OD404

That's a stupid come-back... It wasn't "always" going to happen, unless you were "always" planning on posting rubbish. Anyway, shall we get back on topic with this one?

So much for a mature debate.....

If it was Sierra shaped then it wouldn't be an Escort Cosworth... And if in stock form the Focus was better than the Escort (as per Chris's post) then it's not unthinkable to imagine that a modified Focus would still be better than a modified Escort (comparing apples with apples etc)

It's a question of taste, but you can't tell me that what has been done to each car is fundamentally different, which is what my point was.

To be honest, in theory at least, there is little difference between what the McDonalds Crew do to their Corsas and what the likes of Brabus do to brand new Mercs. The difference (as you rightly point out) is taste. Well, taste and money, factory modding costs a lot, because it's generally an extension of the OEM build using similar (or sometimes more expensive) fabrication techniques. They both achieve the same goal, making the standard car different. Everyone's tastes are different as has been pointed out so many times in this thread and that's why the modding scene is so diverse.

Depends on the car really, different sites cater for different markets. What car you got, we might be able to point you in a better direction

That's kinda besides the point

But isn't north of Portsmouth too far for most of them ?

That would suit me

Can't do this month at all. Plus Portsmouth is a long way south for me at the moment...

Don't get me wrong, those Corsa's are great cars, given what they achieve for the money that's been spent, but when people start saying they are better than having a Ferrari or Porsche, I laugh.

In drag racing, setup is everything. Tyres, suspension, power delivery. That's why you see these corsa's beating far more exotic cars, if they had road setups they'd probably never get off the line for wheelspin...

Don't think I've missed the point at all... ....But those that slam their car to the floor and THEN claim it to handle amazingly have in my opinion. Even my car would need its suspension pick up points changed to reset the roll centre if I lowered it any more for handling reasons. My car's chassis doesn't sit that much lower than stock (so the roll centre isn't way off), it's the skirts and bumper that have dropped the height.

Not to mention it puts the car's roll-centre below the surface of the road which is a big no-no! Very true, however it is noteworthy that many of today's modern cars are compromised for the general car buying public (something that can't always be said for Lotus's). I know what you're saying, adjustability makes a world of difference in the right hands and puts you in a world of sh*t in the wrong ones

Step it up a notch and meet in a pub carpark. So much more grown up

Given the money I've spent on the rx-7 (buying the car, new engine, few tweaks here and there) and the fact that it will give cars of 4 times the price a good run for their money in performance (and sometimes looks) I would say it was worth it. Depends on the car/aim though but I think there are essentially two types of modifying. 1: Those that modify to improve the cars performance, engine, chassis etc. This usually is best done to a car that has potential in the first place, so Minis, Saxo VTRs, a lot of Jap imports etc make good bases for this. Your mums 1 litre Corsa does not! 2: Those that modify purely for looks. Generally you see this more heavily on cars that won't benefit much from money spent on performance and I think people do this to stand out and get looks. I have nothing against either, it's personal taste And every time I look at my car, the money just seems worth it

No idea, we get a significant discount as we have about 150 users in this country alone.

Those programs are very basic when used for stress analysis. They're fine for applying a simple load to a part which is simply constrained, but I generally hold little confidence in their accuracy, and have yet to see any evidence that will change my mind. I'll post some stuff of mine up later, but for now, here is a list of the arsenal of software I use at work: Pro Engineer Wildfire4 Ansys Workbench (FEA) Ansys Classic (FEA, like Workbench but more command script based for greater power and flexibility) Ansys CFX with Turbocharger analysis plugins (Fluid flow analysis) FESafe (fatigue analysis)

And here it is...

I drive a 1.3...

It's an unfortunate situation to be in and I certainly don't begrudge you trying to get anything that you would normally be owed for times you don't work enough hours. As Anzo has said, there are places to ring that will be able to advise you far better than the majority of this forum. I do feel you may end up having to continually sign on and off, however the frequency with which you will be doing so may mean you aren't entitled to anything (I think you have to be out of work a set period of time before you can claim). Also they will want you to be looking for another job, and be able to prove that you are too, which may also go against you as you have already said you are happy with the job you have (apart from the hours). From my (very) limited knowledge I would say there isn't much hope of you getting anything, but I'm not the best placed to advise you, so my recommendation would be to speak with someone with more knowledge on this subject. I wouldn't call it leeching if you are actively trying to find a job. If you were just going through the motions to stay on the allowance then yeah, I'd have a massive issue with it

Structural and Fluid Dynamics Analyst...

I'd love to deliver take-aways in your area if that's the kind of car they drive!

The 7 is a faster car (stock for stock) and while the 8 has a stiffer chassis, the suspension on the 7 is also better making it a better drive. The 8 is a damn good car, I prefer the 7 myself, but this isn't really what this thread is about, I was merely pointing out that buying an older car doesn't instantly mean more miles and owners as you suggested.

Not true at all! There's an rx7 (yes I know ) for sale. 3rd off the production line and only 5000miles on it and two owners... I don't see the point in spending more money just because it's available, spend what you need to get the car you want, don't get the car that spends all the money you have.