mystery machine

It's always alarming to read about this sort of thing, not least because of the unfortunate people who lost their lives, but also because you're aware that it could just as easily happen to yourself or someone you know... In this particular case, regardless of who was at fault, the Mitsubishi driver was always going to come out of the collision better off. I wouldn't like to think that, if the Lancer driver was at fault, that it was this knowledge that spurred him into doing something wreckless... Scary to think what a Porsche Cayenne, a Range Rover or any of those other "Chelsea Tractors" might do to you...

Sounds good for keeping work expenses down, but as you say - no daily excuse to use the motor properly.

I understand - a man's got to put the faimly first. Hope to see you back here again some day FWIW, if I could travel to work for £15 a week I'd be singing from the hilltops!

The met. grey hawkeye looks nice, but the rear arches almost don't look big enough for those wheels

Stirlingshore, eh? Where one can delight in magnificent views of the open sea from the top of the Wallace Monument, at the end of Castle promenade? Just kidding mate - hope you chase that counterfeiting scoundrel out of eBay

How come you're not using the Scoob?

In that case it's either that I happen to have encountered an atypically unfriendly sample, or it's summat to do with my motor, or it's summat to do with me...

For all G. Brown and his cronies care, it might as well have '666' stamped across it

In my (short) Scooby-driving experience, I've found that Falkirk area has the most miserable concentration of non-waving Scooby drivers. Never once had a wave from any of them. There are quite a few doing the rounds there though - perhaps so many that it just gets embarrassing after a while . Having said that, they're still more socially acceptable than the very same populace's smoky-exhaust driving, can't grow stubble for keich, clapped-out Evo brigade On a positive note, I've had waves in Stirling, Borders, Lanarkshire...

Have used them a few times recently for servicing - so far so good. Charlie (think that's his name) at the servicing desk is always polite, helpful and friendly, and Sandy the mechanic has taken the time to chat with me about the car on a couple of occasions, which I appreciate.

Yeah, and that's just the crossword page!

Well, each place has its pros and cons For instance, how does $108 to fill your Scooby's tank sound? (only to drive around in heaving rain all week!).

Is this publication available from WH Smith and the like? Wouldn't mind a gander...

I always liked yellow/blue as a colour combo. So 'yellow calipers with black lettering' would be my vote.

Gotta love the Daily Mail... Instead of fining motorists for idling in traffic jams, any chance we could take a look at alleviating the root cause, i.e. congestion? Could we provide better public transport and roads, perhaps? Too radical? Too much effort and expense more like it... Having said that, I do get a bit hacked-off when I see some keich-for-brains sat outside Costcutter having a ten minute conversation on his mobile, engine running, diesel blurting out all over the local populous... Banana up the exhaust pipe should sort that one. And don't get me started on what I'd do to his car

Howdy, t3hWIT! Love the decor Are you a Scot living in the US, or an American McRae/rally fan?

This isn't meant as an insult, so please don't take it that way...With interests like hunting, SUVs and country music, American culture probably suits you better than British culture anyway.

P.S. If you don't want to stick with the OEM shocks, you could always go ahead and have them fitted by the dealer under warranty, then immediately replace them with aftermarket items, then flog the originals to a friend or punt them on eBay... Just a thought - hate to see a fella not get his warranty's-worth

Yes, I would query Subaru about having them contribute to some third party shocks. Hopefully they would see that it makes sense for you and for them. If they won't do that and want to be awkward, then I would certainly have them replace the existing items - if for nothing else than to buy you a few more miles before you have to dig into your own wallet! Get your money's worth out of that warranty!

Howdy!

Thanks for all the great suggestions, Phil! The Fort Agustus -> Inverness back road sounds really interesting (I've only ever taken the direct route). If we get anything approaching an 'Indian summer's day' this year, I'll check that one out! Cheers

To be fair to the UK dealers, this is a fairly typical trans-Atlantic contrast. America being a richer country, retailers of all descriptions can afford to carry a lot more stock, and it impacts them less if it doesn't sell as quickly, or ends up discounted as "last year's hot gear". I always found it curious when I travelled to the States how many enormous supermarkets exist that are full of stock and almost devoid of customers... guess there has to be a reason why they can get away with that? That's not to say the UK Scooby dealers should rest on their laurels, mind... I'm sure there is a market for a bit more in the way of dealer-supplied mods and aftermarket parts. So yeah - let's see those intercoolers nailed to the showroom wall!

I like it Thought it looked a tad realistic to be a photoshop job! Nice pics (well, apart fae the wan where ye geid us aw the acme ringers ).

OK, it's a rally thing (McRae's reg?).You probably guessed it by now, but I don't follow motorsport. Cheers for the info, though

Yeah, yeah - but they don't have Branston Pickle over there. Flash bestirds...