Thank you Gents for your SAAB photos and replies. I've always been aware that it's not unusual for them to go well beyond 100,000 miles without too many issues so I'm hoping mine will run for a little while longer as it does just 1500-2000 miles between MOTs nowadays.

It started out as a standard 150bhp Vector but I had the Hirsch EMC software engine upgrade put on it a few months after purchase to take it up to 190bhp so it moves quite well for its weight and the boot takes my golf clubs, trolley and clothes.

Nips along nicely

Here's my 74 plate BMW X5 M60i LCI ( but due to the BMW stop sale debacle it wasn't registered until Nov 27th 2024 instead of Sept 1st )

I've now done the required amount of miles to unlock full power, the 4.4L petrol V8 is pumping out 530bhp with a 40bhp boost, if needed, from the 48v mild hybrid system.

Somewhat gratuitous but just took delivery of this last Wednesday.
"Project Sports Car" was unbelievably tortuous, a story far too long and tedious for this post.
Nonetheless, I'm rather chuffed with this.
Subaru BRZ, a model known as S in this country. Wheels are Enkei RPF1 in 18x8. Crazy light things.

Noush wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 11:14 am Somewhat gratuitous but just took delivery of this last Wednesday.
"Project Sports Car" was unbelievably tortuous, a story far too long and tedious for this post.
Nonetheless, I'm rather chuffed with this.
Subaru BRZ, a model known as S in this country. Wheels are Enkei RPF1 in 18x8. Crazy light things.


IMG_0613.jpeg

Nice car! RPF1 are the lightest wheels I've ever handled. I suspect they'd float away if left in a breeze. What was project sports car?

My beloved 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid, only 90,000kms.

IMO, the most reliable 4cyl, 4door, full size sedan ever made, from the golden age of 2000-2010 before over-complexity and computerization. I honestly wouldn't trade this car straight across for a 2025 Camry... MAYBE for a 2025 Supra or 4Runner, hahahaha

I will own this car forever, I might add a Toyota truck from the same era one day if I don't keep going Loco buying these watches!

A 1961 series Land Rover not long back from trip to UK takes a while and slightly noisy

^^^^ An interesting wheel / tyre upgrade.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

Chris GB wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 5:31 pm
What was project sports car?

To keep it short, having been a car nutter all my life, never had a sports car, you're a long time dead, it's now or never. A buddy of mine has 3...
The brief version of a convoluted story then was that I ordered something that was supposed to take 4 months, which became 6 and then wasn't what I ordered.
So I had a look at one of these and really took to it. Then a cancer diagnosis, now dealt with and pathology clear, then significant fraud in my bank accounts, now restored after nearly 2 months, and finally took delivery. Quite the number of anxious moments!
While I was off work recovering from surgery I saw a similar one with these wheels, and yes that's it, and finally here we are....

So what started simply as 'let's buy a sports car' turned into quite a thing.

@Noush . So pleased that you are well again and enjoying life. You are right about only living one life etc, sometimes you just have to go for what you want.
I have been looking for a sports car for a while, I messaged @Chris GB about his car and Wether it's worth the outlay when compared to something powerful but in the realms of normality! Very helpful in helping me in my pursuit.

I've looked at Porsches, jags, Mercedes and the like but for some reason they just haven't hit the spot for me.
Then I came across the Toyota GR86, the sister model to your car I think. Wow, what a machine. Not overly powerful but built to handle and a driver's car for sure.
Was yours worth the wait? Is it all you hoped it would be?
I'm literally down to 3-5 cars and now just contemplating which one to go for.
I'd be really keen to hear your thoughts on your beautiful purchase.
Thanks
Pat

@Noush You've been through a lot there Chris, you really deserve the motor. Wishing you plenty of plenty of adrenaline-fuelled moments in that racy little number.

Des

Thanks for your kind comments @Redpat and @strapline
Yes I do feel like I've earned the right to enjoy this fabulous sports car. Not 'fast' by today's standards but plenty for public roads and one of the last engaging 'analogue' style cars. It has 3 pedals of course It is a genuinely different experience than a conventional hatch-back for sure. Including getting in and out

You accept that loud roads make a loud cabin, but it's all part of the connected experience I guess. On the other side, it's alive any time you want it to be and that's the point. And to my eyes it looks so good. My 8 year old grandson calls it the Japanese Ferrari and is looking forward to Friday when I drive him to school. And that is priceless, he is SO excited.

Bought this (used) last summer. The first auto I’ve owned, not sure I’d go back to manual again. Oh, and these have been Irish skies for what feels like forever. Just loving the weather.

Not really mine but I always try to drive this one when I go to visit my parents. Really fun car to drive. The blue mustang in the back is also my Dad's.

Positively underwhelming performance but it’s durable, the ‘15 Fusion is my 4th car to cross 200K miles.