Last year I put down a deposit for a brand new MTW. However, after a brutal hike in CO2 tax, and the latest Euro4 changes I no longer could stomach the total cost, hassle and insecurity of it all. I cancelled the order.
I believe the car would have been smashing in "Zircon blue" with painted cowl and "silver birch" wheels. Both colors from a 1969 Rover P5B.
The very next day after I cancelled, the dealer offered me a 2014 with painted cowl in Jaguar "irridium" silver and black quilted leather. I bought it without hesitation.
First drive vas an 8h stint from Oslo to my home. All started sunny and nice, but later I drove into something that reminded me of Mordor. Pitch dark heavy rain, resulting in 1/2" depth of water inside the car!
Just as well, as it´s now cleaner inside and behind the trim than it´s been for a long time, after extensive drying, cleaning and treatment of Autoglym´s finest.
Funny thing. There´s not one single thing this car excels at, except being quirky, and at a steady 60km/h at 3000 rpm it´s like driving a cross between an ATW and a lawn mover. Same sound, and just as interesting.
BUT! Given the right road,(I´m spoilt by choice) weather(ok, not so much) and the right clothing... Nothing comes close.
This thing drives almost exactly as I imagined, a few things even better.
-Clutch is more progressive and manageable than i thought.
-Engine braking like a large V8, almost rendering the brakes unnecessary between curves
-the pops and crackles
-the blippability when selecting down a ratio. Smooth.
It was not the car I ordered, but a good second choice, and I have logged a couple of wonderful drives this year already.
This is the ticket! And after a few modest improvements/mods it will be even better.
Thanks for all the knowledge an input you good people have brought to the forum.
Good Night
T
