Darren S
ClioSport Club Member
Some may recall reading Calum's thread from late December....
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...-Evo-VI-GSR-%28UK-Ralliart-No.-289%29-%A37800
Well, she's finally landed into my mitts. :clap:
Everything happened really quickly. Perusing CS one day, I noticed a VI up for sale - and as always, I jumped in and had a look. I also noticed this up for sale on MLR and now in early January, the price had been reduced. On a whim, I finished work last Friday (the 6th) with nothing but Evo on my mind. Saturday came and it was worse. Calum was some 250 miles from me but something about this particular Evo - the nigh-on standard power, the TLC, the subtle mods simply ticked SO many boxes for me.
I fired Calum over a quick email and from there we exchanged details. Come Sunday, I was on the way to Scotland with the 'ol man in tow - thankfully not only sharing the driving of a 500-mile round trip, but allowing us to use his Berlingo instead (awesome dad, thanks!
).
The sat-nav said we were getting close. I texted Calum to let him know that the TomTom said we were a mere 15mins away. Homing in close to our quarry, the "You have reached your destination" message came through. Idling along the street, looking left and right - sure enough the VI was there - in all it's minty-clean glory.
That pang kicked in - that little flip you get in your stomach when you finally cast your eyes on something that you've driven several hours to see. I swing the Berlingo around and park up, meeting Calum on the driveway. Next comes several walkarounds the car, with Calum telling me much about the car in terms of TLC, history, etc - a lot of which went in one ear and straight out the other (sorry m8!). My mind was trying to take in everything I've read about Evos and what to ask, without standing there and simply grinning like an idiot. It was all that. 13 years of age simply didn't reflect in the car that stood before me. Without even asking, Calum offered me a test drive and off we went.
Very, very nice. The interior was completely absent of turbo gauges, manifold temps dials, etc - and again, amazingly clean for a pre-2000 car. The only thing not standard was the stereo head unit, but as that was an upgrade over the stock item AND had a CD auto-changer to go with it in the boot, who was I to complain?
Temps warmed up and we were off. Clearly heavier than the Clio, it nonetheless felt a lot more planted and changed direction very quickly indeed. The engine performance, being almost standard, pulled well and smoothly - and much more controllable than the higher-boosted Evo VI's that I'd driven in the past. The cherry on the cake were the seats from an Evo IX. Superb items that wrapped around you and were wonderly supportive.
I wanted this. I really wanted this. I even had a deposit all ready to go, but with everything happening in such a blur over the last day or two, I hadn't checked on the dreaded 'I'-word........ insurance. I told Calum that I couldn't commit without checking with them first. I know I had received some quotes in the past, but I needed accurate figures for 2012. I asked for a days' reprieve on selling it to anyone else, so that I could speak to the insurers. Thankfully Calum allowed this, despite having interest on the car from other punters.
The drive back down south was littered with "what if's" playing on repeat through my mind. Key to these thoughts were the insurance houses. How would they react/laugh/behave when I told them I wanted an Evo VI?
I'm currently with Admiral and despite trying an Evo specialist first, I gave them a ring. Several phone calls later, discussions about the mods and the existing Clio policy, I managed to get a multi-car policy setup for both cars for £1,343 - about two-thirds of which was for the Evo alone. It's a lot of money, but one that was justifiable to me in wanting this one car.
Feck it - go for it. In short order, I went for the policy, wired over a deposit to Calum for the Evo and took a deep breath. It was now Tuesday the 10th and I was as close as I've ever been into owning an Evo. I know needed to get back up to Scotland.
By pure coincidence, we have a works' depot 6 miles from where Calum lived. Great I thought - I'll catch a lift with the delivery driver from Blackburn and get within a stones-throw of where I need to be. The downside? The truck leaves at 1am Friday morning. Sharp.
Arse - oh well. So having spent a full day in work on Thursday and having booked Friday off, I'm running on pure adrenaline come the evening. I need a bit of sleep, but it isn't happening. I meet the driver at work and spend the next several hours on the road - catching maybe an hours' worth at best of much needed shut-eye. I spend the morning at the depot having a bus-man's holiday fixing IT crap up there before Calum comes and collects me at the agreed time.
Paperwork sorted out and much time spent discussing car detailing latero) a big thanks passed was passed onto Calum. I was on my way. This VI was really mine.....
I pootled around heading for the motorway back down south. We'd already filled the Evo to the brim with super unleaded - and having a smaller tank than the Clio meant that it only managed to guzzle £55 worth. Those weight-saving and balanced focused Japanese even thought of that.
Within minutes, the other drivers come out the woodwork. A Scooby driver gives me and the car a glance that can only be described as me asking his girlfriend for a BJ right in front of him. Next up a Civic Type-R that was tinted to death, coasts up along side and then braaaaaps of into the distance. On the road for less than five minutes and already the Evo is gaining attention - some bad, but most good! Delivery vans shoot past with the passenger craning their necks to have a look back. Several times, cars pull up behind and either the driver, passenger (or sometimes both) are pointing to things on the rear of the Evo. An S3 comes flying up the outside lane and then eases off. Is this is Evo packing stock power or some 700bhp behemoth? Either way, he wasn't taking a chance and cruised by at about 5mph quicker than me. Rofl.
I'm purposely taking it easy. I want to learn how the Evo feels and more importantly - see what I can manage to a full tank. Calum told me to expect 200 miles from a full one - but it was 250 miles home. Could I and the Evo manage that if I took it easy? The challenge was set - let's face it, you need something to do on a boring motorway drive - so I kept at around 60-65mph for most of the way back. Naturally, the brain that lacks the most intelligence in my right foot sometimes took over and a quick change down to 4th followed by a surge from up front saw the inside-lane traffic get left behind - the huge nostrils on the bonnet of the Evo seemingly pulling the car ever quicker to the horizon. An audible whizz-hiss release of pressure and the blat was over - the Evo now winding-down to the sub-legal speeds I'd got set for the Fuel Challenge home. Boost is most certainly addictive. :approve:
Many Costas later and being a car-parking cnut at several services (disabled spots, family parking, or sometimes taking up two parking spaces - all were fair game!) - I'm almost home. The trip had been brilliant. In many aspects is showed me just how much I've got to experience about this car as I have merely scratched the surface of its true potential. It also showed me that it can be used a motorway cruiser and a practical one at that. I clocked 280 miles on the clock without refueling and even then, the petrol warning light had still yet to appear. No doubt I could halve that range (easily) with a heavy go-pedal, but that's for me to decide. That's part of the beauty of a boosted engine over one with similar power, but only achieving that in increased CC.
This morning I was up - feeling totally refreshed from the previous two days excitement. I nipped out briefly in the 182 and then later a quick 10mins out in the Evo. I wonder if the people in the traffic to the side of me wondered what the hell I was smiling at?
Both cars got washed this morning - the little 182 first, followed by it's older sibling. The experience (as with anyone who's into cars knows) - is fairly special when you first wash your new motor. Calum's detailing skills clearly shone through - the Evo being as smooth to the touch as possible. I try my best with the 182 in terms of external TLC, but this was on a entirely different level. I clearly have much to learn yet. Regardless, washing THAT spoiler and THAT bonnet for the first time was borderline sexual.
So, there you have it. A long and sometimes rambling overview of my last few days and the realisation of a decade-old dream. Anyone in a similar position needs to do it - and do it soon. My life's changed a fair amount these last twelve months and been impacted by some traumatic events. Sometimes you need to treat yourself and reward you for simply being you. The 'what-ifs' and 'maybe tomorrows' will always be there. Just do it while you have the chance.
Anyways, some fairly poor iPhone pics to finish with as the battery died on the still camera. Bugger!
The new baby....
That rear looking view will NEVER get boring! Still makes me small-giggle.
Great interior, imo....
And now, after so many years of pretending, I can actually update my avatar. That treat can wait until later.
D.
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...-Evo-VI-GSR-%28UK-Ralliart-No.-289%29-%A37800
Well, she's finally landed into my mitts. :clap:
Everything happened really quickly. Perusing CS one day, I noticed a VI up for sale - and as always, I jumped in and had a look. I also noticed this up for sale on MLR and now in early January, the price had been reduced. On a whim, I finished work last Friday (the 6th) with nothing but Evo on my mind. Saturday came and it was worse. Calum was some 250 miles from me but something about this particular Evo - the nigh-on standard power, the TLC, the subtle mods simply ticked SO many boxes for me.
I fired Calum over a quick email and from there we exchanged details. Come Sunday, I was on the way to Scotland with the 'ol man in tow - thankfully not only sharing the driving of a 500-mile round trip, but allowing us to use his Berlingo instead (awesome dad, thanks!
).The sat-nav said we were getting close. I texted Calum to let him know that the TomTom said we were a mere 15mins away. Homing in close to our quarry, the "You have reached your destination" message came through. Idling along the street, looking left and right - sure enough the VI was there - in all it's minty-clean glory.
That pang kicked in - that little flip you get in your stomach when you finally cast your eyes on something that you've driven several hours to see. I swing the Berlingo around and park up, meeting Calum on the driveway. Next comes several walkarounds the car, with Calum telling me much about the car in terms of TLC, history, etc - a lot of which went in one ear and straight out the other (sorry m8!). My mind was trying to take in everything I've read about Evos and what to ask, without standing there and simply grinning like an idiot. It was all that. 13 years of age simply didn't reflect in the car that stood before me. Without even asking, Calum offered me a test drive and off we went.
Very, very nice. The interior was completely absent of turbo gauges, manifold temps dials, etc - and again, amazingly clean for a pre-2000 car. The only thing not standard was the stereo head unit, but as that was an upgrade over the stock item AND had a CD auto-changer to go with it in the boot, who was I to complain?
Temps warmed up and we were off. Clearly heavier than the Clio, it nonetheless felt a lot more planted and changed direction very quickly indeed. The engine performance, being almost standard, pulled well and smoothly - and much more controllable than the higher-boosted Evo VI's that I'd driven in the past. The cherry on the cake were the seats from an Evo IX. Superb items that wrapped around you and were wonderly supportive.
I wanted this. I really wanted this. I even had a deposit all ready to go, but with everything happening in such a blur over the last day or two, I hadn't checked on the dreaded 'I'-word........ insurance. I told Calum that I couldn't commit without checking with them first. I know I had received some quotes in the past, but I needed accurate figures for 2012. I asked for a days' reprieve on selling it to anyone else, so that I could speak to the insurers. Thankfully Calum allowed this, despite having interest on the car from other punters.
The drive back down south was littered with "what if's" playing on repeat through my mind. Key to these thoughts were the insurance houses. How would they react/laugh/behave when I told them I wanted an Evo VI?
I'm currently with Admiral and despite trying an Evo specialist first, I gave them a ring. Several phone calls later, discussions about the mods and the existing Clio policy, I managed to get a multi-car policy setup for both cars for £1,343 - about two-thirds of which was for the Evo alone. It's a lot of money, but one that was justifiable to me in wanting this one car.
Feck it - go for it. In short order, I went for the policy, wired over a deposit to Calum for the Evo and took a deep breath. It was now Tuesday the 10th and I was as close as I've ever been into owning an Evo. I know needed to get back up to Scotland.
By pure coincidence, we have a works' depot 6 miles from where Calum lived. Great I thought - I'll catch a lift with the delivery driver from Blackburn and get within a stones-throw of where I need to be. The downside? The truck leaves at 1am Friday morning. Sharp.
Arse - oh well. So having spent a full day in work on Thursday and having booked Friday off, I'm running on pure adrenaline come the evening. I need a bit of sleep, but it isn't happening. I meet the driver at work and spend the next several hours on the road - catching maybe an hours' worth at best of much needed shut-eye. I spend the morning at the depot having a bus-man's holiday fixing IT crap up there before Calum comes and collects me at the agreed time.
Paperwork sorted out and much time spent discussing car detailing later
o) a big thanks passed was passed onto Calum. I was on my way. This VI was really mine.....I pootled around heading for the motorway back down south. We'd already filled the Evo to the brim with super unleaded - and having a smaller tank than the Clio meant that it only managed to guzzle £55 worth. Those weight-saving and balanced focused Japanese even thought of that.
Within minutes, the other drivers come out the woodwork. A Scooby driver gives me and the car a glance that can only be described as me asking his girlfriend for a BJ right in front of him. Next up a Civic Type-R that was tinted to death, coasts up along side and then braaaaaps of into the distance. On the road for less than five minutes and already the Evo is gaining attention - some bad, but most good! Delivery vans shoot past with the passenger craning their necks to have a look back. Several times, cars pull up behind and either the driver, passenger (or sometimes both) are pointing to things on the rear of the Evo. An S3 comes flying up the outside lane and then eases off. Is this is Evo packing stock power or some 700bhp behemoth? Either way, he wasn't taking a chance and cruised by at about 5mph quicker than me. Rofl.
I'm purposely taking it easy. I want to learn how the Evo feels and more importantly - see what I can manage to a full tank. Calum told me to expect 200 miles from a full one - but it was 250 miles home. Could I and the Evo manage that if I took it easy? The challenge was set - let's face it, you need something to do on a boring motorway drive - so I kept at around 60-65mph for most of the way back. Naturally, the brain that lacks the most intelligence in my right foot sometimes took over and a quick change down to 4th followed by a surge from up front saw the inside-lane traffic get left behind - the huge nostrils on the bonnet of the Evo seemingly pulling the car ever quicker to the horizon. An audible whizz-hiss release of pressure and the blat was over - the Evo now winding-down to the sub-legal speeds I'd got set for the Fuel Challenge home. Boost is most certainly addictive. :approve:
Many Costas later and being a car-parking cnut at several services (disabled spots, family parking, or sometimes taking up two parking spaces - all were fair game!) - I'm almost home. The trip had been brilliant. In many aspects is showed me just how much I've got to experience about this car as I have merely scratched the surface of its true potential. It also showed me that it can be used a motorway cruiser and a practical one at that. I clocked 280 miles on the clock without refueling and even then, the petrol warning light had still yet to appear. No doubt I could halve that range (easily) with a heavy go-pedal, but that's for me to decide. That's part of the beauty of a boosted engine over one with similar power, but only achieving that in increased CC.
This morning I was up - feeling totally refreshed from the previous two days excitement. I nipped out briefly in the 182 and then later a quick 10mins out in the Evo. I wonder if the people in the traffic to the side of me wondered what the hell I was smiling at?
Both cars got washed this morning - the little 182 first, followed by it's older sibling. The experience (as with anyone who's into cars knows) - is fairly special when you first wash your new motor. Calum's detailing skills clearly shone through - the Evo being as smooth to the touch as possible. I try my best with the 182 in terms of external TLC, but this was on a entirely different level. I clearly have much to learn yet. Regardless, washing THAT spoiler and THAT bonnet for the first time was borderline sexual.
So, there you have it. A long and sometimes rambling overview of my last few days and the realisation of a decade-old dream. Anyone in a similar position needs to do it - and do it soon. My life's changed a fair amount these last twelve months and been impacted by some traumatic events. Sometimes you need to treat yourself and reward you for simply being you. The 'what-ifs' and 'maybe tomorrows' will always be there. Just do it while you have the chance.
Anyways, some fairly poor iPhone pics to finish with as the battery died on the still camera. Bugger!
The new baby....
That rear looking view will NEVER get boring! Still makes me small-giggle.
Great interior, imo....
And now, after so many years of pretending, I can actually update my avatar. That treat can wait until later.
D.
