Lauren

I've taken Indy (Cavalier) to Italy and back over the Alps, she goes everywhere in the car. She sits in the back if it's me in the car or if Mark is there as well she sits on his lap.

It's pretty much like every other car I've had, fuel light comes on too early. Also noticed you have a check engine light on too!

Of course not, just drive it how you want to. Wouldn't be any fun if you couldn't go over 4K rpm!

My old friend Toni get's her new Gialla GT86 next week. In order to celebrate and ingratiate her into the fold, I thought we'd have a social meet down in St Albans on Saturday 21st March at 2pm. I'm going to say 2pm at the pub for a meet as I've got a three hour drive down from Manchester. I guess we can go for a drive out then come back and have some food, something like that anyway! Or we could have lunch then go for a drive to somewhere else. Up to you guys, but it'll be fairly straightforward I hope. If you'd like to join us, please add your name to the list. Here's a link to the pub which is dog friendly so expect Indy in attendance! http://www.wheathampstead.net/cross-keys/ 1. Lauren, Mark and Indy 2. Toni and Simon 3. Speedy 4. Gremlin 5. Chris 6. UK Ducatiman 7.Faith 8. Dan (Steeps)

I would, but I've already got a long drive and am partying in Birmingham the night before on a girly night out to see Morrissey. Think I'll be dead on Saturday!

We haven't got any more tickets for Japfest, sorry they sold out weeks ago.

LOL, I was more saying that if I can live with it..... I honestly have no desire to ever be 21 again (my driving has improved considerably since then) and I'm quite happy with being middle aged. I don't agree with Advans (Are we talking about 105's, Keith?) being poor in the wet. In fact they are very good! Or are you talking about AD08's or AD08R's?

Welcome aboard! Is that an original TRD? I only ask as red was apparently avaiable but I've never seen one. A red TRD is very rare indeed!

That car is Bosozoku style. It's got nothing to do with America, it's a Japan thing.

But it basically tells us absolutely nothing that we don't already know. Bit of a no-news story!

Fair enough. The whole concave thing is certainly very cool at the moment.

Cool, proper JDM wheels too. 9.79kg at that size. That's quite good considering but 600g heavier than a stock wheel. Reckon 8.5's would be better in regard to weight. Is there any reason why you are going so wide?

What wheels do you want?

I think if you're NA then 225 is about as wide as you'd want to go. Think 235s is the limit. Think you can still get a bit of dish with a reduction in offset on say a 9J rim or 8.5. I'm not OCD about many things, but grammar is one of them!

Extra load will simply mean a stiffer sidewall. It's up to you when it comes to sidewalls, I like mine stiff for responsiveness, I'm willing to trade a bit of the ride comfort for that. You make your choices. I drive 25K a year on all types of roads, tons of work mileage. I have a car that is lower with stiffer suspension and I'm currently running a little stretch (not much though) and it's fine. Plus I'm over 40!

I thought the V105's I had lasted pretty well (still a bit left for Jamie now he has them!). But, I bought them for their ability to withstand track abuse.

You could certainly try it Keith. The thought had crossed my mind, but I don't like the extra sidewall flex running a 225/45 on a 17" rim. Though on 18's on a 225/40 it would be okay I should think. 'Little' Keith, what's all this 'lil' business eh?

Must admit I have not experienced this issue. Though I may be easier on the brakes than some, though I've had them smoking a few times without issue.

It's about the length of the bumpstops IIRC, Rob.

Just for reference, I'm not on my second Milltek, I'm on my third! This will be my last one. If it goes again, I'm going to look at something else. 1st one lasted 40K. Second one 16K. I can cope with the first one lasting for 40K, but 16K miles means it was only replaced last June! I got mine through RRG at the point of buying the car, so fortunately I didn't have to deal with. Mine was all sorted within a week. Seeing as you don't have the warranty it's a little more difficult. The time it takes to change over the exhaust will be under an hours labour, so that won't be a lot. What a pain though.

You may want to mention the spring rate, Nige. I know it was quite high, like 9/9kg which is not usable on the road. I think Steve went for a lower rate, as it was too much. But I can't remember what he settled on. For comparison those of us who use the Streetflex run either 5/6kg or 6/6kg. The stock rate they come with is 7/7kg which we thought a little too stiff for daily driving.

It's not Richard's fault Milltek can't make exhausts that don't crack. If this one goes, I'll be getting something else.

You may want to consider the TRD Aero Fins instead of the BRZ ones. The BRZ ones are half the price though! As for wheels, there are some BBK's that will fit under 17" rims. Having driven the car on both 17s and 18's, I would say 18's don't necessarily ruin the handling, but you'd need a light weight wheel and in 18" that rules out all the Taiwanese ones really. The stock brakes are absolutely fine on the road. Yes it is possible to get them smoking and to fade, but it tends to happen after a prolonged period of really pushing the car. So it won't happen that often. On track anything over ten minutes can get them smoking, but if it's a trackday there's no need to hammer the brakes all the time, though I appreciate it's great if you just don't have to worry about it. The thing is with 17" is that if you go for a 225/45/17 there is too much sidewall flex whatever you do, so it's better on a 215/45 which having less of a sidewall doesn't seem to have the same problem. This is why I run a 215 on an 8" rim. I may though when I burn off the Primacy tyres I've got on there try an Advan again but in stock sizes on my 8" rim as that may offer the best compromise. If you run an 18" wheel with 225/40/18 you don't get the sidewall flex option, but you need to ensure that you have a light wheel! It's complicated, but I've driven lots of other people's cars and experimented with tyre size myself, so that's what I've found. Coming from the Mini you'll be used to tons of grip as the Mini is fairly over-tyred really. This car doesn't flow unless you've got it moving around a bit I find, so it's a careful balancing act, especially if you are running NA. Too much grip and you don't get the joy of the handling. Too little and it's a handful, but ultimately more enjoyable! Choices, choices!

I have a Miltek overpipe. Interestingly reports I've heard say that replacing the stock overpipe makes no difference even though it's got an indent in it!

Just so you know, the rear lights are not 'Lexus Style'. They are based on the 2000GT which was a key influence in the design as seen in the side glass profile also. Good luck for the 23rd!