The cars and bikes thread!

[mlcor]

I had a 2015 Vantage, beautiful car, classic looks, wonderful naturally aspirated V-8, useable trunk (defined by me as fitting a set of golf clubs). But...mine had the automated manual, which you had to shift with paddles because the automatic mode was awful, and frankly the paddle shifting wasn't all that great, either. No manuals were available when I bought mine, and that's the only way to go if you're looking. I also believe the V-8 models are better than the V-12s. Less weight over the front wheels, generally lighter on their feet, with no appreciable difference in acceleration (and slightly better gas mileage).

[Raza]

I had a 2015 Vantage, beautiful car, classic looks, wonderful naturally aspirated V-8, useable trunk (defined by me as fitting a set of golf clubs). But...mine had the automated manual, which you had to shift with paddles because the automatic mode was awful, and frankly the paddle shifting wasn't all that great, either. No manuals were available when I bought mine, and that's the only way to go if you're looking. I also believe the V-8 models are better than the V-12s. Less weight over the front wheels, generally lighter on their feet, with no appreciable difference in acceleration (and slightly better gas mileage).

Yeah, that automated manual was a mistake. BaT is often a terrible place to look for cars, but things like the V8 Vantage often go overlooked there. I remember seeing a V8 and a Datsun 240Z up for auction at the same time and the 240 finished at around three times the price of the Aston.

[OrangeSport]

Few pictures from today's Smokey and The Bandit anniversary cruise:

[wschofield3]

Tomorrow and Tuesday are big days for my little pocket rocket project.

• Golf R turbo upgrade. I had this scheduled earlier, but could not get the parts needed.
• Corner bracing installed. I already have the frame/tunnel brace, both sway bars upgraded and engine bay strut brace installed.
• Stereo!!! All JL Audio, 5 channel amp with DSP, component speakers (up front only, the rears will be disabled) and a 10" sub in the rear deck. 4 channels will run the component 6.5" two ways in front, the other ch for the sub. Sticking with the stock head unit as there is too many features I'd lose going elsewhere. Tons of vibration control being added so my doors and rear deck don't rattle. 12G oxygen free Audioquest cable for speakers.
• MSS track ready spring kit. The intention is not to lower the car a lot, will go 1-1.5" lower max, I want to maximize cornering and stiffness. Also, I want this car to be a "sleeper" and not appear different from stock. I can't stand a car so lowered that it looks like the fenders will shred tires if it hits a bump.
• Bilstein adaptive struts

After this, I'm likely going to Stage 3 tuning as I'll have all in place to accommodate it properly, which will get me close to 425 WHP!

Yes, I'm sick, I know, however, I love driving this car, and after Tuesday, I expect I may just live in it.



I replaced the Magnaflow exhaust with a Neuspeed a while ago as the MF was just too loud. The NS has a nice low growl when driven normally, it sounds like a performance exhaust on any car, but when you step on it, all hell breaks loose. It's magnificent! BRAAAP!

[Raza]

Tomorrow and Tuesday are big days for my little pocket rocket project.

• Golf R turbo upgrade. I had this scheduled earlier, but could not get the parts needed.
• Corner bracing installed. I already have the frame/tunnel brace, both sway bars upgraded and engine bay strut brace installed.
• Stereo!!! All JL Audio, 5 channel amp with DSP, component speakers (up front only, the rears will be disabled) and a 10" sub in the rear deck. 4 channels will run the component 6.5" two ways in front, the other ch for the sub. Sticking with the stock head unit as there is too many features I'd lose going elsewhere. Tons of vibration control being added so my doors and rear deck don't rattle. 12G oxygen free Audioquest cable for speakers.
• MSS track ready spring kit. The intention is not to lower the car a lot, will go 1-1.5" lower max, I want to maximize cornering and stiffness. Also, I want this car to be a "sleeper" and not appear different from stock. I can't stand a car so lowered that it looks like the fenders will shred tires if it hits a bump.
• Bilstein adaptive struts

After this, I'm likely going to Stage 3 tuning as I'll have all in place to accommodate it properly, which will get me close to 425 WHP!

Yes, I'm sick, I know, however, I love driving this car, and after Tuesday, I expect I may just live in it.



I replaced the Magnaflow exhaust with a Neuspeed a while ago as the MF was just too loud. The NS has a nice low growl when driven normally, it sounds like a performance exhaust on any car, but when you step on it, all hell breaks loose. It's magnificent! BRAAAP!

Is that 425 through the front wheels only? You madman!

[tribe125]

Hang on, that’s not a hot hatch. I don’t know what I’m looking at. A Jetta?

[geoffbot]

Great effort Walt

[Raza]

Hang on, that’s not a hot hatch. I don’t know what I’m looking at. A Jetta?

Yeah, looks like a Jetta GLI to me. The sedan counterpart to the Golf GTI (they used to be on the same platform, but now I think that’s no longer the case in the US).

[wschofield3]

Is that 425 through the front wheels only? You madman!

Yes, but it's a limited slip differential. You need to coax it a bit at launch but grip is great.

Hang on, that’s not a hot hatch. I don’t know what I’m looking at. A Jetta?

Yes, a Jetta GLI.

Great effort Walt

Thanks!

Yeah, looks like a Jetta GLI to me. The sedan counterpart to the Golf GTI (they used to be on the same platform, but now I think that’s no longer the case in the US).

The GTI and GLI have the the same engine and drivetrain now and same specs since 2019, and they both use the MQB platform. The GLI was "de-tuned" compared to the GTI until 2019.

[mlcor]

Tomorrow and Tuesday are big days for my little pocket rocket project.

• Golf R turbo upgrade. I had this scheduled earlier, but could not get the parts needed.
• Corner bracing installed. I already have the frame/tunnel brace, both sway bars upgraded and engine bay strut brace installed.
• Stereo!!! All JL Audio, 5 channel amp with DSP, component speakers (up front only, the rears will be disabled) and a 10" sub in the rear deck. 4 channels will run the component 6.5" two ways in front, the other ch for the sub. Sticking with the stock head unit as there is too many features I'd lose going elsewhere. Tons of vibration control being added so my doors and rear deck don't rattle. 12G oxygen free Audioquest cable for speakers.
• MSS track ready spring kit. The intention is not to lower the car a lot, will go 1-1.5" lower max, I want to maximize cornering and stiffness. Also, I want this car to be a "sleeper" and not appear different from stock. I can't stand a car so lowered that it looks like the fenders will shred tires if it hits a bump.
• Bilstein adaptive struts

After this, I'm likely going to Stage 3 tuning as I'll have all in place to accommodate it properly, which will get me close to 425 WHP!

Yes, I'm sick, I know, however, I love driving this car, and after Tuesday, I expect I may just live in it.



I replaced the Magnaflow exhaust with a Neuspeed a while ago as the MF was just too loud. The NS has a nice low growl when driven normally, it sounds like a performance exhaust on any car, but when you step on it, all hell breaks loose. It's magnificent! BRAAAP!

But is there anywhere near you where you can run it the way it's intended?