New car (non Volvo)

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 07:53 pm

Well guys, my FWD days are over (for now). My Suzuki Swift GTi has gone to be replaced by this beast:

An Opel Manta GT/E

I know it's not a 300 (or even a Volvo), but I think it's sooooooo cool that I had to share it with you

Post by **petavius** » 03 Mar 2006 08:04 pm

My mate had one of those - sooooo cool!

Post by **V6 Man** » 03 Mar 2006 08:14 pm

I remember a fast thrash up the M1 in the company of an identical (even down to the stripes) GTE when i had my 360, 100mph exactly all the way from the M25 to Jnc 25 at Nottingham!

Post by **Chris_C** » 03 Mar 2006 08:22 pm

I heard about this last night from a certain Skoda driver, looks nice mate!

Post by **Japper** » 03 Mar 2006 08:23 pm

Is this car also called an Opel in England? I thought Opel was called Vauxhall at your place? We call this car a 'platte lands ferrari' in Holland. That means something like farmers ferrari. I like the old skool look of it.

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 08:47 pm

Farmer's Ferrari, I like that!

Most of the GM cars here are Vauxhall. But 20+years ago we still had models that were Opels such as the Mantas, Monzas, Asconas etc. All very confusing. I dont understand it myself to be quite honest!

Chris, I think the certain Skoda driver was quite impressed, as was his slightly jealous house mate. Hehehe

Post by **sven360** » 03 Mar 2006 09:01 pm

Had a few in the past-bit large for the lanes but super comfy and handle ok.

You just missed the boat Carl- just sold some bilsteins and springs I had lying in the garage.
Is that the end of the 300's for you?

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 09:11 pm

It's not a lane car (well, maybe occasionaly

), its my everyday driver. So certainly not the end of the 360, still got that to play down the lanes with!!

I used to know someone with a bright yellow Manta coupe that was used as a road rally car. Looked fantastic!! Just like this in fact:
http://www.mandh-photography.co.uk/even ... rush-9.htm

Shame about the billies, that would have been awesome!

Post by **redline** » 03 Mar 2006 09:28 pm

well done Carl , the manta was exactly what the capri never was , this and the monza are probably my two favourite vauxhalls ever

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 09:34 pm

Indeed Mick, I've been hearing similar reports. I was also looking at a Monza 3.0 Auto which would also have been pretty damn good, but it was 130 miles away which put me off a bit (got a lot on at the mo so no time to drive all that way). Luckily the Manta is about 20 mins away, so I'm picking it up tomorrw!

Plus I've got £300 left from the sale of the Swift so I may put it into a body shop to sort out some of the imperfections. Or maybe just spend it on suspension for Fioner

Post by **Andy's-Old-Beast** » 03 Mar 2006 10:08 pm

Approved! Good job.

Keep hold of the Volvo too, though.

Cheers

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 10:15 pm

The Volvo is my long term project, so no worries there. My other car is the one I chop and change all the time

Post by **sven360** » 03 Mar 2006 10:16 pm

Carl wrote:
Plus I've got £300 left from the sale of the Swift so I may put it into a body shop to sort out some of the imperfections. Or maybe just spend it on suspension for Fioner

You'll be checking the chassis legs under the bulkhead then

Post by **Carl** » 03 Mar 2006 10:19 pm

Will get it up on axle stands tmrw and give it a good going over. Apparently it's mainly superficial rust, but we shall see!

Post by **Bilbo** » 03 Mar 2006 10:59 pm

if its rotten its still worth alot of money. so dont worry

plus the wheels will look nice on your 300