There's the medallion man image but I'm sure you're used to that with a
Firebird ;-)
If you get one with 320bhp it still only works out at about 190bhp/ton so
it's not going to be that quick, it depends on what you're used to.


<a> wrote

Ok then, how about this one (you all successfully put me off the XJSV12)

Early 90's Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo. Seem to be a lot around, 300+ bhp for
around £4k can't be bad? Insurance is suprisingly affordable. Anyone owned
one or got any comments, good or bad? The 4WD would be nice, has anyone ever
had 4WS before - is it an appreciable difference? Lots of stuff to go wrong
but fairly common so presumably not too hard to sort out and replace parts
if needed?

Cheers,
Dan

expensive to fix but nice motors

<a> wrote

<a> wrote

not well liked for there size and weight and handerling is meant to be a bit crappy too, better off
with a skyline or a 200SX or *cough* MR2 turbo

anyway IMO there nice, saw lots of the at last weekends JAE, great motors but parts are ££££'s if
they go wrong but being jap is normally really unlucky or because someone cut back on services...

"Vamp" <none (AT) none (DOT) com> wrote


Not bothered about size and weight - current car is a Pontiac Firebird so
well used to it. Surely with 320 odd bhp the weight isn't a great issue,
it's still going to move at a fair rate! Hopefully might test drive one at a
local garage this weekend.

<a> wrote

yeah as i said they shift with a few mods! 0-60mph can hit around the 5's easily plus plenty of toys
inside

<a> wrote


They're something like 1,800 kg, though, so yes there's plenty of power but
there's plenty of weight to lug about too.

I've read that the interior is typically Japanese and the handling and ride
is tilted towards the "crossing the continent on the motorway" rather than
"crossing the country via the back roads."

But this probably isn't an issue!

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

"DervMan" <dervman (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

Excuse my ignorance, but what's a "typically Japanese" interior? Used to my
Americans (lots of tacky plastic and cupholders) so doubt it'll be much
worse! Any risk going for an older one? Seen a 91 advertised at £4k, low
mileage and service history so could be good.

Cheers,
Dan

<a> wrote

I had one for about 3 weeks. The only japanese car I've ever brought and how
long I had it should give you a clue as to my opinion of it. Its heavy, slow
and generaly bloody awful. They might have 300 odd BHP like all the best jap
4wd's but (and its a BIG BUT) they weigh 1750KG's odd and the 4wd System is
awful sapping a good 20% of the flywheel BHP, basicaly you have 300bhp at
the fly, which by the time it reaches the wheels is 240bhp, even power to
weight worked out on the 300bhp figure is only 171bhp/tonne. 0-60 is only
quick'ish because of grip available, after 70mph they feel very slow.
Gearboxes tend to explode every other Tuesday and clutches on most
Thursdays. Utter shite and if you buy an old one thats been 'used' it'll
cost. Oh and the interiors are shite and you need a medallion and a chest
wig should you buy a red one.

Matt

"**-**" <nospam (AT) tamate (DOT) com> wrote

So you didn't like it then? ;-)

Not sure I'm worried at all about the speed, I'm certain it'll be more than
enough for every day use - it might not be a supercar but it's still pretty
quick compared to most stuff on the roads. More worried about the
gearbox/clutch issue you mentioned - is it a well known failure point on
these? What are the problems with the interior? Wouldn't buy a red one,
would have to be black or silver probably (the one I've currently got my eye
on is silver).

Cheers,
Dan