by one and all when it came out, it was even deemed dangerous by some journos?? Your right. I do let others within this Forum drive my car so they can make their own minds up into why I think it's a terrific shopping trolley of a car. And as long as I own it, I'll continue to let forummers have a go with or without me sat there...doesn't bother me in the least, trust me you would have to be either crap at driving or rather silly to unstick this thing. Thanks guys for your posts...I was just a little pissed off which by my nature is strange as I like to laugh at life. |
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| Blarno |
Sell it and buy my Clio!
I've got the AX for silliness nowadays. When I finish it.... I think along the same lines as yourself, Chris. I won't be goaded into races or dicking about, I'm too sensible nowadays. If I was still 20 and had my 205, I'd be in prison by now. To tell the truth, I'm getting a tiny bit........bored.....of the Clio. Maybe I don't use it enough or I'm still a bit uneasy after losing it. And you're right, you'd have to be driving like an absolute bellend to crash an RSF.... |
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| Boxer6 |
Happens to us all from time to time, mate ..... personally I love that you love your car so much, and wax lyrical about it too - good on you! Sometimes I'd prefer if I was a bit more outgoing myself in that regard, but then Mark (SpecB) says it all, and more, for "our" marque! And as it says above also - keep your RS, drive as you wish to pertaining to circumstances and ENJOY yourself - that's what life's all about! Ian |
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| Apex clipper |
But...Arn't you dropping a lump and a turbo into that AX? That might trace some silly PWR... ...oH....I get it.
Iain. If you can give me a couple of weeks notice on the next HHRT so I can book the time off if I'm on shift that is? I had such a laugh on the last one I'm loathed to miss another. +The buttertubs pass has been on my wish list for years, only after in a garage just below that particular road many moons when I was driving my GSI...and was just putting some go-juice in it, when a fvcking cop car pulls in behind to fill up and on stricking a conversation with the copper turns out that they patrol that road. He was in a tuned Scooby! Bol$$$ks.... Never chanced it. 
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| Apex clipper |
Thank you Ian. Much appreciated.
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| DarthBalls |
Re: Having a quiet word.
That photo gives the impression that your older daughter's been caught out about to do something to her wee sister! BTW - I'm not sure an Impreza's going to help with people wanting to race you all the time, it'll probably be worse. Something a bit more discrete, like the aforementioned Legacy or ST220 or even an Octavia vRS (how's that for a working class hero car?) might be a better idea. |
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| DradusContact |
I came *this* close to getting rid of mine last year. When i bought the fiesta for amanda to learn in i vastly underestimated how much it was going to cost to insure it. As a result it sat there uninsured, not moving, and amanda couldnt get insured to drive mine even as a named driver as they simply wouldnt touch her with it being insurance group 13. The logical and sensible thing to do was sell both cars and get something we could both drive.
I call it losing the faith, it happens all the time, especially with an older car like mine that constantly needs maintenance. Im feeling that way at the minute, still havent fixed the missfire, the rear arch is rusting badly, the water pump still needs replacing. Sometimes you get the faith back, you manage to fix the car and fall back in love with it. Sometimes it doesnt, and you end up selling the car. I realise the case is different for you, its not really that the car has done anything wrong its what other drivers do, and your priorities are changing. My advice is if you can afford it get a more sensible car but keep yours for yourself. Amanda has got her driving test this month and if she passes im going to look at getting a newer, bigger and better car for her, relegating mine from main shopping/generel running around-mobile to weekend toy. Might take back seats out and put some bucket seats in if i have the nerve. Hope that helped, though it probably didnt. |
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| Gurney |
Only using a fortwo for 95% of my driving has kept my license clean since getting the GTA.
I am ashamed to admit it but I have regressed shockingly in my tolerance and calmness behind the wheel. Every Audi diseasil that sits on my chuff on an M-way is an excuse to tap the left paddle twice and leave it as a dwindling speck in the mirror. I thought I would waft along with not a care for those other poor mortals who were having to suffer French/Japanese/German conveyances but it's not the case. Only the fortwo gives me a reality check because it's limits are so low. So there you have it Apex, swop the RS for a fortwo. Job done. 
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| Matt |
Group 13 for the Puma takes the piss. The Astra with similar horsepower is Group 9.
Mind you, the E36 was 13 and the 306 12, so it was nice to go down the insurance scale and not lose any of the performance. I was amazed the quoted figure for the Astra was 8.5 to 60, yet the E36 was quoted at 10+, despite having another 27bhp on paper. I did time it at 9.6 once, though and the Astra would scrabble like buggery trying to make 8.5 IMO. See, Chris? I rabbit on too much about my relatively boring rides, so don't feel put off to rabbit about the RS; it's a modern classic and it's good to hear about it. |
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| Blarno |
Try group 14 for an Escort. Just because it says GTi on it. | ||||||||
| canadian bacon |
no idea what my 'group' is, but 1700 bucks for a frogeye is extortion, but I have (literally) no choice. | ||||||||
| Turbonutter |
Yes Chris, as Baz Luhrmann said, you'll miss it when it's gone.... |
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| Martin |
Take the badge off then
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| Apex clipper |
Yes Mike. I was either having a moment, or a monthly?  It was just fvcking prattish driving on my part that I was more annoyed with.
Coupled with the fact that I want to find/explore the limits.. a last hussar to driving fast cars if you will. Will I miss it? Does the pope wear a funny hat?
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| Apex clipper |
Thanks Matt. It's just that I trawl over and over about the car..not forgetting that it's be superseded by more serious metal and here's me 'gobbing' off about..let's face it is an old hothatch. Still makes the hackles on the nape of me neck stand up once a empty piece of tarmac is there at 5 in the morning though. |
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| Apex clipper |
Would you like too guess what speed your Clio was registering when I was attemping to 'keep pace'? |
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| Blarno |
I have no clue, I wasn't looking at the speedo much in yours... |
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| DradusContact |
Insurance groupings go on more than just how fast the car is though, its to do with how hard to get parts it is, how expensive it is, its percieved image. | ||||||||
| "him" |
That would explain my premium then...
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| Blarno |
Doesn't explain why 115 Bhp worth of 1.8 Escort is group 14, though.... | ||||||||
| "him" |
The "ghost" of the XR3i? |
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr |
Didn't that 1.8 engine come in two tunings - there was a 130 bhp version too IIRC. | ||||||||
| Blarno |
Originally, there were two in the XR3i and XR2i/RS1800: A 105 and a 130. The GTi got the same 115 Bhp 1.8 that the normal Escort and Mondeo had.
The 130 has different cams. |
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| TimR |
My 115BHP MG Maestro and 130BHP Punto HGT were both Group 14 as well.
The Fiat is 19 and the BMW is 20
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| "him" |
My car used to be Group 14 too... | ||||||||
| DaveGibson |
My Lexus is also Group 14 as was the Rover 75 before it. | ||||||||
| Martin |
The MINI is Group 15(E?) iirc
The 130i was group 17 I've just looked it up and the mighty Jetta is group 9 and I think the 520d will be group 16. |
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| Apex clipper |
Group 15.
Slipped under the radar methinks. |
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| Skyhook |
My XR3i lept to £1,500 to insure third party, fire and theft 16 years ago after a small claim - I'd only paid £1,600 for the car! Mighty 96hp Sportka SE was group six insurance, the 100hp Panda 100HP is group five. |
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| JohnC |
Back in the days when car thieves and insurance companies tried to kill off the hot hatch. I remember my Mk2 Golf GTi went from about £400 p.a. to £700 p.a. despite moving to a better area and having no claims. I suppose I should be grateful my current insurance is only £500 16 years later. |
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| Blarno |
The RS is group 15? Blimey, Blue Frog is group 16. |
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| SpecB |
The Legacy is also 16 as was the Volvo but that was twice as much to insure as the Subaru.
I can't believe an RSF is only group 15. |
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| Dr. Hfuhruhurr |
Old man's car, obviously ... |
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| Apex clipper |
>Smug fvcker mode< Yep! And yes, I totally boggled into how the Hell they came to that, after all it was only about £90 quid more to insure it brand new then my Astra GSI....(9yrs old at that point).
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| Apex clipper |
That's better.
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| Apex clipper |
FRS. | ||||||||
| Blarno |
I thought it was referred to as the RS Focus?
That's how I know it anyway. |
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| "him" |
I've never got the "Royce" thing for Rolls-Royce either?
"Rolls" seems to offend some... |
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| Blarno |
I call 'em Rollers. That really pisses people off.
I mean, it's just a name! I don't get upset when people call me E, or cunt. |
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| DaveGibson |
The engineer Henry Royce's company (Royce Ltd) made and sold Royce cars before he signed an agreement, late in 1904, with the Hon. CS Rolls for the latter to sell them for him. The cars, still made by Royce Ltd, were sold as Rolls-Royce models. RR, as a company, was not formed until 1906 but Rolls was killed in 1910 and so had very little to do with the RR company's development, other than to provide financial backing and some business sense. Royce was heavily involved with the company until his death in the 1930s. When I worked for them, in Derby, we always worked at "Royce's". Similarly when I was at Longbridge, we didn't work for "BL", we worked "up the Austin". |
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| Blarno |
'Up the Austin'
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| "him" |
Thanks for that, very interesting... 
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