De-lurk

Jay wrote: For those of you who complain about "too-high belt-lines", poor rearward visibility, or claustrophobic cabins, do *not* drive an FTO. I, on the other hand, consider those points to be proper sports car *features*.

I've heard you say that before. I cannot disagree more--probably because the original sports cars were all convertibles. I'm okay with cramped, but I greatly dislike poor sitelines forward and sideways. Backwards I could really care less.

Oh hai guyz.

I moved again. I'm on another Pacific island. Was too expensive to ship the FTO. :(

This is its replacement.

Once again I'll leave you all to figure out what it is.

Peugeot 406 coupe! Another very pretty car we didn't get over here...

Looks like a Prelude/BMW 8 Series love child.

Haha first reply got it. I even de-badged the front end in Photoshop.

It does look a bit like an 8-series: They are about the same size, although the BMW has 6 extra cylinders.

Love the 406! All over France when I visit family.

Though most things from Pininfarina don't suck...

I guess I can post a butt shot even though it shows the horrible state of my roof clearcoat.

The 406 is really nice, it's not a hard-wired sports car like the FTO but it's a great cruiser. Eats highway miles like nothing and still handles beautifully (like a proper Eurocoupe should.) I have the top-of-the-range V6 model with full black leather, big Brembo brakes (which have proved to be kind of a pain to find wheels that fit over), and all the options.

Unfortunately it's an automatic - but it's a nice auto with a 'sport mode' that has some predictive downshift algorithm that works really well. I didn't have a lot to choose from as this is very likely the only 406 on the island.

Still rather have a manual though. I think with nice 6-speed this thing would be the perfect small-GT coupe. Actually with RWD and a nice 6-speed this thing would be the perfect small-GT coupe.

Current problem is it's presently running on 5 cylinders (and has been for the entire time I've had it.) I suspect an ignition coil (easy to replace, comes in a 3-pack) but I wanna swap the plugs & leads first to be sure. Changing the rear bank of plugs requires removing the intake manifold and (99% likely) having to replace the gasket & TB gasket. Thanks Peugeot engineers! Of course there are no Peugeot suppliers here for me to pop into and get gaskets. >:(

Loving that we are getting to live vicariously through you with some of the cool cars we can't get in the states.

And welcome back!

So, what island are you lurking around now?

Thanks guys! Yeah I missed hanging around here. I need a good place to shoot the breeze about car stuff & terrible ideas (like owning an Italian-built French coupé as your only transportation.)

Couple more shots (I've actually had this thing since February, so loads of photo ops) :

Grtechguy wrote: So, what island are you lurking around now?

Vancouver island