Am I mad? 80 miles per day in a 1.8 petrol

How is that wit? I get confused with how something can be smooth AND precise.

Rifle bolts offer feedback (and satisfaction) when you change gear unlike stirring a smooth porridge box. Similar to a tyre giving feedback by compromising on comfort.

Smoothness and precision can be felt by a solid, positive action. A bit of weight behind it and yet feeling like you're positively engaging something. Not how I'd describe the Honda gearboxes I've experienced.
 
Well your definition of good must be different to most. The S2000 gearbox is widely recognised as one of the best manual boxes for gearshifts.
 
Don't get me wrong it isn't the most horrid car ever.. However there are a lot better cars for not a lot more money, also will last longer.

Find me something better for the £580 I paid - by better I mean handling, economy and longevity. There's not a fleck of rust on it at 10 years old - I struggle to see how you can judge lifetime from that? :)

I've driven pretty much all mass-market cars either through my old job or test drives, and the ZS seems to have a 'fun factor' that's quite hard to find at this price point.

I'm happy anyway - did my first commute today in it and on the brisk B roads it had me grinning when giving it some. You can certainly tell it's a very light engine, so free revving.

I can see why they put it in the Elise now! I've never really understood that, as I've never driven one properly before.
 
When I had a Rover Coupe with the VVC engine it was good. Great revving engine (more power than yours which will be a 120 no VVC?) and very light, no understeer at all compared to the heavier T series turbo engines, fairly fast but it was a fairly light car with a reasonable power engine.

Can't remember fuel economy but it was noticeably better than the older T series engines (no surprise there). Had some good times in that car with the roof popped in summer.

WRT the financial side, I would try to run one car only..

Fun factor and economy at your price range, I'd buy a 306 hdi, better economy and handling. Cheaper, buy a Xsara hdi as its the same car but ugly and more powerful as it is intercooled iirc.
 
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Aye, the 600 is now off the road on SORN and not insured. It's kept off the highway.

It's only a 120, but the light chassis means it does pick up quite well. I'm enjoying it so far, but I do miss the sunroof of the 600. I don't miss the old suspension and clutch, though!
 
Extremely mad. I had 65MPG on an A-road trip through West Sussex, 70 mile round journey. Needle hasn't moved from full.

Might not be a Caterham 7 but as a daily the Golf is amazeballs.
 
I am doing, the 600 is a fantastic car and I feel happy to own one of the high spec models in good condition. It's not going anywhere.

I just want to spend a lot of time getting it right.

I can sort of understanding liking a 600 and wanting a good example, but surely it makes sense to start with a ti rather than a nasty old diesel? Old diesels are good hacks, that's it.
 
You probably have a lot more cash, it's not hard to have more than me. :p

Got to say, something revvy is a breath of fresh air after the diesel. I love the 600 to bits, but having insta-power and 7,000rpm is a lot of fun when you're used to a lump or torque and then nothing.
 
Couple of pics for you all:

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It's not really the economy that bothers me, I make money on anything over 22mpg, it's the frequent servicing that puts me off. I can rarely get booked in on a weekend which means I have to take a day of work. I'm a contractor and that means I lose my daily rate for that day, plus I have to pay for a service on top. In addition, I don't like putting too many miles on it.
 
Shocks, lines, clutch and something else?

And you have a shop? Workshop?

Even without, buying another car? Just extend a weekend with some annual leave and get it done you lazy git.
 
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