Mad moment

[mjb]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - It all depends on the type of driving.

My V6 will average 38mpg on the motorway/autobahn at between 60mph and 100mph on cruise control. My trip computer on the other hand says this 300mile tank-full (I'm in the red now) has netted me an average of 19.9mpg because I've done nearly all of it just doing the 5 mile suburban run to work and back (and taking a big steep hill at full throttle most days!). I think a lot of the increased fuel consumption in this car comes as a result of largely driving on a cold engine - the thing literally throws fuel at it whenever it can to warm itself up (under 40mpg while accelerating downhill with my foot off the gas!)

The petrol turbo was a lot more dynamic - up to 50+mpg on the motorways at 56mph yet it only got me around 15mpg on this new 5 mile trip to work

[Welly]

I can't think of any reason why a v6 mondy with all the trimmings wouldn't be a nice drive with a little bit of poke and not require my own oil refinery to run

The V6 in the Mondy is a 2.5 unit which Ford decided to make their own version of the Mazda 2.5 KLE (I had one of these) the "Duratec" engine was not quite as good and was built with cost savings in mind (Ford). The Mazda unit had *lots* done to make it super-smooth (like a special crank for example) all of which made a silky smooth and tough engine. A kind of "friend" of mine had a Mondy ST200 on an S reg I think and I allways remember him starting the thing on a hot day outside my house and the shear brute force of the a/c compressor kicking in stopped the engine dead once going again it made all kinds of weird noises trying to settle on an idle speed without cutting out again I don't think they put out much BHP either - around 165BHP

I don't think you'd be happy with the Ford - unless you're really lucky you won't find one that's been "really" cared for as they allways seem to me to get fixed on the cheap and bashed about a bit.

I would consider a remap on yours or get a V6 D8/D9 Saloon (or better an estate) for peanuts and have a roarty comfy familier car.

[Eric]

I can't think of any reason why a v6 mondy with all the trimmings wouldn't be a nice drive with a little bit of poke and not require my own oil refinery to run

The V6 in the Mondy is a 2.5 unit which Ford decided to make their own version of the Mazda 2.5 KLE (I had one of these) the "Duratec" engine was not quite as good and was built with cost savings in mind (Ford). The Mazda unit had *lots* done to make it super-smooth (like a special crank for example) all of which made a silky smooth and tough engine. A kind of "friend" of mine had a Mondy ST200 on an S reg I think and I allways remember him starting the thing on a hot day outside my house and the shear brute force of the a/c compressor kicking in stopped the engine dead once going again it made all kinds of weird noises trying to settle on an idle speed without cutting out again I don't think they put out much BHP either - around 165BHP

I don't think you'd be happy with the Ford - unless you're really lucky you won't find one that's been "really" cared for as they allways seem to me to get fixed on the cheap and bashed about a bit.

I would consider a remap on yours or get a V6 D8/D9 Saloon (or better an estate) for peanuts and have a roarty comfy familier car.

Yeah, a remap on mine is cheap and I know it's going on a reliable car but it's not really going to be that lively is it.
Still got the worlds worst 1st gear (I hate having to pull away in mine, no flexibility, you change to 2nd asap or you stay at 15mph.)
Also the fact that it goes all wobbly above 80mph, brakes have no bite and I don't have a fuel computer, leather or leccy seats.
It's a fantastic form of transport but I want a car with some pizzaz now.
After all my previous cars going down to an HDi was a bit of an oversight on my part and it's getting to the point that everyday I accept that everyone on the road has more power, revs and better gearing than me and it's peeing me off to be honest.
I don't see how a remap is going to make THAT much of a difference, I know it will make a difference but it can't make that much.

Apart from the above there's also the fact the clutch has started to very occasionally slip (has happened twice I think) and a remapped car just isn't a new toy

I assumed perhaps wrongly the 2.5 Fords were more economical than the 3.0 Coupes, I've been told that the extra fuel costs just aren't going to happen, well not to that extent anyway.
I'd like a 406 coupe but I wouldn't be happy with the 2.0 and can't afford to run the V6.
Yes I know it's dependent on driving style and journey type but this is me we are talking about - if it says 25mpg worst case, then that's what I'll get.

I don't hate the HDi, I can't fault it (once it's moving) as a form of transport.
It's been reliable, cost me nothing to maintain and it's comfy - But that's not enough for me.
Luckily the car will sell easily but I can't help thinking if backed myself into the corner and that by having such a trustworthy and cheap car I've got problems trying to justify to the one that controls the finances why I need something more exciting when all I do is drive 45miles a day to work and back

It's also hard to find something for the same money that gives the thrills without the spills

Maybe the mazda might be an option, I do like the Ford 2.5 it's a nice engine to use.

[Welly]

This is really really weird.....I've said this before but I wouldn't call my 110 "slow" I wonder whether I was lucky and got a "good'un" ? I NEVER go above 3000 rpm (except in 4th and 5th) and I've stormed past cars with ease on 60MPH rural roads and 100MPH comes up in no time.

The ONLY time it dissapoints is when you try to rag it and drag the revs out as it just slaps you back in the face. "Coax" the power though and use the gearbox and I reckon it goes really well. I'm not a car puff either as I've had some reasonably swift charriots in the past.

Maybe your car is extra flat and needs an airflow meter or something or, maybe, you're a racer at heart

[Eric]

maybe, you're a racer at heart

Nail on head there I think mate
Tried to deny it and my old man with his 406 thought he could make me see the light but the racer in me has always been kicking and screaming down deep inside me


It's weird with my car everyone that drives my car thinks it's perfect and pulls really well.
I get in it and sometimes it seems ok - rare though.
Generally I just sit in it rocking backwards and forwards to try and coax it whilst scowling at the artificial 3k rev limit when it runs out of power.

I do have a lot of fast dual carriageways on the way to work with roundabouts all along the way that need a quick foot unless you want to stay there all day and I'm starting to dread that part of the trip because that's when the lack of power starts to show itself and annoy me.

If I could be stuck at constant motorway speeds for hours I probably wouldn't care but fast urban roads are where I feel I could really do with some grunt.
Especially when people pull out on me and make me lose momentum... bastards

Sigh.

No way round it, can't have some decent poke and not pay the running costs to match.
I'm just trying to minimise the damage to our finances but I don't think I can carry on driving the HDi for much longer.
The more I think about it the more it starts to annoy me and if I keep it I will end up hating it or feeling like I've died a bit inside.

[Welly]

roundabouts all along the way that need a quick foot

Ahh - now I do get you there. Roundabouts and HDi's don't seem to mix! 2nd gear entries are too revvy and 3rd gear entries get you bogged down on the exit I must agree.

I take a huuuuuge straight line through them if no-one's about and lean and wollow all over the place

I see what you mean now. My journey sees no roundabouts or traffic lights or much traffic for that matter

Good luck with the 200sx then

[Blue406]

I'd like a 406 coupe but I wouldn't be happy with the 2.0....

Why not?

Cruises at 80 nicely. You'll launch from 70 to 110 quicker than most cars due to the way the gears are set up.
As economical as the saloon, but looks SO SO much cooler.

[Eric]

I'd like a 406 coupe but I wouldn't be happy with the 2.0....

Why not?

Cruises at 80 nicely. You'll launch from 70 to 110 quicker than most cars due to the way the gears are set up.
As economical as the saloon, but looks SO SO much cooler.

Nothing against the 2.0 but I'm a snob and would get annoyed by the fact that there is a 3.0 V6 around which I would prefer.
Generally I find it's better if I can go for the top model then my eyes are a little less green and so's the grass on the other side of the fence
I'd only start moaning if I got a 2.0 when really I wanted a 3.0.

[Eric]

roundabouts all along the way that need a quick foot

Ahh - now I do get you there. Roundabouts and HDi's don't seem to mix! 2nd gear entries are too revvy and 3rd gear entries get you bogged down on the exit I must agree.

I take a huuuuuge straight line through them if no-one's about and lean and wollow all over the place

I see what you mean now. My journey sees no roundabouts or traffic lights or much traffic for that matter

Good luck with the 200sx then

LOL
Yeah the "head through the windscreen" or the " T-bone" option at roundabouts.
I generally go for the head through the windscreen option... Poor gearbox, no wonder it's doesn't like the way I change down

[Welly]

The trouble with the down-changes is that the revs drop quiker than a tarts knickers as soon as you dip the clutch leaving you with a lot of catching up to do

Have you looked at 200's ????

[darrenwall]

get yourself a nice sports bike , plenty of fireblades or R1's about for less than 2grand . 0-60mph in under 3 seconds and on to over 165 mph will satisfy the boy racer inside plus they can get upto 35 mpg when riden sensibly .
thats what im gonna do when i can save up enough if the missus lets me

[steve_earwig]

I just almost got wiped out by some halfwit in a Smart (for god's sake!) who took a bend far too quickly and needed half my side of the road too I'm beginning to think the HDi's plenty fast enough, any faster and I'd get into trouble a lot easier because of the amount of knobheads on the road here. These days I'm watching the consumption all the time too, so traffic light grand prixes are a thing of the past. I suppose better brakes wouldn't go amiss tho'.

[Eric]

The trouble with the down-changes is that the revs drop quiker than a tarts knickers as soon as you dip the clutch leaving you with a lot of catching up to do

Have you looked at 200's ????

200s?

You mean 200SX?

No thanks, old, Jap and turbo charged not my thing anymore.
Had a Nissan 300ZX twin turbo and an MR2, both needed work that cost a lot of cash and both had the most obscene fuel consumption imaginable (Generally about £40 per 100 miles)
I dont think I need anything blisteringly quick - just fun to drive with a bit of poke and sensible costs.

Was thinking about going back to a Saxo VTS or 106 GTi as well but I don't think I could live without air-con anymore, I've been spoilt

[Eric]

get yourself a nice sports bike , plenty of fireblades or R1's about for less than 2grand . 0-60mph in under 3 seconds and on to over 165 mph will satisfy the boy racer inside plus they can get upto 35 mpg when riden sensibly .
thats what im gonna do when i can save up enough if the missus lets me

lol
Me + bike = dead

I have trouble controlling myself in a car on a bike I would be a liability tbh

[mbell666]

What about a prelude?

Pretty powerful, 2.2 Vtec 180 to 200+ BHP, great handling, good to drive, not too bad on fuel (i've had 29 to 35mpg), pretty bullit proof being a honda and should be able to get one for round the same money as a 406.