Monday, June 02, 2014 - 07:40 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
G'day chaps.
For the past 4.5 years I've been on the BMW buzz, where I fitted a 1UZ into an E36 coupe which has been ever so much fun.
However the time has come where I needed a daily driver, and of course I couldn't settle for anything... had to be a Soarer!
Our long time member here Matthew Sharpe was kind enough to on sell his lovely 1996 3.0GT.
Couldn't be more pleased. A nicely maintained car, in need of a bit of cosmetic TLC here and there.
No doubt I'll tidy it right up... I can't help my self, eventually the OCD-ness I had with my old Soarers will come out, Haha.
One thing I am impressed by is the handling, I recall they didn't handle well but perhaps my other early V8 models were a bit tired??
This seems to be quite nimble and responsive in the corners... what does everyone here make of the way their Soarer handles? I've heard decent sway bars and springs can be the answer to reducing the body roll and bringing out the best in these cars?
Anyhow, guess I'll be seeing you guys around a bit more often!
Saturday, June 07, 2014 - 09:57 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Good tyres make a huge difference too, particularly to general cornering confidence - I tried a few different combinations over the years and as far as bang for buck goes, the Proxes 4's are hard to beat for general road use in NZ conditions (on this particular car anyway) - no doubt if you spent a bit more you'd find something even better.
The thing I liked most about them was how well the communicated when they were getting close to the limits - you can always feel and hear when they are about to let go - then when they do let go it's very controllable. Some of the other mid range tyres I tried would just totally give in with little warning, particularly in the wet - and thus destroy your confidence in throwing it into a corner and booting it on the apex.