Plug

That time already? Best I hit the sack. It's been a long day. Cheers, Plug

Sorry for straying off-topic again, that's what comes of not owning an Impreza any more [] Anyway, as per title, wireless networking. By definition, as we're on here we're all connected to the Internet.. it's good, isn't it? Especially with the new-fangled broadband gubbins. But it can be a bad thing.. I was setting up a laptop with wireless capability at the weekend, and was surprised to find a completely open wireless network when I did a site survey. Basically, one of my neighbours has got a broadband connection with a wireless access point, and hasn't taken any precautions to stop me hijacking their connection to the Internet and using it for whatever I see fit. Now, this could be great for me, I could load up some software and download music (or worse) until my hard drives filled up, all completely free. However, as I'm basically an honest chap, I'll try and find out whose network it is and offer to secure it for them. This doesn't always work, however, a colleague of mine tried this and got told to p!iss off. He still uses their unsecured network for large downloads.. Back to the point of the post.. if you've got a wireless network, have you bothered to try and secure it? Whilst it's difficult to make a network completely secure, it's not hard to discourage casual intruders.. you wouldn't leave the ignition keys in the car, would you, so why would you leave your computer open to anyone who happens to walk past? Just my tuppence worth.. Cheers, Plug

Anyone else been watching this? What a stunning programme. Last episode tonight but more to come in the Autumn, apparently. I resent paying the TV licence fee most of the time, as I think it's just another stealth tax, but once in a while the BBC comes up with something so good it really does justify its existence.. Now all I need is for the series to be repeated when HD broadcasting kicks off... Cheers, Plug

In fact, I'd love a copy of this for my desktop at work, if you don't mind. Any chance you could upload a 1600x1200 version to photobucket or a similar site? Or feel free to tell me to p!ss off... Cheers, Plug

WOW Seconded or possibly thirded! Superb photo.... Cheers, Plug

Sorry to hear about that Gary.. I remember when you got it, very nice motor. Hope my old rally jacket is still keeping you dry.. All the best, Plug

I towed a car trailer a few times with my Scoob, no problems. Obviously with a trailer on the back you're not going to try and set record 0-60 times, drive it sensibly and it handles the extra load without even breaking a sweat. I've no idea how much a caravan weighs, I'm pleased to say, but have pulled 1300Kg (same weight as the Scoob, give or take) without difficulty. Make sure the nose weight (preponderance) is right though, to a) avoid knackering the rear suspension and making the handling uncertain, possibly dangerous! And I don't think an auto should give you any problems if you're sensible.. try and beast it whilst towing and you'll probably cook the torque converter, but the same applies with a manual.. you'll just ruin the clutch instead. But, by the time you've got wife/kids/dog/luggage in the car, I doubt you're going to be racing anyone anyway. Just accept that when you've got to take the caravan you're in slow mode, and the rest of the time your tow car will be much more fun than that Volvo [] HTH. Cheers, Plug

Hello there.. What's the gas like in NJ? I've seen some differing stories about the quality of fuel in the US. Regular unleaded in the UK is 95RON minimum, with super ranging from 97-99RON depending on supplier. I've heard tales of US lead-free as low as 91RON.. you might as well not buy the turbo version! I can't imagine it running happily on ditchwater like that. Anyway, greetings from the other side of the pond.. Cheers, Plug

Sorry to hear that, I'm not a dog person but it's always sad to lose a pet []

Not at the moment it's not.. Anyway, I've been to Paris loads of times on business, and I think it's over-rated. Mind you, it has been observed that I am not the biggest francophile in the world, so that could explain it.. Cheers, Plug

I'm going to reserve judgement on the styling until I've seen a real one. Some cars look better in pictures than in the metal and vice versa. Should be a nice drive though, stiffer than the Boxster and more powerful. I'm not really a fan of the Boxter's looks but I can see how it could be much improved upon if the Cayman roof is done right.. for example, I think the TT coupe is a great looking car, but don't like the ragtop at all. Whatever.. we should accept that they *will* mostly be bought by poseurs who haven't quite got the cash to buy a 911. I'm looking forward to buying a 5 year old second-hand example with FPSH, whose 2 previous owners have taken the big hit on depreciation. Just in time for my mid-life crisis as well... tidy. Cheers, Plug

I used to get around 20/21 mpg on local runs in the Scooby, that used to go up to about 26/27 on the motorway. I did a 200 mile motorway run in the Merc today and got 23 [:'(]. Cheers, Plug

Funny enough, Monday was my 1st anniversary of giving up. So now I can call myself a non-smoker Haven't had one since I stopped and don't intend to! Cheers, Plug

I'm surprised you have any keys left on your keyboard [] Cheers, Plug

Never owned an RS but a mate's girlfriend (now wife) had a Fiesta RS turbo, bought new not long after they came out. It was "assisted" by a few M6 washers packing out the wastegate actuator rod to get some extra boost.. I drove it just the once and it was completely barking, nothing below about 3000 rpm then a huge whoosh and a massive dose of torque steer. It was a nightmare, on the motorway it would change lanes on its own when you floored the throttle. Way, way more power than the chassis could handle.. fun when you're in the mood though! Need less to say, the engine didn't last long.. I think it did about 18K before it blew up. Apparently, FMC took it back to the factory to try and work out how the studs holding the head down had stretched....[] Cheers, Plug

I spoke to the dealer today, and said I was disappointed to get a fault after just 2 days. I said I'd stick a couple of full tanks through to see if it un-clogs itself, but if it didn't, would he consider looking at it on a good-will basis. I know it's my car now, but he wouldn't have tried to sell me a car knowing it had a broken fuel gauge, would he? He said no problem, if it's still faulty they will take it back and sort it out. Good service []. I paid top dollar for the car, but sometimes it's better to pay the dealer's mark-up and get a little peace of mind.. Cheers, Plug

Wonderful german reliability being what it is... The dealer put 1/2 a tank of fuel in it when I picked it up, which I promptly demolished and then chucked another £20s worth in the tank, in the motorway services on Saturday. By the time it came to going to work this morning, that was nearly all gone as well. Stopped at the local Shell garage at lunchtime, and brimmed the tank. Paid, got back in, reset the trip to try and work out the consumption over the next tank, guess what, the gauge packed up and now reads zero. I've done some reading up and apparently it is far from rare for Mercs to have dodgy fuel senders, which cost a small fortune to replace. Bugger. So that's 2 days and already it needs money spending on it. I think a call to the dealer is in order if it doesn't unstick itself in the next couple of days.... Cheers, Plug

Another one jumping ship for a Panzer wagen! Enjoy it geezer.. Cheers, Plug

Okey Dokey Guv.. South of France on the hurry-up is it then? Gaw blimey, Channel tunnel, that'll be busy at this time of night.. Cheers, Plug

Great photos, I'll have the short wheelbase Quattro and the Rothmans 911 please! Cheers, Plug

I haven't found that a problem, but then I'm a bit of a shortarse. The wheel adjusts for reach but not for tilt, I would prefer it tilted forward a bit more but it's not a drama. I did a couple of hundred miles in it yesterday and it's a nice place to sit... [] Cheers, Plug

Dead right Stephen, it's a C43. Underneath that bonnet is a 4.3 litre V8 good for 306 BHP.. does it ever shift! The soundtrack is pretty exciting as well. Oh well, even bigger fuel bills than the Scoob now [] Cheers, Plug

Thought I would post some pictures of the wicked temptress that led me away from the path of Scoobydom.. It is quite a beastie. Today I found a piece of private runway where I could put my foot down and leave it down for more than a couple of seconds. It might not step off the line as fast as the Scooby, but the acceleration further up the scale is little short of intimidating. I think I'm going to like this car... Cheers, Plug

Bad luck M8, know how you feel as I part-exed mine yesterday.. but I did swap it for an AMG Merc [] My first Scooby went when I bought my house, downgraded to a crappy ZX diesel [sn]. Hope you don't have to suffer the same fate.. Cheers, Plug

Excellent.... Cheers, Plug