Matt's MY08 NC Roadster.

[zawrilla]

Haven't checked into this thread for a long time Matt, but just did and it's always a great read.

Glad to see you're still enjoying the car as much as you did in the beginning.

A mutual friend of ours might possibly be finding his way into a 5 as well... but still early days.

[CoffeeBoss]

Having now dríven on good roads, I'm less convinced that this thing needs anything spent on it.

Haha - it's a Roadster! Unless you've got broken bits, you don't need to mod at all! The want to mod, however, is too strong to resist for some of us.

A mutual friend of ours might possibly be finding his way into a 5 as well... but still early days.

Haha, I know, all the cool kids are doing it these days

I gave him the right advice, I hope he goes through with it! Let's face it, he's always been a hairdresser anyway, it would suit him perfectly. Heh heh.

[CoffeeBoss]

Visited Kinokuniya on the weekend



Lot's more great ideas, no money to spend on them. So just spending patience at the moment!

[broady]

Nice work Matt. I love Kinokuniya, such an awesome store, sooooo much variety, so little money to spend!

[LeftRightOut]

Having now dríven on good roads, I'm less convinced that this thing needs anything spent on it.

Haha - it's a Roadster! Unless you've got broken bits, you don't need to mod at all! The want to mod, however, is too strong to resist for some of us.

A mutual friend of ours might possibly be finding his way into a 5 as well... but still early days.

Haha, I know, all the cool kids are doing it these days

I gave him the right advice, I hope he goes through with it! Let's face it, he's always been a hairdresser anyway, it would suit him perfectly. Heh heh.

I still can't shake the "mod" desire... was just trying to formulate a way to let the boss know what's in my mind now (looking at MX5 parts instead of working)...
am very interested in the headers/exhaust/muffler combo (twin pipe muffler to keep avoid a missing pipe on one side). Add to that, cold air intake (which perhaps should go first), springs (it really needs to be an inch or two lower), sway bars and a tower brace... I could do a lot with $5K for a start. I think I'll use my normal method for getting my way... keep yapping for a month or three then just spend the cash

PS: Anywhere you know where I can get some sort of service manual? I want to get under and give her some good oil this weekend and even though I don't need a manual for that, I'd still like one.
Do you use ramps to get under yours or a jack?

[taminga16]

You would need some very long and low ramps, jack and stands are the go and they will give you more room to move. if you do not have a creeper some cardboard is great for sliding around on. Check the owners H/Book for jack point info! Might we see you at The Garage Cafe tomorrow night?
Greg.

[CoffeeBoss]

What he said. Except for the Garage Cafe bit. Maybe later in the year though

[taminga16]

Matt,
My NC2 is fitted with RE 050A tyre (5000klms) that are showing some feathering (front) and I was wondering if you might have a copy of the alignment specs that you are using, I drive with some spirit (no track work though).

Thanks, Greg.

[CoffeeBoss]

Hey Greg, don't have a copy at hand unfortunately. However I'm up for new tires soon, and will be back there to get the alignment checked. Will get a copy of the current specs.
Keep in mind though, with my car being lowered and an NC1, they might only be a guide.
Be worth checking with Charlie Brown also, Phil has probably been through more alignments then myself.

[taminga16]

Thanks Matt,
I will drop him a line, My tyre bloke will listen and if we can get it right I am sure that it will help fellow NC owners as well.

Greg.

[CoffeeBoss]

Thanks Matt,
I will drop him a line, My tyre bloke will listen and if we can get it right I am sure that it will help fellow NC owners as well.

Good point!
The reason I've been going to Stu for years now is because of his experience with these cars. When I had the IS200, he had only done a few of those by the time I started going there. All the local Altezza Club members started to take their IS/Altezza's there, and after a while he really got to know the cars, and what worked for them.

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks Matt,
I will drop him a line, My tyre bloke will listen and if we can get it right I am sure that it will help fellow NC owners as well.

Greg.

I don't do coke but I'll give you a spec for a stock height NC dríven in a "sporty manner"

Front

1 degree negative camber
6.5 degrees castor
2mm total toe in

Rear

1.5 degrees negative camber
3.0mm total toe in

When you get really serious and want to head for the track we can fine tune that a bit more.

cheers,

Phil

[CoffeeBoss]

Catch-Ups: Karl & The Cappa
So, many peeps on JDMST (or Redline GTi) should be familiar with Wil's Cappa. This seems like a timely post here, considering the discussion this car has had in this thread recently.

It's become some what of a legend in our circle, and deservedly so. See, not many people are willing to rock a car that fits the cafe cruising, hairdressing stereotype. Particularly if it's referred to as a Cappuccino.

But these are the vagaries of Japanese car nomenclature, and who are we to question it? I mean, it's open top motoring with all the right ingredients: light, front engined, rear wheel drive. And, in the case of the little Cappa, a hairdryer

It's a nice antidote to the world's most popular sports car, and proof that Mazda aren't the only one who know how to succesfully combine these ingredients into an affordable sports car.

Wil recently celebrated 4 years with the Cappa in the best tradition of any enthusiast, he went for a drive. Heading south meant he was stumbling into my turf, so naturally we met up. For a cappucino. (sorry, it's just too easy).


Photo by Wil

It's been a typically rocky road for Wil and the Cappa, and they've had their differences, not only because Wil is of a tall and lanky persuasion. The Cappa now rocks some tasty go fast bits, and is quite adept at punching well above it's weight at the track. I recently had a bit of seat time in the Cappa, and I now understand the appeal. It makes a noise unlike anything you would expect from a car with 660cc's under the bonnet, and it has that real go-kart appeal you get from a light small wheel base car.

Big ups to Wil for forging ahead with the Cappa. It's not easy to take the path least trodden, but often a more rewarding result. The Kei Class in Oz needs a champion!

Maybe this post will encourage him to update his thread





So, a while back I mentioned Karl, my former RenaultSport Clio driving friend who likes to plough into the sides of cars whilst riding his bike to work, and who recently took possession of this Laguna Blue NA8 Clubman (one of only 15 Laguna Blue Clubmans produced).



This car has a long history, and this purchase is a long story. But the abridged version goes something like this: Karl and I took a drive down to Canberra around August last year to take a look at this NA8 Clubman that was for sale. It was owned by a guy associated with F3, so he was definitely an enthusiast. Karl said "I'll take it" and 4 months later, he did!

You see, what was a nugget to look at was a dream to drive. This represents the third NA that I have spent quality time with, and the first time I've dríven an NA8 (previous NA drives have all been NA6's = 1.6L).

On first impressions, the NA8 is noticeably meatier around the midrange compared with the NA6, and body rigidity is notably better from the driver's seat.

But the main reason why it gets a mention here? Mainly because I was reminded how enjoyable an 'old' NA8 can be to drive after you've just stepped out of an NC!

Don't get me wrong, my love affair with the NC is far from over. However it is testament to the focus of the team behind the NA that this car can still enchant after all these years, and after all this development. It just goes to show - the simply things in life are often the best!




Well - second best
The NC has not been getting a great deal of driving attention lately, apart from a week back on the commute, which means another 1000kms on the odo driving to and from the office. Not the type of driving it prefers. So, I gave teh Roadster a solid detail a few weeks ago. Precisely, Sydney-siders may note, the day before it started raining solidly for over 2 weeks. Sorry about that.

There's alot to be said for a good wash-rinse-clay-rinse-dry-paint clean/polish-wax. Despite all the rain, the car is still looking very clean, and the paint is still nice and smooth.

I've recently been transitioning over to using more Autoglym products (previously a Meguiars user), and I'm fast becoming a fan of the polish and wax/resin. And this stuff: Aqua Dry



Unlike other Wax-While-U-Dry products I've used, this uses a quality wax and a two-step drying process utilising micro-fibre clothes. A little more drying effort to retain that 'just-waxed' finish.

Now if only I could do something about all those stone-chips...

[two40]

I've recently become an avid user of Autoglym myself. Top stuff that.

[Szemen]

I never used Meguirs, always been a Autoglym fan. Their stuff is just brilliant.

I think its time you satiated your appetite for a NA8 ;) Join our club~~~