Unfortunately since we bought a trailer I don't really have the space to comfortably have a third vehicle again, so either the Celica or the Grand Cherokee would have to go. If it was just up to me I'd have like 6 cars lol.

By modern standards it kinda is, it's still a 3000lb car designed in the mid 90's. Though it looks like they crash tested the IS back in 2002 and it did better than it's rivals from the era. I don't know if they changed anything vs the early ones or vs the Altezza but I'd want a later one either way.

Yes that kona N is absolutely bonkers.

Gti is a mild hatch. Not even spicy. Just like white guy spicy. Kona N is fucking Korean spicy on steroids.

Only problem with Kona N is the transmission is slow. Pop a downshift. Wait a sec and then hear it go bahahhhpapappapaapa. If you don’t like farts. Don’t get a Kona N

If I’d known about the Kona N, I might have taken a second look at it. However no Manuel and that horrible brand association (wife won’t let me buy a Hyundai) ultimately makes it a challenging choice.

Plus it doesn’t help it’s much more expensive than the GTI due to god awful residuals

P.s don’t be a prejudice retard like me. Go give the N products a try. You’ll be blown away. I had a shit faced grin the entire time I was driving that thing. When I drive my German sausage I have a stout look of moody disappointment. Germans don’t like fun ja? Plus you wanna pay special VW oil and 31 dollar filters ?!? Huh ?!? Do ya ?!?

The new Golf R 8.5 is out.

Barely looks any different. No Manuel too. Boooo stupid ! Boooooo !!!

Giant tablet looks even dumber than the current.

I personally dig the new tablets in cars. The display is nice and crispy.

Oh hell naw fuck that. I'll let someone else deal with that headache :heckno:

I can't believe you have to go through all that just to access the water pump.

Hideous looking wheels on the blue version Golf R ... don't care that they are forged, just ugly!

Looks quite good blacked out
https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/6Z...ition-2024.jpg

And the wagon guise is just :drool
https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/Ak...riant-2024.jpg

yah, will give you that. Blacked out version of wheels is 100x better than silver ones!

but we'll never see the wagon here =(

By the time Trollface gets around to buying a R, the MK7.5 R wagon would be legal to import.

That blacked out one looks just like my blacked out one. I can’t even tell the difference.

Buy some Lasik for your eyes bro.

No you !! NO YOU !!!

Just like yerrrr face !!!!!!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3a/2b...ed247b5181.gif

More evidence that upgrades were needed. I had to very slowly get this bolt going with an open ended wrench at a funky angle, until it was clear of the bent lip and I could get a socket on it.

https://i.imgur.com/MYLkLo2.jpeg

New crossmember and skidplate in. tbh I'm not entirely sure why they go through the hassle to make a whole new crossmember, adjust the bracket a bit and you could just bolt the ends under the stock one and save a lot of hassle and expense.

https://i.imgur.com/MAsGKXC.jpeg

Part of the install requires drilling holes to pass the flag nuts through. I didn't have a hole saw in that size, and I didn't feel like buying a whole kit, so I bought just the one size I need. The crossmember has a hole the same size so no center bit needed. So I slapped this bolt in which let me use my impact to do it. Definitely a little sketchy but very effective.

https://i.imgur.com/d7beYC9.jpeg

Following up to the oil change I did a week or two ago.

The oil change was due as per maintenance schedule (8000KM or 6 months, whichever comes first.) This was in preparation for a road trip my wife and I just got back from. We went to the following places:

• Cincinnati, OH
• Williamstown, KY
• Richmond, KY
• Corbin, KY
• Columbus, OH
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Cleveland, OH

Overall, an interesting road trip in the Corolla iM. My wife and I took turns driving. We left at around midnight last Friday in order to beat the rush of traffic along the 401 towards the Detroit/Windsor border and arrived at Cincinnati at around 10am or so (with some breaks in between.)

The weather was hot as hell as there was a hot spell coming through the mid west, up into Toronto/Great Lakes area. We stopped along random gas stations along the interstate freeway, such as Loves, Buc'ees (Richmond, KY) for washroom breaks, quick snacks, and to fuel up. My wife joked that this was like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. :peek:

Lots of very friendly American folk, great southern hospitality the further south we went, and polarizing views on abortion, gun control, politics, religion, and issues like gay rights etc. People really make their opinions known out this way.

No real photos of particular interest except for the Cincinnati Reds vs. Boston Red Sox game we went to see at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinatti, and homage to Badhobz where we went to the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, KY. Fun fact - There was an Indian family in the parking lot. I didn't pick a fight with them because they didn't steal our parking spot.

https://i.imgur.com/wKqDKkA.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/ZNVeIvE.jpeg

There was a flash flood on our way from Cleveland towards the Pennsylvania border. It got pretty scary as rain would just envelop your car and you could NOT see in front of you. Took us a while to get back home but otherwise, saw a Subaru and GTI pulled over to the side of the road (premonition for Badhobz?) All in all, good road trip. Never seen as many Toyota Avalons and Solaras in my life. 2600KM later, the Corolla holds up. :fuckyea:

Have I taught you nothing ?!?!!?!! Fight them !!!!!!

Corolla road trips are the best road trips. I wanna take the golf down for a road trip but it might leave me dead in crackville USA

They had guns. :pokerface:

My only real gripe (first world problem) is the engine's displacement. 1.8L CVT isn't all that fun or safe when you're trying to merge onto the Interstate freeway and you've got an 18-wheeler coming up to the side of you at 85MPH. :badpokerface:

I checked my tire pressure along the way, and with the heat wave, the tire pressures spiked to 40psi, whereas I left Toronto with 33psi as per factory recommendation. :ahwow:

A few things we learned on this road trip:
1. We can road trip in this car - We need to make it work
2. It's nice to have a bigger car or at least a car with more displacement/power. Would be more comfortable too.
3. Confirmed we don't need an SUV, despite popular demand. I've always been anti-SUV (nothing against anyone who owns one or in the market for one.)

Given this experience, we will attempt to drive to the Maritimes later this summer during back-to-school season. We've always wanted to visit the Maritimes, and felt driving was the best way to explore the country and the other side of Canada. :)

Should've gotten the Veloster N or Elantra N, surprisingly so fun for what it is.

I really liked the GTI over the R though. Felt more fun for some reason.

Why can't you roadtrip in it? We had the same Corolla iM model in Australia and we road tripped in that one. Agreed the 1.8 CVT is weak but mine was a different problem, it had no power in the twisties and the passing zones aren't long enough for it to pick up speed when the bus or RV ahead of you would not slow down so you can get ahead of them.

We originally thought we would need more space to pack stuff we wanted to bring, and really, it boiled down to whether or not it could keep up on the twisties and the passing zones. You're dead spot on with lack of power. Merging and the rolling hills going through Ohio and Pennsylvania was a challenge, and you really had to give it all in order to keep up with the pick up trucks, SUVs, and big rig trucks.

I think the benefit for us in Australia is, well, it's Australia.

They are less insane on the highway because their road rules are stricter than most of North America. Typically the follow a similar car buying pattern as Europe where most cars are of the less power variant. In North America, anything less than 200hp is detrimentally slow nowadays unless you are driving something like a Mini or Fiat 500.

Space wasn't an issue for two adults and we fit our two suitcases in the trunk no problem, that left the back seat for all the regular road trip junk like food and jackets and other garbage.

We'd probably be ok road tripping in a 911 if it's the two of us.

We packed two small duffel bags with our stuff, and two coolers. One to keep drinks cold with ice packs, and the other one with food/snacks such as fruit and whatever.

We ended up buying stuff along the way, so space was definitely not an issue. I think more honestly, security was the major concern as we didn't want stuff sitting visible in the back seat. Trunk was fine because it has the trunk/privacy cover.

I just did 3345km in my MR2 over 5 days, and it was fine... mostly fine.