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That's not an 89 by the way - 89+ would have body color rub strips around the outside, and clear turn signal lights in the front. It does have 89+ taillights, which was a common upgrade.
Sounds gooooood...
I think I still have an FD Torsen diff, if you're interested. Maybe some other performance goodies, I'd have to check. Greddy Turbo Timer with harness and probably a-pillar pod.
That's not an 89 by the way - 89+ would have body color rub strips around the outside, and clear turn signal lights in the front. It does have 89+ taillights, which was a common upgrade.
Sounds gooooood...
I think I still have an FD Torsen diff, if you're interested. Maybe some other performance goodies, I'd have to check. Greddy Turbo Timer with harness and probably a-pillar pod.
Yeah I realized it was an 88 a day later. Checked the door plate. It has an 89 motor, and the S5 tails. I think may do a full S5 conversion, just looks a bit better IMO. Is the torsen diff the same final drive? The factory torsen in the mk3 supra were weak as heck. I'm learning a lot quickly about these, never needed to know before!
The Torsen does not have gears IIRC - just the diff. From a 2002 FD - got it off Yahoo Auctions Japan when I was there for school. I think with an S4 mechanical LSD you have the right axle stubs too (Google; IIRC it needed the earlier stubs, but maybe later, not sure). Should fit in either generation FCT2 Pumpkin.
I'm traveling for work this week, so when I'll get home I'll root around and see what FC stuff I have left LOL.
For the conversion - the panel indentations for the rub/dent strips are differently sized between S4 and S5 (the body-color S5s are wider).
FWIW, the best motor I ever built was a frankenmotor with S4 rotor housings and mid iron, S5 outer irons and front cover, and S5 NA rotors and counterweights. Had to manage the boost carefully though - that old 16 bit ECU isn't fast enough to truly catch detonation events before they happen.
Next weekend Acura will officially release their Type S. This might just be the perfect front driver for me. I am amazed how much good press I keep reading about the Civic Type R and the Type S seems like it will be Acura's take on the Type R. It looks like it gets rid of the big Type R spoiler so I can take it through my free work car wash (Bonus!). The spoiler on the Acura even looks like carbon fiber and I do like me some carbon fiber. I am also guessing they get rid of the Type R's bright red seats and bright red carpet. The bright red did not bother me too much, but the huge thigh bolsters on the seats would not be great for me for a daily driver. This week my Acura rep is at training on the car and is planning to send me some pics. He seems to think they will have cars on the ground in late spring and we will be able to order them soon. (I'm not so sure.)
Driving the Leaf the last few months has made me realize that I could be just fine with FWD with the right tires. In fact, I have had quite a lot of fun in the Leaf around corners and roundabouts with my wife's 18" Sentra SR wheels and all-season tires. Just as I suspected, the car is ridiculously quick when it gets twisty and I am constantly catching people off guard- to the point that I postponed getting sticky summer tires because they are unnecessary unless I plan to keep the Leaf a while. The Leaf has also made me realize that it is really all the car I need for driving around town and whipping around corners from time to time. Also kind of a blessing to drive with one pedal with my right leg and heel still very sensitive and sore after tearing a disc in my back slipping on the ice in January.
I would be surprised if I could get a Type S quickly. If I could get one this year, it's only competition would be getting a VW GTI 40th anniversary. I am considering this car with a 6spd. in Tornado red for nostalgia. Many fun times in GTI's with my late father when I was a kid. Also because it would be a logical step up in performance and most features compared to the Leaf. Especially since APR just came out with software for the GTI to make it rather quick indeed. I will probably make my decision about this car as soon as I see pics and details of the Type S.
Another car I still really like is the GR Corolla. I bet it would be at least a year or two before I could get one so it would not change me getting a GTI 40th or a Type S, but might make a suitable replacement. My only hesitation is that I feel like I have done that type car so many times before with Subarus. Also, it has a tiny back seat for our 4yr. old and the interior is not even as nice as my Leaf. Although, I bet the digital dash and JBL stereo are a lot better than what is in the Leaf. I would also like the upgrade to heated seats and steering wheel for our frigid winters.
Between the three, that VW looks more enticing than the others. Notwithstanding that black mustache trim, the overall design of the car and the details are so much more cohesive, and more mature. The other two look designed for racer boys. I think I could drive that VW and be perfectly content.
Between the three, that VW looks more enticing than the others. Notwithstanding that black mustache trim, the overall design of the car and the details are so much more cohesive, and more mature. The other two look designed for racer boys. I think I could drive that VW and be perfectly content.
I really think the VW would be the only option for me this year as I would be shocked if the Type S would really be available this year. The other thing is that I get a nice employee discount on the VW so it would probably be almost $20k less than the Type S. I struggle to believe the Type S is $20k more car. I think the Type S would probably be the most grown up looking car (being more luxury oriented), but I won't know for sure until I see it in the flesh. I never really gave much thought to the boy racer look, but the GR Corolla wins that category by a country mile. I suppose I should start acting my age one of these years.... maybe.
Ironically, my wife thinks all GTI's and Golf R's are clown cars, but at the same time thinks my Leaf looks nice. I know, it makes no sense to me either. I am not 100% sure if I could even get a GTI 40th anniversary since GTI's and Golf R's make up a very small portion of our inventory and the 40th anniversary is being made in very small numbers. My only saving grace is that we start getting an additional 7-8 cars every 2 weeks at our VW store because we built a huge new VW building late last year. We also have another VW store about 20 miles away.
EDIT: I just read that VW is planning to "thoroughly update the GTI and Golf R" in 2024." That seems soon after just releasing the MK8 to the U.S. in 2022. So maybe we see it in 2025. I bet it centers on replacing the stupid haptic controls on the steering wheel and dash.
EDIT: I just read that VW is planning to "thoroughly update the GTI and Golf R" in 2024." That seems soon after just releasing the MK8 to the U.S. in 2022. So maybe we see it in 2025. I bet it centers on replacing the stupid haptic controls on the steering wheel and dash.
That seems about right. The MK7 came out in 2015, and the refresh was in 2018. Being that virtually every review and comparison is knocking them on the interior, hopefully they do a redesign.
I have been debating trying to trade my 6MT car for an MK3 Supra. This was my original love. It would be the only way I would get rid of the car at this point, and I'd only do it for a car that is "done". Not looking for anymore projects especially since one just fell into my hands.
That seems about right. The MK7 came out in 2015, and the refresh was in 2018. Being that virtually every review and comparison is knocking them on the interior, hopefully they do a redesign.
The changes between 2015 and 2018 GTI were pretty minimal, weren't they? I remember different wheels, a small black ring around the front bumper vents and maybe slightly restyled head & tail lights.
I think it would be way too costly to get rid of all the haptic controls entirely on the GTI and switch back to regular buttons, but I bet they could reprogram the existing controls so they are easier to use. My wife is trying out a Nissan Ariya today and when I first saw the haptic controls I cringed and immediately thought of the current GTI and Golf R. Amazingly, the controls in the Ariya work just as you would expect and are easy to use. So there is some hope for VW after all. It amazes me that the German engineers thought their haptic controls were a good idea. It's almost like they designed them to look more sleek, but never actually tried them to see how they worked.
The changes between 2015 and 2018 GTI were pretty minimal, weren't they? I remember different wheels, a small black ring around the front bumper vents and maybe slightly restyled head & tail lights.
They were more extensive. The DSG went from 6 to 7 speeds, R got the digital cockpit, the whole infotainment system was upgraded, and it was rumored the rear differential got the same upgrades as the S3.
Originally Posted by 4DRZ
I think it would be way too costly to get rid of all the haptic controls entirely on the GTI and switch back to regular buttons, but I bet they could reprogram the existing controls so they are easier to use. My wife is trying out a Nissan Ariya today and when I first saw the haptic controls I cringed and immediately thought of the current GTI and Golf R. Amazingly, the controls in the Ariya work just as you would expect and are easy to use. So there is some hope for VW after all. It amazes me that the German engineers thought their haptic controls were a good idea. It's almost like they designed them to look more sleek, but never actually tried them to see how they worked.
I don't think they have to entirely get rid of haptic controls, just add a volume **** and buttons for the climate controls. Did they think they were a good idea, or did they think they were a great way to cut costs. Interesting that Audi maintained hard buttons for the S3.
Interesting that Audi maintained hard buttons for the S3.
I thought the same thing when I was looking at the S3 interior. Although, I am not a huge fan of all the sharp angles of the interior on the new S3. I'm sure it will grow on me.
Speaking of designs that I am not entirely fond of, wow that new M2 is sure ugly from the front. Someone described it as looking like a concept car that they forgot to remove the camo. Great description. It's too bad as it is such a great car. I remember when everyone thought the Bangle-butt BMW's were so ugly, but they looked much better from the front than these current M2's, M3's, and M4's.
I thought the same thing when I was looking at the S3 interior. Although, I am not a huge fan of all the sharp angles of the interior on the new S3. I'm sure it will grow on me.
Speaking of designs that I am not entirely fond of, wow that new M2 is sure ugly from the front. Someone described it as looking like a concept car that they forgot to remove the camo. Great description. It's too bad as it is such a great car. I remember when everyone thought the Bangle-butt BMW's were so ugly, but they looked much better from the front than these current M2's, M3's, and M4's.
Mixed reviews so far as it's a much heavier car (but smaller inside) with a better engine, and some ugly styling. PASS
