GR86 GR86 Confessions

[Silver Fox]

I do apologise for the rather rude insult. It wasn’t my finest moment and was a bit on edge yesterday, things aren’t going too great. It doesn’t excuse it, I hope you accept my apology. I’m sorry.

We all have those sorts of days my friend - hope things work out OK for you.

(And apologies for gently mocking your post above (my "needed cheering up" comment); absolutely no offence meant and I often forget not everyone shares my terrible, flippant sense of humour...)

 

[Jayware33]

We all have those sorts of days my friend - hope things work out OK for you.

(And apologies for gently mocking your post above (my "needed cheering up" comment); absolutely no offence meant and I often forget not everyone shares my terrible, flippant sense of humour...)

Thank you

 

[ZN8]

I do apologise for the rather rude insult. It wasn’t my finest moment and was a bit on edge yesterday, things aren’t going too great. It doesn’t excuse it, I hope you accept my apology. I’m sorry.

No worries, no hard feelings

Apologises if I didn't help the situation.

 

[Silver Fox]

Wouldn't be like this on an Audi forum, I tells ya!

 

[911sse]

Wouldn't be like this on an Audi forum, I tells ya!

That did make me laugh, or half of Pistonheads. It's like willie waving top trump playground activity for those trying to shake off adverse childhood experiences through the power of car forums. Odd, amusing and slightly disturbing at the same time... Don't start on watch forums.

 

[Sonic]

Don't start on watch forums.

To use an Americanism, ‘I feel ya Bruh’

 

[Gibbo78]

The clear film on the foot rest - anyone notice how hard that is to take off?

Mine looked like the PDI had made an attempt and just left most of it on there, so naturally I had a go and that just does not want to come off. When it does it just tears into tiny slithers. Looks awful.

Took off the two fixing black bolts, then unscrewed the metal plate from the foot rest mount. Hairdryer and the plastic wrap came off in a oner. Two rounds of glue and tar remover a wee soak in some warm water with some car shampoo…. Sorted!

 

[FrmrMR2Drvr]

I've never driven a rwd car and have a slight concern I'm going to total it.

Never fear, back in the early anthropocene we only had RWD, and somehow most of us survived it. Now summers on in winter will definitely change your view. STEER into the skid. When your rear wants to pass on the right steer right, pass on the left steer left, only enough to regain control and steer out of it, of course take your foot off the gas or steering is pointless. On the drive home in 3" of fresh wet snow in my 86 MR2, (coincidence?), about 15 miles I used the slide to do my turns. I am pretty sure witnesses to this thought I was daft but all I was doing was "snow drifting". (Well before drifting was invented.)

 

[Sonic]

all I was doing was "snow drifting". (Well before drifting was invented.)

In the early 80s, drifting your Ford Capri was a daily occurrence, especially if trying to make progress to impress ‘the Birds’

 

[Bluemanc100]

In the early 80s, drifting your Ford Capri was a daily occurrence, especially if trying to make progress to impress ‘the Birds’

I was driving from Biggin Hill to Orpington to see a nurse I was dating in ‘86 when Kent had really bad snow.. driving down a back road I “drifted” straight into the bank at the side of the road

 

[Sonic]

driving down a back road I “drifted” straight into the bank at the side of the road

I think that's called crashing me ol' mate

 

[Bluemanc100]

I think that's called crashing me ol' mate

I prefer “drifting”

 

[Eoin]

Agree - for the 'sunday morning drive' you feel part of the car and can feel/hear the road surface changes, I dont want to compare it too closely to an early Lotus Evora but if it had that magic Lotus damping it could be from the same ethos. It even has some rattles like a Lotus (which are winding me up!)
For the motorway schlep on course tarmac its just noisy but then we get so used to the insulation and comfort of a modern car, then complain they're too heavy and automated.

I've used these for a long time. I have the earphone version and they give a great reduction in background noise even if not using them to play music. Ideal for longer trips where the noise is annoying rather than engaging.

Custom Ear Plugs UK | Moulded Ear Plugs

Custom ear plugs for multiple uses including Industrial, Shooting, Music and Motorcycling. Moulded earplugs and hearing protection to fit your ears perfectly.

ultimateear.com

 

[Silver Fox]

A fresh confession, albeit a historical one from my perspective (I was prompted by the recent posts re. LED lights in the "what did you do today" thread):

I had some bright LED interior lights, fitted them, and didn't like them so put the old/original ones back in!

I found the bright ones too harsh. I much prefer warm, welcoming glow of the originals and they suit the basic, retro nature of the car's interior better.

The bright ones showed up my facial wrinkles, and we cannot have that.

 

[Salko_GR]

I am with you Mr Fox, prefer warm original interior lighting.

 

[Conscript]

Generally I also prefer warm lighting on the interior.....but I also like being able to see stuff, and the OEM bulbs were very dim. So I'm happy with the LED bulbs I have for, but I will keep an eye out in case I come across some warm white coloured ones.

I'm sure they must be available; domestic LED bulbs are not pretty much indistinguishable from older, warm, incandescent bulbs now, so presumably there's nothing to stop automotive LED bulbs achieving the same.

Meantime, my confession - the lack of an alarm does have one advantage. We have two dogs, and my partner was out with one of them (Lula, a Labrador) the other evening, leaving our lab/collie, Oscar, with me at home. I had to run a couple of errands, and not wanting to leave him sitting at home on his own, I took him with me. Not having an alarm meant I was able to make a couple of quick stops including nipping into the local supermarket, without having to worry about disabling internal sensors or anything like that. Both times, I came back to the car to find him sitting waiting patiently on the front seat without a care in the world. Good lad

 

[ZN8]

Add me to the warm light clan. I fitted LEDs in the GT86, it was bright a crisp but I prefer the warm incandescent lighting in the GR86, maybe because it has 2 bulbs and is a bit brighter than the GT. The boot has an ultra bright LED bulb in it though, that's pretty useful.

 

[Conscript]

Off the back of this conversation, I decided to dig up a site I used a few years ago which has a raft of LED bulb options - https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/

It looks like they have a warm white (3000K) W5W T10 bulb which should do the trick.

20MM LENGTH T10 LED ERROR FREE CANBUS 8 SMD WARM WHITE W5W 501

10mm Base width. 20 mm bulb length. Head diameter 10 mm. Suitable for many other cars or applications that have the standard T10 / GLB501 Wedge fitting. Ideal for number plates or small fittings that require a shorter LED the same length as a standard bulb

www.classiccarleds.co.uk

They are only a couple of quid each, but orders less than £10 don't qualify for free RM shipping. Granted, the delivery cost itself is only £1.25....but before I order, would anyone be interested in trying them? If so, I'll pick up 6 to get them shipped for free and forward the rest on for a couple of quid. Pretty sure I have some 1st class stamps and they'd probably fit in an envelope.

EDIT: I went ahead and ordered 6 to get in before the cut-off time for dispatch today. I'll report back and if anyone wants the others, shout.

 

[Vistalite]

Not wishing to ruffle any feathers here but technically they are referred to as lamps and not bulbs (which are buried in the ground).

 

[Eoin]

Not wishing to ruffle any feathers here but technically they are referred to as lamps and not bulbs (which are buried in the ground).

Personally, I always appreciate a bit of technical pedantry.