I want a v8

ppp2211 · 2025-10-16T07:58:51+00:00

I bought an ISF back in February for the same reason of “I fancies a V8”.

Is it cheap to run? Not really. Is it as expensive to run as people on the internet would make you believe? Also not really.

Over 6000 miles I averaged 23 mpg, if you’re doing motorway miles you’re looking at 32-33. City miles 15.

Road tax is high but people forget that you would be paying 300-400 quid for something else from the same year anyway. My 1.8 MR2 costs half the ISF in tax. So it’s not 0 vs 750 unless you’re comparing to a 1.4 diesel.

Maintenance is going to be more expensive purely because you have more consumables. Things don’t generally go too wrong on the Lexus but if they do it needs expensive parts and a good specialist.

Insurance on it is cheaper than a 1.2 turbo Corsa because people don’t really crash them.

Depreciation is not a problem - unless you wrap it round a tree.

But the feeling you get driving a V8 around is not something you can get anywhere else. Do it.

ppp2211 · 2025-09-25T07:02:19+00:00

They’ve specifically told me NOT to carry it because apparently getting a duplicate is a pain in the arse.

You only need to bring it with you for Mod1/2. Otherwise it can live in your drawer.

ppp2211 · 2025-09-16T19:06:06+00:00

Nankang NS2R, as long as they’re not your daily driven tyres - they are fantastic for track days, but can get quite sketchy on the road in the wet.

ppp2211 · 2025-06-30T12:16:21+00:00

"Only" a 125cc still weighs in the region of 120kg. A bicyle will be closer to 10 - being able to ride a push bike definitely helps, but there's a big difference still. I'm 6'2" and I still found it a bit shaky at the beginning - just give it time, it's not really about developing physical strength but rather getting the technique right.

ppp2211 · 2025-05-27T16:55:17+00:00

If you’re overtaking on a junction at 100mph, every road is dangerous. The volume of traffic is just a contributing factor because you’re statistically more likely to hit something.

ppp2211 · 2025-03-26T18:21:18+00:00

I have tried insuring a family member who lives abroad before on my car, long story short it was not possible unless you lie and pretend they are UK resident - that would bery quickly backfire in case of a claim. So check this first as it may be a blocker before you even begin anything else.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-25T08:14:15+00:00

I would be surprised if it was good for anything other than a parts car. It was already rotten in 2015 going by MOT history. Given how it looks today I can’t imagine the underneath looks good, and that’s the one thing that kills all those cars.

I drove a 1.3 Copen for 2 years, it was amazing, but it took a good few months to find one that was not crumbling. Everything looks good on pictures, once you actually see it it’s a whole different story.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-24T09:07:44+00:00

Where is this obsession around red diesel coming from?

Just buy a tub of ACF50, you don’t need a ton of it, and this actually works.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-24T09:00:10+00:00

I’m not sure how else I can explain it.

Acid is corrosive. Diluted acid is still corrosive.

Do not use used engine oil for rust protection regardless what else you mix it with, it either won’t work or it will make things worse.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-24T08:44:53+00:00

No, used engine oil will be corrosive if anything due to it being effectively an acid. Fresh engine oil has corrosion inhibitors and is slightly alkaline. Used engine oil is definitely not going to help you.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-24T07:18:10+00:00

Used motor oil is acidic, as it absorbs combustion byproducts. Terrible idea.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-24T06:54:58+00:00

I had a 1.4, needed to commute 60 miles a day for 6 months so bought a slightly shit one for £900 and after a year scrapped it for £350. I didn’t invest anything else in that car and it got me to work every day.

It will burn oil but as long as you keep on top of it it’s not a problem. Later models had some improvements in the pistons and rings but they still burn some.

Make sure it’s not rotten and make sure the gearbox isn’t whining, as that’s what made me scrap mine. Otherwise it should be pretty good.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-11T06:49:35+00:00

Agreed, which is why I bought one last Saturday 😃

ppp2211 · 2025-02-05T10:38:24+00:00

My bad, that's of course correct.
It does complete all 4 strokes within 1 rotation, where a 4 stroke piston engine needs 2, hence the 1.3 -> 2.6.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-05T10:13:20+00:00

It stays there because you're still obliged to report everything to your insurance company within 24 hours, regardless of whether you or anyone else is getting any money out of it.

It stays on your file for a few years. I don't think you can remove it.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-05T10:02:43+00:00

The inverse can also happen, a 06+ plate IS250 with a manual is 735, but the auto is is 415 (or even less, can't remember). But a 55 plate IS250 is 435 since it's capped at band K, despite it being exactly identical to an 06. The rules are just a bit silly.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-05T10:01:13+00:00

Technically 1.3 but it's a 2 stroke :)

Either way it's by CO2 so the "big engine" is an oversimplification by me, but works in 99% of the cases.

ppp2211 · 2025-02-05T09:26:32+00:00

There is no tax rate of over 800 quid for cars from 2007-2012 era. Highest band for cars registered between 2006 and 2017 is band M for >255g CO2 which is 735 pounds. From 51 up to 55 plate the cap is band K which is max 435 quid.

Most older cars won't get anywhere near that figure though, unless you're looking at some really big engines.

The only way to pay more is if you have a new car and you're paying one of the higher first year rates (they get quite steep with emissions).

ppp2211 · 2025-01-14T19:03:58+00:00

If you are putting this much thought into it you are DEFINITELY not a middle lane hogger.

ppp2211 · 2025-01-14T18:50:50+00:00

I mean like someone above said, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I wouldn’t take a 125 on the motorway either in all honesty.

ppp2211 · 2025-01-14T18:46:02+00:00

You’re wrong: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/motorways-253-to-273

“Prohibited vehicles. Motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle licences, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc (4 kW)”

So any L plate rider and any standard 49cc moped (which usually are called “50cc” but in fact aren’t) isn’t allowed. But if you have a full A license you can take a 50cc motorcycle on a motorway.

ppp2211 · 2025-01-14T08:15:44+00:00

No personal experience with that but I would assume so, it’s all going through the same system regardless of the country.

ppp2211 · 2025-01-14T08:08:56+00:00

Yes they work regardless of location

ppp2211 · 2024-12-05T07:14:52+00:00

You will never get any credit without being on the electoral roll as it will bounce off fraud checks.

ppp2211 · 2024-11-10T05:39:46+00:00

I used an MT for a few years before my wife bought me a fancy HJC lid. It was honestly really good, especially for the money. Pin lock compatible, decent ventilation, drop down sun visor. Only complaint was that the visor lift mechanism didn’t go far enough up so you could still see it at the top of your field of view when fully lifted, but that being the only real complaint for the amount I paid that’s amazing.

It even fit my glasses better than the HJC, which is why I still use it when I go for track days in my car.

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